I revived an old music blog from the early 2000s?

Maybe it’s been a foolish endeavor, and maybe I’m the only one who misses the blog ol’ days, but I’ve been giving it a shot. I’ve been working on restoring some of the old content, though much of it was lost. I’ve slowly been rebuilding the old remix sunday archives, and even posting the occasional new edition. And I’ve been writing again.

You can find all the label’s releases here, on bandcamp, or most anywhere you listen to music these days. I’ve still got copies of some of the old vinyl releases, and I recently released the first in a set of charitable cassette compilations to raise awareness about the continued [mis]use of broken windows policing methods.

Plus, I put together a playlists section with a handful of spotify lists that hopefully start to capture a [slightly] updated version of the moods we used to peddle. Give those a listen and a ❤ if you would be so kind. If you want to get in touch, just give me a holler.

– Haldan/Boody

  • Amy Godsey – Regions of Resonance

    My cables are falling apart
    I don’t know why
    I didn’t do anything wrong

    I’ve written about Amy Godsey before–she’s an LA-based artist exploring a largely instrumental sort of gently tactile semi-ambient synth music. Where her newest record, Ananta (which I wrote about previously) attempts to reflect the freedom of nature in its chaos and complexity, her 2020 album Regions of Resonance is more concrete and cerebral. This is likely indicative of Godsey’s divergent circumstances at the times the albums were written. Ananta emerged while Godsey traversed the American wilderness in the aftermath of the death of her best friend. Regions of Resonance, on the other hand, is the work of someone toiling to survive in New York. My home town is glamorous and beautiful, no doubt, but it also has a way of forcing people into their heads and asking them to sharpen themselves to a fine point.

    The results are no less effective. Indeed, some listeners will connect more with songs as tightly and carefully wound as “Geenie in a Bootle” or “Eustatheia”—or as metallic and cement-like as the album’s title track—than they would the more loosely emotive and meandering fare of Ananta. I can’t help but picture Godsey writing some of these songs in her head as she sits on a crowded train commuting home later than she should have had to.

    None of this is to say that the album is morose or sullen. New York is a grind, but it’s also full of possibility. Godsey’s exasperated vocal lamentations on “A Cable Called Blue” encapsulate this tension well. Sure, New Yorkers may be trapped in internal struggle, and may feel like the City is unfairly casting its weight on them alone, but they’re often equally able to fall in love with each of its tiny unclaimed corners and feel like the whole town belongs only to them. For all it takes from us, the City inspires us to energize. The two-track sequence of distorted siren calls on “Honey” quickly leading into the electricity and determination of “Reverie” reflects this tension elegantly.

    Godsey evidently understood the city she spent eight years in, and I imagine that like many who leave it (myself included) she probably misses it a lot of the time. After stretching to meet its vibration, it becomes hard to ever feel quite as virile or fierce once you’ve left. But the evolution between Godsey’s two records also serves as evidence that New Yorkers (including long-term transplants like Godsey) may well better enjoy the opportunity to loosen their belts outside of the pressure cooker. And that relaxed enjoyment can also be the catalyst for greater openness and more honest self-expression.

    Amy Godsey – “Geenie in a Bootle” (bc)

    Amy Godsey – “A Cable Called Blue”

    Amy Godsey – “Eustatheia”

    Amy Godsey – “Regions of Resonance”

  • So Durand – Blue-Tek

    More genre-bending club destruction from Ottawan So Durand, who I’ve written about a couple of times previously. Hot on the heels of his inclusion on ec2a’s coveted second USB drop (already sold out sadly), “Blue-Tek” just dropped on So Durand’s bandcamp and for streaming. But grab it while you can — you never know how long this sort of ephemera will last.

    So Durand – “Blue-Tek”

  • Flex Blur – Hedopolis

    French juke meets rave on “Hedopolis” — a perfectly effective stabby DJ tool from Flex Blur and the fine folks at Moveltraxx. Grab this and the rest of Flex Blur’s Vitesse EP on bandcamp for use in a set, or stream it wherever.

    Also check another from Flex Blur — this time some immaculately choppy house. While not at footwork tempos, the perseverance of those chopped organ patterns can only be a product of twice-fold Windy City reverence. This one’s out for free on January 4th on Serbian label Nu Kulture, as part of IV, the fourth in their free compilation series.

    Flex Blur – “Hedopolis” (sc)

    Flex Blur – “2T3M” (sc)

  • Demetae – Calculate

    Proper mechanical electro shuffle from Mancunian Demetae (real name Robert Woodward). “Calculate” is as icy as the city that birthed electro (Detroit averages -3.5C in January), and just as robotic (you know, robots make cars now). From Demetae’s latest Space​-​time Sleaze EP, out a couple of weeks ago.

    Grab Demetae’s 3-tracker on bandcamp on Sound du Jour. Or stream it all over.

    Demetae – “Calculate” (bc)

  • Mailbox: Graffick – Momentary

    More elemental barreling electronica from San Diego’s Graffick (aka Blaine Counter), who I wrote about a couple of months ago. Counter seems to have a real handle on the sound he’s pursuing as an artist, which is eniviable. It also means that if you like this, I suggest you keep an ear out for more from him in the future.

    No bandcamp for this, unfortunately, so seek this out on streamers instead.

    Graffick – “Momentary” (sc)

  • Mailbox: yung pope – MPTA (yung pope mix)

    Corporeal experimental pop from Spain’s yung pope. Bodies let us down sometimes, but gosh are they ever just infinite inspiration.

    Grab these on yung pope’s bandcamp. Or stream them at the usual places.

    yung pope – “MPTA” ft. Menend (yung pope mix) (bc)

    yung pope – “Parpageo” ft. Diphda (bc)

  • Viscount – Divine Points

    Viscount is a project by a man named Eric, based in Boise, Idaho. This is music most simply categorized as ambient music, but it’s not for the background. This is stuff most concerned with how palette and structure can tell an actual story; how modern music can exist in the context of myth.

    Do you recall the ‘dungeon synth’ micro genre that emerged in the 90s from Kosmische and Black Metal? Well while I wasn’t paying attention, the genre quietly flourished, and Eric seems to have been part of some of that over the past decade or so. Eric is half of Brutus Greenshield, whose records you ought to check out too. Their work is probably more easily identifiable as dungeon synth than Viscount’s solo material, but neither is by any means the kind of harpsichord-driven medieval cosplay that some 90s metal kids might remember when they hear that term.

    Viscount’s 2022 LP, Divine Points, is less overt in its stylistic references than the Brutus Greenshield material. There’s a subtle vein of pre-baroque dungeony-type aesthetic that gets revealed at times throughout the record, but largely this is not kitsch music whatsoever. To the extent those references do appear (and I’m not knocking them when they do), they feel like a sincere expression of Eric’s personal sensibilities.

    Viscount is a project that succeeds in crafting something sincerely escapist. I don’t throw around the term cinematic lightly, especially when I’m writing about ambient or ambient-adjacent music, but Divine Points really scratches the same itch for me that a good film would.

    Divine Points is available for whatever you’d like to pay on bandcamp, so no excuse not to go grab it there. Apparently new music is due in the spring.

    Viscount – “Cirrus” (bc)

    Viscount – “I Saw How the Planets Gathered” (bc)

  • Mailbox: shiro12 – Afterimage / 残像

    More of that dreamy online jungle/y2k breakcore I’ve written about a few times previously. This time from producer shiro12, who I don’t know much about except that they describe themselves as “home-bound.” I assume they’re located in Japan, but I’m not actually sure about that either. Again, as is the case with this strain of revivalism, what’s probably most important is that they’re online, and their music is too.

    No bandcamp, so stream away.

    shiro12 – “Afterimage / 残像” (sc)

    shiro12 – “カレイドスコープ” (sc)

  • Mailbox: Tarva – Hollow

    Excellent icy tension, stutter, and clatter on this steppy submission from Meanjin/Brisbane-based producer Tarva. This one was just released, but I’m also posting his last single from a couple of months ago, which is a touch warmer and more sentimental, but still plenty refined and cool.

    Neither of these are on bandcamp, unfortunately, but for those of you interested in including this in a set or mixtape, Tarva was kind enough to let me post the hi-res mp3 of “Hollow.” For the rest of you, find either track for streaming anywhere.

    Tarva – “Hollow” (mp3)

    Tarva – “Close My Eyes” (sc)

  • Mailbox: Pozibelle – Wait

    Strange when you can tell just by listening to an artist where they’re from. I could tell right away Pozibelle was from NYC, and not necessarily because she’s doing music particularly stylistically emblematic of my hometown. Something about it though just feels like the city. Dreamy breakbeat house that’s simple in the most effective way; perfect for a warm up or come down set, or just waiting for the train.

    This is the first single from the upcoming Nightlike EP, to be released on January 18th on cassette and digital. Until then, you can grab this on bandcamp as a single or as part of the pre-order.

    Also, check the rest of Pozibelle’s catalog on bandcamp, she’s got some real gems.

    Pozibelle – “Wait” (sc)

  • Mailbox: Moosa x Nis Murphy – Step Back

    Gorgeous bit of contemplative left-field R&B from Moosa and Nis Murphy, both based in India. This is all about the concessions we each have to make to live life on earth, and the irony that most progress and individual growth is non-linear. Don’t expect to reach those goals in the new year without a few detours!

    This is the first single from an upcoming album the pair are preparing for release in 2024. No bandcamp yet, but it’ll be out on Nis Murphy’s Mayaa imprint when the album is released. For now, find this for streaming.

    Moosa x Nis Murphy – “Step Back” (sc)

  • Mailbox: Swimming Paul – The Way It Goes

    Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. I count myself really lucky that my whole family is wonderful, so holidays like this really do feel enriching. But for those of you who don’t have families, or for whom time with family is fraught, just remember that’s just the way it goes on days like this. Today, try to make the most of what you do have, and then spend tomorrow and next week thinking about what you’d like to build in the new year, either practically or emotionally.

    <3 to you all!

    Swimming Paul – “The Way It Goes” (sc)

  • Tiga & Hudson Mohawke – BUYBUYSELL

    All I can picture is Tiga as a red-faced 80s Wall Street executive screaming the words to this into an oversized Zack Morris phone, and HudMo on the other end of the line as a sweaty young floor trader rushing back and forth, avoiding an army of other traders on the exchange floor, trying desperately to execute the trade.

    From the already(?) under-appreciated collaborative album L’Ecstasy. Grab it on bandcamp or stream it or whatever.

    Tiga & Hudson Mohawke – “BUYBUYSELL” (sc)

    Tiga & Hudson Mohawke – “Silence Of Love” ft. Jesse Boykins III (sc)

  • Mailbox: PTMC – Infrared System

    Forward-thinking electro from Boorloo/Perth-based PTMC (real name Peter McAvan). “Infrared System” strikes a nice balance between clattering percussion and 30,000ft atmosphere. It’s the B-side of a new two-tracker he just released on Midnight Elevator, a label that’s worth paying attention to (it’s also run by PTMC). Midnight Elevator only started releasing in 2020 and seems exclusively focused on artists from the Boorloo area. Building community like that is always commendable and important, but it’s impressive that as a curator PTMC has nonetheless been able to keep the label’s stylistic range narrow enough to give it a distinct sound. I suggest checking out the rest of the catalog.

    I’ve also included two tracks from PTMC’s last record, which came out on Midnight Elevator earlier in the year, also really worth checking.

    Grab “Infrared System” on bandcamp, or stream it wherever you do your stream shopping.

    PTMC – “Infrared System” (sc)

    PTMC – “Mutant Hardcore” (sc)

    PTMC – “Music For Clubb Kids” (sc)

  • Visual Velcro 23

    A.dixen – In Safety (sc)

    Evening Ocean – Believe In Good Things (sc)

    SUBFICTION – “weird glitches ‘n’ different shakes” (medley)

  • Mailbox: re:abel – Concentrate

    Sultry 2-step from Melbourne’s re:abel (real name Ryan Gasparini). This is music to soundtrack the night you realize your heart is no longer broken. Music that says, fuck it, what do I have to lose?

    I can’t concentrate today, so it’s helpful to have someone whispering in my ear insisting I do. This is from re:abel’s upcoming EP on Mammal Sounds.

    No bandcamp for this, unfortunately, but it’s out now for streaming everywhere. Thankfully, re:abel was also kind enough to grant permission for me to host the mp3, for any DJs eager to play this out. Grab it below.

    re:abel – “Concentrate” (mp3)

  • Mailbox: yeong – Do You Ever Think of Me?

    Bittersweet vapor twitch from LA-based yeong. On instagram, yeong described this as a ‘getting laid off from corporate america type beat.’ That explains why this is a little melancholy, but also has a vein of fuck y’all attitude running through it.

    No bandcamp, unfortunately, but you can stream it on all the usual outlets.

    yeong – “Do You Ever Think of Me?” (sc)

  • Mailbox: omniboi – Panorama

    omniboi is a Los Angeles-based producer and composer, originally from Arizona. He rose to some prominence in 2016-17 with a viral video in which he married a Migos acapella with Nintendo-jazz-chic chords, followed soon after by a string of notable singles and albums. He’s current with a new EP, Panorama, out now on Canadian powerhouse label and management group, Nettwerk.

    After listening to a few songs from Panorama, it won’t be hard to gather that this is music heavily inspired by video game culture. But it’s not really 8-bit or chiptune. Instead, songs like “Ghost Town, USA” or “Marathon” feel distinctly 64-bit, and would fit right in on an N64 of Wii score. Music from that era of Nintendo games was deeply charming; these songs carry much of that charm because they’re so clearly the product of omniboi’s sincere love for that music.

    Nevertheless, I’d say omni is strongest when approaching the less overtly video game-inspired fare on the record. The EP’s lead track “Set Apart” (featuring vocalist Dona) and “Omni-Vision” (featuring nelward) both temper the rubber and sodapop aesthetic that omni’s most comfortable in with a touch of red leather and champagne. Neither would be out of place in the context of a late aughts fluokids party in Paris where the DJ was playing nothing but French Touch and bloghaus. None of that is to say these are stuffy songs only for millennials either—they’re not—they just seem aimed at a broader audience. (I caught my two-year-old absent-mindedly shaking her stuff to “Set Apart,” and babies don’t lie, so that might also tell you something.)

    Ultimately, Panorama is omniboi continuing to write the kind of music he loves, but there’s also evidence he might be eager to see his music working a few more dancefloors.

    Panorama is out now. Grab it on bandcamp or stream it anywhere streams are sold.

    omniboi – “Set Apart” ft. Dona (sc)

    omniboi – “Marathon” (sc)

    (Expand)

    This review was written in support of the artist’s promotional campaign.

  • Mailbox: Danube – Vienna

    Yet another nice submission from Belgium here. Something is drawing my ear to music from Flanders lately. This time it’s from Brussels-based producer Danube. Like his namesake river, Danube’s latest string of singles all relate to major European cities from which he’s drawn inspiration. Though none of the other singles are named after cities actually in the river Danube’s path, the latest is. It’s an elegant cut of soulful cosmopolitan electronica that captures Vienna well.

    No bandcamp for this, unfortunately, but you can find it on any major streaming outlet.

    Danube – “Vienna” (sc)

  • Mailbox: borne – DIEDA

    I mentioned the other day that I’ve been rediscovering my appreciation for a nice heavy-bassline-driven banger. Why be shy about it? I pride myself on avoiding pretentiousness where I can, and what’s wrong with rattling a few bones, anyway? This track I got in the inbox by Montreal-based borne fits that bill. The song is from borne’s latest EP, Deep End, out on Nightmode. The whole record is full of this sort of bass-heavy 2-step, so check out the rest if you like this one.

    No bandcamp for this, unfortunately, but you can stream it wherever, and if you want to play this out, you’re going to have to go to a place like beatport, sorry.

    borne – “Dieda” (sc)

  • Levi. – GARÇON

    Just like their curation, Clipp.Art press releases are always spot on. The blurb for this single from Levi.—an artist based in Japan—describes the music as “kinda catwalk music. Slinky. Low-slung. Lo-fi,” all of which is perfectly on the nose. This song evokes a little bit of that classic Le Le song, “Breakfast” — but if they had been more concerned with fashion and leather, versus food and seduction.

    Grab this on bandcamp or stream it to heart’s desire.

    Levi. – “GARÇON” (bc)

  • Mailbox: a.MIDI – evening in europa

    Sometimes when I’m overwhelmed with work and my daughter wakes up with the umpteenth round of high fever or other daycare-related ailment, I just wish I could take a break and spend an evening on another planet. I’d be willing to settle for one of Jupiter’s moons too.

    This innocent little lullaby from Kuwaiti a.MIDI is from their newest EP of songs that all imagine these sorts of quick calming vacations around the solar system.

    Grab an interplanetary layover on bandcamp, or stream it wherever you’d like.

    a.MIDI – “evening in europa” (bc)

  • Visual Velcro 22

    Eluard – “Funny Jasmine” (bc)

    AAOM – “Infinitum”

    ECHT! – “Cheesecake” (bc)

  • Mailbox: JUICY – g pas l’argent

    Second time this week I’ve posted music from Belgium. I told you that country doesn’t get enough shine for its music.

    This time it’s from JUICY, a pair of classically trained musicians making really compelling pop music and doing their best to subvert genre expectations. This song is from the recently released Cruelles Formes EP, produced in collaboration with equally talented countrymen ECHT!.

    My French isn’t as sharp as it should be, and JUICY definitely embrace a certain lyrical expressionism and abstraction in some of their music, but I get the gist. I don’t have enough money either. Can someone explain to me what they might mean by: “rrrjrsfmr jrahtogpb” though?

    No bandcamp for this, but you can stream it all over.

    JUICY – “g pas l’argent” (sc)

  • Mailbox: Sasha & the Bear – Miss it. Repeat.

    Bittersweet breakup melancholia from nomadic duo Sasha & the Bear. Definitely the kind of song one might listen to a few times after rowing all night. 💔

    No bandcamp for Sasha & The Bear, but you can stream this wherever you do that.

    Sasha & the Bear – “Miss it. Repeat.” (sc)

  • 4am Kru & Salo – So I Stay

    I’ve written about these guys a couple of times now. Previous tracks by 4am Kru have been mostly peak time focused club tools, but this one’s a lovely pop ballad masquerading as a jungle track. Featuring the vocal stylings of Mancurian singer/producer Salo.

    4am Kru – “So I Stay” ft. Salo (sc)

  • Mailbox: D-Nite – Echoes

    Many people don’t think of Belgium as a place with a rich history of contributions to dance music. Some may only recall 2 Unlimited’s 1993 masterpiece “No Limit” or Technotronic’s classic “Pump Up The Jam”–both of which were extremely formative for me when I heard them as a little kid. Maybe others associate the country with groundbreakers like Soulwax/2manydjs, who are indeed Belgian and not French. The country is no doubt overlooked, despite the fact that Belgians have been raving since before raving was raving, and essentially birthed genres like EBM. But despite its significant contributions, Beligum’s proximity to its northern neighbors means its sound is generally associated with eurodance, gabber, and industrial influences.

    For his new EP Echoes, Belgian producer D-Nite (real name Kevin Dodeur) certainly draws on his country’s history, but leaves most of those typical associations behind, instead opting to deliver a record full of strong global influence and tempo-shifting adventurism. From the rapid-fire kuduro of “Late Night Tale” to the tablas loops of “Calming Mantra” and the chopped jazz rides of “Stuck in a Dream” — Dodeur clearly embraces the breakbeat, but won’t be limited to overreliance on American JB production or UK Amens. (Not to be accused of leaving anyone out though, Dodeur does throw in a few bars of the Think break on the EP’s title track.) Dodeur is a committed travel guide on this record, insisting that the listener follow him around the world from party to party. But it’s a great trip, so who would complain?

    Echoes is out now on Fine Grains records, purchase it on bandcamp now, or stream it wherever you do that sort of thing.

    D-NITE – “Late Night Tale” (bc)

    D-NITE – “Echoes” (bc)

  • Remix Sunday 162

    Those who invoke history will certainly be heard by history. And they will have to accept its verdict.
    – Dag Hammarskjold

    Remix Sunday 162 Zipped Up. (90mb zip)

    Ice Spice – “In Ha Mood” (O’Flynn Remix)

    Barbatuques – “Baiana” (Disaffected Bootleg)

    Caballero & JeanJass – “Tchernobyl” ft. Kaaris (FCKN PSYCHO Remix)

    Virtual Self – “Ghost Voices” (Jack Blom Rave Tool)

    Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter” (Y U QT Dub)

    Tirzah – “Say When”” (suicideyear Bounce Mix)

    Brandy & Monica – “The Boy Is Mine” (FVLCRVM Remix)

    DJ Kass – “Scooby Doo Pa Pa” (DJ BPM Jersey Club Remix)

    Frank Ocean – “Chanel” (camoufly Remix)

    True Faith – “Take Me Away” (crim:son Rave Mix)

    image/ Adam Rouhana

  • Mailbox: ELIS – Saint

    You may have noticed some of the harder sounds of yesteryear’s Palms Out showing up here and there again on the site. I promised some of this last year, but it felt a bit forced at the time. Now, raising a toddler, navigating an ever more demanding dayjob, and feeling generally stretched at the seams somehow has me getting energized again by big pulsing basslines, sharp punchy drums, and neat little energy-building devices (yes, drops, but you know, other similar tension-creating details too). All these are all present on this heater of a track by Puerto Rican producer ELIS. I don’t gig anymore, but I expect this would blow up the right floor.

    Unfortunately there’s no bandcamp for this, but thankfully ELIS was kind enough to let me share the 320 with all you DJs. And for those of you not planning on playing it out, who just like dancing at home, stream it at your outlet of choice.

    ELIS – “Saint” (mp3)

  • Morris Cowan – Notes

    When I got back to the studio with the recording I was satisfied with how it rattled along to all the synths be they smouldering or fully ablaze, the feeling of smoke billowing, whipped up in the air.

    I tell myself all sorts of stories. Sometimes doing so may be in an effort to protect myself, sometimes to cut myself down. Honesty—including honest self reflection—is a noble goal, but we also need to nurture our own fantasy worlds. Without building those internal structures, how do we make sense of ourselves and our feelings? Without imagining what we might want, or what we need, how can we ever achieve anything–or at least how can we feel satisfied once we’ve achieved something?

    On his latest album Notes, Cornwall’s Morris Cowan definitely gets at that comforting ‘writing electronic music in the forest’-type sound that you sometimes hear on a James Holden or Nathan Fake record. The song titles and cover art would imply that was the intention, or even the process. Or maybe, considering all the winds on the Cornwall coast keep forests from taking root, this is music for the rocky green expanse. In any case, this kind of intimacy is elusive for most composers of electronic music. Cowan describes some of the sound sources for the songs on the record: recordings of a cacophonous working wool loom he visited on the Isle of Mull, a 1990s Mattel toy drum machine, found-sound recorded by tapping sticks against trees. But for all of this field recording, it’s the songwriting and synthesis that give these songs most of their tenderness.

    Grab Morris Cowan’s Notes on bandcamp now, or find it anywhere to stream.

    Morris Cowan – “The Stories We Tell Ourselves” (sc)

    Morris Cowan – “Toasting Marshmallows As The World Burns” (sc)

    Morris Cowan – “Boss Music” (sc)

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