XLR8R Digital Magazine Podcast

#117 - XLR8R’s 15-Year Anniversary Issue

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:23:40 -0700

For our May issue, we pull out all the stops, revisiting XLR8R’s storied 15-year history while never stopping to look forward. A brilliant piece by painter Maya Hayuk adorns our cover, and behind it we get the skinny on some of our favorites over the years, from Moby to Portishead to The Prodigy and more. We also bring you the latest on the dance-rock scene with Cut Copy, Late of the Pier, and The Teenagers, and get in the studio with 9th Wonder and Eliot Lipp.

#116 - Don’t Mess With Texas

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:24:12 -0700

XLR8R goes down to Texas and gets the skinny from the mayor of the dirty south, Bun B. We also hit the streets of Minnesota with Atmosphere and the shoe shops of S.F. with Lyrics Born. We check in with M83’s Anthony Gonzales and fellow Francophone Miss Kittin, then speak with photographer extraordinaire Paul Hartnett, Kelpe, Jamie Lidell, Jeremy Jay, Bird Peterson, Ghostland Observatory, and more. It's a trip!

#115 - Dubstep Special

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:28:20 -0800

Poster boys Skream and Benga, Caspa & Rusko, and Cluekid and Cotti are just a few of the many names we feature in this definitive look at the scene. We also check in with Glass Candy, Valet, Dennis Ferrer, and Karizma, and then head across the world to get the lowdown on Brazil’s Sany Pitbull and Israel’s Kutiman. Pedestrian expounds on the genius of N.W.A., and we try to figure out what the hell is up with powerviolence.

#114 - Tea and Sympathy

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:25:58 -0800

To kick off 2008, Oakland’s imitable indie rockers Xiu Xiu grace our Jan/Feb cover. We also get the real deal from Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox and his Atlas Sound side-gig. Then, we interview dancehall’s hottest young star, Munga, before chatting it up with Heralds of Change, Boy 8-Bit, Yeasayer, James Pants, The Pack, and Jay Haze. Plus, some fine pics of stylish indie movers and shakers like Telepathe, Crunc Tesla, Soft Circle, and more.

#113 - Best of 2007 Issue

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:24:59 -0800

Producer Dave “Switch” Taylor tops our list for 2007’s best artist, but there’s a lot more where he came from. We chat with Claude VonStroke, White Williams, Boys Noize, David Shrigley, DJ Food, Kid Acne, and Matt Furie, and get top-tens from Black Moth Super Rainbow, Pissed Jeans, selekta Max Glaser, and tons more. Plus your year-ending praise and jabs in our Best of 2007 feature.

#112 - Under Control: The Music Technology Issue

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:47:52 -0700

For our annual Music Tech issue, we talk shop with some of the scene’s most interesting characters, including Ricardo Villalobos, Bjørn Torske, Cobblestone Jazz, Megasoid, and cover boys Modeselektor. Other features include: Gang Gang Dance, Caribou, Ethan Rose, Sally Shapiro, Mike Giant, and more.

#111 - Paris, Je T’aime

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:37:58 -0700

This month we shine a little, um, light on the City of Lights, with special features on Chloé, Chateau Flight, Busy P, Teenage Bad Girl, Ekler‘o’shock, Kitsuné, Poni Hoax, Institubes, Turzi, the Colette shop, and more. We go underground with graff writer Psyckoze, into the studio with Para One, and through the city with Fafi, Teki Latex, and Blek Le Rat.

#110 - Look Sharp

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:26:23 -0700

This September, we get inside the hip minds of some of the indie world’s most stylish acts, like Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Tiombe Lockhart, Waajeed, Alice Russell, The Politik, and Rita J. Then we chat with Wiley, Quio, Prinzhorn Dance School, artist Mike Paré, and Calvin Harris. Z-trip stops in to talk videogames, and Tim Harrington of Les Savy Fav provides thrift-shopping tips. Other features include No Age, Shawn Brackbill, and Turf Talk. Style for miles.

#109 - Labels We Love

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:15:20 -0700

In addition to our Top 25 Labels We Love feature, XLR8R ventures into the world of MP3 labels, oddball dance imprints, France’s Kitsuné, and 10 young labels to watch in the coming year. Mute’s Daniel Miller and Adult.’s Adam Lee Miller discuss the world of independent labels, and Aesop Rock fills us in on his new album. Other features include Bonjay, Samiyam, Architecture in Helsinki, Kathy Diamond, Motor, and more.

#108 - Future Perfect

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This month we shot cover boys Digitalism on location at the Palm Springs home of CSI’s Eric Szmanda. We kept it hot down in Houston with Devin the Dude, got icy-cool with Arnaud Rebotini of Black Strobe, strategized with Portland’s Paul “Strategy” Dickow, and mapped out Feist’s career trajectory. Other features include Escort, Tomboy, New Young Pony Club, Zombi, Efdemin, Milanese, The Field, Mice Parade, DJ Kentaro, and C-Mon & Kypski.

#107 - Hands Up For Detroit

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Tue, 8 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

XLR8R gets up-close and personal with techno cover boy Matthew Dear. We also check in with Brighton rock powerhouse Electrelane, get the lowdown on the beef between dancehall gangstas Mavado and Aidonia, and quiz Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes. Other features include Khan, Lifesavas, a cast of remix specialists (K-Salaam, D-I-R-T-Y Edits, A Touch of Class, DJ Day) Cadence Weapon, Clipd Beaks, and more.

#106 - Ready For Battles

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:34:47 -0700

For this issue we've got post-everything instrumentalists Battles on our cover. Equally as perplexing as Battles’ rhythms are those of London jagged jazzists Soil & Pimp and Brah! Records. We meet Justin Broadrick of Jesu, and nu-disco experimenters Joakim and Michoacan. Other features include the new school of Detroit hip-hop, Explosions in the Sky, Tracey Thorn, a Vis-Ed feature by Friendswithyou, and we go around the world to discover Brazilian tecno brega.

#105 - Fire Starter

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Thu, 1 Mar 2007 13:34:54 -0800

Dancehall giant Sizzla graces our cover this month. Also featured: El-P, Paul Epworth, Greensleeves celebrates 30 years, TTC, Baltimore's buck wild warehouse party scene, Burlesque Design, forgotten heroes of the Wu-Tang clique, an Ito style shoot, Einsturzende Neubauten, Crystal Castles, Wowch, RJD2, LCD Soundsystem, and Henrik Schwarz.

#104 - Altered States

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Mon, 1 Jan 2007 13:29:33 -0800

We’re almost convinced that rave is ready to hit its second wave real soon. Our evidence: Klaxons, the Brit-based psychedelic-punk-dance combo that covers old rave classics, producers Simian Mobile Disco, and Hypercolor-lovin’ art trio Paper Rad (who designed this month’s crazy cover). Also featured: Marcus Intalex, Macromantics, Busdriver, Green Velvet/Cajmere, Bonobo, Promoe, and Tommy Guerrero.

#103 - The Best of 2006

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Fri, 1 Dec 2006 13:24:38 -0800

In 2006 Justice caused indie kids and rave die-hards alike to return to the dancefloor. The French duo stars on the cover of our annual Best of 2006 issue, where Your favorite artists, label owners, and graphic designers contribute to our annual poll of the best, worst, and most essential music, style, and culture of 2006. Other features include Border Community, John Tejada, Rub-N-Tug, and Tom Moulton.

#102 - Pushing Buttons!

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Wed, 1 Nov 2006 17:01:21 -0800

Our annual Music Technology issue proves that soul and knob tweaking are not mutually exclusive. Squarepusher speaks on melody and method. We travel to West London for the story on fidget house, championed by Jesse Rose and Switch. Daedelus explains the Monome machine, Danish detonator Trentemøller gets deep, and experts Christopher Willits, Guy Davie, and Tony Andrews on what you need to know about home audio.

#101 - Berlin City Issue

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sun, 1 Oct 2006 16:59:27 -0700

For our annual city issue, we travel to Berlin. Design collective Pfadfinderei and Bpitch pranksters Modeselektor collaborate, Patric Catani and Gina D’Orio sound off, K.I.Z. raps dirty, Anja Schneider comes clean, the Berlin reggae scene, bleeding-edge breakcore from Society Suckers, grooves from Dixon, Morr Music and Sleeparchive keep quiet, and much more from this city.

#101 - Berlin City Guide

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sun, 1 Oct 2006 14:05:59 -0700

The real Berlin is an adventure-seeker's paradise, and XLR8R plays tour guide on a trip through the city's best-kept secrets in this supplement to our October issue. Head to "Museum Island", Berlin's hotbed of art galleries, or visit some of the most cutting-edge clothing stores, bars, and cafes. Also featured: the Zoologischer Garten, modern art museum Hamburger Banhof, lazy days in Prenzlauer Berg, wild times in Friedrichshain, the Watergate club, and more.

#100 - One Oh-Oh

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 16:57:48 -0700

With thirteen years and 100 issues under our belt, we celebrate with cover-art by ESPO and a poster from Ian Wright. We talk anxiety with Jimmy Tamborello, and the UK dubstep scene with Skream and Loefah. Sampler Girl Talk talks with the sampled Renee Scroggins (ESG), and the five best t-shirt companies on Bill Murray. Also: our top 100 albums, Hieroglyphic Being, DC Recordings, James Spooner, and more.

#99 - Black Magic

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Tue, 1 Aug 2006 16:56:15 -0700

We catch up with the Swedish brother/sister duo, The Knife, who craft electro-pop with fairy-tale darkness. We pick our 25 favorite indie labels, and quiz them, plus Jesse Serwer chats with Kariem Riggins about finishing the posthumous album, The Shining, by J Dilla. Also featured: Trackademicks, Jeff Mills, Kool Keith, and more.

#98 - Turned On

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Thu, 1 Jun 2006 16:54:36 -0700

On our stereos right now? Everything from fresh Berlin house imprint Get Physical, and now we get inside with Booka Shade, madmen M.A.N.D.Y., turntable stalwart DJ T., and vocalist Chelonis R. Jones. Doing a 180, Matt Earp meets up with five of the most prolific breakcore artists. Aaron Spectre, Hecate, Crito & Doily, Parasite, and Rotator get unhinged with the fastest, most mashed-up genre around. Also featured: Dirt Crew, Serena-Maneesh, Herbert, Jamaica's Boboshanti cutlure, and more.

#97 - Dabrye

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Mon, 1 May 2006 16:53:40 -0700

Cover artist Dabrye comes with Two/Three, an icy-cool head-nodder that leaks its inner workings slowly and carefully. While Dabrye offers a soulful lovesong to the future, Gnarls Barkley comes with St. Elsewhere, an album that is lush and loud and drenched in sweat. More featured hip-hop artists include AG, The Streets, People Under the Stairs, and Mr. Dead, Nobody, as well as the striking photography work of Deanna Templeton.

#96 - Hyphy vs. Hyper

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sat, 1 Apr 2006 16:52:12 -0800

We sit down with E-40 to talk about slang, sunflower seeds, and his extensive family tree. Brooklyn bad boy Dust La Rock illustrates French dancefloor destroyer Vitalic. We also get down with the videogame punks of the 8-bit scene, Liars in Berlin, Shadowhuntaz, Celluloid Records, Hugh Masekela, Kranky newcomers Belong, J*Davey, Nightmares on Wax, visual artist Freegums, and pay tribute to the late J Dilla.

#95 - Scotch, Rocks

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Wed, 1 Mar 2006 16:50:43 -0800

This month we go transatlantic to get inside the minds of post-shoegaze posterboys Mogwai. We get down with Kill Rock Stars and quiz everyone from Miranda July and label owner Slim Moon to Deerhoof, The Gossip, and Stereo Total. We also catch up with grime personality Jammer, while drum & bass soldier Shy FX talks shop. Also featured: Tortoise, Eliot Lipp, Bwana Spoons, US Reggae Stores, and Ghislain Poirier.

#94 - Hot Chip

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sun, 1 Jan 2006 16:49:15 -0800

Hot Chip rings in the New Year with a self-deprecating disco dance party. We travel with Spankrock, then get new takes on ragga dancehall from The Bug and Debaser. DK7 purveys gothic techno, and Phuturistix, Eska, and Mpho Skeef hold it down for the next generation of British soul music. The madness is made even nuttier by the visual contributors of UPSO and Jemma Hostetler, who guest designed the features.

#93 - Best of 2005

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Thu, 1 Dec 2005 16:48:22 -0800

The final issue of 2005 features the best of the year in music, art and culture. Jamie Lidell, the hands-down leader, gets psychedelic treatment by Burlesque Design. Arcade Fire, Her Space Holiday, Andy Mueller from The Quiet Life, Cody Hudson of Struggle Inc., and Mathew Jonson give their personal "Best of" lists. Also featured: Ghostface, Animal Collective, Lady Sovereign, Jo Jackson, Tom Vek, and more.

#92 - Annual Music Technology Special

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Tue, 1 Nov 2005 16:45:58 -0800

Our annual Music Technology Special Issue begins with cover artist Carl Craig. Also featured: Ladytron, Jackson, Philip Smart, Steve Spacek, Nego Mocambique, Keith Fullerton Whitman (Hrvatski) , EZ Rollers, Christian Kleine, Jeremy Fish, Assasin, Kudu, and Vex'd. Finally, the music gear section, with reviews of the year’s best music hardware and software.

#91 - Chicago Rocks!

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Sat, 1 Oct 2005 16:41:49 -0700

Our fourth annual city issue jumps into the heart of Chicago. Thrill Jockey founder Bettina Richards sets the tone of the issue with her intro to Chicago, then we follow up with over 40 features including Steve Albini, DJ Funk, Struggle Inc, Galapagos 4, Hefty, Chocolate Industries, Ron Trent, Pit er Pat, Drag City, Groove Distribution, Lumpen, and Consumer Research & Development.

#90 - Scare Tactics

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Thu, 1 Sep 2005 16:38:02 -0700

Adult. tell if they are onto a goth revival or pulling skeletons out of their closet. We also talk to Norwegian disko artists making the hottest thing since fog machines and laser rays. Director Chris Cunningham explains his work ethic, laptop artist Jason Forrest talks noise with producer Hank Shocklee, and K-Swift reigns queen of Baltimore club music. Also featured: ice cream and batty riders in Jamaica, Andrew Pommier, MC Turbulence, Kele Le Roc, and much more.

#89 - True and Real

bryant.rutledge@xlr8r.com (XLR8R Magazine) — Mon, 1 Aug 2005 16:34:16 -0700

Big Pooh, Phonte, and 9th Wonder of Little Brother leap from the hip-hop underground to overground. Prince Paul lets us in on his twisted brain, and Paris and Chuck D talk about the new Public Enemy record. Evaq is on some next ish with the cover design, while Brazil’s Os Gemeos tell us about sneaking out of grandma’s house to go bombing. Also featured: the labels we love, Luke Vibert, Headman, Mathew Jonson, and more.