Saturday Awesome.

From Gawker TV:


"While Rob was away for six months in India, his roommates hosted themed dance parties in his room. Mummies, balloons, robots ... it's covered. If it was as much fun as it looked, who do I call to hire these guys?"


Every now and then I read about a kick-ass prank done to somebody while they were away on an extended vacation. I should know, 'cos once when I was in London visiting my girlfriend for a couple of weeks two years ago, a few friends gathered dozens of onions (of which I'm not fond of in the slightest) and hid them throughout my flat. But after seeing what these guys filmed in Rob's room while he was in India was just flat-out the best thing I've seen today. Period. Here's the video they filmed - with a fucking brilliant track called "Riverside" by Sidney Samson serving as the soundtrack. It's just fucking amazing. Watch, and enjoy.

Electro Classic Jukebox: Cabaret Voltaire.

"There's 70 billion people over there."
"Where they hiding?"
"There's 70 billion people over there."
"Where they hiding? Where they hiding?"


And thus begins "Yashar," one of my all-time favourite tracks from Sheffield-based electronic pioneers Cabaret Voltaire. Having formed in 1973, well ahead of the vast majority of their future post-punk peers, Cabaret Voltaire began their two-decade career performing not necessarily "music" per-se, but a fascinating hybrid of Dadaist (they were named after the famous Zurich, Switzerland Dada club after all) performance art, featuring (amongst other things) feedback, bleeping synth noises, and endless taped loops of sampled sounds, voices, and strange, experimental static. It wasn't until 1979 that they released their first "proper" LP, the noise-punk manifesto Mix-Up. (If one is interested in hearing what CV was up to during those heady days of noise manipulation and experimentation, then one should go forth and find their 1980 cassette-only compilation 1974-1976.)


Originally a trio consisting of Richard Kirk, Chris Watson, and Stephen Mallinder, after Watson's departure in 1981, they became a duo. Many albums throughout the '80s and early '90s were to follow, including such classics as Red Mecca (1981), The Crackdown (1983), Drinking Gasoline (1985 EP), Plasticity (1992), and The Conversation (1994). 1982's 2X45 (so named because it consisted of 2 45RPM 12" records (goddamn, now that would be a collector's item worth having, wouldn't it?)) was the last album released with Chris Watson as a member, and it is also the album from which "Yashar" is culled.


So here is "Yashar." Listen to it, and try to imagine ambient music as we know it without the influence of these mightily talented and influential Sheffielders. I certainly doubt there'd be any Aphex Twin, that's for sure. Enjoy!





And, from their 1985 EP Drinking Gasoline, here's another terrific track "Ghostalk." Goddamn, I love this shit.

House Classic: Leftfield.

As promised earlier this afternoon, I'm going to commence highlighting the various acts and personalities gracing Australian soil this upcoming March for the ultra-fantastic Future Music Festival. So I figured, why not now? Yo, check it out -- here's fucking Leftfield!


Formed back in 1990 by London mates Paul Daley and Neil Barnes, Leftfield were one of the stalwarts of British electronic music and progressive house that began to earnestly sweep the planet during the early-to-mid-'90s. Hell, I remember when their 1995 debut album Leftism came out. Holy shit, it was awesome. Featuring an eclectic lineup of guest vocalists (including PiL's own John Lydon!), it was a mighty force to be reckoned with; it just didn't stop banging! Then, in 1999 they released their second, and last, album, Rhythm and Stealth. The vibe this time out was a little darker and moodier than its predecessor. Layered with deeper basslines and exhibiting a certain menace reminiscent of trip-hop electronica stalwarts Massive Attack (who in 1998 had released the amazing Mezzanine), RaS had vocal contributors (such as the brilliant Afrika Bambaata and Roots Manuva) who brought a distinctly urban feel to the proceedings.


Now, Leftfield is back and touring. But Barnes is going it alone this time out, seeing as Daley has decided to focus on his DJing and solo record. And they'll be at this year's Future Music Festival -- so the resident doctor at Second Drawer Up HQ has officially prescribed your presence. Party on, and enjoy!


Here, from 1999's Rhythm and Stealth, is their breathtaking track "Dusted", featuring the vocal talents of the one and only Roots Manuva.

Electronica Classic: Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas.

This shit rocks. Lindstrøm and Prins Thomas, two incredibly talented producers and electronic composers from the magical country of Norway, first worked together in 2005, producing a self-titled album featuring original tracks. Two years later they reconvened, taking that album and completely remixing it -- in turn, transforming it into an entirely new entity. Lindstrøm himself hardly ever tours, so when he does it's needless to say a joyous occasion for connoisseurs of detail-driven and immaculate dance music. Luckily, 2011 is the year he's decided to take his show on the road. Here are his tour dates -- if you can make it, then go, already!

10 FEBRUARY 2011

SANTOS PARTY HOUSE

NEW YORK CITY, NY

11 FEBRUARY 2011

THE VANGUARD

HOLLYWOOD, CA

12 FEBRUARY 2011

MEZZANINE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

18 FEBRUARY 2011

FABRYK KATRCINY

WARSAW, POLAND

25 MARCH 2011

OTTAKRINGER BRAUREI

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Check out his Myspace site for further information and go, already! Here's Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas's "Mighty Girl" off of Reinterpretations to get your juices flowing.

 Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - Mighty Girl by Dell Von C 

The Crystal Ark.

Producer Gavin Russom is known by the nickname "Wizard" -- a moniker that's rather fitting, considering his flowing red mane of hair and his almost mystical ability to program, play, and build synthesizers. Also a member of DFA's ridiculously talented family of musicians, this gentleman from Providence, Rhode Island also sometimes performs as The Crystal Ark. His music, to me, represents a sort of subsonic melding of technological prowess and an almost organic, shamanistic spirituality that dives deep beneath the surface of the listener's subconsciousness and subverts the definition of reality, and how encapsulated the broader surface of life really is. And hey! It's fucking fabulous to dance to.

The Crystal Ark has released two EPs this year: The City Never Sleeps and The Tangible Presence of the Miraculous. Ten days ago, the video for "The City Never Sleeps" was released, and it's simply amazing. Directed by vocalist Viva Ruiz (whose hypnotic and chanty voice propels the transcendent track), this video has everything: Insomniac New Yorkers, old-school synths, spiritual quests, a shaman dancing on a table, and brilliantly realized animal costumes. And lasers! So yo, check this shit out.

The Crystal Ark - The City Never Sleeps from DFA Records on Vimeo.

Art Vs Science!

The year was 2007, and Dan McNamee had gone to see a Daft Punk concert in Sydney. Inspired by the techno spectacle (as well as anybody should!), he rang up two old high school mates, Jim Finn and Dan Williams, and proposed that they form a band. Art Vs Science was born, and the rest, as they say, is history. And I'm really, really impressed by what they've turned out so far.

There are many pleasant surprises that have engaged me during my stay here in Melbourne (if one is interested, then visit my Oz-ward Bound blog to read about my adventures trying to gain Australian citizenship). Victorian architecture,  flocks of parrots, the colourful flora and fauna, the laid-back personality of the local population, and -- yes -- the nearly obscene wealth of fantastic electronic acts that have been formed here. From the Presets, to Severed Heads, to Cut Copy and Midnight Juggernauts, to Pnau and Empire of the Sun, to Grafton Primary and Infusion, and to Art Vs Science and Sean Quinn and many, many more, Australia has produced some of the more original and eclectic electronic soundtracks to grace my playlist in many a moon.

So, back to Art Vs Science. They formed in early 2008, and have so far released two EPs: 2009's Art Vs Science and 2010's Magic Fountain. Their first full-length (title TBA) will be released in February of 2011, and they've also covered Split Enz's "I See Red" for the new compilation record He Will Have His Way, a compendium of Tim and Neil Finn covers. They've also recorded a minute-and-a-half little ditty about bad breath for the Australian kid's science TV show Sleek Geeks (think about rhyming "halitosis" with "diagnosis"), and are currently on tour with Infusion and Sean Quinn (they hit St Kilda on the 10th of December at the venerable Prince Bandroom -- you should totally go)!

An enthusiastic and bombastic stew of experimental synths, disco-punk, and techno, Art Vs Science's music is fantastically catchy, a frenzied hodgepodge of forward-thinking boom 'n' bass 'n' noise. Utilizing guitar and bass and live drums, their work has something for everybody, including those music snobs who tend to steer clear of bands that "just noodle at keyboards and sequencers." But holy shit, there's a lot of fun to be had here. "Parlez-vous Français?" will not only get your ass moving on the dancefloor, but will also make you smile -- there's a lot of quirky humour on display. "Take Me To Your Leader" delves deep into Empire of the Sun territory -- it reminds me quite a bit of Mr Steele's "Swordfish Hotkiss Night." "Magic Fountain" maintains a serious Daft Punk sensibility throughout its hardcore bangin', and -- if you're listening to their Magic Fountain EP -- there's even a live cover version (recorded at Splendour in the Grass) of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Boom! Shake the Room" that's just ... fucking special.

OK, I've talked enough. Here's some music for y'all, my favourite readers in the whole wide world.

art vs science

"parlez-vous français?"

art vs science ep

art vs science

"magic fountain"

magic fountain ep

New Music: David Lynch.

Well, what can I say? David Lynch, author, practitioner of transcendental meditation, producer and beloved writer and director of classic films such as Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Eraserhead, Dune (I know it was critically mauled, but dammit, I liked it), and Wild At Heart, can now add "electronic music composer" to his long and admirable resumé.


For on the 26th of November Mr Lynch released through iTunes a catchy little piece of pop confectionary entitled "Good Day Today." And here it is, for your listening pleasure!

Good Day Today by threeminutesthirtyseconds

What do you think? I quite like it -- it's got a cheery and pulsing beat, a groovy early '90s trance vibe going on, and Lynch's digitally distorted vocals seem so ... Lynchian, if you'll forgive me for using that term. "Good Day Today" chugs merrily along, and makes me smile. There's real hope and wonder going on in this track -- I love it. Kudos to Mr Lynch; he really is a Renaissance Man.

A 7 1/2 Hour Train Journey Through Norway, With DJs!

a tip of the hat to io9.com!

When it comes to traveling, there are fewer better options for us here at Second Drawer Up HQ than the train. Comfortable, hypnotic, great views, a decent bar car, and the soothing soundtrack of the rails trundling past, all whilst inclined in a nice seat, stockinged feet crossed in front of you, and iPod earbuds perched in your ears providing whatever soundtrack you desire. I've been in a lot of trains over the years, but have never been on the Bergen Line that traverses the Norwegian countryside. It sounds lovely, and now, thanks to the creators of a documentary called Bergensbanen, I can now experience it secondhand. Add to that the addition of 7 and a half hours of DJ music, invited by the filmmakers to provide the soundtrack to the entirety of the train's route, and you've got something very, very special indeed. Featured on Norway's NRK2 channel, it was watched by over one million people when it aired Friday, 27 November of last year. Needless to say, I thought I'd share all 13 parts of the video with you, my very, very special readers! Chill out, put these babies on full-screen, and crank the volume up as loud as you can. Sit back (or dance your ass off, or throw a party while you're at it), and check this shit out. It's fucking amazing.

Just Feel Like Some Kylie.

While I won't go so far as to call Kylie Minogue a guilty pleasure or anything that resembles in part a back-handed complement (really, what is a "guilty pleasure" anyway? If it makes you feel good, then just go out and fucking enjoy it without feeling guilty, already), I've got to admit that as far as music that's just flat-out fun goes, you really can't go wrong with Kylie. The pint-sized pop star is the perfect package for tunes that you really can't listen to without sporting a grin on your face. Her songs are catchy, perky, classy, cheerful, and are chockfull of an absolutely hummable energy -- it will get your ass out on the dance floor in a quick, and get you moving!


Last year, I had the opportunity to catch this glimmering princess on her first ever tour of the United States at the stately Fox Theatre in Oakland with my friends Lynn, Kimon, Andrei, and Summer. Imagine my surprise at the very beginning of the show when Kylie, descending on the stage perched on a gigantic mirrored skull, was accompanied by the ethereal countdown of my favourite Kylie track of all time, "Light Years" -- "Ten, nine, eight, seven ..." -- and the crowd went absolutely fucking apeshit. And for good reason. There's everything to love about this Australian chanteuse, and I will never forget the vibe in that theatre last year whilst Kylie and her dancers cavorted on stage in a flurry of fuzzy lasers, amazing technological effects, and a stage design that the handlers of wannabes such as Lady Gaga and Madonna can only dream of. And she's beautiful, on top of all that.


She's Kylie. And she's awesome.


Here she is in 2002 during her Fever2002 Tour in Melbourne, Australia. Nice splice of "Light Years" and "I Feel Love," that's for sure. Enjoy!

The Next 60:58 Belong To Cicada.

And for good reason. Aaron Gilbert and Alex Payne have been busy, busy bees -- er, I mean Cicadas; spending some fruitful time in the studio recording their third album. Due sometime in early 2011, the yet-to-be-titled record has officially piqued Second Drawer Up's curiosity - after all, we're all in love with Cicada's ultra-fucking-cool new-disco electronic sounds. 2007's Cicada drove us absolutely wild, what with its smoother-than-smooth beats, breathy vocals, and those synths that flowed like florid honey from our speakers. 2009's sophomore release, Roulette, continued in the same vein, but in our humble opinion, rocked a bit harder - this baby was designed for the dance floor.


So it is with much pleasure that we here at Second Drawer Up HQ deliver unto you, dear readers, some highly anticipated music from our Londoner pals. First up, here is Cicada's "Autumn 2010 DJ Mix," though I am now in upside-down land and we're magically in Spring, for geographical reasons. Instructions: 1. Press "play." 2. Enjoy wherever and however you wish to!

Cicada Autumn 2010 DJ Mix by cicadamusic

... And, here's the first single from the album, a lovely danceable number called "Your Love." Damn, this shit's smoking! Mind you, this is an "unofficial" video; but I've got to admit that the production values are pretty high, and the storyboard progression is quite involving. I found myself immersed in the story presented. Enjoy!

cicada

"your love"

tba