SECURE SHOPPING
New video hot off the press from XL Recordings! DFA & Visionquest duo Benoit & Sergio lend their gently nudging house talents to “Hurting” by St Albans trio Friendly Fires.
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Since the inaugural Suck My Deck mix from Ivan Smagghe back in 2004, esteemed clubbing institution Bugged Out have made sure the right people are involved. Subsequent mixes from the likes of Damian Lazarus, Simian Mobile Disco and most recently Brodinski demonstrate this ethos. Having curated a Bugged Out event last year, it was clear to Johnno Burgess et al that Friendly Fires were suitable candidates. Indeed, the St Albans trio are perhaps the sole exception to the rule that a barge pole should separate bands and DJ mixing equipment at all times. Drummer Jack Savidge was a DJ long before the band shot to fame in 2008 with their eponymous self titled album. And it shows on this mix which flows nicely throughout, touching on different genres and mixing up classics with more recent productions. From the vintage electro pulse of Egyptian Lover through to the bands collaboration with Azari & III, there’s a decidedly pleasant disco bump to proceedings with inclusions from Bot’Ox, Tom Trago, Lindstrom & Christabelle (in remixed-by-Aeroplane form) and Munk. “Stay Here” the aforementioned partnership with Toronto’ finest acts as the mid point anchor into a rawer sound that plays out the album in fine style with the hypnotic throb of Butch’s “No Worries” next to a classic slice of Kranz.
Tony Poland
UK indie trio Friendly Fires will mix the next Suck My Deck compilation for the Bugged Out crew.
Artist: Holy Ghost & Friendly Fires
Title: On Board/Hold On
Label: XL
Genre: Rock/Indie
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download
Two bands with a similar cross over between indie and dance fans, the plan to release a joint covers love-in apparently came from a casual meeting between the bands last July. Finally it drops this week, St Albans boys Friendly Fires going first up with their version of Holy Ghost’s Hold On. A DFA classic, this put Holy Ghost on the map (courtesy of some slyly sampled drums from Livin’ It Up by Bell and James). Friendly Fires however give it a totally different feel, with a stuttering beat and stabbing bass taking centre stage along with the Fires’ trademark penchant for layer upon layer of percussion. With the vocal delivered in an off-kilter manner, it’s only the tremeloed synth line that survives from the original, making it a pretty radical cover, but one that works at the same time.
Holy Ghost slow down the tempo on Friendly Fires’ debut single On Board and give it some serious disco action – adding arpeggiated keyboards and a deep bassline as well as some fierce snares. The mantra-like vocals of the original are perfect for a more dance-orientated tune, and Holy Ghost stay faithful to them, making good use of the catchy “don’t stop” chorus. An excellent idea all round, and two great covers to enjoy.
Review: Oliver Keens
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Review: Various – You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Avant Pop
by Juno Plus on 08.12.2009 at 10:18am
Artist: Various
Title: You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Avant Pop
Label: People In The Sky
Genre: Electro house/Electroclash
Format: CD, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download
London label People In The Sky present their wares on this collection which they’ve labelled Avant-Garde Pop. Thankfully, anyone expecting Stockhausen mixed with The Saturdays will be disappointed – this is a pleasantly diverse collection, right from the opening Bibio remix of Wax Stag’s “Folk Rock”. Compressed guitars, time-signature changes and crashing drums are all present and correct, and all sound tasteful and pastoral.
More conventional disco/electro-pop fodder comes courtesy of Shoreditch newbies Colouring In and Oko, both of whom are definitely names to keep an eye on. Meanwhile it’s the more freaked out tunes that really give the compilation its character; Remin’s remix of Ghostape is wonderfully glitchy and deranged, but with enough indie soul to make it catchy as hell. Plugs (side-project of Morgan from Does It Offend You, Yeah?) also have a good line in bizarre but brilliant indie, with “Downtown” combining Jesus and Mary Chain sonics with Aeroplane-style beats.
The label’s biggest guns, Friendly Fires, make an appearance with the Nightmoves remix of “On Board”, from 2007 but still a goodie. Plus there’s another stone-cold classic included, Telepathe’s “Chromes On It”, the Brooklyn duo’s head-spinningly beautiful debut.
This is an excellent primer for a growing label and a perfect tonic for anyone bored with stale and generic indie/dance crossovers.
Review: Oliver Keens
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