Patrick Wolf - The City

Last month, everyone's favourite sexually ambiguous multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf unveiled the second single to be taken from his forthcoming album Lupercalia. The track, entitled The City, was premiered on the Steve Lamaq show and is the follow up to the superbly rousing post break-up soundtrack Time Of Your Life. The City is an equally stellar effort. I think it's the wailing sax solos that do it for me - if not them, then surely the upliftingly spirited vocals, both of which give a distinctly Springsteen-esque flavour to this otherwise bouncy pre pre-summer record. The City will released March 14th on vinyl and download.

Patrick Wolf - The City

MP3: Patrick Wolf - The City (Richard X Remix) DOWNLOAD

Cut Copy - Remixed

It's only a matter of weeks 'til Zonoscope, Cut Copy's third studio album, is released to European fans, and already it seems that most of the record has found its way onto Youtube. Is nothing sacred?! I've restrained myself, both physically and chemically, from copping a look at this leaked content - I want to the hear the album in its high quality entirety - I feel this record deserves as much. So, until the album's release, I've been making do with the various remixes of the band's new material. Most of them are a bit meh, though this one, by Illinois' Tigorilla - featuring some Tears For Fears style xylophone action - is a noteworthy effort:

MP3: Cut Copy - Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution (Tigorilla Relevant Remix) DOWNLOAD

Ruby Frost - Interview

Having featured on the pages of this blog before, regular readers will be more than familiar with Ruby Frost, the diminutive New Zealand singer-songwriter who's destined to cook up a storm in 2011. Somewhere in her diary, she found the time for an obsessive blogger/fan (i.e. me) to interrogate her about all things Frost - here's the results:

Check The Availability: Ruby, Thanks for taking the time out of your no doubt busy schedule to answer a few questions. How are you? Where are you?

Ruby Frost: Thank you for having me! I'm doing well thank you, sitting in my New Zealand Bedroom next to 100 pieces of scrap paper and a blackboard covered in lists.

CTA: You came to my attention after playing CMJ in New York last year. By all accounts, you went down a storm. How did the gig come about?

RF: That gig was the most amazing prize! I won an MTV competition in New Zealand back in 2009, and part of the prize was a trip to New York to perform at CMJ 2010... But I had eight whole months to wait until going and the suspense almost killed me. I loved New York; the bike rides, the different cultures, the subway, the pizza, and the light-up dance floors where we could dance 'ironically'.

CTA: That wasn't your first time in the States, right? I believe there was an incident involving you, a gunman and a church during a previous trip there.

RF: I used to travel to America a lot with my parents' Gospel band from the age of 12 until about 16. And yeah, one day there was a gun scare in the mega-church we were visiting and I was stuck by myself in the foyer selling CDs while the service went on. It was terrifying, but it caused me to write a short story about the gunman's festering skin (terrible acne). That was the first time I ever did something under the Frost pseudonym.

CTA: There seems to be a lot of talent coming out of New Zealand these days. I'm thinking Ladyhawke, Brooke Fraser, Mt Eden Dubstep. Does the environment there lend itself to making great music?

RF: I think so. I think we're very isolated down here, and maybe we feel like outsiders from the 'rest of the world'. But I like that because it means you have a license to act like the misfit, and create anything you want. There's no massive industry over here that gives you set-in-stone standards.

CTA: Speaking of Mt. Eden Dubstep, how did you end up providing vocals for Oh That I Had? It's such a beautiful piece of music.

RF: They got in touch asking if they could remix one of my songs, and at the time I only had an old E.P. recorded. Oh That I Had was on the E.P., just vocals and piano. It's a very spiritual song so I was interested in how it would end up, but I really like it; it's beautiful.

CTA: How far off are we from hearing the full album? Have you decided on a name yet?

RF: The album should be coming out around July! And that's a prospect which makes me equally delighted and incredibly nervous. There's still a lot of work to be done so I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into it. I have one name idea but it's TOP SECRET. Sorry.

CTA: I understand the song writing process involved collaborating with some big name talent over in Australia. How do you find working creatively with other people?

RF: I thought I would hate it and went into my first session a little bit guarded. But I quickly realised co-writing is one of the most exciting things you can do - instead of labouring away alone, you get to do your favourite thing with the excitement of having to jet out ideas instantly and quickly. It's always a challenge but that's why I like it. I want to get away from that now though, having done a few sessions, and am going to lock myself away to write alone again. I think it's important to have both... they are different ways of using your brain.

CTA: You recently released the video to Moonlight. Fantastic stuff. having made the video, you must feel like a real popstar now, right?

RF: Haha, definitely not! It's exciting to finally have something out, but it just makes me want to work harder and write 1 million more songs and try to get it all down to a fine art. I guess it's all in the experimental stage. But I am enjoying this haphazard process!

CTA: ...and finally, I have to ask, are there any plans to play some live shows outside of New Zealand any time soon? I'm thinking specifically (...and selfishly) that you might come and play in the U.K..

RF: Yes, we are looking into some ideas, but it is still early days. I would love to spend a couple of months in the U.K. and maybe also Sweden just to meet up with interesting people and try and collaborate and come up with new things. But who knows, nothing is set yet.

Ruby Frost - Pressure (Leno Lovecraft Remix)

Ruby's latest E.P. Moonlight was released to New Zealand fans today and is available via itunes. The 28th and 30th January will see Frost play Hamilton's Parachute Festival.

Cut Copy - Take Me Over (Tim Goldsworthy Remix)

Continuing with their steady drip-drip of Cut Copy/Zonoscope related news, Modular Recordings have sent out a re-work of Cut Copy's tropical-slash-Men At Work inspired track Take Me Over, featuring Tim Goldsworthy, producer of In Ghost Colours and all round legend, on remixing duties. Also confirmed is the track listing for forthcoming album Zonoscope, which will hit European shelves on 07/02.

Zonoscope Tracklisting:

1. Need You Now

2. Take Me Over

3. Where I'm Going

4. Pharaohs & Pyramids

5. Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution

6. Strange Nostalgia for the Future

7. This Is All We've Got

8. Alisa

9. Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat

10. Corner of the Sky

11. Sun God

MP3: Cut Copy - Take Me Over (Thee Loving Hand Remix by Tim Goldsworthy) DOWNLOAD

BONUS!!!!

MP3: Bag Raiders - Sunlight (GLOVES Remix) DOWNLOAD

Ruby Frost - Moonlight Video

Although Slough band Brother feature highly on my hypothetical list of ones to watch for 2011, it would be New Zealand Popsicle Ruby Frost who would top it. Whereas the former has been described as potentially "the most polarizing band of 2011", I believe Miss Frost will unite all peoples and bring about world peace with her utterly adorable looks and cool electro-infused pop hooks. Above is the promo vid - released yesterday - for Ruby's song Moonlight, directed by one Veronica Crockford-Pound.

MP3: Ruby Frost - Moonlight (Leno Lovecraft Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Mt. Eden - Oh That I Had (Feat. Ruby Frost) DOWNLOAD

Dancing With The DJ (Monsieur Adi Remix)

(Not my arm)

Like master brewers, The Knocks know a winning formula when they see one. Last time it was their summer ditty Make It Better that got the once over from Parisian electro wonderkid Monsieur Adi. Now, the two have teamed up again; this time on single Dancing With The DJ, which Adi has stretched into seven minutes of shimmering French-disco. A wonderful pairing.

MP3: The Knocks - Dancing With The DJ (Monsieur Adi Remix) DOWNLOAD

Kids Of 88

I think it was during the Louis and the Nazis episode, when Louis Theroux meets pre-teen skinhead pop group Prussian Blue, that I learned the significance of the number 88 to the white power community. Translate the numbers to the alphabet and you get HH - or Heil Hitler. Now, as far as I'm concerned there can only be two reasons why a band would name themselves Kids Of 88. Either they're an enterprising electro group attempting to create a niche in the white supremacist market; or they are literally kids of 88 - 1988. I suspect it's the later.

After signing up with Sony records, this Auckland city duo released their debut LP Sugarpills to much fanfare in their native New Zealand. Now, on the back of an appearance at CMJ and a mini-tour with fellow kiwi's The Naked And Famous, their new wave dance-rock sound is deservedly gaining attention outside their homeland. Check out Feed The Birds, a track that comes complete with wailing guitar and In The Air Tonight style drum fills.

MP3: Kids Of 88 - Feed The Birds DOWNLOAD

While I'm covering New Zealand music, I hit on a singer who goes by the name Ruby Frost. She won some big MTV competition last year, but hasn't yet achieved breakthrough status. Judging by this gem of a remix, Ruby is definitely one to keep an eye on..

MP3: Ruby Frost - Moonlight (Leno Lovercraft Remix) DOWNLOAD

This Is Not A fire Release

October saw Check The Availability introduced you to the tropical sounds of My Tiger My Timing. If you liked what you heard then, you'll be pleased to hear this London foursome have anounced the release of a souped version (Andy Spence of NYPC had a hand in recording) of their signature tune, This Is Not A Fire, through Silver Machine Music on April 6TH. There don't seem to be any plans to press up a 7", however the digital download will be backed by a Tronic Youth remix, together with a dubstep version coutersy of Sam Wire. In the meantime...

MP3: My Tiger My Timing - This Is Not A Fire (Django Django Remix) DOWNLOAD

UPDATE: I've been informed that This Is Not A Fire will get a 7" release. The date? 06/04/09.

No. 26

"Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through force of arms" Sen. Ron Paul

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MP3: Flowers Of Doom - Happiness DOWNLOAD
MP3: Peter, Bjorn And John - Lay It Down (Punks Jump Up Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Red Blooded Women - Enjoy The Silence (Heads We Dance Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Plants And Animals - Bye Bye Bye DOWNLOAD
MP3: Plump DJ's - Beat Myself Up (Don Diablo Re-rub) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Modeselektor -Suckerpin (Feadz Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (Me Gusta Remix) DOWNLOAD
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The Revolution.

Hometown Glory (CCC Remix)

Here's the story behind the track (how very VH1):

"After meeting her at Heathrow Airport (we were on the same flight to NY. She was in first class and CCC was in no class) (That was supposed to be funny, so please Laugh!) it was LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! During the flight, her album, '19' was included in the 'on board entertainment. How cool is that!?!?!? You fly from London to NY and your album is available to all the passengers. Perfect time to show off. Very very cool!!! Anyway, 'Hometown glory' is simply amazing, and this is CCC's hommage to her beautiful voice."

So there you have it. Destiny? Fate? Luck? Whatever it was, s'nice when things come together, innit?

MP3: Adele - Hometown Glory (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD

BMK

If you have a thing for MSTRKRFT and the Nordic countries, then let me introduce you to BMK; Sweden's answer to the Ontarian duo. Known in their homeland as Blandmissbruk (a word which I'm told refers to the mixing of many nefarious habits at the same time), BMK are rumoured to be masterminded by members of the Swedish band, Division Of Laura Lee. They where brought to the attention of label Swedish Columbia via their notorious warehouse parties in the outskirts of Gothenberg. The label was impressed enough with their slightly murkier brand of electro-dance, that they whipped out the bands second single, We Don't Care, backed by a sweet Tanimura Midnight remix.

Get the record HERE for free.

MP3: BMK - We Don't Care DOWNLOAD

MP3: BMK - We Don't Care (Tanimura Midnight Remix) DOWNLOAD

No. 25

"We American's, we're simple people...but piss us off, and we'll bomb your cities" Robin Williams

MP3: Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy (Paul Epworth Version) DOWNLOAD

MP3: East 17 - It's Alright DOWNLOAD

MP3: Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning (Alex Metric Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Mike Keneally -Sisters (Steve Vai Cover) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Vitamin String Quartet - Viva La Vida (Coldplay Cover) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Sniper - Nique Le Pen DOWNLOAD

MP3: Don Henley - Dirty Laundry DOWNLOAD

Adverts

What in God's name is going on in world of commercials? First we had John Lydon of Sex Pistols fame dressed in stately home regalia flogging Country Life butter (whose sales, I hear, have risen considerably as a result). Following that, Iggy Pop stuffed the remnants of his dignity down the bog by advertising car insurance. Car insurance!!! And last night, I watched agog, as the latest Pantene shampoo advert was backed by a 'classical' version of Daft Punk's Aerodynamic, played by all round pain-in-the-arse Myleene Klass. Is nothing sacred?

MP3: Daft Punk - Aerodynamic DOWNLOAD

MP3: Daft Punk - Aerodynamic (DJ Dstar Remix) DOWNLOAD

Pocketknife

New York producer and one half of the Flagrant Fowl imprint, Pocketknife, has been deftly remixing choice records since mid 2006. Artist's including Feist, Beirut and Adele have all had their music subtly beautified by the Brooklyn DJ, whose influences include the likes of Diplo, Grandmaster Flash and LCD Soundsystem. Knowing how much you all adore this chap, it is with great pleasure that I offer you his superb Loosefoot remix of Lykke Li's awesome track, Breaking It Up (Oh, I know, soooo 2008!) I do hope your NY celebration go according to plan.

MP3: Lykke Li -Breaking It Up (Pocketknife's Loosefoot Remix) DOWNLOAD
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No. 24

"The rich are always advising the poor, but the poor seldom return the compliment". Sir Arthur Helps

MP3: Osborne - 16Th Stage DOWNLOAD
MP3: Tommy Sparks - I'm A Rope (Yuksek Rework) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Bitclipr - Discofreak DOWNLOAD
MP3: Tiga & Zyntherius - Sunglasses At Night (Black Devil Dub) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Kent - Vy Fraan Ett Luftslott (Punks Jump Up Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B. DOWNLOAD
MP3: The New Standards - Such Great Heights (The Postal Service Cover) DOWNLOAD

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Wallpaper Dio Remix)

You know you're truly broke when you have to economise servery to be buy a record. In the case of Passion Pits debut 7", Sleepyhead, I didn't mind. Looking back, I think we can agree that Passion Pit provided us with one of the tunes of the year. November saw New York's Finger On The Pulse blog commence a remix competition for the track which saw Wallpaper. crowned the winner. This excellent remix wants to be the darker cousin of the original, with its unrushed tempo and thick, moody synths, lightened up with some neatly placed pitched-up sax.

MP3: Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Wallpaper. Dio Remix) DOWNLOAD

Lord Skywave - I Am A Dead Man (Grovesnor Remix)

One time Hot-Chiper, Grovesvnor (the moniker of one Rob Smoughton), produced a true gem of '08 with the deliciously over the top, Drive Your Car. Now, Grovesvnor has turned his hand to remixing the little known slide-project of former Simian, current Black Ghosts man, Simon Lord. A nice up-tempo slice of boogie-disco.

MP3: Lord Skywave - I Am A Dead Man (Grovesnor Remix) DOWNLOAD

Audio Bullys/Shinichi Osawa News

Few bits of news I want get through. Firstly, electronic music duo, Audio Bullys have made a comic...that's right, a comic! Basically, the narrative fits round the lyrical content of the track Dope Fiend, which, when you purchase a physical copy of the comic you get a download link for. Here's you click-through banner:

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Second up is some swell news from the Shinichi Osawa camp: a competition entitled 'Who is The One who could remix and release your track?' Submit your MP3 for Joe public to listen to and vote on, after which Shinichi will take a butchers at the 10 highest rated tracks and choose an overall winner. Top dog will have their track released on Southern Fried Records together with an accompanying remix from Shinichi himself!

MP3: Audio Bullys - Flickery Vision (Jamie Anderson and Deepgroove's Idiotproof Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Shinichi Osawa - The Golden DOWNLOAD

The Joy Formidable - Cradle Release

I'm pretty sure that if The Joy Formidable had released an L.P. this year, it would've popped up somewhere on my 'Top Albums of 2008' list, which I posted the other day. Anyway, following the release of the bands debut 7", Austere (of which I'm a proud owner of a signed copy), you can now pre-order their follow up single, Cradle, released on Try Harder records, available on 2ND February. This particular 7", I've been informed, will be a gate fold release, and will feature new track, The Last Drop, as well as remixes from Kyte and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur. Here's your pre-order LINK.

MP3: The Joy Formidable - Cradle (Kyte Remix) DOWNLOAD
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BMX

Ahoy there! Quirky foursome BMX are an Australian bandwagon worth jumping on. Their minimalist, indie influenced chewing gum pop has already caught the attention of some big name blogs (notably Bigstereo), and they're set to play with Metronomy early next year. I'm pretty sure you'll love the whole girl/boy vocal thing, not to mention the fact that vocalist Dominique sounds like a cross between an 80's Madonna and a Princess Superstar, circa Bad Babysitter. Exactly like everything and nothing you've heard before. Go see...

MP3: BMX - War DOWNLOAD
MP3: BMX - Theme To BMX DOWNLOAD
MP3: BMX - Theme To BMX (Jasper Remix) DOWNLOAD