XLR8R News and Features

Third Installment of Claude VonStroke Remix EPs Out Now

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0700

Following two earlier releases of remixes from Claude VonStroke's latest album, Bird Brain, comes this third installment to the 12" series from San Francisco's Dirtybird label.

Sub Missions: Dubstep Pioneer Kode9 Probes the Noises of State Control and Underground Music Resistance

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0700

There’s a scene in Steve Goodman's new book, Sonic Warfare: Sound, Affect, and The Ecology of Fear (MIT Press), that burns deep into the memory. He places the reader in a 2005 incident where Israeli fighter jets shocked residents in a Gaza Strip neighborhood by flying low above their homes and firing a "sound bomb"—a resonating sound so powerful that it could suffocate your body. "You look around but see no damage.

Electric Independence Meets Vince Clarke and His Temple of Synth

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0700

Music geeks and tech heads, brace yourselves. VBS.tv off-shoot Motherboard, an online video blog/network that focuses mainly on technology and its effects on culture, or whatever, premiered a new episode of its Electric Independence program that features the man behind Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Erasure, Mr. Vince Clarke.

Read the New Issue of XLR8R Now!

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:55:23 -0700

Read the March/April issue of XLR8R for free right now by either downloading the PDF or viewing it online at Issuu. As well as huge stories on Delorean (pictured), Todd Edwards, and the New Sound of Detroit, we've also packed this issue with a ton of multimedia extras, so git yr download on ASAP!

E-40 Announces Remix Contest

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0700

The Yay Area's E-40 has two new albums, Revenue Retrievin' Nightshift and Dayshift, coming out at the end of March, and in celebration, he's hosting a remix contest of the record's first single, "The Server." Contestants can either use "The Server" vocals on a different beat/track of their choice or they can take "The Server" instrumental track and spit their own verse alongside 40's. Once the process is done, contestants should send their remixes here before April 8.

DaVinci Offers New Album for Free Download

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0700

Bay Area MC and Fillmore district native DaVinci has just dropped his long-awaited debut album, The Day the Turf Stood Still, on the SF-based SWTBRDS label. Oddly enough, you can opt to purchase the record of gritty sample-based hip-hop, as per usual, or download the 17 tracks for absolutely free, legally, here.

Stream the New Autechre Album Now!

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:40:39 -0700

We're pleased to bring you an exclusive stream of Oversteps, the latest on Warp from celebrated British duo Autechre, available in its entirety below. And though the official release of the record isn't until next Tuesday, it's currently available as a digital purchase over at Bleep.

New Single From Blunted Robots, Shortstuff to Tour US

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0700

One of the latest additions to the UK's ever-growing bass music scene, fledgling label Blunted Robots last week unveiled its third release: a double single featuring Night Slugs boss Bok Bok on one side and Brackles & Shortstuff on the other.

Download a New Tigerbass Mix From Cex

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0700

Looks like Tigetbeat6's East Coast-reppin' bad boy, Cex, is back to his old tricks. Not long after his return to the now-Berlin-based label with the glitchy ambience of 2009's Bataille Royale, Rjyan Kidwell pays his dues on the Tigerbass mix series.

Detroit State of Mind: Kyle Hall and Anthony "Shake" Shakir Keep Things Moving Forward

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0700

There is an oft-repeated truism in the Detroit dance underground that goes something like this:

Mutek 2010's Initial Lineup Includes Moritz von Oswald, Theo Parrish, Matmos

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:31:18 -0700

The 11th edition of Montreal's Mutek festival is happening this June, and with the announcement of the electronic gathering's initial lineup, it is apparent that Mutek is going to have its best year yet. Featuring headlining performances from Matias Aguayo, the Moritz von Oswald Trio, Matmos, and many more XLR8R favorites, the fest continues to eschew the simply trendy in favor of more reliably astounding performers. Early-bird passes are now on sale at the festival site. Check out the full lineup after the jump!

Minimal Legend Robert Hood Releases New M-Plant Records Podcast

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0700

The man almost solely responsible for the minimal techno genre, Robert Hood, has just released a podcast over at EPM Music.

Orbital Returns for Select US Dates

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:25:56 -0700

The legendary UK electronica (yeah, we just said "electronica") pioneers Paul and Phil Hartnoll, better know as Orbital, are retooling their live set for a handful of US dates in the weeks to come.

Todd P Goes South: The NYC Party Promoter Attempts to Bridge the Socio-Political Gap Between American and Mexican Artists

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0700

New York-based DIY event organizer Todd Patrick (known professionally as Todd P) is taking his business south of the border. In lieu of the South By Southwest-rival festival he has thrown in Austin for the last four years, Mr. P hopes that his new MtyMx All Ages Festival of Art and Music, held a few hours south in Monterrey, will change the US perception of Mexico while uniting more than 100 bands from both sides of the border, combining the likes of Fucked Up and Telepathe with XYX, Ratas del Mexicano, and Los Llamarada. XLR8R caught the busy party planner between flights to discuss artist relations in today's socio-political climate.

New Album Coming From A Guy Called Gerald

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800

Techno and acid-house veteran A Guy Called Gerald returns again to the album format after years spent dropping singles on disparate labels across the globe.

Oneohtrix Point Never: Making Contact With A Brooklyn-Based Sci-Fi Novelist-Turned-Ambient Astronaut

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Come with Daniel Lopatin to a time when this world's musical seers were mad proto-hackers splicing synthesizers together to create a sonic depiction of a strange, ineffable future, where ordinary man could plumb the depths of his own mind or the endless vistas of space, aided by little more than analog tone generators. As Oneohtrix Point Never, Lopatin stitches the barest essentials—synthetic drones and arpeggiators—into compositions both eerie and beautiful.

Ableton and Novation Premiere The Live Beat Series in LA and SF

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Music hardware and software giants Ableton and Novation are joining together for a series of workshops premiering in Los Angeles and San Francisco next week.

XLR8R x SXSW: Our Top 10 Event Picks

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:07:05 -0800

It's doubtful you need a reminder from us, but it's about time you all got ready for the heated musical jump-off about to go down at SXSW 2010 in Austin. We know you've been busy booking hotels, lurking the local hotties' Facebook pages, and building up your party tolerance for the epic music festival, so we here at XLR8R decided to throw you a bone, or 10, and let you in on the event picks that will truly maximize your good vibes.

Cooly G Releases New XLR8R Podcast Segment

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:21:36 -0800

Back at the end of January, UK funky songstress Cooly G delivered to XLR8R a stellar podcast she crafted along with collaborator Dezy Da Bongo Man. It was a lengthy mix, so much so that Cooly actually chopped it into two separate parts—only giving us the first segment initially.

Bubblin': Greena

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0800

Who: Greena
Where: London, UK

Legendary Glasgow Club Night Optimo to End Its Run in April

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:31:52 -0800

FACT reports that JG Wilkes and JD Twitch will end their long-standing Sunday-night affair, Optimo, on April 25 after more than a decade of events in their hometown of Glasgow.

Roman Flügel Mixes Next Robert Johnson Installment

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Roman Flügel, better known as one part of Alter Ego, has also been DJing and producing solo work for years under a number of aliases, but until now, he's never released an official mixed CD. The venerable Live At Robert Johnson series has tapped him for the fifth installment, and he brings an eclectic array of sounds to the table, featuring everything from the old-school jackin' of Armando to the quirky new sounds of Ratsnake, as well as two new exclusive tracks from Flügel himself. Check out the complete tracklisting after the jump!

Plastikman, Model 500 to Headline Detroit's Movement Festival

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:49:05 -0800

The Movement Festival (commonly known as the Detroit Electronic Music Festival) is on again this year in tha D's Hart Plaza. One of the biggest festivals of its kind in the United States, Movement not only showcases international talent, but also provides a special venue for homegrown DJs and producers from the city where techno was born. Early-bird tickets are now on sale, and with today's announcement of the festival's initial lineup, it's certain that tickets are going to go fast, what with the first Movement festival appearance of Plastikman's live set, as well as sets from Model 500, Inner City, and many more. Check out who's playing after the jump!

Neon Indian Offers a Free New Track

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:36:46 -0800

Earlier today, Neon Indian (a.k.a. Alan Palomo) and the folks at Green Label Sound decided to make the internet explode by releasing a free new song, entitled "Sleep Paralysist."

Dirtybird Divulges Details of Anniversary Comp.

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800

San Francisco house and techno institution Dirtybird has revealed the coming of a three-disc, five-year-spanning compilation to be released April 19. The release marks the anniversary of producer Claude VonStroke's label, and chronicles the past, displays the present, and foretells the future across its three volumes.

Download the New Deniz Kurtel Single

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

The latest Crosstown Rebels ace-in-pocket, techno upstart Deniz Kurtel, has a lot on her plate lately.

Tunng Wants Your Remix in its Contest

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:59:27 -0800

London's purveyors of buoyant, electronic-tinged old-timey pop, Tunng, are set to release their fourth album April 6 via Thrill Jockey, entitled ...And Then We Saw Land. Before said album hits digital and physical shelves, the eclectic six-piece wants you to join in on a little contest they've devised along with Drowned in Sound.

Video: Matías Aguayo "Rollerskate"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:09:24 -0800

XLR8R's current cover stud, Matías Aguayo, has unveiled a new video for his odd yet undeniably catchy tune "Rollerskate," taken from last year's Ay Ay Ay.

Caribou Announces New Album, World Tour

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800

Dan Snaith, known to the world as Caribou, returns in April with Swim and a massive world tour with live musicians. The electronic producer known for his dreamy, otherworldly sound will be playing in Europe and North America throughout the late spring, with stops at Berghain, Denmark's Pop Revo festival, and the most infamous venues in the US. Check out tour dates after the jump!

Sinden Announces New Label

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0800

London's jack-of-all-trades Sinden has announced the creation of a new label, dubbed Grizzly, with two releases already slated for April and May. Aiming to reflect his "all-embracing, twisted-up" style of club music and beat-making, the first release on the label will be a collaboration between Sinden himself and SBTRKT, with the sophomore slot taken by Brodinski.