Yeehaw…how y’all doin…er ahem. Actually people in Austin don’t all, or even mostly talk like that. I just got back from a week there, and it’s truly an oasis in the middle of a state that might otherwise meet those expectations.
Which is probably why Austin has such a killer (and widely known) music scene.
This place has got a lot to offer, whether it be Rock, Indy, Alt, or even EDM, all of which can be perused in a casual walk down Sixth Street downtown.
So this month, I present to you the latest in fresh squeezed progressive and trance cuts, which will take you from the sweltering daytime heat to the sultry swingin of a nighttime rooftop bar, all with your trusty margarita in hand.
David Lynch: electronic dance music producer? Yup, it’s true. And he brought his friends.
The celebrated film director surprised just about everyone last month when he announced he had a new 12-inch in the works—a dance 12-inch, no less. The cheery, synth-pop inspired Good Day Today shows a very different side of Lynch, who built his fame on deeply weird and often disturbing films like Blue Velvet and Eraserhead, not to mention the classic cult series Twin Peaks (which, to be fair, had a pretty amazing soundtrack).
The first version of Good Day Today hit stores late last month. At the end of January, Sunday Best will release a deluxe edition of the record, featuring remixes of both tracks by Boys Noize, Sasha and Underworld. On a more underground tip, Norway’s diskJokke contributes a remix as well, along with ambient artist and film score composer Jon Hopkins.
Here are some of my favorite tracks of said record. I already featured the diskJokke remix of “Good Day Today” on my last pocast “Love Lost”, so let’s get into some of the others. First the Original tracks:
The name of this remix really says it all. If the track info didn’t say 2011 I would swear it was straight out of the mid 90’s; some long lost Underworld B-side.
David Lynch - “I Know” - Sasha Remix
Did you really think that someone like David Lynch could drop a dark, broody single and Sasha NOT jump on board to do a remix? A better question: exactly how long did it take Sasha to say yes? 1.3 seconds? Ohh, and of course the track is top notch. Its Sasha.
David Lynch - “I Know” - Jon Hopkins Remix
Hopkins takes different approach than Sasha on his “I Know” remix. Instead of speeding the track up to traditional EDM speeds (~126 BPM) he keeps the slow pace of the original and goes for a more dark, electronica sound, a la Portishead. I <3 the key change and power chords @ 3:05.
Should David Lynch keep his day job or does he have a future in electronic dance music? Any remix in particular jump out at you?
As I’m typing this DJ Jay is 30,000 ft. over Central America somewhere, coming back from a particularly intense visit to Bolivia and Peru. In his absence I’ve decided to take the opportunity to stop by. Say hello. Check in on old friends.
I’ve been thinking: what does it mean to love? Well no, not exactly. This is a question greater writers, philosophers and artistes than I have tackled over the centuries…. a tired question that, really, we all know the answer to, even if we can find it difficult to express.
What I’ve been particularly dwelling on recently is: How is love lost? Why isn’t love forever? What does it mean when we no longer love something we once held so dear? And how do we know if we’ve failed to seize love that was laid out rite in front of us, or if that love was just an unattainable mirage to begin with?
These question are brimming throughout this set. On the musical side of life I have loved progressive trance for a long time. DJ Jay had to move on, however in my heart it remains. He’ll be back with some more banging, dance floor ready mixes soon. But for now lets just enjoy this subtle beauty, and wonder about things that might have been…
Sasha @ Ruby Sky, San Francisco (tickets here) Friday, Jan 21st, 2011
So can we consider Sacramento “coming to town” if we’re in the San Francisco or the East Bay? I’m leaning towards yes. It’s hella closer than Ibiza, even if we use the scientific definition of hella. I’m sure all you brilliant readers know who Sasha is, but if not just take a look at his case for best producer of the 00’s I wrote up right here.
This is the second in a star studded kick off for “District 30″ in Sacramento, the first being Steve Aoki this Thursday night. I’d be super hyped for this new venue if they weren’t already trying to be everything I despise about Super Clubs. Check it:
“A boutique Dance Lounge for the socially sophisticated. District 30 is posh, elegant, and has a comfortable environment. We are on par with some of the world’s hottest clubs from San Francisco to New York and Las Vegas to Miami, this is a place to see and be seen.”
*gag* I think I just threw up in my mouth. Memo to District 30: YOU ARE IN SACRAMENTO. Embrace it’s small town with cool, down to earth people charm instead of trying to be everything we hate about superclubs, except lookin way worse BECAUSE YOU ARE IN SACRAMETNO. Ohh well, love the music, not the club.
UPDATE (1/12/2011) - Brilliant reader and long time friend of The Beatery “The Baron” points out that if you wait a mere 24hrs that you can actually see the very same Sasha in the 415! He’ll be at Ruby Sky Friday, 1/21/2020. Get tix here, they’re already $30 tho! And The Baron also points out that SF prog staple, Qool founder and friend of The Beatery “Spesh” will be opening for Sasha, in Sac and SF! KILLER lineup. I can’t go Friday (headed back to Bolivia for a Youth Congress on Water and Environmental Sustainability the next morning) but do let us know how it is if you make it out!
And speaking of music, to get us in Sasha mood let us groove out to some hot, fresh, new progressive jammy jams.
New Sasha!
Barry Jamieson & Charlie May “Homecoming” - Sasha & Dimitri Nakov Remix Buy it on Beatport
Man, I always love World Cup time. And out here in Bolivia it’s waaaay more fun, ’cause, well, the Bolivian people actually care about soccer (as opposed to in the States where the people are clueless at best, and actively loathe soccer at the worst). Along with the games come the hype, and there’s no better administers of hype than the two big shoe/sporting goods companies endorsing this year’s Cup: Nike & Adidas.
Loading ...
