Malachai Voyages West

Malachai is Hebrew for ‘angel.’ It was also the name of the red-haired bloke from Children Of The Corn. From which the band’s name is derived, we’re not exactly sure and neither are they. Strictly speaking, Malachai’s a duo. There’s a mysterious figure lurking in the background supplying beats and tunes. But he’s a shy sort, preferring the music do the talking, happy to let Gee, the outspoken front person, take the limelight.

Malachai’s origins are in Bristol, UK on the West Coast of England and are indicative of the kind of artists that originate from Bristol: dubstep running through their bones, hip hop in the fingers, ‘60s psychedelia in the heart. It’s only right, then, that Portishead mastermind Geoff Barrow has a thumb in this project. Barrow’s a kind of a mentor for Malachai and released the album on his own Invada imprint last year.

Malachai will be making their maiden voyage to the United States around SxSW as well:
3/19 13:00 Austin The Onion/Canvas Media Party @ The Mohawk
3/20 12:55 Austin Domino Publishing/Press Here Party @ French Legation
3/20 20:30 Austin SxSW official showcase @ Antone's (with Big Star)
3/24 21:00 New York Le Poisson Rouge (with Hudson Mohawke)
3/25 22:00 Brooklyn DJ set @ Treehouse

Download: Snowflake

El Diablo and Sidney Samson Rises Up

What do you get when the two hottest Dutch producers of the moment finally get together in the studio? A monster of a track that levels the dance floor.

Actually, I lied you get two monsters to be precise! Holland's globetrotting Hooligan producer, Don Diablo, teams up with Sidney Samson of 'Riverside' fame to deliver the classic in the making...Monster EP, which consists of two massive weapons of dance floor destruction, "Monster" and "Rise Up".

The Monster EP has already found early bird supporters from every big name on the planet and more than likely every DJ at WMC. The record is literally a monster of a tune and something tells me this is the start of a beautiful friendship...whenever they find the time. Don and Sidney unleash the Monster EP on March 8

Download: Rise Up
Download: Live From Somewhere Mix

You Can Fukkk Offf

I'm a little late getting to this...I blame Comcast. But keeping the momentum going after Fukkk Offf's much lauded debut release Love Me, Hate Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me, the team is back with Remix IS King, a full length overview of the hottest Fukkk Offf remix projects.

Remix Is King brings you bin shattering Fukkk Offf remixes of other top artists like Zombie Nation, The Dance Inc., Monosurround, & Midfield General and the hottest remixers like Zodiac Cartel, & Markus Lange putting their stamp across devastating Fukkk Offf originals.

There's one new Fukkk Offf original as well, Utopia, riding in at the end of the release with a full
disco beat down plus unreleased mixes from Gooseflesh, Dirty Disco Youth, La Clope AuBec & Frederic De Carvalho.

So is it worth finding and cherishing...what do you think? You can find it right HERE.

Download: Utopia...three remixes all zipped up
Download: Album Megamix

This Machine Eats Tapes

Super fun Eats Tapes are a duo that animate antiquated synthesizers and coax them into creating crazy bleepy bliss. The do this by taking things that were salvaged, fixed, fetishized and formerly fashionable machines and returning them to their past glories.

They're so good at their restoration work that they have become a household name in the San Francisco Bay Area. Eats Tapes bridge the gap between dance and video game pop-culture by redefining MIDI.

Dancing or playing your Intellivsion is irresistible when the beats and beeps come a poppin'. Eats Tapes are hyper glitchy goodness that's the best thing to come along since the Commodore 64.

Download: Live Snippet One

Download: Live Snippet Two

Download: Live Snippet Three

Welcome To Fang Island

Fang Island began, oddly enough, as an art school project while the band members were attending the prodigious Rhode Island School of Design (also the foundation for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Les Savvy Fav, Six Finger Satellite, Lightning Bolt and some band called the Talking Heads.) According to guitarist Jason Bartell, the goal was to "make music for people who like music." That is, music without irony that harnesses its uplifting qualities. Just like a classic rock song or classical symphony can stir us emotionally, Fang Island exists to unlock that spirit.

Judging by their recently released debut album, Fang Island they've pretty much succeeded in unlocking it. Fang Island is what the Oxes would sound like if they were perpetually happy. They are what metal would have sounded like if it were institutionalized and given lithium. Fang Island is all about god guitar solos, riffs of the gods and hooks that pummel you over the head for maximum impact. In other words, Fang Island are musos it's ok to like.

Fang Island is guitarist Jason Bartell, bassist Michael Jacober, guitarist Chris Georges, guitarist Nicholas Andrew Sadler, and drummer Marc St. Sauveur. They all share collective group vocal harmonies and the occasional hand claps. While Sadler is also known for his role in the debauched rock band Daughters, it is only his fretboard skill that translates between the two groups.

Download: Daisy
Download: Life Coach

Who You Calling A Twit...

Pitch Twit is the pseudonym of Yorkshire musician and producer Tom Sidebottom. This young producer's music is about melody and energy and when he's not making it, he's issuing it. You see Tom is also co-founder and producer of Exceptional Records.

Tom comes from a highly musical family; three of his direct family play or are still playing the violin in professional orchestras (auditions for these generally last between one and two years!) He even plays himself. In fact, you can check out "Knives" by Black Diamond Bay to hear Tom's violin.

Violin aside, synths are obviously Tom's real love though, and the synthesized bleeps and wobbles squeezing out of the speakers is like pure heaven to him. His latest track, "Bulletproof," is evidence of this. Pitch Twit’s knack for electronic dance music and twisting sounds and melody to accentuate his percussive thumps are his signature and one listen to "Bulletproof," and I think you agree that Pitch Twit is far from being like his namesake. In fact, he's anything but.

Download: Bulletproof (original mix)

Air Waves Drift Out On The Road

Nicole Schneit's is a Brooklyn based songwriter who first found solace in her guitar, composing escapist songs with fantastical stories and catchy choruses. Not wanting to be tagged as strictly a singer-songwriter and desiring a full-band sound, in 2007 Schneit teamed up with a few other Brooklynites taking on the name Air Waves.

A few band member changes later, Air Waves is hit the road with Dan Bryer and Jordan Bernstein in tow. Creating a medley of folk, rock, pop, and country, Air Waves serves up fantastic imagery with unforgettable melodies with named influences such as Neil Young, The Clean, and the Velvet Underground.

Passive towards trends, image, genre and all things on the periphery of being in a rock band, there is a genuineness in Nicole's voice that echoes throughout every aspect of Air Waves, cutting straight to the essentials of communicating something larger than words.

Just days after returning from their debut European tour, Air Waves are hitting the road for their Spring U.S. Tour including dates with Seattle's Past Lives (featuring ex-members of The Blood Brothers), and performances at Austin, TX's SXSW Festival and an appearance at Monterrey, Mexico's MtyMx Festival.

The Dates post SXSW...
Mar 22 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico @ MtyMx
Mar 24 St. Louis, MI @ Firebird w/ Past Lives
Mar 25 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge w/ Past Lives
Mar 26 Milwaukee, WI @ Bayview Legion Hall w/Past Lives
Mar 27 Grand Rapids, MI @ Daac w/ Past Lives
Mar 28 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick w/ Past Lives
Mar 29 Cleveland, OH @ Now That's Class w/ Past Lives, City Center
Mar 30 Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar w/ Past Lives

Download: Sweetness