French-born DJ, producer and remixer Yuksek (aka Pierre-Alexandre Busson) has been collecting an ever-growing halo of buzz in the past couple of years. Originally signed to Birdy Nam Nam’s label, he has crafted some of the hottest remixes released in the first half of 2010. His work includes remixes for by The Kaiser Chiefs, M83, Gorillaz, Bot’Ox, Peaches, Siriusmo, Teenage Bad Girl, Van She, Chromeo, Adam Kesher… and the list goes on!
A classically-trained pianist, Yuksek spent his adolescence practicing piano several hours a day at music school but couldn’t seem to reconcile this routine with his love of pop music. Indeed, his childhood was spent listening to The Beatles and Gainsbourg and he was later drawn to the early West Coast rap and stunned in his early secondary school years by Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.
This variety of influences is what you can find on his debut album, Away From The Sea, released in 2009. Now Yuksek’s problem may be his desire to put a little bit of everything in the mix. While his beats and production are both impressive, the album as a whole falls somewhat short of expectations. There is still plenty of good material on the album and it’s a credible debut effort for an artist who sure as hell has plenty to offer.
Berlin-based Siriusmo (aka Moritz Friedrich) has been on umstrum’s radar ever since he released his superb remix of Bodi Bill’s gorgeous track “Tip Toe Walk”.
The German composer / producer is actually not new to the scene. Over the past few years he has released a handful of albums and garnered a fair amount of praise amongst his peers. He works regularly with Modeselektor, either through collaboration or remixing but he has also collaborated with Breakbot, Chromeo, Scissor Sisters, Housemeister or David Rubato.
Siruismo’s latest EP, The Plasterer Of Love, was released at the beginning of the month and has already rave reviews from influential bloggers and music critics. This record really doesn’t take itself sirius-ly: it’s fun and danceable with a few great moments of electro/house genius. Don’t believe me? Judge for yourself! Here’s the amazing track “Einmal In Der Woche Schreien”…
Señor Stereo is Joe Maz, Danny Daze and Gigamesh (already well known for his stellar remixes of tracks by Animal Collective, Classixx or Lykke Li). Backed by Kill The Noise and DJ Craze’s label Slow Roast, the band recently released their debut EP, Unintentional, and it’s massive!
These guys, who also have their won solo projects on the side, definitely work well together. Their groove is amazing and their tracks sparkle like a disco ball, filling the room with energy and excitement. Mixing classic house elements with disco-friendly horns and funky bassline, Señor Stereo sounds fresh and unapologetic, just what you need for a perfect summer party.
“Hot Damn!” is one of the 5 original tracks you will find on the Unintentional EP, available worldwide since June 29. This track is clearly more influenced by French house but the EP mixes a lot of different genres: from italo disco to electro funk and techno, it’s all on here. Melody-based and filled with addictive vocal hooks, these songs will give you the uncontrollable urge to dance yourself crazy…
To celebrate the release of the EP, Señor Stereo are giving away two tracks: “Hot Damn!” (grab it from this page) and “Babe We’re Gonna Love Tonight” (snatch for the Slow Roast blog). Show Señor Stereo some love on MySpace and buy their music on Amazon, Juno or
Deadmau5 (pronounced “Dead mouse”) is the pseudonym of progressive house producer and DJ Joel Zimmerman. For the past couple of years this Canadian artist has been surfing a wave of commercial and critical success. His extensive discography includes numerous tracks which have been A-listed by the best DJs around the world, including Pete Tong, Tiësto or Kaskade.
In 2008 he became the best-selling artist on Beatport with more than 30,000 digital downloads and the website named him “Most influential, forward-thinking and relevant person” of 2008.
Deadmau5 – Some Chords (Original Mix) [removed by request]
Lazersonic & ZakFrost are two London-based producers with a strong electronic heritage. Zak Frost, synonymous with the infamous Nodisko parties, has been a key figure on the European DJ circuit for the last decade. Lazersonic is rapidly establishing himself as one of the hottest new producers on the block. Their first collaboration “Aquaplane” is a very smooth and extremely atmospherical tune, released by Turbo Recordings in 2009. Throwing in elements of dub, spaced-out disco and psychedelia, this track is a must-buy, especially the Williams Remix, that you can get in digital format on Beatport.
For their second release, “Levels” which has already gained support from the likes of David Guetta on his international “F**k Me I’m Famous” radio show. The track has a massive bassline and features unique vocals from Ali Love. “Levels” is a sonic assault on the senses, backed with two remixes from Shadow Dancer (Boys Noize Records) and a storming remix from newcomer Kill The Hero. Expect it to be dominating the all the right clubs in all the right places. Buy “Levels” on Beatport or
Anticipating their debut album, Adventures In Stereo, coming in 2010, Lazersonic & Zak Frost are lining up plenty of new productions, remixes and gigs so you’ll be hearing a lot more of their material in the next few months. Find out more and listen to their music on MySpace.
Let’s get the weekend started with some pulsating house music! Moonchild is a one man disco machine coming straight from the vibrant Australian electro scene. His blend of nu-disco, filtered French house and deliciously danceable club bangers has pushed him to the forefront of the party circuit and he is now a mainstay of Sydney’s best parties. You may be aware of some of his work already, under his other alias, Dorkatronique.
The remix below is MC’s take on Michael Jackson’s “Say Say Say” and, even though I’m not a sucker for anything Jackson, I have to say this remix is pretty excellent and extremely effective. So if you’re burnt out on all the different “Billie Jeans”, “Thrillers” and “Beat It” and you want a taste of something different, check this one out!
Moonchild’s equally funky original debut “Girl” is expected to be released on Vamp Music will be released in coming months. The buzz is already building around this release and Moonchild is getting a fair amount of attention around the blogosphere.
Hailing from Cleveland, here come the Atypicals, a young electro band led by Adam Zucker on vocals. They perform both as a full live band, with Jacob Bergson on keyboards, James Muschler on drums and Wenzl McGowen on laptop, EWI and sax, and as a DJ duo with live elements.
Atypicals offer a glorious return to the glistening synth-pop that ruled the 80s. They fuse influences of psychedelic rock, jazz, modern electropop and house into their music, creating a sound that’s both original yet familiar, infectious and highly danceable. Adam Zucker’s lush vocals, smooth and melancholic, perfectly fit the electro beats on standout track “Love Electric Soul”.
Digiraatii’s remix of “Venus” is a very nice surprise. If you remember his excellent remix of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs‘ no less amazing track “Heads Will Roll”, you will recognize his super classy disco touch. Let’s hope this remix will give Atypicals the little push they need to make it big on the blogosphere…
Check out the Atypicals’ site and show them some love on MySpace.
The identity of the artists behind Flight Facilities remains mysterious… Rumour has it that this project is the brainchild of Jimmy 2 Sox and (possibly) U-Go-B, two Sydneysiders affiliated with Australian electro labels Bang Gang 12 inches and Modular. Their page on LastFM says they met at a Holy Ghost! DJ set in New York and immediately hit it off, sharing loves in music, literature and movies. Plans to work together were formed then but didn’t really take off until the following year when they met again at the secret Bang Gang Runway party. This time, real plans were formed and and they started doing some remixes for a bunch other artists such as Toecutter, Bag Raiders, The Lowbrows and Sneaky Sound System.
They are just about to release a fantastic single, “Crave You”, that will be out in a couple of months (get it HERE). In the meantime, you can check out the song just below. They are also planning to release an album called Taking Flight some time in 2010. For more info and updates visit Flight Facilities on MySpace…
Here comes Pilotpriest‘s new single ‘Zipper’! Swift on the heels of his debut single, ‘My Adidas’, Pilotpriest are back with another potential chart-buster, released on Calamity Jane Recordings. You can download the EP on iTunes or Beatport.
‘Zipper’ follows in traditional Pilotpriest fashion, focusing on impeccable programming, lush synths straight from the 80s and a very dancefloor-friendly vocal hook… The single will come with remixes by StoneBridge amongst others, but also with the “1994 Remix” by Pilotpriest himself and the “Nasty Alley Mix” which goes heavy on dark tones and a minimal tech-inspired sound.
Before releasing his first single Pilotpriest was already building up his reputation in the music community with a bunch of remixes he did for other artists. West to Lioness, Kanye West, TruePseudo, M.I.A… You name it! Born in Edmonton (Canada) but eventually ending up in Toronto, Anthony Scott Burns (aka Pilotpriest) is an incredible self-taught musician (guitar) and producer who built his mastery through years of toiling with synthesizers and recording devices. Follow him on MySpace…
Ben Watt is a UK musician, DJ, and producer and he is also one half of 80s cult band Everything But The Girl. Based in North London, he lives with his spouse and creative partner Tracey Thorn, the other half of EBTG.
In 2003 Watt launched his own independent record label, Buzzin’ Fly, considered by most as a leading-edge imprint in the world of deep House and Techno. Home to Watt’s own club productions, the label has also drawn defining work from remixers such as Ame, Radio Slave, Charles Webster and John Tejada.
Now a central figure on London’s club scene, Ben Watt also regularly spins records in some of the best clubs around the world. In the next couple of months you’ll be able to see him live if you live in Helsinki, Chicago, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Rome, Lausanne or Prague.
For tour dates, check out MySpace. Grab Watt’s latest single “Guinea Pig” on
French-born DJ, producer and remixer Yuksek (aka Pierre-Alexandre Busson) has been collecting an ever-growing halo of buzz in the past couple of years. Originally signed to Birdy Nam Nam’s label, he has crafted some of the hottest remixes released in the first half of 2010. His work includes remixes for by The Kaiser Chiefs, M83, Gorillaz, Bot’Ox, Peaches, Siriusmo, Teenage Bad Girl, Van She, Chromeo, Adam Kesher… and the list goes on!
Here comes Pilotpriest‘s new single ‘Zipper’! Swift on the heels of his debut single, ‘My Adidas’, Pilotpriest are back with another potential chart-buster, released on Calamity Jane Recordings. You can download the EP on 
Ben Watt is a UK musician, DJ, and producer and he is also one half of 80s cult band Everything But The Girl. Based in North London, he lives with his spouse and creative partner 
