The coolest late night sessions in the world
Holly Herndon – Interference
Holly Herndon’s new record just came out and we’re really excited to see her recently at XOYO. We’re fascinated by her compositional process and loved how she recreates her stuff live!
Clark – The Pining (Parts 1, 2 and 3)
This came on at a party a little while ago, and it was love at first listen.
Suzanne Vega – Tom’s Diner (DNA Remix)
We’ve spent more time than we’d care to admit watching Nick Batt’s Sonicstate demos and love the horns in this version of Tom’s Diner.
Can – Oh Yeah
Can’s legendary live-to-two-track recording with post-manipulation is something that’s intrigued us for a long time. We use a lot of reversed sounds in our music and love how they integrate reversed vocals and cymbals into this track.
Sufjan Stevens – Should Have Known Better
The change in the middle of this track is so satisfying. It feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
Here We Go Magic – Over The Ocean
There are some excellent unexpected chord changes in this track, and the bass sound is incredible, as you’d expect from Nigel Godrich.
Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man
This is our favourite track on The Haunted Man. The bass in the final section is enormous, and the dissonant synth sequences, bleeps and bloops weave together so well during the last minute.
Flying Lotus – Such A Square
Moog’s Sub-Phatty promo featuring this track is the best advertising we have ever seen for a synthesiser. The way the hi hat rhythm locks in with the syncopated snare is so perfect.
Trini Lopez – Made In Paris
We discovered this track accidentally, through a Japanese radio mixtape Danny was given by a record store owner in Tokyo. There’s running commentary in Japanese through the whole hour and we still don’t know if it’s a one off or a regular thing, but it’s been a staple for us ever since.
Brian Eno + David Byrne – Help Me Somebody
The percussion in this track is amazing, and you can hear that it came about around the same time as the Remain In Light sessions. We love how the ‘I know’ vocal line fits in with the guitar lines in the chorus.
AUSTRALIAN TRIO NETSUKE RELEASE VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE ‘HELIOTROPE’, VIA ILLUSTRATED RECORDS
Heliotrope’ is the current single from Netsuke, out now on Illustrated Records. Formed from the ashes of respective award-winning bands in their homeland, the Sydney born and London based trio take inspiration from a myriad of artists from Bjork to Animal Collective, creating atmospheric pop with intricate electronic textures and ethereal soundscapes. After solid stints in their former bands and supporting the likes of Gold Panda and Junip, Danny Keig and siblings Freya and Elias Berkhout came together last year, honing their innovative sound before heading to London with a fully-realised body of work.
Debut single ‘Heliotrope’ is an utterly enchanting affair, blending dizzy lo-fi with pop hooks; a unique brand of uplifting electronica with a defining innocence. It sounds different, but not so foreign that it’s impossible to understand, and once you are comfortable with it, you can let it unleash its steady power upon your mind. The entire song is a nonstop melody, incorporating multiple themes and creating a sound that really is the band’s own.
The video, directed by John Paul McElwee with cinematography by Adric Watson, mirrors the songs, other-worldly, fantastical elements. With a mystical storyline and beautifully serial, cinematic imagery the video, filmed in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, really is the perfect accompaniment to this brilliant debut.
JP and Adric’s website can be seen here: www.everythingallthetime.tv
Netsuke’s live show is a stunning, audio-visual experience, featuring captivating, antiphonal vocals awash in a sea of drum machines, synthesisers and processed guitars. The onstage synergy is a revelation, with Freya and Elias’ vocal harmonies interweaving with inherent ease, complimented by Danny’s innovative guitar sounds. It is clear Netsuke are not just a family but an antipodean force to be reckoned with.
2015 will see the release of three singles across the year leading to their debut album release in 2016.
