Happy Post

Dada Life is set to drop the Happy Hands Happy Feet EP and they recently greenlighted the drop of it’s title track. Best described by their own mantras: “Destroy dance music and have fun. Don’t look back in the past. Always go forward. Don’t think too much. Always follow the money..” Dada Life continuously murders dance tracks and does it in style. Look out for remixes by  Alex Gopher, Moonbootica, Malente and Phatzoo on the release.

And for icing on the cake, along with those remixes comes a music video jam packed with break dancing and ass kicking. You can peep it after the jump below, and while you’re at it, check out the “Rubber Band Boogie” single off of the self-titled EP with a sick Laidback Luke remix on the B-Side that came out a few months ago. Looks like 2009 is geared up to be a big year for these two.

Dada Life – Happy Hands & Happy Feet

Dada Life – Rubber Band Boogie

(music video–>)

Discodeine

Discodeine, a French duo composed of Pilooski and Pentile & signed to Dirty, produced their latest work for WhoMadeWho remixing “The Plot”, a single off of their full length album bearing the same track’s name. The song has been featured on several websites, including Hot Biscuits, which renewed my interest in the two of them. So I started looking into their previous releases.

Though I had heard a few their tracks through the Joakim remix for the Tom Select EP and the remix that they did for Metronomy‘s “Heartbreaker”, I hadn’t heard “Ring Modulation” which is a lesser known yet pretty amazing single. Pretty tight huh?

Discodeine – Ring Modulation

Metronomy – Heartbreaker (Discodeine Remix)

Who’s Afraid of DEMF?

Art by gustav5

I’m not. In one it’s roughest years in the past century, Detroit will have reason for rejoice for one solid weekend where artists from around the world will come and pay tribute to the city that started techno. The Detroit Electronic Music Festival kicks off during Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, and you can pick up tickets Here.

In other tributes, the music video to Claude Von Stroke‘s “Who’s Afraid of Detroit?” was shot in parts of Detroit, Chicago and DEMF itself. As a Detroit native, aside from taking masterful control of the single itself- Von Stroke felt it would only be fitting for him to execute the music video in it’s entirety as well. Audion also put together an amazing remix of the track that is well worth it’s own recognition.

Claude Von Stroke – Who’s Afraid Of Detroit (Audion Remix)

(video & lineup–>)

DJ Koze RA Podcast 145

Art by optt

DJ Koze was recently featured on Resident Advisor’s 145th Podcast much to my delight. When asked to describe the mix, Koze says ” [It's] Music for nonexistent dance floors? Not really! I think I wanted to do a mix like a good radio show. It’s more to listen than to dance, but who’s dancing to the internet?” Well, I do. I dance to the internet. But not really to this mix. Certainly an uncompromising listen, it is as much a window into the bizarre world of DJ Koze as it is a paced and focused journey through genres.

His latest release Reincarnations – The Remix Chapter, dropped about two weeks ago on Get Physical Music, and features some incredible tracks. Of them, my favorite is easily the remix he did of Sascha Funke‘s “Mango” vs. “A Fortune Cookie Symphony”, titled “Mango Cookie”, where the end product is something staggering and althewhile offputting in the same degree. It’s a dazzling track, raising the bar on minimal production higher than I’ve seen it set before.

Sascha Funke – Mango Cookie (DJ Koze’s Pink Moon Remix)

DJ Koze Resident Advisor Podcast No. 145 (link to RA)

(tracklist–>)

Gui Boratto @ Smartbar (3.28)

Arriving on the heels of his second full-length drop, Take My Breath Away, a release destined for top-10 lists at the end of 2009, Kompact‘s crown jewel and Sao Paulo native Gui Boratto will be in Chicago this Saturday at Smartbar. Even though he has been quoted saying he prefers to operate outside of genre definitions, I would classify his production as bordering on minimal-tech, or even ambiance in some regards, but make no mistake- it is definitely dance music and it is not boring.  Few have the charm and patience captured by Boratto, especially with his 2007 release, Chromophobia, which just so happens to be the only album with it’s own folder on my iphone right now. And it will probably stay that way.

In a more concise description of the release, Slant Magazine‘s Jesse Cataldo describes Boratto’s latest album in these terms; “Take My Breath Away is a heavily populated but still carefully fashioned landscape, never feeling crowded and skipping effortlessly between lush ambience and driving techno.” Boratto is nothing less than impressive on recording, so I can only guess how his live performances are. He might be one of the the only artists that I can think of that only performs live, so I have pretty high expectations here. Check out the tracks below and see if Gui Boratto is stopping through your city before returning to Brazil.

Gui Boratto – Atomic Soda

Goldfrapp – A&E (Gui Boratto Remix)

(gui boratto north american tour dates–>)

Calvin Harris @ Debonair (3.28)

In an apex of what can only be described as a legendary week in music here in Chicago,  Calvin Harris is going to be at Debonair Social Club on Saturday (3.28), and I can already tell it’s going to be insane. The man needs no introduction around this site- I’ll let this more recent track of his, remixed by Deadmau5, as well as his original classic “Acceptable in the 80′s”, off of his debut full length album, I Created Disco, speak for him themselves.

*Unfortunately, as of yesterday, Calvin Harris has cancelled the rest of his North American tour for reasons relating to his health. Well, that’s a bummer & I hope he gets better and comes back sometime soon.. :(

Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone (Deadmau5 Remix)

Calvin Harris – Acceptable In The 80′s

What a Great Life

Radio Slave has to be the most prolific artist I can think of. Really transformative production, my favorite example of his work is the remix he did for Franck Garcia and Mile Caro‘s release, Dead Souls, which dropped just about a year ago. Hauntingly dreamy and dark, it’s easily one of the most original and inspiring tracks of 2008. As of recent, Radio Slave released his Sex Trax EP in January, and another great release is the Rekids Revolution compilation dropped by his record label, Rekids, which came out about a week ago.

Sadly enough, Radio Slave didn’t have Chicago planned in this North American trip, though he just graced Montreal, New York and Toronto the past three days and will be hitting three more spots in Miami this upcoming weekend at Ninety Derees (3.27), the Beatport Pool Party (3.28) and Karu & Y (3.28) for all of the WMC Ultra festivities. Man, I really didn’t have my shit together this year in planning for that.

Franck Garcia & Mlle Caro – Dead Souls (Radio Slave’s Long Distance Kiss Mix)

Booka Shade Ticket Contest!

For the most anticipated show of the month, my hat goes off to Booka Shade hitting The Metro (tickets) on Thursday, March 26th. My respect and admiration for these two is almost neverending, and this week is shaping up to be the best week in music that Chicago has seen all year, and might see for the rest. Who remembers their daytime set at Lollapalooza last year? (their setup is so sick..) Taking the stage against MGMT in terms of timeslots, they absolutely annihilated it. It wasn’t even fair.. Well, to celebrate their arrival, [redthreat] is giving away a free pair of tickets to one lucky winner, who will be randomly selected early this week and notified via email!

For those not as familiar with their work, Booka Shade started their careers in the miminal and tech-house spheres of electronic music. They’ve received worldwide attention after the releases “Body Language”, “In White Rooms” and”Charlotte”, and have garnered heaps of praise from critics worldwide- “Charlotte” even landed them the title of The Best Tech-House Act of 2008 on Beatport.

Along with three albums, Memento, Movements and The Sun & the Neon Light, Booka Shade founded Get Physical Records, with DJ T & M.A.N.D.Y., and they have developed what I would call one of the most impressive live performances that I have had the privilege of witnessing. They’re festival killers. No wonder Resident Advisor named them one of the top-5 acts to see live in 2008.

Booka Shade – Charlotte

Yello – Oh Yeah Oh’ Six (Booka Shade Remix)

(booka shade remaining tour dates–>)

Bring the Noize

Jesus there’s a killer lineup at Abbey Pub this Monday! Not only do we have who I would probably call my favorite DJ, Boys Noize, up there.. but along with him comes Don Rimini, Designer Drugs, Jack Beats and Gatekeeper. On a Monday! This is going to be the most insane start to a week that I can even remember, and that’s if I even remember it after all of the mayhem.. I’m gonna need to take the rest of the week off. And you might wanna pick up some tickets early..

After the Chicago date, Boys Noize will be in Philly on Tuesday at The Mausoleum with Diplo, then over to the WMC in Miami where he’ll be spinning the Beatport Pool Party on Thursday, then a whole Boys Noize Records extravaganza at Louis on Friday and then the Ultra Festival itself on Saturday. What I would give to hang through that tour schedule…

John Starlight – Shadowbreaker (Boys Noize Remix No. 1)

Boys Noize – Shine Shine (AC Slater Remix)

Fischerspooner @ Debonair [3.20]

Photo by Fischer_Spooner (check out the photostream..)

The incredible duo that is Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner, better known as Fischerspooner, will be throwing a party in Chicago at Debonair Social Club this Friday, March 20th. The flyer says that it will be a DJ set, but I have some news for you.. it’s not. Word on the street is that there will be singing and dancing and a much better glimpse at the energy and mayhem that those two are known for during their live performances.

Considering that they haven’t toured since 2005, I’d say Chicago is pretty damn lucky to have the chance to see them twice in two months. Tonight will be a night to remember for a while before they come back again in May to perform at the Metro. I’d get tickets for that while you can. The next album, Entertainment, is set to be released May 5th, and according to NME, Fischerspooner’s live show will include “hairy monsters, feathered chorus girls spitting blood, raucous new versions of their underground hits, and storms of glitter.”

Fischerspooner – Supply & Demand

Fischerspooner Live Tour Dates after the Jump…

Jesse Rose @ Smartbar [03.20]

Smartbar keeps haulin’ ‘em in, so I have to keep on posting, right? Friday night, Jesse Rose will be swinging through Chicago on Friday, March 20th, en route through the United States promoting his second release,What Do You Do If You Don’t?. Riding a fine line between the minimal and fidget spheres of house music, Rose’s latest album is another reason why 2009 is shaping up to be an incredible year in music.

Check out this track below and tell me it’s not the most appropriate song to post at this very moment, and make sure to check to see if Rose is swinging through your neighborhood within the next three extensive months of touring he has ahead of him. Oh, and snag the album, mannn.. it’s fire.

Rekid – Next Stop Chicago (Jesse Rose Remix)

Check out his Tour Dates after the Jump…

Menacing Expectations

Photo by Thommy

I’m going to go ahead and predict that Kris Menace‘s album, Idiosyncrasies- out somewhere between April and May this year, is going to be one of the hottest full-lengths dropped in 2009. The response to the anonymously released “Scaler” (live video) in late December was huge, and with his previous releases alongside Lifelike, with the 2005 release of Discopolis, as well as tracks with Alan Braxe and Fred Falke.. I’d say my assumptions are justified.

Here two pretty impressive samples of his work. Check out his February Chart on Beatport if you have a minute, and if you haven’t heard the more recent remix he did of Underworld’s “Ring Road” you might want to snag a copy of that as well.

Moby – Ooh Yeah (Kris Menace Remix)

Yuksek – Tonight (Kris Menace Remix)

Cut Copy in Chicago!

Photo by thesoundscapefestival

Halfway through their North American Tour, Cut Copy is playing tonite in Chicago and this time I’m not missing it. Headlining at The Vic with Matt & Kim in what is expected to be an early show, if you missed out on getting tickets before it sold out- do not distress- there is an afterparty at Berlin with a Cut Copy DJ set as well as a set by Knightlife, Daisy O’Dell and Jordan Z!

This is shaping up to be a great night, and to top it off check out the latest remix that Aeroplane did of Cut Copy’s “Hearts on Fire” that should put a smile on your face while you’re counting down the hours. For those of you not in Chicago but still in North America, the dates are listed after the jump.

Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (Aeroplane Pop Mix)

Blog Wars [03.17]

Blog Wars tonite at Debonair Social Club! Featuring tunes by Noise/Floor Crew, Black Holes, Beats & Sirhan. Come celebrate St. Patty’s Day as well as Beats’ b-day in style. Buy his ass a shot. As always, the event is hosted by Lovestar, Pauly Walnuts and yours truly and there is no cover. I might even be throwing down some tunes at the start of the night, so get there early! Yay!

Berlin Calling

Photo by .Page.

I’ve been really getting into Bpitch label’s Paul Kalkbrenner‘s stuff lately, in particular the soundtrack to his feature film, “Berlin Calling“, where he not only stars as the lead actor but also composes the musical journey that is as much a part of the film as it’s characters. The soundtrack dropped in December of last year, and showcases Kalkbrenner’s attention to details in creating mood and atmosphere with his mini-tech influences, meanwhile carrying melodies enticing me into it’s realm more than many other heavyweight producers of the genre.

Paul Kalkbrenner – Aaron

Paul Kalkbrenner – Altes Kamuffel

Give a Lot

Photo by …leo…

For a nice way to start out the week check out Trentemoller‘s remix of Andy Caldwell‘s “Give a Little”. A perfect example of how Trentemoller’s technique is aural acupuncture. He recently announced tour date additions if you are around the areas of Australia, Japan or Brazil, and a couple spots inbetween if you are so lucky. Too bad there aren’t any US tour dates on that schedule..

Andy Caldwell – Give A Little (Trentemoller Re-Adjustment)

Claude Von Stroke @ Smartbar [3.07]

Man, Smartbar twice in one weekend! I might as well just sleep there and save myself some gas money.. But with acts like Claude Von Stroke coming through they night after Alan Braxe there’s more than enough reason. I’ll be partying with Beats, probably the biggest Von Stroke fan I know. Turbo psyched. On a side note, i really wanted to post this pic until I found the flyer.. Oh well.

He’s also set to hit Houston on March 12th and Miami on March 27th before heading to Europe for a bit. DEMF and Lovefest are also on the list there. Any of you guys going to DEMF? It’ll be my first time this year. I don’t know why I’ve been overlooking it..

Andy Caldwell – Warrior (Claude Von Stroke Mix)

Claude Von Stroke – The Whistler (Vandalism Remix)

Alan Braxe @ Smartbar [03.06]

On Friday night, Alan Braxe will be spinning at Smartbar with Trancid & Mark Gertz of Dark Wave Disco along with Ryan Paradise, all hosted by Derek Specs. Unfortunately I missed the last show he threw when he swung through last year. Not gonna repeat that mistake. I feel right! Music sounds better with you!

Annie – Heartbeat (Alan Braxe Remix)

DFA 1979 – Black History Month (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix)

Futurecop! Tour 2009

Tuesday, March 3rd, Futurecop! will be hitting Chicago’s Empty Bottle, along with Theophilus London and Rainbo Video, on their way out west before they will ultimately end up at SXSW and the WMC in Miami. Some of you on the East Coast and up in Canada might have just seen their gig in the past week. Another group trailblazing dance music gazing through a rear-view mirror, Futurecop! are known for easy-going, 80′s era dance music and I’m expecting a pretty awesome set. And that flier is awesome.

Futurecop! – Tonight’s Hero

Futurecop! – Class Of 1984 (Anoraak Remix)

Futurecop – Nasa (Tally Isham Remix)