Someone on Metafilter took the time out of their day to compile and EXHAUSTIVE list of The Prodigy’s performances over the last…two decades. As The Prodigy remains my favorite live act, this is a goldmine. The list of performances doesn’t include the two sets at Ultra Music Festival I attended (2006/2009) or their DC/NYC shows in the same year. Yes I’ve seen the last 4 US appearances of The Prodigy, big whoop wanna fight about it? These guys, if you’ve never heard of them, you owe it to yourself to listen to “The Fat of the Land,” “Invaders Must Die” & watch Hackers at least once in your life. Do it. Or else you’ll never hear the sonic equivalent of a soccer riot, as I call them. (h/t to Metafilter for exceptional continuing quality.)
Monthly Archives: May 2014
Midnight Music: Rakohus – Biggie + Sonic = Win
I don’t know how I missed this the last time I was in Philly, but Rakohus officially needs to do everything ever. Not only is Sonic 3 one of my favorite games EVER, but the Biggie usage was appropriate and excellently mixed in. Rakohus has a bunch of these videos on his YouTube channel. Not only are the mashups made of win, but there’s dozens of chiptune remixes there too. Just in case you don’t believe me, check out the 8bit remix of Royals. Yes, that Royals. AND because I’m feeling generous, the 8bit remix of Get Lucky.
Jon Lajoie Shows Us How Far We’ve Fallen.
Mr. Lajoie has done some amazing work over the years. Whether it’s rapping or singing about getting high (see my 420 post) he’s been an institution on YouTube for years now. This new video is both hilarious and terribly sad. The stunning commentary on the total co-opting of the music industry by branding & marketing is done exquisitely. It pains me to say it, but every word of the video is true. One of the only ways for artists to make it these days is to get corporate sponsorship or for their baby hit single to get pulled into an ad campaign by Pfizer or Ford. Hit it up, then try not to feel bad for your friends who “hate commercialism” and are trying to make it. Here’s a tip, Generation Z doesn’t know what “selling out” is. Let that sink in for a moment.
Disney Invented Tech That Prints Speakers In Anything.
So, firstly, I had no idea Disney had research labs, but more importantly, holy crap. Apparently, they’ve made a breakthrough that allows them to build a speaker into literally any object. Not only can anything be a speaker, but they can also add proximity sensors such that different speakers interact with different tokens. This will allow you to walk into a room, and depending on a pre-existing choice you made (say, whether you wanted a duck, bunny or frog), the corresponding speaker would play once the token was in range of it (i.e. the duck/bunny/frog animatronic device inside the ride you’re on). This is going to seriously fuck with the way we build art installations, studios and interactive media, especially if everything in this video pans out. (via Fast Co. Design)
Midnight Music: Stromae – Ta Fête (J.A.C.K Remix) [Astonishing French House]
Fresh New Tracks has been killing it lately with stuff I’ve not heard anywhere else, and this tune rounds out the week in a jaw-dropping way. I don’t know where this came from, but if it didn’t actually come straight from the minds of Daft Punk, I’ll be shocked. The track has all of the trappings of French House and it manages to never end up sucking, something that 100% of the DP posers out there can’t do. Put it into your face. That’s the only thing I’m going to say. The nu disco vibe combined with a dollop of proper synth & some compelling French lyrical work needs your attention, and it needs it right now. Who the hell is J.A.C.K. and why the hell haven’t they been touring in the USA for the last decade?
Mix Of The Weekend: UKF Podcast #45 – Hybrid Minds
This weekend, I went digging for one of my favorite UKF podcasts from a bit earlier this year. Hybrid Minds is one of the best drum & bass groups you’ve probably never heard of. They put together some amazing tracks over the last couple of years, and I’m so glad that finally, they’re starting to get some exposure around the globe. To that end, check out this hour long mix they did for UKF, one of my favorite labels across the pond. Flipping between liquid, hard, and vocal drum & bass like they’re turning a dial on a radio (people still have radios right?), these guys deserve your attention. Hit em up & show some love on the Soundcloud, Facebook & Twitter if you agree.
EP Of The Week: The Blancos – Heartless Romantic
I can’t say I’ve ever heard of these guys before, but I’m a serious fan. Fresh New Tracks pushed this EP this week the day after 420, and I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it. I’ve not heard quality grunge in years, and the combination of indie vibes, hip hop lyrics, a dash of blues and some competent/inventive beat work really got my attention. Check it out, and make sure to hit The Blancos up, because any band claiming to rock out from Gotham City will get infinite props from me.
Focused Soundwaves Heal Tumors. And The Sonic Screwdriver Is Real, It Seems.
The Txchnologist Tumblr (Sponsored by GE, full disclosure) did an expansive & well documented piece on focused soundwaves being used to heal tumors two weeks ago. Apparently there’s an entire group called the “International Society on Therapeutic Ultrasound,” which sounds like a hilariously awesome title for a dubstep show. It’s in fact a society focused on disseminating knowledge about what ultrasound can do besides just helping doctors view the thoracic cavity & see if your baby has two heads. The therapeutic applications are kind of jaw-dropping. Groups working on drug delivery, healing chronic wounds & even using sound in place of scalpels. That’s right, Doctor Who’s sonic screwdriver is not only real, but it’s being actively researched by grad students as we speak. Check out the article here and hit up the links inside for more info. Can’t wait to see the wub-wubs work to cure disease at festivals.
Midnight Music: Cocoon – Cathedral (Dinnerdate Remix) [Indietronica]
The moment that the guitars came in a little over a minute into the tune, I knew I had to make it tonight’s Midnight Music. Dinnerdate remixed this tune by Cocoon, giving it this indie house reworking that could not be more successful. There’s a groovy chillness to the tune that manages to stay upbeat without getting loud or in your face. I’m a huge fan of this style of music, which I’ve dubbed “Indietronica” over the years, and I can’t wait for the pop music engine to shift away from big room crassy house into this more melodic, artistic and acoustic sound. If that makes any sense. If it doesn’t, hit the tune below and show them some love on Hype Machine, Twitter and Soundcloud.
The Gift Of Hearing Given To Someone For The First Time.
Beatport was one of the many websites that pushed this out a little while ago. I think it’s important to stop, take a minute and see just how this lady (named Jo, of Gateshead England) has been reduced to tears by the simple act of hearing things for the first time. We in the music universe get so caught up in “is this good, do I like this, eww Dubstep” that we forget the simple gift of hearing is exactly that. A gift. That can be taken away in an instant. This is your reminder to wear earplugs, don’t nest in front of the speakers, and for Christ’s sakes, take care of your ears! Stop hoping that stem cells will forgive all of the abuse you put your aural circuits through during that one summer you followed Warped Tour and back it off a little bit this weekend. If anyone gives you shit for wearing earplugs, laugh and walk away. Seriously. You only get one pair of ears, and they are truly astonishing.
Terry Gotham 