Archives for the month of: December, 2012

Andy Stott’s Luxury Problems on Modern Love

2012/12/10 //

I’ve noticed some similarities between Andy Stott and Actress. I got a similar feeling from Stott’s new album Luxury Problems and Actress’s most recent lp, R.I.P.. With both releases, I felt like I’d been exposed to a vibrant new land, filled with deep sounds and perspectives. They both draw influence from and create techno, pushing out farther and farther into more experimental territory as time goes on. The two of them also had incredibly well written features on The Quietus. The writers on that site have a deep appreciation for music and a vast knowledge of other topics related to an artist’s work. Stott’s feature can be read here, it’s all about the importance of dirt.

The most memorable show for me to experience at Decibel Festival 2012 (besides the Warp show) was Modern Love’s with Cut Hands, Demdike Stare, Andy Stott and MLZ. The venue had a dark, basement kind of feel, perfect for the mood of the Modern Love label. Demdike Stare’s set felt like some sort of bass ritual, most of the crowd huddled close to their table, meditating on their dark rhythms and visuals. When Andy Stott came on after, I was working the front table, checking festival goers into the show. I could hear his set but was unable to see it. After only hearing “Passed Me By”, I was struck be the energy Stott created live. I was perfectly content absorbing his dense mix of experimental, glorious techno from a distance. I’ve never heard a set like that, and that feeling has stayed with me since.

I’m pleased to say, Decibel is bringing Andy Stott back to Seattle in 2013. Catch him at The Crocodile with Bryan Zentz and Kid Smpl on January 19th! BUY TIX

Andy Stott – Facebook

modern-love.co.uk/artists/andy-stott

– Jimi Jaxon

Tags Andy Stott, Modern Love, UK

Categories Uncategorized

Radiohead – Amnesiac

2012/12/09 //

Mmm, the all powerful Radiohead. Surprisingly, this is my first post about the band. Amnesiac sticks with me as my favorite Radiohead record. This is their 5th studio album, recorded in the same studio sessions as Kid A (which blows my mind). Electronic music blends with jazz, classical music and krautrock on Amnesiac. I didn’t pick up on the themes of this record, but the band journeys into memory and reincarnation taken from Greek and Egyptian mythology (thanks Wikipedia). For the many who hold Kid A as their favorite Radiohead record, Thom Yorke describes Amnesiac as “another take on Kid A, a form of explanation.”. One of my favorite songs on this record is “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors”. These very unique loops of sound were created using a Roland MC – 505 sequencer with found sounds taken from the OK Computer recording sessions.

Radiohead – Facebook

radiohead.com

– Jimi Jaxon

Tags Amnesiac, Radiohead, UK

Categories Uncategorized

Clark – Totems Flare

2012/12/08 //

If you’ve made it out to any of my recent shows, you’ll often notice Clark in the tracklistings. Ever since I opened for him at Decibel Festival‘s 2012 Warp Showcase, I’ve had his releases on constant rotation. If you were there, thank you! I heard very positive feedback from Machinedrum, Jimmy Edgar, Clark and the representatives from Warp Records. The vibes at that show were top-notch. Anyways, there’s so much diversity of sound and texture throughout Clark’s discography, and one release I want to focus on is Totems Flare. Describing his style is challenging; it’s dark, bizarre, meticulously crafted music that leaves me scratching my head in awe. Unexpected changes are a consistent characteristic of Clark’s music, with songs darting and mutating on a whim. The opening track for example, “Outside Plume”, bounces and morphs with ease. It also begins with this classic, Clark sounding synth melody that I absolutely love. Another gem on this release is “Look Into The Heart Now”, which seems to be one of his only happy-ish acid house tracks, complete with psychedelic, distorted vocals. “Rainbow Voodoo” is an unrelenting monster, sure to grab the attention of anyone within ear distance. I wouldn’t say this is Clark’s best release, but I keep coming back to it for inspiration.

Clark – Twitter Facebook Soundcloud

warp.net/records/clark

– Jimi Jaxon

Tags Clark, Experimental, Totems Flare, UK, Warp

Categories Uncategorized

Mr. Oizo – Unreleased Unfinished Unpleasant

2012/12/07 //

One name that still stands tall in my book is Mr. Oizo. I’ve noticed a string of mediocre releases from very prominent artists in the dance community lately, many seem comfortably resting on their laurels. I may go into specifics in another post but I’ll just say that many people are being super boring. Mr. Oizo continues to be a terrific exception; a distinct artist who doesn’t give a fuck in all the best ways. His newest free gift entitled “Unreleased Unfinished Unpleasant” (available via his brilliant website oizo3000.com) is a collection of songs that didn’t end up on his recent releases. The personality of his music at times feels like a schizophrenic meth addict with a gameboy in one hand and a knife in the other. It’s hilarious to me that his unreleased music destroys so many artists attempts at making dance music today. He has a strange ability to make well-crafted, intricate music that can easily be written off as a joke, and I think he enjoys that paradox.