21 year old (damn I feel old) Alan Palamo aka Neon Indian first began releasing music under the alias Vega. He then started making off-kilter heat under the Neon Indian persona once he realized the music he was making just couldn’t fit into the mold typical of Vega. Some crazy shit to figure all out…I know. It was absolutely imperative that you knew how it all went down. Now that we have that out of the way, check out Neon’s newest single “Sleep Paralysist.” The track was recorded and produced in collaboration with Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear in Brooklyn at Taylor’s elusive musical dungeon, Terrible Studios. This is Neon Indian’s first new offering since the release of Psychic Chasms. The track is full of colorful textures provided by the usual serving of catchy synth tunes and piercing vocals from Palamo. “Don’t sleep.” Highly Recommended
Tour Dates
03/10 Montreal, QC Le Belmont
03/11 Toronto, ONT Lee’s Palace $
03/12 Buffalo, NY Big Orbit’s Soundlab
03/14 Denton, TX Rubber Gloves
03/17 Austin, TX SXSW RED 7 / Force Field PR & Terrorbird Media 3:00PM
03/18 Austin, TX SXSW Levi’s / Fader Fort 3:45PM
03/19 Austin, TX SXSW Club Deville / Green Label Sound / Club Deville 11:00PM
03/19 Austin, TX SXSW Emo’s / Pitchfork & Windish 5:00PM
03/20 Austin, TX SXSW Mess With Texas 8:00PM
03/22 Monterrey, Mexico MtyMx Festival
03/26 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine #%
05/31 George, WA Sasquatch
06/10 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo
06/19 Denver, CO Westword Music Showcase
# = w/ Nite Jewel
% = w/ Nice Nice
$ = w/ Little Dragon, Speech Debelle, New Look
“Sleep Paralysist”
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Oh No Ono’s track Eleanor Speaks from their full length album Eggs was remixed by Caribou adding a blistering high energy dance beats on top of Oh No Ono’s hypnotic vocals and instrumentation. Check them out at soon SXSW and in NYC.
Show Dates
SXSW 2010
3.17 – Terrorbird/Forcefield party @ Red 7 (12pm)
3.18 – Billions day party @ The Mohawk (3:20pm)
3.18 – Music by the Slice @ Homeslice Pizza (6pm)
3.19 – Danish day party @ The Music Gym (5pm)
3.19 – Friendly Fire showcase @ Lamberts (midnight)
3.20 – Filter party @ Lustre Pearl (5pm)
NYC shows
3.24 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
3.25 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY w/ Little Dragon
“Eleanor Speaks (Caribou Remix)”
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I was lucky to catch up with Chris / Free The Robots for an exclusive interview that provides a glimpse of the new album Ctrl Alt Delete (to be released worldwide March 30, 2010) and a look into the life of a Restaurant, Bar owner / Producer / DJ and IMO one of the most influential artists to come out of Los Angeles’ experimental beat scene.
This is your debut full-length album release. How do you feel right now in anticipation to its release? Excited? Nervous?
I’m very excited about this one. Finally people will actually know the music I’ve been playing live.
Was Ctrl Alt Delete just some random thing you thought should be the album title or is there some crazy deep meaning behind it?
In PCs, Ctrl Alt Delete is the command that overrides the system, which is a metaphor for what it means to free robots. Technically, a robot would be deleting alternate control to be free. Another interesting observation is that there is the same number of letters per word in “Ctrl Alt Delete” as in “Free the Robots.”
(*off the record: this is the stuff you think about on Psychedelic drugs.. I’m just sayin..;)
In your own words, can you describe the album for us, maybe give our audience an idea of what they can expect.
This album is a bit darker and more aggressive than my older works. I took a step back from the classic, sample based, Jazzy-Breakbeat approach, to test myself as a musician. I turned it up a few notches, and added more dirt, more psych sounds, and more bass. About 90% of this record is originally composed from synths and instruments.
How did Free The Robots come about? What’s your vision behind it?
I started this project during a time when I was experimenting with different groups. I was making Hip Hop beats for several MC’s, playing electronic instruments with other bands and DJing full time. Being around so much different music, and having so many interests, I wanted to unite everything together in one project. I took the sample based, Hip Hop, beat approach and blended it with the progressive, melodic, song structure that I learned from playing with bands. Once I built my studio, I knew what was possible, as a soloist, and the ideas kept brewing. I wanted to create a project that, generally, couldn’t be confined by one genre.
Can you fill us in on how you first got into making music?
I started as a DJ in the mid 90s, making 4 track mixtapes, entering battles, and composing scratch routines with my local crew. It was fun times but I got to a point where I wanted to grow even more musically. Digging for records is what really got me interested in different sounds. I started collecting a lot of Jazz, Soul and Psych records, which influenced me to learn music with a more traditional approach. I picked up different instruments and experimented with different bands. When my brother gave me a bootleg copy of Reason is when it really went down. I passed it on to one of my DJ buddies and we spent months learning collectively, different tactics.We shared beat tapes on a monthly basis and, together, developed our own style. About two years into it was when I decided to take it serious. I put out my first batch of 10 songs in 2004 (The Prototype).
Who are your main musical influences?
The music of DJ Shadow, Portishead, and Prefuse 73 is what initially brought the idea of making music into my life, but I’m inspired by all sorts of music. Everything from 60’s Psych, Jazz & Soul from all over the world, to the current Los Angeles beat movement constantly amazes me.
I can’t stop listening to this album. The first thought in my head when I first heard it was…damn, this is music I’ve been waiting to hear for a very long time. Really amazing. I hear elements of various types of music like psyche, funk, jazz, hip hop, electronic, dubstep. Did you already have the idea of how you wanted it to sound or did you basically start playing around with different sounds and instruments and this was what came out? How did it all come together?
I had no idea what this record was going to sound like when I started it. The creation of this album forced me develop myself as a musician, so the sound evolved through the learning process. For the most part, it was all about hours of sound design, recorded improvisation, edits, and reconstruction.
I can also hear a sort of free jazz, improvisational approach? Was that an element that you absolutely had to have in making this album?
A good amount of these songs were based on improvisation. A lot of times I’d start by recording my late night jam sessions. I would take the parts that I liked, and build off them to construct full songs. The jazz element is a part of my roots that I will never let go of. It’s much less obvious in this record then previous ones, but it is there.
You have a track featuring Ikey Owens from Mars Volta / Sublime / Long Beach Dub All Stars / Free Moral Agents. How did that come about and what was it like to work with him?
I’ve been a fan of his work for years, and finally met him at a show we played together. He definitely plays a role in the inspiration for my work, so I figured, why not just get him on it. As large scale it is to for me to work with Owens, it was dope to have such a humble experience.
The session took place in his living room with my laptop, his organs, and two 3” computer speakers on his coffee table. We had to hunch over to even hear what was going on, because the sound of his fingers hitting the keys was louder than what we were hearing out of the speakers. It was ghetto as fuck! He improvised the whole thing in 2 sessions after listening to the track once. That’s talent.
What types of instruments do you play, or equipment do you use to create your music? drum machines? laptop? music programs? Maybe throw in some manufacturer names in there…hint at possible sponsorships to get some cool gear while you’re at it? hahaha.
There’s a lot of room for me to learn but I do play the Keys, Guitar, Bass, Drums and Turntable. To give the full break down of what I use to record: Reason, Ableton Live, Akai MPD32, Midi keys (Axiom), actual keys (Juno-6, Fender Rhodes), synth keys (Korg R3), Technics 1200’s and a Rane.
Besides being known for your production, you’re also known for your DJ skills as well, taking home award for best DJ at the OC Music Awards. what was that like?
To be honest, sort of surprising and weird, considering the general OC DJ circuit. One would think, in the land of the Orange curtain, a Top 40 DJ, or a fashionista, would be chosen. Who woulda thought? Times done changed. People are starting to pay attention.
I’ve seen some crazy clips of you cutting it up with Qbert, The Gas Lamp Killer, and total surprise to me…Nosaj Thing on YouTube BTW. I say scratching needs to make a comeback. what do you think? What’s up with the scratch sessions?
I still cut at home all the time. Not much at clubs, but it’s been a part of me since back in the day. I’m always down for a session!
You’re part owner of the Crosby restaurant / bar / bookstore in Santa Ana. Can you let us know what it’s all about. how you got it started and your motivation behind opening it?
The Crosby is a spot my friends and I created for our selves, in a county that was ready something fresh. Born and raised in this area, we figured it was about time to do something different in the community behind the curtain. When the opportunity presented itself, we took it. Now it’s home base for us, and anyone who’s open enough to understand and appreciate what we have to offer. Everything from the food, the drinks, the music, and overall vibe works together. It’s pretty much the dream spot I always wanted to open up since I was a kid. You’re not gonna find many places where you can enjoy a gourmet dinner and cocktails, while listening to the Wu-Tang Clan and Finders Keepers comps… Switch gears into different nights filled with some of the worlds greatest talent, from the headliners of LA’s beat movement, to hip hop legends like Beat Junkies and such, to even progressive art-punk & psych bands known to run circles at The Smell; all this for free in quite possibly the most intimate setting possible.
It’s amazing that you’re able to run a restaurant/bar, perform, and still have time to work on such great sounding music. How do you manage to balance everything out?
I have a solid team behind everything I do. My Crosby staff is amazing, Alpha Pup’s been great, OBEY, Windish, pretty much everyone I work with is doing it for the love of it, which is what keeps me going.
A lot of people like myself have seen your mind blowing performances at Low End Theory. How did you get involved with that whole scene?
For me, it really started through Willie (The Gaslamp Killer). We actually go back over 10 years ago, before people really paid attention. He was always on some next shit. When Low End started, he asked me to play an opening slot for Prefuse 73, introduced me to the crew and it was on. It was also interesting to find out Nocando, the resident MC, was someone I had worked with back in 03 without even meeting the guy. Met him for the first time that night. (First show: Dec, 2006)
How did linking up with Alpha Pup Records come about?
It’s definitely taking the independent music scene by storm right now with heavy releases from Nosaj Thing, Nocando, and quality music coming from its growing family of imprint labels such as Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder, Daedelus’ Magical Properties, Matthew David’s Leaving Records. How does it feel to be part of such an influential family of artists?
After my first live performance at The Low End Theory, I became a regular at The Club. A few more performances later, Kev He hit me up for some current music. we signed the deal and 2 years later, CTRL ALT DELETE was created.
Tell you the truth, I’m still in geek mode. Friends, peers, whatever… I am still a huge fan of them. I think every ones a fan of each other. There’s a great synergy between this group of artists, that keeps me humble and inspired.
If you had never gotten into making music…what would you see yourself doing instead?
I’d probably be a professional gamer.
What’s in store for the future of Free The Robots? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m planning on a few collabs right now for some different concept projects TBA. One thing don’t want to do is make the same album twice. In 5 years, hopefully 5 more albums deep.
Our mission here is to promote quality independent music. Can you let everyone here know of 5 break out artists that you feel everyone should go check out? Feel free to mention more than 5 if you need to.
MAY 1 – CHICAGO, IL @ DOUBLE DOOR
MAY 2 – DETROIT, MI @ MAJESTIC THEATRE
MAY 3 – CLEVELAND, OH @ GROG SHOP
MAY 4 – TORONTO, ON @ WRONG BAR
MAY 5 – BOSTON, MA @ MIDDLE EAST
MAY 7 – NEW YORK, NY @ HIGHLINE BALLROOM
MAY 8 – BALTIMORE, MD @ BOURBON STREET BALLROOM
MAY 9 – RICHMOND, VA @ HAT FACTORY
MAY 10 – GREENSBORO, NC @ GREENE STREET CLUB
MAY 12 – ASHEVILLE, NC @ CLUB 828
MAY 13 – KNOXVILLE, TN @ VALARIUM
MAY 14 – NASHVILLE, TN @ LIMELIGHT
MAY 15 – ATHENS, GA @ NEW EARTH MUSIC HALL
MAY 16 – ATLANTA, GA @ MASQUERADE
MAY 18 – MOBILE, AL @ ALABAMA MUSIC BOX
MAY 20 – NEW ORLEANS, LA @ HOUSE OF BLUES
MAY 21 – HOUSTON, TX @ RICH’S
MAY 22 – AUSTIN, TX @ LA ZONA ROSA
MAY 23 – DALLAS, TX @ TREES
MAY 25 – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK @ CITY WALK
MAY 27 – ST. LOUIS, MO @ 2720
MAY 28 – KANSAS CITY, MO @ CONSPIRACY ROOM
JUN 02 – VICTORIA, BC @ SUGAR
JUN 03 – VANCOUVER, BC @ VENUE
JUN 04 – PORTLAND, OR @ ROSELAND THEATER
JUN 05 – SEATTLE, WA @ SHOWBOX MARKET
JUN 06 – ARCATA, CA @ ARCATA THEATRE
JUN 09 – SANTA CRUZ, CA @ CATALYST
JUN 12 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ FILLMORE AUDITORIUM
“Orion’s Belt Buckle”
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Carpark Records has signed Chicago based band Light Pollution. Their music combines waves of analog synth sounds drowned in the subtle goodness of analog tape and combined with a sound best described as 90s shoegaze, chillwave, and vocal psych-pop. Take a listen to the track Good Feelings and you’ll soon understand the chosen title. Nothing but good feelings all around. If you’re a fan of Animal Collective you’ll definitely enjoy this. Be on the lookout for their new EP Apparitions, due out on June 15, 2010. Highly Recommended
Tour Dates
03/09 – Iowa City, IA The Mill
03/10 – Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews (early)
03/10 – Ames, IA Ames Progressive (late)
03/11 – Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
03/12 – Lincoln, NE Knickerbocker’s
03/13 – Kansas City, MO The Brick
03/14 – Tulsa, OK Sound Pony
03/15 – Houston, TX Super Happy Fun Land
03/16 – Denton, TX JnJ’s
03/17 – SXSW No Words / Day Bow Bow @ Ghost Room
03/18 – SXSW Hype Machine’s Lose Control @ Vice
03/18 – SXSW Two Syllable Acoustic Show @ Hideout Cafe
03/18 – SXSW Carpark / Paw Tracks @ Wave
03/19 – SXSW @ Justine’s
03/19 – SXSW Consequence of Sound @ Republic Live
03/20 – SXSW In-store @ End of an Ear Records
03/20 – SXSW Fast Folks @ The Gas Pipe Smoke Shop
03/21 – Wichita, KS Rock Island Live
03/22 – Springfield, MO The Outland Ballroom
03/23 – Columbia, MO Mojo’s
03/24 – St. Louis, MO Off Broadway
03/25 – Indianapolis, IN Local’s Only (MOKB & Scion event, free show!)
03/26 – Chicago, IL Mopery Loft
03/31 – Columbus, Ohio Wexner Center &
04/01 – Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge *
04/08 – Minneapolis, MN Hexagon Bar
04/09 – Northfield, MN The Cave @ Carlton College
04/17 – Bloomington, IN WIUX Culture Shock #
04/26 – Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
04/28 – Washington, DC Black Cat Backstage !
04/30 – Brooklyn, NY Glasslands $
# = w/ Best Coast
% = w/ Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
& = w/ Deerhunter
* = w/ Woodhands
! = w/ Willowz
$ = w/ Memoryhouse
“Good Feelings”
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Our friends at Gravity Halo Collective recently put out a 5 track ep featuring some of the sickest sample based instrumental beats. It’s a head spinning jaw dropping sound collage of ear candy. The music is produced by awkward and all tracks originally recorded back in 2005. Check back periodically for new releases from Gravity Halo. Highly Recommended
“331″
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This album is SICK. I must have overlooked this one because it’s been sitting in my audio drive for a couple months only to realize how amazing it was when it came through with all it’s glory on my neglected iPhone shuffle mode. That said, I apologize to Joy because I should have been screaming off the tops of mountains about awesome her music is.
Oy’s album First Box Then Walk was released through Creaked Records last month and is available in digital formats worldwide. The concept is highly intoxicating and imaginative. The mixture of playful and boasting mesh of electronics, spoken word, soul, jazz, progressive rock, avant-pop and experimental places this release in its own little world. It covers such a broad spectrum and it’s rich with melodies and surprises that makes the entire album worth listening. Forget about the track skip button because it’s not needed here. Highly Recommended….HIGHLY.
“Aeh”
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“Tonight”
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“…I made the moon go thin.” Check out Mayer Hawthorne’s cover of fellow Stones Throw label mate James Pants track Thin Moon from the album Seven Seals released December of last year. I have to say Hawthorne is one smooth dude. It’s a nice chill and melodic track that can make anyone have a good day after listening. He takes James’ version and gives it a more organic and soulful touch with raw piano and live drums. His vocals uplift you takes you to another place. Highly Recommended
The Archie Bronson Outfit has released their newest full length entitled Coconut. It’s their first release in 4 years and their 3rd for Domino Records. Listen to the track Shark’s Tooth to get a small preview of what the album offers. The track will get you moving with its stunning display of distorted drums, vocals, guitar? The good kind of distortion. The highly effected vocals will make your head spin. The album itself offers a blazing and empowering sound off psychadelic goodness. Highly Recommended
“Shark’s Tooth”
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Earlier this week it was announced that Bonobo would be providing the production for Andreya Triana’s album. Prepare for a one two punch with his own album being released on March 29, 2010 through Ninja Tune. Included are two tracks as a preview of what’s to come. Andreya’s vocals once again shine through energizing 2 step drum patterns floating atop smooth low end bass lines glued together by discrete pulsating synth filters. Included with this amazing production is a remix contributed by Warrior One. The energy level suddenly increases ten fold as a slow filtered synth line balances out the rhythm section. When the bass hits it’s all over. I can just imagine the ensuing chaos as a result of all the insanity. Highly Recommended
US Tour Dates
w/ *The Invisible (Live)
**Yppah (Live)
4/1/10 – Chicago @ Smart Bar – (Bonobo DJ Set)
4/1/10 – Chicago @ Metro*
4/2/10 – Toronto @ Opera House*
4/3/10 – Buffalo @ Tralf Music Hall*
4/4/10 – New York @ Music Hall Williamsburg*
4/5/10 – New York @ Bowery Ballroom*
4/6/10 – Boston @ Paradise*
4/8/10 – West Chester @ The Note*
4/9/10 – Asheville @ Club 828*
4/10/10 – Athens @ New Earth Music Hall*
4/11/10 – New Orleans @ One Eyed Jacks*
4/17/10 – Denver @ Ogden Theater**
4/20/10 – San Diego @ Casbah**
4/22/10 – Los Angeles @ El Rey Theatre**
4/23/10 – San Francisco @ Mezzanine**
4/24/10 – Portland @ Wonder Ballroom**
4/25/10 – Seattle @ Showbox at the Market**
BTW, a Reverse Remix Contest has been announced and as you can tell by the name it’s not like any other remix contest. Instead of you remixing one of Bonobo’s tracks, he’s offering to remix one of yours so if you’re an artist and would like to participate check out all the fun details here.
“Eyes Down Preview Edit”
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I just got this in earlier today. Check out some tracks from a free LP put out by one of my fave producers Remy LBO. Six tracks are offered 5 of which will be appearing on his upcoming release Peeling in the Drum/Comical Cheating and one brand new track. It’s a chill offering of dubbed out beat heavy sound waves. Highly Recommended
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Check out Osborne’s remix album out on ghostly international. It features remixes from Luke Vibert, Lukid, Bogdan Racynski, and Bullion. Here’s a sample of Bullion’s remix of Osborne’s Afrika. He cuts away deep into the original’s dance oriented pulsating African percussion and adds an infectious bass line that smooths it out with chill electronics and gives it a laid back feel. A 12″ version limited to only 300 copies. Highly Recommended
“Osborne – Afrika (Bullion Remix)”
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I just can’t get over the rawness of this album. Referencing back to previous GLK productions I can say with confidence that it has that signature Gas Lamp Killer sound written all over it. The blaring soulful vocals of Gonjasufi matched with his poetic lyricism haunts this record and speaks volumes into the beyond. This is Gonjasufi right here, in his purest form displayed for all to experience. Once you hear his voice and his words, your life will never be the same again. It has a timeless feel as you take a journey into the depths of each song you get a sense of being trapped in an existence where past, present, and future are one and there is nothing caught in between except you and the music. The album which also features productions from Flying Lotus and Mainframe is set to be released on March 9th through Warp Records. Highly Recommended
“Dust”
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You may know her from her beautiful vocal work on Flying Lotus’‘Tea Leaf Dancers’, ‘Hold On’ by Mr Scruff, ‘Chemistry’ by Theo Parrish and ‘The Keeper’ by Bonobo. She is now preparing to release her own highly anticipated debut album ‘Lost Where I Belong’ which is produced by Bonobo. The album will be released worldwide in August 2010 through Ninja Tune with a single of the same name being released on the 5th of April. The single includes an amazing Flying Lotus remix that you can download for free here. Highly Recommended
“Lost Where I Belong – Flying Lotus Remix (Preview Edit)”
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