The 2014 Grammys and Why We Shouldn’t Be Paying Attention (But You Already Knew That)

Believe me. The irony of discussing THE big award show on an underground record label’s blog isn’t lost on me. However, the 2014 Grammys featured a small handful of important electronic music acts (and otherwise) that undoubtedly influenced the biggest names in dance music. Both Nine Inch Nails and Daft Punk received nominations, with the latter winning two statues.

I flipped on the Grammys for the last few minutes solely to watch Nine Inch Nails’ performance with David Grohl, Lindsey Buckingham, and Queens of the Stone Age. I’m a long time fan of Reznor and company, having just reached twenty years of collecting and (somewhat obsessively) analyzing his work. I don’t love everything Queens of the Stone Age puts out, but I’ve certainly shredded a few car stereo speakers to Songs for the Deaf. CBS’s decision to roll ads and credits during the performance was incredibly tacky. You’re supposed to be honoring the music and musicians, not treating them as background music to a fucking Delta Airlines screener. Lou Reed’s passing was barely a blip on the radar.

It’s time to make a promise to ourselves. It’s time to quit watching the Grammys. Period. We demand better. Of course, we’re all watching an awards show that had Taylor Swift nominated for best album.

We should know better.

Labelcast #005: SPLINTrd’s Run to the Night Mix

IMPORTANT NOTE: All LABELCAST episodes have moved over to our thisislabelcast.com domain. You can find newer episodes there, as well as our back catalog of episodes.

This month’s podcast is brought to you by SPLINTrd. SPLINTrd released his first full length album, Staring Out of Windows, back in June.

“Its a mix featuring some dark UK garage vibes, some post dubstep textures, and some moody electronica, plenty of sub bass and atmosphere. Perfect for the headphones on a walk home in the rain, or in the car on a motorway/freeway drive at night.”

  1. Intro: A Dream Within a Dream
  2. Umeone and MyMind – Remedy
  3. Honey T – January
  4. Mr. Black – Meet You In Low Orbit
  5. Phlux – Nym
  6. Orlogin – It’s Gonna Hurt
  7. GhostChant – Under The Light [Future Follower Records]
  8. Lo-Fi Beats – Yeah Like This (Candleface remix) [Deaf By Records]
  9. SPLINTrd – Alone on Parnassus [Label]
  10. Trentemoller – Moan [Poker Flat Recordings]
  11. dBridge & Instra:Mental – Blush Response [Exit Records]
  12. Portishead – Roads (Libations & Oscillations remix)
  13. Martyn – Hear Me [3024]
  14. Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo (Wayvee remix) [Hotflush Recordings]
  15. DPPLGNGRS – Sardo (SPLINTrd remix) [Hottwerk Records]
  16. Tuff Culture – When I Look Back [Future Followers Records]

Labelcast 004: Lingk’s Summers In The D Mix

IMPORTANT NOTE: All LABELCAST episodes have moved over to our thisislabelcast.com domain. You can find newer episodes there, as well as our back catalog of episodes.

Better late than never!

“The start of the summer was kind of crazy with a lot of shows back to back, along with the normal grind and hassle to get more shows. These tracks are some of the bangers that really got people dancing. So I threw them all into one mix, while others reflect some of the more intense nights. All together it’s a great mix that will get you moving and in some way or another.” -Lingk

1. Christian Martin – Waiting (Original Mix)
2. Electrical Shutdown – Da Fresh (Koen Groeneveld mix)
3. Julio Leal, Daniel Aguayo – Dual Swing (JD Formation)
4. Jus Deelax, Adri Arte – Technoise (Original Mix)
5. Jay Lumen – Analogia (Main Title Original Mix)
6. Crookers, Carli – Hummus (Botnek remix)
7. Swick, Tranter – Mad Dings (Keith Supabeatz remix)
8. Malente, Zero Cash – Hardware (Original mix)
9. Tocadisco – Bat3ria (Botnek remix)
10. Tocadisco – Bat3ria (Stefano Noferini remix)
11. Julio Leal, Daniel Aguayo – Ketamina Vol. 2 (JD Formation)
12. Jus Deelax, Saul Espada – My Fucking Neighbour (Original Mix)
13. Julio Lea, Daniel Aguayo – Tomahook (Original mix)
14. Jus Deelax, FiveAm – This Is My Fucking Flat Belly (Original mix)
15. Mark Knight, Dan Diamond – Club Politics (Original Club mix)

Labelcast #003: DJ Mourad’s Broken Soul Mix

IMPORTANT NOTE: All LABELCAST episodes have moved over to our thisislabelcast.com domain. You can find newer episodes there, as well as our back catalog of episodes.

This month’s podcast is brought to you by DJ Mourad. Mourad has a few releases scheduled with LABEL for this Summer and Fall.

“Two Turntables, a Mixer, a crate of VINYL and a lot of SOUL.

This is a mix that, like all other mixes I did and will do, is done in one take.

There are mistakes in there but I consider them as natural because there was no preparation whatsoever to make this mix.

I could just throw [away] the mix and do another one, but I know that it will be difficult to catch the vibe of this one.

The only idea I had for this mix is to be true to myself and the music I play and that most people associate me with. Here is a bit of my soul and a bit of my actual state of mind.

For those who might be surprised about the last track , all I can say is this: It was an improvised choice as i picked the record while mixing the last track, and to be honest, I couldn’t think of ending this mix in any other way. John Beltran is one of the musicians that I admire and love, and his music touches.

The deepest parts of my soul. So yes I wanted you to listen to his genius if you make it to the end of this mix.” -DJ Mourad, Recorded May 11th, 2013.

  1. Envoy – Charms & Changelings [Soma Records]
  2. ??? – 20002x [Wax (White Label)]
  3. John Tejada – Stealth Mission [Palette Records]
  4. Allergy – No Boundaries [Soma Records]
  5. Syrinx – Dub Sequence [Ann Aimee]
  6. Alexi Delano & Jesper Dahlbäck – Nueva York [Blank Ltd]
  7. John Tejada – Outer Circle [Organized Noise]
  8. Taho – Detroit [Delsin Records]
  9. Oliver Kapp – Directions [Indulge Records]
  10. John Tejada & Arian Leviste – 2 Speakers Dream [Palette Records]
  11. ??? – ??? [Dsp 02 (White Label)]
  12. ??? – 10001 [Wax (White Label)]
  13. Underground Resistance – The Final Frontier [Underground Resistance]
  14. Planetary – Matter Of Sound [Deslsin Records]
  15. System 7 & Derrick May – Prototype 1 (Electron Mix) [A Wave Records]
  16. John Beltran – Sweet Soul [Delsin Records]

Labelcast #002: Harbou’s Heady House Mix

IMPORTANT NOTE: All LABELCAST episodes have moved over to our thisislabelcast.com domain. You can find newer episodes there, as well as our back catalog of episodes.

This month’s podcast is brought to you by Bryan Mattson of Harbou. Harbou’s first Label release, Dystopic EP, was released on May 22nd, 2013.

“I’m really into deep, heady house and techno at the moment, so this is a showcase of that sound. Nearly all of the tracks on this mix are from producers and DJ’s living in Europe. I draw much inspiration from the sounds I hear coming from Europe in my own productions as well. This mix was recorded on two Technics 1200′s and a Allen & Heath Xone 62. Vinyl records only with no effects and no editing. Hope you enjoy. – B”

 

  1. Melchoir Productions LTD – Todo Mundo
  2. Ricardo Villalobos – Zuipox
  3. Adsum – Efemore
  4. Ricardo Villalobos – Kehaus
  5. A Guy Called Gerald – In Ya Head
  6. Raudive – Ruins
  7. Seuil – Nine Clouds
  8. Daze Maxim – Farbfilm
  9. Adam Marshall – Holding Down