DUKEOFSWABIA.COM Podcast #003 - VOSPER (+ Interview)

DUKEOFSWABIA.COM Podcast #003 - VOSPER

*see tracklist below

(via vosper.ca) "With roots firmly in the fertile ground of Dark Wave, EBM and Techno music, Vosper bring the listener to heady vistas of sound and tone. Where other groups wallow in the dank claustrophobia of retro-fetishism, Vosper's relentless enthusiasm for developing a singular musical voice, nourished on a shared past, guarantees the listener glimpses of, and participation in, the formation of a new sonic sensibility.

Formed by Montreal-based Edouard Le and Christopher Byron, the duo utilizes their own rich backgrounds to craft melancholic compositions in an analog mode for a digital age. Though both Le and Byron had previously collaborated, it wasn't until the formation of Vosper that the intangible qualities of their own musical ethos truly coalesced into an unique sonic world, coloured by visions of haunting pasts and future frontiers.

Through his involvement in various music projects, as well as djing in many cities alongside Andrew Weatherall, Green Velvet, Moby, Trentemoller, Dj Hell to name a few, and production and remix releases in multiple electronic music genres, Le has developed a deep understanding in production and remixing with a natural affinity for the dance floor.

In Christopher Byron, Le found a kindred spirit… Weaned on the sounds of new wave, alternative and industrial music, and particularly influenced by the genius of Alan Wilder, Byron's sound design skills and song-writing produce the melancholic strain that runs so deeply through Vosper.

Fuelled by an obsession for collecting vintage gear, the band's signature sound has been crafted using a select ensemble of hardware. Influenced by the music of early Human League, James Stinson, Nitzer Ebb and LFO, Le & Byron have fashioned an abrasively modern dynamic from the modes and mores of the past. Vosper is about the marriage of propulsive Teutonic beats to the melodic impulse of the Sheffieldian sound: muscular industrial-strength rhythm finding its highest expression in its companionship to the pensive and wistful despondency of memory.

Their debut release EP on highly regarded Parisian label Meant Records marks a great head start for this up and coming band."

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Interview: (by Alexander Leblanc, for dukeofswabia.com)

How did you two meet? How/Where did it all start?

Ed: "We actually met at work and happen to share the same office. With the similar interests in music and music technology, we decided to write some tracks and the studio chemistry just clicked."

Please explain the name 'Vosper' and how you came up with it.

Chris: "Vosper was the name of a ship builder in England, My Great Grandfather worked there."

Who were your early musical influences?

Chris: "I guess I would say that the bands which inspired me to start composing melodic songs were Skinny Puppy, Depeche Mode, NIN, and Front242."

Ed: "For me, the bands that lead me to Vosper was probably Human League, Dopplereffekt, Green Velvet, Anthony Rother, and Swayzak."

What is your academic background?

Chris: "Bachelor degree in Communications Studies with Specialization in sound."

Ed: "Bachelor degree in "Graphic Design."

It may be difficult to merge two minds into one. As a duo, how would you describe your "production process"?

DUKEOFSWABIA.COM Podcast #002 - AQUARIUS HEAVEN

DUKEOFSWABIA.COM Podcast #002 - AQUARIUS HEAVEN



*see Tracklist below

(via circuscompany.fr) "Aquarius Heaven might be new to the electronic music world, but he is no newcomer to the music scene as such: Aquarius Heaven, born Brian Brewster, is an ex reggae dancehall and hip hop singer. It was pure chance that Brian became involved with the electronic music scene after he moved to Paris in 2005, where he meet the Parisian electronic music trio dOP.

After spending hours in the studio with the three musicians, Brian’s musical sound was profoundly changed. Yet, we can still hear the colors of the Caribbean in his vocals, and since he is new to the genre, his music is unbound by the old rehashed sounds and limitations of the electronic music scene. All of this creates for a very interesting musical ride. It was during the Summer of 2010 when Aquarius Heaven was truly born: while recording the track “Universe,” Brian realized that he and Clement (of dOP) had the same birthday in February, so Brian created the name “Aquarius Heaven” under which to make electronic music.

This new chapter of his life was made official with the release of his track “Before U Go” on the Watergate 06 album, mixed by dOP. With the release of his first EP, titled “7 Days” (on Circus Company), Aquarius Heaven started generating buzz in the music world. Aquarius Heaven just recently released his “Can’t Buy Love” EP (on Wolf + Lamb), the single of which – paired with a dark-and-sexy music video – catapulted him into the world of music-blog buzz, before the EP was even officially released. Aquarius Heaven has only begun the journey that continues to accelerate day by day."


“Like dancehall, the electronic world has no boundaries. That’s one of the factors that I love about it, you can actually mix almost everything into it… a lot of people don’t, but I like breaking rules!” – Aquarius Heaven

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Tracklist:

Apparat - You Don´t Know Me - Octane
The subs - decontrol - Aquarius Heaven remix
Shirol - Taron Trekka
Go Away (Wareika Incandescence Resistance)
Jamie Woon - Night Air (Solomun edit)
Greenville Massive - Tone
Who's Afraid of Detroit - Claude Von Stroke
Robert Babicz - Dont look back
Pantha Du Prince - Saturn Strobe
Walk a mile in my shoes (henrik schwarz remix)

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Also, check out: Duke of Swabia Podcast #001 - LOUIE FRESCO

Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team - FABRICLIVE x MODA Mix

(via fabriclondon.com)

"Since 2009 the Sound Pellegrino label, fronted by Orgasmic and Teki Latex, who was once of French hip hop outfit TTC, has become a respected home to music that they themselves note “built itself on the ruins of loud big-beat-like fidget and overly distorted washing machine electro”. Together as a DJ team, Orgasmic and Latex perform as the Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team, a concept that enables them to warm you to their type of dance music in its optimal club setting.

It’s an outlook they’ve explored through their continuing podcast series (which, at the time of publication, is currently on its 61st instalment) as well as through the music they choose to present and release through their label. Notable recent releases on the imprint have come from Bok Bok & Tom Trago, Style of Eye, Noob and Malestrom; though the back catalogue boasts names like Para One, Bart B More, L Vis 1990, Gucci Vump, Solo and more amongst its ranks."


Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team - FABRICLIVE x MODA Mix




Tracklist:

Tone Loc - Wild thang - Delicious Vinyl
The Footclub - Driftwood (Work Remix #2) - Work
Marc Romboy, Kink - Don't Shake my tree - Ovum
Levon Vincent - Man or Misstress - Novel Sounds
Nina Kraviz - Ghetto Kraviz - Rekids
Richi Ahmed - Suck It - Hot Creations
Claude VonStroke and Jaw - Le fantôme - Dirtybird
Timbre - Mushroom - Cdr
Twilight 22 - Electric Kingdom instrumental - Vanguard
Maelstrom - Pool Chicks - Sound Pellegrino
Mikix The Cat and Dj MikeQ - Vibe - ADD Cat Records
French Fries - Yo Vogue - Dirtybird
Renaissance man - Stalker Humanoid (Dexter Remix) - Turbo Recordings
Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team - Bassface (Aquarius Heaven Remix) - Sound Pellegrino

DUKEOFSWABIA.COM Podcast #001 - LOUIE FRESCO (+ Interview)

DUKEOFSWABIA.COM Podcast #001 - LOUIE FRESCO





Biography: (via theblacklegagency)

"If we can define Louie Fresco in one word it would probably be "Versatile".

This multifaceted DJ and Producer from Mexico has single handedly put his hometown Mexicali B.C. on the map with his many original tracks and remixes.

Artists like Art Department, Maya Jane Coles, Deniz Kurtel, Mark Knight, Noir, Heidi, Solomun, Miguel Campbell, Russ Yallop, Siopis, James Teej, Flight Facilities, Tale Of Us, DJ Three, J Phlip, WildKats, The Crystal Method, Felix Da Housecat, Tommie Sunshine, Dirty Vegas, Deepgroove, Oliver Klein, NASA, John Roman, Lazaro Casanova, Larry Tee, and Junior Sanchez to name a few have played Louie's remixes and songs on many events including shows like Coachella, Winter Music Conference, Get Lost, Circoloco, and South by Southwest.

His DJing skills have earned him invites to share the stage or headline events all over the world with the most eclectic group of DJs out there. DJs like Boys Noize, Crookers, Felix Da Housecat, Steve Aoki, Marco Bailey, Desyn Masiello, Popof, NOOB, Martin Eyerer, Julian Jewell, Heidi, Damian Lazarus, Magda, Marc Houle, Pier Bucci, Uffie, Sharam, MSTRKRFT, Nic Fanciulli, M.A.N.D.Y., Justin Martin, Tiesto, Toy Selectah, Nadastrom, MightyFools, The Young Punx, Le CastleVania, Audiojack, Russ Yallop, Jamie Jones, A1 Bassline, Designer Drugs, Bird Peterson, Harvard Bass, L.A. Riots, The Crystal Method, LAZRtag, Nortec, Panoptica, Tommie Sunshine, Silver Surfer, Lee Foss, Treasure Fingers, The Rapture, DJ Bam Bam, Staccato, Lazaro Casanova, Catz N Dogz, Skrillex, The Bloody Beetroots; among others, while touring all over Mexico, USA, Canada, Spain, Poland, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland. All of these in less than 3 years.

But DJing is just his "weak side". What really makes heads turn it's his production skills. Louie started making music at the age of seventeen. 11 years and hundreds of tracks later we find that he has done (and it's doing) remixes for, originals, and song collaborations with artists such as Art Department, Etienne De Crecy, Tommie Sunshine, Peaches, Felix Da Housecat, Gtronic, Lady Gaga and Michael Bolton, Young Buck (G-Unit), Lee Foss, John Roman, Sergio Santos, Russ Yallop, Bunny Lake, Hot Pink Delorean, etc.

Interview: Anja Schneider (Mobilee Recs.)

ANJA SCHNEIDER / Mobilee records

"Anja Schneider is the Mobilee Records founder, broadcaster, internationally renowned DJ and producer once labeled a "perpetual motion machine", and one of the hardest working individuals in the business. From her beginnings in radio to the ‘Hi Five’ anniversary year of Mobilee, her ascension through the ranks has been fuelled by her strong work ethic, sharp tastemaker instinct, charming personality and innate musicality.

As a label head Anja Schneider has focused not only on discovering fresh talent, but also on cultivating and developing the Mobilee roster, pushing artists to challenge themselves and developing their careers as DJs and musicians. Under her guidance, Mobilee and its sister label Leena Music have grown into one of Berlin’s most-watched staples, with a close-knit collection of producers and musicians that carve out a distinct sound in a city teeming with electronic music.

With ears honed through years of experience, Anja Schneider’s achievements as a producer, DJ and label head are far from peaking. Her development as a one-of-a-kind artist and businesswoman is just the start of what we can expect from her evolution, as she builds Mobilee into the defining platform that stands in testament to the vision, passion, and love of music that drives her extended Mobilee team in all that they do, and all that will come."

Nov. 25, 2009 - www.mobilee-records.de/artists/anja-schneider

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Interview: (by Omar Diouf for dukeofswabia.com)


(Omar D.) So we know here at dukeofswabia.com that you love Montreal. Why is that? And how many times have you been here already?
(Anja S.) Montreal is an amazing city one of my favorite ! People and atmosphere is very inspiring. I ve benn there already 3 times and I m not getting tired to visit again.

We have interviewed Marcin Czubala earlier in 2011; he is really unbelievable. Any new babies on Mobilee for the beginning of 2012?
Yes we have Rio Schneider, 5 months old and my baby.

Could you tell us a bit more about the process of choosing new artists and signing them to the label? Do you get a lot of music sent to you?

Yes I got a lot of music and nowadays it's getting much more difficult to get new people that fit to us.
The music has to be very individual. Everything is possible and has to have an own character.
I don't want to have any copy of someone on Mobilee.

NYE 2K12 @ SAT

NOUVEL AN @ SAT from Society for Arts and Technology on Vimeo.