[Guest Post] East to West




If you’ve followed Speaker Snacks of late, you know that I’m obsessed with Australia’s flourishing electronic scene – it’s one of the best in the world. I’d say it’s comparable to U.K.’s electronic scene, innovative and forward thinking to the core. And just like their music, Australia is home to some of the best music blogs in the world too. One site that immediately comes to mind is East to West, an Australian-centric music outlet that focuses 100% of it’s attention on Aussie talent. Founder Holly Friedlander Liddicoat recently stopped by Speaker Snacks to highlight some go-to goodies from the land down under. get hip below…
 
——————————————————————————————————————————
 
Mike Kay – Transience

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 
Mike Kay. Melbourne. This Thing. Three enterprises that intertwine so lusciously together, it’s surprising they have yet to burst forth into every corner of the netherworld. If there is one thing to be known about the Australian beat scene, it is that This Thing is where it’s at and where it will be for years to come. Galapagoose, Electric Sea Spider, Andras Fox, Dream Kit and Wooshie are just a few of the 15+ names which grace the collective’s button bashing, beat making fingertips.
 
One of the Senior Figures of the Melbourne beat scene Mike Kay, gifts eager listens with this soulful, subtly futuristic piece Transience. Oozing next level jazz and naughty nighttime escapades, this transcendental experience (ha, sorry I had to), is a demonstration of instrumental, processed organic skills. It’s a joy and a wonder.
 
For more info on the talented team at This Thing, head HERE
 
And for more beats and bits from Mike Kay, head HERE
Tags: , , , , , ,
COMMENT

Guest Post: Bantum

 
To start with, I’ve been getting a bit of coverage from some great American blogs lately and its much appreciated. I jumped at the chance of writing a quick post for Speaker Snacks, and I thought I’d let you all know about 2 Irish electro artists that I’m loving at the moment. I know, the words “Irish” and “Electro” might not go hand in hand for most outside our country, but a few listens to these guys should dispel any doubts you have in mind!




Ten Past Seven – Johnston’s Cows (Toby’s Cattleshed Remix)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 
Toby Kaar (pictured above) has been getting heaps of praise from Irish bloggers, music fans and press alike lately, and its highly deserved. Originally from Cork and now studying in Bath, England, he has put out a string of excellent original tracks along with some particularly impressive remixes. A tune to check out would be his remix of “Johnstons Cows” by Ten Past Seven, a blissfully tripped out track that he takes to another level with some great rhythmic and melodic ideas. His live sets are highly energetic and engaging, with live visuals, Monome and a newly acquired Tenori-on in particular making him stand out on stage. He’s gonna be working on his first EP proper this summer so keep an ear out for him.
 
Dig the guest post? Read our review of Bantum’s Slide EP HERE




The Karman Line – Salka

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 
You guys should also check out The Karman Lines “TKLEP01″ EP, its got 5 tracks of upbeat guitar/synth/loopy electro that I’m loving at the moment. “Salka” is one tune that stood out for me in particular, as I recall checking it out in ye olde Myspace times. The EP has drawn favorable comparisons to the likes of Caribou, a more blissed out Chemical Brothers or even Lemon Jelly with a bit of bite, which is no bad thing in my opinion. Again these guys are an awesome live act with gear all over the stage, and a MIDI guitar which I gotta get for Christmas. Expect more material from these guys in future.
 
So there you have it for now, much love from Ireland!
 
Ruairi (aka. Bantum)
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
1 COMMENT

Guest Post: Twin Sister




Dev and the rest of the gang from Twin Sister were nice enough to take a quick second away from touring to drop us a line on one of their favorite groups/music video’s (at the moment) in 808 State’s “Cubik.” Get “Cubik” below:
 
“808 state’s Cubik is really cool, they are such cool guys. Just look at them!!! We have been listening to lots of different dance music. I like when bands have one guy or girl that just dances, it’s so much more fun to watch. Don’t you think? They made a longer edit of this song, but there’s something really special about the way this one sounds. Hope you enjoy!”
Tags: , , ,
1 COMMENT

Guest Post: Brian Marcus of Tjutjuna




Brian and Co. of Denver, Colorado’s psychedelic experimental rock group Tjutjuna (cool dudes!) just sent over this glistening, atmospheric rock ballad for Hotel Mexico’s “Its Twinkle.” Here’s what they had to say about this “breezy and carefree” track:
 
“One of the coolest songs we’ve discovered this past year is Hotel Mexico’s “It’s Twinkle.” Hotel Mexico are six piece from Japan and released their first album His Jewelled Letterbox in August. It’s garnered quite a bit of attention around the series of tubes known as the internet. “It’s Twinkle” is the stand out track, somehow being breezy and carefree while still having a sense of urgency.
 
The song is layered, making good use of all six members, but what makes it so infectious is it’s use of space and pacing. It starts out frantic with that noisy loop which creates the bed that everything else is built on.Then the vocals come in as nearly everything else cuts out, giving a moment of levity. Enough talking, just enjoy it.”
 
Hotel Mexico – Its Twinkle

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tags: , , ,
1 COMMENT

Guest Post: Michael Stein of School Knights




After a Best New Music nod on Speaker Snacks, Michael of Boulder, Colorado’s School Knights is back to tell us about Diamond Rings, a one man, Canadian act that plays “awesome sunny pop songs.” A video for “All Yr Songs,” one of Diamond Rings’ raddest songs is viewable after the review:
 
“I haven’t been able to get this song out of my head since I saw him perform at SXSW last march. He played in pink tights and a t-shirt in the parking lot of an Ethiopian restaurant, to a crowd that for the most part huddled under blankets in the shittiest of weather. It was rainy and windy and gloomy, and he got up there by himself and busted out these awesome sunny pop songs. He has a whole different approach to the lofi/garage-pop genre, taking out all the fuzz and mixing in 80′s-eque drum beats with incredible guitar hooks. Everything from his vocal style to his live show is like this incredible balancing act between performance and sincerity. Check him out!”
Tags: , , , ,
1 COMMENT

Guest Post: James Nee of We Are Trees




James Nee of We Are Trees was gracious enough to let me (and you) in on “THE song of 2010.” Here’s what he had to say about Gold Panda’s “You”:
 
“This song is just 100% cool. The simplicity of it just amazes me.It starts off with just chopped up high-pitched vocals. Then a beat comes in. Then the bass. Then you’re trapped. You’re trapped in a mesmerizing atmosphere of layers and noise. Like the layers of a cake, the further you get into it, the sweeter it gets. This London producer was able to take probably the most annoying sound ever and turn it into the catchiest song ever. The structure he created allowed for it to happen. It’s kind of how I like to write music. I take the most simple chord progressions, and then I layer layers of vocals, drums, strings, and guitars so it doesn’t sound boring. Gold Panda does the same thing with samples. Minimalism will always be a sweet spot for me, but the way he does it exceeds everything I ever knew. If you don’t dance to this, you don’t have a soul. I’ve caught myself saying this multiple times since it’s release; “This is THE song of 2010.” And even with 3 more months left of this year, I still doubt anyone can top this for me.”
 
Gold Panda – You

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tags: , ,
1 COMMENT