PLAY THIS SHIT AT MY PARTY! Cruel Summer Mixtape - [Mixed By Force Feed Radio] by Force Feed Radio Taking a quick break from painting to let you guys in on this mixtape im listening to while I work, Force Feed Radio's new summer mix "Cruel Summer Mixtape". I'm listening to this and I can't stop moving even as I'm painting, definately a great mix for any dance party or painting session. With tracks from Boys Noize, Green Velvet, Autoerotique and more you can expect the bass to be pumping hard and your ass move non stop. So you if haven't heard this yet get on it! SOUNDCLOUD Force Feed Radio Facebook Page -Julien B.

ReSketch

The other day I stumbled onto the Liverpool based producer/DJ ReSketch on YouTube.  He was on the suggestions list and I only pick songs from that list if they have interesting names or cool album artwork, the songs by ReSketch had both.  Only two songs from their November 2010 EP, Refract were on youtube.  I listened to both tunes, Fine Rain and Ghosts, and loved their garage style; which was something I had not heard or liked in a while.  UK Garage started in the 90s and incorporates a shit ton of keyboard, drums and synthesizers, this was no different.  UK Garage also influenced dubstep and grime, and you can hear that this 21^st century producer definitely fuses these to make their own sound.

I did some more investigating and listened to some of his earlier work, which was a bit raw but very good.  I then found the Refract EP on iTunes and decided to buy the other two songs, Glass Skies and Give it Them.  I was not disappointed at all, Give it Them had great beats and an amazing keyboard sequence that made me lose myself in the song. Glass Skies was also pretty dope and maintained a pretty chill, repetitive beat while ReSketch threw a bunch of nice synth noises and melody changes over it.

ReSketch teamed up with fellow producer Submerse earlier this year to release their new EP, Distance.  From what I can hear, ReSketch has started to really hone his talent and craft his music a bit better than his previous releases. My favorite song from this new EP has got to be Freefall, Submerse doesn’t feature on this track so it all ReSketch’s own work.  It’s a really chill tune, fused with some awesome, organic samples.  The garage genre is not for everyone, as I must admit it can get a bit repetitive, but if you like grime or dubstep ReSketch is a great unknown artist to check out!

ReSketch and Submerse have teamed up in the past too.  They made this lovely song, which shows their talents crossing over into some other genres. Chex it!

-Dan T.

Mouthful of WHAT!...oh Mouthful of Diamonds

"I wish I could believe” –Phantogram, Mouthful Of Diamonds

I think of Phantogram as a cross between British bands The xx and Zero 7. But, of course, as those British bands die down, the American Phantogram emerges from their ashes. Phantogram is a recent band that formed only in 2007 and didn’t release their first album until 2009. It consists of two high school friends and their specified talents, with Josh Carter on the guitar and Sarah Barthel on keyboards. To us tristaters they are a local band from Sarasota Springs, New York. 


Their first and in my opinion best song, “Mouthful of Diamonds”, exemplifies the enormous talent the duo has. With only their two instruments and Barthel’s vocals, they have created an upbeat yet soothing masterpiece with tremendous originality and simplicity. “Mouthful of Diamonds” simultaneously came out with “Voices” to comprise their first album which I believe are their best songs. But I also encourage you to check out “When I’m Small”, but I think I can guarantee that you won’t find anything as good as “Mouthful of Diamonds”. Phantogram is playing at Terminal 5 in New York City on July 22, hopefully I will see ya there.  TICKETS HERE

-Sam C.

SBTRKT

SBTRKT, pronounced subtract, is the stage name of London producer Aaron Jerome and he just released his self-titled debut album.  I first heard of SBTRKT a couple years ago when his jam Atomic Peace was released and it’s experimental, chill sound was just what I wanted at the time.  Then I heard his Break Off single, which I immediately loved.  Not to mention the other track released on it, Evening Glow. 

The new album is a great electronic mix full of influences and mixings of genres like dubstep, house and even jazz.  Supplying the deep, caring vocals on the tracks is Sampha, who Jerome teams up with a lot including on that Break Off release.  The mix of Sampha’s voice on Jerome’s electric tracks is on point.  Sampha’s soulful voice on top of these colorful tracks is really something of a treat.  I feel like I’ve been transported to a few centuries from now or at least Japan.  These tracks seem so futuristic with their energetic beats and their emotional lyrics.  Even when Jessie Ware features on vocals for the dubstep inspired track Right Thing to Do, nothing is missed out on from losing Sampha.  The album also features Little Dragon who featured on my favorite Gorillaz’s song Empire Ants, from the Plastic Beach album.  These two tracks are certainly spectacular and visionary and I love the direction SBTRKT has gone with his full length debut.

SBTRKT wears vibrant masks on stage and I think this reflects not only his personality but his attitude towards his music.  Although his face is kept hidden from the audience, these masks bring a sense of identity to the man and also imagination.  And his tracks certainly do not lack with imagination.

Check out his website for more info on the album that dropped June 27 and also about his tour dates, which includes next Thursday at Camp Bisco, next Saturday at Moma PS1 in NYC, and another stop in NYC on September 4, for the Electric Zoo Festival! http://www.sbtrkt.com/index.php

-Dan T.

Like RACs?....Remix Artist Collective

Lately I have been listening to a lot of remixes by the unique music group RAC.  RAC stands for the Remix Artist Collective and the group’s mission is to blend synthesizers, drum samples and other instruments into an eclectic mix that adds to the original song.  RAC doesn’t really take diverging genres and just wildly fades them together but uses sampling and hooks from the original artists with their own interpretations to create a song with a similar, yet new, sound.

RAC was formed in 2007 and currently consist of artists Karl King, Andrew Maury and André Allen Anjos.  RAC definitely implants a certain aesthetic to their remixes that is matchless to modern remixes.  For instance, the group remixed the song Everything You Wanted by Bloc Party front man Kele; the original is a somewhat depressing, sappy love song but RAC transforms this into an upbeat, fast tune by adding in some synth and making some melodic adjustments.  The finished product is incredible and the group’s ability to make good songs great seems so simple to them.

As a kid who grew up in the video game era, I spent hours linking up my Game Boy to play Pokemon battles and trade, played Mario Kart and FIFA 99 with my friends for hours on end, still do, and loved the Sonic and Mortal Combat series on Sega, I can appreciate RAC’s newest EP,  Nintendo Vs. Sega II.  Their original mix was classic and when I heard word of the group releasing another I was whipping out the old N64 and blowing on the cartridges so they’d work; needless to say I was excited. 

NVS2 dropped on June 27 and I must say that I love it.  It opens up with a remix of Koopa Troopa Beach, which was one of my favorite levels on Mario Kart. I  loved when I would play against amateurs, I took the cave shortcut every time and wound up winning the race by 30 seconds.  This song brings back those great Mario memories while also having a unique style.  The other six tracks on this EP are all quality, you can download from their blog page: or Soundcloud account: . 

 If you only have time to listen to a few tracks I suggest Chemical Plant Zone, Waterfall/Jungle, Red Blue Opening Theme or Duck Huntin’ (Terrible Shot).

I wrote an article earlier on summerdaze about Foster the People, RAC released a sick remix of their track Houdini  a couple months ago.  It’s really sick and if you like the original song you definitely will love this! Enjoy!

-Dan T.Nintendo Vs. Sega II

Social Illness, NY Fashion

So earlier this month I came across a blog for the clothing brand Social Illness, and I like them a lot. They produce shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel for men and women, and I have to say the line is hot. Jermaine Alston of Jamaica Queens founded the company in 2009, and are creating a buzz among the urban community.  The NY State of Mind shirts are simple, look good, and come in Knicks colors...what more could we ask for? 


Reasonable prices, hot shirts, cute models....Enjoy the shop! 

------>Social Illness<------

-Max C

Daft Punk Knighted by France for Contributions to Culture

I can thank Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo for sparking my interest in house and electronic music.  If you don’t know these two names by heart, I can forgive you though.  They are better known as the house music duo Daft Punk hailing from Paris, France.  When I first heard their hit singles Da Funk and Around the World from their debut album Homework, I was mystified and intrigued by their unusual sound.  I had been raised on classic rock from the 60s and 70s through my parents and 90s alternative rock, jam bands and hip-hop from my older brothers.  At the time I had no idea what house music was or that they used drum machines and synthesizers to produce the great sounds I was hearing.  But I knew I had discovered something unique and great.

As I look back now, I realize that Homework was a very basic album in that it stuck to traditional roots of the French House genre that incorporated acid and funk influences and in this sense the tracks were not as radical as later releases from the duo. But man do I love this album; on long car trips or chillin’ at home I would put this album on and listen through at least a few times.  I loved putting my headphones in and jamming out to Daftendirekt, Revolution 909, Phoenix, Fresh, Rollin’ & Scratchin’, Teachers… Need I go on?  Daft Punk put me in my own world and I loved every minute of it.

So when I first downloaded the Discovery album I was amazed at the change in direction of the duo and their diversity; with the style of the album shifting to disco and synthpop.  This album contains a lot of the big singles that Daft Punk is known for, One More Time, Aerodynamic, Digital Love and Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.  I can listen through Discovery straight through just like Homework.  And I love High Life, Something About Us, Voyager, Veridis Quo and Face to Face; these songs are not always mentioned when talking about Daft Punk, but I think they probably should. When I first learned that every song from the Discovery album had an animated music video that fit together for a full length film I did not know what to expect. (Check all the videos links) I am not an anime guy, but I must say this merged creation of music and video is incredible.

In 2005, Daft Punk released their third and most recent studio album Human After All.  For me the album is not as good as their first two productions.  Probably because I despise Technologic and the unbelievable airplay it got and how it has been featured in so much television and film. But I really love Robot Rock, Steam Machine, The Brainwasher and Television Rules the Nation.  And in their second live album, Alive 2007, a lot of these tracks are blended perfectly together to make some epic tunes.

Basically, I am gay for Daft Punk music, and I think that is okay because house music was originally intended for gays, among others, in the Chicago area. I probably should not mention how I love that they dress up in robot costumes and there exists few public pictures of their faces.  So when I heard that the duo were awarded the rank of Knight and admitted into one of the Orders of France for contributions to culture, I was pleasantly surprised.  I do not think any group or musician has had a greater impact on my concept of music or style then them. Cheers! And I look forward to seeing them live one day, or at least releasing a new studio album to make up for the Tron  soundtrack..

-Dan T.