I have been listening to Beck since my adolescent days where I would jump on my bed blasting Mellow Gold. Beck is the type of artist that moves your insides even if you’re not in the mood. He understands sound and irony, he’s basically a badass. No wonder why he and singer-actress Charlotte Gainsbourg decided to collaborate. If you haven’t heard of Charlotte Gainsbourg she was Stephanie in Science of Sleep or maybe you might know her from her father the late singer from France, Serge Gainsbourg. They did a duet together called Lemon Incest, when she was only 13.  She even came out with an album two years later called Charlotte for Ever.

The single Heaven Can Wait won’t be released until Jan 11 but the video as you can see captures a kind of magical yet satire time stamp that lets you know there are choices in life.

The single will be on the upcoming album RFM that will be released on Jan 25, 2010.

Also, for all you Beck fans that didn’t know about his new project called Record Club check it out here. It’s where him and other musicians record cover versions of entire albums in one day.  So far he’s collaborated with MGMT, Andrew Stockdale from Wolfmother, Feist, Jamie Lidell, and many more.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Heads Will Roll” Weird Tapes Version
Feist “Sea Lion” Chromeo Remix
Röyksopp “The Girl And The Robot” Joakim Remix

If you haven’t caught on to Canada’s own Thunderheist, then you need to seriously step your music game up. This hip-hop / electro duo recently released their self-title debut, Thunderheist, just wrapped up their Canadian tour and are currently touring through Europe before coming back to North America and hitting the United States. Grahmzilla was kind enough to take a moment out of his time to this Q&A.

KB: So tell us how Thunderheist came together and what the name Thunderheist means and where it came from?

Grahmzilla: The name was my idea. I originally planned to only have another producer involved and we would just do remixes. The guy in question used to tell me I stole his thunder all the time. Given that every common word has been used for band names, I knew I had to come up with either an imaginary word, or combine multiple words together. Checked Google, saw 0 hits and knew it was a winner.

Thunderheist formed by accident when I sent Isis some of these Thunderheist songs while collaborating with her on her solo stuff and she really liked it and wanted to experiment with this other sound I was developing.

KB: I’ve seen you guys live a few times and the live show is BANANAS. Do you guys bring that kind energy to every show?

G: We try, but when the crowd is super receptive, like they were that night, it definitely makes it easier for us.

KB: How difficult was it to bring that stage show energy into the recording process for your self-title debut album, Thunderheist?

G: The songs were written before they were performed. of course, a bunch were later re-recorded for the album and so Isis’s delivery was definitely more comfortable having performed them so many times already. I also re-visited alot of songs after playing them out and seeing what worked/didn’t.

KB: How would you guys describe Thunderheists sound for someone that hasn’t heard it yet?

G: I wouldn’t. I’d probably just hand them some headphones and an iPod.

KB: If a two musicians got together and made a baby and that baby was Thunderheist, who would be the parents – slash – influence on the group?

G: (Giorgio) Moroder and (Miriam) Makeba

KB: Your video for the song “Jerk It” made it to Pitchforks’ top 40 of the year. How did that concept come about?

G: That Go basically ran with that idea without any sort of contribution from the band. it was a contest, we were not supposed to get involved.

KB: Is there another video in the works currently?

G: There is one being made for “Nothing 2 Step 2″, it will be entirely different from the “Jerk It” video. However, its being directed by George Vale, who made Fesits’ “1-2-3-4″ video, so that should tell you something.

KB: Your song “Jerk It” was in The Wrestler. How did that opportunity come about?

G: That was handled by our publisher, namely Julie Blake who sends out our catalog to music directors in TV and movies for licensing. I guess they liked what they heard!

KB: In the song “LBC (Little Booty Girl)”, you can definitely hear a bit of Dead Prez on there. Was that a bit of a tribute to Isis’s past working relationship with M-1?

G: To be honest, when I first wrote the beat to that, I did not have that Dead Prez song in mind in the slightest. when I realized what I had done, I wanted to switch up the chord progression, Isis wouldn’t let me change it up and so we just went with it and she even included a line referencing their song, I guess in some sort of tribute.

KB: So what lies ahead for Thunderheist? Is there any other collaborations or projects that you guys are working on that can be shared with readers?

G: Lots of traveling. Lots of partying. Expect an all singing EP from us and some collabos with some pretty awesome peoples.

KB: Thanks again guys for taking the time to show us some love. Any closing words of wisdom for the readers out there?

G: Stay in school, drink milk and eat your greens.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/thunderheist

Thunderheist “Jerk It”

Thunderheist “Nothing 2 Step 2″

For this week’s Mixtape Monday, I came across Dj Loveboat mix, ‘Cotonete’.  Not much is known about Dj Loveboat and it may safe to assume his alias has nothing to do with Aaron Spelling’s show.  I did, however, find out that this mixtape was originally dropped on March 23rd in support of Breaklda’s 4th year as a record label.   The playlist consists of bangers, electro pop hits along with a few reworks by Mr. Loveboat himself.  Have a listen and dl the mix here.  Truthfully, I was intrigued as to how Appaloosa’s single, ‘The Day We fell In Love‘  fits into the equation.

01. Messinian – Magic
02. Soulwax – Another Excuse (DFA “Funkytown” Remix)
03. Sidechains – Can’t Love You Babe
04. Ladyhawke – Back of the Van (DJ Loveboat Remix)
05. Walter Jones – Deuteronomy Brown (L-F Edit)
06. Justin Timberlake – Love Stoned (Justice Remix)
07. Kris Menace and Alan Braxe – Lumberjack
08. Britney Spears – Radar (Hot Pink Delorean Remix)
09. Guns and Bombs – Riddle Of Steel (Classixx Version)
10. Messinian – Cant Hide Her
11. Jape – Floating (D.I.M. Remix)
12. Amanda Blank – Get It Now (DJ Loveboat Remix)
13. Drop The Lime – Hear Me (Buraka Som Sistema- DJLVBT Edit)
14. Electric Youth – Lying Still (DJLVBT Edit)
15. Kylie Minogue – Boombox (Revolte Remix)
16. AC Slater – Party Like Us
17. A-Trak – Say Whoa (Boys Noize Remix)
18. Streetlife DJs – We Love the Disco Sound (CutnRub Dub Mix)
19. N.A.S.A – Whatchadoin ft. MIA, Santogold & Spank Rock (Villains rmx)
20. Pase Rock – Get Money Kids (Malente Re-Dub II)
21. Feist – My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix)
22. Appaloosa – The Day We Fell In Love
23. Dj Loveboat – Outro

Source: voulesrandom via Breaklda

Four years since their last release, but alas they’re finally coming back with a new album, Sounds of the Universe. That band, Depeche Mode and this is their first video for the first single in maaaaaany years and it’s called “Wrong” and holy fuck is this video dark. Second one that’s dark and sad that we’ve posted today.

The song is great, but seriously its the video that draws you in as it does have a dark minimal beautiful look to it. Oh and the fact the car starts off by going backwards pretty much fucks with you as well, and let’s not forget the Michael Myers looking dude in the car. The band makes a quick appearance in the video, roughly halfway through, but otherwise the video consists of this car in a train wreck. This video is directed by Patrick Daughters, whose previous works include videos for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kings of Leon, Death Cab for Cutie, Feist, Beck and The Shins to name a few.

On several occasions at Killahbeez, we made mention to German electronica DJ, Alex Ridha aka Boys Noize.  I first came across Boys Noize’s music by way of Kitsune Maison’s only podcast.  The track was a remix to Feist’s “My Moon, My Man” on Kitsune Maison’s 4th CD compilation.  With a very distinct sound and Johnny “Guns” Love’s narrative, I was convinced to seek what other remixes were out on iTunes.  From Justice to Cut Copy, the man’s work is a wide array of epic tunes.  Busy P’s comparison of Boys Noize Records’ efforts to Ed Banger’s is not only a compliment, it’s the truth.  Between production work and gigs, Alex was kind enough to spare several minutes to answer questions we had for him.  Here goes…

Killahbeez: So Alex, can you tell us the origin behind the name Boys Noize?

Boys Noize: I was desperately looking for a “cool” name.  A name to scream and shout after a gig.  A name easy to remember.  A name considered more “prollig”.  A name that sells! A name that expresses the way I feel, the way I play, the way I love,  and MOST IMPORTANT the way I AM.  It had to be outstanding, innovative and timeless, too.  I came up with Laser Face and the single “Face the Laser” but I got into beef with DJ Tiga who wanted the same name for his side project   Boys Noize is actually the worst name because most of the people think of 2 guys and everyone writes the name wrong.  I also have other project names as Puzique, Morgentau, Eastwest, or 909D1SCO too.

KB: Who were some major influences in your career?

BN: Anything from Roule Records, Dance Mania, Kraftwerk and Tresor.

KB: Every dj/producer has a signature sound. How did you come about developing yours?

BN: After producing 10 years you get bored of a lot of sounds and I’m always look for something that surprises me.

KB: How important are lyrics in your tracks?

BN: I dont care about lyrics.  When I dj, I don’t like much vocals either.  It’s not easy to have cool vocals on a banging track.

KB: It appears you’ll be touring most of Asia in the upcoming weeks.  Do you have any plans on returning to the US?  We’d love to have you in DC.

BN: Yeah, I am coming back for sure.  For this year I only have dates in NYC & LA, but I’m gonna make a big tour in march09…aiaiai

KB: You’ve done a slew of remixes for artists such as Bloc Party, Depeche Mode, Feist and Justice.  What are all the processes involved in a remix?  Who approaches who?

BN: Its always different.  D.Modes manager contacted me saying that one of the band member is a big fan but it can also be the label that reaches out.  Then sometimes I do free remixes because I love the song.  In some cases, I’ll do swap remixes with other artists or you get asked by a friend like Housemeister…

KB: On the topic of remixes, I really enjoyed your version of Phantom. Will you be remixing anymore tracks for Justice in the future?  Perhaps Planisphere?

BN: Thank you! Well, probably not from the recent album…let’s see.

KB: If there is one artist you would like to collaborate with, who would that be?

BN: Gonzales (Note: Gonzales is Feist’s producer)

KB: What can one expect from your live sets?

BN: Fun!

KB: Lastly, what should we expect from Boys Noize for the remainder of 2008 and beginning of 2009?

BN: I’m mixing the next I LOVE TECHNO CD which will be out in October due to the festival.  I’m working on new stuff & collaborations…too hot to mention yet :=)

Also noteworthy, is the release of Boys Noize Records Volume 1.  Expect top notch floor smashers from Boys Noize, Shadow Dancer, D.I.M., Housemeister, Les Petits Pilous, Siriusmo, Strip Steve, Puzique, etc.  The two cd compilation is now available.  For those in need of a live Boys Noize fix, he will be headlining at Webster Hall alongside A-Trak on October 3rd.  Another reason why I heart GBH.  The “Attack of the Unibros” tour finishes off in Montreal on October 4th.

Mike who? Mike Relmmmmmm! If you don’t know who Relm is, then consider this a backgrounder. He’s a turntablist from San Francisco and has performed with numerous artists as well as toured across the country. He’s known for his live performances, which feature audio and video mash-ups all cut and scratched live on the spot, and on Friday, Sept. 26, he stopped in on Vancouver, presented by Spectrum Events.

So I have to admit, I didn’t know very much of Mike Relm before I went to the show. I mean, besides the clips on YouTube and doing some background research on him, so I didn’t really expect too much going into the show. By the end of the show I was converted into a fan and even shook his hand (I told you Michelle it wasn’t too late) as corny as that sounds.

The show is what you see on some of the YouTube clips, but with a shit load more energy from the audience and from Relm himself as he interacts with the crowd and people are constantly jumping on stage and attempting to dance then throwing themselves for a stage dive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he brought friends. Yeah his friends, dubbed the “Sideshow,” were two scary ass clowns, did I mention I’m afraid of clowns? The novel / movie IT, really messed me up as a kid. These “friends” were like his very own hype men, think Flava Flav to Chuck D, Spliff Starr to Busta Rhymes, Memphis Bleek to Jay-Z, except the “Sideshow” were on turntables.

Relm played a diversity of music throughout the night, mixing House of Pain, Pharcyde, Outfield, NWA, with Feist and John Lennon. The music off course was only part of the show, as he would mix in visuals from movies and TV shows such as Harold & Kumar, Office Space, Snoopy, When Harry Met Sally, Team America and Nacho Libre to name a few.

He really rocked the whole show from beginning to end, but here are highlights for me, and judging from the response of the crowd, were:

• When he freaked it hard on his MPC and did his drums live on the spot
• He played his song and accompanying video for “Everytime”
• Dropping Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock” remixed by Relm, the drums on the mix he played were hard as hell and had a bunch of folks in the back dancing, including yours truly
• In one of his video clips he had a sign that read, “If John McCain wins the election, I’m going to marry a Canadian Woman” ‘nuff said.
• Outfield’s chorus from “Your Love” mixed in with NWA’s “Quiet On Tha Set”

As his show ended, the crowd cheered and wanted an encore and he didn’t disappoint. He came back and ended the show with John Lennon’s “Imagine” which lead to one more song, Feist’s “1,2,3,4”, but not the original, again he laced the tracks with some ill drums and made it pretty nasty, in a good way.

Overall a great show and great energy from Mike Relm and the crowd, I definitely have to give props to Sean from Spectrum Events for hooking us up at Killahbeez with some media passes. Check out www.spectrum-events.com for upcoming events.

If you like the review please vote for me here.

Peace.

David Thai
www.killahbeez.com

PS: Pictures are here on Flickr.