Posts Tagged ‘Electro’

RATATAT – LP4 (Electro/Indie/Rock – US)

Sep 8th, 10 / 0 Comments

Mike Stroud and Evan Mast (aka Ratatat) first met as students at Skidmore College and they started workind together in 2001, when they recorded several songs under the name “Cherry”. Their 2004 debut, Ratatat, was written and recorded in Mast’s Brooklyn apartment on Stroud’s computer. This first effort is a collection of ten entirely instrumental tracks, with the exception of vocal excerpts at the beginning and end of selected tracks.

In August 2006, Ratatat released a second album Classics, followed by LP3 in 2008. Between releases, Ratatat found time to tour with a handpicked selection of first class artists such as Björk, Daft Punk, Mouse on Mars, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, CSS, The Faint, Super Furry Animals, Clinic, Panther and The Killers.  Also worth mentioning is the fact that, on October 6, 2006 Ratatat became the first band to perform a public show inside the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.

Bjork – Wanderlust (Ratatat Remix)

Ratatat’s fourth album LP4 was released on June 8, 2010 via XL Recordings. The duo’s sound is more diverse, while still unmistakably “Ratatat”. Judge for yourselves…

Ratatat – Drugs

Ratatat on MySpace. Ratatat on Ratatat

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THE TING TINGS – HANDS (Electro/Pop/Indie – UK)

Sep 6th, 10 / 1 Comment

DIY indie pop duo The Ting Tings formed in 2004 in England and released their first album in 2008. After receiving accolades for this multi-million-selling debut and touring the world for two years, Katie White (vocals, guitar, bass drums) and Jules De Martino (drums, vocals) are back with a new single, “Hands”, which will hit the stores on October 10.

The Ting Tings – Hands (Low Sunday Remix)

This new single is the first taste of their forthcoming sophomore album Massage Kunst. The Ting Tings have definitely avoided a repeat and have evolved into a more electro sound, which probably has quite a lot to do with the fact that Calvin Harris is part of the mix. White and De Martino are keeping the same energy level as in the past but exploring different musical influences to avoid sounding like they’re just taking the same elements and going for a second round.

For the nostalgic, here is a pretty cool remix of one of their most popular tracks “That’s Not My Name”. Taken off their debut, We Started Nothing, the track was reworked by RAC, who really turned it into a completely different song!

The Ting Tings – That’s Not My Name (RAC Mix)

The Ting Tings are currently putting the finishing touches on their new album, which should be out within the next few months. To stay in the loop and get all Ting Tings related news and updates, befriend them on MySpace. For now you can listen another remix of “Hands” by Tommie Sunshine just below.

The Ting Tings – Hands (Tommie Sunshine’s 5AM Edit)

You can of course purchase all of their music on The

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BAG RAIDERS – WAY BACK HOME (ElectroPop/Indie/Dance – Australia)

Sep 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

After wowing us with their gorgeous single “Shooting Stars”, which was on heavy rotation for months at umstrum||music, Bag Raiders are finally ready to deliver their long overdue and lovingly anticipated debut self-titled album. To help us wait for the aforementioned album, scheduled for release next month, the duo recently releases their massive new single “Way Back Home”, unleashed to radio on August 9. This swirling anthemic affair is a dancefloor call to arms (or hands in the air), with a beautifully moody performance by Martin Solomon from Sydney band Wim, who broods his way through a poignant display of affection, percussion and ecstasy.

Bag Raiders – Way Back Home

Bag Raiders are the combined talents of Jack Glass and Chris Stracey. Together, they have become one of the most sought-after electropop act in Australia. Their aural gems and sonic booms have won them the endorsement of Sydney-based label Bang Gang 12s, sister label to Modular Recordings. Their reputation grew as they were commissioned to  remix tracks by Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts or Kid Sister or it just went through the roof upon the release of their signature track “Shooting Stars”. With their DJ gigs all around the world, they reached every dangerous, dark and smokey corner of the world, making them a household name among in-the-know indie kids and club-bound urban youth.

Bag Raiders – Turbo Love

For their debut album, Bag Raiders enlisted a handpicked selection of guest artists: Dan Black, Rhys Taylor (Ted & Francis), Simon Jones (The Holidays), Gisselle Rosselli (the voice behind Flight Facilities’ hit single “Crave You”) and Martin Solomon (Wim). The record spirals into a matrix of colour full of sing-a-long choruses, deep-breath anthems, blissful chill and pure dancefloor energy.

Find Bag Raiders on MySpace. Buy all their music on Bag

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WAVE MACHINES – WAVE IF YOU’RE REALLY THERE (Electro/Indie/Pop – UK)

Aug 29th, 10 / 0 Comments

Hailing from Liverpool, Wave Machines is a band led by singer songwriter Tim Bruzon. With their blend of alternative electropop, Tim and his mates have charmed all major music blogs and are set to conquer more hearts with their debut LP.

Their music includes rhythms built on melodic sound effects, fun synth sounds and suave falsetto vocals. Think Hot Chip, XTC or The Beta Band, but a little more straight-forward.

The band released their debut album, Wave If You’re Really There, which was recorded in the bowels of the old organ room at St. Brides Church in England. This unusual setting really helped give a unique sound to the debut LP and even gave them a place to practice, perform and even throw concerts.

Wave Machines – The Greatest Escape We Ever Made

Described as a mix-up between danceable disco beats and guitar-driven indie songwriting, the songs that make up their album are generally upbeat and playful. There are a few straight-up indie guitar songs, and then a few disco-y grooves. Entertaining and engaging, this first effort shows great maturity and a clear passion for experimentation.

Wave Machines – Keep The Lights On (Artwork Remix)

Show Wave Machines some love on MySpace and get all news and updates on their official website. You can buy their music on Wave

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CROSSOVER FESTIVAL (Nice – France)

Aug 23rd, 10 / 0 Comments

From August 23rd to 28th, umstrum||music will be relocating to the sunny city of Nice on the French Riviera to cover the CROSSOVER Festival. Taking place in eight different locations around town, the festival will feature concerts, exhibitions, DJ sets, movie screenings and performances by some of the biggest names in contemporary electronic music.

For its sixth anniversary the CROSSOVER Festival has gone all out wth an all-star guest list which includes Berlin-based minimal legend Paul Kalkbrenner, Italian electro-punk outfit The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77, DJ Koze, electro-reggae crossover artist Major Lazer, German DJ/producer Boys Noize, Parisian hipsters I Am Un Chien, Daft Punk-inspired band Nasser, LA-based Hip-Hop duo Lexicon, H-Tenza, Kevin Saunderson, Orestt, OneLight, Misty Rabbit…

Cut Copy – Lights & Music (Boys Noize Happy Birthday Remix)

Alex Gopher – The Game (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)

Created by the Panda 06 association (the crew behind the Electronic Beach Festival in Cannes), the CROSSOVER Festival is a celebration of cultural diversity, musical experimentation and hybrid artistic projects. It’s a place where artists, music fans and club-goers cross paths and mingle, whether it be on a beach, in a theatre or in a club.

The party starts today and will go on till Sunday morning so hurry up and get your tix HERE and HERE. Tune in to umstrum||music all week for news and reviews!

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FM BELFAST – UNDERWEAR (Electro/Pop/Indie – Iceland)

Aug 20th, 10 / 0 Comments

FM Belfast started out as a duo in 2005, around Christmas time, when Árni Rúnar Hlöðversson and Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir made a song as a present for their friends. What could have been a one-off collaboration actually turned into a full-fledged band the following year  when Arni Vilhjalmsson and Orvar Th. Smarason joined the band. In October 2006 they were invited to play their first full concert at the internationally renowned Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavik.

The members now vary from three to eight depending on who can make it. The core of the band is made up of Árni Rúnar Hlöðversson, Árni Vilhjálmsson and Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir and when the stars are aligned correctly they are joined by Sveinbjorn Hermann Pálsson, Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason and Eiríkur Orri (both part of cult Icelandic act múm), Birgitta Birgisdóttir and Björn Kristjánsson. FM Belfast’s debut album How To Make Friends relies heavily on programmed beats and synths, pumped up with the band’s innate sense of fun. The album oozes with a retro 80s vibe and it will make you bop your head till your neck hurts. FM Belfast may reject the traditions of their own county’s music, but they slot very much into the tradition of Icelandic rebellion, and tether it instead to the synths of Scandinavia, pumping them up with their own innate sense of fun.

FM Belfast -- Underwear

Of course FM Belfast are not the first Icelandic band to make electronic music, but their sound is different from that of fellow Icelanders Sigur Rós or Eberg. Their songs are infused with a sense of derision that makes them instantly accessible and familiar. With their lo-fi casio keyboards and simplistic lyrics, the 11 tracks that make up How To Make Friends are not about Iceland’s glaciers and wide landscapes. They are songs for the 21st century, songs for the club. Party on!

Find FM Belfast on MySpace or check out their official site. Buy their music on FM

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ZOMBIE NATION @ PANTIERO FESTIVAL

Aug 16th, 10 / 2 Comments

Since his 1999 debut on DJ Hell’s label International DeeJay Gigolo, Florian Senfter (aka Splank!, aka John Starlight, aka Zombie Nation) has been at the forefront of the electronic music scene in Germany. Praised by his peers for his live sets, Zombie Nation has become one of the most sought after electronic acts in Europe.

Mixing a sound that has gotten groovier and less techno-oriented over the years and visuals provided by a live VJ, Zombie Nation’s sets come across as very colourful and lively. Senfter sure knows how to work a crowd! He manages to play exactly the right music at the right moment and to transport the audience to a better place, a place where music rules and dancing is compulsory. Hipsters jump around, club kids move their feet and some the most adventurous crowd surf across the room. It’s wild and out of control but it feels so good! If only this could last forever…

Zombie Nation – The Mind Of Many (Operette Bypass Remix)

We caught up with Zombie Nation on saturday and tried to find out the secret recipe for his magic live shows.

- What can we expect from your show tonight?

There will be some tracks from my last album, some tracks from older lasts and other tracks that I only play live. I’ll be working with my MPC 100. I also use a laptop but it’s not as much fun. Plus, i forgot the battery so my laptop probably won’t last longer than an hour. But even if it dies I can just unplug it and keep playing without it. I like to play with machines, the laptop I use only for sound effects. Machines are more reliable.

- How do you prepare your sets?

Basically I record and store tracks on my machines and then I organise the set according to the event and I add sound effects. So the live set is very lively…

- Your sound has evolved quite a lot over the years? How do you explain this evolution?

Well it would be boring to be doing always the same thing. Electro music, when you play it in clubs, and music in general is always changing. That’s a good thing. It’s not classical music. And actually even classical music evolves with time!

- You have worked with Canadian DJ and producer Tiga, how did that go?

It was fun! We saw each other again last month, he came to spend a week in the studio. We are trying to record an album together so we are working on different tracks. It’s fun but we also have to stay very focused because we have very little to time to work on this. Tiga came all the way from Montreal to Munich. It would be a shame to spend five days together and produce nothing interesting. Of course this adds a lot of pressure…

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TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB @ PANTIERO FESTIVAL

Aug 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Two Door Cinema Club‘s energetic  indie pop has enough kick to electrify even the quietest of audiences. With their slick guitar progressions, infectious baselines and hum-along choruses, the boys from Bangor the three boys from Bangor took to the stage ready to show us how it’s done in Ireland.

After opening for a number of bands including Delphic, Phoenix, Foals, Metronomy and autoKratz, they toured all over Europe in the first half of 2010, following the release of their debut album, Tourist History. They are now playing most major European festivals and on friday they stopped in Cannes for an impeccable performance.

Two Door Cinema Club – I Can Talk (Crystal Fighters Remix) [vote HERE]

Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix) [vote HERE]

The band is Alex Trimble (drums and vocals), Kevin Baird (bass) and Sam Halliday (guitar). They have been making music together as Two Door Cinema Club since early 2007, when they decided to give up on university places to work on their music full time. It seems they made the right decision and when we met them before their show they looked as confident and self-assured as any of the veteran bands present at the festival.

- Your debut album Tourist History is a bit of a “Guide to the perfect pop song”. How do you write your songs?

We write a lot and we spend a lot of time working on our songs. Then when we listen to them again, we pick out the best. We only keep the punchiest and the songs that really get stuck in your head. The rest we just throw away.

- How come three Irish guys from Bangor ended up signing to Parisian label Kitsuné?

We wanted to work with a relatively small label where things work on a smaller scale, more personnal. We couldn’t really find what we wanted in Ireland or in London so in the end it was a natural process. We met the people at Kitsuné and kinda grew together… It was important for us to work with people who love music just as much as we do. Really passionate people… And Kitsuné is a small company, everyone knows everyone, it’s like a big family.

- What is it like touring with Two Door Cinema Club?

A lot of time on the internet!! We spend a lot of time on the road so we get bored a lot. In the end we are also checking emails, reading messages from our fans… I think nowadays it’s a lot more fan to support a band you like. We for one are very close to our fans… But it’s still weird to see girls come to us asking for autographs and pics.

- You are tonight’s headliners with Foals. Do you know them?

We are constantly bumping into one another at festivals. We are almost like their “official support band”!! We actually hope to be able to catch a bit of their show tonight. But we actually have to take off pretty soon for another 10-hour bus ride. We won’t even get to check out the bars in Cannes…

Catch up with Two Door Cinema Club on MySpace and buy their debut album on Tourist

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THE RAPTURE @ PANTIERO FESTIVAL

Aug 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

San Francisco-born, New York-based post-punk band The Rapture have been in the music business for over a decade now and it really shows! Luke Jenner, Vito Roccoforte and Gabriel Andruzzi (who replaced Matt Safer on bass guitar in July 2009) know how to galvanize the crowds and get the party started. Starting their hour-long set with three of their most contagious hits (“Don Go Do It”, “Pieces Of The People We Love” and “Get Myself Into It”), The Rapture were coming on strong!

The rest of the performance was handled with brio by the three musicians. Their blend of post-punk, dance, disco, electronica and indie rock turned out to be as effective live as it is on their last album to date Pieces Of The People We Know (Universal Motown Records, 2006).

The Rapture – Get Myself Into It

We caught up with the band a couple of hours before the concert under the sun and asked them a few questions about their new album, their best concerts and more…

- When will your new album be released?

Magic question!

- How has your sound evolved? Can you describe it in a few words?

Well, it’s kinda stupid to describe music, you need to listen to it really…

- Do you all sing on this album?

No! No it’s just me (Luke)… There’s a lot of vocals on this album. Each song either has a lot of vocals on it or a lot of keyboards.

- How has Europe been treating you so far? Do you find it harder to relate to audiences here?

We’ve been coming to Europe for the past 8 years. It’s kinda normal to come to Europe for us. And it’s different from the US, but also France is incredibly different to play from the UK or Germany. It’s really more of a city to city thing… and can be even city to city and venue to venue. Some venues people just feel better and make us feel better and some are harder venues to play… It can even be day to day. I mean if you learn anything from being in a band it’s that you really can’t expect anything: a lot of times the best shows that you had, you will go back to that same audience and something will be really off. It’s like you can’t ever control what’s gonna happen and that’s kind of the most beautiful part… Tonight could be the best show we’ve ever played or the worst show we’ve ever played.

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GENERAL ELEKTRIKS – GOOD CITY FOR DREAMERS (Electro/Lounge/Hip Hop – France)

Aug 9th, 10 / 0 Comments

Hervé Salters is the artist behind one-man-band General Elektriks. A French keyboardist with a self-confessed passion for vintage keyboards, Hervé Salters initiated General Electrics just before moving to San Francisco. Using a computer and his oldschool keys, he started sowing together loops, Funky keyboards, light melodies and digital noises.

General Elektriks – Take Back The Instant

Also part of the band Honeycut, Salters released his sophomore album as General Elektriks last year to wide acclaim. The new album, Good City For Dreamers, is the follow up to GE’s debut album Cliquety Kliqk. The production here is polished and the songs are just as well crafted as on GE’s debut. Hervé Salters’ new offering is a quirky mix of retro funk, New Wave-inspired indie rock and glitchy electronica that oscillates between moments of quiet contemplation, melancholy and clap-happy euphoria.

General Elektriks – Raid the Radio (Lazy Uprise Mix)

If you like what you hear, head over to MySpace to listen to more music or check out the official website. Buy the album on General

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