solipsistic NATION

solipsistic NATION No. 166: Ezekiel Honig, Live

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:14 -0800

New to solipsistic NATION? Okay, here's how it works: the first Friday of each month I interview an electronic musician and accompany it with one of their live performances. It's a kind of cool way to kick of each month.

This month our live set comes from Ezekiel Honig's performance at the 2009 MUTEK Festival.

MUTEK was founded in 200o and is an international festival organization that is dedicated to the promotion of electronic music and the digital arts. The MUTEK festival is an annual five-day event in Montreal that takes place in late May and early June. Each year, more than 100 artists, panelists, and industry professionals participate and has become a leading event of its kind in North America.

I first came across Ezekiel back when solipsistic NATION was broadcast on Free Radio San Diego when I asked Ezekiel to send some music from his label, Microcosm Music (Ezekiel is also now the label manager of Anticipate Recordings). I believe that was around the time that Ezekiel was transitioning from drum and bass to experimental electronic music. I later interviewed Ezekiel for the Small World podcast and since then I've wanted to Ezekiel to be a guest on solipsistic NATION. It took a while but I'm pleased to have Ezekiel on today's show!

Incidentally, I believe it is through my Small World interview with Ezekiel that I met Macedonia, the host of the Both Sides of the Surface podcast. Just another example of the six degrees of connections that solipsistic NATION creates.

As long as I have your eyeballs the upcoming live sets on solipsistic NATION will feature King Cannibal, Mad EP, Terminal 11 and Ill.Gates!

Oh, one more thing. During the summer I was interviewed by Eric Fox and Erik Landi for their documentary about underground music and the underground music for their final project at High Tech High. You can see their video here. I'm amazed what Eric and Erik put together. They're learning who to use the tools as teenagers that I use as an adult. What a world!

Photo Credit: ©basic_sounds

Ezekiel Honig "Live at MUTEK 2009, Montreal" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Ezekiel Honig

Underground and Unknown by Erik Landi and Eric Fox

solipsistic NATION No. 165: Geas

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:51 -0700

When I put together the mix for last week's show I realized that I had over two hours worth of music. I decided to break that mix up into two shows.

Last week's show was dark and concussive and featured the likes of Hindu Pez and King Cannibal. This week's show is dark and... atmospheric. Which makes it perfect for Halloween. In fact, you might want to play today's show while kids come to your house to trick or treat.

Everyone has a Halloween memory so let me share one of mine.

Back when I was a kid I worked at a novelty store called Jack 'N' Jill's Joke Shop in Boston. We sold your usual assortment of hand buzzers and fake dog crap but we made our nut during Halloween. All through the month of October we sold Halloween supplies ranging from fake blood to high-end items like latex masks. Each day was busier than the last and culminated in a shopping frenzy on the 31^st with customers lined up outside our door.

At the end of one Halloween shopping day our shelves were pretty bare but I grabbed some fake spiders webs, a strobe light or two and a truly frightening Frankenstein's monster mask. I rushed home to Dorchester to meet my then girlfriend to make our house ready for the trick and treaters in our neighborhood.

There was just one problem.

We had made our house so spooky and combined with my gruesome mask kids were too terrified to come up to our doorstep for candy. They'd scream and wail and despite encouragement from their parents they refused to take a single step near us. In the end I had to take off my mask so the little boys and girls would get over their fear of me and get their candy.

What's your Halloween memory?

Photo Credit: ©Teri Mills

Black Light Burns "Ribbons"
Cdatakill "Respirator"
Felix Inferious "Vashta Nerada"
Black Lung "The Regulator Plot"
Frank Riggio "Inside The Skull" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Pandora's Black Book "Wavelength"
Access To Arasaka "Montcalm"
Lukeing Forward "Lull Before the Storm That Never Comes"
The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation "The Sexy Midnight Torture Show"
Ezekiel Honig "Porchside Prologue"
Kalte "Shallow Approach" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
David Bickley and Tom Green "Possessions" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
BrainSt0rm "Sc0rpi0"
Lissom "Fallow"
Evan Bartholomew "Secret Entries Into Darkness"

solipsistic NATION No. 164: Dead Pixel

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:52 -0700

When I was putting together this week's edition of solipsistic NATION I realized I had over two hours worth of music. What to do? I could either pare down the mix to an hour or break the mix into two separate shows. I decided to go with the latter option.

Originally the mix began with a selection of music that would make your ears bleed and slowly become more and more darkly atmospheric. So let's talk about the first part.

We begin with Hindu Pez's "The Blackest Sky" from his forthcoming abUSE EP that will be released Friday, November 13th. Hindu Pez was kind enough to send me an advance copy and "The Blackest Sky" set the tone for the rest of today's show.

Speaking of Hindu Pez, this is the perfect opportunity for me to talk about how some editions of solipsistic NATION come together. I'm constantly reviewing tracks to play on future shows and some tracks I play immediately and some sit on my hard drive for weeks, months or, sometimes, years before they make it on to the show. I'd love to play all new music that comes my way but my priority is to present you cohesive mixes of great music. If I can work in new music so much the better but it doesn't always work out that way.

Moving on, we've also got some music from The Teknoist, Enduser, Abelcain and Ad·ver·sary, all of whom have appeared on solipsistic NATION before. And for good reason: they all craft mind blowing music.

Another artist that is new to solipsistic NATION is King Cannibal. King Cannibal's Let the Night Roar is definitely in the dubstep vein but it's far more darker and heavier than most of the dubstep you've heard. Oh, King Cannibal will appear on solipsistic NATION in the next month or two with one of his live sets.

I followed King Cannibal with Somatic Responses who are just as menacing as King Cannibal. It was a no brainer to include them on this week's show. Somatic Responses' "Murder Thought" comes from their fantastic Reformation album.

Jega, Access To Arasaka and Pandora's Black Book also return to solipsistic NATION but Black Mold and Datach'i are new to the show.

Datach'i is an example of what I was talking about earlier. I meant to play Datach'i when I showcased Planet Mu Records on solipsistic NATION but I couldn't work him into the mix due to time constraints so I've very pleased to finally play Datach'i on today's show.

The final newcomer to solipsistic NATION is Black Mold with the track "Smoking Rat Shit" from the Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz. I confess I know little about Black Mold but they're on my radar.

That's the show. Next week will feature the second half of the mix which will be appropriately spooky for Halloween.

Stay stuned!

Hindu Pez "The Blackest Sky"
The Teknoist "Have You Seen"
Enduser "Pushing Chaos (Bong-Ra Remix)"
Abelcain "Faust (Cdatakill Remix)"
Ad·ver·sary "Number Nine"
King Cannibal "The Untitled"
Somatic Responses "Murder Thought"
Jega "Kyoto"
Access To Arasaka "Medway"
Black Mold "Smoking Rat Shit"
Pandora's Black Book "Black Brothel"
Datach'i "Intercoursing"

solipsistic NATION No. 163: A/V

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:01 -0700

Today on solipsistic NATION we'll talk with Amy Grill about her documentary, Speaking in Code. We'll also talk to Paul Owens, the director of Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet, a documentary about the Chiptunes movement. On the night of the debut of Berlin Calling in Hollywood, director Hannes Stöhr shares his thoughts about his new movie. From the big screen to the pages of Big Up Magazine, we'll talk to Katyá Guseva about bass driven music, art and culture and Big Up Magazine's one year anniversary. We'll also talk to Graham St. John about the newly launched Dancecult journal. Finally, Fernando Fonseca, the founder of the Public Spaces Lab, shares with us his experiences at the Net Audio Festival in Berlin.

Speaking in Code Speaking in Code is an intimate account of people who are completely lost in music and is a heartbreaking and lighthearted documentary, it's a vérité glimpse into the world of techno. Speaking in Code stars Modeselektor, Wighnomy Brothers, Monolake, Philip Sherburne, David Day and Amy Grill.

Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet is a feature length documentary which delves into the movement known as chiptunes, a vibrant underground scene based around creating new, original music using old video game hardware. Familiar devices such as the Nintendo Game Boy and Nintendo Entertainment System are pushed in new directions with startling results.Using New York as a microcosm for a larger global movement, Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet maps out the genesis of the first annual Blip Festival, a four day celebration of over 30 international artists exploring the untapped potential of low-bit video game consoles. With floor-stomping rhythms and fist-waving melodies, trailblazers of the chiptune idiom descend upon Manhattan to pen a new chapter in the history of electronic music.

Berlin Calling is about electronic music composer Martin (Paul Kalkbrenner), known as DJ Ickarus, is touring with his manager and girlfriend Mathilde (Rita Lengyel) from club to club around the globe and is about to release their biggest album to date. However, all of his plans are thrown out of kilter after Ickarus is submitted to the emergency ward of a psychiatric clinic high on drugs after a gig- A tragicomedy in Berlin of today. Berlin Calling is directed by Hannes Stöhr who has also directed One Day in Europe (Berlinale 2005 in Official Competition) and Berlin is in Germany (Berlinale 2001 Panorama Audience Award).

Big Up Magazine is a magazine dedicated to bass driven music, art, culture and people and celebrates its one year anniversary October 24th at the Paradise Lounge in San Francisco with Cyrus/Random Trio, Cluekid featuring Aurorah, Kutz, Samiyam and Darkiside of Get Darker TV.

Dancecult is a peer-reviewed, open-access e-journal for the study of electronic dance music culture and has launched the 1.1 edition 1.1 published and available at http://dj.dancecult.net.

The Net Audio Festival '09 took place from the 8th to the 11th of October and gathered the international netaudio community for a four-day music and conference festival in Berlin, under the title "East meets West." 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain. Net Audio Festival '09 recalled pictures of hands reaching out to pull people from both sides up onto the Berlin wall. The event will took place at Maria, a venue situated immediately on the former Berlin 'death strip' once dividing the city and the world into eastern and western hemispheres.

That's the show! Join us again next week when we'll do it all over again. But completely different.

Photo Credit: Mitch Vega

The Field "Sun and Ice, Excerpt"
Speaking in Code Trailer
The Field "The Deal"
Interview with Amy Grill, director of Speaking in Code
Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet Trailer
Starscream "Gravity in Terms of Space-Time" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Paul Owens, director of Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet
Paul Kalkbrenner "Gebrünn Gebrünn (Berlin Calling Edit)"
Interview with Hannes Stöhr, director of Berlin Calling
Cyrus/Random Trio "Mind Games"
Interview with Katyá Guseva, editor of Big Up Magazine
Dubatech aka Cold Form "Windless Dub (Havantepe's Breeze)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Graham St. John, editor of Dancecult
Zengineers "Passage to India" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Fernando Fonseca, founder of Public Spaces Lab
Niteffect "Naked Swords" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 162: Digital Hardcore Recordings

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:39:28 -0700

When I launched solipsistic NATION I had a list of people I wanted to be guests on the show. One was Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto and another was Amon Tobin. I've slowly been making my way down the list and today I'm happy to cross Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings off that list!

One of my favorite memories of Digital Hardcore Recordings was when I was working alongside a kid who played Korn constantly. I think he was on a mission to assault my ears with what he considered the heaviest and angriest music he knew. I put up with it for a while but after a couple of days I got fed up with it and when it was my turn to play some music I dialed up some Atari Teenage Riot. I couldn't have wished fro a better reaction from him: he fell off his chair in shock. He was simultaneously stunned and laughing hysterically at the intensity of the music that was bludgeoning his ears! Ah, the simple pleasures in life.

I have to be honest, though, my initial reaction to Atari Teenage Riot was pretty much the same. Back in the 90's there was really nothing else like them out there and while I liked it I couldn't make sense of it at first. But like it I did and I started digging up everything I could find that was released on Digital Hardcore Recordings. Atari Teenage Riot will always have a special place in my heart but I also became a big fan of The Curse of the Golden Vampire, Hanin Elias and pretty much anything Alec Empire puts out.

While most of the stuff on Digital Hardcore Recordings sounds as fresh now as it did when it was first released, time, and Alec Empire have moved on so this week's show serves as a kind of a document of the history Digital Hardcore Recordings: how the label and Atari Teenage Riot began, how people reacted to the band and the label and Alec's new label, Eat Your Heart Out.

I'd like to thank Alec for being so generous with his time. I figured I would count myself lucky if I was able to interview Alec for 15 minutes but instead Alec gave me 90 minutes and the opportunity to answer any question I asked him. Thanks, Alec!

Atari Teenage Riot "Destroy 2000 Years Of Culture"
Alec Empire "We All Die"
Interview with Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings
Ec80r "We Need A Change!"
Christoph De Babalon "My Confession"
Interview with Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings
Hanin Elias "Nizza"
The Curse Of The Golden Vampire "Ultrasonic Meltdown"
Interview with Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings
Bomb 20 "You Killed Me First"
Alec Empire "1000 Eyes (Radio Edit)"
Interview with Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings
Killout Trash "Straight Outta Berlin"
Patric C "Snuff Out"
Interview with Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings
Sonic Subjunkies "Central Industrial"
DJ Bleed "Deaf Dumb And Blind"
Interview with Alec Empire of Digital Hardcore Recordings
Shizuo "Sweat"

Atari Teenage Riot - Destroy 2000 Years of Culture

solipsistic NATION No. 161: Eskmo, Live

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:50 -0700

If you've listened to solipsistic NATION for a while then you know the first Friday of each month I feature a live set from an electronic musician. It's a lot of fun and recently we've had some great performances from KiloWatts, Iambic and Exillon. What began as a one time segment has become a regular feature on solipsistic NATION.

And that takes us to today's show which caused a minor dilemma for me.

A few months I asked Brendan Angelides, who records and performs under the names Eskmo and Welder, if he'd like to be a guest on the show. Brendan was kind enough to send me a link to one of his mind blowing mixes. I couldn't wait to play it on the show.

When I arrange my interview with Brenda I discovered is... kind of live. Live in the sense that his mixed the set in his studio. By this point I had already promoted his show on solipsistic NATION and didn't have enough time to set up an interview with another musician and feature one of their live sets. That aside, I decided it didn't matter because Eskmo's music is just so great. Plus, in a couple of months Brendan will be back on the show with, this time, one of his Welder live sets!

Speaking of live sets, next month we'll have tow live sets on one show, one from Masmöd and one from Terminal 11. Oh, and next week our special guest will be Alec Empire. We'll talk with Alec and her select tracks from his label, Digital hardcore Recordings.

Stay stuned!

Eskmo The Ancestor Mix [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Animal Collective "Daily Routine (Intro)"
Eskmo "Harmony"
Eskmo "Trudge"
Interview with Eskmo
Eskmo "Hypercolor"
Eskmo "Process"
J. Rodgers "Mediation Point (Eskmo Remix)"
DJ Quest & Eskmo "Speakers Corner (Antiserum Remix)"
Eskmo "Ocean Lazer"
Coalition of the Killing "We Are the Glitch (Eskmo Remix)"
Interview with Eskmo
Sub Swara "Constructing the Abscence (Eskmo Remix)"
Eskmo & Antiserum "Monstahs"
Jason Sparks "One Eyed Man (Eskmo Remix)"
Bar9 "Murda Sound (Eskmo Remix)"
Primus "My Name is Mud (Eskmo Remix)"
Eskmo "Agnus Dei"
Afghan Headspin "MSG (Eskmo Remix)"
DJ Quest & Mutiny "? (Eskmo Remix)"
Interview with Eskmo
Eskmo "San Francisco"
Animal Collective "Daily Routine (Outro)"

Eskmo Live at Yuri's Night 2008

solipsistic NATION No. 160: Decibel

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:11 -0700

I've got yet another jam-packed edition of solipsistic NATION for you this week! We'll talk with Mad E.P. and O' Slick, Sean Horton from the Decibel Festival taking place in Seattle this weekend, mutantrumpeter Ben Neill, and Thesis from the Echodub collective record label. And of course I'll play you the best of all genres of electronic music!

Mad E.P. is a crafty musician who jumps from genre to genre and yet somehow makes those genres his own, whether it's breakbeat or hip hop. Mad E.P. and O' Slick join us to talk about their forthcoming collaborative album, Brimstone Bangers.

As I mentioned, we'll also talk with Sean Horton, the founder of the Decibel Festival, a four-day annual music and arts festival dedicated to live electronic music, visual art and new media. The Decibel Festival began in 2004 and has been gathering momentum each year. This year's festival features more than 100 performers hailing from 10 countries in 14 venues across Seattle, conferences, panels and workshops. You can check out the schedule here.

We'll also talk with Ben Neill. Ben is a trumpeter and composer and his music has been recorded on such labels as Astralwerks, Verve, and Six Degrees. Ben is another artist who makes each genre his own and his new album, Night Science, is an offering of some heavy, heavy dubstep infused with his mutantrumpet.

Finally, we'll talk with Thesis from Echodub. I recently discovered Echodub when I downloaded their Anechoic Chamber net release dubstep compilation album. I love dubstep but I have to admit that most of the stuff I hear is plodding and uninspired but nearly everything I've heard from Echodub is beautiful and moving.

That's the show. I hope you dig it because there's a lot of sweat equity behind this edition of solipsistic NATION. If you do dig it (and I don't see how you couldn't) then why don't you show some love and give solipsistic NATION a quick 1 to 5 star review on our iTunes page.

Oh, before I go, I want to let you know that next week's show will feature a special mix from Eskmo and the following week we'll talk with the legendary Alec Empire, the founder of Digital Hardcore Recordings and Atari Teenage Riot! I'm also working on a show that will include an interview with Amy Grill, the director of the documentary, Speaking in Code, and a chat with King Cannibal. I'm still working out who will be the other guests on the edition of solipsistic NATION so stay stuned!

Photo Credit: Yago Veith

Mad E.P. "Hellbass"
Mad E.P. "Fire & Mud (Instrumental)"
Interview with Mad E.P. & O'Slick
Mad E.P. "Apocalypse (Filthy One)"
Truckasauras "Hold On (Dutty Larry Mix)"
Heyoka "Galactic Tea Pad"
Interview with Sean Horton, founder of the Decibel Festival
Voodeux "Bones"
Ben Neill "Afteimage"
Ben Neill "Monochromatic"
Interview with Ben Neill
Ben Neill "Futura"
Absense "Good Love" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Apathesis "Untitled" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Thesis of Echodub
Moonchild "The Glass Lake" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 159: Amplifier

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:40 -0700

I've never said this before about previous editions of solipsistic NATION but today's show is not safe for work. I figure we're all adults so I don't feel the need to give such a disclaimer but I decided just this one it would be be a good idea to cover my ass so you can cover yours.

That said, I don't have a lot to talk about this week's show other than listen to it because it rocks so I thought I'd take this opportunity to talk about the gear I use to make solipsistic NATION. It's a question that comes up now and again so I thought I'd address it.

First off, I rock the Sennheiser e 835 microphone. There are better microphones out there but Sennheiser e 835 is a solid, inexpensive microphone and it has served me well.

I run my Sennheiser e 835 through a Behringer Eurorack UB502 mixer which I then run through an Alesis NanoCompressor which is connected to my Mac Mini.

I use Skype to conduct the interview for the show and Wiretap Pro to record the interviews. Wiretap Pro has been updated and is now called Wiretap Studio but Wiretap Pro is perfect for my needs so I never felt the need to purchase the upgrade.

I use Sound Studio to record and edit my voice overs as well as my interviews and the IDs for which are then run through an application called Levelator to further smooth out the highs and lows in the audio.

I use GarageBand to sequence and mix solipsistic NATION. I suppose I could use GarageBand to record and edit the voice overs, interviews and IDs as well but I find that Sound Studio gives me the fine degree of control I require. Besides, as I mentioned, I'm using a Mac Mini and while it's a great computer I think I would pushing the machine to it's limits to simultaneously run Skype and GarageBand and I just don't want to take that chance while recording interviews for the show.

Once the show is mixed it is exported to iTunes and I then encode the show as an MP3 at 128 kbps/44.100 kHz using an application called the iTunes-LAME Encoder. It usually takes 15 minutes to convert the show to MP3 using the iTunes-LAME Encoder and while I could use iTunes' built-it MP3 encoder which is much faster (it takes just a few minutes to encode a show in iTunes) the iTunes-LAME Encoder delivers a MP3 with superior audio. If I'm going to compress the music to a MP3 I might as well give you the best sounding show I possible can.

In the past I've also been asked why I don't encode the show at 192 or 320 kbps for higher audio fidelity. The answer is simple. I'd love to encode the show at 192 or 320 kbps but that would significantly increase the file size of the show which in turn would increase the time it would take to download the show to your computer. solipsistic NATION has a global audience and not everyone has a high speed internet connection and I want people to be able to download solipsistic NATION as quickly and easy as possible.

I've also been asked by some people why I don't encode the show as an AAC. This is another dilemma I had to wrestle with. AAC is great because at 128 kbps an AAC file supposedly sounds better than a MP3 encoded at 128 kbps. Also, I could include album art, links and additional information in an AAC file but the problem is that AAC files can, for the most part, only be played on Apple hardware and software like iTunes or the iPod. I want solipsistic NATION to be as easily accessible to as many people as possible and encoding the show an an AAC would limit the size of my audience. Who in their right mind would want to do that?

So there you have it: that's how I create each edition of solipsistic NATION. As you can see, it's a pretty inexpensive operation. It's pretty easy to produce a show but I have to admit that even though I've been doing this for a couple of years and have it down to a science it still takes a considerable amount of time to produce each show. But I find producing solipsistic NATION a fun and rewarding experience and I hope you enjoy each show.

See you next week!

Photo Credit: TReynolds08

hai! Robotto "Breathe" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Lucidstatic "Aux8 (Copy Paste Repeat Remix)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Bassnectar "Teleport Massive (feat. Zumbi)"
edIT "Artsy Remix (feat. The Grouch)"
Alice In Videoland "MF"
Thunderheist "Jerk It"
The Robot Disaster "Guitars Are Overated (Suxx Rmx)"
Mochipet "Anthem"
Tiga "What You Need"
Starkillers Vs Armand Van Heldan "Funk.Phenomena"
Kanye West "Robocop (MOTOR Club Remix)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Larry Tee feat. Amanda Lepore "My Pussy (Jeff Doubleu Mix)"
Aaron LaCrate "Just Wanna Featuring Samir"

solipsistic NATION No. 158: Exquisite Corpse III

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:06 -0700

Today on solipsistic NATION I have got a sweet Exquisite Corpse mix for your ears!

This is actually the third Exquisite Corpse mix on solipsistic NATION but even so, I feel I need to tell you what an Exquisite Corpse mix is. You actually might have played a version of Exquisite Corpse as a child.

Here's how it works: someone hands you a piece of paper and you have to draw the head of some person or creature, real or imagined. Let's say you draw the head of an ostrich. You then hand the paper to the next person but the ostrich head would be covered so they couldn't see what you had just drawn. That person would then draw a torso and they decide to draw the buxom figure of Marilyn Monroe. They then pass the sheet of paper to the next person but covering up what they had just drawn as well as the head of the ostrich. The next person decides to draw the legs of a gorilla. Yeah, let's go with that. The legs of a gorilla. Once the drawing is done everyone gets to see the complete picture and have a good laugh. The Exquisite Corpse mix goes something like that.

For today's show I have chosen a song to kick of the Exquisite Corpse mix and then sent it to a podcaster. And not just any podcaster but a podcaster who, like myself, plays electronic music.

Once they have the song they have to choose a song that would segue nicely after the track I have selected or go off into an entirely different direction.

The song they have selected is sent off to the next podcaster and so forth and so on until the Exquisite Corpse mix is complete. Each podcaster only hears the most recently selected song and must base their selection solely on the song they have just heard.

In fact, the mix you'll hear today will be just as much as a surprise for them as it is for you.

At the end of today's show we'll hear from each podcasters and find out who they are, what song they chose for the mix and why. Enjoy!

Oh, if you dig today's Exquisite Corpse mix then you'll definitely want to listen to the first and second Exquisite Corpse mix.

Photo Credit: Sam Javanrouh

Think Tank "A Knife & A Fork" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Bazooka Joe, solipsistic NATION
Dynastic "Kabouter (Remix)"
Selected by Gareth Noyce, RK2
Dan Berkson, James What "Mescaline Circus (Original Mix)"
Selected by Ryan Scott
Voide "Space Sponge"
Selected by Snowy, Electronicast
Aleksi Virta "Princess Melodiae" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Pete Cooper, Bleepshow
Zeropage "Void Sensor"
Selected by Michael, Electronica Monthly
Slepcy "With Charles Bukowski On The Ride"
Selected by Spartacus Roosevelt
Dementio13 "Your Link Does Not Work"
Selected by Pixieguts, PixieCast
Beckett & Taylor "Smash"
Selected by Anji Bee, The Chillcast

solipsistic NATION No. 157: KiloWatts, Live

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:44:49 -0700

Today's show posed an unusual problem.

solipsistic NATION is an hour long program, more or less. That's usually not a problem but once a month on solipsistic NATION I feature a live set from an electronic musician and not all of their sets are an hour long. When that happens I'll either play some of their studio tracks afterwards or if their live set is around 30 minutes I'll pair them up with a live set by another artist. Problem solved.

But as I said, today's show posed an unusual problem.

Our guest on today's show is Jamie Watts, AKA KiloWatts and will listen to his performance at the Forward Festival in Washington D.C. recorded earlier this year.

I've always dug KiloWatts' music because Jamie has a knack for crafting songs that have a kind of hopeful buoyancy to them. Go listen to The Headphone Experience or Native State Records editions of solipsistic NATION to see what I mean.

Jamie's been a busy guy this year. In 2009 he released Six Silicates and Undercurrent and a third album, Focus & Flow, out later this month that is a collaboration with Vanek. I was lucky that I asked Jamie to be on the show months ago because otherwise I don't know where he'd find the time to do it now. Jamie was kind enough to send me a recording of his live set at the Forward Festival and here we get to the problem: instead of just clocking in at an hour or less Jamie's live set is an hour and 20 minutes long!

As a rule, I try to keep solipsistic NATION to an hour . I suppose I could of just chopped off 20 minutes but I really didn't want to do that because I really like his live set and I know you will to. In the end I decided to play his entire set. This is a podcast, after all, so I don't always have to adhere to a rigid length to the show. The only problem that remained is that for those of you who listen to solipsistic NATION on KYOURadio will only hear the abridged version of Jamie's performance at the Forward Festival. Happily, you can always listen to the performance in it's entirety at solipsisticnation.com.

Anyway, enjoy today's show. Come back next and we'll do it all over again. But completely different.

KiloWatts "Live at Forward Festival (Washington D.C., March 21, 2009)"
Interview with KiloWatts

solipsistic NATION No. 156: Freqs

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:45 -0700

Today's show is great! I'll be talking with Jim Moynihan from Omelette Records, Great Scott from glitch.fm, Steve Nalepa and Deru.

Jim Moynihan is Spoonbill and he is also the founder of Omelette Records, a wonderful collective record label with artists that include the likes of Spoonbill, Frank Riggio and Alpha Channel.

Great Scott was our guest back in May and joins us again to talk about glitch.fm, an internet radio station featuring the best of glitch hop he helped launch a few months back.

Nalepa is another regular on solipsistic NATION. The last time I spoke with him he had just completed Flatlands:Remixes and had just begun working on the DVD version of Flatlands:Remixes.

Deru's live performance on solipsistic NATION began a tradition of featuring live electronic music on the show that continues to this day. I've anxiously been awaiting the release of Deru's new album, Say Goodbye To Useless, since he mentioned it on Twitter about six months ago.

Oh, hey, be sure to check out the related videos below for your continued edification and enjoyment.

Photo Credit: Randy Mora

Spoonbill "Gumtree (Respoon)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Spoonbill "Moth Adjust Stereo, Excerpt"
Interview with Jim Moynihan, founder of Omelette Records
Frank Riggio "Perplex People" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
HipGnosis "grainydontstop"
Ill-Esha "spook FL"
Interview with Great Scott, founder of glitch.fm
Ill-Esha "kitchen sync FH2"
Nalepa/David Last "Flatlands (David Last Remix)"
Nalepa/RND "4th of July (RND Remix)"
Interview with Steve Nalepa
Nalepa/Rena Jones "Rhodes Racer (Rena Jones Remix)"
Deru "I Want"
Deru "Hello"
Interview with Deru
Deru "What Happens When You Ask"

Cinetic Energy - Frank Riggio

Ill-Esha Intro

Nalepa + VJ Synesthete

Deru - Next Door

solipsistic NATION No. 155: #twittermix

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:00:38 -0700

Today's show is pretty cool. I'll be spinning tracks that came entirely from musicians I've met on Twitter.

A couple of years ago my buddy Al told me that I had to get on Twitter. I was very cynical about social networks but Al had never steered me wrong in the past so I signed up.

I thought Twitter was pretty stupid and at that point there weren't too many musicians and record labels from the electronic music scene to make it all that useful to me. I just posted notices about editions of solipsistic NATION that had been released.

I didn't get it about Twitter. And then one day it just clicked.

Last December I was on a two week vacation from work. I was getting bored and so I just started spouting off whatever was on the top of my head, stuff related to electronic music and otherwise. I was pretty silly and pretty frank but what surprised me was the amount of conversations about some of the stuff I said generated. And that later led to other conversations.

At the same time Twitter was getting more and more mainstream attention and there were a lot of musicians and record labels joining Twitter. Suddenly Twitter became very useful.

Just for fun, I put the word out on Twitter that I wanted to do a mix of electronic music from artists on Twitter. Today's show the result of sifting through three hours of music.

It was hard to pare down three hours of music into a one hour mix. I've done my best to give you a sample of the diversity of music that was sent my way.

Keeping with the Twitter theme, I asked all the people on today's show to talk about their music in 140 characters or less, which you can read below.

I hope you enjoyed today's show. If you did, let me know on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solipsistic If I get enough responses I'll put out another Twitter mix in a few months.

Wildcafe Does House "You Know (Radio Cut)"
@wildcafe I'm introducing my first release to you. It's called Wildcafe Does House "You Know?" It's an electro house smasher. Take a deep breath ;)
Charles Feelgood "Basshole (Charles Feelgood Remix)"
@feelgood "Basshole" Charles Feelgood Remix(Original Jon Pegnato and Matty Schol)-Jackin beats, ripping bass, with a touch of Bmore, out now on Shush Music at Beatport!
Great Scott "Defcon"
@djgreatscott "DefCon" pays homage to my favorite time of the year: the notorious hacking convention! Vox via Tim Leary's "Tune In, Turn On, & Drop Out"
3'OhTree "The Beast Inside"
@3ohtree A dark, angry, Dubstep track that treats sub-woofers how they are meant to be treated. Written & produced with pure hardware, no mac or pc.
hot mess "contra in a laundromat"
@neondoom "Contra" is basically taking the idea of Hemingway's "Death in the Afternoon" and relating it to trying to hook up in a club.
Auditory Canvas "Let's Go Stomp in the Mud"
@auditorycanvas Inspired by a trip to Lightning in a Bottle Festival 2008, it poured down half of the weekend. still had loads of fun though.
James & Evander "Dro"
@JamesAndEvander Dro was the first song we glitched guitar on. Its short for "Dntel Rip Off." Lots of layers of the Moog. LAYERS! GLITCHHHH!
Phylum Sinter "Sedna_Demik"
@phylum_sinter Sedna_Demik is a chimey, noise-percussion track, taken from my album 'from unity to segmentation' on enpeg digital (out now!)
alka "immolated"
@_alka immolated: a condensed aural view of life. swirling tones escalate to 1:20 when pulsing rhythmatics surge + overtake until an eventual decay
bllix "In the Pines"
@bllix The disappointment you feel that it isn't a Nirvana remix helps me relive the time I stole baby Jesus from grandma's yard over and over.
Mystical Sun "Blue Lotus"
@mysticalsun flowers of blue dub for drifting and dreaming.
Dave Seidel "Nur"
@DaveSeidel "Nur" means light. Just intonation, micro-rhythms & acoustical beating. From upcoming release "Elementals" on @stasisfield.

solipsistic NATION No. 154: Sleevin Records

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:25 -0700

This week's solipsistic NATION features select tracks from Sleevin Records mixed by the label's founder, Simon Littlewood, AKA Simo.

I know Simon through Goldilox.I knew Goldilox from back in the day when she was part of Boston's emerging electronic music scene in the mid 80s. She was a member of D.D.T. Last year I put together a show featuring D.D.T. (a few months later I would feature a live set from D.D.T. on solipsistic NATION recorded from the station that made me what I am as a DJ, WMFO.), Big Catholic Guilt, You Shriek and Think Tree. It was great to catch up Goldilox, Elaine Walker and Noel McKenna and it came up that Goldilox had sine moved to San Francisco and was helping run Sleevin Records with Simon. I made plans with Simon to have him on the show but as happens from to time, those plans never came together.

Last month I noticed that a number of albums from Sleevin Records were being promoted by IODA Promonet, a great service I use to find music to play on solipsistic NATION which reminded me of my plans to have Simon on the show. We got in touch and here you are: today's show.

This may or may not be true but I believe San Francisco is a hot bed for electronic music. I know other cities like Los Angeles or New York have electronic music scenes but there seems to be something special about San Francisco that has countless great electronic music and a community that embraces that music. Sleevin Records is a perfect example of great electronic music coming out of San Francisco alongside the likes of OM Records, Cheb i Sabbah, Asphodel, etc... The list is long.

Enjoys today's offering of tracks from Sleevin Records!

By the way, next week I'll be giving aways free CDs on Twitter. Follow me at http://twitter.com/solipsistic for your chance to win some great music!

SIMO feat. Diana Luna, Borrina Mapaka, Renee Wilson "Dub City"
Moody Eva "Fuck Off"
Interview with Simon Littlewood, founder of Sleevin Records
SIMO & Drunken Monkey "Step Into"
Moody Eva "Grab Your Tits"
Techture "Rusted"
SIMO "Mindless Banta"
Interview with Simon Littlewood, founder of Sleevin Records
SIMO & B.Smiley "It's A Nice"
SIMO & Drunken Monkey "Rennie's Skank (JFlea RMX)"
B.Smiley & Native Intelligence "Whacktrack(B.Smiley's Dub Mix)"
SIMO & Mancub "Punks Of Funk (Prato RMX)"
Interview with Simon Littlewood, founder of Sleevin Records
Moody Eva "A Little Taste"
Techture "Signal 1"
Techture "Cuts In Radar"
SIMO & Drunken Monkey "Controlled Manner"
Interview with Simon Littlewood, founder of Sleevin Records

solipsistic NATION No. 153: Iambic, Live

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:35 -0700

Once a month on solipsistic NATION I feature a live performance from an electronic music. Recent shows have included live sets from Exillon, Rena Jones and Milieu. This week's show features a concert by Guy Andrews of Iambic recorded at the 2008 Waveform Festival.

I first discovered the music of Iambic through Travis Nobles, who runs the hiddenplace music blog. Travis has been a guest DJ on Solipsistic Nation several times (here and here) and on each show he played some beautiful tracks by Iambic. Iambic seamlessly blends Jazz, Soundscape, IDM, Post-Rock and Break Beat. I was so impressed with Iambic's music that I knew I had to have him on the show.

Speaking of which, today's show was originally planned to be released in June but due to scheduling conflicts I had to push it back until August. I mention this because during my interview with Guy he mentions some concerts he'll be performing at that have since passed.

I've listened to Iambic's live set recorded at Waveform Festival many times and it's a pleasure to be able to play if for you on today's show!

Upcoming live sets on solipsistic NATION will feature performances from KiloWatts, Terminal 11, ill.gates and Eskmo.

Iambic "Live (2008 Waveform Festival)"
Interview with Guy Andres of Iambic
Iambic "Break57"
Iambic "Terra Firma"
Iambic "Spirals"

Air (Live in Graz, Austria – May 2007)

These Lights by Kamikal-Act ll

solipsistic NATION No. 152: The Headphone Experience

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:37 -0700

This week's show is inspired by the Headphone Commute blog. I've always liked that idea, the headphone commute. Take solipsistic NATION, for example. You might listen to this show at home, in your car, maybe even at work. But most likely you're listening to this show on the ubiquitous white Apple earbuds. That kind of listening experience is more insular and intimate than just listening to solipsistic NATION in your car or over your speakers. It's my job to make it a rewarding listening experience.

I decided to run with theme of the headphone experience by kicking off this week's solipsistic NATION with a mix of psychedelic tinged music.

We begin with "Intro" from the Strange Fruit Project's 2006 album, The Healing. The Healing is a great album and it was a shame to pick such a short track from the Strange Fruit Project but aside from really liking "Intro," it also fits the theme of this week's show and segued nicely into DJ Food's "Extract From Stolen Moments" from his album One Man's Weird Is Another Man's World. And that takes us to Ras G's "Return From the Great Unknown" from his album, Ras G. From there this week's show goes into all sorts of different directions.

We'll also hear a track from KiloWatts. That was a tough one to call because KiloWatts currently has two new album out (Undercurrent and Six Silicates) but I decided to play "Two Parts" from his Ground State album. KiloWatts we'll be back on solipsistic NATION next month with a special live set. If you can't wait until then you can listen to the February 15th, 2008 edition of solipsistic NATION featuring my interview with Evan Marc of Native State Records. We played select tracks from Native State Records and of course we had to play Kilowatts because he's so great!

Speaking of Evan, up next is Evan Bluetech with "Another Bridge Burning" from his new EP, Call Of The Wild. Again, another tough one because Evan has recently been releasing a bunch of awesome music. You also might want to hear my interview with Evan about his new label, Somnia.

There are, of course, more great tunes on this week's headphone experience. Again, I really like the idea of music heard over headphones as being very intimate. But it's also like a soundtrack to your life. I remember a day, years ago, when I was waiting for the subway in downtown Boston. It was night, the middle of the summer, and the air was still and the humidity stifling. Yet the music I was hearing over my headphones transformed my environment to a the set of a sultry French New Wave movie. Let me know if you've had similar experiences.

Oh, hey, I wanted to mention that I was the guest of Joseph Matheny's GSpot podcast. We talked about the early days of podcasting, electronic music and the state of the recording industry. You can download the interview here but I suggest you check out previous episodes of GSpot and take a look around the Alterati blog.

Photo Credit: sevennine

Strange Fruit Project "Intro"
DJ Food "Extract From Stolen Moments"
Ras G "Return From the Great Unknown"
Prefuse 73 "Track 13"
KiloWatts "Two Parts"
Evan Bluetech "Another Bridge Burning" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Nosaj Thing "Us"
Kingbastard "Data-Rape Function Creep"
Koen Park "I Am Not Aboard This Ship Anymore" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Mochipet "Roll Credits"
Daedelus "Assembly Lines"
Moderat "Seamonkey"
SeventhSwami "Serpiente Cosmica"
Alka "Blueberry"
Gui Boratto "Besides"
general fuzz "eye heart knot" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Masmöd "Orbit Around A Sphere"

solipsistic NATION No. 151: Sonidos

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:06 -0700

Today's show is a mix that would ideally be played on a sexy and sultry summer night with the object of your desire on one hand and a mojito in the other. With any luck you're doing just that even while today's show plays.

One group I'm excited to play on this week's solipsistic NATION is Sidestepper. Sidestepper is a Colombian band with English DJ/producer Richard Blair and Colombian producer/songwriter Ivan Benavides at the core. Sidestepper combines popular Afro-Colombian music styles like salsa and cumbia with electronica.

Another gem is Quantic Soul Orchestra's "Tropidelico." Will Holland (AKA Quantic), a DJ and musician, is the man behind the Quantic Soul Orchestra, which is a live band project with a changing lineup from album to album. Will has explored different genres of music in the past but the direction he's taken his album, Tropidelico , is very exciting.

We also have a track from Paul Malmstrom, the one-man band that is Monkeybacon. Monkeybacon is a favorite here at solipsistic NATION and you can download his music here.
Another sonic treat comes from Novalima, a musical collective by four Peruvian musicians several cities around the world: Lima, Barcelona, London and Hong Kong. "Malato" comes from their 2006 release, Afro.

I'm also excited to play a track from Ghostly International's Bodycode. I've been sitting on Bodycode's album Bodycode, for a couple of weeks, just waiting for the right show to play a track from the album. Today's show seemed like the perfect show to play "Arigato."

I'll play just about anything from Evan Bluetech but I'm particularly pleased that Evan has delivered a track that slots perfectly with today's show. You can download Evan's new EP, Call Of The Wild, here.

DJ Food has resurfaced with a brand spanking new album called One Man's Weird Is Another Man's World that I've been grooving to for the last few week's. I present the track "Tricky Little Ears (The Cheech Wizard Pays Respect To All Living Creatures Who Inhabit Dark Places)" to you as a gift.

Luxurious is another favorite and I'm pleased to play a track from their long awaited second album, Lost Vegas: Hip Hop Lounge Series Vol. 2.

Lokua makes another appearance on solipsistic NATION, this time with "Burning Money" from Lokua's Trails net album, which you can download here. Be sure to also listen to Lokua's live set on the April 3rd edition of solipsistic NATION.

Today's show is chock full of other great songs and musicians so enjoy!

Photo Credit: Club UltimateFelipe Smides

Club Ultimate "Carnival 93 (The Mardi Gras Mix)"
Sidestepper "Hoy Tenemos"
Quantic Soul Orchestra "Tropidelico"
monkeybacon "Her Secret Masala" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Novalima "Malato"
Bodycode "Arigato"
Evan Bluetech "Mysteriosa Flambeau" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
niteffect "never land"
DJ Food "Tricky Little Ears (The Cheech Wizard Pays Respect To All Living Creatures Who Inhabit Dark Places)"
Sixtoo "Duration, Pt. 15"
Luxurious "Dirty Royal"
Suhov "Exx Fuck" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Lokua "Burning Money" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
DJ Signify "Interlude 1"

solipsistic NATION No. 150: All Mashed Up!

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:52 -0700

This is the 150^th edition of solipsistic NATION.

When i re-launched solipsistic NATION as a podcast I knew that I would easily release 100 shows. I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to accomplish on solipsistic NATION like having guest DJs on the show, spotlighting record labels and playing a recording of a live performance of an electronic music each month. I've done all that more in 100 editions of solipsistic NATION. I just never gave much thought what I'd do after those 100 shows. But here we are.

Turned out there was nothing to worry about because I've got a lot of upcoming shows on solipsistic NATION that I'm very excited about. More about those projects as they develop.

On to today's show...

Yeah, I know I just said that I've accomplished a lot of goals on solipsistic NATION but one show I've wanted to do since solipsistic NATION launched is an all mashup show. I can't believe it's taken me nearly three years to do this show!

Mashups (or bootlegs) are, of course, songs composed of a blend of two or more songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song over the music track of another. The concept is straightforward enough but a mashup done poorly just sounds crass while a mashup done well stands up as a song in it's own right. The secondary goal is to create a song that plays two or more tracks similar or incongruous with each other that simultaneously get excited about the original tracks and the novel way those tracks have been re-purposed and mashedup.

One person who has consistently released awesome mashups is Mark Vidler, AKA Go Home Productions. Mark just has a knack for combining tracks in his mash ups. I believe Mark's "Wrapped Detective" draws from as least from The Police, Lionel Ritchie, Elvis Costello and Bob Marley. I know there's more but I lost count. Yet Marks weaves all these disparate songs together in a cohesive whole that somehow makes sense. great stuff!

Soundhog's mashup of Black Sabbath and Pink in "Get This Supernaut Started" is pretty straightforward yet succeeds on it's simplicity. I never paid Pink much attention but after hearing her on this mashup I found myself digging her own releases. Still, "Get This Supernaut Started" might be the best that Pink will ever sound because that track rocks! Of course it's gonna rock, it's got friggin' Black Sabbath in it!

It was actually DJ Danger Mouse's mashup album of The Beatles and Jay-Z, The Grey Album, that propelled Danger Mouse to fame and notoriety. Danger Mouse originally released The Grey Album to vendors in limited quantities. EMI, copyright holder of The Beatles, told Danger Mouse to knock it off. Word got out and Danger Mouse found himself a sensation. Thing is, for once the hype was justified because Danger Mouse's The Grey Album is slamming! yes, he's sampling The Beatles but in ways you wouldn't imagine. Jay-Z is relentless as ever but the addition of The Beatles puts a new cast to his lyrics.

These are some of my favorite mashups on today's show but you'll find lots of other gems. You can find more mashups at Mashup Town.

I still can't believe it took me nearly three years to get around to doing this show!

Photo Credit: autophen

Go Home Productions "Crazy Little Fool" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
DJ Danger Mouse "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"
Soundhog "Get This Supernaut Started"
Go Home Productions "Ray Of Gob (Original Mix)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
d s i c o "Dirty Bottle"
Party Ben "Somebody Rock Me (The Clash vs. The Killers)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Loo & Placido "Should I Stay Or Should I Boogie"
Go Home Productions "Wrapped Detective (Full Version)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Phil RetroSpector "Step Together" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
d s i c o "2 Turntables are Ice"
Phil RetroSpector "Naturally Feeling Blue" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Go Home Productions "Ain't No Sunshine In My Closet" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Pilchard "The Doors take a Walk Down Sesame Street and Learn to Spell the Macarena"
Alex C "Count It Out"
Go Home Productions "Sexual High" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Mighty Mike "Massive Fear (Massive Attack vs. Lily Allen)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 149: Planet Mu Records

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:45 -0700

Here's something you don't know about me: I hate talking over the songs I play on solipsistic NATION. On the other hand, I think talking over music is pretty useful because it has less impact on the flow of the show. It's a dilemma. Take this week's show.

Once a month on solipsistic NATION I showcase a record label that is putting out amazing releases that you need to know about. Recent shows have featured n5MD, Dragon’s Eye Recordings and Summer Rain Recordings. On this edition of solipsistic NATION we'll talk with Mike Paradinas (AKA μ-Ziq), the founder of Planet μ Records and play select tracks from his label. And therein lies the problem.

Planet μ began as a subsidiary of Virgin Records but in 1998 Mike Paradinas made Planet μ independent of Virgin and Astralwerks. In the last 10 years Mike has released great albums from a roster of amazing artists like Luke Vibert, Benga, Mary Anne Hobbs and much more. There's no way I can capture the scope of Planet μ in an hour-long show. All I can do is paint a picture for you with music but only in the broadest strokes. That leaves me with the unenviable task of choosing which tracks we'll have to talk over.

For example, I love Luke Vibert's "Homewerk." The repeating riff in "Homewerk" is a classic electronica theme and has been sampled many times. How can I talk over that. And then there's "Meinheld" by μ-Ziq. He's my guest. That's be just plain rude to talk over his track. I love, love, love just about everything Venetian Snares puts out and it would cause me physical pain to talk over "Twirl." But as I said, I would rather talk with Mike over the music than not play music at all. Plus, that's an extra track you otherwise would not have heard.

I'm really excited that Mike is on today's show. Planet μ consistently puts out amazing releases and has garnered a lot of respect from people who love great music. A fan base has been created around Planet μ because of the label's roster of talent and phenomenal albums. You'll become a convert, too.

Luke Vibert "Homewerk"
μ-Ziq "Meinheld"
Venetian Snares "Twirl"
Interview with Mike Paradinas, founder of Planet μ Records
Meat Beat Manifesto "Less"
Vex'd "Thunder"
Interview with Mike Paradinas, founder of Planet μ Records
Pinch "Punisher"
Benga "Killers About"
Interview with Mike Paradinas, founder of Planet μ Records
Boxcutter "Bug Octet"
edIT "Twenty Minutes"
Interview with Mike Paradinas, founder of Planet μ Records
Chevron "Going Out of My Head"
Mrs Jynx "Dusty"
Jega "Alternating Bit"
Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble "The Nothing Changes"
Interview with Mike Paradinas, founder of Planet μ Records

solipsistic NATION No. 148: Exillon, Live

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:33 -0700

Once a month on solipsistic NATION I feature a live performance from an electronic musician. Recent shows have included live sets from Rena Jones, Milieu and Lokua. Today's show features Exillon's concert at Bang Face.

Jay Fields is the man behind Exillon and I first heard his music when I interviewed Nicolas Chevreux and played music from his label, Ad Noiseam. Jay, like so many electronic musicians, played traditional instruments like the drums, guitar and bass in his teens. That changed when he got his first computer and realized that he could have complete control over every aspect of his music. His love for electronic music kicked into high gear when his friends gave him the Impulse Tracker, a simple, sample based sequencer used by some in the demoscene. Exillon performs frantic IDM with an acid twist.

I was hoping to release Jay's live set last month to help promote his concert for The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence that took place in San Francisco, June 27th, but was unable to due to a scheduling conflict. Sorry about that!

Bang Face is a monthly event that is held at the Electrowerkz in Islington, North London and has been running since October 2003. The next Bang Face event takes place in August and features a line-up that includes Luke Vibert, Pinch, Bong-Ra, Appleblim and much, much more!

If you liked today's show, mention it on your blog or give solipsistic NATION a quick one to five star review on iTunes so I can spread the virus that is solipsistic NATION further and wider!

Exillon "Live at Bang Fest (February 8, 2008)"
Interview with Jay Fields of Exillon

Exillon LivePA @ Frequencee Mind Controlle 3-3-07

Bang Face 52 ¶ Around the World in 80 Raves ¶ February 8, 2008

solipsistic NATION No. 147: Pakuni

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:33 -0700

One of the ways I put together episodes of solipsistic NATION is that I'll collect songs and keep them in an iTunes playlist. Some times they're tracks that are genre specific like drum and bass and other times the songs will have a sound or feel, which is the case for today's show.

The last few months I've been gathering songs that either seamlessly blends traditional and electronic instruments or draws attention to the differences between those instruments.

One of the bands I've wanted to feature on solipsistic NATION is the Boredoms. I've been a fan of the Boredoms since Yamantaka Eye from Hanatarash. Where Hanatarash explored the boundaries of sound and music with raw feedback the Boredoms did the same with instruments like the guitar, bass, drums, bass, etc. The Boredoms have mutated every genre of music they touched, whether it was funk or heavy metal.

I'm also delighted to play Cornelius on the show again. Cornelius is Keigo Oyamada and I have to believe that Keigo is a happy guy because everything I've heard from him is beautiful, wacky or pretty and just makes smile.

We'll also hear some music by Black Moth Super Rainbow and The Octopus Project. Black Moth Super Rainbow describe themselves as a psyche-pop group in early '70s electronic clothing but I like to think of them of what the Butthole Surfers would sound like on a happy acid trip. Black Moth Super Rainbow also collaborated with The Octopus Project on their The House of Apples & Eyeballs album.

I'm also a long-time fan of Odd Nosdam because all his music is incredibly inventive and I'm really digging his recent release, the
T.I.M.E. Soundtrack, out on Aniticon Records.

One artist I've just become a huge fan of is Yppah. Yppah is a Ninja Tune recording artist and Yppah is "Happy" spelled backwards. Also form Ninja Tunes we have a track from Daedelus and from Ninja Tune's sister label, Big Da Da Records, we have a track from cLOUDDEAD. You can listen to my interview with Jonathan Shedletzky of Ninja Tune here.

Somnia Records is a label that consistently puts out breath taking releases and one of my favorites is juxta phona & offthesky. You can listen to my interview with Evan Bartholomew, the founder of Somnia Records, here. Another label that puts out mind blowing releases is 12k and I'm thrilled to play tracks from Giuseppe Ielasi, Savvas Ysatis + Taylor Deupree and Sawako on today's show. You can listen to my interview with Taylor Deupree, the founder of 12k, here.

There's a lot of weird and wonderful music on today's show and I hope you fall in love with all of it!

Before I sign off, a bit of sad news. First, Thomas of the spectacular French hip hop podcast, Yo La La, has decided to stop producing his show due to time constraints. Yo La La will be missed but you can always listen to the previous shows at the Yo La La archive. Secondly, Michael Jackson died at age 50 of a cardiac arrest. I was never a big fan of Michael Jackson but even so his music always got my feet taping and my hips swaying. The King of Pop is dead.

Photo Credit: Augie Pagan

Boredoms "(Boriginal)"
Cornelius "Toner"
The Octopus Project + Black Moth Super Rainbow "All the Friends You Can Eat" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Black Moth Super Rainbow "All the Friends You Can Eat" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Yppah "Gumball Machine Weekend (Pollination Remix)"
Odd Nosdam "Ethereal Slap"
cLOUDDEAD "Physics Of A Bicycle"
Cloudland Canyon "Heme"
Daedelus "LA Nocturn"
juxta phona & offthesky "trust & roullette"
Giuseppe Ielasi "Track 08"
Savvas Ysatis + Taylor Deupree "The Youthful Sea"
A Wake A Week "One Take Away One"
Bizzart "Mount Washington Blue And Red"
Sawako "April - From Sea Shell (With Radiosonde)"
Konntinent "pin point" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 146: Oganza

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:48 -0700

As much as I try and keep solipsistic NATION fresh I have to admit that I can be fairly predictable at times. For example, if on one show I play music that ambient and ethereal then the next show I go in the opposite direction and go hard. Today's show is is exactly like that. Last week featured melodic, shoegazer electronica so this week I'm going aggro with the likes of The Teknoist and Sickboy.

So let's talk about today's show.

First off, most of the tracks featured on today's show come from Ad Noiseam and Tympanik Audio.

First up from Ad Noiseam is The Teknoist from his wonderfully titled first full-length album, ...Like A Hurricane Made Of Zombies. Definitely stuff to make your ears bleed! Also from Ad Noiseam is Enduser, an artists I've been meaning to feature on solipsistic NATION for a very long time. I'm thrilled to finally be able to play a track from his Pushing Back album. The we've got a track from Sickboy's Time To Play CD. From Omelette Records we've got the weird and wonderful Frank Riggio who crafts songs that often remind me of Amon Tobin's Out From Out Where album (by the way, you can download Riggio's Noise Thinking EP absolutely for free here). Going back to Ad Noiseam, we also have tow tracks from Abelcain and Cdatakill from their Passage album. From there we move on to a track from Meat Beat Manifesto's Autoimmune album available on Metropolis Records. From Tympanik Audio we've got a track from Ad·ver·sary and then we bounce back to Ad Noiseam with from Larvae and then back to Tympanik with Pandora's Black Book and Integral. We'll close this week's show with a track from Blackfilm's self titled album on Spectraliquid.

If I'm going to stay true to form then next week I guess I'll have to play a set of soothing and relaxing music. Maybe I'll do a mix of industrial music just to keep you on your toes.

If you're craving more music featured on today's show then I suggest listening to the Ad Noiseam, Tympanik Audio, Spectraliquid and Metropolis Records record label showcases on solipsistic NATION. You also might want to listen to the mix Blackfilm put together for solipsistic NATION or Meat Beat Manifesto's live set.

If you liked today's show, mention it on your blog or give solipsistic NATION a quick one to five star review on iTunes so I can spread the virus that is solipsistic NATION further and wider!

Photo Credit: BFLV

The Teknoist "No Such Luck"

Enduser "The Maker"

Sickboy "Spartan Gabba"

Frank Riggio "Mini Cum Shot" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Abelcain "Musca Domestica (Cdatakill Remix)"

Cdatakill "Tornado Sirens (Abelcain Remix)"

Meat Beat Manifesto "Less"

Ad·ver·sary "Waiting For Gira (Phylr Remix)"

Larvae "Gigan And The Mysterians"

Pandora's Black Book "The Wait"

Displacer "The Witching Hour"

Integral "Moonwalk"

Blackfilm "Five Years"

solipsistic NATION No. 145: n5MD

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:26 -0700

Since re-launching solipsistic NATION as a podcast I've done over 25 episodes showcasing records labels that you absolutely need to know about. There are so many labels putting out such amazing releases that it some times take months, if not years, to get get to. One such label is n5MD.
n5MD was unique from the start. Founder Mike Cadoo launched n5MD as a MiniDisc-only label (hence the name, an acronym for "No Fives, Minidiscs!"). n5MD eventually transitioned to CDs when they Sony stopped manufacturing pre-recorded MiniDiscs. Whatever the platform, almost from the very beginning Mike was putting out releases that he defines as "emotional experiments in music."
What I've always found so charming is that the releases on n5MD don't just provide musics that establishes a mood, the releases on n5MD take you on an emotional journey, which I find far more compelling and interesting. Anyone can play a chord in E minor that will evoke an emotional response but it's much more difficult to build a song is emotionally complex and takes you places in your imagination. Let me take that back. There are plenty of people who can do that, there are just few people who do it well and do it with sincerity and I think that's what n5MD is all about.
If that isn't enough for you, n5MD also has launched sister labels Enpeg Digital and Nonresponse. Enpeg Digital is the digital only division of n5MD while Nonresponse is a label run by Clay Emerson and Ian Pullman of Loess.
I know you're going to love today's show and if you'd like to hear more music from n5MD I suggest you download the n5md Label Sampler with Bitcrush from XLR8R's podcast.
Speaking of podcasts, two weeks ago I put together a mix of experimental and psychedelic music for the always excellent Spartacus Roosevelt podcast which you can download here.
As much as I love electronic music I also love many different genres of music. The format of solipsistic NATION doesn't allow me to explore those other kinds of music n the show so I made a deal with Spartacus: he can host an episode of solipsistic NATION and play electronic music he digs if I can host an episode of Spartacus Roosevelt. Fortunately he agreed and you can expect a mix from him on an upcoming show. In the meantime, check you out the mix I did for his show. It's got everything from the Butthole Surfers to Zoviet France and it will melt your brain!
Finally, if you're digging solipsistic NATION why not mention us on your blog or on Twitter. Maybe even give solipsistic NATION a one to five star rating iTunes. Thanks!
Funckarma "The Other Dredge"
Ruxpin "A Sunrise (and They Turned into Stones)"
Another Electronic Musician "Congee"
Interview with Mike Cadoo, founder of n5MD
Phylum Sinter "What Once Was One Now Adds Two"
Fell "Bulgaria"
SubtractiveLAD "Through The Trees"
Interview with Mike Cadoo, founder of n5MD
Loess "Nomon"
Proem "Sputterly"
Interview with Mike Cadoo, founder of n5MD
Plastik Joy "Hands"
Lights Out Asia "Radars Over the Ghost Of Chernobyl"
Near The Parenthesis "Departing Gate"
Interview with Mike Cadoo, founder of n5MD
Last Days "Blue And White Flowers"

solipsistic NATION No. 144: Rena Jones, Live

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:15 -0700

If this is your first time tuning into solipsistic NATION you should know that the first Friday of each month I feature a recording of a live performance from an electronic musician.
Recent shows have included live sets from Amon Tobin, Milieu and Lokua. This week's show features Rena Jones' concert recorded at The Triple Door for the Decibel Festival Fundraiser in Seattle recorded on May 6, 2009. The show also included performances from Gala with Helios, Lusine and the Seattle Piano Collective.
Rena is a multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer who weaves traditional instruments such as the violin and cello with digital instruments. Rena has also provided background music for the award winning video games Dance Dance Revolution and Karaoke Revolution.
Rena Jones has also released tracks with such reputable international labels as Iboga Records, Spun Records, Aleph Zero Records and Native State Records.
If memory serves, I first heard Rena Jones music on the new defunct Fake Science podcast. I was immediately struck by Rena's beautiful music. Some how she was able to weave the feeling of stillness and movement together in a spell of the eternal now. Heady stuff! I was so enchanted that I had her come on the Just Chill edition of solipsistic NATION to talk about her album, Driftwood. Rena has since launched her own label, Cartesian Binary Recordings, and her first release on her label will be her album, Indra's Web. I thought this would be the perfect time to have Rena back on solipsistic Nation to talk about her new label and album!
By the way, I highly recommend you read Fluid Motion's interview with Rena and their review of Indra's Web.
Rena Jones "Live at The Triple Door (May 6 2009)"
Interview with Rena Jones
Rena Jones "A Lullaby for Corvis"
Rena Jones "Helix"
Rena Jones "Helix (EVAC Remix)"
Rena Jones - Open Me Slowly
Rena Jones Live @ Someday Lounge

solipsistic NATION No. 143: Fierce!

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:54 -0700

Once a month on solipsistic NATION I feature a live set from a musician and showcase a music label that is putting out amazing releases. While this format keeps solipsistic NATION and unique amongst other shows that specialize in electronic music it really doesn't give me the opportunity to put together mixes of my own. That said, I get very excited whenever I can put together a mix for the show.
Last week I did a mix of dubstep. I've heard it said many times in the past that dubstep is drum and bass slowed down and that inspired me to put together a drum and bass mix for this week's show.
Like all other sub genres of electronic music drum and bass comes in a variety of different styles and moods. I was sorely tempted to do a mix of fluid drum and bass for a very sexy and jazzy feel but I decided to go in the opposite direction and play some incredibly fierce drum and bass. I'll admit right here that I've always been attracted to the aggressive aspects of drum and bass. It's such a visceral experience that I just can't resist! If you're more into fluid drum and bass, don't worry, I'll play some of that on the show in the next few months.
For this week's solipsistic NATION I've put together some of the fiercest drum and bass tracks I've come across in the last few months. As an added bonus, most of the tracks can be downloaded absolutely for free! Check the playlist below to download some of the MP3s of tracks featured on today's show.
One label that has consistently put out fantastic drum and bass is Zardonic Recordings. I first came across Zardonic Recordings after reading about the label on the Phlow Magazine website. Just about everything I've heard on Zardonic Recordings is fantastic and it just blows my mind that they give their music away for free. Nearly everything in their catalogue I'd be happy to spend my hard earned cash on.
Another label featured on today's show is PlainAudio. Like Zardonic Recordings, PlainAudio is a net label that puts out mind blowing music that you can download for free. Whether it's drum and bass, experimental or electronic music I've yet to hear a bad track from PlainAudio.
One of the artists that appears on this week's show is The Angel. The Angel is a record producer, programmer, remixer, DJ and film composer and has scored music for such films and television programs as Boiler Room, KiDULTHOOD and Standoff. We'll have The Angel on an upcoming edition of solipsistic NATION to talk about digitally scoring music for movies and television.
Another artist I wanted to mention is Kubiks. I had the pleasure of talking with Kubiks on my previous show, the Small World. I've always dug Kubiks music so it's a pleasure to play one of his tracks on this week's show.
I hope you enjoy this week's drum and bass mix. If you're craving more drum and bass, why not download the Drum and Bass for Your Face!, Sturm und Bass and Biotron editions of solipsistic NATION.
See you next week!
Photo Credit: Willis Lucero
Zardonic & Malsum "Natural Born Killers" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
The Angel "Selector (On Tha Side Of Midnite) (feat. Cokni O'Dire) [E-Sassin Remix]" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Blal "Noise Control (Zardonic Edit)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Hek187 "Rockwool Vip" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Kubiks "Rendered (Kubiks Remix)"
Panda "Monkey Island"
Ramsey & USB "Cut Throat" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Triplet & Lehis "Nebyval'shina" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Buzz "Revelation" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Macc "Air Drumming" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 142: Colossus

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:47 -0700

To keep solipsistic NATION fresh I've followed a few rules. For example, a rarely play music from the same artists unless they've released something truly phenomenal.
On of the other rules I try to adhere to is not to play music from a specific genre of electronic music to often. That's important because otherwise I could easily play breakbeat tracks on solipsistic NATION week after week. But sometimes I follow that rule to rigidly. Take this week's show, for example, which features a mix made up entirely of dubstep tracks.
I love dubstep. It has many moods: dubstep can be playful, spiritual or downright menacing and the bass and the drums always moves the music forward. But I have to watch myself or I'll play dubstep on the show constantly. I followed my one of my rules so blindly that I realized that it's been over a year since I've done a show dedicated to dubstep. That's much too long!
So I present to you on this week's solipsistic NATION a mix of dubstep tracks. Some artists, like Ebola and Cardopusher are more aggro and experimental, while other artists like Bionics and Frescoe are more traditional in their approach to dubstep ( considering that dubstep has only been around for a couple of years makes that an absurd statement - dubstep hasn't been around long enough to have an established tradition). There's something for everyone and I know you'll dig this week's show!
If you find yourself craving more dubstep then you'll want to listen to the documentary I did about dubstep labels featuring music from the likes of Boka Records, Lodubs and more! I've also done a show grimestep show featuring an with Leo Olofsson of Grimestep International and the lads from The UK Connection. Finally, I've got a straight up dubstep mix I know you're gonna love!
Photo Credit: Jon Cartwright
Ebola "Teledildonics (Shitmat Remx)"
Cardopusher "Toothsmasher"
Atreus "Born to Kill" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Pinch "Punisher"
6Blocc "The End" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Lone Wolf "Uproot V"
Bionics "Feist"
Relocate "Dot Dot Dash"
Spatial "Artcore Steppa"
Scuba "Braille Diving"
Bass Science "Razors"
Frescoe "Afghanistan"

solipsistic NATION No. 141: Rock the Bells!

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:11 -0700

This week on solipsistic NATION our guests are Bassnectar, Kush Arora, Doubleclick of Two Fingers and Great Scott!

This show came together in an unexpected way. Originally I was just pulling together songs that I liked that I thought would work together nicely in a mix. But as I started gathering the songs I started noting all sorts of connections. For example, Nibu has MC'd on tracks for both Great Scott and Bassnectar. Also, this month Bassnectar and Kush Arora did a show together in Portland. After some consideration I decided to focus on these artist and ignore the rest of the tracks I had gathered for the mix and as I interviewed them even more connections became apparent. Funny how these things work out.

A few notes.

If you like Bassnectar's music (and really, how can you not?) then you'll enjoy his appearances on the The Newest In New! and Koyaanisqatsi editions of solipsistic NATION. Kush Arora has appeared on the Year One and Record Label Records editions of solipsistic NATION. While this is the first time I've had the pleasure of talking with Doubleclick I have had Amon Tobin, the other half of Two Fingers, for the Amon Tobin and Amon Tobin, Live editions of solipsistic NATION. This is also Great Scott's first appearance on the show but you listen to more music from his label on the Muti Music edition of solipsistic NATION.

I hope you enjoy this week's show as much as I did putting it together because I had a blast! Oh, and be sure to check out the related videos below.

Photo Credit: BFLV

Bassnectar "Underground Communication (Featuring Seasunz)"

Bassnectar "Art of Revolution (Instrumental)"

Interview with Bassnectar

Bassnectar "Kick It Complex (Bassnectar Remix)"

Kush Arora "Lose Control Feat. MC Zulu"

Kush Arora "British Sucking Desis"

Interview with Kush Arora

Kush Arora "Newcommers Feat. N4SA"

Two Fingers "Jewels and Gems"

Two Fingers "Keman Rhythm"

Interview with Doubleclick of Two Fingers

Two Fingers "Straw Men"

Great Scott "Theorists feat. Raja Wilco and Nibu [Radio Vocal Edit]"

Great Scott "Caravan"

Interview with Great Scott

Great Scott "Defcon"

Bassnectar Video

Kush Arora Video

Two Fingers Video

solipsistic NATION No. 140: Dragon's Eye Recordings

Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:08 -0700

Once a month on solipsistic NATION I showcase a record label that releases fantastic music you should know about. Keeping with the theme of the show I focus on record labels that release music from all genres of electronic music. On this week's solipsistic NATION we'll showcase Dragon's Eye Recordings.
Dragon's Eye Recordings is an independent record label that focuses on limited edition and varied format releases from a growing roster of sound artists, composers, and producers. By showcasing the individual artists' viewpoints, Dragon's Eye acts as a platform for new, challenging, and provocative work. Founded by Paul Novak in 1989, as the audio/visual arm of Only Connect...Publications, the label was then relaunched by his son and Northwest-based sound artist Yann Novak to continue the family tradition of self publication. Novak has since expanded the label to publish works by artists whose voices he feels need to be heard. Dragon's Eye Recordings also acts as a companion label to Infrequency.
Special thanks goes out to HC, the host of the Headphone Commute music blog. As always, HC, is one step ahead of me on all things cool in electronic music and turned me on to Dragon's Eye Recordings on his review of Lissom's Nest of Iterations album. Thanks, HC!
Next month on solipsistic NATION we'll showcase n5MD. Next week on solipsistic NATION our guests will be Bassnectar, Kush Arora, Two Fingers and Great Scott. Stay stuned!
Kamran Sadeghi "Euqal"
Wyndel Hunt "3"
Interview with Yann Novak of Dragon's Eye Recordings
Clinker "Provodyty - A New Terrain"
Son of Rose "Grand Treatments"
Interview with Yann Novak of Dragon's Eye Recordings
Lissom "Adrift"
Corey Fuller "Light Along the Edge of Water"
Tadahito Ichinoseki + Tomoyoshi Date "Gensho No Tabi"
Tomoyoshi Date + Corey Fuller "Midnight Sanctuary"
Interview with Yann Novak of Dragon's Eye Recordings
Manning / Novak "Feeling Alone All Together"
Yann Novak "Lulluby"
Interview with Yann Novak of Dragon's Eye Recordings

solipsistic NATION No. 139: Milieu, Live

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:09 -0700

The first Friday of each month I feature a recording of a live performance from an electronic musician.
Towards the end of 2008 I found myself scrambling to find those recordings of live performances and my resolution for 2009 was not to let that happen again. I got proactive and contacted about a hundered artists to appear on the show. I figured that out of those hundred artists only a handful would respond but that would be enough to get me through 2009. What I didn't expect was how MANY people would get back to me about being on the show! I'm not only covered for the rest of 2009 but well into 2010 as well!
Some of the live sets you can expect to hear in the next few months will come from Iambic, Terminal 11, ill.gates, Rena Jones, KiloWatts, Altus, Exillon and The Orb.
On today's show we have a live set from Milieu.
Milieu is Brian Grainger. Brian has had releases on such labels as U-Cover, Infraction, Awkward Silence, Boltfish, Attacknine and Benbecula. Brian also runs small boutique labels Expanding Electronic Diversity, Second Sun Recordings and Install with David Tagg, in addition to maintaining his own imprint, Milieu Music. Most recently, Brian has recorded music and sound for the Seumas McNally nominated game Dyson.
Milieu "Live At 114RKD (March 8, 2009)"
Interview with Brian Grainger of Milieu
Milieu "Autumn Fog Lifts (Yearbook Version)"
Milieu "Coastline"
Milieu "Night Ride"

solipsistic NATION No. 138: Exquisite Corpse II

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:48 -0700

Ever play exquisite corpse when you were a kid?
Let me refresh your memory.
Here's how it works: you get a sheet of paper and on the top of that piece of paper you draw something. For this example, let's say you draw the helmet of an astronaut.
You then pass the sheet of paper to the person sitting next to you and that person draws the torso. Let's say they draw the torso of a sherrif from a western movie: a white button up shirt, a leather vest with a tin star-badge pinned to it, and in the sheriff's hands are two revolvers, waiting to be fired.
That person then passes the sheet of paper to the person sitting next to them. But this time they've covered the top of the paper: the drawing you did of the astronaut's helmet. The new player on the game of exquisite corpse can only continue the drawing based on what they can see: the sheriff's torso.
That person decides to draw the legs of a ballerina, complete with tights and a tutu. And then they pass the sheet of paper to the person sitting next to them, but this time both the astronaut's helmet and the sherrif's torso are covered. Only the ballerina's legs are showing.
That person decides to complete the drawing by adding enormous clown shoes to the legs of the ballerina.
At the end of the game the drawing in it's entirety: an astronaut's helmet on the torso of a western sheriff with the legs of a ballerina wearing huge clown shoes. Everyone has a good laugh at their group effort.
There are all sorts of variations of Exquisite Corpse. Writers will adopt this technique to tell a story. Composers will use the Exquisite Corpse method to create a piece of song.
And that's what we're going to do on today's solipsistic NATION, but with music and the players are people who blog about electronic music.
I started out the Exquisite Corpse mix by choosing a song, which I then sent to a blogger who then had to choose a track that they thought should go next. The criteria is up to them: they can choose a song that would seguely nicely from the track I selected. Maybe they want to stay in the same genre. mood or key. Maybe they decide to veer off into a different direction. It's entirely up to them.
The track they selected is sent off to the next blogger, each person choosing a song for the mix based only on the track they have just heard until the mix is complete. Today's show will be just as much a surprise for them as it is for you.
At the end of today's Exquisite Corpse mix we'll hear from each of the players: who they are, what song they chose and why they chose that song.
If you enjoy today's show you'll want to listen to the previous Exquisite Corpse mix on solipsistic NATION.
Photo Credit: Patricia Bravo
Bubblegone "Thank You" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Bazooka Joe, solipsistic NATION
Flexor81 "Myriapoda" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Pietrobot, Igloo Magazine
Jason Corder "Twilight Sleep" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Travis Nobles, hiddenplace music
Skeetaz "Dirty Dobbers"
Selected by HC, Headphone Commute
Bufi "Homeless Hero" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Mike Gregoire, blocSonic
Machine Drum "Stevie Bam Jackson Remix (Kettel)"
Selected by Jacob Arnold, Gridface
New Look "Everything" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Selected by Warren Casey, The Music Lobby
Tolera Storm "Revelation"
Selected by Daysha Taylor, Earthbird Music/a>
Mint "Dead Pixel"
Selected by Bruno Lasnier, The Milk Factory
Sci Fi Industries "Questions and Ansewers"
Selected by Miguel de Sousa, Connexion Bizarre
Halogen "Redux"
Selected by Daniel Crossley, Fluid Radio

solipsistic NATION No. 137: Blackfilm

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:03 -0700

This week on solipsistic NATION we have a special mix from Spectraliquid recording artist, Blackfilm!
As usual I first heard about Blackfim through HC's Headphone Commute blog. HC and I have similiar taste in music but HC always seems to be one step ahead of me in finding albums that are spectacular. HC praised Blackfilm's self-titled CD on Spectraliquid. My curiosity was already aroused but when HC said that Blackfilm defibrillates Amon Tobin's pioneering sound I knew I had to hear Blackfilm's album.
Like Amon Tobin, Blackfilm is haunting, menacing and beautiful. But Blackfilm's music is also unique. He has an arcane sound that I don't know exactly how to describe. It's spooky, eldritch, almost as if Blackfilm had set out to score music for the Kafkaesque stop-motion animated films of the Brothers Quay. Let me quote HC quoting from Emmanuel Top's Turkish Bazaar single: "The music was new, black, polished chrome and came over the summer like liquid night." Once Blackfilm's music is inside your head it will infect you like a virus and you will never want to be cured.
If you enjoy today's show you'll also want to listen to my show featuring music from Spectraliquid any my show featuring music from Tympanik Audio. If you're also a fan of Amon Tobin you also might enjoy my interview with Amon and a retrospective mix of his career so far or Amon Tobin's live set.
For now, close your eyes, kick back and create your own imaginary soundtrack to accompany Blackfim's devastatingly beautiful mix!
Photo Credit: James G. Mundie
Blackfilm "Come & See"
Blackfilm & Eraldo Bernocchi "Untitled"
Interview with Blackfilm
Ekaros "Sad Moon (Blackfilm Remix)"
Blackfilm "SE5"
Blackfilm & Ekaros "Nowhere"
Blackfilm "Mahabharata"
Interview with Blackfilm
Blackfilm "Stalingrad"
Blackfilm "Midnight to 4am"
Interview with Blackfilm
Blackfilm "Interference"
Blackfilm & Bridget Insinna "Burning Sun"
Blackfilm "Eastern"
Hecq "Steeltongued (Blackfilm Remix)"

solipsistic NATION No. 136: Summer Rain Recordings

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:32 -0700

Okay, here's the deal: once a month on solipsistic NATION I showcase a record label that is putting out some amazing music that you should know about. Whether it's house or industrial or experimental, if it's great I'm going to shine a light on labels who have great releases from their roster of artists.
Recently I have featured music from Tympanik Audio, Spectraliquid, Alfa Matrix and 12k. This week we're going to hear beautiful music from Summer Rain Recordings.
I first heard about Summer Rain Recordings one day while reading one of HC from Headphone Commute's review of artists on the label. I've been reading HC's blog for a while now and I've come to trust and respect his opinions on the music he discusses so I kept it in mind to do a show on Summer Rain Recordings. Then out of the blue David Holmes from Summer Rain Recordings contacted me about playing artists from Summer Rain Recordings on solipsistic NATION and I thought that was the perfect opportunity to have him come on the program and talk about his label.
Summer Rain Recordings is pretty eclectic but the music that David has chosen for this week's show is very soft, beautiful and full of complext emotions expressing everything from quiet happiness to longing and regret. I think you're going to love what you hear.
Aside from the talent on Summer Rain Recordings one of the things that makes the label unique is that every artist signed to the label donates a minimum of 5% of their royalties for every release to NextAid, or a charity of their choice, and Summer Rain Recordings match their percentage donation from the label profits from the release. Ioda, Summer Rain Recordings distributor and one of my favorite music vendor, also donates 25% of their fees for each of Summer Rain Recordings releases to NextAid.
Every purchase of Summer Rain Recordings music helps NextAid to raise funds for their pilot project, the building of an ecological community center and children’s residential village in Dennilton, South Africa. Now complete are 10 structures of the 25 slated for construction by summer 2010. The center will serve as a safe home for 50 children orphaned by AIDS, a multi-purpose center for the larger community, a hub for economic enterprise, and an example of innovative solutions for future projects throughout Africa.
Toby Benson "La Mere de Ma Mere"
Proof of Concept "Object of Desire"
Auditory Canvas "Desert Sun"
Interview with David Holmes, founder of Summer Rain Recordings
About 9 "Keep Walking"
riccicomoto "Double Zero Theme"
Interview with David Holmes, founder of Summer Rain Recordings
Melorman "The Small King"
Pondermonkey "Cycle"
Mr. Squirrel "Nothing But Pebbles"
David Kira "Gia"
Tepui "Caribu"
Interview with David Holmes, founder of Summer Rain Recordings
Elysian Piers "Music Box"
Fabrizio Cacciamali "Close Curtains on a Sunny Day"
Manic "Spring"
Interview with David Holmes, founder of Summer Rain Recordings

solipsistic NATION No. 135: Lokua, Live

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:31 -0700

When I first began featuring live sets on solipsistic NATION I thought it would be a once and a while sort of thing. Kind of a treat, really. But as solipsistic NATION progressed it became a monthly segment on the show. Even so, getting live sets on solipsistic NATION is a challenge and more than once I've had to scramble to get material for the show so my resolution for 2009 is to plan the live sets well in advance.
The live sets you can expect on solipsistic NATION will come from Milieu, Iambic, ill.gates, Exillon, Rena Jones, and, hopefully, The Orb.
This month we have not one but two live sets from Lokua.
The first live set was performed at the Morseland restaurant in Chicago on March 25^th. The second live set was also recorded at the Morseland restaurant on March 18^th.
Lokua is Joshua Keckner and is based out of Chicago. Lokua's music is rooted in hip hop and has a ambient and atmospheric feel to his music. Lokua has a back catalog of tracks hovering in the thousands and you can download his netrelease Trails album at Moment Sound, a netlabel that is maintained and curated by a select musicians from Chicago.
On this week's show I'll also announce the winners of Gary Bredow's documentary, High Tech Soul DVD, Paul Sizer's graphic novel, BPM; and Terrance Dean's autobiography, Hiding in Hip Hop from last week's giveaway contest.
Lokua "Live @ Morseland (03-25-09)
Lokua "Live @ Morseland (03-18-09)
Interview with Lokua
Lokua "Thanks Rainbow" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Lokua "C Modified" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 134: Beats Per Minute

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:52 -0700

One of the challenges producing solipsistic NATION is balancing the music I feature on the show with the interviews. solipsistic NATION is all about the music and the interviews are used to enhance the show so I try and keep the interviews to a minimum. Too much talk detracts from the mix. But on today's show I'm going to toss that rule out the window and focus on the interviews because my guests have a lot of interesting things to say!
First, we'll talk with Gary Bredow, the director of High Tech Soul, a documentary about Detroit techno. High Tech Soul is the first documentary to tackle the deep roots of techno music alongside the cultural history of it's Detroit birthplace. High Tech Soul features interview with legends such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson.
High Tech Soul is distributed by Plexifilm, who produce original films, release films theatrically, and produce, distribute and markets DVDs. Plexifilm is generously giving away one copy of High Tech Soul on today's show. Send me an email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could win a DVD of High Tech Soul!
We'll also talk with Paul Sizer, the author and illustrator of the BPM graphic novel.
The hero of the story is Roxy, a young DJ in New York City who spins in dark clubs and small bars with dreams of making it big. As Roxy becomes more and more successful she finds she has to make a choice: should she follow the music she loves or the love of her life?
Paul is giving away a signed copy of BPM on this week's show. Send me an email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and it could be yours!
Finally, we'll talk with Terrance Dean, the author of Hiding in Hip Hop, about what it's like to be a gay man in hip hop culture and the entertainment industry. Terrance worked his way up for more than ten years in the entertainment industry from an intern to an executive, and has lived the life of glitz and bling along with Hollywood and the Hip Hop's elite. Full of startling anecdotes and incredible true stories, Hiding in Hip Hop is not a tell-all book but an honest look at stardom and sexuality.
If you would like a copy of Terrance Dean's Hiding in Hip Hop, shoot me an email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of his autobiography!
K-HAND "Security" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
K-HAND "Mystery" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Gary Bredow, director of the High Tech Soul documentary
K-HAND aka Messenger "Wanderer (Ritzi Lee Remix)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
K-HAND "Wanderer (Original Mix)"
Focus3d "Inclusive Mindset (DJ Aura Minimal Techno Mix)"
Interview with Paul Sizer, author and illustrator of the BPM graphic novel
Phenomen "Made In Wishland (Zambino Tech House Dub)"
Dubacid "What Happens After (1394-4212 Acid House Dub)"
Relate4ever "Open Minded (Platona Deep Tech House Mix)"
Onelord "Sharing Cooperation (John Dare & Oscar Gonzalez Minimal Techno Mix)"
Interview with Terrance Dean, author of Hiding in Hip Hop
Ability "Sharing Transparently (Kevin Call aka DJ Nojz Techno Mix)"
Because "Sharing Cooperation (Charly Shawllporn Minimal Mix)"
Balanced "Universal Interpretation (Danny Lilwall Tech House Mix)"
High Tech Soul Trailer

solipsistic NATION No. 133: Terre Thaemlitze - Superbonus

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:38 -0700

One of the aspects of producing solipsistic NATION that I really enjoy is that it gives me the opportunity to talk to people in the electronic music community that in other circumstances I would never get the chance to talk to. I've gotten to talk with folks like Amon Tobin, Jack Dangers and Cheb i Sabbah, for example. How cool is that? I have to admit that with some of these people I do get kind of starstruck but once I get past that it's interesting to have a conversation with these artists about how they approach their craft.
On today's show were going to talk with Terre Thaemlitz. Terre is an award-winning multi-media producer, writer, public speaker, educator, audio remixer, DJ and founder of Comatonse Recordings.
Terre works in many different styles: electroacoustic computer music, club-oriented deep house, digital jazz, ambient, and computer-composed neo-expressionist piano solos. His work also explores the themes of identity politics such as gender, sexuality, class, linguistics, ethnicity and race, and the socio-economics of commercial media production.
Terre recently released his Dead Stock Archive, a collection of every audio release he has made under his real name or under his many aliases. Originally I planned was to play selected tracks from his archive but Terre pointed out that the archive has over 60 hours of music and that maybe I should play his ambient/jazz piece, "Superbonus." While "Superbonus" does not convey the scope and breadth of Terre's career it is a beautiful piece of music and provides an example of his many styles he is capable of. What's remarkable is that while "Superbonus" may, in some ways, evoke Miles Davis's classic album, In A Silent Way, "Superbonus" was composed entirely n a computer.
Terre's a very thoughtful person had many insightful things to say. Unfortunately I had to edit our conversation considerably to fit the time constraints of the show. Fortunately, however, I'm making the unedited version of that interview as a separate download. Think of it as a bonus feature that you might find on a movie DVD.
Funk Shui with Terre Thaemlitz "Superbonus"
Interview with Terre Thaemlitz

solipsistic NATION No. 132: Muti Music

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:42 -0700

Each month on solipsistic NATION I focus on a record label that is putting out some releases and on today's show we've got a fantastic mix of tracks put together by Dov from Muti Music!

I first came across Dov through Cyberset Music. Cyberset Music is a music and media company based in San Francisco. Our growing family of artists blend musical elements of world, ambient, dance, vocal, and urban genres into fresh sounds that share the positive intentions and global reach of evolving contemporary culture.

Little did I know that Dov is also the founder of Muti Music. Since 2002 Muti Music has been one of the stateside labels pioneering the breaks sound with lots of flavour. Muti Music aims to provide quality funk-filled beats and to promote the domestic and international talent featured on the label and reflect human creative response to the urban futurist environment. Flavors of Breaks, Electro, Techno, IDM, Dubstep and experimental bass music are all present in Muti Music. They also aim to forge relationships between like minded producers. Muti Music has already proven to be a pusher of dynamic sound and talent, having released Kemek, Kraddy, EVAC, An-ten-nae, Atomic Hooligan, Future Funk Squad, Rhoca, Suff-x and more recently, Dov, Audiovoid and LayerZ!

This week's show has been sponsored by AteBits, developers of Tweetie, a fast, full featured Twitter application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Tweetie is already a great application and with AteBits 1.3 release Tweetie is even better.

Not only can you post to Twitter with Tweetie and send direct messages you can also view trends on Twitter, search Twitter and view posts from your local area. With the 1.3 release of Tweetie there's a new "Link" button to add web pages to Instapaper faster. There's also Tweeitie's new Ping.fm integration and much, much more!

AteBits is not only solipsistic NATION's newest sponsor but they are generously giving away three copies of Tweetie. Email me at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could win a copy of Tweetie for yourself!

As always, you can find me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solipsistic.

Seventh Swami "Forever You Forever Me"

Mimosa "Another Day"

Timonkey "Wobblesauce"

Knowa Knowone "Wildness"

Nanda "Cosmik Dance"

An-ten-nae

Klone "Can't Remember"

An-ten-nae "Citoyen Dub"

Siren "7th Level Controller"

Subvert "Speaker Humping"

Knowsleep "Autumn Kaskade"

Interview with Dov of Muti Music

LayerZ "God Particle"

ill.gates &l Adam Duke "Lizard Skin Loincloth"

LayerZ "Spit Wods Part 2"

Subhuman "Bottom Feeder"

Interview with Dov of Muti Music

ill.gates & Meesha "Irma Vep (Wookie Remix)"

Kether "Graffiti"

An-ten-nae "Griot"

Heyoka "Flying Dub Sauce"

solipsistic NATION No. 131: Made in Glitch & Bass Science, Live

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:47 -0800

This week on solipsistic NATION I have not one, but two live sets!
The first live set comes to us by way of Legato in Shibuya, Japan and is part of the Made in Glitch events. Made In Glitch is the first and only glitch hop party in Japan. Born on the west coast of the States, and now becoming established all over Europe, Glitch is a fusion of hip hop, electronic music and broken beats. The set features edIT of the Glitch Mob and was recorded in November of 2008.
If you like what you hear then you'll want to download the January 30, 2009 edition of solipsistic NATION where my guests were edIT and Boreta.
The second live set was recorded by Bass Science for Sub FM. Bass Science are MattB and Steve Nalepa. Sub FM is an online radio station dedicated to broadcasting the best in Dubstep, Garage, Grime, Dub and more!
This isn't the first time I've had Bass Science on the show and you can download their first appearance on solipsistic NATION. Steve also has been on the show and you can also download his live set he recorded for the Dub Beautiful Collective.
This week's show is sponsored by AteBits, developers of Tweetie, a wonderful fast, full-featured client for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. AteBits is also generously giving away three copies of Tweetie on today's show. Email me at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could win a copy of Tweetie for yourself!
You can find me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solipsistic
Made In Glitch "Live in Legato, Shibuya (November 8, 2008)"
Bass Science "Live on Syb FM (December 11, 2008)"
Interview with MattB of Bass Science
Made in Glitch Video

solipsistic NATION No. 130: Nocturnal Brightness

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:58 -0800

From time to time I have guest DJs come on solipsistic NATION. Previous guests have included Travis Nobles from the hiddenplace music blog, Pete Cooper of bleepshow and Pietrobot, the co-host of Digital Nimbus and managing editor of Igloo Magazine. Today's guest is Denard Henry of Sonic Warriors United.
A few months I asked the folks I follow on Twitter if anyone would like to be a guest DJ on solipsistic NATION and Deanrd was one of the people who responded to my invitation.
Sonic Warriors United's members include Sprawl, Floppy, Marita Schreck, C-Dex, Betrisbsdruck, Jana Clemen, Reade Truth, Sneaker and Macoma.
In 2007 Denard and Jana came up launched Sonic Warriors United. They reactivated something that has almost been forgotten: the fusion of Techno, EBM, Electro and Industrial Dance Music. They are now filling dates in Germany, U.S.A and all of Europe. They plan a tour once a year to bring this concept to points of interest and are looking for clubs, bars and open air venues to host some events. For all Sonic Warriors United Events they plan 2-3 S.W.U. DJ's, plus 1-2 S.W.U. live act's along with local support: a DJ and/or a live act.
For more information on Denard Henry, tour dates and their street team missions, click here.
You can follow Denard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/denardhenry or follow me at http://www.twitter.com/solipsistic.
By the way, AteBits is generously giving away three copies of Tweetie on today's show. Tweetieis a wonderful fast, full-featured client for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Email me at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could win a copy of Tweetie for yourself!
Photo Credit: Jana Clemen
Sprawl "Sonic Warriors United"
WB Loops "Vinyl Wunderwaffe Vol. 1"
Interview with Denard Henry of Sonic Warriors United
Ancient Methods "First Method"
Marita Schreck "Pfirsichblut"
Datacide "The Ritual of Transparency"
Kosmik Kommando "Remember the Feeling"
Denard Henry "Vibe"
Lady Venom "Bass Me"
Crunch-Ø-Matic "Cøm Theme (Cøm 1)"
Erik the Viking "Flip2daStation"
Simon Owen "re-Evolution"
Virtual Terrorist "Search And Destroy Initiative"
Crunch-Ø-Matic "Earthquake.2"
Exit-12 "Earthquake.2"
Interview with Denard Henry of Sonic Warriors United

solipsistic NATION No. 129: SkipSkipSkip

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:27:51 -0800

Getting this week's edition of solipsistic NATION was a bit of a chore.
Last week my iPod had a glitch and requires that I connect it to iTunes on my Mac to do a restore. The problem is that I use my iPod as an external drive to store all my music and also where I build playlists for solipsistic NATION. If I do a restore it will wipe out everything! I haven't found a way around this (email me if you have a solution) so I'm patiently waiting for the battery in my iPod to die and then I'll connect it to iTunes. Hopefully this will resolve the reconnect issue.
Fortunately, I have thousands of MP3 on my Mac to choose from (check the links below, nearly half the tracks that appear on this week's are available as free downloads!), not to mention the stack of new CDs that I'm constantly trying to work my way through. Still, it's unsettling that I might lose everything on my iPod. I've got a bunch of rare tracks that would cause me great pain if they end up unsalvagable.
On a brighter note, AteBits is the newest sponsor solipsistic NATION. AteBits has developed Tweetie, a fast, full-featured client for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. For a while I was using Twitterific, Twitterlator and Twinkle on my iPhone but after trying Tweetie for just a few days I deleted all those other apps. Tweetie beats them hands down. You can handle multiple twitter accounts, view your timeline, replies, direct messages and favorites, view Tweets in your local area, and much, much more.
AteBits is also generously giving away three copies of Tweetie on today's show. Email me at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could win a copy of Tweetie for yourself!
In the meantime, go listen to this week's show!
Spoonbill "Gumtree (Respoon)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Transient "Everyone Still Isn't Listening To The Lorax (Screw The Stupid Thneeds)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Ill.Gates "Sweatshop"
S.I.M.O. "Smut!"
Luxurious "Light Up The Sun"
Kodomo "Concept 3"
Slomo "Was Für Eine Welt (Remix by Zengineers feat. Backwater Planet)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Skipless "Lo-Moments" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Authist & Dub One! "Ferry to Punjab (Remix by Backwater Planet feat. Zengineers)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
General Fuzz "Mellow Drama" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Darkhorse "Take 2"
Maco "%" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Laura Palmer "Borderline" [FREE DOWNLOAD]

solipsistic NATION No. 128: Tympanik Audio

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:00:50 -0800

Each month on solipsistic NATION I spotlight an electornic music label that I think you should know about. What constantly amazes me is just how many electronic music labels there are!
Take Tympanik Audio.
Tympanik Audio has been around since 2007 and has quickly established a reputation for releasing high quality, dark, electronic music featuring the likes of Ad·ver·sary, Totakeke and Integral. The music is stunning and breath taking and the CD artwork is beautiful and provocative. It's a winning combination that can't help but get you excited about the label.
There's a very good reason why Tympanik Audio shines. The label's founder, Paul Nielsen, is also one of the DJs on the Hidden Forms radio program on WNUR 89.3 FM. As a DJ Paul has a special love for albums, both the music and the packaging.
If you're looking for music that is hauntingly beautiful then I think you'll find that Tympanik Audio is just the boutique label for you.
Enjoy today's show!
DJ Hidden "Things To Come"
Autoclav 1.1 "This Stranger Hope"
Interview with Paul Nielsen, founder of Tympanik Audio
Blackfilm "Walk With Me"
Stendeck "Blind Army Parade"
Interview with Paul Nielsen, founder of Tympanik Audio
Totakeke "Patient HM (Response To Conditioning Mix)"
Displacer "The Witching Hour"
Interview with Paul Nielsen, founder of Tympanik Audio
Tapage "Transatlantic Headroom"
Flint Glass "Al-Azif"
Interview with Paul Nielsen, founder of Tympanik Audio
Access To Arasaka "400 Bloc Overground"
Integral "Digital Drops"
Interview with Paul Nielsen, founder of Tympanik Audio
Subheim "Take Me Back"

solipsistic NATION No. 127: Vergel Evans, Live

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:12:09 -0800

I've picked up a bunch of new listeners the last couple of weeks and if that happens to be you, thanks for listening!
The first Friday of each month I feature a live electronic music performance. Previous shows have included artists such as Amon Tobin, Meat Beat Manifesto and Bass Science. This week's show features a live set from Vergel Evans recorded Live at Tresor back in November.
A few months ago I put the word out on Twitter that I was looking for more live sets to feature on solipsistic NAITON and one of the people who got back to me was Vergel.
Vergel and I had been talking back and forth on Twitter for a while and had sent me a track or two in the past to listen to. Not only is Vergel influence by the Detroit techno sound but hes always had something insightful to say so I was really looking forward to having him on the show.
I wasn't wrong, either. In fact, my interview with Vergel went longer than I normally allow. While I enjoy having guests on solipsistic NAITON the thrust of the show has been, and always will be, the music. But Vergel is so passionate about music and had such interesting and witty things to say about the modern state of music that I let him go on longer then I would normally let a guest talk. I'm sure you'll agree that it was worth it.
By the way, Vergel produces a podcast of his own called Lx7 that you should check out. As long as you're clicking link, also visit his Assembler Techno Fanzine.
You can follow Vergel on Twitter at twitter.com/vveerrgg.
On, and I'm at twitter.com/solipsistic.
As long as I'm giving out Twitter addreses, I'm going to giveaway a free t shirt from Under Republic at the end of today's show and you can follow Under Republic at, you guessed it, twitter.com/UnderRepublic.
Vergel Evans "Live at Tresor (11/12/2008)"
Interview with Vergel Evans

solipsistic NATION No. 126: Quadtych

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:01:54 -0800

On today's show were going to talk with Boreta and edIT of The Glitch Mob, DJ Hardware and Sin Quirin who are audio aggitators in both Ministry and Revolting Cocks and are currently on the road for their Revamp Tour, Ninah Pixie and Dos from the Big City Orchestra and DJ and soundsmith Margaret Noble who is currently in San Francisco with Lux Boreal and the Little Know Dance Company in San Francisco performing Incidental Fear Numbers.
The Glitch Mob are Ooah, Kraddy, edIT and Boreta and for the last couple of years they've been putting out some incredibly funky that are guaranteed to move your ass. Their motto is "We Slay Crowds!" I've had both Ooah and Kraddy on the show in the past and do it's a pleausre to finally have Boreta and Edit on solipsistic NATION.
Sin has co-writing credits for the Ministry's "The Last Sucker" record and played guitar on Ministry's "Cover Up" album as well as Co-writing credits on the Revolting Cocks album "Sex-O Olympic-O" due out in February. DJ Hardware has been in the indistry for the last tw decades and is a definitive DJ and producer, combining brilliant remixed Classic Rock, Hip-Hop, and Top 40 Hits into dance floor destroyers.
Big City Orchestra is a long running art/anti-art group based generally in California. They were formed in 1979 and have released about 130 hour-long releases on over 100 labels.
Margaret was a DJ in the underground club community of Chicago from 2002 to 2005. Since then she has chosen to work in music concrete, taking her sounds from computers and the world.
I'd like to thank Melissa Mac Tavish for putting me in touch with DJ Hardware. You can find Melissa on Twitter at twitter.com/713punky.
I'd also like to thank Chris Gondek from Twitterhood for having me on his show to talk about solipsistic NATION a few weeks ago. You can listen to the interview here. You can find Chris at twitter.com/booktalk.
EProm "64 Bytes (Boreta Remix)"
Ooah "Bleeding Mirrors (Remix)"
Interview with Boreta and edIT of The Glitch Mob
edIT "The Game is Not Over (feat. J Dilla, Phat Kat & Dabrye)"
Revolting Cocks "Cousins (DJ Hardware Remix)"
Revolting Cocks "Wizard Of Sextown (Redlight District Revamp Mix)"
Interview with DJ Hardware and Sin Quirin
Big City Orchestra "Jumpingbean"
Big City Orchestra "Periwinkle"
Interview with Ninah Pixie and Dos of Big City Orchestra
Margaret Noble "Track 01"
Margaret Noble "Track 02"
Intrview withMargaret Noble
Margaret Noble "Track 03"
Margaret Noble "Track 04"
Margaret Noble "Track 06"

solipsistic NATION No. 125: HiddenPlace Music, Part 2: The Best Net Label Releases of 2008

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:04:49 -0800

If you've started listening to solipsistic NATION because of last week's soundtrack to an imaginary movie by Guy Ritchie or Amon Tobin's live set the week before, welcome.
If you're the kind of person who is easily bored by the same kind of music then solipsistic NATION is for you. Each week I explore a theme or genres of electronic music so each week is different.
This week out guest is Travis Nobles from the hiddenplace music blog who has prepaared a beautiful mix of music of tracks he considers the best Net Releases of 2008.
I'm grateful for Travis for putting this mix together because I've never been very good at putting together the obligatory best of lists at the end of the year. With any luck, I'll also have a HC from Headphone Commute's best 2008 releases as well.
You can follow Travis on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hiddenplace and HC at http://twitter.com/h_c.
Trills "Embryo" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Kiorda Daekin "Median" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Michael Hoffmann "The Pilot" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Travis Nobles of hiddenplace music
Solar Fields "Feelings (album mix) radio edit" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
iqtu "aiken" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Track53 "We Were Warm (Sun Showers)" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Iambic² "December's Shadows" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Lokua "Crystal Coupe" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
The Dandelion Council "Exploring Woods in Pyjamas Circa 1982" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Travis Nobles of hiddenplace music
Ólafur Arnalds "Fok" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Prologue "Legend" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Planet Boelex & Lisa's antenna "Angels" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
general fuzz "go inward" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Interview with Travis Nobles of hiddenplace music

solipsistic NATION No. 124: Skadi

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:45 -0800

Earlier this week I set my iPhone to randomly play tracks queued up in my playlist for songs to review for solipsistic NATION, eager to hear what would emerge. As I started adding tracks to my On-The_Go playlist I found myself picking songs that seemed like they would be perfect for a soundtrack for an imaginary movie by Guy Ritchie. Think Snatch. Or Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast. The mix on this week's solipsistic NATION feature songs that are gritty and trashy, sexy and fun, maybe even a little dangerous.
As long as I've got your eyeballs let me tell you about some upcoming shows on solipsistic NATION.

This weekend I'll be interviewing Boreta and edIT of the Glitch Mob. I've already had Ooah and Kraddy on the show in the past and this will serve as a bookend to the Glitch Mob interviews. If you'd like to be part of the interview, just call my voice mail at 1-619-717-6322 and record your question. I'll play both your question and their response on the show.

I'll also interview J. Anthony Allen and Douglas Geers who are running the Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Art taking place at the University of Minnesota, February 17 - 22.

Too wrap up the weekend I'll interview Travis Nobles hiddenplace music blog about the tracks he's lovingly selected for next week's show featuring his best of 2008 net releases.

Next month will feature a live set from Vergel E and March will feature a live set by Matt B of the Made In Glitch project and Bass Science.

If you'd like to keep up to date on upcoming shows or participate in future interviews just follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solipsistic.

Photo Credit: Raul Flores H.

Tricky "C'Mon Baby"

Boys Noize "Let's Buy Happiness (Proxy Remix)"

Alice In Videoland "Who's That Boy"

Justice "Phantom"

Sébastien Tellier "Sexual Sportswear (Sébastien Mix)"

Kavin Sky "Testarossa Sébastien Remix"

Sex In Dallas & Biladoll "The Freaks"

Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip "Thou Shalt Always Kill"

Andrew Weatherall "Feathers"

S.I.M.O. "Peaches"

The Streets "Never Give In"

Spank Rock "Sweet Talk"

Télépathique "Sex Drugs And Funk 'n' Roll"

Larytta "The Money"

solipsistic NATION No. 123: Amon Tobin, Live

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:14 -0800

A lot of people got MP3 players like iPods, iPhones and Zunes as gifts for the holidays and have been downloading podcasts to put on their new toys. If that happens to be you then you're in for a treat. Today's show is beat master and sonic soundsmith, Amon Tobin.
Amon has recorded some incredible albums such as Bricolage, Permutation and Supermodified. Even his earlier releases that he recorded under the name Cujo sound as fresh today as they did in 1996. His most recent release is Foley Room, and once again Amon pushed himself to explore the possibilities of sound and music.
If you're unfamiliar with Amon I encourage you to download the March 21st, 2008 edition of solipsistic NATION. That show feature an interview with Amon Tobin about his musical career and a retrospective mix of select tracks from his albums.
Once a month on solipsistic NATION I feature a live performance of electronic music and on this week's live set comes to from Amon Tobin, recorded in Brussels for his Foley Room tour.
If you'd like to hear Amon's concert without the interview, you can download his Foley Room Recorded Live In Brussels here.
Amon Tobin "Into The Dark"
Amon Tobin "Horsefish Live Mix"
Cardiacs "The Alphabet Business Concern (Home Of Fadeless Splendor)"
Two Fingers "Two Fingers (White Label)"
Spank Rock "Bump Switch Rmx"
Two Fingers "Two Fingers (White Label)"
Amon Tobin "Esthers"
Amon Tobin "Throwback Intro To SS Live 1"
Zilla / King Cannibal "Aragami Style"
Kelis "Aww Shit"
Two Fingers "Two Fingers (White Label)"
Amon Tobin "Kitchen Sink Live Mix"
Amon Tobin "Big Furry Head"
Tech Itch "Know"
Amon Tobin "Verbal ACC"
Two Fingers "Two Fingers (White Label)"
Boxcutter "Grub"
Autechre "Doctrine"
Amon Tobin "Foley Room"
Amon Tobin "White Label"
Dom N Roland "Ritual"
Amon Tobin / Noisia "Tobin/Noisia Collab Work In Progress (White Label)"
Konflict "Messiah (Noisia Rmx)"
Spank Rock "Get On The Floor (Disco D)"
Nice Nice "Uh-Oh"
Amon Tobin "Straight Psyche"
Autechre "Second Bad Vibel"
Noisia "B.R.E.E.Z.E."
Noisia "Concussion"
Kriptic Minds And Leon Switch "No Remorse"
Amon Tobin "Keep Your Distance"

solipsistic NATION No. 122: Causal Domain Shear

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:11 -0800

Philosophy and science fiction has always been a part of solipsistic NATION. In fact, the name solipsistic NATION was taken from Greg Egan's science fiction novel, Permutation City.
Recently I've been reading Neal Stephenson's novel, Anathem. Stephenson's books are great reads full of adventure, heady concepts and passages that have made me laugh out loud. Anathem is a very different book for Stephenson. For one, it's written in the first person. Secondly, it takes place in the future and in an alternate universe. Stephenson thinks big and Anathem is no exception.
There are many themes in Anathem and one of the most compelling is the idea of causal domain shear. Stephenson first introduces this concept through a dialogue between two characters, one, a student, the other, his mentor. These two characters belong to a monastic-like organization who pursue mathematicians and science rather than religion. They are cut off from the world and even within their order there are orders who are cut off from each other.
In a thought experiment the mentor poses the idea that, if taken to the extreme, an order could be so cut off from the rest of the world that they become a unique culture with their own world, universe and timeline.
Anathem explores this concept and then slowly reintroduces the characters into the larger world that expands and expands until beings from alternate universes are in conflict with each other. Like I said, heady stuff.
What does causal domain shear have to do with solipsistic NATION? Thematically I hope this week's show will subjectively slow down the clock for you while you listen. With any luck, this week's show will prompt flights of fancy or insight gained through introspection that you can take back with you when you re-emerge with the real/imaginary materialistic world.
Photo Credit: Simon Crubellier
Kodomo "Concept 8"
Integral "Je Ne Trouve Pas La Sortie"
juxta phona & offthesky "sex, flies, yellow tape"
Spyweirdos and John Mourjopoulos with Floros Floridis "At"
Displacer "He Could Destroy The Earth"
Aughra "Return To The Red Room" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Blackfilm "Interference"
Emanuele Errante "Radio Hopes"
niteffect "blur emotions" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Lukeing Forward "Soulless"
Tapage "Pretend Not To See"
Mothboy "Rewind, Erase And Replace"
Mad EP "Menuet"
BrainSt0rm "Nightviews (Rough Edit)"

solipsistic NATION No. 121: Going Native

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:22:54 -0800

I usually release my shows Thursdays at midnight so you can kick off your weekend with the latest solipsistic NATION but the last couple of shows have gone out a day or two late. I know that since this is a podcast you can listen to it whenever you like so being late a day or two isn't such a big deal. But if you're like me, there are a couple of shows that I really enjoy and I get annoyed when they release their shows late. If I've annoyed you, I offer my sincere apologies.>
This week's show is actually three days late. I've been sick for the last week and I just couldn't find the energy to get out of bed and record the show. Usually I take a few days off from work to recover from a cold but this year I've taken way too many sick days as it is and couldn't afford to take any more time off so I just had to suck it up and get through the week.
Being sick the last week has really sucked but I've been having some amazing dreams!
Last night I dreamt I was independent contractor who drove a supply truck for the military. I was checked through security to make a delivery and while I was on the base I saw a bunch of prisoners of war on their knees with their hands clasped behind their head while soldiers had their machine guns trained on the back of their skulls in an abandoned parking garage.
On of the higher ups approached me and was threatening in a very charming way. He asked me if I'd be interested in partipating in one of their studies. With dream logic I knew it would be some sort of science fiction experiment that would give me fantastic powers at a terrible price. I begged off and spent the rest of the dream trying to escape from the base without drawing attention to myself.
Meanwhile, military scientists were studying my movements on security cameras and noted how I was unconsciously warping reality to aid in my escape. They were speculating on how dangerous I might become if I ever became aware if my power and debating when to send soldiers out to contain me.
Pretty cool, huh?
Photo Credit: damndirty

Shamanic Technology "Rites Of Passage"
Dubosmium "7Heavens" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Mystical Sun "Incense"
I Awake "Constellation of the Heart (Native Edit)"
Ad·ver·sary "International Dark Skies" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Sawako "Deep Under"
Al Margolis "Natraj"
Koen Park "Laburnum"
Bubblegone "Letters from Home" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
rngmnn "What Goes Around Comes Around" [FREE DOWNLOAD]
Evan Bartholomew "Leaving Behind Ourselves"

solipsistic NATION No. 120: Pasithea

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:30:20 -0800

It's a rare rainy day in San Diego and the weather goes along perfectly with today's dreamy mix.
The second week of each month of solipsistic NATION I feature music from an electronic music label that I really like but this month I've been so busy that I couldn't find the time to do that. But since last month I did two shows featuring music from the Spectraliquid and Alfa Matrix record labels that I could be forgiven for slipping up.
2008 is coming to an end and if all goes well, the next two editions of solipsistic NATION will feature HC from the Headphone Commute music blog favorite albums of the year.
I'm going to kick off 2009 with a live set from Amon Tobin, who we had on solipsistic NATION, last March. I'm going to interview Amon this week and if you have a question you'd like to ask him you can either email me your question at solipsisticnation@gmail.com or record your question on my voicemail at 1-619-717-6322.
If you want to keep up to date on future shows, just follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solipsistic.
Alex Tomb "The Gardens of Babylon (Breger Remix)"
Remute "Out"
Shamanic Technology "Toy Vision"
Bola "Waknuts"
Tycho "Sunrise Projector"
Detalles "Sociber"
James Bernard "Segue 3"
Stefano Spataro Solquest Projects "Post-Mushroom"
Kingbastard "Bipolar"
Desert Dwellers "Stellar Dendrites"
OP11 "Dome"
Mystical Sun "Dark Energy"

solipsistic NATION No. 119: D.D.T., Live

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:30:55 -0800

D.D.T. was a hardcore aggro-industrial electronic act that was together in Boston from the late 1980's until the mid 1990's. Noel McKenna did drum programming and vocals, Lisa Sirois did samples and some vocals, and Elaine Walker (who joined in late 1991) did synth programming. Elaine joined D.D.T. at the same time she was forming ZIA. The first ZIA lineup consisted of Noel McKenna and Lisa Sirois of D.D.T. Where are they now? Noel is now a Buddhist Monk in upstate New York and Lisa is "DJ Goldilox" in San Francisco.
Today's live performance features industrial band, D.D.T.
Ever since I started I started this segment I've been looking forward to this particular show. In fact, I wanted to play D.D.T.'s performance immediatley but I wanted to hold off until October, since that seemed the appropriate time of year to put out this episode.
First, let me give you a little history.
Waaaaaay back in the 80s I was dating a girl by the name of Arni. One of her friends was named Noel McKenna and a few years later he had started an industrial act called D.D.T. Since I featured live bands on my show I invited Noel and his partner in crime, Goldilox, to come to the station and play.
At the time my soundman was an action figure of a man named Harry Wallace. I could fill up several shows with stories about his crazy life but I'll save that for another time. The best way I can some up Harry is that he should have had the world "Go!" tattooed on his forehad in capital letters.
Anyway... Harry really, really dug the band and when they asked him to do sound for their live shows he went at it like he did every thing in life, with both guns blazing!
About a year later Elaine Walker joined D.D.T. and I think she really fleshed out the band with her microtonal influence. They came back to the station in November of 1991 and played another set, which is the recording you're going to hear on today's show.
Noel is currently on retreat as a Buddhist monk, Goldilocks is helping run Sleevin Records and on the road, and Elaine is brewing trouble with her band Zia and I had the pleasure of having them on solipsistic NATION back in May.
D.D.T. "Live on WMFO 91.5 FM"

solipsistic NATION No. 118: Spectraliquid

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:30:51 -0800

Today's show came about from an email from HC of Headphone Commute. HC suggested that I have Kostas K come on the show to play music from his label, Spectraliquid. There are only a handful of releases on Spectraliquid, not nearly enough to qualify for my monthly feature on electronic music labels. Still, HC was right. The music on Kostas' label was mind blowingly great so I decided to split the show with a segment on Spectraliquid and the rest would be a mix of music that would compliment Spectraliquid. By the tile I had selected the least track I realized that the only way to do Spectraliquid justice was by dedicating an entire show to music from the label.
By the way, HC posted his top 10 mixes of 2008 on his blog. It's pretty eclectic and features everything from the Glitch Mob to Pinch's mix on Rob's Electronic Explorations podcast. HC included my interview with Amon Tobin and my retrospective mix of his musical career so far. I'm honored to be included in HC's list but let's be honest, if it's a mix of music from Amon Tobin, how can you go wrong?
I'd also like to thank Denard Henry for participating on today's interview with Kostas through his post on Twitter. You can follow Denard on Twitter at http://twitter.com/denardhenry. If you want to keep in the loop on upcoming shows on solipsistic NATION follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solipsistic.
Cardopusher "Toothsmasher (Innasekt Remix)"
Interview with Kostas K of Spectraliquid
Cardopusher "Cockpit"
Ebola "Painkillers"
Interview with Kostas K of Spectraliquid
Ebola "Teledildonics"
Cardopusher "Collapsible Shelter"
Blackfilm "Come & See"
Interview with Kostas K of Spectraliquid
Blackfilm "Atlantikend"
Subheim "Hollow (Remix by Mobthrow)"
Interview with Kostas K of Spectraliquid
Subheim "Howl"
Blackfilm "Stalingrad"
Interview with Kostas K of Spectraliquid

solipsistic NATION No. 117: American Memory

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:36 -0800

Richard Wagner coined the term gesamtkunstwerk in his 1849 essay, Art and Revolution, to express his concept of a complete artwork. By this he meant an operatic performance that integrated music, theater and the visual arts. Today we call that multimedia.
But as usual with Wagner, gesamtkunstwerk had a multifaceted meaning for him. Gesamtkunstwerk meant more than incorporating various forms of artistic expression. Wagner, like his peer, Friedrich Nietzsche, saw that humanity was becoming a specialized creature. Wagner believed we compartmentalized our capacity for art, religion, philosophy and science and sought to return humanity to a so-called golden age where all those things were unified. The only way Wagner could possibly express this in the framework of opera was through music, theater and the visual arts.
Since Wagner you could argue that even though we now consume and produce vast quantities of media we have become even more specialized. Today we take multimedia for granted. It's like air. We can watch a music video on our iPhone on the way to work that's crammed with dancing, singing and special effects. Entertaining for sure, but nothing that combines all that to express and invoke the gestalt Wagner was striving for.
William Morrison and Justin Bennett are currently touring the U.S. with American Memory, an ambitions multimedia project. American Memory tells the story of artists in a far flung future who discover the American Memory Archive on the net. Intrigued but with no historical context to understand what they have found they broadcast their surrealistic impressions back through time.
Justin and William's gesamtkunstwerk approach of merge and recontextualize music, text, interviews, speeches, photography and film may be the best way to explore the multilayered history of America.
American Memory "American Memory Trailer"
American Memory "Artifacts"
American Memory "Dear Mr President"
American Memory "Backwards Song"
American Memory "Ghost Dance"
American Memory "Time Don't Steal"
Interview with William Morrison and Justin Bennett of American Memory
Stephan Mathieu "Lux-Scn"
Al Margolis "Frog Field"

solipsistic NATION No. 116: Alfa Matrix

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:49 -0800

When I listen to aggrotech, dark elektro or synthpop I sometimes flashback on my days as a young punk in Boston. Like a lot of punks, I was an angry lad full of venom and punk and hardcore perfectly expressed the intensity of my feelings.
The problem was that I wasn't full of rage 24 hours a day.
I had other emotions that punk simply couldn't express. A gloomy, overcast day went perfect with The Smiths (and there are a lot of gloomy, overcast days in Boston. When I was up for a night of debauchery James Brown was my kick start for the evening. When I was falling in love Coltrane's "Naima" would evoke the sublime and if I was heartbroken I could commiserate with Hank Williams "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." And if I was in the mood for some dark, trashy fun I'd throw in some Front 242 or Sleep Chamber.
To admit this to any of the punks I hung out with inevitably led to being labeled a poseur, which is about the worst thing you can call a punk. After a while I started to chafe under all the conservative restrictions of punk: the modes of dress, the limited selection of music, the enforced social punk norms, etc. And like most people who pass through this phase I realized that it was the spirit of punk that's to be celebrated, not the ridiculous "laws."
Anyway, it was right about this time that I started hanging out at Manray's, which was the place to be if you were into stuff like goth and aggrotech. The music was great and I dug watching the crowd. Goths had their own attires and modes of expression but there seemed to be an sense of playful irony while the punks were so dogmatic about everything.
Since then I've always had a love for aggrotech, dark elektro and synthpop Alfa Matrix is one label that releases some of the best aggrotech, dark elektro and synthpop you'll likely to hear. Alfa Matrix is a Belgian record label the was founded in 2001 by Séba Dolimont, Bernard Van Isacker and Benoî t Blanchart. I first became aware of Alfa Matrix when I relaunched solipsistic NATION as a podcast when I came across a release by Zombie Girl on IODA and I've been a fan of Zombie Girl and Alfa Matrix ever since!
Krystal System "I Love My Chains"
I:Scintilla "The Bells"
Ayria "The Gun Song"
Zombie Girl "Go Zombie"
Mentallo & the Fixer "Opening The Bandwidth For The Cosmic Signal (Fine-Tuning And Frequency)"
Interview with Séba Dolimont, co-founder of Alfa Matrix
Implant "Spanish Fury (Out Out Mix)"
Monolith "Transmission"
Komor Kommando "Love Your Neighbour"
Front 242 "Operating Tracks"
Plastic Noise Experience "Monoton Synchron (Remix)"
Plastic Noise Experience "Schlafmodus 3"
Interview with Séba Dolimont, co-founder of Alfa Matrix

solipsistic NATION No. 115: Basteroid, Live

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:12 -0800

About six months ago the folks at Areal Records were kind enough to send me a couple of promotional CDs. One of them was a live set in Berlin by Basteroid. I'm always on the lookout for new concerts to play on solipsistic NATION so I contacted Sebastian Riedl (aka Basteroid) and asked him to join me on the show.
It took a while to arrange an interview due to our conflicting schedules and the time differences between our countries. After a couple of weeks we finally nailed a date and I found myself up at 4:30 in the morning ready to interview Sebastian. Despite being sleepy I thought it went pretty well. Except for one small thing. In my grogginess I had failed to check the settings on the software I use to record the interviews. When I went to edit the interview there was just a recording of me talking to no one.
Fortunately, Sebastian was a good sport and recorded an intro for today's show. If you listen carefully you can hear his daughter in the background.
Enjoy today's show featuring Sebastian's live set in Berlin and be sure to check out his new project, IRR (International Recordings Records).
Photo Credit: ©dayvidday
Basteroid "Live Set (Areal/Berlin, DE)"