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Sydney Pollack's 'Amazing Grace' with Aretha Franklin finally surfaces

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:04:40 GMT

A forthcoming movie based on one of the greatest voices of the 20th century, Aretha Franklin, will soon be released. The movie titled Amazing Grace chronicles the infamous gospel concert, which was originally filmed in 1972 by the late great film director Sydney Pollack. However, what most people aren’t aware of is that the film laid silent in the Warner Bros. vaults for close to 38 years.

The recorded concert, which was filmed over two days in a gospel church in Los Angeles, went on to become the highest selling gospel album in history and Franklin’s best-selling album of her career.

Producer Alan Elliott has put together more than 20 hours of 16mm footage to make the film viewable for audiences, Variety reports that Amazing Grace will be released later this year.

Check out the trailer for Amazing Grace below – If you pay close attention, apparently you can see Mick Jagger clapping at the back of the room:

Pantha Du Prince and Gil Scott-Heron for Dissonanze festival

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:29:59 GMT

With summer just around the corner, Italy’s finest electronic dance festival Dissonanze has revealed their absolutely scrumptious line-up.

A barrage of top notch names will descend on the city of Rome for three days of Italian mayhem, check this out as a taster: Ben Frost, Darkstar, Gil Scott-Heron, Gonjasufi, Jamie Lidell, Jeff Mills, Martyn, Seth Troxler, Pantha Du Prince, Shackleton, Rub’N’Tug, Tim Sweeney and that just the first trickle of names.

The festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and again include its usual serving of the avantgarde with audiovisuals from the likes of Edwin van der Heide and Quayola.

Yes, you know it! Ridiculously good and we all want to be there, just have a look at the promotional video for the three day festival: http://www.dsz10.tv/

Dissonanze takes place from the 21 - 23rd of May. Stay tuned!

Nuit Blanche comes to Geneva

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:00:18 GMT

It’s rare that such a talented group of photographers can be united under one small roof, but a gallery in Geneva, Switzerland, has managed to do this by bring together some of the most revered artists working today.

Presented by the Patricia Low Contemporary Gallery under the title of Nuit Blanche (White Night), the line-up includes several stars of the scene, particularly Gregory Crewdson, one the most celebrated photographers of our time; veteran American Philip-Lorca Dicorcia and the young brilliant German artist Florian Maier-Aichen.

But the highlight of the show will be down to Dan Holdsworth, a British visionary to say the least. His affection for surreal lighting and attention to mood is phenomenal (his only limited published book now goes for almost 500 Euros).

Dan Holdsworth - Untitled

The forthcoming exhibition explores the “paradox of light”. To be exact, “‘Night,’ with all its literary connotations of black magic and witching hours, shadowy lurkings, illicitness, and the unknown”, as the press release informs us. These photographers have constantly pushed boundaries, challenging notions of spirituality and the human condition all within the realm of the surreal.

We cannot recommend this event highly enough. Even if you’re outside of Switzerland; the trek is highly worth it. It’s definitely one of the most exciting events on the 2010 European art calendar.

The exhibition will only be open for a limited time from 19.03. - 15.05.10

Full line up-includes:

GREGORY CREWDSON 
THOMAS DEMAND
PHILIP-LORCA DICORCIA
SYLVIE FLEURY 
DAN HOLDSWORTH 
AXEL HÜTTE 
ANNETTE KELM
FLORIAN MAIER-AICHEN
KATHARINA SIEVERDING

PATRICIA LOW CONTEMPORARY
10, rue de l’Arquebuse, CH-1204 Geneva, Switzerland

To view all photos at the exhibition please visit Patricia Low Gallery online.

Native shoes: Love 'em or hate 'em

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:19:07 GMT

Native Shoes have hopefully put an end to the ridicule of Crocs. The company’s first collection (Spring/Summer 2010) will consist of sneakers in various colors and styles; looking similar to Chucks, Eras, and Wallabees.

The Jefferson / Converse Chucks

The Miller / Vans Eras

The Corrado / Clarks Wallabees

These evolved Crocs will combine to important factors EVA’s comfort, a highly flexible and soft material, and more importantly won’t make you the butt of all jokes. If you’re tired of seeing Crocs, this is the best alternative. They may be cheesy but who cares they’re comfortable.

Have a look at the Spring/Summer 2010 product video:

Atari Teenage Riot return for one-off show

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:59:40 GMT

Say what you like about the never ending series of band reformations, but when Lady Blah Blah, sorry Lady Ga Ga, is lauded as some kind of svengali-pop-genius, we need a short sharp shock of reality. And, who better to deliver that than Atari Teenage Riot.

Initially created by Alec Empire and later joined by Nic Endo, Carl Crack and Hanin Elias, ATR were perhaps one of the most extreme electronic bands of the 90s, managing to break out of the restrictions of genre and take abrasive electronic music to the masses. Confounding critics, fans and other musicians with their confrontational and aggressive sound, the band imploded nearly a decade ago, shortly before the death of Carl Crack. The later years of ATR were mired in violence and controversy, with the group frequently attracting the attention of the police and being accused of inciting violence with their militantly anti-nazi, anarchist take on an electronic version of hardcore punk.

Now, Alec Empire has announced details of a return to the fray with a single show in London next month, where they will be joined by new MC - CX Kidtronik.If this one-off show signals a return to the fray, however, is yet to be seen. The one thing we have come to expect from Alec Empire should surely be the unexpected.

There is also a new single, named 'Activate', being released through the bands original Digital Hardcore label - you can pick up a free remix by dub-stepper The Builder here.

Intriguing and timely, we just wish were in London to see it.

Atari Teenage Riot

May 12th 2010

The Electric Ballroom

184 Camden High Street, London, NW1 8QP

7pm / £16 For tickets go to www.gigantic.com

15 years Juicy Beats: first acts confirmed

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:34:21 GMT

Over the last 15 years the Juicy Beats Festival has endeared itself with clubbers of the Ruhr valley by developing an affordable dance music event.

Since 1996 Juicy Beats has made its home in Dortmund’s Westfalenpark, calling upon both local hot shots and international artists to provide the soundtrack to a day of dancing on the sun. Initially, a house and drum’n’bass event, the festivals increasing size has allowed the festival to expand to cover a much wider range of electronic music - namely hip-hop and ambient music, but also indie and alternative rock.

For its 15th Birthday, Juicy Beats has now confirmed headliners such as 2 Many DJs, Tocotronic and Zoot Woman, which boasts a total of 60 DJs, 40 bands, 14 floors, and 4 stages. So, if you are around Dortmund this summer, Juicy Beats seems well worth every cent.

Juicy Beats 15
Sat. 31. July at 12 o’clock
Westfalenpark, Dortmund
Line-up (STBD): 2 Many DJs, Tocotronic, Nouvelle Vague, Zoot Woman, Frittenbude, Egotronic, Bratze, Mono & Nikitaman, LaBrassBanda, DJ Phono, DJ Rainer Trüby

Tickets:
Early Bird Tickets (till 05.06., limited to 3000): 18 Euro
You may buy your tickets at Juicy Beats' website.

Mammoth Electronic Beats Festival lined up for Prague

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:51:11 GMT

Electronic Beats will be gathering some of the most innovative electronic artists for their 2010 Electronic Beats Festival in Prague.

Headliners in this spectacular event will be London electro luminaries Hot Chip (pictured above) who have just come off the back a new LP release One Life Stand and were also recently nominated for a Grammy Award.

German tech house legends Booka Shade will also make a welcomed return to the Electronic Beats stage after wowing audiences in 2008 with their unique brand of brilliant Berlin-centric electronic sounds.

Scandinavian party starters Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band plus disco troop Turboweekend (pictured below) round out the Czech musical feast with their own innovative brand of funk, techno and disco.

Make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible; the event will sell out as fast as you can say “na zdraví” (cheers).

Electronic Beats Festival Prague
Thursday, May 7th
Doors open 8 p.m.
National Gallery

Line-up:

HOT CHIP
BOOKA SHADE
RALPH MYERZ & THE JACK HERREN BAND
TURBOWEEKEND

Tickets:

350 CZK (€13) March
450 CZK (€17) April
550 CZK (€21) May
650 CZK (€25) Box Office

Buy tickets at http://www.ticketpro.cz
MMS Ticketing: www.t-music.cz
350 CZK (€13) - set price
Payment via credit card or on monthly bill for T-Mobile customers.
Bar code sent via MMS and to be presented at the entrance.

Gomma to release Le Le’s Classics

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:16:05 GMT

Gomma have revealed their first big party summer release for 2010 and its courtesy of the Dutch group Le Le.

Led by the Amsterdam native Parra who is already one of the most talked about illustration artists in the world, the trio have experienced a spoonful of club lovin’ dating right back to 2007, with their Dutch top 30 single ‘Skinny Jeans’.

With DJs like Medhi, Headman and Erol Alkan name checking the group, people have become enamored with their stylized hybrid of Italo Disco, nu-wave and even 60s inspired pop.

Le Le’s makeup includes members from several other celebrated acts, including Rimer Veeman who hails from one of the most important underground electro acts of the last decade, Comtron, and Serge Fabergé from chart toppers DJVT.

If you want to check out just how sensational Parra’s illustration and video art is (and which he actually utilizes live on stage with Le Le), then have a peek here.

Have a look at their video for ‘Disco Monster’:

Le Le - Disco Monster from magnetron music on Vimeo.

Le Le will release their album Classics in June 2010

Nang kick off mix series with Bottin

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:34:10 GMT

Sister label of Tirk records, Nang, has begun an exciting venture called New Masters, aimed at “helping new DJs put together their first DJ compilation CD”. The series will kick off with the well-known Italian DJ, Bottin aka Guglielmo Bottin.

Not only will he will release a mix CD later this year, but a sweetened vinyl sampler entitled Discoursive Diversions will be released in April as a taster, which will feature remixes of artists such as Lindstrøm, Wax Stag (Friendly Fires bassist Rob Lee) and Tosca.

Bottin’s name has been kicking around for the better part of the last decade, starting out by putting together almost 20 compilations for the Italian label Irma. Amongst other duties, he went on to release the popular 2009 club track ‘No Static’ on the seminal label Italians Do It Better.

Bottin specializes in a cosmically charged style of “space disco, Italo rarities and deep funk”, and will release this four-track vinyl sampler taken from the forthcoming 18-track mix CD in April.

Discoursive Diversions will be released on April 19th on Nang.

James Yuill moves in a storm

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:15:00 GMT

After two years of intense touring with over 100 gigs, James Yuill is finally set release his second album; Movement in a Storm. Moshi Moshi and Cooperative Music will publish the new album.

The electronic singer/songwriter said, "I'm so excited about the new album. As fans will know 'Turning Down Water For Air' was a year old before it was released so I'm happy to say the new songs were done a mere couple of months ago. Like all artists know it's a great (and frightening) feeling to issue new material out into the public domain. I've tried to maintain the acoustic elements of the last record whilst advancing the electronic production. For example there are tracks that range from dance and glitchy electronica right the way through to an acoustic guitar instrumental. I hope people like it."

Fancy a chance to hear one of Yuill’s new songs? Go to his website and download ‘Give You Away.’ Or watch Yuill’s concert in Innsbruck (with Modeselektor) for Electronic Beats in February 2009.

Monocle switches on

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:57:09 GMT

Lifestyle magazine Monocle have confirmed they will venture into the world of television later this year launching a half hour TV show on BBC. Hosted by Monocle’s editor-in-chief and founder, Tyler Brûlé, the weekly show will focus on subjects such as “emerging geopolitical hotspots, business personalities, pop culture, the arts, fashion and design.”

At the moment, Monocle possesses a strong readership base of about 150,000 and is distributed to around 60 newsstand outlets across the globe. The cosmoplitan title also runs a weekly radio podcast which started in December 2009 and has opened up several themed retail stores around the world. The reason for Monocle’s current popularity could be down to the fact that they generate particularly open-minded editorial and niche up-market content.

Yet, things aren’t so rosy for the magazine world, in the US alone last year, newsstand sales for 472 consumer titles, declined 9.1 percent to 39.3 million, in the UK the top-selling 100 magazines lost 17 percent of their active sales between 2000 and 2009.

That alongside the fact that electronic readers like Amazon’s Kindle and Apple’s iPad have killed off many other titles for good. This may be the reason why Monocle decided to head to TV land, in order to capitalize on other media opportunities for their future.

Other hobby magazines like Power & Motoryacht and Top Gear have tried similar undertakings, with speculative success; but with the BBC on Monocle’s side, this might prove a successful outing for the savvy Tyler Brûlé.

Headman travels back to 1923

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:36:28 GMT

Headman will release his first album on his own Relish imprint this May entitled 1923. The innovative producer, whose real name is Robi Insinna, will put out his third artist album after releasing two previous LPs On and ItRough with the Bavarian label du jour Gomma.

With so many hands in so many pies, Headman led the early evolution of disco-punk alongside Trevor Jackson’s Output label in the early noughties. Now the continental knob-twiddler will get his hands dirty with some of his very own “Balearic dance rhythms, organic no-wave-funk” and anything else he can get his mitts on.

Guests like Cassette Kids, front women/model Katrina Noorbergen and Steve Mason from the Beta Band appear on the LP alongside Yello’s Dieter Meier whose collaboration ‘Gimme’, we’re sure you’ve heard already.

Other than that Headman will create his own artwork for the upcoming LP and we can expect nothing less than a healthy spoonful of bizzare noirish electro.

1923 will be released on Relish in May.

Moderat and Major Lazer headlining Electronic Beats Festival Cologne

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:06:29 GMT

Get ready for the first Electronic Beats Festival in Germany this year, which takes places in Cologne on Thursday May 20th at the cavernous E-Werk.

Headline act Moderat (pictured above) - made up from equal parts Modeselektor and Apparat - are set to join us once more with their riotous mix of face melting bass, intelligent rhythms and haunting melodies - a unique combination that we cannot wait to see again.

We also have white hot ghetto vandals Major Lazer - another double act, this time made up of Diplo and fidget house don Switch - who are sure to make sure the party goes off with a bang.

Supporting them will be Kele - perhaps best known as Kele Okereke lead singer of Bloc Party - who will be making his live solo debut at the Electronic Beats Festival Cologne with a fresh new sound. Excited? We are!

Finally, occasional producer for Madonna, Britney Spears and Kelis, Miike Snow will be dazzling us with the high powered turbo pop and synth poppers (and Electronic Beats office favourites) Little Dragon (pictured below) will be filling up the stage with their sun soaked, fun filled vibes, crazy samples and bouncing bass lines.

Electronic Beats Festival Cologne

Thursday, 20th May, 8 pm
E-Werk, Schanzenstraße 37
51063 Köln

Line-up:

MODERAT
MAJOR LAZER
KELE
MIIKE SNOW
LITTLE DRAGON

Get your tickets quickly, as all of last year's Electronic Beats Festivals sold out several weeks in advance!

Tickets in Advance 19 € (+VAT), Ticket Office 24 €
Ticket Hotline: 0049-(0)221-2801
Buy tickets at koelnticket.de and eventim.de.

Head over to our Facebook site and tell us whether you're coming or not.

Daft Punk shows off Tron

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:32:21 GMT

French spacemen Daft Punk have teamed up with Disney for a two-minute trailer for the upcoming film, Tron: Legacy.

A follow up to the classic 80’s film, Tron’s backdrop is a dark and violent virtual world. Last Spring Daft Punk said they would work on the film’s score, which created a whirlwind of net-based gossip and banter.

Thankfully the trailer is now here and the soundtrack is suitably brooding and suspenseful. Apart from the last 20 seconds of electronic distortion not much distinguishes itself from the usual sci-fi Hollywood trailer.

The trailers’ release follows a pair of what we presume to be finely crafted publicity stunts - the supposed release of a new Daft Punk song and rumors of a cameo with recent Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges, star of the original film. Expect the film to be out December 2010.

Bodi Bill plans to rock WMF

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:28:34 GMT

On April 17th our friends at Berlin's WMF will be hosting wild boys Bodi Bill. The trio had a successful LP Next Time and they continue to fosters a reputation of intensity and unforgettable live shows.

Loving and gigging, the crew want to put on a memorable finale before they disappear into the studio to complete their upcoming third album. The Saturday shindig will include many musical friends so get ready to hear Siriusmo, Freedarich, Liviu Groza, Mariechen Danz, and KRSN.

Check out 'Who the f*** is Bodi Bill'.

Who The F*** Is Bodi Bill ? from Sinnbus Bln on Vimeo.

Date: Saturday April 17th
Club: WMF Berlin
Street: Klosterstrasse 44 / 10179 Berlin
OpenDoors: 12:00
Line-up
DJ-Set: Siriusmo, Jan Driver, KRSN, Jan Mir
Live: Freedarich, Liviu Groza, Mariechen Danz

Alexander McQueen unveils one last final collection

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:14:30 GMT

In what is Alexander McQueen’s untimely last hurrah, his last fashion statement if you will, has now been made public. His final line for the 2010 fall/winter collection has been unveiled this week, and you can see the photos here.

Like a group of amphibious reptiles, models sombrely paced the catwalks in mesmerizing outfits that were tailored to perfection. Dutch paintings by Hieronymus Bosch were laced onto the dresses, and the NY times reported, “damp eyes among the small audience and sobs backstage”.

McQueen took his own life tragically in February of this year, causing shockwaves right across the world. A fitting finale for the genius that bequeathed us with such enthralling creations.

Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip find logic in new album

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:49:16 GMT

Mischievous pop duo Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip returns to the ad-hoc dance floor with the new LP The Logic of Chance. Made up of Daniel Stephens & David Peter Meads, these Essex boys will deliver their second album through Rob Da Bank’s Sunday Best label.

The duo has received nothing but praise for earlier releases, racking up two top forty hits, massive views of their videos on YouTube and remixes of artists like Bat For Lashes, Biffy Clyro and Micachu.

The new album appears to be more socially aware with tracks like ‘Great Britain’, a commentary on the growing knife crime sweeping the UK, the politically vocal ‘Stake A Claim’ and the ironic ‘Last Train Home’, all featured on the upcoming LP.

We love artists that don’t take themselves too seriously, and this pair bathes in scathing humor and irony. Just have a look at this hilarious mock video clip in 2008 which shows them auditioning for Britain’s X- Factor and check out their video for their first single here:

The Logic of Chance is released on the 30th of March.

Moguai goes Lyve

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:47:20 GMT

German producer Moguai, aka André Tegeler, will soon release his debut artist album We Ar Lyve.

Released on Mau5trap, the imprint owned by the Canadian superstar DJ Deadmau5, Moguai will be the first artist other than Deadmau5 to release on the label.

Moguai found notoriety in club-land with his huge hit 2002 hit ‘U Know Y’ and has been making and producing music since 1994, with most of Moguai’s music co-written by his partner Phil Fuldner. More recent tunes include the 12”s ‘ZYVOX’ and ‘Lyve/Impereal’.

His debut album, which has been years in the making, will look to raise his profile even further with an array of sounds including hip-hop, 80s electro, melodic house and heavy beats.

We Ar Lyve will be released on April 26th on Mau5trap.

Sinden has a Grizzly label

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:18:34 GMT

Graeme Sinden has been crafting throbbing bass lines and blocky beats for quite some time now, so it seems a logical next step for the English artist to start his own label - Grizzly.

After gaining notoriety via his mega hit ‘Beeper’ with Joshua Harvey under their moniker The Count & Sinden, he quickly built on his reputation with a no holds barred love of loud, hard and physical club music. Sinden plans to continue his vision of an “all-embracing, fun, disparate and twisted…” club clatter.

He goes onto say; “I’ve always been interested in ‘gray area’ sounds, music you can’t quite put your finger on - stuff that sits between genres and puzzles you at the same time. Grizzly will bring this sense of unexpectedness, flitting between styles – it’s serious music with taking itself too seriously.”

‘Midnight Marauder’ and ‘Kind of Familiar’ will be the label’s first offerings, set for a spring release. Following those will be a new EP from Brodinski called ‘Arnold Classics’.

Tiefschwarz are chocoholics

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:13:37 GMT

Two of Germany’s most beloved brothers, Tiefschwarz, will soon release their third album, Chocolate. Ali and Basti Schwarz will release the LP via their own label Souvenir, continuing the successful tradition of teutonic double acts such as Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y. and the Wighnomy Brothers (R.I.P).

Having worked closely with Philip Maier aka Sante, the pair will premier their latest effort as a live-act for the first ever time. “It’s even better to do what comes naturally and to do it… LIVE.”

A freewheeling mix of techno house will envelop listeners in sounds similar to Tiefschwarz’s previous albums, so we can expect the brothers to maintain their tactile dance floor beats. Guest appearances include Cassy, Seth Troxler, Dave Aju and budding talent Daniel Wilde.

The Chocolate Tour will be hitting clubs this summer.