Music That Gets Me Going

Ok, I'm just gonna ignore how long it's been since my last post and get right back into it.  Here we go.   So lately what's really getting my thought wheels turning is running.  I get on that treadmill, zone out to some good music and the thoughts just flow.

It's so counter-intuitive because you would think that something so meditative wouldn't generate such a good flow of thoughts but that's just what meditation is.  It let's you roll through your thoughts instead of dwelling on them.  Anyways, I digress just a tad.

So while I add onto the miles the music that is best conducive of this state is interestingly enough not high-tempo stuff.  You'll see in some of the tracks listed, it's pretty loungey, instrumental/ ambient, groovy.  This is the kind of music that really gets me going, that myself connects with and when I'm running really gives me that umph.

Again, interesting 'cuz this is in essence, me.  I'm laid-back and calm.  Cool yet chill, not over-the-top, obvious, or obnoxious.  And that groove, well that's just my style baby.  Anyways, here's some old goodies that I like to jam to sometimes, and some new good running chill-out, awesome meditative, thought provoking music.

Tracklist:

1.  UKO- Sunbeams 
2.  Hol Baumann- Handwritten Notes
3.  Jimi Hendrix- The Wind Cries Mary
4.  Queen- Crazy Little Thing Called Love
5.  Bonobo- Nothing Owed
6.  Mount Kimbie- Carbonated
7.  Bonobo- Pieces ft. Cornelia
8.  Nightmares on Wax- Passion

Minimal Mixes For the Soul

"Me, I can't usually get
'em 'cause my girlfriend's a
vegetarian. Which more or
less makes me a vegetarian,
but I sure love the taste of a
good burger."
- Jules, Pulp Fiction

I have my own little stints of musical preferences, but likes Jules oh-so-beautifully explains, couples tend to take-on each other's likes and dislikes. This is purely anecdotal but it is true that couples tend to become more alike, sharing characteristics and demeanor. But I digress -

Lately I've been picking up on some really sexy minimal techno Mick Finesse has been introducing me to. Here are my top two favs of late:

























FACT mix 182: FourTet
FourTet: I've been a fan of FourTet since my college days. His chillout style has got me through some rough nights in studio. Check out the link above for the mix; great article on the artist as well. The mix is only up for three weeks though so get it quick.



Labrynth SSGS Special Mix: Steffi
Steffi is a new gem for me. She's gettin' a lot of praise for her mixes and performances as resident at Panorama Bar at Berghain- acclaimed by some as the best club in Berlin. Berghain defines techno for Berlin. I hope to make the pilgrimage here someday. Definitely on my list of places to experience.

Both articles have tracklists as well. Enjoy!

Greg Wilson: Electro-funk.

So I am in love with Greg Wilson lately. His aesthetic lifts my spirits and I am immediately in a happy mood. Check out some of his mixes below and here's a very interesting bio on 2020Vision. I love when I come across gems like this.


2020Vision mix.
WMC 2010 mix.
Resident Advisor mix.


Sidenote: I think it's interesting to watch the progression of the type of music I progress into. I've not been as diligent to document that here but I plan to in the future. Happy listening!

"Keep Off" - Mr. C

My fav song at the moment: "Keep Off" by Mr. C. Video is quite cool. Check it out. Here's my most recent mix. Great minimal techno. Enjoy!

Gia @ the Beatport Lounge

With some healthy encouragement from Mick Finesse, I've been playing out and enjoying the world of proper house music. My last engagement was @ Beta - the Beatport Lounge on Nov. 27th.

DJ Elroy was one of the many that joined us that night - check out his blog post. Thanks for the great review DJ Elroy!

Estroe - Elemental Assets

Ok. So I have been in a music kick lately as I've been prepping for my next gig. Ran across this lovely lady; Estroe. Very good chillout and melodic techno and tech-house. I love it. Dutch producer and DJ Estroe is among the top female DJ's in the world. Read more about her here.

Royksopp - Junior

I first heard Royksopp from a mix cd someone was playing in freshman studio when I was at RISD. I was taken by the alure of the music. It really put me in a good mood in the midst of the stress of studio work. It's been a while since I've heard any of Royksopp's newer stuff and they have not disappointed. "Junior" does not fail to bring me back to that place. I love this album. When I need good chill I can always go to Royksopp. Listen to it on their website.

Regina Spektor - Far

Love Regina Spektor's new album "Far". It's relaxing, heartwarming, fun, and delightful. Puts me in an all around good mood.

Miles Maeda

So as you can tell, I go through stints of blogging...it's been about a month since my last post so I thought I'd come back with a great new discovery - Miles Maeda. Special thanks to Lovestar (check out her amazing music blog Trash Menagerie). You can see the full article here. There's a couple mixes for dl as well.

What can I say, I love my chillout music and Miles brings it with the groovy house beats. Great recommendation Lovestar!

Artist of the Day - A.M. Architect

A.M. Architect, great chillout ambient music. Their new album The Road to the Sun comes out May 5, 2009. Def gonna buy this one. I cannot stop listening to this at the moment.

Exponetial described it best "beauty is subjective, A.M. Architect's music cannot escape being described as such".

Osborne

Lovin' Osborne's Fire off of his new Hovercraft EP. DL it from RCRD LBL here. There's a few more downloads if you like his sound. Wait A Minute (extended) is available for download as well. Here's an article on Beatportal w/ music video. Enjoy!

Animal~

I really like Miike Snow...great recent find for me. Their new track Animal is wonderful but I'm really digging Treasure Fingers' remix. Free download on RCRD LBL. Check out all of Miike Snow's tracks available on RCRD LBL here. His last.fm profile here. And of course Myspace music page here.

FREQBOUTIQUE.COM

Freqboutique.com is Denver's new afterhours. Watch out cuz we are finally gonna get what we've been craving for in the afterhours scene. With summer on the horizon it is the perfect time to gear up for what's in store. Finally, there is something to look forward to when you're ready to continue the party.

Up 'til now there was no option for those of us that like to party VIP and in style after the clubs. Post-2AM is non-existent in Denver. Not anymore! Freqboutique is here. Check out the website for upcoming events and promotions.

R U Professional - Mae Shi

I recently discovered Mae Shi. I absolutely love this song/video. Never thought I'd connect w/ an artist that loves Christian Bale as much as I do...

Minitel Rose

Minitel Rose is part of a group of producers from Western France, called Valerie.  Valerie has a great blog worth checking out as well.  Other artists in the group include The Outrunners, College, Anoraak, Maethelvin, and others.  

I am in love with all the great up and coming electro artists out there but for some reason the French just do it with amazing ease.  Minitel Rose is my fav out of the bunch so far; very 80's retro sounding, catchy, dancy, and still good 'ol dirty electro.  These guys are a buzz in the electronic music blog world and I'm glad I found them before they hit it big...and you know they will before long.   Their first album "The French Machine" is out this month on May 28th.  I cannot wait!  

Below are a list of blogs that I've found have some tracks available for download.  Check out Minitel Rose's Remix myspace page for some free tunes as well.   

Hipster Runoff

The Fader

Trash Menagerie

Chromeo-Fancy Footwork

Just released official video for Fancy Footwork by Chromeo. Directed by Ben Levine. Enjoy!
Chromeo - Fancy Footwork from Chromeo1 on Vimeo.

Purple Crush-Shopping on the Dancefloor

Love it!

Dancefloor Mayhem

So I've been on this hunt for the latest and greatest dance music. dancefloor mayhem is my new spot to discover the best of electro, house, techno, breaks, hip-hop, and the list goes on.  Plus there are a ton of high-quality songs and mixes for download.
 
Fuck'n love it!

Last.fm

Last.fm is the go-to-site for anything music related. I'm trying to think of the right word to describe it but really, there is no one word or phrase that best describes it. The official slogan "The Social Music Revolution" touches on the essence of what this is all about.

I first came across this site when a friend of mine suggested I check it out; knowing I am the type of person who loves to organize everything nice and neat. I was first taken by the ability to track your what you listen to on iTunes. You create a profile on the site and the more music it tracks, the more it gets to know your music taste.

Last.fm recommends artists weekly, based on what you are listening to. Of course there are a whole host of groups you can join, catering to different interests, and these groups are an incredible network for finding virgin music. You can also search for music by artist, album, song, you name it.

Each artist has a page that displays other similar artists as well as an overview as well as listener stats, charts, album info, and more. You can listen to clips from songs, and sometimes there are full tracks to listen to and/or download. It's wonderful. I could go on and on but really you need to just check it out.

Enjoy!

Just Jack

I just discovered Just Jack this weekend. I love the fresh dancy sounds. There are some hip-hop rhythms that you can pick up but it is very dancy and fun.

Jack said it best himself, "I never had heroes and never wanted to be like other musicians", he says. "I have no affiliations to anyone, I'm not part of a gang, I'm not a part of a scene and I don't have a sound that's obviously a part of a scene. I'm Just Jack."

The sound does not fit neatly into a genre...it is Just Jack. There is a bio on last.fm and be sure to visit Just Jack's website. The newly released album Overtones is wonderful. My favorite song Starz in Their Eyes makes me want to dance! Enjoy!