Cool Your Boots

So I've been flirting with making a mixtape for a couple months now. I made a good one in November but then my computer crashed and I lost it and my mixtape making software..

So much belated I made this a couple weeks ago and now have decided you can have it.

Cool your boots - Max Smart

It's a collection of my favourite tunes of the last few months of last year and a couple classics in there as well. Perfect for short car rides or long summer walks, it'll have you shooting rainbows, whatever that may mean to you. It's got a couple of mashes I've been playing lately that I decided to record and a few interesting songs I love playing at the minute. It definitely shows off my love of Aussie synth pop which I've frothed over for the last few years but it also has a couple breaks and drops and some contrasting pieces which I like, showcasing a bit of a tribal flavour which I'm into at the minute. Rabble rabble rabble.

Tracklist:
1. Digital Love Party 2008 - Daft Punk vs. Shazam (Max Smart's 'crank it to 11' mash)
2. P.Y.X Up - Cameo vs. G.l.o.v.e.s (Max Smart's 'vox' mash)
3. Destination pt. II - Damn Arms
4. Final Round - Cassian
5. Animal (Fake Blood Remix) - Miike Snow
6. Boyfriend in the Desert - Killaqueenz (D Cup Remix) vs. Lowbrows (Flight Facilities Remix) (Max Smart's 'piano and bass' blend)
7. I'll Get You (Douster Remix) - Classixx feat. Jeppe
8. Sometimes (G.l.o.v.e.s Remix) - Miami Horror

Love to get your thoughts.

Love & Peace.

Funky Porno Music!

My my my! Oh oh... how'd we ever get this way... where's it gonna go?

So Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (or Daft Punk) are supposedly working on a new album and are set to tour the world in 2010. They were also rumoured to play Big Day Out's 100th show in Sydney. They also apparently 'mix' live at their shows. And speculation tells me that on the East Coast leg of their 2007 USA tour, it was not Thomas and Guy-Manuel... rather just some random guys in the Daft helmets. Not that that's hard to believe... I mean, do you have any idea what they actually look like? Have you picked up on the sarcasm yet?



Either way, I love them. They are Gods when it comes to the current Electro scene - there's no other way to describe it. And whilst many 'fans' will repetitively inform their friends of how much they LOVE 'One More Time' as it plays in whatever dive they choose to drown out their repressed desire to kiss a member of the same sex with alcohol, I maintain the mental position of "I am always better that you because I know more about Daft Punk than you". Hence my skepticism on the following track.

By the way... did you know Laurent Brancowitz (frontman of Phoenix) was in a three-piece band called Stereolab with Bangalter and de Homem-Christo in the late 1980s?

I found this on some French blog. I can't confirm that this is 100% authentic Daft Punk, but the European blogs are firing this one around touting it as 'the new wave'. It's very Daft and very good.

The Crash - Daft Punk

Moving on... or back... to Phoenix.

Delphic, who I posted a while back, are blowing up in a big way. They're success in the UK has flown over to Australia and they're currently (I think) Triple J's feature album. The best thing? They do remixes!!! The sound they produce is familiar whilst being edgy. I really dig this track. One of the better remixes I have heard in recent times.

Fences (Delphic Remix) - Phoenix

Onto something a little more funky. Tigers & Woods are from somewhere. And they do something. Truth is I found this track on a Russian blog. And I don't speak Russian. But damn this track is funkin' shit up.

Gin Nation - Tigers & Woods

And to finish this rant, some dub. A friend played this for me the other day. I guarantee a fair few of you will not like this track. But if you have good speakers, turn this up, have some cocaine and let the syncopation create an alter ego in you. His name is Mike. He drives trucks for a logging company... but suffers an internal struggle. You see, Mike battles every day as he tries to appease his Green Peace activist wife whilst affording her the life she deserves with money produced from the molten rivers that flow over Rainforests based on Fern Gully. Or don't download it. I couldn't care less.

Swagga - Excision & Datsik

Peace and Love.

King Calvin

I told you this guy was good. But you're already probably knew that.



I wasn't at BDO on Friday or Saturday but from all accounts Calvin Harris was huge and amazing. On a line-up of superstar musicians, he truly is the difference maker.

I don't care if you've got these songs or not; here's a catalogue of said artists work from the past yeeeear (plus maybe a little longer).

Waking up in Vegas (Calvin Harris extended remix) - Katy Perry

I like popular music.

Ready for the weekend - Calvin Harris

Tragically poppy buut some people enjoy that. Not me however, this song's terrible. Fake Blood remix is way better.

You used to hold me - Calvin Harris

Some irish requested this song from me when I had no idea what it was. Huuuge tune. You'll like this one.

Yeah yeah yeah la la la - Calvin Harris

Tune. Used in a Coke commercial.

Merrymaking at my house (Mr. Oizo Remix)- Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris = Pop God. Mr. Oizo = Bearded Genius. Just enjoy this classic if you don't already.

She wolf (Calvin Harris Remix) - Shakira

If this song didn't have Shakira's annoying vocals it would be awesome. Her hips don't lie.

We are Golden (Calvin Harris Remix) - Mika

Top 15 songs of last year. Boom.

See the light (Calvin Harris Remix) - The Hours

Top 5 songs of last year. Double fist.

Calvin Harris doesn't necessarily blow me apart with his originality, or his variance indicating a true musical genius lives in his bones, but he has stumbled onto a fantastic recipe of synth pop with a lot of girth to it. Don't you just wish you were as cool as him. Don't cha.

Here's a song

So the good news is that I'm now living the dream. The problem is however, that the dream takes a lot of time to live. So amidst my euphoria and hand claps I'm quite pressed for time. Despite this, I've found time to make a cheeky little mixtape which I will post up here tomorrow for you. In the meantime, I thought I'd just drop the bomb on you to see what you thought. Here's some songs on a Monday night to help you get through to the weekend! I'll get you!

I'll get you (Douster Remix) - Classixx feat. Jeppe

You should all know this original by now, but here is a tasty tasty remix from the amazing Douster. This name has been on the scene for a few years and always brings to mind a very tribal sound, call it afro beat. I never used to be a fan, but hearing this remix and also his remix of Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool made me change my tune. The combination of eclectic summer synths in the original classixx tune against the zouk and rhythm of douster is like having pizza for breakfast: almost wrong but oh so right.

Afronuts (Douster Remix) - Yolanda Be Cool

Fun Fact: Surkin dropped this massive tune at Sterosonic. I wasn't there buuut by all accounts it was massive. This song sounds like an orgy in carnivale The more you listen to this one the more you'll wanna take up capoeira. Think about it.

Set me free (Tanzanian Disco Stampede Mix) - Phonat

Didn't know this song until last night when a chap by the name of Adam Bozetta dropped it at Cargos. Since then I've noticed in heaps of blogs best of '09 lists. It's a bit of a disco monster, filled with loops and filters in glorious proportions designed to make shapes throw. Phonat is italian, and lives in London. Been around since '07 but definately worth taking notice of. Wait for the drop building up from 2:30. Watch out Carmen's.

The Motion - Duck Sauce

Wasn't sold on Duck Sauce's first song. Catchy but not necessarily awesome. I kind of got the feeling that of the partnership, A-Trak was the partner bringing all the fantastic old records to sample, the chorus' everyones singing and the talent while Armand Van Helden made really shit intro's and outro's that are effing difficult to mix with. In all honesty I think I've only heard one DJ in the past 3 months play aNYway and mix it smoothly. Seriously what the fuck. But ahh this song's pretty good. Wish it was in better quality but I've honestly got no idea when the album is going to come out with decent quality versions of all the other songs floating around. Tune!!!

That's it for now, but stay tuned for a Cassian post and the release of my mixtape tomorrow.

Get some in ya.

Everyone's doing it!

For those avid Groove City readers, you'll remember my dubstep introduction late last year. This is a continuation of said post...

At the moment, I'm that 13 year old kid hanging with my friends on the train. It's school holidays, my rat tail is starting to land me some solid lasses from broken homes and I've just started on my downward spiral toward drug abuse, an inability to hold steady employment and a general disillusionment with any fashion item that doesn't have LONSDALE emblazoned across it. The best part? My 'bro' just played a catchy song through the loudspeaker on his phone. "1 2 WHOOP WHOOP!" Oh my god I LOVE this song! Who's it by???

So why am I this kid? Well replace 'Warp' with Emalkay's 'When I look at You' and Lonsdale clothing with Zebra print singlets... and you'll find I've just discovered Dubstep neggers*!!! I used to be very impartial to the genre. I've had one friend in particular push it on me for over a year now. But now I embrace it. A bit late... but hey.



A mate of mine who is educating me on this new genre once described good Dubstep as a hot Asian chick - rare, but when it's done right, it's fuckin' mint! I concur whilst retaining a non-racial bias. But then again... I'm still discovering what good Dubstep is. In my opinion, these tracks are hot Asian chicks.

When I Look At You - Emalkay

Sweet Shop - Doctor P

Eyes on Fire (Zeds Dead Remix) - Blue Foundation

My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix - DZ Dub Edit) - Feist

I Love College (Dubstep Remix) - Asher Roth

Peace and Love.

*'Negger' is an abbreviated term for someone who is in the act of 'neggin' out' - whereby they inject a negative vibe into an otherwise optimistic environment.

Final Boarding Call

Funny story right?? As a young and virile 19 slash 20 year old I used to frequent such venues as Hugo's on a Sunday and Fringe Bar on most other nights of the week, always with the goal of trying to get the DJ to play the songs I requested. Of course there was the satisfaction of hearing your requests, watching the party bounce and telling everybody what a sick dude you were for asking for a tune that he was probably going to play anyway, but on top of that, there was always a slight satisfaction if the DJ wouldn't play your tune as well.

The consequence usually involved a conversation with my mates including the phrase "this guy is a shit dj" and other such classics including "I could play better than this guy" and "how does he get gigs you think they'd give me a gig?".

I'm not going to pretend that I didn't use phrases like that on a weekly (if not daily) basis but one particular instance of this has stuck with me through this day.

I believe it was early 2008, a few weeks before Parklife tickets went on sale, but Sydney was alive with the anticipation of the line up which had just been announced, including Fake Blood. Upon making around 4 failed requests to the DJ booth at Hugo's for them to play some FB, most likely the Ring Road Remix, or Restless Remix (both tunez), I got into a verbal stauch with one individual in particular at the premise, at the basis was the argument that "they were only playing party music" to which I would say that "how isn't Fake Blood party music?" to which he preceded to sing Roxanne in my ear really loudly, to which I told him to fuck off.

After this exchange I went to the liberty of finding out the name of this DJ so I could make sure I would never have to go to a show that he was playing at. As it turned out, his name was Jimmy2sox and as long as I never saw him DJ again, I'd be happy.

That was until this turned up on my blogosphere...

Rio (Jimmy2sox and U-Go-B Remix) - Bumblebeez

This delightfully laid back summer groove remix of a classic Bumblebeez tune made me wanna go to sleep with sunglasses on. Did that just happen?? But surely I thought this Jimmy2sox character was terrible, maybe he just made a good remix by mistake.. Maybe all the talent lay on the U-Go-B side of the partnership.

I continued that line of thought until I found this in the middle of 2009

We are the people (Jimmy2sox Remix) - Empire of the Sun

This remix takes you back to fourth grade and makes you befriend the saxophone kid with the inside knowledge that he'll be cool when he's older. Surely this wasn't right. Surely there weren't two remixes I enjoyed from old mate but as I came to accept my fate there was more..

Best Party Ever (Jordan Lightyear and Jimmy2sox Remix) - Toecutter

What a belter. Best Party Ever was a remake of a Kool and the Gang song, Tonight, and despite around 10 remixes being available across the web, this banger was easily my favourite. Aeroplane had this in there top 10 tunes of September(?) and dropped this at Parklife in what I believe was the DJ set of the day, and if you can listen to this without tapping your toes you're a bigger man than me (albeit it possibly deafer).

Amongst those other remixes of Toecutter, my other favourite was by Flight Facilities, an equally groovy group cloaked in mystery bouncing around on the internet, but as a friend informed me of their identities, my former dismay and new found delight smiled, the members of FF were none other than U-Go-B and Jimmy2sox, the talents who made the Rio remix.

Best Party Ever (Flight Facilities Remix) - Toecutter

This remix reminds me of barbecues and south american beer, and you're kidding yourself if you think you don't like those things.

To my delight, these other gems which I was jamming too, turned out to be from my best mate as well. The first, a gorgeous remake of Bag Raiders 'other' song of last year (besides Shooting Birds) featuring the vocal stylings of Louie Austen. There isn't enough shade in the world to make this song as cool as it actually is.

Turbo love (Flight Facilities Business Class Lounge Cover Version) - Bag Raiders

The final song is an 8 minute epic remake of an older tune by Japanese group the Lowbrows, who are pretty talented. This tune is filled with more sax, guitar and piano riffs than should be aloud on the dance floor, best enjoyed while in a deep DEEP armchair.

Dream in the Desert (Flight Facilities Remix) - The Lowbrows

If you're still reading then bless you, and your ears will definitely thank me later.

Peace n thugs.

All My Girls Get Down!

The posts are coming thick and fast!

For those who follow the Boys Noize blog, you may already have his latest edit of 'Night by Night'. It was pegged as some sort of Christmas gift to the masses. I don't like it that much, but you might!

Night By Night (Siriusmo Remix) (Boys Noize Edit) - Chromeo


What is more poignant about this track though is the third artist that appears in the track title. Siriusmo is a very interesting character. He's signed to Boys Noize Records, but has released albums on the Monkeytown label as well. He is most probably noted for his work with Modeselektor, but what really sets him apart is his lack of live performances. He suffers chronic anxiety when it comes to live settings. His production skills are immaculate - check out his 2008 track 'All the Girls' below for an indication. But he refuses to play live. Apparently Alan Braxe had similar pyschological issues early in his career. It is a shame though, I think he'd be pretty farkin' good ay!

All The Girls - Siriusmo

Two more tracks. SebastiAn has released another single from his forthcoming album. I heard the original, and I think this edit is much better. It is classic SebastiAn and bullshit heavy. I like it.

Threnody (Capt and Cooked Edit) - SebastiAn

Finally, some disco reprieve. I stumbled across this Classixx remix somewhere. As usual, it's funky, relaxed and downright groovy baby. Yeah...

Cash Flow (Classixx Glass Bottom Dub Mix) - Major Lazer

Peace and Love.

Flippity Floppity Flu

No matter what anyone tries to tell you about their musical taste, the truth is that everyone likes hip hop. In my short experience turning the 1s and 2s, time and time again turning the party out is simply a matter of dropping the bpm back to 99 and letting Skee Lo do his thing (thang?). Be it for nostalgia (nostalgiac?) value, ability to sing along to or perhaps it's just that your dingers haven't clicked yet and DIPLO tunez are just too too fast, but the truth is that hip hop rules.



Underlying this argument is the fact that knowing about hip hop makes you cooler than anyone in the room.

Here's some tasty hip hop remixes bound to get your feet taping and mouth wrapping (raping?)

99 Problems (lightyear remix) - Jay Z

Sydney guy lightyear on this remix. Also known for his remix of Turbo Love by Bag Raiders, and an original called Night/Vision which will drop in March. Download this song now.

Single Ladies (Siik Remix) - Beyonce

I could probably research this more but I'm tired, but Siik makes amazing tapes and remixes for some pretty big name record companies. This 'allegedly' is not a remix more a mash up he made with another song but whatever it is it's plain good. I don't care what you say, Beyonce is cool. Download this song now. Check out his website www.siik.org for more information and free songs.

Also for all you kids who fancy a bit of a dancy (solid), I'm going to be djing at Cargo Bar of all places this Saturday from 8-11, once and for all demonstrating how ordinary music can become extraordinary while on stage. Last week I got requested Black Eyed Peas 5 times in two hours, and I'm hoping to break that record this week. I'd love you to be a part of it. David Guetta sucks.

Peace.

Let them know you're up in the place Diplo

Thomas Wesley Pentz, otherwise known as Diplo, needs no introduction. He is the man pulling the strings on various acts like Santigold, Bonde do Role, Blaqstarr and has collaborated with a plethora of artists including Laidback Luke, Justice, Switch, MIA, Soulwax, Spank Rock, Amanda Blank... the list goes on and on.



He is, for want of a better word, the shit. Whether you like his music or not, it is difficult to ignore the enormity of his accomplishments. Whats more, whilst his production talents shine through the multitude of albums and tracks he's produced, his mixing ability and general freakish-ness on the decks is equally, if not more, impressive. He is most definitely up there as one of the better DJs in the world. Oh yes, I went there.

I am lucky enough to be heading along to see him bust out for 90 minutes tonight. Everyone else should get down to the Metro in Sydney and check him out too. The man is a demigod.

He has way too many tracks and remixes out, so here's a small collection, both old and new.

Pon De Floor (Diplo's Rap Remix feat. Ninjasonik) - Major Lazer

Bust A Move (Diplo Remix) - Young MC

Reckoner (Diplo Remix) - Radiohead

Hey! - Diplo & Laidback Luke

Gold Lion (Diplo Remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Peace and Love.

TwothousandandTEN

Hello! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year... all that jazz. Apologies for the little break. You don't care what I did... so here is some music!

I was going to stagger this over various posts, but as a belated gift to you all, here is a shit load of music I think you should get into you uneducated plebiscites.

Firstly, Nadastrom released this remix of the Shiny Toy Guns about two weeks ago and I was only just able to get my hands on it. Personally, I prefer Shiny Toy Guns first album 'We Are Pilots' to their latter effort... but hey. And as for this Nadastrom remix - it is very 'now'. By the way, Nadastrom is actually Dave Nada and Matt Nordstrom and are signed to Switch's label Dubsided and they are very, very good at what they do. Nadastrom were rumoured to tour Australia for the first time this Summer but Nova hasn't started playing them yet... but I'm sure we'll see them soon.

Ricochet! (Nadastrom Remix) - Shiny Toy Guns

I'll throw in their debut single from about a year back. The entire song builds to the drop at 3.31 that will probably give you ear cancer.

Pussy - Nadastrom

Next, I will hark back to earlier posts by myself and Maxwell relating to Hey Champ and D-Cup. You already know enough about them both, so here are their new singles. 'Cold Dust Girl' is much more instrumental than I was expecting - perhaps more 'musically' orientated for those self-righteous indie music purists - but still wicked good. D-Cup can't do much wrong either...

Cold Dust Girl - Hey Champ

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life - D-Cup

BeatauCue are another artist who have really caught my attention. And... OMFG... they're French. Two little beret-wearing, croissant-consuming surrendering Frenchmen from Caen are currently unsigned. But I don't think that will last too long. Max may not agree with their music style, but all you munted c*nts will love it. You'll no doubt recognise their remix of Noob and Brodinski's (aka mini Yuksek) track. And apparently Pon de Floor has received some airtime? Yes? Well this is the best remix I've heard.

Peanuts Club (BeatauCue Remix) - Noob & Brodinski

Pon De Floor (BeautauCue Remix) - Major Lazer

I wanted to throw something in the works quickly... Fake Blood - renowned for ostentatiously throwing his name in every remix he does (we get it... you're pretty good) - released the following track. You'll recognise the vocals - it's been played a lot recently. But the track on the whole doesn't sound very Fake Blood at all. It's almost... dare I say... disco. He has violin riffs and a funky bass line. Even a cow bell in there somewhere! Compare it to Mars and well... you see where I'm coming from.

I Think I Like - Fake Blood

Finally, I want to finish with a very special track. The Golden Filter, better known for their widespread 'Solid Gold' debut, are becoming more and more awesome. This remix of UK electro group O Children's first single is amazing. It has dreamy, angelic vocals; a jungle-feel drum line; random piano-synth samples; pleasant tambourines and finishes with a distinctly 'Golden Filter' ending. Fuck it, just listen to it!

Dead Disco Dancer (Golden Filter Remix) - O Children

Peace and Love.