News

If you've arrived here, you're probably as obsessed with weird electronic music as much as I am! Hooray! The so much juicy, glitchy, beat-laden goodness floating around there on the interwebs every day, it's a crime that the good stuff can just slip into the black holes of cyberspace just because the artist doesn't have a name that Google deems worthy of ranking.

So here is your daily Byte!

Each day I'll post an interesting new electronic based track I've discovered trawling blogs, tumblrs, bandcamps and soundclouds (where I spend most of my life #loser) as food for your ears...

If you're an artist yourself and would like to submit something, hit us up on our Radar Tumblr.

Let's kick it off...

Byte 36 - Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards (Memory Tapes Remix)

Big Fan of Memory Tapes who if you don't know is Jersey-based solo producer Dayve Hawk - his 2009 release Seek Magic is still one I constantly revisit. He's leant his nibble fingers by request of Modular to rework Tame Impala's latest single "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards". It's cool when the tempo change kicks in at 1:18. See what you think...

Byte 35 - TOKiMONSTA - Sore

Arguably the coolest female beats maker to walk this earth (well she's up there for sure), TOKiMONSTA dropped this new track just today... if you're a fan of hers aka Jennifer Lee then you'll dig this. It's not as weirdly experimental as her usual stuff (but then it is just a demo) and if your head doesn't nod to this, well then... 
See for yourself.

Byte 34 - Strange Talk - Falling in Love

This marks a movement into a total-club-anthem territory for Melbourne boys Strange Talk! It's the second single off their forthcoming debut LP out early 2013. See what you think... My bet is they'll be busting this one out at Stereosonic.

Byte 33 - The Ruby Suns - Kingfisher Call Me

Haven't heard from this New Zealand four piece, The Ruby Suns in a while! And this track sounds so different to their earlier stuff, more synth and sampled drums and the offbeat, layered vocal sounds great. I've also been feeling the "organ" keyboard solo has been missing from current pop music - thanks for the reprise Ruby Suns! The band have a new album out in January 2013.

Byte 32 - Flight Facilities - Clair De Lune (feat. Christine Hoberg)

This is something different for the Aussie duo Flight Facilities (who spend most of their time OS), a softer, bass driven number - although they love a female vocal. I'm trying to work out whether it samples the original classical track "Clair De Lune"... can't tell. The term is French for "moonlight" and this track does feel like a lonely starry night... in Paris?

Byte 31 - Lapalux - Quartz

This Essex producer Lapalux's new EP, Some Other Time just landed on my desk this afternoon and I have literally had it on loop ever since. The vocal in this track is processed to perfection and that beat... it channeled straight through my inner ear and starting moving in time with my bloodstream. If you like this, get his EP. You can even try before you buy via a sampler on his soundcloud. 

Byte 30 - Inspired & The Sleep - Spar Helm

Another alluring upload via Bad Panda Records by a Californian 3 piece I've never heard of until now; Inspired & the Sleep. I love the dancing bass line in this track and the vocal sounds a little like The Antlers frontman Peter Silberman... whatever it sounds like it needs more plays, enchanting work. Keep up with Inspired & the Sleep's via their facebook.

Byte 29 - Alexander O'Neal - As The Night Moves In (Lindsay Lowend remix)

I was so in the mood for this 80's flashback rework this afternoon... The original track is by Alexander O'Neal, an artist who was originally signed by Prince before going solo. Admittedly I don't remember him (a little before my time), but I love what this producer Antonio Mendez aka Lindsay Lowend (see what he did there) has done with it. Upping the tempo, vocal sample speed and adding in all these new little hooks of synth - there's so many to wrap a limb around on the dance floor - I feel a body roll coming on...    

Byte 28 - Four Tet - Lion (Jamie xx remix)

Four Tet & Jaime xx - two rights making a bangin' right here. This track is killer. Jamie's brought that bass line to the forefront and stripped the original of that really hypnotic frontal-lobe melting line of synth... but it really works on a totally different level. If you haven't picked yourself up a copy of Four Tet's latest release Pink, on which this track features, do it.

Byte 27 - Artful Dodger - Please Don't Turn Me On (Disclosure remix)

Artful Dodger were probably the first taste I had of UK Garage music as a kid, which a lot people growing up in the UK would probably think is a bit lame as they were at the pop end of the spectrum - but you have to understand music wasn't as accessible then, and so much underground stuff didn't make it into the 'special imports' section in Australian stores. Good to see UK duo Disclosure breathing some new life into this track... so good. They're out here for Field Day this New Year's too!

Byte 26 - Coach Bombay - Superstar

This is a super sweet piece of candy pop by Melbourne solo producer Terry Mann. On his facebook he says "the goal is to make you happy" and I would say he's achieved that goal with this track (really helped me clamber out of this cesspit of a hangover). He's released a few EP's you can sample on his soundcloud or you can snap up a copy of his LP from his bandcamp now. Coat yourself in this sugar in the meantime... 

Byte 25 - Insightful - Ugliful - 22/10/12

This track is totally soundtracking my Monday... it's a new down-tempo piece of squelchy textured sadness by Californian producer Insightful. He's actually just dropped a14 track album The Shy Lanterns you can download from his bandcamp for free if you like the sound of this. Also see the video for this track for some scary beach theatre.    

Byte 24 - George FitzGerald -Unilateral - 19/10/12

It's Friday, let's get this party started. George FitzGerald is UK DJ/producer who makes this kind of progressive garage-house fusion and he runs his own record label too ManMakeMusic. This track just makes me want to jolt my body is strange ways. Hit up his soundcloud for cool remixes of Kimbra & Gang Colours (featured earlier in this post).

Byte 23 - Charles Murdoch - We Can Control - 18/10/12

This track isn't the latest upload by Brisbane producer Charles Murdoch, but oh.my.god it's so good - had to post it. There isn't much to write about this guy as there isn't much on the interwebs about him (he's got long hair & is pretty cute fyi - but that's irrelevant!). Apparently he used to make upbeat dance music but has progressed into producing this kind of lush ambient bass with an R&B flavour - wait till this track kicks off around 1:40. Boom! I saw on facebook - not his, he doesn't have one - he's playing at a Timetable Records launch in LA with Nosaj Thing (featured earlier in this post). 

Byte 22 - Capeface - Drownin - 17/10/12

This track has such a nice groove... it reminds me a little of the old school garage music I used to listen to as a kid, but different obviously. It's by a UK producer Capeface aka Tom Smart who's in the process of completing a music tech degree at the University of Surrey, UK - so I'm guessing he's pretty young! Impressive. You can actually download his entire EP via Bad Panda.

Byte 21 - Toro y Moi - So Many Details - 16/10/12

Toro y Moi; the king of the pain-laden off-beat slow jam is back with a new track "so Many Details" from his forthcoming LP Anything in Return. I use the term 'back' loosely as the man aka Chaz Bundick seems to be constantly churning out new material - there was literally only a year between his last 2 releases Causers Of This (2010) and Underneath The Pine (2011) and they're both of such a high standard. Keep an eye out on his facebook for new material.  

Byte 20 - Pigeon - All the Bad - 15/10/12

These guys are technically a band, but their sound is very much electro-infused thanks to a lot synth, drum machine and live sax. They're a 5 piece from Brisbane (and a band who feature in our Top 20 Aussie Electronic Artists you need to check out), this is the second single from their forthcoming EP Fortunes due out Wednesday, October 24. Check the band's facebook for details. The band are also playing at Peats Ridge Fest this New Years, I caught them there last year and almost pulled a hammy dancing so hard. Good times.

Byte 19 - Life Size Ghosts (Catching Flies Remix) - 11/10/12

I only came across this remix as the man behind it aka Catching Flies started following me on soundcloud - see it actually works! It's a downtempo re-work of an already delicately textured dream-folk track by Mt. Wolf "Life sized Ghosts" (I've posted both below). Catching Flies is a 21 year old producer from the UK working out of his bedroom. It reminds me a little of one of my favourite producers from the UK Gold Panda (see him live before you die), and his track "I'm with you but I'm lonely/After we talked" in flourishes, but more chilled. I've had this on repeat for ages now, so good. Download his EP free from his soundcloud.

Here's the original track.

Byte 18 - Darkstar - Timeaway - 10/10/12

I first came across Darkstar when they released that deliciously glitchy robot-sampled single “Aidy’s Girl Is a Computer” off their debut LP North back in '09. Apparently it was a breakthrough single - not in Australia if I recall, but then as I've said before we sadly lack the manpower for a thriving diverse scene it seems (at least that's what I tell myself waking up half choked by earphones in the morning, why WHY!!!). This new track "Timeaway" is just as infectious, but for different reasons, relying more heavily of swelling melodies than bass.... It's just as good if not better. Looking forward to the new album!

Byte 17 - The Twilight Sad - Sick (Com Truise Remix) - 9/10/12

Com Truise is another amazingly talented producer repped by Ghostly International who is behind the remix of this track "Sick" by The Twilight Sad, the first single of their recent release No One Can Ever Know. If you like this, check out more of Com Truise's work, especially release Galactic Melt (2011) it's such a good listen.

Byte 16 - Yuna - Lullabies (Jim-E Stack Remix) - 8/10/12

Yuna is a Malaysian solo artist who has such a soul-piercing alluring vocal: Fiona Apple-ish an octave above. The instrumental arrangements in the original track sadly detract from the emotion it evokes (check it out here) but this remix is something else… US producer Jim-E Stack has altered the dynamics in such a way that my heartstrings come creeping back to entangle themselves... 

Byte 15 - The Townhouses - Talk (feat. Giorgio Tuma) - 4/10/12

This track is by a Melbourne solo producer Leigh Hannah aka The Townhouses released via one of my favourite Sydney independent labels Yes Please - I actually cant believe I didn't include them in my Top 20 Soundcloud Accounts to Follow. I was listening to Memory Tapes this morning and it reminds me somewhat of his work. That synthesised African-style beat has my body moving... as the vocal dictates; I don't want too think too much either... just listen...

Byte 14 - SBTRKT - Terminal - 3/10/12

UK Producer SBTRKT (Aaron Jerome) dropped this track, as he likes to do randomly on soundcloud this morning. There's no vocal, it's heavier, more bass, but it just vibes for me. See what you think of this latest offering from the man in the mask who doesn't really fit into any genre... If you haven't seen SBTRKT live you're missing out.

Byte 13 - Gang Colours - Fill Me In (Craig David remix) - 2/04/12

I actually can't believe I missed this, cool UK producer Gang Colours uploaded it 5 months ago - a rework of Craig David's first hit "Fill Me In" (before he left garage behind). This is such a smooth cover... if you like it you should check out Gang Colours' recent release The Keychain Collection, looking to be in my Top 50 2012 releases so far.

Byte 12 - The Presets - Ghosts (Fort Romeau's Burly Man Mix) - 27/09/12

I'm still buzzing from seeing The Presets play a secret gig last night at Sydney's Hi-Fi bar - let it be known they're back people! Totally nailed it! This remix was the best thing I could stumble across this morning to get me through the hangover too. It's by Fort Romeau who actually already features in this post (cue to scroll down). Absolute banger. "Ghosts" is the first official single from The Presets new album Pacifica out now. 
 

Byte 11 - Guerre - Cannibal 26/09/12

Another accomplished young producer from Sydney, Guerre (also featured in our Top 20 Aussie Electronic Artists) dropped this track "Cannibal" a few days ago. It's hard to focus listening to it... so beautiful. Get more into your ears on his facebook.

Byte 10 - Flume - Sleepless feat. Jezzabell Doran (Shlohmo remix) 25/09/12

Flume is a Sydney producer with a lot of buzz around him at the moment, you only have to see him live to understand why (he featured in our Top 20 Aussie Indie Artists to Watch earlier this year). This track is a remix of the 1st track he dropped last year "Sleepless" by LA down tempo beat-maker & soundscape artist Shlohmo aka Henry Laufer. His 2011 Bad Vibes is a killer, if you like this kind of music, get it - seriously (also the name of a track on it incidentally)

Byte 9 - Kodak to Graph - Lo Lindora 24/09/12

Kodak to Graph is US solo producer, Michael Maleki, who releases material via Bad Panda Records. I recommend following them on Soundcloud lots of free downloads by really inventive indie producers to be had. Keep up with Kodak to Graph on his facebook too. Wait for the Bone Thugs & Harmony sample at the end... too good. Kodak to Graph featured earlier this year in our Top 5 Tracks of the Week if you want to check it out too.

Byte 8 - Nosaj Thing - Eclipse/Blue feat. Kazu Makino 21/09/12

This track is so deliciously ethereal... it's by LA outfit Nosaj Thing and features Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead (they were out here for Laneway festival a few years back, such a good live show). Love that pulse-beat and cracking handclap.  

Byte 7 - Beacon - Feeling's Gone (Fort Romeau's Shibuya Edit) 20/09/12

Beacon are a duo from Brooklyn, signed to Ghostly International, an indie label home to a lot of ridiculously talented producers: Gold Panda, Mux mool, Tycho, School of Seven Bells etc. This is how they describe their music, which I think is the truest thing I've read in a long time...

"The best music is music that can make you think as well as feel, sounds that are as visceral as they are cerebral. And the best love songs are those that acknowledge that the power of human sexuality can be just as terrifying as it is thrilling, that the passion that leads us to love can also lead us into dark, dark places."

This sublime edit is by another UK producer Fort Romeau.Hear the original here.

Byte 6 - Fishing - Choy Lin 19/09/12

Been dying for these guys to post a new track! Fishing are a really talented duo from Sydney, we featured them in our Top 20 Aussie Electronic Artists You Need To Know. If you dig this, give them some love on their facebook & get out to see them live! In the meantime, take me to a tropical island Fishing...

Byte 5 - Flash Forest - I Just Want to Hold Your Hand 18/09/12

Flash Forest is a Melbourne producer, who best explains this track himself, "been having this internal battle the last 2 months...where I really want to just make dark dance tracks...this may happen." From my experience, the best music is born from dark places... and this track is something else. Check his facebook for official release dates soon. 

Byte 4 - Daughter - Love (Synkro Edit) - 17/09/12

I think I am in love with this track. It's a rework by UK producer Joe Synkro (known as just Synkro) of Daughter's Track called "Love". Enchanting stuff.

Byte 3 - Luvian Sound - Valley Girl - 14/09/12

Wow - this is by an unsigned 20 year old producer from Brighton UK. This track just made my Friday... Download it for free too!

Byte 2 - Saint Lou Lou - Maybe You (CFCF Remix) - 13/09/12

Two Swedish/Australian twin sisters remixed by Canadian producer Mike Silver aka CFCF. The original track is out via Kitsune. Lonely dream-pop...

Byte 1 - Ultraísta - Smalltalk (Four Tet Remix) - 12/09/12

Ultraísta is Radiohead producer, Nigel Godrich's side-project, remixed by the ever-creative Four Tet... & it has their trademark vibe.