History: Veronica Vasicka (2010)
Founder of NY-based revivalist label Minimal Wave talks about her work.
Herself a diamond in the rough, Veronica’s pirate radio station-turned-label has fittingly refocused attention on some spectacular, mostly unknown or forgotten artists. Beyond reissues, Veronica’s bringing to light new talent with a penchant for stripped down, analog sounds, like Medio Mutante.
SCHEMATIC: An interview with Ford Models and a link to the Minimal Wave Facebook group… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Hooray For Earth – True Loves (Cereal Spiller Remix) (2011)
While this song is uncomfortably close to mainstream for my circuit boards, this deconstructed remix by NYC incognitos Cereal Spiller is just off the beaten path enough to ensure safety. The real winner here, tho, is the animation created by UK-based artist Cyriak Harris.
SCHEMATIC: True Loves (Album Version) with another great video… Read the rest of this entry »
RIP: DJ Mehdi – Signatune (Thomas Bangalter Edit) (2007)
Sad, sad news today. French/Tunisian producer and DJ, Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, died last night, reportedly after the roof on his house gave way during a birthday party. Condolences to his wife, family and friends. If he was anything like his music and performances, he was a truly vibrant and gifted young man.
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Robot Rock du Jour: Factory Floor – Real Love (2010)
I interrupt your regularly scheduled whatever to bring you this uncut diamond from the London underground.
Factory Floor has future classic written all over them. Shows in NY and Philly in late September and early November.
SCHEMATIC: Real Love (Album Version), Lying and Wooden Box… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great (2007)
So, I pretty much avoid big time acts and there are very few “modern” bands that make what I deem to be exceptionally rad music. LCD Soundsystem, however, is the king + queen of them all.
I created this stop-motion video as part of my graduate program thesis work. 100 hours of wood cutting and photographing. If you dig it, peep my process photos.
SCHEMATIC: Videos for Home, Daft Punk is Playing at My House… Read the rest of this entry »
Equipment: 3-2-1 Contact with Suzanne Ciani (1980)
Hot damn!
What a wonderful (and sultry) explanation! Geared toward kids, this is a clear and ultimately human view of our relationship with synthesizers.
Embedding was disabled on the higher quality video. Lame.
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Robot Rock du Jour: Starter – Minijupe (1981)
OK. So, pretend for a minute that lead singer Francis Foss DOESN’T look and sound like Dana Carvey taking the piss out of no wave bands.
In that hot minute, you will surely discover how rad this song is because you, after all, love les minijupes (miniskirts) as much as I do. And Korg MS-20s.
SCHEMATIC: Dana Carvey, record label and cover artwork, some band photos…
Robot Rock du Jour: Mr. Flagio – Take a Chance (1983)
In case you were wondering, Mr. Flagio is a hairy-chested robot from space.
This song has everything one could ever ask of an Italo track. It is a perfect mix of robo space disco, electro and synth pop with a killer bass line, rock solid vocoder and a fantastic breakdown. An essential part of any Italo collection.
SCHEMATIC: Instrumental version…
Robot Rock du Jour: G.A.N.G. – KKK (1983)
I can actually feel my skin getting hot under the southern Italian sun. The gentle sound of waves crashing and the sand, warm beneath me.
This song is a warm italo breeze on a cool February day. Slow burning and soulful. This particular clip features the ORIGINAL two track reel-to-reel master, so the sound quality is pristine.
SCHEMATIC: 12″ versions and another track by G.A.N.G… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Disk Drive + Printer Singing
These folks take nerd music to a totally new level.
SCHEMATIC: More tonal nonsense from highly unlikely heroes and heroines… Read the rest of this entry »