DATE ARCHIVES : July 2011

Boys Noize & Erol Alkan – Avalanche (Terminal Velocity) (Feat. Jarvis Cocker)

Two of the biggest names in electronic music, Boys Noize and Erol Alkan have joined forces again. This time adding Pulp‘s Jarvis Cocker for a new version of ‘Avalanche (Terminal Velocity)’.

 ‘Avalanche (Terminal Velocity)’ is a floor orientated reverb and glitch filled track, dark and sinister Cocker’s distinctive yet creepy vocals really accentuates this essence.

‘Avalanche (Terminal Velocity)’  is out now. Check it below and turn it up loud!

Mp3: Boys Noize & Erol Alkan – Avalanche (Terminal Velocity) (Feat. Jarvis Cocker) [audio http://dl.soundowl.com/1asz.mp3]

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Boy 8-Bit – Madrigal EP

Boy 8-Bit released his new Madrigal EP a few weeks back. Nialler9 put me on to this one when he posted the video for ‘Fire Extinguisher’ directed by Irishman Brendan Canty of Feel Good Lost.

The EP sees him expand his usual wild electronic glitches, delving into darker aspects of house and techno – floor-oriented fun, fresh and creative electro-house.

You can download ‘Fire Extinguisher’ and the title track below or the whole Madrigal EP here.

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Download: Boy 8-Bit – Madrigal

Download: Boy 8-Bit – Fire Extinguisher

Castlepalooza Mixtape (2011)

As many of you are aware, now in its sixth year, Castlepalooza Music and Arts Festival returns to Charleville Castle Tullamore, County Offaly this Bank Holiday weekend from Friday July 29th to 31st.

After posting a preview of Castlepalooza yesterday I got to thinking, perhaps people might like a mixtape. So, I put together this as a proper introduction to some of the bands playing, which can be downloaded and listened to before going or on the way to Castlepalooza.

If you’re not going don’t fret, it should make for some good listening over the bank holiday weekend. The tracklisting is after the jump. Enjoy!

Download: Castlepalooza Mixtape

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Download: Mondkopf – Song Of Shadows

French producer Mondkopf has announced he will release his new album Rising Doom on the Fool House label on October 3rd.

The LP is still a few months away but we’ve been treated to ‘Song Of Shadows’, a taste of things to come. It is dark and slighty broody track  filled with sinister distorted beats, pretty much what we’ve come to expect from Mondkopf.

Mp3: Mondkopf – The Song of Shadows [audio http://www.fluofiles.com/mondkopf/Mondkopf%20-%20The%20Song%20Of%20Shadows.mp3]

Castlepalooza 2011 Preview

Now in its sixth year, Castlepalooza Music and Arts Festival returns to Charleville Castle Tullamore, County Offaly this Bank Holiday weekend from Friday July 29th to 31st.

Last years festival really won me over; some great music and a really nice and relaxed setting. They are also to be commended for their willingness to showcase homegrown acts, not to mention 3 Newbridge acts on this years bill (We Are Losers, Moths and Two Charming Men). As always your suggestions are welcome but here are my personal 6 acts not to be missed this years.

Moths (Saturday: Big Top Stage 17:15)

Moths (aka Jack Colleran) has created quite a fuss since releasing a number of tracks on the internet yet this will be a first chance to see him perform live. It has been a big year so far for Moths who’s beautiful chilled out electronica not only got many of us hot under the collar, but also Interpol who asked him to remix a track on their new EP – all while studying for the dreaded Leaving Cert. I’m very excited about this one!

 Download: Moths – Summer

Django Django (Saturday: Main Stage 22:30)

Selected as ones to watch in 2011, Django Django are near impossible to place within a single genre, bringing everything from old rockabilly artists to Devo, The Beatles and the Beta Band to the mix. It is inventive and catchy as hell danceable indie – it’s hard to do it justice with words, a band so good they named it twice. 

 Django Django – WOR via The Bonjour Branch

Hudson Mohawke (Saturday: Big Top Tent 23:45)

I’ve only recently discovered Hudson Mohawke through the Glaswegian’s new EP, Satin Panthers, which is sooooo good! The big bass drops of ‘Thunder Bay’ alone will be immense but I will bow to other people’s superior knowledge as I’ve only just got his 2009 album Butter. Looking forward to this one and familiarizing myself better with his material afterwards.

 Hudson Mohawke – Thunder Bay

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SOnance HOtel – Don’t Look Behind You

SOnance HOtel is the brainchild of Dubliner Brian Gallagher, probably best known for his drumming duties with Humanzi. Conceived in Berlin and shaped on return to Dublin, Don’t Look Behind You is quite a different beast from his previous work but is no less compelling.

Don’t Look Behind You is full of life, love and spirit unfolding in a haze of keyboards and subdued beats. While shrouded in a murky veil of melancholy it is a gentle, uplifting and beautiful blend of lush 90′s style indie as the melodies and guitars shimmer through the mist.

Playing like a first cousin of The Charlatans underrated masterpiece Us and Us Only opener ‘A Feeling of Time’ meanders into ‘2 Dimensional’ a masterpiece of swirling swagger while ‘Your Eyes Tell It All’ and its pulsating groove really sets the scene for what follow.

It is with repeated plays which reveal the true depth and captivation of this record of breathtaking songwriting and arrangement. So much so that it is hard to believe this is virtually the work of one man, with all the material being composed, arranged, performed and produced by Gallagher. Easily one of the best and most impressive Irish albums of 2011 so far.

 SOnance HOtel – Living Is For Dreaming

SOnance HOtel – Your Eyes Tell It All

Introducing: By The Sea

Merseyside arguably boasts one of the most famous and rich music heritages in the world. The area has produced a long line of superb bands, artists etc.  Hailing from the Wirral, 6-piece By The Sea are the latest to shine.

There’s is shimmering heart warming indie-goodness. Steeped in 60′s psychedelia they channel in very different ways parts The Byrds, The Coral and Shack with a joyous amalgam of lush breezy harmonies and summertime haziness. 

By The Sea have just released their debut single, ‘Old Coasts’ on London label, ‘The Great Pop Supplement’. ‘Old Coasts’ is a warm and delicate country-flavoured gem, it sums up where the band are right now.

Download: By The Sea – Old Coasts

Download: By The Sea – Always An End

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Metronomy – The Bay (Clock Opera remix)

Clock Opera have been entrusted with remix duties for Metronomy ‘s latest single, ‘The Bay’, taken from the Mercury Prize nominated album, The English Riviera. 

The rework retains the chilled feeling of the original but adds a touch of energy, tempo and ‘Nightrider-esque’ bass/beats. Everyone’s been telling me to listen to Metronomy’s debut album but this remix will get me through the weekend anyway.

You can catch Clock Opera playing at Castlepalooza next weekend.

Download: Metronomy – The Bay (Clock Opera remix)

Introducing: Tracksuit Warrior

Tracksuit Warrior is the new project from former beat maker and tennis racket wielder with Super Extra Bonus Party, Mike Donnelly (DOI: He’s a good friend).

Having left SEBP to pursue other interests Mike now resides in London and has just released Naff Naff Jack It EP. Since first hearing about this project I’ve been extremely excited to see what the outcome would be.

Naff Naff Jack It sails between an astonishing array of electronic styles, from the hazy and ambient ‘I Hope Your Happiness’ and ‘Square One’ to the dark slow building minimal atmospherics of ‘Cold Sweat’. ‘Suit Up And GO’ adds some shimmering sparkle, oozing with a carefree and feelgood ambiance of Screamdelica proportions. ‘Travelling’ Feat. Harry J deserves special praise; magnificent beats, guitars and glorious trumpets kicking into gear for an astonishing climax, spectacular!

Tracksuit Warrior’s Naff Naff Jack It EP is certainly worthy of a few quid but it’s available for FREE from Bandcamp now! 

Download: Tracksuit Warrior – Travelling (Feat. Harry J)

Download: Tracksuit Warrior – Suit Up And GO

Tracksuit Warrior – Cold Sweat

Simian Mobile Disco – Gizzard

‘Gizzard’ is the fifth release in the series of 12″ on Simian Mobile Disco‘s new imprint Delicacies. 

‘Gizzard’ is a deep dark beast of slow burning techno with hard-edged analogue beats, building to climactic finish. It is a quite similar formula to ‘10,000 Horses Can’t Be Wrong’. The 12″ also features a guest remix from Irish producers Psycatron , a tasty and lively take on the original.

‘Gizzard’ out now on limited edition 12″ vinyl and will get a digital release on July 25th.

 Simian Mobile Disco – Gizzard

 Simian Mobile Disco – Gizzard (Psycatron Remix)