Tag Archives: Electronica

Featured Music Emika: Bass Is Maternal

by Rich Thomas and E.M.S.
November 17, 2011 - 9:13 am

What is it with girls and their bottom end? It’s not something I muse upon often, but every once in a while a member of the fairer sex comes along that makes me rethink my appreciation of tone, presence and overall bounceability. And no, I’m not talking about the posterior. I’m talking about bass. Specifically, bass crafted by Ninja Tune’s newest female export, Emika.

Last month, she dropped her self-titled debut album amidst a teeth-rattling tour with labelmates Amon Tobin and Eskmo. From the very first track, you could tell she was onto something new; something sultry yet smart. We caught up with Emika backstage at her Los Angeles date to find out how her new album came to be, and what’s on tap for 2013.

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Music Sipping Inspiration with DJ Shadow and Gold Panda

by Ariel Maccarone
October 28, 2011 - 10:42 am

I once read a book (Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee And How It Transformed Our World by Mark Pendergrast), which suggested our world would be drastically different if during the Industrial Revolution, philosophers/politicians/professors (and other “important P” people) had held up in pubs rather than cafes. “Why,” you ask? Oh, because if they were hopped up on, say, beer and spirits rather than caffeine it’s likely that technological development would have puttered along rather than galloped.

Two electronica shows this past Monday helped illuminate for me what inspiration looks like—whether or not the caffeine/alcohol induced sort. Electronica giant DJ Shadow held a free in-store performance at Hollywood’s Amoeba Records and later that day, the Echoplex headlined with Gold Panda. Even if you’re not a fan of this music genre, you should be a fan of these guys. They literally drip with inspiration.

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Gallery Music Ninja, Please: Amon Tobin, Eskmo and Emika hit LA

by Rich Thomas and E.M.S.
October 24, 2011 - 11:27 am

Confetti. Lots and lots of confetti, blowing out of two large air canisters like a paper orgasm at the end of a Super Bowl. Who’s the big winner? You are. The above photo was taken at the close of Amon Tobin’s (inter)stellar performance at the Music Box in L.A. on October 16. If you were fortunate enough to be in attendance, scraps of write paper most likely fell out of your shirt whilst you were changing into your jammies later that night. Maybe your hearing has returned. Maybe not. Depends on where you were standing and whether or not you brought earplugs to combat the onslaught of sound, courtesy of “Big Sam” and his Pure Filth system. Maybe you bought an Amon Tobin onesie for your friend’s newborn—they were on sale—or perhaps you went home and downloaded songs from opening acts Eskmo and Emika. The traveling circus known as Ninja Tune once again rolled through Southern California, transforming the eyes, ears and expectations of a healthy Sunday night crowd.

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Gallery Music Hudson Mohawke Makes Me Move

by Barbie Brady and Joe Gall
June 15, 2011 - 9:55 am

Hudson Mohawke (real name Ross Birchard) is a Glaswegian Emotronic Soul DJ/Producer. He’s been spinning since he was a wee lad at 15, winning the distinction of being the youngest finalist in the UK DMC (World DJ Competition.) He’s got a unique ability to take, make and recycle sounds from the past turning them into fresh reincarnations of genius.

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Featured Music Theophilus London: Music, Fashion and Weird Science

by Rich Thomas
June 14, 2011 - 10:45 am

Theophilus London

Swag. It’s the term you love to hate, but it’s easy to tell who has it and who doesn’t. Brooklyn’s Theophilus London has it, and not just in one place. His debut album, Timez Are Weird These Days, doesn’t drop until July 19, but he’s already been featured in more fashion spreads than your average supermodel, and his mixtape game has been on point for a minute now. A YouTube search will pull up performances at Cannes and Letterman, and London’s Tumblr is constantly popping off with stylish photos of him in various locales across the globe. Pretty soon you’ll even be able to dress like him. A collab with Cole Haan will see a limited run of TL-signature, triple blue suede loafers on the shelves of select boutiques. So are these for fashion or for function?

“F*ck fashion. This is lifestyle!” he says. “This is for kids to jump on a plane with. This is for you to wear to the all-white party this summer, hanging out pool side. You could rock these to the store. Your girls can rock these unisex!”

Consider yourselves on notice. Check out his first single, “Last Name London,” then download 2009′s This Charming Mixtape from MediaFire here.

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Music Kitsuné Maison #11 is an Indie Dance Party

by Rich Thomas
May 12, 2011 - 10:43 am

Kitsune Indie Dance

Everything is sexier in Paris, especially when you start combining the worlds of music and fashion, which is exactly what Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki did back in 2002 when they founded the Kitsuné label. With releases from notables like Alex Gopher, Wolfmother, Hot Chip, Fischerspooner and Phoenix (along with countless others), the Parisian label grown into one of the country’s most eclectic and well-respected culture institutions.  One of the biggest reasons? Their compilations.

The latest Kitsuné Maison compendium—#11 in the series if you’re taking notes—seeks to combine sultry house music (what they’re known for) with more indie rock undertones (which they’re slowly become known for). The Indie Dance Issue drops May 16, and you can purchase it from iTunes or your local good music purveyor. In the meantime, label boss Gildas Loaëc waxes poetic about each song on the compilation, three of which are available for download after the jump.

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Music Deadmau5 = Deliciou5

by Yael Reed Wachspress
November 4, 2010 - 3:21 pm

Deadmau5

Deadmau5 is the guy who wears the giant mouse head and produces a dynamic combo of new dance, techno, electro and house music.  Deadmau5 is also known for collaborating with other popular artists in his genre like, for example, Kaskade and Rob Swire.  Once you get passed the giant mouse head and into his music it’s not hard on the ears.

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Gallery Music INNERPARTYSYSTEM Casts Its Spell

by Barbie Brady
November 1, 2010 - 7:15 pm

The Voodoo Experience had many rocking moments this past weekend. One to note was the afternoon set from innerpartysystem on the Le Plur stage. Sure the sun was high and bright in the sky, not your normal ambiance for electronic thumping. Yet the club crowd showed up in full force, heads bouncing, singing along.

Innerpartysystem @ Voodoo Experience 2010

No one could escape being called American Trash for at least a good 4 minutes. But the zealous fans kept calm and carried on. IPS had a little technical difficulty mid-set…but that was more the stages fault than the bands (I witnessed at least 4 other bands throughout the day having such issues). Despite the glitch, the band came back strong. Lead singer, Patrick Nissley, looks unassuming but I have to say, impressive,  as he belted out his lyrics like “I am the life that you adore, I feed the rich and f!@k the poor”.

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Music Raver Chic At The Electric Zoo

by Courtney Dudley
September 9, 2010 - 2:06 pm

Electric Zoo

If you thought raver style went out with the 90’s, you are wrong. It still exists and is going strong, as exhibited this weekend at New York’s Electric Zoo.  There was a strong showing of the favorites– tons of neon, beaded bracelets and so, so much glitter. But it seems 2010’s ravers are taking it to the next level by mixing current trends with old electro staples.

Electric Zoo

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