ChinaShop

Deerhunter’s one of those acts that could be either hit or miss for me. I feel like I should hate them, and part of me leans in that direction, but they’re also one of the better in the expanding legions of laid-back indie folky bands that are all over the place nowadays. There’s a sort of sprawling, progressive nature to their sweeping arpeggios and power chords — the closest the band seems to be able to get to, uh, aggro, I guess. This is really more for fans of The Lovemakers and The Daysleepers, etc. Maybe Hammock. Point being: there’s something uniquely unsettling, aggressive…yet chill, relaxed, perfect for those lazy hazy days of summer, or days in general, where you just, y’know, don’t want to do anything. Then again, perhaps they’re just better left to explain it themselves on Red Bull Music Academy Radio.

5.00 (1 votes)

 Loading ...

Perhaps the most formidable rival to their Scottish soilmates Twin Atlantic, Franz Ferdinand has, over a period of four or five years, forged a distinct unique sound, whoever you might think they sound like. It’s a winning formula that’s served them well as evidenced by their huge hit single “Take Me Out”, the Song You Couldn’t Escape in 2005. Here is what many would consider to be the definitive party band, seeing as how admittedly the band formed for the sole purpose of playing parties. They could also be pointed to for the sudden surge in popularity of the whole dancepunk craze, and what seems like a thousand bands the quartet has launched in their wake. Red Bull Music Academy Radio has the latest on the band, and their new album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...

“Mics live, music live, people absolutely live. ” Such is how Dj extraordinaire Derrick May would prefer you hear his music — a stealthful combination of intricate rhythms, beats, and DJing that pays tribute to the days of old — up front, in person, in-your-face. It’s not that surprising, then, that he has a sound similar to the likes of Kevin Saunderson and other purveyors of the genre from his hometown of Detroit, where the now-famous Detroit Electronic Music Festival has become an incredible success. But as the hoots and hollers would suggest, May’s live performance better captures his meshing of both worlds. It’s proved to be a successful marriage, one that encapsulates a DJ with a cutting-edge sound who is genuinely in touch with his audience live, more able to build off the vibe and emotion of his listeners.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...

My first exposure to New York Dolls singer David Johansen was back in the 80s, when he ditched his glam rock persona for the alter-ego known as Buster Poindexter. He was responsible for that 80’s single “Hot Hot Hot,” along with a bizarre collection of mambo/salsa/synth-dance songs that were so many shades of shit, it ranked with Murray Head and The Power Station as the worst of the bad. But now glam is back in style, Johansen with it, and I must say he sounds ready to seriously kick all our asses. I don’t know what he’s been smoking, but their songs are a full throwback to the attitude that made tracks like “Trash” and “Personality Crisis” so effing cool, and re-establish the Dolls as one of the few glam bands who combined hard rock attitude with existential pondering — lyrically of course. Guitar-wise, drum-wise, bass-wise, JOHANSEN-wise, they tear it up, and it’s so damn good to have them back. For more existential pondering, here’s a self-deprecating David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain on the RBMA, looking back at the good and bad while they promote their latest album, Coz I Said So.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...

Beginning with his first album Bingata, DJ Todd Osborn made himself known as an act which could (unlike so many others ) successfully blend a multitude of different acts from old school Motown to modern dance and everything in between — even house and jungle music, and often all in the same song. The same sensibilities run rampant throughout Osborne, although at first listen it’s almost alarming how much he brings back the disco sounds of old, fortunately keeping them in-check so as not to send the listener running for ze hills. Even more impressive is the McGuyver-like skill Osborn put to good use to create all these sounds, like building his own computer (and software) from scratch! Osborn’s bio claims that the songwriter has also “fabricated a video game kiosk out of hospital equipment, and is (finishing up) his hovercraft.” Say what you will about the music; the man behind it is possibly one of the most clever music producers working in the industry today. Get a closer look at the DJ formerly known as Soundmurderer at Red Bull Music Academy Radio.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...

If anything A-Trak can claim rights to being the very youngest (age 15) and the first Canadian DJ to win the prestigious DMC DJ Award. He’s also belonged to some of electro and hip-hop’s most beloved groups, including Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and worked alongside such artists such as Kanye West and MSTRKRFT. With an increasingly impressive list of accolades, he’s clearly become one of the industry/commercial darlings, and (refreshingly) one who has experimented with many different sounds and genres. Perfect for everything from raves to the sort of cyberpunkish-electronic wave, akin to Daft Punk (so aptly described on Red Bull Music Academy Radio). Get a closer listen at the RBMA website.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...

On the intro to one of Crookers more eclectic electronica jams, the words “I’ll suck a p**sy, f**k a p**sy, leave it!” sound ad infinitum. The quote seems to be more of a credo than a credence, one The Crookers obviously apply not only to their sex lives (just a hunch) but also to their DJing techniques. But what may at first seem like an attack of frenzied techno and bizarre effects can actually be further dissected into something quite complicated that requires quite a lot of skill: it’s such a combination of stealthful mixing that jumps all over the place. There’s a little bit for everyone here: rave, funk, mambo, and of course the hard-hitting beats they’ve already become notorious for. Comprised of two DJs from Italy, Phra and Bot, the two have been at it for quite a while (Phra has been DJing since age eleven; Bot’s been playing a variety of different instruments including piano, guitar, etc. since he was a wee lad). No small potatoes! Anyways, enjoy a listen on Red Bull Music Academy Radio.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...

While they’re dubbed as an ‘indie electronica’ outfit, Hot Chip is (also like so many others) a conglomeration of several different beats and styles and techniques. Perhaps what’s most unique about them is their focus — mainly — is the variety of percussive tones here, many of which at first sound like something on a xylophone or a Casio keyboard. But forget the strictly drum-obsessed patterns and rhythms which so many electronica musicians focus on these days. Hot Chip eschews the hard-hitting electro beats or folkiness that so many indie artists focus on in exchange for something even more toned-down, perhaps even danceable, and also kind of just nutty (they’ve been known to conclude a concert now and then with a cover of Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”). Eclectic and exciting, it provides for a much more interesting, though subtle musical palette that is better heard for oneself that explained in a barrage of bad adjectives…see for yourself on Red Bull Music Academy Radio.

4.50 (2 votes)

 Loading ...

Amanda Blank is, in her own words, a “Make It Take It Girl”– an artist who’s built an impressive resume on blood, sweat, and tears and already at the tender age of 22 (or maybe 23 — no one’s really sure). Already renowned for her work with Ghostface Killa, M.I.A., and being featured (as a lot of ChinaShop’s acts seem to be as of late) on C.S.I., Amanda Blank’s name has clearly made the rounds with a fair share of hip-hop artists. Maybe it’s this sort of lumping-in that’s earned her the reputation as a rapper, about as appropriate a label as death metal! Sure there’s hip-hop (amongst other things) in there, but through listening to her music one gets an even greater sense of Amanda’s extensive palette of musical styles, ranging from not only R&B and hip-hop, but to 80’s new wave, bubblegum pop, catchy dance tunes and more. Red Bull Music Academy has more on her ever-expanding, multi-generic sense of style.

(not rated yet)

 Loading ...