RMX ROUNDUP: swim good + Star Slinger / filous + RAC / CHVRCHES + Four Tet

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A lot of end-of-summer remixes have surfaced as of late, which means it’s time for another Remix Roundup. To start, we wanted to share the Star Slinger rendition of swim good‘s “Since U Asked.” The original was a nostalgic gem of a track, and the UK producer takes it to the next level with his stellar upbeat spin. While leaving Merival‘s vocals at the forefront, Star Slinger shakes up the tempo and brings out the beat, ensuring the danceability factor. Stream below.

Next is the new mix of filous‘ first original track, “How Hard I Try” by prolific Portland producer RAC. The original track, by rising Austrian artist and music prodigy filous (the french word for “Rascal”) features vocals from James Hershey and has an inherently tropical tone. RAC takes it in a different direction with a more muted approach to the synths and haunting echoey instrumentation, which is apt given the subject matter.

In related news, RAC is actually going on tour with filous, Big Data and Pink Feathers this fall so be sure to check out their tour dates. For those in the District, they’ll be at DC’s 9:30 Club November 10 so get your tickets now!

Last but not least, we’re loving the fresh Four Tet take on the new CHVRCHES single “Leave A Trace.” CHVRCHES — everyone’s favorite Scottish synthpop outfit — caused a stir on the internet with the announcement of their sophomore album, Every Open Eye, due out September 25 on Glassnote Records. The English electronic artist strips down the poppiness of the original and instead supplies an underlying tension, building the track around the hook: “I know I need to feel relief.” It’s a masterful case of the production mimicking the message of the song, as only Four Tet is capable. Listen below.

 

Astronauts, etc. – I Know

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Astronauts, etc. is an Oakland-based act formed by Anthony Ferraro and friends. Incidentally, Ferraro plays keys for Toro y Moi so it would make sense that they would be opening for the latter on their fall tour. Their recent ’70s-inflected single “I Know” is an apt demonstration of the Astronauts, etc. sound, self-described as somewhere between Grizzly Bear, The Bee Gees and Sade. Hear the groove below along with earlier effort “Mystery Colors,” which is a bit more mellow and introspective yet just as intriguing.

Locals, etc. can check out their show with Toro y Moi at Rams Head Live on October 4.

Superhumanoids – Norwegian Black Metal

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Electropop trio Superhumanoids have offered up new track “Norwegian Black Metal,”  which is the second cut from their forthcoming album Do You Feel Ok?. According to the LA act, “the song is about obsession, escapism, and the power of something random to bring two people together — in this case the book True Norwegian Black Metal.” Despite the radical content of the book, the track itself is super dreamy, driven by lithe synths and singer Sarah Chernoff’s sugar-coated vocals.

Do You Feel OK? — the follow up to their 2013 debut Exhibitionists — drops September 11 via Innovative Leisure. Stream the new cut below and check out the dates for their fall headline tour,  which includes a stop at DC9 on September 30.

Superhumanoids Upcoming Tour Dates:

9/15 – San Francisco, CA; Rickshaw Stop
9/17 – Seattle, WA; Barboza
9/18 – Portland, OR; Holocene
9/21 – Madison, WI; Frequency
9/22 – Chicago, IL; Beat Kitchen
9/23 – Cleveland, OH; Euclid Tavern
9/24 – Toronto, ON; The Drake
9/26 – Montreal, QC; Divan Orange
9/28 – Boston, MA; Great Scott
9/29 – Philadelphia, PA; Johnny Brendas
9/30 – Washington, DC; DC9
10/1 – Brooklyn, NY; Baby’s All Right
10/3 – Richmond, VA; Stranger Matter
10/4 – Asheville, NC; The Mothlight
10/5 – Atlanta, GA; Drunken Unicorn
10/6 – Nashville, TN; Hi-Watt
10/7 – Houston, TX; Rudyards
10/8 – Austin, TX; The Mohawk
10/10 – Phoenix, AZ; Pub Rock
10/13 – San Diego, CA; Casbah
10/14 – Los Angeles, CA; El Rey Theatre

scholar – Lovin You

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The finest electronic tracks often sample an earlier hit song, and such is the case with scholar‘s latest effort, “Lovin You.” The Brisbane-based production duo consisting of Luke Cuerel and Nick Kirk claim they “were looking for a more upbeat, sample driven follow up to [their] last single ‘Daylight,’ something a bit bigger with bright, lush tones.”

Settling on Strike‘s ’90s smash dance single “U Sure Do” for the sample — a track which actually draws from a Donna Allen song — “Lovin You” replaces the original uptempo dance beat with with a blissed out, synth-washed tropical soundscape. The exquisite end result is a lesson on sampling done right. Stream below and download the track for free on scholar’s Soundcloud.

Bad Bad Hats – Midway

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Minneapolis-based trio Bad Bad Hats released their debut album, Psychic Reader this July via Afternoon Records. The opener of the LP, “Midway” is a dreamy, indie pop track befitting of a languid, summer soundtrack with its steady beat, distorted guitar and singer Kerry Alexander’s sweet warble.

On tour with The Myrnabirds this fall, DC locals can check them out at U Street Music Hall September 26.

RMX ROUNDUP: Marvin Gaye + Eau Claire / + Notize / Tracy Chapman + Bauke Top

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It’s the dead of summer, and we’ve got another Remix Roundup for you to help keep you cool. This time we’re throwing down with some modern twists on old classics. First up is a mix of Marvin Gaye‘s “How Sweet It Is” by rising star and local DC producer, Eau Claire. Adding a tropical overlay and healthy helping of nu-disco to the original, this one has “feel-good” written all over it.

Eau Claire will be spinning at the BangOn!NYC Elements Music & Arts Festival August 22 in Brooklyn with the likes of XXYYXX, Amtrac and Autograf. Be sure to keep up with her on the interwebs as she plays a lot of local shows as well.

In keeping with the summery Marvin Gaye vibes, enjoy this edit of “Sunny” by Danish producer Notize. When the beat drops about 30 seconds in you can’t help but get into this golden groove.

And finally, shifting ahead a couple decades later we have Tracy Chapman‘s classic 1988 hit “Fast Car,” remixed by the Dutch producer known as Bauke Top. Upbeat and appropriately true to the original vocal line, Bauke Top allows you to enjoy this tune all over again with his contemporary rendition.

All three of these tracks are available for a free download, so visit the artists’ respective Soundcloud pages to snag ’em for your summer playlists.

James Vincent McMorrow – How To Waste A Moment

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Veering from his usual tender, airy alt-folk fare, James Vincent McMorrow has shared a new song that steers towards a more tense and serpentine electronic sound. While the Irish singer-songwriter doesn’t have plans to include it in a record at this time, he chose to release the mesmerizing single as a one-off, as the thought of wasted moments was apparently plaguing him when he wrote it. He notes on his Soundcloud page: “I recorded it with tempo because life to me is tempo, it’s rarely slow. This song is the connect from where I was, to where I’m going to be very soon.”

We can’t wait to see where that will be. In the meantime — stream “How To Waste A Moment,” along with the softer yet still exquisite effort “Red Dust” off McMorrow’s 2014 LP Post Tropical below.

Pure Bathing Culture – Pray For Rain

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Portland’s Pure Bathing Culture have shared the title track off their forthcoming LP, Pray For Rain. An offshoot of the group Vetiver — PBC was formed by Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman — who recorded the upcoming release with Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Chelsea Wolfe). “Pray For Rain” is an exuberant tune which contrasts upbeat instrumentation with sobering lyrics. Listen below and look out for the album to drop October 23 on Partisan Records.

Also check out their full tour dates below — DC folk can catch the indie act at DC9 Nightclub October 7, with Wild Ones supporting.

PBC Upcoming Tour Dates:

08/23 – Portland OR @ MusicFestNW
09/18 – Seattle WA @ Barboza
09/19 – Vancouver BC @ Fortune Sound Club
09/22 – Fargo ND @ Studio 222 *
09/23 – St. Paul MN @ Turf Club *
09/24 – Madison WI @ The Frequency *
09/25 – Chicago IL @ Schubas *
09/26 – Champaign IL @ Pygmalion Music Festival
09/27 – Cincinnati OH @ Midpoint Music festival
09/28 – Columbus OH @ The Basement *
09/29 – Cleveland OH @ Beachland Tavern *
10/01 – Toronto ON @ The Drake *
10/02 – Montreal QC @ Bar le Ritz *
10/03 – Boston MA @ Middle East Upstairs *
10/04 – Brooklyn NY @ Baby’s All Right *
10/06 – Philadelphia PA @ Boot & Saddle *
10/07 – Washington DC @ DC9 *
10/08 – Carborro NC @ Cat’s Cradle Back Room *
10/09 – Atlanta GA @ Drunken Unicorn *
10/10 – Asheville NC @ The Mothlight *
10/12 – St. Louis MO @ The Demo *
10/13 – Kansas City MO @ Record Bar *
10/29 – San Francisco CA @ The Chapel
11/01 – Santa Barbara CA @ SOHO Restaurant and Music Club *
11/02 – Los Angeles CA @ The Echo
11/04 – Phoenix AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *
11/07 – Dallas TX @ Three Links *
11/08 – Norman OK @ The Opolis *
11/09 – Omaha NE @ Reverb Lounge *
11/11 – Denver CO @ Hi-Dive *
11/12 – Salt Lake City UT @ Kilby Court *
11/13 – Boise ID @ Neurolux *
* – w/ Wild Ones

Ghostpoet – Sorry My Love, It’s You Not Me

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Released July 31, Ghostpoet‘s latest single “Sorry My Love, It’s You Not Me” flips the switch on the old breakup cliché. The innovative British vocalist and musician, Obaro Ejimiwe released his third studio album Shedding Skin (from which the track derives) earlier this year via Play It Again Sam.

Watch the starry visuals for the bittersweet, meaning-seeking single below, which features verdant vocals from UK singer/songwriter Lucy Rose.