Artist of the Day: Bibio

Bibio is Stephen James Wilkinson from Wolverhampton, England. Wilkinson studied ‘Sonic Arts’ between 1999 - 2002 at Middlesex University in North London, it was during this time in London he came up with the name Bibio. The name was taken from a small black and red fishing fly which was favoured by his father on their fishing trips to Wales during Stephen’s childhood, the name therefore has nostalgic meaning which is often a theme in his music. 

His recording career as Bibio started with Mush records in 2004. His Mush releases consist of 3 albums and 1 EP. In 2009 he signed to Warp records and so far has released a further album and an EP containing remix contributions from other artists. Bibio’s music combines electronic and acoustic/traditional instruments, his main instrument being guitar. Bibio’s signature ‘grainy’ sound is partly due to the use of analogue tape and vintage recording equipment, which is more exaggerated in his earlier Mush releases. 

Wilkinson himself labeled his debut on Mush as “Saturated Folk”. Bibio’s recent output, particularly on Warp, has been more diverse, with an increasing use of his own vocals, drums/beats and electronics. His Mush debut ‘Fi’ was described by Marcus Eoin of Boards of Canada as: “The antidote to the modern laptopia of pristine electronic music…”. In 2009, Bibio contributed a cover version of Boards of Canada’s ‘Kaini Industries’ to the Warp 20th Anniversary ‘Recreated’ album (Last.fm, 2010).

You can listen to Bibio's music at:
http://www.last.fm/music/Bibio



Released Albums:
Bibio - Ovals and Emeralds EP
Bibio - Hand and Cranked
Bibio - Fi
Bibio - Vignetting the Compost
Bibio - Avenue
Bibio - The Apple and the Tooth
Bibio - Maybe They Appear in Graveyards EP

Reference:
(2010). Bibio. Last.fm. Retrieved from http://www.last.fm/music/Bibio

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Artist of the Day: Hudson Mohawke

Hudson Mohawke, (b. Ross Birchard), also known as DJ Itchy, Hudson Mo or Hud Mo, is an Electronic music producer/DJ from Glasgow, Scotland, affiliated with the LuckyMe collective of musicians and artists. He is signed to Warp Records and released his debut album Butter on that label in October 2009.

At the age of 15 Birchard, under the name DJ Itchy, was the youngest ever UK DMC finalist. His earliest gigs as a club DJ were with Glasgow Uni’s Subcity Radio where he was part of the culture city kids show and later other shows including Turntable Science with Pro Vinylist Karim and Cloudo’s Happy Hardcore show. 

Birchard became Hudson Mohawke after seeing the name engraved on a statue in the hallway of his accommodation. He was signed to Warp Records despite a very limited track record of official releases; the bulk of his releases were unofficial tracks and DJ mixes circulated on the Internet. His first official release to get major notice was “Free Mo”, a track on the Ubiquity Records various-artists compilation Choices, Vol. 1 (2007); subsequently, he was featured as a remixer on Choices, Vol. 2 (2007). In 2008 his 12” EP Ooops! on LuckyMe/Wireblock became an underground sensation, particularly once word spread of his recording contract with Warp (Last.fm, 2010).

You can listen to Hudson Mohawke's music at:
http://www.last.fm/music/Hudson+Mohawke



Released Albums:
Hudson Mohawke - Ooops! EP
Hudson Mohawke - Butter
Hudson Mohawke - Polyfolk Dance

Reference:
(2010). Hudson Mohawke. Last.fm. Retrieved from http://www.last.fm/music/Hudson+Mohawke

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Artist of the Day: Flying Lotus

Great nephew of Alice Coltrane, Flying Lotus (who was born Steven Ellison) made beats for the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming before releasing his debut full-length, 1983, which resembled the work of fellow avant-garde hip-hop producers Madlib, J Dilla, and Ammoncontact, on Plug Research in 2006. Following the six-song Reset EP, his second full-length, Los Angeles, was released on Warp in 2008, with the three-part L.A. EP series of remixes and additional productions trailing through the next year. Cosmogramma, the third Flying Lotus album, was issued on the same label in 2010 (Brown, 2010). 

Los Angeles resident Flying Lotus brings beats with a cinematic flare: "I see these tracks as little short films that play in my head." Flying Lotus is a free spirit: "I have this beautiful lemon tree in my backyard, and on a sunny day the light shines through. Little things like that inspire me." Flying Lotus is a Coltrane: "My greatest influences are my family, I'm lucky to have been around so many accomplished musicians." And most importantly, Flying Lotus is a visionary; get ready to meet your favorite new producer.

From note one, there is a feeling of something new and exciting at play here. Keyboards wobble and wiggle with mutated funk, skewed rhythms grind underneath, warped samples play hide-and-seek with the beat- in other words, that "next level shit" artists are always talking about? This is it.??While the title 1983 may conjure images of parachute pants and asymmetrical 'dos, the '83 Lotus envisions isn't the typical retro cheese covered by VH1 specials. This is Blade Runner, Bambaataa, the Bomb Squad, and Basquiat. This is the musical future Prince was dreamin' about- forgive us if we go astray. Just listen to "Orbit Brazil": synths float into space with melodic optimism, grimed out in a dystopian sheen. By track's end, you really feel like you're at zero gravity, peering through your space mask at the sweaty Brasilian booties bumpin' (it's cause they're listening to Lotus).??And yeah, Lotus is a part of the Coltrane lineage, but don't write this off as nepotism, cause he ain't riding on anyone's coattails. But, if you really MUST make the correlation between A Love Supreme and A Lotus Supreme, dig: If Alice and John had lived in the era of SP-303s and laptops, they'd be flirting with the same muse as Lotus is.??Flying Lotus IS a visionary. He is tapping that well of creative juice that seems to float in the ether for certain artists every generation, carving his own path through the wilds of the beat. By the time you read this, Lotus will already be making the music everyone and their robot will be biting through 2030. Like most natural talents, though, Lotus' aspirations are simple: "I just want to keep having fun" (Vibra Online, 2007).

You can listen to Flying Lotus' music at:
http://www.last.fm/music/Flying+Lotus



Released Albums:
Flying Lotus - 1983
Flying Lotus - Reset Ep
Flying Lotus - Los Angeles
Flying Lotus - L.A. Ep 1 x 3
Flying Lotus - L.A. Ep 2 x 3
Flying Lotus - L.A. Ep 3 x 3
Flying Lotus - Black Fist
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Reference:

(2007). Flying Lotus. Vibra Online. Retrieved from http://www.vibraonline.com/genres/beats/flying-lotus.html

Brown, M. (2010). Flying Lotus. All Music. Retrieved from http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll

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Artist of the Day: Harmonic 313

Grown up in Yeovil, a true West Country Boy - heavily attracted to the new sounds of Techno coming out of Detroit and anything with the funk as well as soundtracks and library music and most other aural weirdness.
 
Apart from a brief diversion into the culinary world, Mark was irresistibly drawn towards music making and that's where he is today. Responsible for many classics, he has gained respect and admiration from a committed fan-base, critics as well as fellow musicians. Very early in his career he found like-minded people in Tom Middleton and Richard James (Aphex Twin).

With Tom he went on to set up the seminal Evolution label (named after the Carl Craig track) dedicated to the pioneering of Techno and Electronica. The label encouraged a very high level of experimentation with its no-compromise stance.

This combination produced some amazing music but was fiercely non-commercial in its approach, which ultimately led to it's demise. An acclaimed compilation of the label was released on Warp.

Concentrating on his own music Mark embarked on the Global Communication project, along with Tom Middleton- making deep, ambient music, incorporating the emotional soundscapes that became a signature of their work. Highly challenging whilst remaining beautiful the project took ambient music to another level, and introduced them to a whole new audience whilst winning massive critical accl.. 'best ambient album of the decade' The Guardian.

Separately Mark worked on his Reload project for Creation, a highly experimental work of Techno/ Ambient/Soundtrack that described journeys into inner and outer space. The follow up to this album is eagerly awaited and anticipated for release in 2007! on Warp.

Following this came the Link - E621 12" release on Warp. And another label with Tom named 'Universal Language' with the same ideals and pioneering attitude of Evolution. The two released the Jedi Knights album through this label and became known for no-messing heavy beats and bass lines combined with an inimitable funkiness. They also incorporated elements of hip-hop and electro giving them a distinctive and instantly recognizable sound.

Shortly after came the classic chameleon Link 12'' for Good Looking records which became an anthem at Speed (LTJ Bukem and Fabios club night).

As their reputation grew they picked up remix work together, producing amazing reinterpretations of Lamb and Azymuth and Warp 69. Meanwhile, Mark developed his own midtempo sound, which can be heard on his remixes for Orb /Stereopeople /Cosmos/ KRS-1/ Tribe Called Quest, which have all become underground classics.

Work in progress includes the Use of Weapons (Drum and Bass) for Droppin Science records who Mark also records as Vertigo with Danny Breaks. Working simultaneously for a variety of different labels, has Mark going cross genre and taking his sound to the next level.

Given a chance to fully explore his love of Hip Hop and easy listening- he has produced his Harmonic 33 EP on Alphabet Zoo records which is an offshoot of Droppin Science records.

Named after the frequency produced by planets turning on their axes, which it is believed other beings use to navigate the universe - the name betrays his deep interest in outer space and in discovery and science fiction. Using a seductive 60s easy listening vibe combined with weird science Mark has produced some of the most interesting instrumental hip-hop to come out of the UK recently.

Whatever the genre Mark's work has been characterized by his ability to of giving the music more room to get funky, and producing deeply emotional, and twisted sounds - guaranteed to get your groove on!

After a long standing relationship with Far Out Recordings and his involvement in various production and re-mix work, Mark had developed a new sound. The natural progression for Mark was to record an album for Far Out Recordings of futuristic techno funk, tinged with Electro, hip hop and Latin: Trouble Man (RCRD LBL, 2010).

You can listen to Harmonic 313's music at:
http://www.last.fm/music/Harmonic+313



Released Albums:
Harmonic 313 - Dirtbox Ep
Harmonic 313 - When Machine Exceeds Human Intelligence

Reference:
(2010). Harmonic 313. RCRD LBL. Retrieved from http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Harmonic_313/music

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Artist of the Day: Mike Slott

Mike Slott is a nomadic soul and future-looking producer who's lived in Chicago, Glasgow, Dublin and now resides in Harlem, New York City. Mike is from a notable lineage of musical pioneers, with his father being the first major label jazz signing in Ireland. His brother was signed to Sony BMG at age 17, and even his cousin is an ex-member of Ireland's most successful golden-era hip hop group. He has released two 45's under his solo moniker on Dublin's hip hop cornerstone All City records, as well as four EP's along with maverick cohort Hudson Mohawke, and a collaboration with interstellar soul-searcher Muhsinah. This musical journeyman may wander off the well-worn path, but always manages to find his way home (Red Bull Music Academy, 2010).

You can listen to Mike Slott's music at:
http://www.last.fm/music/Mike+Slott



Released Albums:
Mike Slott - Lucky 9Teen

Reference:
(2010). Mike Slott. Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved from
http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/london/artist/?id=122

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