Good (FREE) music laying around the interwebs.. Pt. 1

 Midnight Faces - Feel This Way (Certain Creatures Black Heart Mix)

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 How To Destroy Angels - Keep It Together (Nosaj Thing Remix)

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 Feyorz - Luvxplrers

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 Fat Tony - I Shine

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 The Caretaker - Libet's Delay (Velvet Glacier Cover)

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 Accelra - EP Collection

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Various Artists - The 420 Tape : Kerosene Comic Book

~njoy.

EIC's 10Q's w/ Vanilla

"..Press play, start strutin', nod your head to the beat every once and a while, you'll get some followers eventually...." 

Vanilla

Soft Oppidan Jams

Vanilla Bio

Vanilla is an Instrumental Hip Hop artist based in Oxford, UK. He now has 6 releases to his name: 2009’s ‘Thought Process’, the 2010 EP ‘Night Visions’, the full-length ‘Chrometrails’ released in May 2010, the LP ‘High Life’ dropped in May 2011, ‘Soft Focus’ released in May 2012, and finally ‘For What It’s Worth’ in January 2013. Vanilla’s music can be downloaded here: http://vanillabeats.bandcamp.com/

Hello, how are you?

Pretty good thank you.

What are you currently listening to?

I've not been listening to much lately but have been enjoying Flume's debut album, which has some great vocal sampling in it. Also 'Home' by Nosaj Thing, which has a very atmospheric, almost 'filmic' quality to it. I'd definitely like to explore this kind of sound more in my own music.

When did this project come about and whom were your biggest influences for said project?

'For What It's Worth' is basically a compilation of unused tracks made over the last year that I wanted to release primarily to remind people that I'm still here, as I hadn't released anything in ages and everyone seems to be so prolific these days so it's good to try and keep up. I guess stuff like 'Old Donuts' by Dilla and other loose beat tapes inspired the idea, as when you discover producers like that it's nice to try and get hold of all their old and unreleased tracks.

Out of all your tracks/releases thus far do you have one track and/or album in particular that you are fond of?

I'm probably most proud of 'Soft Focus' as an album, as I think it's the most stylistically and musically consistent project I've made yet. I'm quite fond of my Nas remix as well, has a sort of Vice City vibe that I've failed to capture since.

Have you ever thought about doing a vocal heavy/more lyric-based album?

I'd love to work with some vocalists at some point, definitely for more sample-free material. Vocals/lyrics aren't exactly my forte so it would be great to collaborate with people who know what they're doing. Hopefully soon!

If you could choose any artist(s) to remix your work, whom would you choose and why?

I'm not sure my work is really suited to being remixed, seeing as it's all built around other people's music to begin with. But if I could pick anyone, I guess someone like Onra because he is one of the best out there, definitely one of my favourite producers. He knows how to chop up a sample.

Got any other projects we should know about?

I've got a future-funk album that's been in the works for ages now, as well as the 'Soft Focus' follow-up and some original compositional stuff that I hope will see the light of day sometime this year.

What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?

That's a tricky one, I'd like to say something like 'Drive' which is very stylistic but already has an amazing soundtrack, so maybe with the vintage sample-based nature of my music something by Martin Scorsese would work better, possibly Taxi Driver. Or anything with Nicolas Cage losing his shit.

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?

'Where You Go I Go Too' by Lindstrøm. It's probably the grandest, most impressive thing I've ever heard. It's so dense and detailed that there's always something new to pick up with each listen.

Are you living your dream?

It's hard to say as I haven't exactly figured out what that is yet, but I feel like I'm getting closer to it.

Thanx Hugo!

Vanilla is currently making new music (I'm sure of it--this guy is pretty prolific/quick with releasing new jamz, each one better than the last), try to keep up...

EIC's 10Q's w/ Alek Fin

"..sensual futuristic synthetic air.."

Alek Fin

Prudent Synthetic Honesty

Alek Fin Bio:

Alek Fin is the Electronic/Alternative solo project created by producer Adam Finkel in late 2009. The debut album “Better When Seen From Above” was released in early 2010. Since then Adam has been releasing a series of remixes as well as working with 4 good friends, Jonathan Marsh (bask), Jeff Zavala (Anicca), John Figueroa (Captions) and Umang Bhakta (Vex Mohan) in creating a live show around it. They are currently performing around Southern California

Hello, how are you?

Hey, I'm doing well. Thanks for asking.

What are you currently listening to?

Nosaj Thing's 'Home', Flying Lotus' 'Until The Quiet Comes', 'Shields' by Grizzly Bear, and Tame Impala's 'Lonerism'..

When did this project come about and whom were your biggest influences for said project?

I started Alek Fin in the Fall of 2009. I was listening to a lot of Unkle, Autolux, Flying Lotus, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Sigur Rós, and Jon Hopkins.

Care to tell us a little bit about your latest release 'Mull'?

It's an EP about the different stages of thought and acceptance I went through while dealing with some recent heavy circumstances. Took me a lot of time and work to get it where I wanted it. Really meant a lot to put it out there.

Any plans to tour for said release?

No tours scheduled yet. Have a good feeling that will change in the upcoming months though.

If you could choose one different artist for each song on your  EP to be remixed/re-made, whom would you choose?

"Mull" - Jamie XX /  "Rocks In Paper" - Caribou / "Waiting Like A Wolf" - Jaques Greene / "Gone" - Tokimonsta

Got any other projects we should know about?

I have a couple in development. Keeping them under wraps at the moment.

What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?

Blade Runner

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your  life ..which album would it be?

I would be happy with either Grizzly Bear's 'Veckatimest' or Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'. I have a lot of memories associated with both. They would be great for nostalgia.

Are you living your dream?

Still a little ways to go. Regardless, I'm enjoying the process of getting there.

Thanx Adam!

Alek Fin is currently too underrated (IMO), if you get a moment (please) spread the word..?

Cool Video Funtime #351 - Eclipse/Blue (+ Bonus Video)

+ Bonus Video ..because (did you know?) the lead singer of The Drums has a solo album coming out soon..

If only I lived here..

This festival seems to get bigger and bigger every year..

If only I lived here..

Man, THAT would be a great way to end the year...