Eclectic Vibes - March 2014

by Andrew Frey

If you click your heels together three times, it will undeniably be closer to festival season. START CLICKING!

ROCK PAPER DIAMOND

The recent explosion of electronic dance music (EDM) was certainly evident at the Paper Diamond show on 2/27 at the Majestic Theater in Madison. With the temps outside hovering around 0 degrees F the place was hot and hopping and almost at capacity. I arrived early enough to catch a few from formidable opener Branchez, but was completely unprepared for the second act Loudpvck. Loudpvck simply rocked my world! The DJ duo from LA blasted through a lot of high intensity, no bullshit, bass-laden trap music (trap is one of the newer EDM offshoots that hearkens back to thrash metal intensity, but via electronics). Can’t wait for more from them!
Headliner and festival favorite Paper Diamond certainly didn’t disappoint. He immediately captivated the audience with his iPad-driven compositions that were diverse, expertly delivered and filled with dizzying amounts of dance drops. Crossing many nuances of the dubstep diorama, he is certainly one of the scene innovators and trailblazers. The complimenting visuals were energizing and electrifying as well, with geometry and eye popping scenery floating across screens located below and above him. Well worth the trek in the tundra! www.paper-diamond.com
www.facebook.com/LOUDPVCK

SHPONGLE CONSCIOUSNESS

Psychotronic psychedelic visionary Simon Posford is out and about touring with his newest structure, “Shpongletron V.3” as part of the tour for Shpongle’s latest release, “Museum of Consciousness”. The structure is the fascinating visual focal point of a stunning video projection production provided by the one and only Zebbler. It will easily take the audience to many new dimensions… and beyond. Raja Ram, Posford’s innovative sonic co-pilot provides the inspiration for the “Shpongle” concept while helping him explore these uncharted musical frontiers and states of awareness.
As an added bonus, another fave of mine, the ethno-electronic dub group Dessert Dwellers will be opening the show. See it all at the Skyway Theater in Minneapolis on 3/22 and Majestic Theater in Madison on 3/26 Plus, if you are extra gung-ho, the tour climaxes at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO on 5/10. shpongle.com

BUCKCHERRY CONFESSES

Having sold more than 3 million albums since their debut in 1999, party hearty hard rockers Buckcherry are cruising the country touring in support of their most recent release, Confessions. Inspired by events in gravelly-voiced singer Josh Todd’s childhood, Confessions is a loose concept album that revolves around the notion of the seven deadly sins. They will be throwing it down on 3/20 at The Shack in Fond du Lac, WI and 3/24 at the RSR Bar in Madison. www.buckcherry.com/


MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 is Periphery - 10 is Compulsory

Daed - Programist

Daed - Programist

Daed

Album title: Programist
Record Label: Mozyk
Rating: 8

If there is such a thing as acid glitch, this would be it. Extreme breaks, blurbs and electronic wizardry are buoyed up by smooth slow rhythm soundscapes. The layers of ambiance are kissed by experimental overtones and taunted by throbbing bass. This 46 minute odyssey produced and recorded by the Houston, TX based DAED (aka Ian Lambert) generously includes 3 remixes by other “programists”

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F-777 - Celtic Dance Machine

F-777 - Celtic Dance Machine

F-777

Album title: Celtic Dance Machine
Record Label: self-published
Rating: 9

When you sacrifice your Riverdancer to the Goddess Electronica, something like this is bound to be the offspring. F-777 is Jesse Valentine, an extremely prolific and quite accomplished 20 year old electronic musician that also produces freelance soundtracks for games in addition to these themed dance explosions.

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Trey Frey - Refresh

Trey Frey - Refresh

Trey Frey

Album title: Refresh
Record Label: Thebasebit Recordings
Rating: 9

Although I am NOT related to Trey, after hearing Refresh I kinda wish I was. Each of his upbeat, wild and crazy chiptune creations was created using two original Nintendo Gameboys running Little Sound DJ. What a zany, but totally effective way to make electronic music!

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Trey Frey online:
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Ester Rada - Ester Rada

Ester Rada - Ester Rada

Ester Rada

Album title: Ester Rada
Record Label: The Eighth Note
Rating: 10

Ester Rada is part of a striking wave of smart, talented and ambitious Ethiopian woman that has swept Israel recently. Utilizing acclaimed Israeli producers Kuti (Kutiman/Thru-You) and Sabbo (Soulico) she combines her smooth seductive voice with jazzy retro funk filtered through hip shaking African grooves marinated in reggae temptations to produce an infectious delicacy that will tease you into submission. 

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