Features

Trainwreck: !!!

Veteran dance-punk ensemble !!! is well-known for its raucous, dynamic live show, which it has converted over the years into a catalog of lively, eclectic records. These instincts have been toned down, or at least refined, on the band's latest album for Warp, Thr!!!er, thanks to a production turn from Spoon drummer Jim Eno and a more considered, studio-session-based approach. That live reputation still precedes the group, however, and it wasn't earned without a few mishaps. Read more »

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05/01/2013

Ladies on the Mic: Maya Jane Coles, Nina Kraviz, Ikonika, and More Decide Whether to Sing Along

A noticeable edge hardens in Cassy Britton's tone when the conversation turns to the subject of women in electronic music. "First of all," says the Panorama Bar resident, bristling slightly, "it's extremely logical that less women are making dancefloor beats, because fewer women are interested in machines, and the music as such. It's always been a thing that guys are more interested in machines... I seriously don't care." Read more »

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04/29/2013

Press Play: Daft Punk, Moby, Atoms for Peace, Zomby, and More

As should be expected, the internet was flooded this week with various bits of audio and video from an array of top-notch international artists, and a sizable portion of those choice items have made their way into this week's installment of Press Play. Our latest edition of this feature series includes remixes, original productions, music videos, album streams, premieres, and more from the likes of Daft Punk, Zomby, Four Tet, Gang Gang Dance, Atoms for Peace, Moby, Lindstrøm, Offshore, and Ghostpoet. The entirety of Press Play's bounty can be experienced after the jump. Read more »

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04/26/2013

Hi, Doctor Nick! - What to Do When You Feel Like Quitting and the Real Payoff of the Music Game

Every Thursday morning, we sing the praises of Nick Hook, and though we may be in danger of sounding like a broken record, our resident advice columnist is simply an incredible resource. Regardless of the topic, be it music, DJing, production, gear, romance, travel, fashion, or just about anything else, the good doctor almost certainly has something valuable to say. That's why readers in search of a little wisdom should send questions to doctornick@xlr8r.com—after all, Doctor Nick is here to help.

Hi. It's been a busy week. I've been back in the studio with Killer Mike and El-P. I also had an awesome night at the new Red Bull Music Academy space in New York. It looks fantastic, and I spent some time with fellow alumni Salva, Jesse Boykins III, and Brenmar. It's gonna be an amazing month of May in New York. Kudos to everyone for working so hard so that we can enjoy such things. Read more »

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Tags: Doctor Nick
04/25/2013

Bubblin' Up: The Cyclist

The fuzzy tones of overdriven cassette tapes have become a calling card for a certain sect of bedroom producers in recent years, but few can trace their affinity for the sound to such a distinct source as Andrew Morrison (a.k.a. The Cyclist). "[At a certain point,] I had started to listen to a lot of mixes that had been recorded from pirate-radio stations onto cassette," explains Morrison, who's currently a second-year pharmacology student based in Liverpool. "Then, when I listened to the actual tracks that were played—the high-quality WAV files—I didn't like it as much as I did those distorted copies. I loved that sound and it inspired me so much." Given this, Bones in Motion—The Cyclist's first proper LP and the inaugural artist-album release for the new Leaving/Stones Throw partnership—makes perfect sense. Across its 15 tracks, Morrison presents his image of house and techno, one filled with the hiss, noise, and distortion which result from oversaturated tape. Read more »

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04/24/2013