It’s eleven o’clock on a Saturday night in Detroit — do you know where your average hip hop-soaked, electro-lightning struck music fan is? Probably a cool 1,500 people deep in an eclectic crowd of Detroiters and international globetrotters, nodding their heads and moving their bodies to the intense bass-and-beat, multidimensional punch of the Glitch Mob on the Red Bull Music Academy stage at Movement ’09. From forcefully slapping recognizable, mainstream rap hooks across the face with various effects and hovering them above some of the crunchiest bass lines we’ve ever heard to the trio of electronic wonder boys working the crowd like seasoned rock stars, the Glitch Mob closed the Red Bull Music Academy Stage with not only laid back flare, but with flawless form and function to match. We managed to chase down the West Coast digital maestros — EdIT, Boreta and Ooah (missing in action — “hired gun” Kraddy) fresh after their atomic set; Ooah proudly marching over to the couch with a fifth of Jameson’s in hand and Z-Trip sitting off to the side, listening in. Oh, what a night…
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Film An Evening in the Cemetery…with Popcorn

Cemeteries are sad, dismal places, right? Then why were thousands of Los Angeleans blissfully marching towards the tall iron gates of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, carrying picnic baskets and gearing up for an evening out with friends? With all the fancy clubs and bars down the street, what could possibly make visiting a cemetery such a fantastic way to spend a sacred weekend evening?
The only logical explanation is the official kick off of Cinespia’s 2009 season of screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Music Krazy Baldhead’s Trip to America
Remember your first kiss? That sweetly awkward pounce in the shadows of the roller rink, timing your approach and nervously wiping your sweaty palms against your adolescent denim? It makes for fond memories and hilarious fodder — how your teeth accidentally slammed against each other’s, how you just couldn’t figure out where to put your hands. Believe it or not, all people go through this awesome awkwardness — even those super cool musicians you see on ten-foot high stages, covered in fog and professional lighting. But when you translate that romantic teenage fondling into, say, visiting and also performing in the United States for the very first time, you’ve got Krazy Baldhead — suitcases in tow — soaking up the sights of the country via Detroit, performing live on the Red Bull Music Academy stage and planting that first sloppy kiss with the land of fast food and big flag dreams.
Featured Music Ryan Elliot and the Plight of the American DJ
If techno were a comic book, Ryan Elliott would be one of its superheroes. For the past ten years, he takes his daily run and heads to his day job in the finance department of Ford Motors. But once the sun comes down, he becomes one of America’s most popular young DJs, flying across the Atlantic or the heartland twice a month, to do what he loves.
After a high-energy, house-fueled two-hour set at the Red Bull Music Academy Stage at Movement on Saturday, Ryan [who, in the interest of disclosure, is also a friend] gave us the lowdown on what it’s really like to be a man with a double life. We began with one simple question: Since he’s no stranger to a good time and has become Luftansa’s new best friend, how the hell has he held onto his job with one of the big three?
Music Invading the Techno Nation: The Prodigy Hit Detroit
Back in the early 1990s, The Prodigy, for better or worse, were thought by many to be the future of music. With songs and videos for “Firestarter” and “Smack My Bitch Up,” they were shocking, rude and controversial. Now, some 15 years later, they are back on the road, promoting a new album, Invaders Must Die, and sporting the original trio of Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim Reality for the first time since 1997. This time around, the stakes are high with nothing less at risk than their credibility.
Event Movement: Why Detroit Matters
In the beginning, there was only an unlikely pitch. What if Detroit, by 2000 already one of the most depressed, violent, financially challenged cities in the country, gave a free festival in Hart Plaza, the downtown river walk/concrete park, honoring techno music? What if Detroit were filled with people from all over the world on Memorial Day, having the time of their lives, raining serious coin on local merchants throughout the city?
Proving that truth is stranger than fiction, the city bought the idea. Thanks largely to a generous sponsorship package from Ford, which was introducing a new car, the Techno, DEMF (Detroit Electronic Music Festival) was green lit. And techno, which had been invented in Detroit, got its own festival — even though many of the people responsible for the decision had no idea what techno really was.
Music Fever Ray
Words By Steve Yates
What would you do if, one decade into your career, you suddenly saw your latest release named album of the year by one of the world’s most influential music websites? If you’re Karin Dreijer Andersson, formerly singer with ‘90s pop hopes Honey Is Cool and now one half of The Knife, the answer is to take a couple of years off and return as a solo artist under a new name.
Fashion Featured Cool Cats Pop-Up on Melrose
During Coachella 09, the french electro artists from Ed Banger Records (Justice, Busy P, So Me, Medhi, Fafi, Gaspard, Sebastian, Kavinsky, etc) descended upon LA with their new clothing brand, Cool Cats, first ever pop up store in the US at De La Barracuda on Melrose in Mid City. On Monday, April 20th, 2009 A.C. (After Coachella), the social chameleons of the LA scene journeyed through the heavily trafficked LA arteries to an afternoon of relaxation in fashion and friendship with drinks provided by Red Bull, Belvedere IX and Colt 45s, and the side act of guest DJ sets from Medhi, So Me, , Sebastian, and Busy P (On his Birthday!) From the fashion side, limited edition presses of their apparel were on sale to grab up for all the trend setters to take back to their boroughs of the city and dawn on Tuesday. Surprise surprise: appearances from Guy Manuel of Daft Punk, Digitalism, Artist Darren Romanelli, Editor Jamie O’Shea, Photographer Lionel DeLuy (who for the fun of it, set up a photo booth for the day) and more. The result, a celebration of french music and fashion in LA. A good time had by all…
Read the full story
Music Thunderheist
thun/der/heist (thəndərhīst): The act of stealing someone’s thunder, to trump another with something far superior
Tag team Thunderheist – front woman Isis and soundsmith Grahm Zilla – drop from the top rope and hit the stage, over and over again. Sinuous swagger seeps from Zilla’s ominous basslines, while digi-horns blast the senses like homecoming marching bands and Moroder bears witness. Clutching the mic like a sceptre, African daughter Isis laces joints with lyrical angel dust, rich vocal foreplay brimming with braggadocio forte. You could be among thousands in a stadium, or intimate at your local bar… either way, if you’re in the front row, expect to get wet. Thunderheist sweats Belvedere and Red Bull, and sprays more hooks than a heavyweight championship bout.
Event Red Bull Big Tune: The Final Battle in NYC
BET and Red Bull have teamed up to give viewers front row and backstage access to the nations premiere music producer battle Red Bull Big Tune. During the 2008 U.S. championship clash, 16 producers from 8 cities battled head-to-head in front of a live audience in New York City to win respect, votes and ultimately to claim the title of Red Bull Big Tune Champion.
In this head-to-head competition, there will only be ONE producer left standing – the one with the big tune. You wont want to miss how it all unfolds. Special appearances by Alchemist, Digable Planets, DJ Premiere, Sha Money XL and Young Buck.
Tune in for the Finals, May 21st at 7:30 P.M. ET/PT on BET











