Audio Etc.

Boom-Boom-Tap

2010-05-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

My first attempt return to blogging after the impairment of having to study higher english...which i am now free of. As always though, the SQA did like to through in a wild card, this time in a form of a question that made no sense: what does the author mean by using the metaphor about the "a la carte menu"...what, explain that the author clearly does not actually know what an "a la carte menu" actually is, and therefore, the metaphor doesnt actually make any sense..yeh, thats what i though. Anyway...

On to music, my primary purpose for writing this blog. 2010 seems to be all about the albums this year! Everyone has an album out, even if your an obscure weirdo like Flying Lotus who probably only releases albums when the solar alignment dictates that this would be a favourable act. So, i shall cover all the albums of late that have got me suitably excited, and that i think you should GET OUT AND BUY! (im not going to bother covering the Beach House album, or the Gorillaz album, because if you dont have those...well, your a lost cause anyway.)

1. BookaShade - More (Get Physical Recordings)

Everyone seemed to absolutely love Donut and all of its various incarnations (Boy 8-Bit remix is well worth a listen), and this is the album to go with it, so to speak. To be fair, it is exactly what Bookashade do well, and is a pretty predictable sound...but they just do it soooooo well! The album pretty much caters for all Booka fans out there, especially those with that nostalgia for tunes like In White Rooms - More will suffice your craving for all things deep and bleep. Check out: Regenerate, L.A.tely and Teenage Spaceman

2. UNKLE - Where Did The Night Fall (Surrender All Records)

Really, is there anything that James LaVelle cannot do? The answer, is probably not. The man is a musical genius to put it quite simply, no one else has managed to juggle trip-hop, turntablism, big room club, classical scores for BMW adverts and everything in between quite like him. Its so hard to label this new album with a particular genre, because it really is just everything smashed together into something truely amazing. It has all the percussive lushness you would expect, as well as some really smart stuff with big echoey guitar sounds and some seriously haunting vocals from a huge variety of guest vocalists. In terms of genre-breaking albums, i reckon this had to have overtaken Plastic Beach for me. The best thing to do, is listen to Natural Selection and take it from there. If modern music pulled its head out its arse, it would probably sound like this

3. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

The master of all things weird and experimental has returned in a big way. With support from...well, just about everyone, from Mary Anne Hobbs to Brian Limond! However, approach this album with caution, the first time you listen to it you will hear nothing but out-of-time rhythms and seemingly patternless zappings of obscure synth sounds. On close inspection though, you will truely appreciate the genius of this album, it embodies everything that i great about the experimental scene, anything goes, jungle-drum patterns matched with but atmospherics and house-y arps. Listen close enough, and you will love it, rising orchestral strings spliced with 808 kicks - even if it does sound like the lovechild of an atomic bomb and massive synthesiser. Ohh, and of course, there's an appearance from Thom Yorke, everyone loves the depressed shaved-chimp man!

4. Netsky - Netsky (Hospital Records)

Aww, poor Netsky, i guess the hype came back and slapped him in the face. As some of you may know, the album was leaked last week and has been running rampant around the various torrent hosts of the interweb. Nevertheless, it is an absolutely brilliant album, especially for those new to DnB, pretty easy to listen to, but extremely effective. That distinctive Netsky sound is prominent in tracks like Iron Heart and Mellow, as well as some more creative sounds like the jungle-driven The Magic Russian Bottle. However, the "been here since the beginning" Netsky fan cant help but feel somewhat let down but the album, sure, its brilliant if youve never heard it before, but i does lack a little something, almost a bit too easy to listen to - hey, maybe its me just picking holes in something that is actually pretty perfect, decide for yourself...

Sorry.

2010-03-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well its safe to say my blog has been neglected since about january. Someone told me today that they'd spent the afternoon reading also my post, my first reaction was a) You must have been bored. b) I dont think its been updated for about two months. So, here i am. And i have nothing in particular to write so il just give you a video and a list of songs to track down.

Video: Moves courtesy of Matt Balfour -

http://www.twitvid.com/6A85C - (sorry, couldnt get the embedded video to work)

1. Afrojack - Bangduck (Wall Recordings)
2. Quark - Patagonia (???)
3. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (the whole album, genius stuff) (EMI)
4. Lou Reed - Street Hassle (???)
5. Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Jeuce Rework) (Blogged)
6. LYS & Chris Lake - La Tromba (Riva Star Miami 2010 Rework) (Defected)
7. Netsky - Eyes Closed (All Sorts Music)
8. Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind (DC Breaks Bootleg) (White Label)
9. The Teenagers - Homecoming (Gentlemen Drivers Rave Mix) (Kitsune Maison)
10. Parker - WHERE'S MY MONKEY?! (unreleased, watch on youtube, hilarious)

Recently...

2010-01-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

I've had blogger's block, i think its a side affect of highers successfully killing me. This is strange for me because im usually occupied with pissing people off and voicing my opinions, so as you can imagine, the launch of the iPad was a welcome subject to rant about.

I totally geeked out for about 2 hours, watching a live stream of the launch and the consequent reactions from a group of iTwats. After all the hype an mystery surrounding its launch i was well and truly disapointed. Not sure if i expected it to turn water into wine, Piers Morgan into likeable character or something along those biblical lines but there was just nothing to it. As i watched the aforementioned iTwats wank all over the iPad i couldnt help but feel the need to scream "ITS JUST A BIG FUCKING IPHONE THAT YOU CANT FIT IN YOUR POCKET". If this is meant to revolutionise touch screen home computing then apple are taking the piss, you cant even run multiple apps at once, just like the iPhone/touch, ridiculous. The biggest disappointment was that there was no killer feature, and if there was, it was meant to the the whole iBook thing. Okay, so its a nice idea but not exactly something to get too excited about, although it will absolutely kill the Kindle eBook reader, no question.Tthe only positive thing to come out of it was the price, coming in at only $500, seriously surprising. The reaction to this at the launch could only be described as shock, god knows how apple managed that one.

However, the only thing more dubious than the iPad's purpose is its name. iPad...common apple, you really are asking to be the butt off every joke for the next year. Why not call it the iTab or something!

Have this...

Fuck Off Back To The Lego Factory - An Exclusive Monologue w/ Diplo

2010-01-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Before the interview begins, i would like to clear up an easily made error over the identity of diplo...

This, is diplo...

Where as this, is DUPLO!

Music Producer...plastic lego brand toy - an easy mistake to make!

Let the monologue begin....

"Hi, im Diplo, and im a total baw sack. I produced the MIA album, and that makes me really cutting edge and cool, despite that about 50% of the tracks on the album were utter shite. You might remember some of my GOOD tunes, the "everybody" remix of paper planes, that scrappy chief track and other memorable hiphop influenced beats. But around a year ago, after establishing myself among all the generic indie bands who i remix for and getting rich, i started to make productions influenced by what i seem to think is reggae and dancehall, which makes me really cultured and hipster and jamaican...ohh wait...i just forgot...im as white as they come. Oh well, il just ignore it! Anyway, the Diplo saga continues, and after a string of shitty remixes and managing to kill a wide variety of good tracks in the semi-mainstream, me and my fellow hipster producer Switch, decided we should do a collaboration under the Major Lazer monkier. We paid lots of money to hire out Bob Marley's studio - its iconic n that eh - and exploited a load of local vocalists to make out tracks - and our profits! We went into the studio with an extremely strict schedule, devoting at least 60% percent of our working day tweeting about how much weed we were smoking and generally making sure our hipster image was well and truly intact. Ever since the album release things have been great, my wallet is swelling nearly as fast as my ego - something i like to make extremely evident through the medium of twitter - and Annie Mac hasnt pulled my penis out her mouth long enough to make a good show since she switched places with Tongy!"

I'd just like to thank Diplo for that rare insight into his superstar lifestyle, a true Audio-Etc exclusive!

Best Start To The Year: Camo & Kroooooooooooooooked!

2010-01-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. It really has been too long, school has put me in a state of non-blogging depression. I have to juggle homework, revision, finding banging tunes for the blog, and an intense timetable of facebooking! Not to mention THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Dont forget - http://www.youtube.com/user/AudioEtcDotBlogspot

So, after the anticipation of its release bubbling up to near enough boiling point, Camo & Krooked released their EP, Edge of Mind, the other day. Just...woww. These guy are a seriously hot tip for next year. Their unique brand of electro-house-at-a-drum-and-bass-tempo really is something special, and sure to go down amazing well in any club. Every single tune on the EP is absolutely brilliant, from the slightly more mellow vocal track, Time Is Ticking Away, to the MASSIVE, Skyline. The EP also included their remix of John B's Numbers (bass heavy, fast-paced, sweaty drum and bass ripper) and the infamous Mindset (proper melodic killer, with banging drums). This has to be the best vinyl purchase ive made in the past six months. Keep a look out for them, there is an album dropping next month on Beta, i think.

OiOi! The Audio-Etc Youtube Channel!

2010-01-12T14:03:00.000-08:00

Thought i could probably do with somewhere to post tunes and get some discussion going over them. I'll try to keep putting tunes up at least ever few days. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/user/AudioEtcDotBlogspot

The Frainy Film Review: Issue 2 "Green Street 2"

2010-01-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Needing very little introduction, this second instalment of the "Frainy Film Review - this week discussing the critically ashamed Green Street II. Take it away Frainy...

Welcome back to Frainy's film reviews. This week i shall inform you of green street two, and how absoloutly shite it is. Where shall i begin? oh yeah, i know, why dont we call the film green street two, and then pick the most obscure character from the original green street and make a film up about him? How about no you american cunts. At the end of the day green street one was quality, however it is one of these films which really cannot have a valid sequel to it. Anyway, what i dont understand is, apart from the fact that the British jail they are in is in the middle of a desert, why are there so many foregin people kicking about the place? Big russians, portugese, americans, english, afro-americans the whole fucking lot. When they all fight its like a multi-cultural gangbang. There really isnt a storyline to be honest, just needless violence between rival firms in a prison, pointless to the extent that in the end i really couldnt be arsed with another fight and decided to fast forward. For no apparent reason, a black prison guard has taken a liking to the West Ham boys, and the lady prison guard, who is made out to be evil but is in fact just a prick, as well as a shit actor, prefers the millwall boys. Due to the few references to characters from the original green street the film maintains some link with the past but apart from that is virtually an independant film made so those who buy it will believe that is contains the magic of it's predeccesor. well it doesnt. The thing that gets me is, well, there is really no point in the film. I mean at the end of the day they get let out of prison for winning a 5 a side football match? wheres the sense in that?! hats off to the british government though, they certainly know how to reduce the number of criminals inside if these are their tactics. The main character who i cant be arsed remembering the name of has a girlfreind on the outside, i think she is preggers but i cant rememeber, she looks like the type of girl who if she is preggers must have to strap fuking masking tape round her fanny to stop the foetus dropping out-SHES A SLUT. but i would still bang her, fair play on the choice there directors. You ugly cunts. The film has no semblence of passion, love, excitement or even change of scenery to be honest. Id rather watch paint dry and listen to grants voice saying calum, calum, calum, calum consecutively for 5 days than watch that film again so for that reason and that reason alone i have to give it:
0 stars out of 5

ps. In case you didnt get the verall gist of the film, its shite

Audio-Etc On: Filesharing

2010-01-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

File sharing is an issue thats kinda been going around and around in my heard quite a lot recently. The other day i watch a short film dealing with the issue of file sharing and musical copyright called "Good Copy, Bad Copy", featuring interviews with big names such as DangerMouse and Girl Talk. For any of you that care to watch it here it is...

http://www.goodcopybadcopy.net/

It really made me consider the issue and there have been a couple of things over the last week that have made me reconsider my overall view and give me a bit of a headfuck over the whole thing. The first of these happened about a week ago, i left a message on a certain artists' page to congratulate them on being particularly high in the HypeM popular table, with a track that wasnt due to be released until next month. I received a private mail in return warning me never to post something like that on his wall again saying: "to see that on a blog a whole month before its due to be released make me feel a bit sick". I wont say what the track was, or where you can find it, but what i did have on my hands was a 320kbps mp3. of something thats wasnt even out yet. I did feel bad for the artist, who seems like a really genuine, down to earth guy, and this sort of stuff really is affecting his music, and therefore his livelihood.

The next thing that caught my attention was a blog post on DJ Shadow's site: (https://www.djshadow.com/news/shadows-starting-new-year-bang-check-out-his-latest-journal-entry-here). I am a huge fan of shadow and really love his music, a truly innovative and inspirational guy with some serious credentials. However, i wasnt so impressed with his latest post on the issue of...youve guessed it...FILE SHARING! In my opinion he approached the whole thing from completely the wrong direction, and came across as an ignorant, arrogant twat, blaming his own fans for his own lack of funds. I was one of many who decided to reply to this post, and a did point out to him, that after bitching and moaning about musicians having such thin wallets at this time, the consumers were also in the same boat. I also questioned, why, if i pay six times as much for a vinyl copy of something, i should be obliged to pay for it again in a digital format? I would like to point out that after purchasing Beck's Modern Guilt LP the other day (produced by the one and only DANGERMOUSE and highly recommended whatever genre your into) i was extremely happy to find a code for a 320 mp3 download of the album as a token of appreciation for supporting music on vinyl...BRILLIANT IDEA MUSIC INDUSTRY...CATCH THE FUCK ON! Anyway, back to shadow's blog: it was seriously mixed up, the way it came across to nearly everyone was that he was saying that his music isnt about money...but without money he would stop making it...say wha'?!?! As one clearly annoyed fan and fellow musician pointed out - "dont pretend you're above money or that its not important to you or your art because "it doesnt justify art" or some shit like that".

Im sorry to say it but as some did point out in reply, it was starting to sound like shadow was just getting bitter at his own recess - lets face it...The Outsider was shite and he will never top Endtroducing. I really, really am hating myself for having to say this about someone i really do have a lot of respect for, but he was trying to make his fans feel guilty about filesharing any of his records, in an attempt to boost his own sales...thats fucking low.

Im not gonna lie, i do use filesharing, whether its in the format of blogs, torrents or zippyshares/rapidshares etc.. but i like to feel that this is balanced by the amount of vinyl that i buy, perhaps a misplaced and egotistical view, i know. To be honest though, there are a couple of things that actually make filesharing more attractive. It is soooo much easier to do...all you have to do is type the track you want into google and click. Also, half the music i want isnt even available on the usual legitimate sites, blogs and P2Ps are the only was for me to get it.

I like to think ive kinda come up with my own personal solution, right or wrong here it is. The artist we need to support are those on small labels, and on local or limited UK schemes...the people it is actually EASIER to find on blogs. These are the people we need to shy away from file sharing, and even better than downloading legitimately would be to buy it on hard copy - preferably vinyl. But the one thing i can say for sure... if you are signed to Universal, Sony...etc. Dont expect me to feel in the slightest bit guilty about filesharing your content, (not that i particularly want to possess any of your stuff anyway) hell, il positively encourage it. You do so much to monopolise and pollute the industry that you should be paying us!

So yeh, my idea really is: small? give them support, dont fileshare it... multi-billion dollar label? i couldnt give a fuck. File sharing isnt going to stop any time soon, its just not fiasable, and if you asked me what i thought about it in another month i would probably have a different opinion. I'll direct you to something that was said in reply to Shadow's post, that makes me think i couldnt really have put it better myself....

"Filesharing is like a radio where it's me, as opposed to bloated record execs, who chooses what I'm exposed to. As a music lover, I hope you can appreciate that."

I'd just like to make it clear to everyone, that no matter what music i post on this blog, please go out and buy it and support the artist as soon as it is readily available. Thank You.

Cabin Fever.

2010-01-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

Never though id say this but i kinda wanna go back to school. There so much call of duty you can play before you turn into a psycho and i think i have scoured the internet dry for new music. The other day i was so bored that i sorted through me email...yupp it was getting that desparate. After finding out that school was closed due to supposed "severe weather conditions" (it didnt even snow last night and it's totally bluebird today), i had decided i would do something productive today, like chemistry revision...umm no, that has well and truely gone out the window and here i am now writing this blog with a cup of tea and my dog sitting on my feet.

New Floating Points remix anyone?

DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/?yjmbzewbviy

This one is probably better, not quite so bang-ar but chilled...

DOWNLOAD: http://www9.zippyshare.com/v/31706700/file.html

(NB - that second remix is of Little Dragon's "Scribble Paper", NOT "After The Rain" as the youtube video says - and the rest of the web seem to think!)

Lake?

2010-01-03T15:15:00.000-08:00

View Larger Map

This, my friends, is a lake. But it is not any ordinary lake...it is THE lake. Something happened on this lake...when it was frozen. Something completely socially unacceptable. The justifiication for it: "just because i can". Heroic? Disgusting? You decide.... That is all.

That Obligatory 2010 Blog (A Long Blog)

2010-01-03T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hi, 'n that. 2010...sounds nice (that's twenty-ten by the way, not fucking two-thousand-and-ten). 2009 was alright, brilliant year for electronic music, loads of new sounds and new artists breaking through, so lets hope the new year brings more of the same- and also the death of vernon kay, zane lowe and david guetta...preferably all in one fatal shite killing swipe.

Despite some shit parts of my year, generally it was just fucking hilarious. So many memorable moment...well memorable but hazy, and the banter really has been top notch. If you cast your eye back to my halloween blog, i think that pretty much sums up my year. Big thank you to everyone that made the year great, mon' the five! (The photo really doesnt do it justice.)

Hogmanay was also quite a riot. As one would imagine, it did consist mostly of high alcohol consuption, but i will try my best to describe my evening...

After starting on a few casual beers around 7pm, at 8.30pm we headed into the village. Ohh wait, but did we have the bev delivery running smoothly? No. 20 minutes in the snow. We resumed our trek to the distant party, but soon realised we had a problem. Carrying 3 crates and two bottles of jack daniels for about 30mins is pretty hard, so what we needed was some kind of improvised, alcohol transportation device - and remember, its snowing. At this point i had a moment of genius...A FUCKING SLEDGE! A quick trip into a neighbouring garden produced the sledge of some poor unsuspecting child and "The Bev Sledge" was concieved (if the said child is reading, i sincerely appologise, i will pay for your sledge, it served us well.).

So finally after our quest through the snow we arrived at the party, realising we had missed the drinking games as i was hugged by a semi-conscious PJ. After exchanging pleasantries realised we needed to catch up, cracking out the miller and jack's, and in no time at all we were suitably pashed. Things are rather hazy, but i do remember some hilarious moment. Exhibit A, the "Liberty X: Toned" workout DVD being put on the telly, this involved about twenty people lined up in from of the TV doing co-ordinated star jumps along to all your favourite Liberty X Hits - you know your doing well when you start doing workout DVDs! Exhibit B, PJ has deteriorated rapidly. At this point two of see if he's alright after realising we've not seen him for about half an hour. Sure enough, there he is lying on his front on the kitchen floor. On our entry he gets up, wearing a pair of UGG boots, as you do, and sits on the steps outside demanding to hear Jurassic 5 and for Paulo Nutini "to get the fuck out his ears". One of the things i cant quite work out is why we found a bottle of "root repair" hair dye quite so hilarious...its kinda beyond me.

After a lengthy debate about whether it was worth walking to the clock for the midnight bells, we mustered the troops for the journey through the snow. Sadly the bev sledge did not make it any futher than the bottom of the driveway...RIP. We finally reached the village, managing to awkwardly position ourselves in from of the pipe band as they marched to the clock. The problem doing new year in the village is that you never really know when its actually midnight. Without any real warning everyone was exchanging bottles and hugging people, mostly who they didnt really know. I had promised myself that the first track i would hear in 2010 would be funkagenda's h3lix, and can vaguely remember whipping out my blackberry to listen to it over the tinny speaker...doesnt really do the track justice. I was at this point that the highlight of my new year occurred. I turned round to face my mum and dad, not really registering who it was, and thrust my bottle of jack's into my dads hand as he handed me a bottle wishing me happy new year...it really was quite amazing/weird as fuck. Shortly after finding my way back to my crowd of friends i was told "andrew, you are just...like...the greatest guy ever..." all i can say to this is HA.HA.HA.

I returned to the party having stopped off for a pint at work, turning down an invite to the pub, being ditched by a pair who couldnt make it along the road and somehow running for a couple hundred metres. Probably the most surprising thing i found on my return was PJ. Previously asleep beside the toilet, he was upstairs running around...i was nothing short of gobsmacked. Unfortunately, from here, until my departure i cant really remember an awful lot, i have images but no sound in my memory. Finally arriving home around 4.30, i decided what i needed most in the world was doritos, leading to me waking up in the morning, fully clothed in a pool of crushed "cool original". Yup, so that was my new year... Thanks to everyone who made it so good! Mon' the five!

Also, thank you Jamie Oliver's "Hangover Ommlette"...you have magical properties.

And sorry to anyone i called or offended...not sure who you are...

Happy New Year everyone, all the best for 2010!

I Rate The Hate

2009-12-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

This week has been nothing short of hilarious, (and thats not even mentioning certain incidents on certain lakes, for those who know what im talking about), mainly down to one man/woman/thing...THE INDUSTRY HATER!

This (we will asume) man, has whipped twitter up into an absolute storm, even breaking the top20 twitter lists. Every time i log in, the page is filled with people retweeting industry hater, or trying to recreate his infamously hilarious "pars" - please not, attempting this will only end in FAIL, do not attempt. The whole uk grime world - probably the most hilarious genre to spectate, because of all this "beef" - is at each others throats. Wiley "dissing" chipmunk...chipmunk calling wiley an "old man" (bet that cut him deep, he just cant say anything that could offend his mass under 14 year old following, fun for all the impoverished grime family, im sure you will agree).

Although probably the funniest thing industry hater has done to date is his supposed identity revelation. Really, why would he tell everyone who he was when the fun hadnt yet ended?!?! Plus, he does have the danger of being "shanked" but one of chipmunk's said following. I think the youtube video proclaiming "i should be prime minister" pretty much says it all in terms of industry haters true identity. (For the record, Industry Hater is actually burial, banksy AND the stig, all roled into one).

The thing that is truely genius about it all though, is that really, all parred persons love it. Its the most blatant example of "no such thing as bad press" ever. People will go out and buy records no matter how much hastle they were getting.

Is been said so many times before but il say it again... HATE IS SOOOO GOOD FOR THE GAME!

Just another 2009 music list...

2009-12-27T15:57:00.000-08:00

Quite simple. 50 tracks that ive loved this year. Some old, some new. No real order. I will probably leave things out and repeat myself.

1. B-Complex - Beautiful Lies
2. Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo
3. The XX - Nightime
4. Funkagenda & Mark Knight - Flauta Magica
5. Swedish House Mafia - Leave The World Behind
6. Danny Byrd & Brookes Brothers - Paperchase
7. Digitalism - Idealistic
8. Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind
9. Angello & Ingrosso - Partouze
10. Notorious BIG - Hypnotize
11. Modest Mouse - One Chance
12. Erick Morrilo - Radio 1 Essential Mix
13. Pinch ft. Yolanda - Get Up (Jack Sparrow Remix)
14. Burial & FourTet - Moth
15. Seba - Snow
16. Armand Van Helden - I Want Your Soul (Fake Blood Remix)
17. Miike Snow - Animal (Punks Jump Up Re mix)
18. Modus Operandi - Sonata Rabidus
19. DJ B-Rocc - Nanana
20. Emalkay - When I Look At You
21. Martin Sloveig Ft. Dragonette - Boys & Girls (Laidback Luke Remix)
22. Funkagenda - H3lix
23. MRSA - Different
24. Laidback Luke - Step By Step (Big Room Mix)
25. Subwave - Moscow Lights
26. Danny Byrd - Weird Science
27. Kim Fai - Good Life Remix
28. DJ Zinc - Casino Royale
29. J Dilla - E=MC2
30. East & Young - Reveal
31. Jack Beats - Get Down
32. Skream - Rutten
33. Project Bassline - Drop The Pressure (Jack Beats Remix)
34. John Dahlback - Blink (D.O.N.S. & DBN Chainsaw Remix)
35. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Blame Remix)
36. Example - Watch The Sun Come Up (Blame Remix)
37. Boy 8-Bit - The Suspense Is Killing Me
38. Lee Brasco - Headturner RMX
39. Basti Pieper Ft. Eddy Pirax - I Love You
40. Stray - Talking About Nothing
41. Mr Sizef & Unquote - Hours Have No Reverse Motion
42. David Durango - Move With Me
43. King Midas Sound - Meltdown
44. Joker - Stash
45. Dustin Kahn - Stranger To Stability (Len Faki Podium Mix)
46. Streets - Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix)
47. Blumarten - Believe Me
48. Steve Angello - Tivoli
49. Crystal Fighters - Xtatic Truth
50. D.I.M. - Is You (Jantsen Remix/Booty)

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE: The Frainy Film Review - "Megashark Vs. Giant Octopus"

2009-12-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE!!!!

This, my friends, is a truely historic blog. Today i introduce to you the very first Calum "Frainy" Frain film the review, the first of many we hope. For his first review Frainy will be covering much-hyped "Megashark Vs. Giant Octopus".

To give you a rough idea of the film, here's the trailer:

And now i will pass you over to The Frain...

The title itself brings many possibilities as to what this film could be about. Not. The title is in fact so unimaginative i could have got one of the wee gadges from LS to tell me what the fucking film is about. he thing that stands out with this film is the fact that it is so shit it defies belief and is actually in fact worth watching. Whether it be the fact that the leader of the american military has a ponytail, or the fact that debbie gibson,80's popstar still reasonably hot, has a steamy sex scene with a chinky with specs on there is no doubt that this film captures the imagination of mongols up and down the land. The most frustrating thing is that because of the needless swearing and agression and attempted 'passion' of the actors the film certificate is a 15, leaving its viewing to only a minority of people who could actually be taken in by the unique themes running throughout and ignoring the young and mentally disabled who could maybe summon an ounce of belief in the fact that two pre-historic animals were locked in combat and unfroze due to an illegal American helicopter patrol in the northern hempishere. However, despite the twists, turns, the fucking shyte acting, even shiter special effects and thats not even touching on the standard of acting this film is definetly worth watching simply for the
entertainement value, in fact i only wish i was pissed when i watched it so that i could cry. in fact, i cried anyway to be honest haha. seriously, the film is priceless and if i ever met the director i would kiss him on the lips and tell him i love him. THis film needs bought-which is why i give it a brummie 5 OUT OF 5

As im sure you will agree, profound.

Christmas Present From Me - Rude Boy Lyrik Tings Innit (Aged 12)

2009-12-25T12:17:00.000-08:00

it has been a good christmas. like most of you i am now recovering from the self inflicted stomach trauma that is christmas dinner. santa was good to me this year, and i will be typing this from my shiny new laptop *OOOOOHHH**AAAHHHHH**. after listening to my slightly drunken grandpa giving some semi-racist rants, we've all settled down in front of the warm glow of eastenders...excruciating. so, to keep you all amused during this dark time i will give you a gift-blog. please enjoy this "badman riddim" from a non-friend of a friend...im sure it will make you feel all warm inside

"are you dumb are you stupid put u in a chokehold just like cupid twist a shank i u body liek rubix if u want beef come lets do dis you throw a punch and miss so i follow through with a kick to the ribs this breddar takes the piss so on his lyrics ill take a shit,thats what you are your lifes a par day and night i write... up barz but my barz are phat like lard(8) dubstep lyrics jst wrote em, 1st dubstep lyrics tho"

beautiful, im sure you will agree. the boy is a poet.

Joy-eaux Noel!

2009-12-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Shhhhh....listen...

think of it as an early christmas present. all hail joy orbison.

Best of ohhhh-nine!

2009-12-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again and 2010 is nearly upon us, everyone is running about trying to buy presents for forgotten friends with the very little cash they had kept to spend on copious amounts of alcohol over the festive season. It is also the time of "how great was 2009" type events: radio shows, newspaper supplements, crap tv shows. And i obviously would not want to disapoint, so here is the Audio-Etc. "Best of '09" list, please note that i couldnt make a decision most of them so there are a couple of "winners".

Best DJ/Producer:
Steve Angello

Best Label:
Hospital Records

Best Album:
Jay Haze - Fabric Mix
Hospital Records - Sick Music
The XX - XX

Best EP:
DJ Zinc - Crack House EP

Best New-Comer:
B-Complex
Kim Fai
Joy Orbison
MRSA
Subwave

Best Blog:
Funkism

Best Twitter-er:
Funkagenda

Best Podcast:
Hospital Records

Best Radio Show:
Pete Tong (Radio 1)
Essential Mix (Radio 1)
Mary-Anne Hobbs (Radio 1)
Marco Del Horno (Rinse FM)

Mix Of The Year:
Eric Morillo's Essential Mix
DJ Zinc's Essential Mix

Drink Of The Year:
Southern Comfort
Despo's

Hero Of The Year:
Matthew Balfour

Twat Of The Year:
David Guetta
Mistabishi
Jess Thomerson's Younger Brother (Name Unknown)

Quote Of The Year:
"Do bee's even have knees? This is a fucking disgrace" - Grant Beveridge
"Really though, is there anything wrong with a dirty, dirty slag?"- Matt Balfour

Unsigned Tune Of The Year:
Mikey Courtenay - Ode to Puma Swede - Busty MILF (Partial Improv.)

Innovation Of The Year:
The Oppenheimer Faculty Accolade

An Owens blog...

2009-12-15T19:28:00.000-08:00

"don't mess with owensy, he'll. Fuckin eat yer nipplEs"
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

The Next Mercury Prize?

2009-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

After much disgruntlement over this years mercury prize nominees, a friend and i decided that what the world really needed was another music prize. And of course, our opinion on such musical matters, was the only valid opinion. So without further a due, may i present to you...

The Oppenheimer Faculty Accolade

The name, as i did point out, does sound like some kind of obscure physcology journal, but equally does befit the such an important award. Much like the Mercury Prize, the Oppenheimer Faculty Accolade aims to recognise those at the forefront of modern music...but without so much folk-rap.

And here is the shortlist of nominees so far...

General Oppenheimer Faculty Accolade
- The XX
- Phoenix
- Atlas
- Jay-Z (Up and coming rap act)
- Leader LG3804 DVB-T Signal Generator (Experimental Entry)
- Two Door Cinema Club

Oppenheimer Award For Most Over-Hyped - The Drums

Faculty Distinction For Outstanding Contribution To Music - Cheryl Cole

The highly sought after competition for hosting of the awards ceremony is between the Upper Green, West Linton and The Peebles Grand Amphitheatre aka The Stands

And remember, you heard it here first!

A Half-Arsed Attempt @ My Top 10

2009-12-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

1. X & Hell x Jakwob - Jump The Gun(Jakwob Remix)
2. Mr Sizef - Garmoniya Mirov
3. Michel Cleis - La Mezcla(Copyright Remix)
4. Freeway & Jake One - Know What I Mean
5. Jose James - Blackmagic(Joy Orbison RMX)
6. DJ Food - All Covered In Darkness(Mr P Remix)
7. Burial & Four Tet - Moth
8. Twista - Sunshine (WHO REMEMBERS THIS!!!!!)
9. Skream - Rutten
10. Oasis - Wonderwall(Conor Cutz & DJ Black Remix) <¬¬¬shitest djing names ever...

I promise to liven the blog up sooner or later, antics will be common over and around the festive season.

Sorry...

2009-12-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

I must appologise for my lack of blogging lately, internet has been down and writing a full post on blackberry isnt exactly ideal. Can't say i have much new music as a result but il try and pull some tracks together and do a top 10. Yet again it was a piece of windows software that wasnt working...i need me a mac!

Re: Spotify, Streaming, Majors & Madness

2009-11-25T09:21:00.000-08:00

After recieveing an email, while sitting in chemistry, from a certain tony coleman, things have been cleared up. May the colemanator regain his throne. Amen.

I think I just blogged...?

2009-11-24T14:09:00.002-08:00

Yup, I just blogged from my blackberry, how totally spaceage of me!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Spotify, Streaming, Majors & Madness

2009-11-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago LondonElek aka Tony Coleman of Hospital Records posted this on his twitter: "another nail in the coffin for spotify - http://bit.ly/8xIdfL" then "@ HowardReprise can't believe how little the majors paid for their Spotify stakes---Yeah it smells of fish doesn't it!".

So, first of all i would like to clarify that this is by no means , however critical, an attack on Tony Coleman, i am both a fan and worshipper, i need not be reminded of his divine status. However, after both this some what thoughtless post and his apparent lack of a statement in reaction to the Mistabishi situation (see below), my faith is being tested. (And for the record Tony, attacking ShyFX for criticising Bishi isnt exactly the bigger-man thing to do after both Danny Byrd & Cyantific on your own label have left facebook status' saying the exact same thing.)

I, for one, can safely say that without free streaming from the internet, would probably have never been introduced to the genre of brilliance that is, drum and bass. It's not exactly the sort of scene that finds you, you have to find it, and that's part of what makes drum and bass so diverse and original. Therefore, without free streaming (spotify, youtube, last, hypem etc.) i would probably never have got into dnb, and never have bought any music to support it. Not sure i even want to count the bills i have for CDs, Vinyl and Digi's, and in particular, from labels like Hospital Records.

If Tony Coleman thinks that Hospital Records would be half the label it is today without free internet streaming then he is greatly mistaken. Streaming sells records, it enables people to sample a whole new sound and then go out and buy it themselves. Surely running something as successful as the hospital podcast would open one's eyes to this? It's all very well moaning about how little musicians get paid and i will happily support an artist i enjoy listening to, but at some point there needs to be a stepping stone, and at the moment the best we have is streaming.

Regarding the issue over the income of major labels from resources like spotify, i personally think that such labels deserve no more than they are already recieveing. And really, they should be paying us if people's minds are being turned to mush by listening to lady gaga a couple million times on spotify.

Okay, so spotify hasnt exactly created the greatest buisness model, and unleashing free streaming without internet connection apps on the iPhone isnt exactly without it's copyright faux pas, but for smaller labels that need all the support they can get (yes Hospital, i will regard you in this catagory), internet streaming has a much more positive impact than it does negative.

So, spotify, keep doing what your doing, and Tony, have a little think before you open your mouth on such a thing next time and please at least do us the courtesy of making a statement upon the mistabishi situation. A reply would be greatly appreciated.

Yet another joining peaches geldof on the mime-DJ'ing wall of shame!

2009-11-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

I like to feel i have a good balance of good and evil on my blog so after my last rave-review of Pinch and Jack Sparrow it is time for some darker news from the world of electronic music. Any drum'n'bass heads out there will no doubt be aware of the situation in question, but i would like to have my say on the matter.

So, Mistabishi....what the fuck are you playing at?!?!!?

For those of you that arent familiar with what has happened, i will explain. Mistabishi is booked for the second aniversary of a club night, tickets sales are going pretty mad. The promoters try to contact Mistabishi to sort the final arrangements. No answer. No reply. Some he rolls up on the night, with only an akai sampler and a bag of records, ask the technician for a single phono lead, which he later says he no longer needs (what the fuck?). As the set commences it becomes apparent that he is taking a record of the deck, putting it in his bag, and replacing it on the turntable again, pretending to beatmatch. The whole set was played from one pre-mixed CD while he pretended to fuck about with knobs and buttons for an hour or so.

I dont know about you, but i feel this is a total kick in the teeth for pretty much any bedroom DJ, begging to break through onto the scene. Also, this is probably not the first time he has done this, he isnt exactly know as a particularly competant DJ. His apology was completely arrogant, "im just a raver blah blah blah, i just like producing and thats all that matters blah blah blah", and thinking that putting up some link for a half baked track would regain his reputation is stupid. More than anything, as a used-to-be fan, im just disapointed that he would do this, and not really understand why everyone is so pissed off about it.

One thing i would like to see is a statement from tony coleman on behalf of Hospital Records, who i really hope loose a great deal of faith in Mistabishi. I hope it doesnt effect them as a whole, but for this to happen they need to come out and make an example of him. MixMag hinted that Hospital were considering dropping him as a result. Whether this is just forum rumours or reality, i dont think it would be a bad thing in the slightest, it stands against anything they (supposedly) believe in.

The one thing i know, is that i will not be spending another penny on his music. Infact, just out of spite, i am considering putting up torrents and rapidshares of all the track i have by Mistabishi.

Fuck.Miming.Fuck.Mistabishi.

Insert Jack Sparrow pirate joke incorporating the work Pinch here

2009-11-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this post is gonna be short, sweet and riddled with spelling errors, as i can feel my eyes shutting and it only 9 o'clock. Pinch. A man i know a lot less about than i probably should considering her runs the legendary (in the dubstep world) Bristol-based Tectonic label. His latest track "Get Up", featuring the vocal delights of Yolanda aka Koko aka that lead vocalist from massive attack. Pretty massssssive tune, deep but still an absolute banger! The second man i will be concerning myself with this fine evening is a certain Jack Sparrow. No, not that one, the only ship this Jack Sparrow will be boarding is some kind of metaphorical sea-going dubstep vessel. I know even less about this second guy but i have heard a couple of his tunes floating about the tube, yet again pretty fucking banger. Heard his remix on the ever fantastic Mary Anne Hobbs' show the other night and it is ridonkulous (...yeh i actually just said that...). Release date is meant to be 30th November (those of you familiar with dubstep time will know this might never actually happen), and will be on Tectonic. So, in the words of Jurassic 5, without further a due, microphone, microphone check, two-one-two....

I really love the video for the original mix by the way, so simple and there is something strangely soothing about a dubplate being cut.

Original Mix:

Jack Sparrow Remix:

Top 10 Tunes of the Moment:
1. Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi (Kim Fai RMX)(Asylum Records)
2. Pinch - Get Up (Jack Sparrow RMX)(Tectonic)
3. Angello & Prydz - Woz Not Woz (Norman Doray & Arno Cost RMX)(Cr2 Recordings)
4. The Fugees - Ready or Not (Proper Villains RMX)(?)
5. Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo (Hotflush Recordings)
6. S.P.Y. - Sunship (Spearhead Records)
7. Bertie Blackman - Birds of Prey (?)
8. Mike Slott - 40 Winx (LuckyME)
9. Lindstrom & Christobelle - Baby Can't Stop (Aeroplane Vocal Mix)(Small Town Supersound/Feedelity)
10. Royksopp - This Must Be It (Thin White Duke RMX)(Wall of Sound)

RIP David Guetta: Gone, But Still Stuck In My Fucking Head

2009-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

It has been a sad couple of weeks for the world of dance music. And now, as is now a regular occurence, one of our own has been struck down by a phenominan know quite simply as mainstreamselloutitis. This is a common but deadly condition on todays electronic music world, symptoms include "ground-breaking"/questionable colaborations with rapper that arent even quite sure what they're pissed off about anymore, and the desire to make music videos. The poor soul i am of course talking about is David Guetta. At first all was going swimmingly for young guetta: his Pop Life album a huge success, smashing your average dancefloor across the country; his F**k Me, I'm Famous night at Pacha, Ibiza, one of the essential parts of the islands week. Guetta was a huge celebrity in France, a household name, so what better to do than pack out the Stade d'France with all the greatest DJs in the world, right? Well, yes, of course, one might think: looking down the line-up you'll see Coxy (no not sarah cox you uneducated twats), Martin Solvieg, Joachim Garraud and finally....ohh...ohh no...its all gone terribly wrong...Tiesto? From what we can gather this was the beginning of the end for David Guetta.

The hype surrounding his new tracks was unbelievable, with promises of "spectacular collaborations"! But soon the world of blogs and forums got hold of this, Kelly Rowland will be featuring. Okay, this could be potentially great if he pulls it out, a vocal house banger. But no...i can still remember the first time i heard it, woke up and put on radio 1 with just my favourite person ever (sarcasm here please), Vernon Kay. Yup, thats right, it had been reduced to daytime radio programming, it pretty much says it all. And then to add insult to injury he made a track with that Akon character, you know, the one that is overly fond of a bit of auto tune and did that annoying lonely track? Lets be honest, a track called "Sexy Bitch" isnt going to have much sexyness going for it: its only gonna be popular with 20 stone Blackpool clubbing veterans and 12 year old girls. Personally i am sick of hearing David Guetta played at parties and being informed, "Aww, you'll like this track 'cause he's a Dee Jay aye". David, you have now been officially excommunicated for the world of electronic music, i hope you are proud of yourself.

So, lets all remember him for what he once was, RIP David Guetta, gone, but still stuck in my fucking head.

Joy of Joys

2009-11-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Is there really anything more boring than staying off school? Well, the answer to that is argueably double english, but a day off school is a day of vegetation, mapping out of a complex plan of sky+ recording which enables you to watch Jeremy Kyle for 5 straight hours AND manage not to miss any Come Dine With Me! So, to bring myself on to the main point of this blog, i usually end up spending hours trawlling through music forums and myspace looking for some new music. After hearing the hype from mary anne hobbs and various twitter sources i thought it was probably time to check out a certain Joy Orbison.

And you have every reason to believe the hype for once. With the world of dubstep being diluted with either thicker-than-pig-shit jump-up or all atmosphere, no imagination, pseudo-Burial, its refreshing to hear deep tunes that still have the ability to pack the floor. The 22-year old South Londoner packs his tunes with huge, resonant kicks and flowing, house synth melodies, truely bridging the gap between the sound of the streets, and the clubs. His mix for Mary Anne Hobbs' Radio 1 show is one of best ive heard for a long time and really showcases his sound, including some exclusive tracks. The second track ive posted below is "Hyph Mngo", released on Hotflush Recordings (yup, that label that released Untold's "Just For You"), which is absolutely guaranteed to mash it up on the dancefloors.

Joy Orbison - Mary Anne Hobbs Mix -http://www13.zippyshare.com/v/65906101/file.html

Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo (Hotflush Recordings) -
http://www14.zippyshare.com/v/20668683/file.html

I know ive posted on of the tracks but could everyone please support the artist and purchase his music, cheers!

The Weekend Round Up - Issue 1

2009-11-01T07:16:00.000-08:00

hello. i am addressing you from the land of hangover and cold combinations, so please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors, its safe to say my brain and my fingers arent quite together at the moment. i thought i would make the weekend round up a feature of my blog, mainly to chart and record the antics and rofls. Issue 1 is brought to us by the stoddart household and you'll probably see that matt balfour features heavily, he had some serious form. enjoy...

Friday Night - Nothing to report - working, terrible shift.

Saturday Night - well, saturday night, on the other hand, was much more eventful...

"really though, is there anything wrong with a dirty, dirty slag?" - Balfour
"aww, i thought the kasabian lyrics were 'dead goose, dead goose'..." - Balfour
"i think i actually love everything about Sol's, the cap is just so soft" - Balfour
Just miren's general eagerness to see the leaked miley cyrus photos
"quick blackie, hoor's! look out the window" - Mikey
"wait everyone be quiet...everyone...please...listen to me...(stands up) does anyone have my layer cake dvd?" - Balfour
"well my vocals arent great but im really good at guitar" - Balfour
Matt managing to put him ass on anna's head without her noticing
"d'you want me to guise? honestly il do, im not even joking, il do it, watch, watch!" - Balfour
"Rhhhhhooooooooooddddddddyyy and uhhhmmmm leeeeeeeeeeeeee"- Balfour
"did you know it is compulsary for all maths teachers to have weird necrophiliac sex with pythagoras and make triangle babies before they're allowed to teach" - Balfour

Highlight of the Night: Lets set the scene, a couple of us are standing in the kitchen, exchanging pleasantries and sipping beverages. the trainwreck that is matthew balfour stumbles through the door, belt unfastened and reaching for his fly's. He mumbles, "im just try'na find the toilet"... Hobbles over to the washing machine and opens the door, taking his stance. Robbie - "Matt...what the fuck are you doing?"

Tune of the Night: Mikey Courtenay - Ode to Puma Swede - Busty MILF (Partial Improv.)

Give me a shout on facebook or twitter if anyone thinks of anything else. Cheers!

Terry Tate: Office Linebacker

2009-10-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

I came across these videos a couple of weeks ago, on one of my many youtube binges. I think they were used to promote the reebok american football department so it will probably be familiar to any americans out there but im pretty not many people will have seen these in the UK. I'll post the title video, but the Vacation and Draft Day episodes are definitely worth a watch as well. Enjoy!

"And you know how the old saying goes: There's only one thing better than having a linebacker in your office...and thats having two linebackers in your office."

"I heard Sven Vath has a real live puma for cocoon next year!"

2009-10-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

...and yes, probably the greatest rumour ive heard from the wonder that is music forums.

This first part of the blog will be devoted to a man who can probably be considered as the god of the house music genre at this moment in time. To be honest, this man needs no introduction, or Chuck Norris-esque jokes for that matter. Im am, of course talking about the DJ/Producer genius that is Steve Angello.

After a phenominal season at Pacha this year (really great line up for them this year, lets just not mention the guetta word...), he is releasing a 2009 "Yearbook" of all the massive tunes he has been playing out. It's set to be released in november on his own record label, Size, responsible for some of the years biggest releases, and the up and coming talent that is Kim Fai! Angello's music output is unreal, tune into Tongy's show pretty much every week and you'll be lucky enough to witness yet another huge club anthem coming from him. The two tracks im featuring, one old and the other new, are massively different, but equally huge...

Steve Angello - Tivoli (Original Mix) - http://www2.zippyshare.com/v/84395678/file.html
Steve Angello - Partouze - http://www7.zippyshare.com/v/9428846/file.html
Top 10 Tunes that have got me hooked this month...

1. Steve Angello - Tivoli (Original Mix) (forthcoming on Size Records)
2. King Midas Sound - Meltdown (Hyperdub Recordings)
3. Basti Pieper Ft. Eddy Pirax - I Love You (Hertz Ist Trumpf)
4. Camo & Krooked - Mindset (Beta Recordings)
5. Randomer - Puzzled (as heard on Hospital Records Podcast)
6. Circa - Ida (rumours of forthcoming release on Hospital Records)
7. Rusko - The Cali Anthem (Unreleased as yet, watch this space)
8. Dustin Kahn - Stranger to Stability (Re-Kids) (Its on transparent red vinyl, you know you want it, ive got it)
9. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Blame Remix) (Details are sketchy atm, just a dubplate thats been flying about)
10. D.I.M. - Is You (Jantsen Remix/Booty) (Unreleased)

Oh yeh and if you dont have it already, Luciano's Fabric.41 CD is VERY highly recommended, mad decent deep, chilled minimal house.

Over and out...

Breaking My Blog Virginity...

2009-10-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Woww...so this is it...the peak of internet stardom...blogging. Really this blog is just place to post any new tunes im listening to, news on new releases and just general chat and bullshit. I'll post pretty much any type of electronic (heart wrenching cliche) music here; anything from big room house bang-ars to durty (yeh thats right, dirty with a "U") dubstep. And lets not forget this place is but another outlet for me to canvas my (overly) opinionated character - as a wise blogger once said, "I demand the space to spraff all the pretentious twaddle I can conjure up!"....