Asian Dan

Finally, Hey Champ’s debut album “Star” is coming out onTownie Records after a year or so of honing and crafting their futuristic synth pop rock sound. It is fresh from being mastered by Nilesh Patel from the Exchange in London and will definitely have a kick and pop to it. I had the pleasure of hearing the entire album and it is quite a journey – a synth pop rock and or roll odyssey. My personal favorite is the title track, “Star” a tune that sounds like The Buggles meets Devo and Sparks with a modern pop vibe and sensibility. This is America’s take on this whole hipster synth pop rock, but with a lot more atittude and American rock gusto. So take out your convertible, put on your denim jacket and wayfarers and get ready to drive around with your top down bumping this album.

Sign up to download “Neverest” a straightforward pop rock tune that reminds me The Police meets ELO circa “Time”. Also download some other tune called “Cold Dust Girl” 😉

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/April%202010/Neverest.mp3]
Hey Champ – Neverest

The dynamic duo – Surkin & Bobmo return with a new High Powered Boys track “Highway”. Only the finest in old school vibes from these two French Youngins’.

This is could be considered blasphemy by some. To remix Steve Reich is an outrage. Somehow Röyksopp does this quite tastefully, retaining Steve Reich’s vision and sound while adding their signature sound. A well balanced re-visioning of an amazing track.

If you have 2 hours to kill check out this crash course interview with Steve Reich brought to you by the Red Bull Music Academy.

“We wanted to make our own version of this beautiful piece of music, adding beats and bass, and at the same time stay 100% true to the original arrangement. However, for our needs, we respectfully (although some might say cheekily) altered the whole song from a 3/4 to a 4/4 time signature. Not unlike how The Orb did it in their 90’s classic Little Fluffy Clouds. Actually, editing and experimenting with this piece of music turned out to be great fun!
So much fun, in fact, that we wanted to depart further from the original, and create yet another version. This time, using the tone quality of the original sample as a starting point, we embarked on an analog-fueled journey into repetitive madness and harmonic bliss.” –Röyksopp

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/April%202010/Fairtilizer%2097012%20-%20Steve%20Reich%20-%20Electric%20Counterpoint_%20III.%20Fast%20(R_yksopp%20True%20To%20Original%20Edit).mp3]
Stevie Reich – Electric Counterpoint: III. Fast (Röyksopp True To Original Edit)

It sounds like summer is near. The sights and sounds of warm weather and crisp breezes are all brought to life by Lifelike’s reworking of Pony Pony Run Run’s “Walking on A Line”. Also check out Lifelike’s new label he just started Computer Science with such acts Frankfurt Express.

The Annie Mac 5 Min Minimix we all have been waiting for all this time-the Mighty Breakbot. He has done it again and March 26, 2010 marks the day he brings the funkiest tunes to our ear holes in just a mere 5 minutes. Enjoy! May the track ID guessing game begin.

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/March%202010/Breakbot%20Annie%20Mac%205%20Min%20Minimix.mp3]
Breakbot: Annie Mac 5 Min Minimix

The genius and absurdity that is Quentin Dupiex aka Mr. Oizo. <3 it.

Acid Washed’s latest track “Change” is a Italo/Balearic Disco tune meets Tangerine Dream. Spacey sequenced basslines with synth lines that wash over your body. Let Acid Washed take you away to that far away beach on another galaxy that you always dream about….

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/March%202010/Acid%20Washed%20-%20Change.mp3]
Acid Washed – Change

Amazing mix by the one and only Siriusmo. 33 Tracks crammed into 49 mins, that includes some new tracks of his own, Squarepusher, Tom Tom Club, Mr. Oizo and Stevie Wonder. Good way to start off the week.

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[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/March%202010/Fairtilizer%2095959%20-%20Two%20Door%20Cinema%20Club%20-%20Something%20Good%20Can%20Work%20(Ted%20_%20Francis%20Remix).mp3]
Download: Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work (Ted & Francis Remix)

I’ve been a fan of this Australian duo, Gypsy & The Cat since they hit the blogosphere about a year ago. A perfect blend of that Oceanian musical sensibility that takes in elements of 60s carefree pop, 70s FM radio pop, 80s synth pop and everything else that is catchy in between. I hear a lot of Fleetwood Mac in their music, as I do in a lot of Australian bands (Empire of the Sun, Van She) but there is also a touch of 90s pop. Overall a carefree pop sound that is perfect for the upcoming summer sunshine. Lionel and Xavier took some time to answer a few questions to get you all acquainted with their sound – a brief peak into their musical minds. Also checkout a playlist the two of them compiled of some of their favorite tunes.

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/March%202010/Gypsy%20&%20The%20Cat/Unknown%20Album/Jona%20Vark.mp3]
Gypsy & The Cat – Jona Vark

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/March%202010/Gypsy%20&%20The%20Cat/Unknown%20Album/’Til%20Tomorrow.mp3]
Gypsy & The Cat – ‘Til Tomorrow

Asian Dan Q&A: Gypsy & The Cat:

1. Who is Gypsy & The Cat? How would you describe your music?

Xavier: Gypsy is indiscriminate, whatever anyone feels, its not for us to decide. Sonically I’d like to think that the music yields a title of melodic electronic soft rock, but once you inhale the breath of the album, things change. Who knows maybe hardcore? I’ll let you decide!

Lionel: Gypsy & The Cat is basically 2 friends who just want to make good music and share it with the world!!! it’s a blend of different genres and influences but ultimately lies within a rock/ folk electronic landscape.

2. What are your influences, musical or otherwise?

Xavier: Jeff Buckley is a standout influence, even though its so hard to pinpoint because we are just so amazed by many artists, Jeff tells great honest stories in such a musical way. Every chord, lyric, vocal melody just fits like a jigsaw: a picture is born.

Lionel: Musical: Bach, if it wasn’t for Bach, music wouldn’t be where it is today!! Michael Jackson (the king of pop), Led Zeppelin (the kings of rock), Coldplay (a band who makes me feel the most, and whose music i connect with on so many levels), Justice (the magicians of production), ABBA (little can compare to genius of their songwriting and amazing wall of sound), non-musical: Bruce Lee, Stanley Kubrick (both influences i’ve grown up with)

3. What was your first musical memory?

Xavier: Probably birth!
Lionel: Crying on the way to my first piano lesson. I was 7
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