Renaissance Man are a duo from Helsinki who specialise in minimal/tech house. They have just released their Spraycan EP on Dubsided. I found this mix on Curb Crawlers which has a wealth of great mixes.
“Drenched in jackin’ tech house minimalism, Renaissance Man’s upcoming EP to be released on Dubsided marks an welcome turn in direction for the imprint. The horn laden title track Spraycan, with a it’s stripped down rhythm track and low filtered sub shifts the gold standard label’s path more in line with the likes of Made To Play or Dirtybird…”
Rene’s Party House – February 2009
1.Herbert – Moving Like A Train (Smith & Hack Remix)
2. Sis- Trompetta
3. Zombie Disco Squad – Esperanto
4. Radioclit- Secousse (Brodinski Remix)
5. Obi Blanche – Beetle Fight
6. Mixhell – Boom Da (Downtown Remix Instrumental)
7. Green Velvet – Thoughts
8. Renaissance Man – Aloha Dub
9. D.H.S – House Of God
10. Thomas Schumacher- Picanha
11. Renaissance Man – Spraycan
Long standing Washington DC record label Dischord is set to reissue much of it’s back catalog on vinyl. Dischord is one of the most respected independent labels having maintained it’s ethical approach for over 28 years. The Dischord back catalog includes a wealth of great bands such as Fugazi, Minor Threat, Q and Not U and Rites of Spring.
The reissues are due to ‘renewed interest’ in vinyl LPs from music fans not satisfied with low quality mp3s. The label, which is is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, has also announced a price increase for their LPs from $10 to $11. They also offer digital downloads for around 4-7 dollars (£2-5 ) an album. Sales of the remastered LPs come with complimentary mp3 downloads so that fans can own the physical record and listen to it on mp3 players.
“Due to the renewed interest in vinyl LPs, especially for our more historic titles, Dischord Records is remastering and re-cutting much of our vinyl catalog here in the United States. We will begin by re-pressing current titles, and later re-issuing others, all re-cut at Chicago Mastering Service and featuring complimentary MP3 album downloads. Dischord has always enjoyed very high quality vinyl mastering. For many years much of our vinyl was mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London by our friend and partner John Loder, who passed away in 2005. But the metal-work that is used to press vinyl LPs wears with time and we decided with John’s passing it was time to bring these projects back home and pass the torch to Bob Weston and Jason Ward at Chicago Mastering Service. ”
It’s fairly standard for a band to disappear without trace these days if their first album doesn’t shift enough copies, in fact a lot of contracts have this built in, if your first album isn’t a hit then your second album doesn’t happen. Perhaps this rule isn’t as bad as it sounds after all most bands first album is their best and it’s all downhill from there. There are of course a few exceptions Radiohead (*cough* overrated *cough*) got better then peaked with either OK Computer or Kid A. Slint’s second album is a masterpiece which eclipsed their debut.
A lot of bands just seem to keep on shoving out albums every few years despite the fact that their creativity has long since died. Whether these bands stay together because of the money or are just too scarred to live in the real world there are a lot of them about. Here are 5 bands who should have given up whilst the going was good.
#1 Metallica.
In fairness to Metallica they have had two good eras. To begin with they were fast, brutal and compelling. Next they were epic, creative and inventive. Now they sue their fans for downloading their music, use awful artwork and bravely attempt to recreate the magic like an ageing couple going out for ‘date night’.
Solution: go back in time and retire after the black album. Or Load at the very latest.
#2 Oasis.
Oasis have written one albums worth of good songs in their lifetime and they stupidly put them all on one album. These days they are like a pub rock tribute to the Beatles. Having heard interviews with Noel he actually comes across as very clever and witty. Unfortunately you can’t really write songs about the drudgery of modern, working class life when you live in a castle in the countryside.
The solution: either try to copy The Beatles creative streak rather than just their riffs or just retire.
#3 The Rolling Stones
I actually kind of like the old folks in The Rolling Stones. They might not be innovative or vital anymore but they seem to put on a good show for old people with too much money. I think it is safe to say however that Georgia Jagger is the best thing to come out of Mick Jagger since the 80′s.
Solution: Everyone could stop going to their gigs but I doubt that would stop them.
#4 AFI.
AFI used to be a great punk band. True, they ripped of Misfits but at least they did it well. Their songs were epic and Davey Havok’s vocals were awesome in a very urgent sing along kind of way. I typed AFI into Youtube the other day to see if they were still going and I was confronted my this monstrosity:
I think the Youtube comment lol! sums it up best.
Solution: Go and listen to some Misfits and try to remember that you are a punk band not a boyband.
#5 Kate Nash.
Kate Nash isn’t exactly a band but she should definitely have split up, preferably before releasing her first album. I really don’t understand how anyone can sincerely sing the lyrics “You said I must eat so many lemons/ ’cause I am so bitter/ I said “I’d rather be with your friends mate, ’cause they are much fitter” especially in the style of a mockney teenage girl who has just had some kind of surgery on her mouth.
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