forward thinking music & chicago events blog
Smartbar is hosting a solid lineup this New Year’s. Santiago, of Santiago & Bushido will be headlining, with The Hood Internet, Bald E, John Patterson, Sassmouth & Nate Manic.
Tickets are $25 pre-sale, $30 day-of and $75 reserved seating as well as VIP service available for high rollers. For early celebration, here’s the S&B remix of Prairie Cartel‘s “Beautiful Shadow” I was thrown a few weeks ago.
Prairie Cartel – Beautiful Shadow (Santiago & Bushido Remix) [ysi for now]
And then there’s this…
A Decade of Flying Lotus Mix [mixed by Gaslamp Killer]
via parana iv
Tis the season for giving I suppose. Both Boys Noize and Erol Alkan came through with Christmas presents so long as you’ve been a good little boy or girl this year. The first one’s the ‘Noize’s little power edit of Siriusmo‘s “Night By Night” remix. The second, the Disco 3000 remix of In Flagranti‘s “Brash Vulgar.”
Chromeo – Night By Night (Siriusmo Remix) (Boys Noize Power Edit)
In Flagranti – Brash & Vulgar (Disco 3000 Remix)
What Kind of Breeze Do You Blow is back with this Lake Heartbeat remix. It’s one of several space disco pieces that have hit the block in the past six months, including the Kings of Convenience rework posted below and a debut EP, Love of Luxery, out on the blogger upstart label, Brilliantine.
Lake Heartbeat – Mystery (What Kind of Breeze Do You Blow Remix)
Kings of Convenience – Rule The World (What Kind Of Breeze Do You Blow Remix)
West coast dreamer Nosaj Thing‘s year has been particularly successful. Releasing his debut Drift in June of 2009, it soon after soared in chart rankings internationally and earned him much deserved limelight, it’s only more rewarding as a listener to collect remixes like these. If he’s not booked for the dome at Coachella this year I’ll be massively disappointed. (thx music slut!)
Daedalus – It’s Madness (Nosaj Thing Remix)
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Heaven Can Wait (Nosaj Thing Remix)
Chicago readers: Daedalus live @ Kinetic Playground, December 30th
Nick Curly‘s 2009 studio performances have gone from strong to stronger. Take this Thodoris Traintafillou “Suspicious Behavior” remix. I’m hoping that Curly is booked this year for DEMF, or at least has a big spot at WMC.
Thordoris Traintafillou – Suspicious Behavior (Nick Curly Remix)
All sorts of weird behavior today! One more DJ Koze track before the year is up. Along with his “Mango Cookie” Sasha Funke track merger, the “Strange Behavior” remix he did for Danish techno DJ, Blagger, is one of the best efforts made this year.
Blagger – Strange Behavior (DJ Koze Remix)
Another hot item, DJ Hell‘s “The DJ” single with Diddy on vox made lots of waves this year. Interesting commentary on the state of electronic music with a killer remix by Paul Woolford for another huge win.
The Grindin’ Top 20 of 2009 [?]
01. Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo
02. Major Lazer – Pon Di Floor
03. Florence + The Machine – You Got The Love (The XX Remix)
04. L-Vis 1990 – United Groove
05. Health – Die Slow
06. Gucci Vump – Sha Shtil! (L-Vis 1990 VIP Remix)
07. F.L.Y – Party Time
08. House of House – Rushing To Paradise
09. Kingdom (ft. Shyvonne) – Mindreader
10. Fuck Buttons – Surf Solar
11. Duck Sauce – aNYway
12. Salem – redlights
13. Diplo & Laidback Luke – Hey
14. Fake Blood – I Think I Like It
15. Burial & Four Tet – Moth
16. Michel Cleis – La Mezcla
17. Bok Bok – Ripe Banana
18. Classixx (ft. Jeppe) – I’ll Get You
19. Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed (Jakwob Remix)
20. Curses! – The Deep End (Holy Ghost! Dub)
Wait, what? Treasure Fingers will be in town throwing a party with Only Children & Kid Color? Damn, I was going to try to take it easy this weekend but I guess all of that’s changed now. Well, there’s plenty of time to rest when you’re dead, I suppose. So much for a fireplace and hot chocolate, I was always more of a fan of luke warm Jim Beam anyhow.
Yeah, you know the names. The first track posted below is the recent Treasure Fingers remix of Oh Snap!!‘s “Plus Size Model” included in the recently released Plus Size Model EP. Also featuring remixes Jakwob and Mightyfools (among others) this one’s a hot item this month. For good measure I’m also gonna include the insta-classic Hey Champ track “Cold Dust Girl” remixed by good friends, the Only Children. Bundle up!
The end of an era is upon us. Concluding the Hollertronix brand, we have us one last release from the duo in their tenth pressing, Partysquad’s Hollertonix #10. Released in digital, vinyl & t-shirt forms, this should be a hot item for any music-lovers stocking stuffer. I’m sad to see this chapter of MadDecent‘s body of work come to a close. Here’s the remix by Jayou and Diplo to hold you over.
The Partysquad – Murderer (Diplo & Jayou Remix)
Friendly Fires once again receive a remix from an outstanding electronic producer, another one of my favorites for this year, Joakim. Festive and alive, this remix has influences rooted all over the music world. It’s really amazing where his production has gone since the legendary release of Monsters & Silly Songs. I’m still waiting on the US tour…
Friendly Fires – On Board (Joakim Remix)
Another impressive producer lending his talents to a wide array of global techno while also putting together what I would argue to be the best Resident Advisor podcast this year, is DJ Koze. There are few artists I would characterize as ‘genius,’ but in his case I would readily apply the term quite easily. The Mathias Aguayo “Minimal” remix is a staggering piece. Here’s his latest effort, produced for the Austrian duo dude Soap & Skin‘s very excellent EP, Marche Funebre, released earlier in November.
Finishing up 2009 in strong form, Butch has been very active the past two weeks. Completing remixes for Sasha & Ray Lamontagne and NoiDoi, he’s also somehow found time to release the Monsterbacke Christmas Special with Heckmann just yesterday. Productivity aside, I’m loving the diversity here. It’s a true sign of talent.
video: Butch & Heckmann – Monsterbacke (Monster Mix) [yt]
video: Sasha & Ray Lamontagne – Eclipse (Butch Remix) [yt]
Looking backwards, some of Butch’s most noteworthy efforts so far this year have been Super Fluff Disco Stuff, featuring hit tracks “Joy” & “Disco Shhh,” as well as the Papillion EP, featuring the “Amelie” remixes that continue to get tons of play around here. If 2010 looks anything like 2009, we have us some great music coming from Butch’s direction.
Dirtybird owner Claude VonStroke will be returning to Smartbar on Saturday, December 19th, hot on the heels of the Bird Brain full length & the followup Beat That Bird Remixes release. Truly a prolific and proficient talent, after this weekend there’s a great likelihood I’ll be willing to dub him Artist of the Year.
ticket giveaway: that’s right! to enter shoot me an email with your full name in it and you’ll be entered in the drawing.
via C&H (snowmen strips)
I was just wondering where Moulinex has been for the past year or so.. There is that Two Door Cinema joint, and then there’s this new WhoMadeWho remix he put some work into, given to me by PlantMusic and featured on the I Lost My Voice Remixes EP. Easy listening nu-disco here, tidied up by Discotexas‘ finest.
WhoMadeWho – I Lost My Voice (Moulinex Remix)
Mike Porta & Tim Brown, aka Calling in Sick are back as well, this time with a remix they did for Bertie Blackman. It has the similar synth signature of their previous works like “Cali Games” & their Bag Raiders remix. A sound so distinctly Australian.
Bertie Blackman – Black Cats (Calling In Sick Remix)
Adult Swim has stepped into the music world once again, this time getting together with Rockstar and getting behind artists like Gucci Mane, OJ da Juiceman (who’s having crazy myspace problems right now,) Cee Lo and Lil John and pairing them up with producers like El-P, Health and Flying Lotus. It’s all coming together in the form/concept of a mixtape you can grab at Adult Swim.
Got some new PottyMouth news. South Africa’s Mathew Garton released his Soul For Rent EP on December 2nd and I have a few audio samples that should give you an extensive glimpse of the single in it’s entirety.
What I like about these tracks are the playfully tribal overtones added to a roughneck tech-house groove. I’m especially loving the vocals as well, reminding me a bit of a few Noze tracks- which is never a bad thing. I expect to hear some of these on very jovial nights very soon.
Matthew Garton – Soul For Rent
IHEARTCOMIX‘ own Matt&Kim are back, this time bearing gifts. Well, sort of. This time bearing a Woodie for Video Of The Year from MTV for their “Lessons Learned” flick. But it doesn’t stop there! In celebration they’re unleashing the Debonair Samir remix of “Lightspeed.” Who doesn’t love these two?
Matt & Kim – Lightspeed (Debonair Samir Remix)
BPitch just release a new Paul Kalbrenner single, Berlin Calling 2, which once again reminds me that Kalkbrenner is my favorite techno producer. Well, either him or Koze. Or Holden. Damnit, idk there are so many good ones. Also has anyone been able to see the actual film, Berlin Calling? Netflix is killing me. Well here’s the Dominik Von Werdt remix of “Aaron.” I’ll leave it up to you to go get “Bengang.”
Paul Kalkbrenner – Aaron (Dominik Von Werdt Remix)
More heat from the West Coast, this time a Sharkslayer remix featured on Jinder‘s latest Youth Blood EP, released recently on Trouble&Bass. The Finnish producer/dj has been lighting up my player lately. You might remember the “Pobum Coco” remix i posted in October. Included in the release are several other nasty little remixes by the likes Bok Bok, Rico Tubbs, Squire of Gothos, 12th Planet & Flinch and Chateau Lateuf.
Jinder – Youth Blood (Sharkslayer Remix)
Chicago darlings, Moneypenny threw me a few tracks today. One of them is a holiday jingle, coming out right on time, and the other is a Joy Division cover. I’m guessing this is the last we’ll hear of their recorded work for the time being. Keep an eye out for their debut EP, set to be released Spring of next year.
Rumble Lounge returns for the second time tomorrow to Rodan, exploring the minimal, subtle and moody sides of dubstep and techno and the increasing overlap between the two. Resident DJs/professors Olin & aKademy will no doubt set the mood. Maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two.
Olin – Rodan Promo December Mix [mediafire]
More Joker to report for you. This time it’s the Riton & Primary1 joint, “Radiates,” (srry) that gets the dubstep remix treatment. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it’s safe to say that Joker owned his genre this year with unshakable remixes that stand apart from what has grown to become became a standardized sound within this type of electronic music.
Hostage is back with his Valhalla EP, the eleventh release that Nightshifters has put out so far. If I could direct a video for this track it’d be a rave on the Death Star. In other news, word is Chicago heads Angel Alanis, Chrissy Murderbot and Rampage were scouted to put their own finishing touches on ‘Valhalla,’ so keep an eye out for those.
One of the more progressive forces in minimal today is Montreal’s staple producer/dj, The Mole. This remix was chosen for Gui Boratto‘s No Turning Back Remixes EP, released on Kompact several months ago, also featuring a Wighnomy Bros remix in there, too, making the release short but irresistibly sweet for me. The track has a delicate finesse, blossoming quite nicely once the vocals unfold. I’d like to see more big-name Mole remixes in the future.
Gui Boratto – No Turning Back (The Mole’s MMD Remix)
A little voice in my head is telling me to post this song regardless of it’s age, and usually things go a lot better for me when I do as it says, so.. Frankmusik released “Three Little Words” with official remixes by L-Vis1990, Blackstrobe, Paper Faces and Black Gardenia- which are all just super, but what really got me for some reason was this A1 Bassline version. Fuck haters.
Jay-Z turns 40 on Friday, December 4th. Whether you love him or hate him, the man has defined the word ‘entrepreneur’ for well over a decade now.
Jay-Z – December 4th (Danger Mouse Remix)
When the acapella Black Album hit the streets, months before the actual release, DJ Kno, of CunninLynguists, accepted what must have seemed to be an undeniable challenge to a young DJ/Producer. I can honestly say that I had never really heard the album until I came across these versions, and am still very grateful for Jay-Z’s patience and Kno’s efforts.
Jay-Z – Justify My Thug (DJ Kno Remix)
Jay-Z – Intermission (DJ Kno Remix)
Shows In Chicago
01/25 DJ Heather, Blue J, Julian Pena, Sevron, Stephen P @ Smartbar
