Cosmo Vitelli is a tastemaker extraordinaire (even if he’s reluctant to admit it). His boutique I’m a Cliché label has steadily built a devoted following in its first five years of existence, unleashing the likes of Yuksek, Simian Mobile Disco, Canyons, Azari & III and Runaway on the record buying public. On top of his work as a label chief, Vitelli continues to innovate and surprise with his own productions. The recent Blue Steel EP, released under the Bot’Ox moniker, was described by Juno Plus scribe Tony Poland as “that most difficult of achievements for electronic music producers – a finely crafted slice of three minute pop music”. With a Bot’Ox LP on the way in 2010, we spoke with Vitelli via email about running a label, why Paris is “annoying” and his potential career in A & R.
Jacques Renault has released on more disco and house labels than you care to mention –from New York’s DFA to French imprint I’m A Cliché; via Matt Edwards’s Rekids and Toshiya Kawasaki’sMule Musiq. Apart from being a talented musician (he’s mastered everything from the violin to the trumpet and drums), he’s also in demand as a DJ, producer and remixer. Add to that his Runaway project and new label On The Prowl, and you have a real, erm, Jacques of all trades (did we mention he was once a carpenter too?). Aaron Coultate caught up with the man himself to find out more.Read the rest of this entry »
Artist: Bot’ox Title: Blue Steel Label: I’m A Cliche Genre: Disco/Nu Disco Format: 12″ Buy From: Juno Records
You could forgive Cosmo Vitelli for lapping up the applause when the nu-disco world gave him the golf clap for snapping up Toronto duo Azari & III to his I’m A Cliche label, but no, he was back in the studio with his Bot’Ox buddy Benjamin Bouget working on their fiftth release, this most excellent of two track EPs.
“Blue Steel” is that most difficult of achievements for Electronic music producers – a finely crafted slice of three minute pop music. A unique intro akin to sampling a ping pong ball slowly melds into the twisting melody that is retained throughout, upon which the quite swoonsome vocal talents of the mysterious Anna Jean sit perfectly.
In an alternate universe shorn of Simon Sauron Cowell and Kanye West, “Blue Steel” might go so far as to ripple the main stream. As it is, some BBC intern is likely to ensure it sound tracks Top Gear. Sad.
“Bearded Lady Motorcycle” is aimed sqaurely for the dancefloor. Already a favourite with disco posterboys Aeroplane, it’s the sort of live instrument disco workout you would imagine In Flagranti coming up with if they donned guitar and drum. The title even sounds like a In Flagranti song. Superb.
Ryan Grieve and Leo Thomson – aka Canyons – have their fingers in many musical pies. The Aussie duo have a debut album due out on Modular in 2010, following on from recent hit singles with James Murphy’s DFA and French imprint I’m A Cliché. They also run their own independent label Hole In The Sky, and are working on a live show that is due to hit the road in the new year. They took some time out from a hectic schedule to speak to Juno Plus about New York boat parties, DJing in dive bars and collaborating with Nicholas Cage.
Be one of the first to watch the super slo-mo video for the new Bot’Ox single “Blue Steel”, directed by Körner Union.
Bot’Ox is one of many side projects for French label owner and music tastemaker Cosmo Vitelli, in partnership with Benjamin Boguet(better known as one half of Tekel). Their last single “Crashed Cadillac” was one of the highlights from I’m A Cliche’s Moments of a Crisis compilation from earlier this year.
The track “Blue Steel” will be released on vinyl and 12″ on November 9.
This latest effort is a real slow burner, with the misty voice of Anna Jean flowing over top of lo-fi melodies and blistering rhythms. We’ve also heard the flip side for the release – “Bearded Lady Motorcycle Show” – which is a more aggressive electro growler.
