Sidhim.

Another world-wind classic from that 'funk on da bassline' - Sidwho?
I've posted his previous EP's, tracks, mixes and here's his new stuff.

Sidwho? - Pay For Love (Jamie Paton Edit) by future classic
Give it a lisson.

Slowed Down.

I was first introduced to this track by GLOVES via a radio mix he made last year. Ascribed a "this is where things get deep" description, it really does deliver the opposite to an overlapping and overbearing load of that typical house sound, instead just delivering the deep beat and tune that works so well - its enjoyed.


Romanthony - Hold On

Cutters Records Presents: Das Moth Diaries

"The label's aim was simple; to foster quality music and generally create a hypnotic dance vortex in the club, on the stereo and in your record collections."

Dan Whitford the founder of Cut Copy launched Cutters Records in 2006,  creating a new outlet for a community of musicians, collaborators and friends to release music that was inspired by, for and with each others music tastes in mind that involved a broad array of genre's unified by the synthetic and digital music sphere. After launch releases of K.I.M and The Midnight Juggernauts who have both grown exponentially in notoriety and musical mastery here in Australia, if not on the blogosphere, 2009 saw the label relaunched to cater for Melbourne's Knightlife II EP. After a few months hiatus, I caught wind of Cutters Records releasing at least two to three 12" in 2010. It was more an interest in both these artists that brought me back to Cutters Records and their "fostering of quality music", now in the trusted hands of its G-Man, Knightlife.
So here's a spiel, a spot, some free press, an interview, some tunes and hopefully a neat little grab into the prospective releases of label of win 2010, Cutters Records.

Das Moth. (Damn Arms RIP, Current member of Gimme Um)
Timothy Sullivan is in Japan today, flying the ex pat flag, quite simply enjoying himself. Running a series of parties in Tokyo's nightlife of Le Baron, it would seem he's fallen into the musical fold of expats, sharing his same distant relationship with home. His membership in Gimme Um -where each member originated from a different continent- typifies his musical mould of exploring and sharing different experiences and genre's of music.

Swooning over His Tokio Disko Mix (previously posted) that he released earlier this year, it's been a long while between drinks for his moniker Das Moth. With a steady release of tracks on his myspace for a second 12", his first release on Cutters is slightly more enigmatic, save for this video teaser from his recent QLD trip.

Recently, I was lucky enough to garner a moment of this worldly purveyor and exceptional creator of music's time for a chat. 

BK: What is it like in Japan right now?

DM: Japan is kinda coming to the end of Sakura. Which was really beautiful. The weather has been kinda up and down lately, but that adds to the attraction of Tokyo.

What's some good music you've been listening to during your recent travels?

I've been listening to more music now than I ever have. Maybe a substitute for not writing much lately and trying to find the inspiration to write again. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Bruce Springsteen, The Boys, Ramones, Peter Green & Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Earliest Musical memory / first album you owned?

My first musical memories were sitting passenger side in my Dad's work van listening to Tom Petty, U2, The Doors & Meatloaf. The first album I ever got was a cassette of Alice Coopers' "Poison" album in 1989. I played it till its death or till at least cds were cooler.

How would you describe your musical journey so far? From the first instrument your played, to Damn Arms to DJing. Has it been overall an enjoyment infused into your day-to-day life?

My first instrument was a kid’s acoustic guitar that didn't last long. I think I was about 8 and saw Slash do his guitar solo in "November Rain". Which intern made me think it would be a good idea to play in the rain. The guitar fell apart soon after. I'd played in a bunch of bands before Damn Arms. Ranging from Metal to Punk to Instrumental Indie to Jazz. If I didn't do music I'm not sure what I would do. Enjoyment has always been the main reason for doing it. Djing is a weird thing. I still don't get the allure to watching a Dj compared to a live band. But that's just me. I do enjoy playing records out, but it's not something I would want to make a career out of.

Have you found that your time at Le Baron and being outside of Australia, has, if at all, influenced your musical abilities or your own music tastes?

Coming to Japan has made me think about things a lot more. Music being one of them. This countries ability to inspire me to do things is insane. Whether it is music, photography, putting on a party or riding a bike for hours to a park. Since I've stopped touring and constantly writing music I've started appreciating music a lot more. I've now started to write songs on piano, which is kinda silly. Considering I have no idea what I'm doing. It's a challenge and it's exciting.

What's the development of your Das Moth Material been like? (Working with Joel Belgium, I heard it was mostly unfinished material by the time you left for Japan.) When will Das Moth get a Release?

You'll be seeing and hearing a release sooner than you think. One of the main things I wanted to do with Das Moth was not to rush it. Only write music when I felt like it. I may be walking down the street and see something that makes me want to write music or makes me not want to write anything at all. I spent a lot of time pushing the "feeling's" I wasn't feeling out. Retrospectively, listening to past work. I have mixed emotions towards a lot of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm super proud of it. I guess it's how things change.

Describe your influences for your Das Moth project? what's it sounding like?

I can honestly say my influences for doing music aren't really related to music. It's more about being inspired to write. When I was listening to Bruce Springsteens' "Fade Away" and saw a photo i'd taken of someone I was missing at the time. That made me write a song for my second 12" called "I'd Be Lying [If I Said I Didn't]. It sounds nothing like Bruce. But I can hear how I felt at the time. Friends or seeing an old couple drinking coffee together. It can be anything. The first Das Moth 12" sounds really good! I'm super super happy with it. Is that an answer? The songs on my myspace might not sound like my release that's coming out on Cutters. But I can see a theme throughout all of the songs. Even if the "genre" is different.

I would imagine your address book is quite wealthy in terms of musical collaborators, have you met some amazing people while in Japan?

Japan is full of amazing people. Musically, besides Gimme Um I haven't met many others I've wanted to work on music with. I've met film makers, photographers & fashion designers that have had incredible music taste. The conversations with them are endless. Collaborating with them on soundtracks and runway music is something I can see us doing in the future.

How did your involvement in Gimme Um come about? Care to shed some light on the outfit?

In July 2008 I went to Japan to Dj a few great parties and Gimme Um were playing at one of them. We instantly got along. I thought they were really awesome and trying to do something different. Ryan [Guitarist/Singer] & Pierre [Synth Bass] have been the solid line-up since they started 2 years ago. They went through a bunch of drummers and second guitarists. We'd stayed in contact since we met in Tokyo and when I mentioned to Ryan I was returning to Tokyo to live he asked me to join. Of course I said yes. At that same time the now Drummer [Gui] was asked to play as well. Then the line-up/team has been solid since.

Other than music, do you posses any other passions or interests? I noticed you have a fair few tatts, do you like getting inked?

I really enjoy photography & reading books on musicians/cultures that fascinate me. Lately I've started posting a photo a day on my blog [dasmoth.wordpress.com] along with a song that I'm feeling at the time. I've also started working on a magazine with the drummer of Gimme Um called GUIM MAG. It will be a collection of photography, music, art, short stories & general things that excite us. As for tattoos, of course "I like" getting inked. But it's more the memories that stay with them. They were all done for a reason and I still find it hard to talk about what they mean to people. When it comes to summer, they are definitely high on the topic list. ha. Plans to get more are always there too.

What's on your calendar for 2010?

2010 is pretty busy. Currently in pre production for the Gimme Um album, which is super exciting! We're recording in June and hopefully it will be released around September/October. I'm working on the music for a short film about Sakura by a very talented friend too. I've always admired soundtracks and their composers and hopefully in the future I could do more of those kind of projects. The first Das Moth 12" for Cutters is done now. Just getting a few remixes done and aiming to be released around September/October too. Then after all releases are out, I guess it's time to tour. Gimme Um will be heading around Japan and then heading to the UK/Euro. We are planning to head to Australia too. Time will tell. Also, I'll most probably be coming back to Australia to do some launch parties with the Cutters Crew before the year is out. God.. reading all that makes me slightly tired.

Care to shed some light on an incident from your Damn Arms’ days - what’s this about the time you left Simon (Parker, Drummer) asleep on a plane because he smelt like booze so bad?

Yeah.. Probably wasn't the nicest thing to do. But alas it was funny at the time. God Bless Mr Parker.

What's your one record/song that justifies a good night out?

Ramones - This Ain't Havana.. before I go out. Peter Green - Little Dreamer or Ennio Morricone - Rodeo.. when I get home.

Das Moth - It's Been Good To Me

Also, Check out the Das Moth Blog, for a daily dose of nostalgic tunes and polaroids.

Villa Diva.

Some soaring swedish stewardess of scintillating proportions has left thy movement wriggling with boogie and memories full of grasping and clasping the ones you loved while securing their embrace. This edit moreso makes a grandiose elixir out of past memories and forces you to drink it while thinking of all the future moments in time when this song will make you feel like your flying like an albatross, through the clouds, to where lovers meet.


Wrap Your Arms Around Me (Villa Edit) - Agnetha Fältskog


Bonus Disco Deep Cover of Bee Gees Greatest Hit:


Stayin' Alive (Cover) - Richard Ace


Cutters Records Post T minus 24 hours.

'Be -Yourself, Be -Xentric' feat. Interview & Exclusive Mix

For the better part of 6 months, I've been idly back-channeling a wonderfully amiable, knowledgeable and fledging DJ, on the other-side of the world, discussing (of all things) local Australian music and talent. With the help of the internet, this Welshman known as Be-Xentric has been able to set up communications and his own information highway to connect with his desried flava of tunes and tastes that aren't always so easily accessible to him (namely the beats permeating from the offices of Bang Gang 12inches HQ which is just down the street from here). Havinga go at producing and creating his own tunes during the last 12 months, 'Be' has been of late, hard at re-tuning his sound, just recently showing it off with his smooth redux of the gloss all over Flight Facilities Track, 'Crave You'.
 Probably the most informed dude in all of Great Britain on all things Bang Gang and co, he was kind enough to lend some yarns and show off some sharp reflexes (with a bonus exclusive mix) to my questions, as I found out just where this guy is coming from and how he got here:

Bekayole: Yo Be, so for those who don't know, Where are you hailing from?

Bxentric: I was born in North Wales, but I now chill alot in the Lincolnshire country working on my ideas then lay it down in the london studio.

First musical memory from your childhood? 

Sitting my my mums car on the way to the swimming baths one summer and she played "Sweet Dreams" - the voice of Annie Lennox hit me there and then.

Did you collect many records during your teens? and if so what did u listen to?

As a teenager I was into sport and music back then, was not really prominent. I basically had stuff by NWA and Tupac.

What led to your getting behind the decks and starting out as a DJ? Was there a musical background or just a love for music?

 What led me to being behind the decks was from a bet with a very good friend of mine in the xmas of 06. My friend had just bought a 2000 capacity nightclub in the city of liverpool and I was working there looking after the customers chilling and talking, making them feel welcome.

SoIi was upstairs and the balcony was above the dj booth it was like some sort of religious thing where the crowd are praying to the priest (dj). From that moment I wanted to be the priest preaching the music. So in that pub i bet my friend in one year i could do the same as his dj's, which was to perform a two hour set in front of 2000 peolple.

I purchased two technics 1210's mk 2's and a two channel numark mixer in Jan '07 and set about teaching myself. A friend gave me a book and that explained how to beat match and then all I did for 3 hours every night for that year was record myself with a tape deck and as I fell asleep I would listen back to what I had acheived. During the year I got my self onto myspace and slowly got chatting with dj's/producers, the most prominent one would be a guy named Iain Bogg (Riotous Rockers), During the end of '07 my friend sold the club, so I played a couple of small gigs for a promoter that was cool enough to book me, but the big one came when Iain 'Boggy' sent me a contact to a night called 'The Liars Club' run by Rickey Haley at a well known nightclub in Nottingham called Stealth. I was booked for the end of Jan '08 to support 'Round Table Knights'. Next via myspace was another prominent character in my adventure called 'Pete Carvell' (gash dj's) he booked me to play at another great club called 'Sankeys' in manchester. In April of that year I was invited back to support Jaymo and Andy George (Moda), this is when I met and learnt of their up and coming night called Moda, from this moment on I have pretty much been taken on by them and was to have my debut for Moda in October 08 ten months from my first big nightclub booking, I was invited back a month later and from this moment I was to become a Moda Resident DJ.

 To date, tell us about your own turn in making and producing music? what's it been like?

So in the start of '09 I decided the logical step would be to start getting into making my own music so figured I would get into production, this has led to me slowly finding my own style in the battlefield of great producers out there. Two guys that bore the brunt of me hassling them at the start have been Russ Chimes and Grum, I don't know how they put up with me, but they were cool and never complained with my constant barrage of mixes and questions. At first they were the two guys I would listen to for inspiration and production style and this is very prominent in my two tracks that are around the internet called Miami and Vice. I think once I started Listening more deeper into older productions from stuff like 70s R'n'B/funk/disco and even further back to afro/cuban jazz I have found my own style. So yeah its been a steep learning curve finding a style that fits me and my personality.


Over the last year, from your first EP - how would describe your difference in sound - a process of evolution or change in direction?

 My inspiration at the start came from the two producers I mentioned, the difference in sound has changed for me, I would say it's been an evolution over time and being able to feel comfortable to create my own style, which led to the new remix and your next question.

How did the remix of Flight Facilities 'Crave You' come about?

 Basically I discovered these dudes as I discover so much other great talent and thats through myspace. They had produced a song for some real nice dudes called 'The Lowbrows'. This led to me searching for more of their music and so I figured why not go straight to the source. One day I sent them a mail via myspace asking for them to kindly share some of their other productions as I could not find any 320 copies of their newest remix - with djing I like to have the best quality I can use. Anyway they were awesome and sent me their stuff and yeah, a friendship from their came about. One day I got nosey and asked them if they were working on their own material in which we all now know they were, for that awesome single 'Crave you'. I thought I would be cheeky and ask for the parts as I had discovered my guitarist had wanted to work on something with him and yeah, this is how i came to remix 'Crave you'. Just so your aware it is no longer me in the studio as a singular the guitarist is now a full production partner with me so Bxentric is growing, their are other artists working with Bxentric on new material fusing live with virtual. 

Flight Facilities - Crave You (Be-Xentric Remix)

Besides those pilots over at FF, you seem to have strong backchannels with Australian music folk particularly those pertaining to the Bang Gang 12inches side of things- who else do you have contact with here in Aus?

Ah ha I just love the producers over in Aus man! you dudes have such a great attitude to music and the style suits my sets, its very carefree and fun and it just so happens most of the artists are on Bang Gang, so I just introduce my self and get chit chatting.

Tell us about your billing at the Moda parties and in turn how your such good mates with Jaymo & Andy?

 I'm the warm up dj for the Moda parties and love to create a great atmosphere ready for when the headlines come up. Warming up for me is as important as being the headline, my knowledge for warming up has come from a guy I mentioned Iain Bogg. I have come across so many guys playing bangers at 10 pm totally going for it haha and the dudes all gurning, its not a cool look.  For me I like to get the sexy ladies shaking their bums, so I start the night with some smooth disco. Where the ladies go the dudes follow, like a carrot on a stick, my job is done. My friendship with Jaymo and Andy as I have mentioned came from them seeing something in me from such an early stage of my career and bringing me to Moda. This year you can catch me in Ibiza getting things started for their parties, along with Ukraine, Sweden and UK dates for a new fresh upcoming night called JUST  - its all about great music and no ego, we as the dj's wanna party just as much. I have been known to forget I'm the dj sometimes, whilst I get into the crowd to have a dance myself, there's pictures of this if you search hard enough.

What's that one track that makes a great night out?

I guess the one track that everyone reacts to is Breakbot's new song

Any future plans for 2010?

-Get things official (lol)

-First official single release

-Create a video for it

-Remix a cool character oh and he happens to be Australian!

-Create more songs

-Work on the live shows.

What are you other interests outside of music?

I dont have much time for anything else, I pretty much live for music, so its important to me that I spend my free time with my girlfriend who is so supportive, god knows how she puts up with me. Also my family is so important to me, so I also go back to the country and relax with my Dad and Sister.

Be-Xentric's Toxic Versailles Mix

Tracklisitng:
1. flight facilities - crave you - Bxentric rmx
2. royksopp - this must be it - pete herbert rmx
3. chmmr - love will lead u back
4. the swiss - bubble bath - knightlife rmx
5. golden bug - king of kong
6. tensnake - need your lovin - dub
7. lindstrom and christtabelle - baby i cant stop - idjut boys rmx
8. headman, dieter meier - gimme - dub mix
9. munk, asia argento - no milk - ben mono rmx
10. tronik youth - disko suks - C90's rmx
11. C90's - 10:01 - villa rmx


Be sure to watch out for Be-Xentric tee's and further collaborations in the future! We haven't heard the last of him.

Indeterminate Space: The Masterful Mixes of Sidwho?

Swiss hombre and Roland rifling bassist - talented happy-go-lucky all round nice guy, Sidwho? produces this Autumn mix on behalf of his internet collective's podcast, Adult Arts Club.

It's simply groovy goo!

Love Files/ Autumn Mix - Sidwho?

Tracklisitng:

Meanwhile, an oldie from a month or two ago, His friday Lunchtime Mix on tripleJ. Later that night we partied pretty well to his bubbling disco bobs and family friendly selection of house and old school gems.

Friday Afternoon DJ Set on Triple J - Sidwho?

Tracklisitng:

The Swiss – Manthem (Radio Edit)

Ladyhawke – Magic (The Swiss Remix)

Sidwho? – Vote Bowie for President

Sidwho? – Millionaire

Arthur Russell – Wild Combination

Steely Dan – Jose

All via that happening collective Adults Art Club

Drumming to the netherland

NY outfit The Drums have released their 2nd EP Best Friends,  and its awash with a droned out lyricism that makes you feel engulfed with a dark grey industrial hue - Ostensibly a continuation of their appropriation of the manchester sound. Typically, their melodies have you bursting with gestating colour, splashing about - a strong visual soundscape-  but its the solitary of the notes, the hollow echoes and an inherent fleeting vibe and sensation that have you attach yourself to the songs on the Best Friends EP. Its a great example of their variation, duplicity and overall maturation of sound. Worth the sun drenched fun and momentarily brooding times.

Best Friends (Olympic Mix) - The Drums

You're The One That Makes Me Happy - The Drums

Indeterminate Space #1.

Welcome to Space*

A new segment devoted to simplifying ordinances around here. 'Soaring the Sequences' will aim to give you all a deposition of disco, italo and all the old school gems we come across. 'Indeterminate Space' meanwhile (of which this is the first installment) will present to you all your new and synchronic needs, more in the fashion of mixtapes and the ilk. Yet for the first round of the new 'Space' I'll be attempting to justify the presence of a new Bottin remix (like I need to) and the likes of my personal favorite remix of 'Crave You', along with a dance floor giggolo rendition of Munk at the hands of Juan, of the Macleans.


Paaskelyd (Bottin Remix) - Lindstrom


After all the hyperventilating that had been taking place over this release, I was trying to pick up my pulse after being left in awe at its incumbent golden gilded lyricism and craftsmanship, dripping further into a vacuum of harmonic catharsis. However the remixery service of this can be a tricky dilemma, with many overlapping directions to take, I ultimately find this, the subtle soft phonic approach a winner - leaving this song on the lazy tape deck on a fleeting afternoon and out of the bass thuggery of dark defiled dungeons of the nightlife.


Crave You (An-2 Remix) - Flight Facilities


Just listen to these driving pianos, waltzing and bleeding dance-floor goodness, bursting at the seams with oozes of vocal sweat. Surefire winner to get your toes wet.


Live fast Die young (Juan Maclean Remix) -Munk

*Indeterminate nature of 'Space'.