Kode 9 is a Glasgow-born DJ working out of London– which means if you’re searching for an artist with his finger on the pulse of the UK music/dance scene, look no further. On Red Bull Music Academy Radio check out his playlist, where he selects from a series of favorite inspirations. There’s a subtle ambiance to his mixes, which may conjure the imagery of an Antonioni or Fellini movie, or any rainy night from the celluloid frame of film-noir. It’s clearly where Kode owes his allegiance; just listen to tracks like ’9 samurai’, a nod to Kurosawa’s films. A recognized master of dubstep, Kode 9 drew most of his influence from early jungle when it first got big in the UK. In addition to his years of hard work behind the turntables, he’s got a PhD from the University of Warwick in philosophy and lectures regularly at University on the subject of media production. For a closer look at the mastermind behind the music, check it out here:

Ross McNae’s Solid Bass lines glued together the thundering drums and crunching guitars while front man Sam McTrusty’s Scottish accent kept the crowd on their toes.  Formed in 2007, this Red Bull Records act recently opened for Scottish rock trio Biffy Cliro and supported Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins at Glasgow’s SECC in February of 2009.  To hear the Quartet’s new single “Light Speed,” Click Here http://www.myspace.com/twinatlantic.

Words by Mike Bucher with photos by Joe Gall

Straight out of Scotland, Rustie is a veritable hodgepodge of dozens of musical genres from over the past 30 or 40 years: at one minute, it’s a flurry of disco symphony samples, the next, a peppering of golden age jazz alto-sax, followed by a dollop of early 80′s electronica and one-hit-wonder pop sounds (remember Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam?). Picture the inbred child of Al Dimeola, Gloria Gaynor, Tiffany, ABBA, and Steely Dan, after they all had an orgy (and an ugly one at that)– and Rustie is your man, re-birthing some of the more irreverent musical moments of the last few decades. Here’s a peek at his Warp Records set at Red Bull Music Academy Radio. If it gets too cute, at least he segues between genres with gunshots.

Today’s bloggin best…

- Jessica Simpson and Billy Corgan wrote a reality show theme song. The Tripwire

- You know the Beastie Boy approve of this Battlestar Galactica bootleg. LA Weekly

- The Optimo night is ending in Glasgow. Anyone have some frequent flier miles? Optimo

- Conan O’Brien is hitting the road. Billboard

- The Strokes are gonna play Lollapalooza. Stereogum

- Michael Bolton got a platinum record for Kanye’s College Dropout? Sound of the City

- What happened to Parental Advisory stickers on CDs? Westword

Every dish that was placed in front of us was examined, sniffed, tasted, analyzed in detail and then fully consumed.  It was a treat to see tacos, nachos and Austin’s famous queso appreciated anew and experienced on what was a culinary adventure for these Scotts.  For us SXSW vets, this food, while craved and appreciated, and devoured, is far short of adventurous eating.  It was truly fun to experience the band’s first margaritas with them.  You realize the complexity in everyday things, the beauty in the mundane, when you see/taste/feel those familiar things through the experience of someone else.

The conversation was fun, too.  We talked about the band’s origins in the city, their process for writing songs and the brilliantly quick pace at which they write what they write.  Double Dose, one of my favorites, came together faster than any of their other tunes, about 20 minutes start to finish – less time than it took our waiter to refill the queso. The band told an amazing story of how the Smashing Pumpkins specifically asked for them to open their show in Glasgow. These genuinely affable guys are standing at the precipice of great things and massive recognition.  You can feel it as they go on about anecdotal touring disasters, and their should-be-a-reality-show-made-about-him tour manager.  The potential energy is palpable around this band and they are so damn friendly you want to see that potential realized.  I am joining their street team as soon as one is formed.

Words by Mark Roemer, Photos by Zoetica Ebb

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