Spinner RPM: Crystal Castles

Alice Glass and Ethan Kath -- a duo from Toronto better known as Crystal Castles -- are multi-instrumentalists cooking up a unique take on electronic music combining bouncy beats with live instruments. Elements of Aphex Twin shine through their tweaked video-game rhythms mixed with riot grrrl influences have stirred up quite a buzz on the pair's self-titled album. And what's more, the couple have been tapped to open for Nine Inch Nails on select dates of Trent Reznor and Co's summer trek.

Having formed in 2005, Crystal Castles made noise with timely remixes of artists ranging from the Klaxons to Bloc Party. But they won't take on whatever comes their way. "Sometimes, there's a fraction of a sound I will use to create a new melody with," Kath tells Spinner. "I actually have not accepted a remix request in over a year."

Continue reading Spinner RPM: Crystal Castles

Spinner RPM: Carl Craig

Carl Craig is a name synomous with '90s techno and beyond, paving the way for the likes of Matthew Dear and Derek Plaslaiko. Moreoever, the Detroit kingpin's armed with almost as many aliases as floor-filling club tracks -- Paperclip People, 69 and Psyche among them. His exclusive Planet E label has showcased artists ranging from Moodyman to Kevin Saunderson, in addition to his own diverse productions, which often encompass a jazz element while maintaining his signature dark robotic house beat.

With a prestigious Fabric mix under his belt, Craig's most recent venture is a double-disc called 'Sessions,' comprised of only his productions and remixes. "I have to feel like listening to the track over and over and not get tired of listening, for it to have classic potential," Craig tells Spinner. "All of my favorite music always has that quality."

Continue reading Spinner RPM: Carl Craig



Artist:
Yacht
Songs: 'So Post All 'Em'
Album: 'I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real.'
Sounds Like: Dan Deacon, Free Blood

Download: 'So Post All 'Em' (MP3)


[Get Winamp] [Download Help]

Spinner RPM: Pink Skull

Julian Grefe -- a former staple of the Philadelphia punk scene -- has taken his DIY ethos and used it for good. That good is his own sound -- a unique twist on Detroit techno buoyed by the aggression of punk.

Grefe serves as the DJ in the four-piece band Pink Skull. "Most of our music is made on outboard synths and samplers, not to mention the band itself," Grefe explains to Spinner. "We do have a few moogs at our disposal -- Jupiter 6, Juno 106, Farfisa, SP 1200 -- plus drums, percussion, guitars and bass. Our little family of DJs -- Dave P, Mike Z, Sparkles, Greg Foreman, Ian and myself -- are responsible for creating the 'indie dance party ' here in Philadelphia. People are totally open minded and supportive of tons of events. Philly's a pretty sick party town."

Continue reading Spinner RPM: Pink Skull

Spinner RPM: Ursula 1000

Brooklyn turntable wiz Ursula 1000 -- aka Alex Gimeno -- is earmarked as one of ESL's elite, known for his ability to drop a breakbeat set while maintaining the funk that brought the kids to the dance floor in the first place. Gimeno is a New York native who relocated to Miami at a young age, thus opening him up to exotica, world music, bossa nova and merengue influence, which ultimately became his differentiating musical factors in an overcrowded New York DJ market. Ursula can be found rockin' New York's most infamous spots on any night of the week, but has always managed to release five studio LPs.

"I grew up listening to everything from rock to big band to disco and funk," Gimeno tells Spinner. "[My sound] is just adventures in fun and cheeky retro and future sounds."

Continue reading Spinner RPM: Ursula 1000

Spinner RPM: Derek Plaslaiko

A fixture in Detroit's ever-notable minimal scene, Derek Plaslaiko represents a new generation, building on the foundation laid by Carl Craig and Jeff Mills. After gaining notoriety with a residency at Detroit's legendary Motor club, Plaslaiko relocated to New York with his cutting edge selections, which maintain the aesthetics that shaped the early days of D.C. hardcore and uphold them in the techno community. Simply put, if you're going to hear Plaslaiko play, prepare to hear something new, every time.

Continue reading Spinner RPM: Derek Plaslaiko

Dave Gahan Gets 'Used'

Ben LeeDave Gahan has influenced generations of synth-fueled rockers with his work as part of Depeche Mode. To that end, Booka Shade and Juan MacLean have payed tribute by remixing the electronic icon, as well as experimental shoegazer Maps, who, most recently, cooked up a fresh and fuzzy take on 'Use You.' Keep reading for a full list of remixes.

Dave Gahan, 'Use You' - (Maps Remix )

Listen Booka Shade's Remix of 'Kingdom'

Continue reading Dave Gahan Gets 'Used'

This year's Winter Music Conference is once again upon us (tomorrow to be exact), and iconic DJ duo Sasha and John Digweed will be reflecting on their history at the Miami event. Particularly their legendary boat party, which remains a staple of the WMC festivities.

"The boat party we do every year is really special a chance for us to hang out with our close friends and colleagues," Digweed tells Spinner. Beyond the duo's annual boat outing, one of the pair can usually be found playing at WMC's pinnacle event, Ultra Music Festival. This year, however, the duo will be making a joint appearance to kick off their national tour. Here's hoping it will go off without a hitch, unlike 2007's performance of misfortune.

"Last year at Ultra on the main stage they didn't have it covered and the rain was coming down sideways," Digweed says. "I was soaked with four people holding plastic sheets over me to stop the mixer and CD players from getting wet. During my set 3, CDJs stopped working and we were all standing in inches of water around power sockets. It was scary and fun at the same time."

Continue reading Sasha and John Digweed Gear Up for WMC, Tour

Next Page >

ADVERTISEMENT
Spinner Radio

Spinner on iGoogle
Get the latest news, features and free music from Spinner on your iGoogle home page. Click to add it!

Send Ringtones to Your Phone

Choose from over 34,000 tones, graphics, videos and games. Join now and get 10 BONUS downloads.
Get started now

Interface Podcasts

This Week: Against Me!

The Floridian punk-rockers brought their A-game to their Interface performance.

3x3

Watch live performances from Sons and Daughters, Tapes 'N Tapes & the Long Blondes.

The Week's Live Pics

Love live shows? So do we.
Check out our set of scorchin' stage shots each week.

Spinner Radio

Spinner Radio

Experience a mix of all things good and musically left.

Sessions Live Performances

Who: Smashing Pumpkins
What: Smashing Pumkins rocked out in our Sessions studio.
Highlights: Billy Corgan kicks it old school with 'Tonight, Tonight' in our studio.

Blogroll