Night Tracks

Pistonsbeneath on GetDarker

2012-02-25T21:04:00.000Z

For anyone that didn't catch it live (or for those that wanna watch again), check Pistonsbeneath's set on GetDarker out. We should have a feature with him soon, probably towards the end of march, so keep your eyes peeled!

(NT003) Venture - Together We Fall OUT TODAY ON BANDCAMP.

2012-02-23T08:06:00.000Z

To go along with releasing our back catalogue here, here and here, we're releasing Venture - Together We Fall on our bandcamp page early to celebrate.

You can grab the whole release for just £1.25 of your hard earned money, so there's no excuse not to really, is there?! If you'd rather buy it from somewhere else, then it'll be available for full release on Monday 27th Feb.

Out to anyone that supports what we're doing!

(STEP018) Wizeguy - Moments

2012-02-21T21:44:00.000Z

Quick recommendation for you from a label based pretty locally to me, Soulstep Records, in the form of their latest release, Wizeguy's Moments EP.

The two-track release is a fresh take on dubstep and, importantly for me, has some pretty sweet percussion that makes it stand out from a lot of stale, identikit-beats that seem to get a lot of hype nowadays. Not to be forgotten are the pads, which give a really immersive atmosphere.

Big up to Wizeguy and Soulstep for a truly solid release. You can bag the release direct from the label here, or from Juno here.

Interview with Mosket and Night Tracks 033: Guest Mix

2012-02-20T21:38:00.000Z

Today we've got the London and Leeds based duo Mosket in to talk a little about their tunes, and they've also put together a guest mix for your pleasure, that has an absolutely sick selection that's left me rinsing it all day. Check it out.

NT: Hey, can you give us an introduction to Mosket?
M: Mosket are two producers (Tom and Dom) from London who make house, techno, electronic music.

NT: Can you tell us a little about the music you produce? How long have you been producing?
M: The music we produce is essentially house, techno, 4/4 but we've always tried to add a lot of melody and atmosphere in our music which makes it both appropriate for the dancefloor and in your yard. We've always tried to be open minded when making music so what sometimes starts as a house tracks morphs into something different as we go off on tangents. Me and Dom have known each other for years, we started pissing about on garageband about 4 years ago and since then we've just been making beats in our spare time slowly developing our sound. I guess Mosket started about 18 months ago...

Mosket - Triple Filtered

NT: Where do you take influence from, musically or otherwise?
M: Musically I think we are influenced by a lifetime of listening to beats, I've also enjoyed finding new music, listening to different styles of music and from all of them you pick up something. If I had to pin point three artists who have inspired me the most it would be Aphex Twin, Radiohead and Ellen Allien, all three of them in their own way have shown boundless nature of music, when you listen to them you always think, I need to try harder.

Also you get a lot of motivation to make music from going out and seeing people, its all about those nights when you get home, bun a zoot and take in what you've just seen. I mean after seeing Aphex Twin all I wanted to do was make a tune.

NT: You're putting out a couple of tunes on Night Tracks in the future, can you tell us about them?
M: The two beats we're putting out are both old, although we've tried to refine the mix a little so the release is sounding good. Knock Turn All we made a while back, its a nice 120bpm track we is kinda technoey and atmospheric. Tek Som is a big more recent, but again quite a dark techno/house track.

Mosket - Tek Som

NT: Can you give us a few words on the mix you've put together for us?
M: I think the mix is a good representation of what Mosket is about, if you haven't heard any or our tunes then I think this mix should be a good introduction to what influences us. I started thinking about the mix when I was away and only had my iPod thats why a lot of the tracks are quite old, but all of them are great songs. There are a lot of big artists in there who like I said have had a big influence, two of my greatest musical experiences was dropping for the first time at Radiohead and celebrating New Years with Plaid. I mean I'm not a DJ so the mix is a bit rough around the edges but like I said its all good music in there so I hope people enjoy it.

NT: Have you got any other releases planned at the moment?
M: No releases planned really, Me and Dom only get to make tunes every couple of months so we don't really have much new material although we are holding on to one tune we made over Christmas and are hoping to make another few tunes in the near future so when their done hopefully we'll get something lined up.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your 3 favourite Night Tracks, what would they be?
M: Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely
Joy Division - Twenty Four Hours

NT: Big up guys, it's been a long time coming! Now check out the mix below, or download it for a limited time by clicking here!

1. Aphex Twin - Gwerly Menans
2. Flying Lotus (feat. Life Force Trio) - Aunties Lock
3. Brain Eno - 1/1
4. Plaid - Eyen
5. Burial - Street Halo
6. Ben Klock - Gloaming
7. Burial - Street Halo
8. Radiohead - Everything in its Right Place
9. Filur - You & I (Trentemoller Remix)
10. Ellen Allien - My Tree (Ripperton Backlash Remix)
11. Deniz Kurtel (feat. Jada) - The L Word (Guy Gerber Countryside Remix)
12. Paul Kalkbrenner (feat. Fritz Kalkbrenner) - Sky and Sand
13. Dauwd - Ikopol
14. Phil Kieran and Green Velvet - Church Organ Nightmare (Max Cooper Remix)
15. John Tejada - The Dream
16. Floating Points - K & G Beat
17. Great Skies - Festival

Immersed Audio - Make It Happen EP

2012-02-17T14:13:00.000Z

The other day, I was contacted by Mike from Immersed Audio with some information about their first release, the Make It Happen EP.

Whilst it's a solid collection of tracks, it feels more of a taster than an EP, but it serves it's purpose easily, and as such it's hard to pick a highlight, as all the selection is so varied. All of the tracks stand on their own, but if I was pushed for a stand out I'd have to choose either Hedley King's (who we've featured in a mix before) track 'Work' which sits somewhere between the dark, 'eyes down' strand of dubstep and pounding Berlin-style techno, or Luthor's track 'Callisto' which is a fine addition to the mutant brand of post-everything that seems to be popping up today amongst artists like Objekt and Akkord.

Check the previews out below (and bag a free track):

You can grab the whole thing here for £2 (I won't accept people who say music is too expensive, this is an undeniable bargain). As an EP, it's not the most cohesive piece, but if it's an indication of the many directions this label seem to be heading down, then we'll be hearing more about Immersed Audio sooner rather than later.

A Recommendation: Clubroot - Scars/Hellion

2012-02-15T13:23:00.000Z

When we interviewed Jamie from Solace Records back in January, we spoke a little about their first forthcoming release by dubstep don Clubroot. Well, we're now a little closer to the release date, and I thought I'd tell you a little more about it.

If you've listened to Clubroot's stuff before then you know what to expect (and if you haven't you're seriously missing out!) and A-side Scars won't let you down. A deep, dark track with a huge sub to keep things rolling. Check it out below:

However, for what it's worth, my opinion is that the flip, B-side Hellion, is the stand out track of the two. It's a powerful track with plenty of (tastefully-done) midrange, something that quite a lot of producers seem to try nowadays, but none seem to have the impact that Clubroot does on this track. Check it out.

The release has got a lot of support from DJs as varied as Rob Da Bank to TRG to Mary Anne Hobbs to Sasha, and it really is quite a way for Solace Records to introduce themselves to the world with a stunning debut, that will definitely keep me happy until Clubroot's long awaited third album drops.

You can bag it in stores on vinyl and digital from stores on February 27th 2012. Put that in your diaries now, you won't want to miss out.

A Reminder

2012-02-13T09:29:00.001Z

Just a quick reminder that you can grab Square Harmony's Deep Lane compilation today as a name-your-price download on Bandcamp.

Grab it here.

a href="http://squareharmony.bandcamp.com/album/sh-03-va-deep-lane"SH 03 - VA: Deep Lane by Square Harmony

Oh, and also, you can pick up the Ak0pian release I reviewed here today from digital stores and Broken Bubble's bandcamp page.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://brokenbubble.bandcamp.com/album/ak0pian-fields-of-fortune-ep-bb14"&amp;gt;Ak0pian - Fields of Fortune EP (BB14) by Ak0pian&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Interview with Bruised Skies & Night Tracks 032: Guest Mix

2012-02-12T21:40:00.000Z

After a short absence, the interviews are back, and this time it's the turn of Bruised Skies, who's also gave us a guest mix which you can check out at the end of the interview. Read on...

NT: Hey man, can you give us an introduction?
BS: I’m Bruised Skies, I write ambient, downtempo and hopefully emotive music.

NT: It seems a lot of your own tracks are ambient in nature. Have you produced in any other styles?
BS: Before I went under the name Bruised Skies I did really bad acoustic covers of songs that I’d record with a bad camera and post on youtube thinking it was a good idea… it was not. Other than that I’ve always stuck to an ambient style if not pure ambience the use of dense textures and layers of sound.

Bruised Skies - Goodbye

NT: Where did your interest in this style of music come from?
BS: From listening to a song called Like Hearts Swelling by Polmo Polpo, the day I first heard it I listened to it on repeat for hours. Something about its construction with the use of strings looped and effected along side heavy drones; all repeating the same notes but at the same time changing.

NT: When I talk to you, you always seem to be working on a collaboration with someone. Do you prefer to collaborate? Why do you think your style works so well with other producers?
BS: In someways yes, because when a collaboration goes well there is nothing better you come out with music you could never have thought of on your own. I also collaborate a lot because I have a profound love for future garage, witch house and other electronic music.

But I always go with the philosophy of stick to what you're good at, don’t try to be a jack of all trades other wise you’ll just be average at everything. In the case of me an Atsuko he has such a talent when it comes to percussion which is something I really lack, so it’s a very much so give and take deal.

Atsuko & Bruised Skies - End Of Time

NT: Have you had any releases we can pick up? Have you got any releases forthcoming?
BS: On the 20th of February I’m releasing a 4 track EP with Insight Music Promotions, it’ll feature two existing tracks, a remix from LuQus and a new previously unreleased track.

NT: You've put together a mix for us. Can you tell us a little about your selection?
BS: Indeed I have, I put together a list of tracks that I’ve listened to many a time and hopefully you’ll be introduced to a few new names, they’ve all got some beautiful ambient sounds with plenty of emotion behind.

NT: Finally, can you tell us your three favorite "Night Tracks"?
BS: This changes all the time but at the moment I’d have to say.

Ghosts - Open Your Eyes
Hiatus - Nightingale Force Winds
Cloud Boat - Lions On The Beach

NT: Thanks for your time man! Check out Bruised Skies mix below, or download it here!

Crystal Eyes - Miss You
Stumbleine - Aliceband
Ghost Ark - Don’t Let Go
Fedbymachines - Fear
Great Skies - Close To Me
From Fields - I Dream
Spirit Sisters - Up
Sina - Remembrance
Wolf Maps - Weathered
Bruised Skies - I’ve Seen Things
Walton Hoax - Exit Strategy (Sorrow Remix)
Ewan Limb - Mleko
Adele - Someone Like You (Ghost Ark Remix)
Sorrow and Shura - Thinking of You
Bruised Skies Feat Atsuko - The Moon Ignites the Sea

A Recommendation: Various Artists - Deep Lane (Square Harmony)

2012-02-11T17:33:00.000Z

Square Harmony, a Russian based label, have compiled a series of tracks from artists that are right up Night Tracks' alley with their Deep Lane release.

Including tracks from the likes of Klatu, Gasface, EPLP, Essay, Detz, Delete, Stiver, Sotus, Ghostek, Depth, Kontigo, Fedbymachines and Module Module, they've managed to put together a compilation that I know will be in my top releases of the year come December.

The 15 track release is packed full of dark, shuffling garage-y gems that flow really well into each other, and aside from some of the more familiar names on there, it forms a list of producers that you should certainly keep an eye out for.

Check out the previews below, and bag it here from Monday 13th February.

A Recommendation: Ak0pian - Fields of Fortune EP (Broken Bubble)

2012-02-07T13:53:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to receive a promo copy of one of my favourite label's (Broken Bubble) releases, and needless to say, they keep the quality high with this EP from the Italian producer Ak0pian.

This is an album that has a real mish-mash of styles, but never once do you think it's purely for the sake of being different. In 3 minutes, title track and opener "Fields Of Fortune" goes from being a reverb soaked, futuristic-synth shuffle to a laid-back jam without you ever noticing, while "Recognizing" goes almost into some broken-dubstep territory.

However, don't let the subtle-but-many variances fool you, this is an incredibly cohesive release that gets by without being too same-y. All the tracks are underlined with lush ambient soundscapes, that really come to the front on tracks like "Outside The Door".

After the 6 original tracks have finished, there's an added bonus in the form of a percussion-driven remix of the title track by Fedbymachines and an almost eerie slow house take on "Rest To Go" by label boss Cogidubnus.

Check out the previews...

(BB14) Ak0pian - Fields Of Fortune will be available from February 13th on the usual digital outlets, including the Broken Bubble bandcamp page, where you can pre-order it now.

Expansions....

2012-02-06T21:56:00.000Z

First of all, sorry for being a bit on the quiet side in recent times. I've been studying for a qualification for my day job, but I take the exam tomorrow, so expect new interviews, guest mixes and free downloads soon.

Next, I'd like to talk a little about the label side of Night Tracks. When I started this blog in July 2011, I never thought I'd be running a label that has its 4th and 5th releases in the mastering phase already, with at least 4 releases planned after that. As you probably know, the first few releases were name-your-price, and they've had a great reception, so whether you kindly gave us some money or not, thanks very much for the support. However, mastering doesn't come cheap, and I can't afford to keep losing money on each release when there are bills to pay and aims for the future. That's why I've decided to expand things, and you should be seeing Night Tracks tunes in digital stores soon. I'll try and keep things at a competitive price, as you can see if you look at our bandcamp page now. The tracks are £0.75 each, with discounts for buying the whole release. I'm sure you'll agree that £1.25 for an EP is a fair price.

Of course, I will be looking at name-your-price releases in the future, and there will be promotions from time to time to reward all the fans that make doing this worthwhile. Hopefully, I'll get the balance between keeping the fans I've already made and grabbing the attention of new fans right.

For now, check out the next release on Night Tracks from Venture.

A quick reminder..

2012-02-01T14:35:00.000Z

I'll be DJing at Movement, a vinyl only night, at Club PST in Digbeth on Friday night, along with Sully, Be-1ne, Lee Fisher and PK Don.

Tickets are £3 adv (available here) or £5 otd. Come down, PK Don will be playing a roots/reggae set, Be-1ne will be playing a stack of dubs in the 140bpm range, I'll be playing stuff from the darker side of UKG, Lee Fisher will be bringing the late 80's acid/techno vibes, and who knows what Sully is gonna play? It'll be quality though.

Set times:

Pk Don : 10.00 - 11.00
Be-1ne : 11.00 - 12.00
Sully : 12.00 - 01.30
Budeaux : 01.30 - 02.30
Lee Fisher : 02.30 - 03.30
Burlish/Anybody still standing : 03.30 - 05.00

A Recommendation: Repeated Measures - White Rose

2012-01-31T20:48:00.000Z

I've recommended Repeated Measures before, and I'm back again to recommend him again. His new release, White Rose, is another set of solid, haunting ambient music that to me, almost has a kind of Slowdive feel to it.

Check it out here. It's a name your price download, so if you can, be sure to send some dollars his way!

White Rose by Repeated Measures

Zomby & REARK - Natalia's Song

2012-01-31T14:59:00.001Z

Considering I picked Natalia's Song at 4th place in the Top 50 Night Tracks of the Year list, I feel like I need to address an issue that has popped up.

It's been claimed by the producer Reark, a little known producer based in Brazil, that he created the majority of the track, and if you listen to the tune he posted, "Natalia's Song (original pre-Zomby loop)", then it's easy to see that he probably did.

Any doubts you have might be dispelled by reading the description:

"This is the original loop, solely written entirely by myself back in October 2007.

Sequence of events:
1. I wrote this loop back in October 2007, entirely by myself, posting it on myspace.
2. Zomby, with whom I was communicating, hears the loop and offers to collaborate to finish it. I agree and send him the original Reason song file + Rex file of the vocals.
3. Zomby posts the loop on his myspace without crediting me, I complain, he takes it down.
4. In the next months Zomby suggests where the track might get released. I continue to remind him that it's a collaboration.
5. Without my knowledge, a slightly revised version is aired by Mary Anne Hobbs on Radio 1, you can hear Zomby's revised drum variation from 1:06 -- 1:36. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDLXRtbeLg0 This is the only significant change he's made to the track. The rest is looping, and some slight editing of the vocal cuts.
6. The track gets released on 4AD in May 2011, I notice in August 2011. I complain first to Zomby with no effect, then to 4AD, to whom I send this loop plus an e-mail sent from me to Zomby with the original Reason song file from October 2007. 4AD accept my evidence and change credits to include my name.
Zomby has been vague in interviews when asked about the vocal sample. The singer is Natalia Ladygina (hence the name of the track), a Russian friend of mine. She is singing a cover of Irina Dubcova's song 'O nem'. I have other samples of her, so you can expect to hear more of her in the future.
Thanks to all those who have supported me in this dispute, and all those who were just curious and asked."

It's true too, 4AD do credit Reark as a co-producer of the track on their website.

Zomby has hardly been one to shy away from controversy. He was banned from dubstep forum after sending death threats to members after trying to sell 3 unmastered mp3s for £8. Anybody that follows his twitter feed will know he's pretty outspoken (and for some reason, seems to really hate SBTRKT), but this is something else. Not crediting somebody who basically made the whole track is unforgivable. Undeniably, Zomby has some solid tunes, and love him or hate him as a person, near enough everybody likes at least 1 Zomby tune, so I'm not sure why he had to do this.

Anyway, I posted this up as I didn't feel it was fair that Reark creates a tune that stood out so much for Zomby (including being played on Kode 9 & Burial's mix for Mary Anne Hobbs last show on Radio 1), and he sits at 53 followers on soundcloud, whilst Zomby "DJs" around the world. Not cool Zomby.

Night Tracks 031: Budeaux Mix

2012-01-30T11:39:00.000Z

A new mix for you today, put together by me, Budeaux. Just a little showcase of some tunes I've been sent or bought recently. Will up this for download later, but for now, check it out on mixcloud.

eplp - Things You Only Said To Me (Forthcoming Night Tracks)
Bruised Skies feat. Atsuko - The Moon Ignites The Sea (Dub)
Burial - Pirates (Hyperdub)
Answer Code Request - Subway Into (Answer Code Request)
eplp - Still (Forthcoming Warminal)
A Made Up Sound - Take The Plunge (First Thought) (A Made Up Sound)
Bhava - That Love (Forthcoming Night Tracks)
AnD - Brother From Another Mother (Project Squared)
Ghostek - Easy Changes (Shipwrec)
Fedbymachines - Would I (Dub)
Mirror State - Ods (Dub)
Sorrow - Street Warfare (Dub)
Hatti Vatti - Giza Dub (New Moon)
Trashbat - Relic (Dub)
Hedley King - Goodbye (Dub)
Delete & Eugene Kush - ?????? (Liminal Records)

Rain

2012-01-27T17:50:00.000Z

When I took this photo, I heard a horn from one of the hench cargo trains passing through the train station about half a mile from my house. Beginning to think I'm living in a Burial album.

Burial - Southern Comfort

A Recommendation: (GRD026) Fontaine - Corridors

2012-01-27T09:31:00.000Z

One for you to bag today, a digital release by Fontaine (a collaboration between eplp and Runamucker) called "Corridors". The track definitely bears the hallmarks of both producers, a pair of shuffling garage-y tracks with everything that's needed to make it a perfect set of Night Tracks.

Check out the previews below, and then buy it immediately, several times if possible.

Night Tracks on Youtube

2012-01-24T21:09:00.000Z

In our undying attempt to take over the entire internet, we've now got a youtube channel. For now, it just features the tunes put out on the Night Tracks label, but eventually I'll get round to putting up the free downloads, maybe some forthcoming stuff, etc. Our videos even come with that really slow slight zoom effect, so you know they're high quality.

So, if you're into that sort of thing, subscribe or just check it out.

Free Release: Budeaux - Rothenburgsort

2012-01-23T19:56:00.000Z

So recently I had to completely rebuild my PC as some of you may know, and it seems I've lost the project files for a couple of old tunes I made. Seeing as I can't do anything with them now, I figured I may as well give them away to anybody that wants them.

Click on the buy link to go to Bandcamp, or click here if that's not working. It's a pay what you like download, so if you're feeling generous, slip me some dollar, and if not, then enjoy the tunes anyway! One is a kind of Basic Channel/Pole-esque piece of Dub Techno, the other is an ambient piece along the same lines. Respect.

New mix from Silens

2012-01-22T18:04:00.000Z

Silens got in touch with over at Dubstep Forum, and sent me the latest mix he's put together. Definitely one to check out, with a solid tracklist that's perfect for Night Tracks. Read a little about him, and give his mix a listen.

"My name is Kevin, almost 20 years old and I live in a small town near Rotterdam, Netherlands.
About 2 years ago I started practising mixing, but this was mostly just for fun when I was with friends, but fpr a couple of months now I've been taking it more seriously and started uploading some of my mixes to soundcloud under my moniker 'Silens' and I've been getting nothing but positive feedback on them. But still nothing that serious though, wouldn't call myself a DJ of course.

For the mix I had one main goal and that was to really create a certain flow, I basically wanted it to sound as one 30 min long tune.
I actually found this quite challenging to be honest, especially during the process of getting the tracklist together. This was mainly due to the fact that I simply wasn't used to mixing with this style of music yet, because so far I've mostly been focussing on the deeper, minimal side of Dubstep, but also because I really had to force myself to focus more on the overall sound of the mix rather than on any technical aspects of mixing. Which led to me having to break some of my habits.
I never like to mix two tunes by the same artist together for instance, because I feel that that isn't really challenging most of the time. But for this mix I did because it just sounded right, and that was the most important thing to me. I also don't think that I've beatmatched any of these tunes actually...
So I basically had to alter my usual way of mixing in order to make it sound right, which was challenging, but also turned out to be loads of fun."

Out to Kevin for the top mix. If you haven't got time to listen now, download it and take it with you.

Back In Action...

2012-01-21T15:00:00.000Z

After having a computer disaster over the last few days, and having to rebuild it from scratch, I'm finally back in action, so expect more from Night Tracks over the next few days.

As ever, there are interviews and guest mixes planned, so keep checking back. There is even bigger news on the Night Tracks label side of things that's being worked on now.

Peace, and thanks for reading as always!

A Recommendation: WXWL001 - Dem A Talk (Compa Refix)

2012-01-17T16:13:00.000Z

Another recommendation for you today, this time in form of Compa's refix of Mavado's tune "Dem A Talk". Sticking to the dubplate tradition, Compa passed this tune only to a select handful to play out but fortunately, the average joe will soon have the chance to play it in full for themselves.

Listen for yourself and see how you disagree with Compa's description of "this one's alright I guess". It's built on pure weight as anyone that has listened to any of the producers sets or past productions will have come to expect.

This release has been hyped and played by some pretty big names, so I can't see it lasting long on the shelves. The release is a limited 1-sided 12" and will be distributed by ST Holdings, so will be available in the usual online places and in your local shop and should be out at the end of February.

You can also bag it from the Wax shop on Surus. (Please note, the site isn't live until next week!)

We should have Compa in for a guest mix and interview soon-ish, so keep an eye out for that, and keep them fingers crossed that some of his other refixes might surface one day!

Sweet Art From The Cold Heart Collective

2012-01-16T20:39:00.000Z

Finally got around to framing and putting up the rest of the art that I got from Will from the Cold Heart Collective. Check it out. Three legends of dubstep. Pinch, Youngsta and Mala. Looks pretty sweet, I'm sure you'll agree.

Movement - Club PST - Digbeth - Birmingham - 03/02/2012

2012-01-16T18:57:00.000Z

Just realised I haven't mentioned this yet.

If you're in the area on Friday 3rd of February, come down to Club PST in Digbeth in Birmingham for the 4th iteration of Movement, a vinyl only night. Proper varied night, with the likes of Be-1ne, a roots/dub set from PK Don, acid house don Lee Fisher and the guy who created our track of the year, Sully.

Also playing is.... me, Budeaux. So come down and enjoy some sick music on a hefty system. Good vibes all round. Buy tickets here.

Night Tracks & Triggy Team Up!

2012-01-14T19:58:00.000Z

Great news from Night Tracks, as we've teamed up with the producer of deep and dark sounds, Triggy, to host his monthly Labyrinth mixes.

It certainly makes sense, as he has a better ear for the eyes-down, dark strain of dubstep than I do, and his mixing skills are always on point. As always there's a top selection, with a perfect mix of released tunes, dubs and self-produced tunes. So check it out, turn off the lights and turn on your sub and meditate on bassweight.

Triggy - The Labrynth Mix Vol 6 [NIGHTTRACKSLAB001] by Triggy on Mixcloud

A Recommendation: Kontigo - Final Touch EP

2012-01-13T12:07:00.000Z

A quick recommendation for you all today, in the form of Kontigo's self-released Final Touch EP. Which you can grab here or by clicking the artwork below.

The release is a nice fusion of dubstep and garage, just deep sounds in general. "Desire" is on a more "traditional" halfstep feel with the hats keeping you moving, whilst "The Final Touch" retains some of that vibe but pushed towards a more garage-y sound.

However, for me, the highlight is the bonus track that comes with the EP, "Eternity", a track with raw 2 step drums and deep bass with some quality synth work too. Definitely one to grab. Check out the samples below.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://kontigo.bandcamp.com/album/the-final-touch-ep-including-hidden-bonus-track"&amp;gt;The Final Touch EP (Including hidden bonus track) by Kontigo&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

NT002 - Apple Bottom - Forget It - Interview and Guest Mix

2012-01-11T11:14:00.000Z

So, as you may be aware, Night Tracks 3rd release, "Forget It" by Apple Bottom is available from the Night Tracks store now, and he's put together a mix to celebrate. I also asked him a few questions, so check them out below and check the mix at the end.

NT: Hey man, can we get an introduction?

AB: Hey I'm Apple Bottom, I've been making tunes for about 2 years using logic pro and a midi keyboard. Music is a huge part of my life. I am constantly listening to music and pretty much all of my spare time is spent writing songs.

NT: How long have you been producing tunes, and what sort of style do you produce?

AB: Like I said I've been producing for about 2 years. I'm not sure what you call my music, I'd rather leave it up to the listener. I guess it must fit in around that "post-dubstep" "UK-Bass" kind of area, or so I've been told, but essentially the music I make is like the stuff I would want to hear, if that makes sense so its more a sound that is pleasing to me rather than fitting it into one particular genre when I start writing it. I think of my music as being both dancing music and music for just chilling but it depends on when and where you play it.

NT: Can you tell us a little about the tracks you're releasing on Night Tracks, "Forget It" and "Ur Touch"?

AB: "Forget it" and "Ur touch" are both relatively recent tracks and follow along with style I write with at the moment, but they are both quite different from each other in terms of mood and atmosphere. "Forget It" is a more clunky spaced out song with a bit of garage influence thrown in. I wanted "Forget It" to have a series of chilled melodies and beats but still, when it comes to the drop, get people dancing or nodding their heads because thats the sort of thing I like in a song, where it has that rhythm and feel that can get people dancing or just noticing the groove. "Ur Touch" is pretty different in terms of mood, its darker, more club orientated I guess in its rhythm and structure. It's a very simple song, I'd say it has about 5 components at the most, but in a way I find that in most dance songs less is better other wise you get to wrapped up in fancy programming and forget about the main part of the song: the beat and how that makes a dance-floor move.

NT: Where do you take influence for your productions from?

AB: My influences come from a lot of stuff, from jazz to chicago footwork and from Lagos Roots to current UK Bass and House music, so I guess there is a bit of everything in my music. But if I had to say the artists that influence me most it would probably be a lot of the Hotflush guys and also the Night Slugs crew, not to mention people like Ramadanman/Pearson Sound, French Fries, Hudson Mohawk, Rustie, Blawan and the Hessle Audio lot, all of whom I've been listening to from before I ever thought of producing music.

NT: Aside from your release on Night Tracks, do you have any other releases planned?

AB: Right now I'm not sure. I've had a lot of people asking but I'm not sure exactly which label im going to release anything on, but hopefully there will be more very soon.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your 3 favourite "Night Tracks", what would they be?

AB: 1. Bhava - Irridate
2. Eplp - SkyLit Pines
3. Budeaux - Big Suburban Life

NT: Thanks dude, and big up on an amazing release! Again, bag the release here, and check out his mix below (Download here)

NT002 - Apple Bottom - Forget It AVAILABLE NOW

2012-01-10T22:17:00.001Z

NT002 - Apple Bottom - Forget It

Available from the Night Tracks Bandcamp page now.

A. Forget It

B. Ur Touch

Production: J. Arthur

Mastering: H. Bainbridge (Dubstudio)

Design: H. Kuyck-Cohen & G. Thomas

A Recommendation: SMR 010A - Eleven Tigers - Stableface/(Peverelist Remix)

2012-01-10T15:32:00.000Z

A quick update whilst I finalise everything for tomorrow's release on Night Tracks.

Check out this sweet release from Eleven Tigers on Bristol's Soul Motive label. It's a tough call, but I'd say the flip, a remix by certified dubstep legend Peverelist edges it. Juno are selling test presses now, so hopefully that means a full release too. I couldn't wait, so had to bag a test press.

Interview with Sub Radar/Baron Rogue & Night Tracks 029: Guest Mix

2012-01-08T14:35:00.003Z

Today we've got Mike aka Baron Rogue from Sub Radar (the guy who made me decide to start this blog in the first place!) to drop his own take on Night Tracks with a sublime mix that I think is best suited to the early hours. He tells us a little more about himself here...

NT: Hey man, can we get an introduction?

SR: Hi! I'm a 23 year old South African living in Los Angeles. I eat more avocados than most people you know. I sleep with a fan on.

NT: Can you tell us a little about your site, Sub Radar? What made you start it? If the site has a focus on one area, what would you say it is?
SR: The focus of Sub Radar is to share my impeccable taste in music with as many people as possible. Well, sort of. It started off as a cloud network for me to store things that I liked. As more people started to read and share the site, it kind of grew into a playful soap box where I just tell people what they should be listening to, even if they hate it. Especially if they hate it. I never limit myself, but I tend to be picky about what I post, sort of chilling in a grey area of being current but not spammy.

NT: Can you give us a few words on your selection for the mix? Where do you get your musical influences from?
SR: Above all, I like artists that can make weird noises sound good and catchy, on both sides of the minimal/complex spectrum. Aside from that, I love any and all types of music, especially in different languages. Bass, bass and more bass is always a good thing as well. There is so much good music out there that I can find something to fit every one of my moods. As far as this mix goes, I tried to dig out tunes that fit in the middle of the Venn diagram of being both Night Tracks and Sub Radar. Being a huge NT and NSC fan, there was no shortage of tunes to choose from.

NT: Aside from blogging and your mix series, do you have any other involvement in music?
SR: I live and breathe it. I work in film and TV audio production and postproduction, so literally every second of my day is filled with sound. I think that's why I need that fan noise to go to sleep at night, silence weirds me out. I also produce (terribly), but that's a very limited aspect of my involvement with sound and music.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your three favourite Night Tracks, what would they be?
SR: 1. Pretty much everything that you feature. Since the first post it's been my go-to for that deep vibe night-time chillout music.

2. Also, everything by The Weeknd. The guy could sing about vomit and it would still be sexy.

3. "Dig" by Mudvayne, the ultimate relaxation song.

NT: Thanks for your time dude! Check out his mix below, or download it here.

Dobroide - Night Forest 02
Helios - Sons of Light and Darkness
Swarms - Flikr of Ur Eyes
The XX - Night Time (Synkro Remix)
Delete - Promise Me
Sorrow - Through the Night (Stumbleine Remix)
Rain Dog - One To Love
Tycho - Hours
Balam Acab - Apart
Clams Casino - Numb [Instrumental]
Helios - Bless This Morning Year
The XX - Open Eyes [Demo]

Interview with Solace & Silk Recordings & Night Tracks 028: Guest Mix

2012-01-06T22:53:00.001Z

Today we've got Jamie (Forge) and a little from Tom (Solitude) who are both involved with running the record labels Silk and Solace to tell us a little bit about their plans for the two, and Forge drops a dub filled guest mix for your listening pleasure too (Download here or listen after the interview). Read on...

NT: Hey, can you give us an introduction?

F: Yes sure, my name is Jamie Stowell I produce under the name Forge for d&b and Stole for my dubstep/downtempo stuff. I’m also one half of ‘The Hybridz’ with my partner – Jefferson (Integration Now) from Brazil and I’ve recently just started a new house project with one of my friends here in Melbourne. We still have no name for the project yet but the tracks have been going down really well on the radio so far. I also run Silk Recordings and now Solace Records with my partner in crime Tom – Solitude.

NT: So, you run the Silk Recordings label, which is pretty well established already. What made you want to get involved with Solace Records too?

F: It kind of just happened naturally. I meet Tom thru a mutual friend of ours Edd (eleven8) and I had told Edd I was looking to setp up a new dubstepish label. He introduced me to Tom who also had the same idea, I checked out his mixes and was really impressed with the quality and sound he was portraying. We got talking and soon realized we both had the same clear vision about what we wanted to achieve and the sound we wanted to bring to the label. A year later and lots of planning I suppose you could say the rest is history.

Clubroot - Scars (Solace Records)

NT: Just a few questions about some of the decisions you’ve made with regards to the label. Firstly, you say you’re going to have a focus on bringing through some of the more upcoming producers. Is this something that’s important to you, and why take that route rather than try and get some of the “bigger names” to release with you?
F: Yes, I think it’s def an important factor in our signings. The main reason behind this is because of the music. There is some amazing music out there that is not getting released, signed and promoted the way it should be. Personally I think there is also a lot of music especially in the dubstep scene that is lacking the dynamics, integrity and emotions that I think music should have. Of course we will have established artists doing singles and remixes but the majority of what we will release will be new up and coming producers.

NT: You’ve got Clubroot lined up for the first release, with eleven8, Phaeleh and The Hybridz to come. How did you decide on these artists? Did they approach you, or did you approach them? What do those producers have that helped you decide?

F: All the artists mentioned have a certain sound or quality in the music that fits in with our ethos for the label. Tom has already built key relationships with some of the artists mentioned and he is well respected within the music scene in England so we already had his contacts to build on. In terms of our decisions, again Tom has put loads of work into sourcing some on the best tracks from the artists and it’s really good to see the relationships that he has built, so I think when we both get sent a track we know straight away if it’s a Solace tune or not.

NT: How important do you feel it is to release on vinyl? And what made you decide to release only through a handful of digital stores?

F: In terms of the format, I firmly believe the music does the talking so the format is irrelevant. However, by keeping the Vinyl to limited edition runs and providing buyers with a free digital version of the track from our site this will ensure you get the best value for money when you purchase the vinyl. We both have massive vinyl collections and when we first started to DJ there were no CD’J’s or Serato, so I guarantee there will be always people out there who prefer to smell the vinyl and physically hold it as we do. The digital stores will be restricted to a certain degree, most of the major ones will stock out releases though.

Silk Recordings - The Ascension EP

NT: The first release is probably going to be considered Dubstep. Do you see Solace sticking to this style?

F: Sure, you can def class it as that. I think there’s a theme with most of our tracks that you will hear, we are branching into uncharted territory as some of the music we have collected for the label def does not fit within the ‘dubstep’ genre but something in between. We have some garage-y tracks lined up and some even house-y type numbers as well. I can say though there won’t be anything above the 140 tempo, but below it and into the future who knows.

NT: Optimistically, where do you see Solace going from here? Have you got any plans, confirmed or otherwise, of what’s next after the Clubroot release?

F: Yes, we actually have the next 3-4 vinyl releases already lined up. On top of that we have about 12 tracks of digital releases waiting to be scheduled in. We are also putting together tracks for our first L.P which is a collection of tunes we’ve been slowly collecting over the last 10 months or so. We are both really excited with this one because in a way this will represent our sound as a whole and give you the full spectrum of music that Solace will release. As you can see we are not in a big rush to get our releases out at the moment, but once we build up the momentum and our promo you will see a constant string on high quality releases happening every few weeks. We have some other big projects we are working on, but more will be revealed soon. Our website will be up very soon and you can buy both Silk & Solace from the same site. All releases will be exclusive to the site a few weeks before release date. Merchandise and various other goodies will also be available too.

The Hybridz - Tribal Ghosts EP

NT: You’ve put together a mix for us, would you give us a few words on your selection?

F: With the mix, I just tried to play a bit from everything I’ve been feeling at the moment. Some of my house tracks at the start and into some dubstep and garagey styled tunes. Finishing off with a dose of d&b and a few exclusives from Silk ;)

NT: Finally, something I ask everyone. If you had to select your three favorite “Night Tracks”, what would they be?

Jamie:
1. Burial – ‘Distant Lights’
2. Portishead – ‘Only You’
3. John B ‘Up All Night’

Tom:
1. Royce Wood Junior Feat Stac - Wet
2. Arae - Trouble Sleeping
3. Global Communication - Epsilon Phase

NT: Check out Forge's mix for us here, or download it here! Big up dudes, thanks for your time!

1. Swamp Factory - Aremnia - Dub
2. Swamp Factory - Acid Shiver - Dub
3. Swamp factory - Scatter Bug - Dub
4. Burial and Four Tet and Thom Yorke - Mirror - ???
5. Integration Now - Logic Of The Dark - Solace Dub
6. Hodge - Conjecture - ???
7. Stole - Protector - Dub
8. Compa - Reactions - Dub
9. Kryptic Minds - Cant Sleep - (feat. Alys Be) - Osiris
10. Clubroot - Scars - Solace Dub
11. Stole - Mercy - Solace Dub
12. Stole - Come Clean - Dub
13. Forge - Syria - Silk Dub
14. Dakosa & Anile - No Way - Dub
15. Faib feat. Skinni mc - Unity - Dub
16. The Hybridz - Anograms - Silk Dub
17. Flatliners & Sublime Porte - Grizzly Hills- Consequence Remix - Silk Dub
18. Furi Anga - TUMOBM - (Nether's Underwater Dub) - Silk Dub

NT002 - Apple Bottom - Forget It Reviewed By Life Crushed

2012-01-05T10:16:00.000Z

Night Tracks' next release by Apple Bottom called "Forget It" gets a favourable review from the guys over at the amazing Life Crushed blog, which should definitely be part of your daily music knowledge intake. Consistent high quality over there.

I also just clocked that we were featured in their Blogs Of The Year list, so again, bit up to them!

Anyway, I don't want to take any traffic from them, so check out the review over on Life Crushed.

Promo for Night Tracks

2012-01-03T22:31:00.000Z

FAO: Bloggers & DJs

If you're interested in being added to Night Tracks' promo list for future releases on the Night Tracks label, hit me up with a quick email explaining a little about yourself and why you're interested at gareth@night-tracks.com.

Big up.

Some free downloads, etc. from the Night Shift Collective

2012-01-03T11:31:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone. Here are a few free tracks from some of the members of the Night Shift Collective that might make the first day back at work for many of you more tolerable.

First up, Venture has put his track "As The Rain Falls" as a free download, so grab it while you can!

You can now grab Budeaux's track "Crystal Paths" too.

Eplp does his part by making his new track "Grief Blossoms Wherever She Treads" available for free.

And finally, a reminder from Inofaith that you can get his "Dawn Is Late EP" with a bonus track for half-price until this friday. Grab it here.

Interview with Graciellita & Free Download

2012-01-02T19:59:00.000Z

Today we've got an interview with Graciellita, somebody who makes interesting and most importantly unique music. She's kindly included a tune that you can grab for free, called "Rhetorical Questions", a track that definitely suits Night Tracks, and one that will defo unsettle you, probably best for you to check it out! Grab it by clicking on the artwork below (or click here) and read on...

NT: Hey, can you give everyone an introduction to Graciellita?
G: I'm graciella, alias Graciellita, pretty straight forward I guess, you know it's still me just sorta givin' myself that free flow to dig deeper into the creative side of the mind and spend most time on my musical playground.

NT: What's the process behind making one of your tunes. Where do you start? How long have you been making music?
G: The process of makin' a tune for me can actually happen all at different times, and once I sit down I put the pieces together to allow for an audible expression. Inspiration is an amalgamation of the many scattered thoughts and energies that surround me or are within me, feelings of all sorts, especially that of inner despair/cryout and confusion.

Graciellita - To Happy Tree

NT: Do you feel it's important for music to have a sense of emotion, time or place linked to it? What are you influenced by, musically or otherwise?
G: I couldn't say this a few years back, but I understand now that makin' music, for me, is healin' and freedom, I'm always off on a journey of an intensity that can only be rendered through sounds and lyrical metaphors.

NT: What are your plans for your music? Have you had any releases previously, and have you got any planned for the future?

G: I've released on labels most of my recent work, EP's like 'Quest' and ' 'Tropus', upcomin' 'Loner' and
more albums to be announced in the near future.

Graciellita - Quiet Unconditional

NT: Can you tell us a little about the track you're kindly giving away?

G: Rhetoric brain-stirrin' is just another conveyance of exactly that feelin' of mental turmoil and constant thoughts and questions stirrin' around in the brain that never seem to leave you or provide an answer. Everything is the product of powerful overbearin' feelings, the emotional overload.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your three favourite "Night Tracks", what would they be?

G: Fave night tracks :D tough one:
HGLDT - Knowing You
eplp - Hurt
Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Mirror
Sweetheart Of Kairi - Approaching Farewell
Ollie Macfarlane - Torment...

Much luv to night tracks and its brilliant creator ;p (NT: I must stress that I didn't make this up, she definitely wrote it. I swear.)

NT: Thanks very much for your time, and double thanks for the quality tune! If you missed the link for the download, here it is again!

A Recommendation - Davwuh - Pharaoh

2011-12-29T18:39:00.001Z

This is a combination of recommendation and interview really. Today, we've got the Liverpool-based producer Davwuh in to tell us a little about himself, and his new self-released album, Pharaoh, which is a collection of tracks with AMAZING drum and synth work, quality vocal snippets that are perfectly placed, and pummeling relentless bass. Check it out here (or by clicking the artwork below), and read on to see what the man himself has to say...

NT: Hey man, can we get an introduction for those that haven't heard your stuff yet?

D: I'm Davwuh, a 25 year old producer from Liverpool, UK. I've always made dark, deep dubstep, but experimented with wobble tracks before returning to make darker sub-bass tracks in the future garage style on my new album Pharaoh.

Davwuh - 2 Souls

NT: How long have you been producing music? What sort of styles do you produce?
D: I started making music when I was 13 or 14, so over 10 years ago now. My first "program", if you'd call it that, was Music 2000 on the Playstation, where I was making cheesy chart trance music with the premade samples. That led to Dance Ejay on my PC when I was 15, Sony Acid when I was about 16 and eventually getting Reason when I was 19 which I have been using consistently for the last 6 years or so. All that time I was learning music theory, practicing guitar - and I have dabbled with playing the keyboard a bit too.
I produce all kinds of styles of music and across my HDD you'll find hundreds of songs I've written ranging from prog rock, to metal, to film soundtracks I have done for friends and my own enjoyment. As for electronic music, I've tried it all - DNB, psytrance, house etc. But my main style is dubstep and garage and has been since around 2006 when I first got hooked on the sound - I immediately tried to emulate it. From there, future garage evolved and I latched on to that as it was always closer to my original sound, which was similar to the likes of DMZ, Skream, D1 etc. than the popular dubstep sound of today. I've tried my hand at louder, wobble-based tracks and had some success with my last album, but that sound really isn't for me, future garage is what I'll be doing going forward - or at least a loose variation of future garage.

NT: Who or where do you take influence from, musically or otherwise?
D: I could list all my favourite artists and say they are my influences, but musical ideas are usually borne out of the most unexpected places. I could be listening to a song by a band like Tool and hear something that inspires me, which results in me making a future garage or dubstep track. And vice versa - I could be listening to Burial and end up writing a prog tune just from a flash of inspiration or a small idea that grows into a full work. As for my overall sound, I'm influenced by concepts like sci-fi, cyberpunk, spirituality and esoteric things. Writers like Philip K. Dick, William Gibson and their great novels are something that inspire me too. My last album 'Samurai' was inspired by my love for Japanese history oddly enough, and I did an enthusiastic write-up all about that when I put it out.

But if I had to liken my current sound to any other producer I would perhaps say Burial, Joy O, or maybe Ghostek but my music is still vastly different from their music.. Most future garage producers from those signed to the unsigned are very original in their own approach to the sound, much more so than other music scenes I find. Browsing around on Soundcloud you'll hear just as much good, original stuff coming from unsigned producers as you do from the labels. As for my sound, it's just a big blend of everything I like really and my music tastes are all over the place.

Davwuh - This Love

NT: Can you tell us a little about your album, Pharaoh?

D: Pharaoh is really the album I've always wanted to make. It has a loose concept and the album cover which is a blurred, colourful, distant image of a Tokyo street kind of sums up the mood of the album. Gone are the rigid dubstep drums of old and in is more rolling, organic percussion that blends well with the deep sub bass that runs throughout. Little vocal cuts here and there, euphoric synths, dark strings and the midtones of the rhodes piano sound all make up the sound. Some tracks even have keyboard solos which I guess you could call progressive dustep or progressive garage, but I don't get held up on names. I prefer to make music suited for private listening rather than being aimed at filling a dancefloor, which perhaps makes me different from a lot of producers. Though I feel a lot of producers in the future garage scene now are becoming more and more like this too, as it is a darker, more subtle sound in many regards.

The first track for 'Pharaoh' I made over a year ago and the last one I finished only a couple of weeks ago, so it has been a long time in the making. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster year for me and it's a great personal achievement to put this album out, which I am really proud of. I've always been a fan more of albums than single releases, like Burial's first two albums and I feel my album flows like an overall work and has a running theme to it, rather than it just being a collection of songs. I'm interested in creative writing as well as producing music, and I wrote a free verse write-up to accompany the album which you can find on my blog or on the Bandcamp site where the album is up for sale.

Davwuh - Untold

NT: Do you have any other releases planned?
D: I love doing remixes of tracks just as much as I like making originals and I have an ambitious idea for an album full of remixes that I'm working on next. When it's done, Night Tracks will be one of the first to know.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your three favourite "Night Tracks", what would they be?

D: Hard to narrow it down to only 3, but here goes...

D1 - Mind And Soul - I think D1 is an early producer who gets a bit overlooked and even though Midnight Request Line was the first dubstep track I ever heard, D1 was probably the first producer to make me sit up and take notice. Mind and Soul came a bit later I think, but it's such a sweet tune, I'm a sucker for that rhodes keys sound.

Joy O - Hyph Mngo - Bit of an obvious choice, but it's such a tune.

Skream - I (Loefah Remix) - Just one of the most menacing bass lines ever

NT: Thanks for your time man! So there you have it, check out his album, Pharaoh, available on his bandcamp now!

Happy Christmas & Big Ups To All

2011-12-25T00:43:00.000Z

Just a quick message to say a Happy Christmas to all my followers that celebrate it, and general end-of-year big ups to all involved with Night Tracks!

Big ups to those who took the time to answer some questions and put together mixes for us this year, so big up Ollie, Gordon, Dan, Simon, Deji, Ceiran, Jamie & Yung-E, Simon, Lewis, Donald & Micha, Johney, Tyler, Christian, Henry, Louis, Nic, Will, Gareth, Owen, James, Jack, Tobias, Joey, and Ben, and big ups to Sam, Zelda and Graciella for interviews coming soon!

Extra big ups to those that chose to give away tunes alongside their interviews too! So out to Venture, J-One, Triggy, Recess, eplp, Venture (again!) and Graciellita (coming soon!).

Extreme big ups to the amazing artists that have released on Night Tracks, or are going to in the future, so big up to Venture, Bhava, Apple Bottom, Venture (getting too many big ups now), eplp, Kid Smpl, Venture (Yawn!), Mirror State, Kelle/Pingu, Muroidea, & Brim, and hopefully many more.

Major big ups to my girlfriend Louisa for help with the artwork for the Night Tracks release, and big up to Taavi for the design work he's done for the site. Big up to Mike at Sub-Radar for giving me the idea to even start a blog in the first place. Big up the guys at Life Crushed and Pixelatique for the support!

Big up to all at the Night Shift Collective, for the consistently high quality, so big up to Inofaith, Sorrow, Klātu,
Fedbymachines, Ghostek, Sina, Mirror State, Jernalism, Solitude, Delete, Gards From KC, AddRift, Great Skies, Roof Light, Birds Of Passage, Lyndsie Alguire, Shura, Hiatus, Essay, Sotus, Venture, Luska, eplp, Neka, Gallery Six, Owsey, Sipp, From Fields, Julien Mier and Infest.

Big up to all those who followed me and supported my productions as Budeaux on Soundclound, and big up to Soundcloud for making me their user of the day.

Last, but most definitely not least, big up to all the readers who follow Night Tracks, big up to everybody that has sent me great music, big up to anybody who downloaded any of the Night Tracks releases, and big up even more anybody that paid for it!

Night Tracks 027 - Christmas

2011-12-24T15:57:00.000Z

An early present for you all in the form of a mix of wintery tunes for Christmas time. You can listen below via mixcloud, or you can download the mix here.

Night Tracks 027 - Christmas by Gareth Night Tracks on Mixcloud

Venture - First Frost (Dub)
Adele - Turning Tables (VVV Remix) (Dub)
Budeaux - Alleyways (Dub)
Krytikal - #3 (Dub)
Volor Flex - Gloom (Dark Clover)
Static Pirates - Ghost Raver (Dub)
Kelle - Lies (Dub)
Zelda Marshall - Slippin' Down (Dub)
Kid Smpl - Float (Night Tracks)
Burial - Shell Of Light (Hyperdub)
Essáy - Noir (Dub)
Kelle - Slow Burn (Dub)
Zelda Marshall - Silent Night (Dub)
Synkro - Sheltered (Dub)
Bonecold - Rekca (Dub)
Aphex Twin - Flim (Warp)

Night Tracks Of The Year - Top Ten

2011-12-23T17:19:00.002Z

So here it is, you've read 50-41, 40-31, 30-21 and 20-11, and now we've finally reached the top ten. The ten tracks I feel were the best ten released this year that really fitted the Night Tracks vibe. I'm not trying to be a tastemaker or anything, just merely showing you my favourite tunes, maybe some you didn't know. Drop me a comment below and let us know YOUR favourite Night Track of the year. Anyway, we start off with...

10. Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Ego (from Ego/Mirror (Text))

This release appeared out of nowhere, announced and sold out all whilst I was on lunch, and it's easy to see why. 3 giants from separate areas, Burial from Garage/Dubstep, Four Tet from a more electronica/IDM scene and Thom Yorke from one of the biggest bands of the last 20 years. This was the stronger side of the two, as I feel it represented all 3 of the artists more completely than the flip. (Buy here unfortunately)

9. Joy O - Jels (from Wade In/Jels (Hotflush Recordings))

Joy O returned to Hotflush, the home of his immense debut, with this 4x4 monster, that showed even the club has room for Night Tracks. Whilst there has been a lot of "Acid House" released this year, this was one of the stand out examples of that sort of sound, but the thing that clinched 9th place for Jels was THAT PIANO that really should've made an appearance well before the last minute of the track. (Buy here)

8. Drake - Marvin's Room (from Take Care (Young Money))

I know, I know, a music blog proclaims Marvin's Room to be one of the best tracks of the year. Hear me out though, check the atmosphere on this track. Noah "40" Shebib has killed it, and in an almost Weeknd-ish way, hearing the lyrics sung by Drake makes the story more believable. Chart music has had a seriously weak year, but if there's more like this from the bigger artists like Drake, then maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel. (Buy here)

7. Clouds - Rest Of The Cycle (from Lots Of Calls From No One Pt. 2 (Deep Medi))

In a year that has seen the likes of Pinch, Skream, Goth Trad and Vivek release on Deep Medi, who would've thought that it would be the understated and much underrated release by Finland's clouds that would be the label's best in 2011? This eerie number, with the flickery, ghost like drums was to me more powerful than any of the rib-shaking, earth-quaking releases that Deep Medi put out, and that is high praise, as tracks like Swish and The Big Bang are not to be sniffed at. This release is just another marker of Mala's impeccable tastes. (Buy here)

6. Cairo & Svpreme Fiend - Untitled (from Other Heights White Label #2 (Other Heights))

It was another great year for one of my favourite labels, and a label that definitely deserves more credit and exposure overall, Other Heights. This was my favourite release put out by them this year. This stripped back, garage-y roller had perfect piano melodies over the top and ghostly vocals that make it a perfect Night Track, and I'd definitely suggest getting your hands on this release before it's too late, and definitely, definitely keep an eye out for Other Heights next releases! (Buy here)

5. Be-1ne - Cane Cutter (from Cane Cutter/Soar (Area Recordings))

Simply put, the best "pure" dubstep release of the year. Area Recordings always had consistent quality coming out, but this year saw Be-1ne's crowning moment so far. After those ghostly chimes keep you on edge for the first 50 seconds or so, the track gives way to one of the best drops in dubstep history. I'm struggling to find the right words about the drums on that drop, so I won't even bother, just believe me, they're good. Something that really impresses me with Be-1ne's releases, and most primarily with this release, is the way he engineers the bass so that you don't just hear it, but it seems to fill your whole room, seeping into every corner. Buy this, and watch it become one of your most played pieces. (Buy here)

4. Zomby & Reark - Natalia's Song (from Natalia's Song (4AD))

EDIT: Read this. (Buy here)

3. Bonecold - Rekca (from Somnipath (Broken Bubble))

This track first reared its head (as far as I'm aware) on a mix by Ghostek a few years ago, and I instantly tried to find out anything about Bonecold that I could, but there was little out there. You can imagine my joy when I sit down at work one monday morning, and check out some of the new releases. I spy an email from the label, Broken Bubble, announcing an album by, yep, you guessed it, Bonecold, and there, right at the end of the tracklist was Rekca. This tune is ambient without being ambient, with bass warps, and jangly hats and snares in all the right places. Just listen to it, you won't regret it. (Buy here)

2. Burial - Stolen Dog (from Street Halo EP (Hyperdub))

This release marked a massive departure by the ever elusive Burial from the styles that defined his album Untrue and the earlier releases on Hyperdub, and the stand out track was definitely Stolen Dog. Burial had never made anything like this before, dropping the tempo from around 140 to the 110-130 area, and working with synth melodies, which came as a bit of shock, but still retained that Burial vibe, with the mournful vocals, except they worked over shuffling, house-y drums rather than the pounding, garage-y rhythm everyone expected. Whilst most people seemed to prefer, Street Halo or NYC, it was definitely Stolen Dog's uniqueness that pipped it for me. (Buy here)

1. Sully - 2 Hearts (from Carrier (Keysound Recordings))

2011 really did belong to Blackdown's Keysound Recordings, and getting Sully on board for an entire album has got to be one of the best moves they could've made. The criminally underrated producer is responsible for Night Tracks' Track of the Year, 2 Hearts. This track burst straight out of opener (and no. 14 on this list) It's Your Love with all the swing and attitude that his previous release on Keysound and Toffee Apple had hinted at and brought everybody that listened to it back to 2001 briefly. If you read our interview with Sully back in November, you'll know that this was (at least at one point) considered by Burial for his never-to-come-out mix compilation for DJ Kicks, and that is saying something, especially as there was a collaboration between the two planned off the back of it. 2-Step drums, bouncy bassline, neon synths and a female vocal, is there a better combination? Not this year there wasn't. (Buy here)

Review the list in full:
50-41 - 40-31 - 30-21 - 20-11

Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 20-11

2011-12-22T18:29:00.000Z

So, we're down to the penultimate list, this time, it's tracks 20-11. If you missed the first few lists, then check them out here: 50-41, 40-31, 30-21. For now, read on, starting with number...

20. Ollie Macfarlane - Torment (from Shadows EP (Seeking Blue))

Anyone that heard any of my mixes on radio stations throughout the year will know this track. Ollie strayed away from his more traditional UK Garage style for this one, with lush pads, great vocal samples and driving drums that put him at number 20 in this year's prestigious list. Very glad this got signed on a great EP overall. (Buy here)

19. LV & Josh Idehen - Primary Colours (from Routes (Keysound Recordings))

Another track from one of the standout releases of the year. Although the track is lead by those neon synth stabs, it retains a real dark, street atmosphere. Out to LV & Josh Idehen, whilst the album works best as a whole, this was undoubtedly the high point. Shame it wasn't longer, but that's testament to the track. (Buy here)

18. Inofaith - Nocturne (from Dawn Is Late EP (Shipwrec Recordings))

I am a man who loves a good nocturne, and if there was a release this year that deserves that title, it's definitely this track from Inofaith. I know Inofaith likes to produce late at night, and anybody that listens to his Dawn Is Late EP should be able to see that for themselves. The long, sample heavy instrument is the perfect build up for the glorious moment that the shuffling garage drums kick in. (Buy here)

17. Zed Bias & Steve Gurley - Roll (from Roll (Keysound Recordings))

Let's be honest here. Could a collaboration between Zed Bias and returning UKG don Steve Gurley be anything but magic? The dark vocal rolls (no pun intended) over and over above possibly the best percussion of the year. Dark Garage at it's finest. (Buy here)

16. Ghostlight - Known All The Days (from Leaving For The City Of Saints EP (Other Heights))

Again, I can't express how glad I am that Ghostek's stuff finally saw a release this year, and I'm even more glad that Other Height's found space for some of his collaborations with Roof Light. They may have been floating around for some time, but that didn't take away any of the impact of putting this on my decks for the first time and playing it from beginning to end. (Buy here)

15. Sully - It's Your Love (from Carrier (Keysound Recordings))

What a way to open Sully's first album, with this track that harked back to the golden age of Dark UKG. Burial might've tried and failed to replicate El-B's drums by his own admission, but Sully has definitely succeeded in creating something that garage pioneer would be proud of. (Buy here)

14. Ghostek - Cryostasis (from Lost Tapes EP (Square Harmony))

Nobody does that dark, moody garage better than Ghostek, and this was the defining example from his Lost Tapes EP. The bass has tremendous power, and as always, you never quite know where the drums on a Ghostek track are going to take you, and the little vocal snippets are used sparingly, and only appear at their most effective. The sort of track that would leave anybody that listens to it wanting more Ghostek. (Buy here)

13. HGLDT - Knowing You (from 2010/Knowing You (Swing & Skip))

Possibly my most awaited release of the year. Ever since I heard this track played and recommended by Blackdown, I was desperate for a release, and I rinsed the youtube clip hundreds of times. Backed with a remix by Resketch, and a track by Damu, this was a great release that brought the emerging Swing & Skip label(run by HGLDT himself) to a lot of people's attention. (Buy here)

12. DjRum - Mountains Pt. 2 & 3 (from Mountains EP (2nd Drop))

It's now pretty much universally recognised on music sites that DJ Rum (or DjRum in this case) was onto something special with his Mountains EP, and Night Tracks feels so differently. I don't think anybody that heard it for the first time expected that laid back, string-laden intro to give way to the pounding, somewhere-between-techno-jungle-and-garage drums that rule over the latter part of the track. (Buy here)

11. Jamie xx - Beat For (from Far Nearer (Numbers))

Although all the hype was around the steel-pan laden summer anthem, Far Nearer, the flip side, the dark and moody Beat For was not to be ignored. I struggle to think of a dark track that has such dancefloor potential as this one. It first made an appearance on a mix by Jamie xx a couple of years ago, this record was delayed and delayed, but the world is better for it's arrival. The perfect accompaniment to Far Nearer. (Buy here)

Movement - Club PST - Digbeth - Birmingham - This Friday

2011-12-21T23:38:00.000Z

Out to the Birmingham heads. Get down to this hastily arranged last minute special Movement this friday.

Out to Stu for arranging this line up at such a short notice. More info here.

Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 30-21...

2011-12-16T10:56:00.000Z

So, no doubt you've clocked numbers 50-41, and then 40-31, and you've probably guessed what comes next. That's right, it's numbers 30-21 (cue fireworks)...

30. Dub Phizix & Skeptical feat. Strategy - Marka (from Marka (Exit))

Occasionally a tune comes out that unites EVERYBODY in a scene, and this is one of those tunes. Overnight it appeared on facebook walls, blogs and forums. This is fast Skeng, and anything Skeng-like is worthy of an end of year list. Sick video too. (Buy here)

29. EPLP - Hurt (from Too Much Hope EP (Self Released))

There's not many people who get vocals down as well as Bristol's EPLP, and quite frankly, there's nobody better than him at getting just the right amount of bleeps and bloops. This track is a perfect demonstration of both those skills, not to mention those synths. Quality. (Buy here)

28. Jason Burns - Die 4 U (from See Thru U EP (Brap Dem! Recordings))

Skippy, chopped up and pitched down vocals, stabs and synths, bouncy bass. This might be labelled future garage, but it's as good as anything that came out 1998-2001. (Buy here)

26. DjRum - Mountains Pt. 1 (from Mountains EP (2nd Drop))

One thing I really like about DJ Rum (or DjRum as he went by for this release) is that his work occupiesa strange space between garage, dubstep and dub techno. I couldn't tell you what this is, so sorry genre heads. But I can tell you one thing for sure, this is an absolute roller that keeps going and going and going, but not for a second do you want to stop listening. (Buy here)

25. Jichael Mackson - Gedons (from Bob's Your Uncle EP (Stock5))

Clocking in at almost 15 minutes, you probably won't find a longer track in this years list, although it's debatable whether you could really call this one track at all (skip to 2:30 and listen, then skip to 11:00 and listen. Still think it's the same track?). It is though, most certifiably, a techno/house epic, and on the strength of those dream-like pads up to 4 minutes in, it finds itself marking the halfway point of this year's top 50. (Buy here, I guess)

24. Synkro & Indigo - Guidance (from Guidance (Exit))

Synkro is one of the, if not THE, most versatile producers in underground music today, but he's no jack of all trades. He seems to be able to master anything he turns his hand to, and when he's making stuff with Indigo, it gets even better. Although his releases later in the year were on a more techno edge, it's this straight up beautiful piece from earlier in the year that takes number 24. (Buy here)

23. The Weeknd - What You Need (from House Of Balloons (Self Released))

I guess in a way, The Weeknd is a lot like The xx. I can't think of anybody else that has been able to convey such a mood as effectively since the 2010 Mercury Prize winners. Every track on the album House Of Balloons was aimed without fail at the night, and 'What You Need' was the stand out track that was delivered perfectly. (Buy here)

22. Essáy - Distance & Lights (from Distance & Lights (Cut))

Essáy just understands how to put across vibe. This Bloc Party sampling piece of ambient-ish dub techno represents his sound perfectly, and the production on it is perfect. A track with raw edges always sounds better than over-produced slickness. One of those tracks that shows that holding back can be more powerful than including every sound under the sun. (Buy here)

21. Ghostek - Night & Low Light (from Lost Tapes EP(Square Harmony))

I've got to admit. I was getting worried about Ghostek. I was beginning to think his many productions that flitter in and out of soundcloud might never see a release, but this year, there was an abundance, the first being his Lost Tapes EP. "Night & Low Light" had been around for some time, but I was still excited to hear this in full. Simply put, Ghostek has dominion over all drums, and they bend to his will. It's got to be the only explanation of how he creates those loops. (Buy here)

Burial on Hyperdub Show. Rinse FM tonight.

2011-12-13T19:29:00.003Z

Just a quick heads up that Scratcha DVA will be playing a new Burial tune on the Hyperdub show on Rinse FM tonight. (11pm-1am)

Big up.

EDIT: What we were waiting for (And it actually IS called Ashtray Wasp).

Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 40-31....

2011-12-10T16:20:00.000Z

Today is the second part of our countdown of the best tracks of the year, so if you missed the first part, I command you to read it here now! Continue reading below for tracks 40-31 and pick up the pieces you like...

40. Answer Code Request - Escape Myself (from Subway Into (Answer Code Request))

Some might call it techno, but to me, this has a raw, garage-y feel to it that sets it apart from many of the standard 4x4 techno tunes this year. Quite a menacing tune that held its own on one of the most impressive releases to land on my radar in 2011. (Buy here)

39. Volor Flex - Gloom (from Tramp (Dark Clover Records))

Ok, so it was a clear mash-up of Burial's 'Pirates' and 'Wounder' but it doesn't stop it being amazingly good. Volor Flex has perfectly replicated that urban sound that Burial did so perfectly on his debut LP, and that's certainly something Night Tracks can get down to. (Buy here)

38. Session View - Orange (from Royal Road (Enypnion))

Session View's release, Royal Road, proved to me that there was more than enough life left in Techno as long as there were stand outs like this. That bassline and those drums could've been crafted by Basic Channel and nobody would've known any better. One of those tracks where everything fits perfectly. (Buy here)

37. Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Mirror (from Ego/Mirror (Text))

When this dropped when I was at lunch at work and sold out within minutes, I spent the rest of the day searching for a record shop that had it in stock. How could this not be good? Four Tet dropping them on Rinse that night just confirmed what many already thought. (Err... buy here?)

36. Commodo & Lurka - Airtight (from Airtight/Gassin (Black Box))

Another show of Black Box's strength, this release from two of the "newer" producers was one of the high points, standing out amongst the bigger names on the label, although those in the know knew this collaboration couldn't go wrong. (Buy here)

35. Andy Mac - Everytime (from Everytime/Asteroid Belt (Punch Drunk))

Apparently a bit of anthem in the Bristol area for those lucky enough to hear it, but the rest of us had to wait for a full release to be surprised by the sort of track that really would conquer the mainstream if only Radio 1 played it. (Buy here)

34. Radiohead - Lotus Flower (Jacques Greene Remix) (from The King Of Limbs Remixes (Ticker Tape))

Jacques Greene's remix of Lotus Flower might not have been released when the hype around this series was at its fullest, but it was certainly the strongest. Whilst others focussed on more experimental edges, Greene managed to make something so danceable. Those who held their attention during the epic build up were definitely rewarded. (Buy here)

33. Massive Attack & Burial - Four Walls (from Four Walls/Paradise Circus (Inhale Gold))

Fans had wanted this since they first heard snippets dropped by Kode 9, recorded on mobile phones, years ago. This had been "forthcoming" for some years, and many had given up. Forget the controversy about prices, forget the controversy about possible sound issues. In fact, if you haven't got much patience, forget about the first 9 minutes of this track, because even if it only consisted of those last 2 minutes, it would still be on this list. (If you're very rich, buy here)

32. Compa - Dreams (from Dreams/Them Dogs (Inna Riddim))

Compa is definitely part of a group of "up-and-comers" that are producing their own take on the halfstep variety of dubstep. Posting a youtube link of 'Dreams' doesn't really do the track justice, so I can't recommend that you buy a high quality download and turn on your sub to enjoy it. Then pray that one day Compa gives you his dubplate of his Anti-War Dub refix. (Buy here)

31. Fedbymachines - Last Stop (from First Light EP (Warminal))

Probably the most frantic drums on any release all year, that really keep you on edge, and in this case, that's a good thing. They really are the focal point, but that's only because the grainy pads and ghostly vocals lurk so deep in the ether and that's just where they're meant to be. This is music to be out on the streets to. (Buy here)

Keep your eye's peeled for 30-21, and again, if you missed the first part, 50-41, check it out here.

A Recommendation: Substep Infrabass - Monotonium (Remixes)

2011-12-10T00:03:00.002Z

I got sent a promo pack for this release, so thought I'd check it out. Glad I did. The original release by Substep Infrabass came out 3 years ago, and he thought it was time to inject a bit of new life, so contacted Crises, m3t4, Egoless, Be-1ne, King Slaff and Vishnu and got them to put their own spin on it.

If you've heard any of Be-1ne's stuff before, you know to expect bass, space and pace. His take brings his room filling bass, and perfectly crafted drums with a snare so vicious, it gave me whiplash. I'm currently filing an insurance claim against him, will let you know how it goes. Check it out below:

From the press release: "Once crafted together, these remixes form an amazing EP, a forty minutes journey into the universe of “Monotonium”, a journey about halfstep bass music, dub and ambient . Be-1ne and Crisis open with dubstep beats, keeping it deep and warm in a proper Uk style. Egoless follows with stomping dub vibes from the East while m3t4 takes you literally deeper into experimental drum and bass. Down there you will listen to the sound of King Slaff for a singular and refreshing moment of ambient music. Vishnu waits for you at the surface to close the events with a dubstep prototype; allying mutant bass drones and with concrete sounds."

In summary, the release is big, and you can get it next week, FOR FREE, from F4t Music's bandcamp site here. Bo!

Please Be True...

2011-12-09T10:16:00.000Z

If this is true, then this combined with it being my last day at work in 2011, this could be one of the greatest days in existence...

Night Tracks Of The Year - Numbers 50-41...

2011-12-08T13:02:00.000Z

It's that time of year when every site gives its take on the best tracks to be released this year, and of course, Night Tracks is jumping right on that bandwagon. To avoid any bias, I haven't included anything released by Night Tracks, so read on, and check out the tunes. Maybe you'll pick up a gem that you haven't heard before, or maybe you'll just enjoy reading my rambling take on 50 tracks. Read on for the first 10, numbers 50 to 41...

50. Everlone - Starred (from 2011 (Self Released))

This track was one that I discovered some months ago, but only discovered it had been released about a week or so ago. A great track, minimal garage, with traditional distant vocals coming in amongst lush pads. A simple track, yet very effective.(Buy here)

49. Trashbat - Saraswati (Hard Mix) (from Old Manor Way EP (Dubstrict Records)

Trashbat doing what Trashbat does best, and that is ultra-dark, warping mid-range over seriously deep subs. This was on one of the most underrated releases of the year, his Old Manor Way EP, that contained 5 tracks that made it seriously hard for me to pick the best. (Buy here)

48. Kid Smpl - Gbye (from Collapse EP (Self Release))

This track almost typifies Kid Smpl's style. Immersive pads, and drums that almost sneak up on you. The slower than usual 2-step drums that come into play are a particular highlight and everything comes together in a track that has elements from the past, but is definitely forging a vision of the future. (Buy here)

47. Sweetheart Of Kairi - Approaching Farewell (from Sweetheart Of Kairi EP (Self Released))

Two of the most dynamic producers in the underground today, Owsey and Sorrow, came together in a series of collaborations for their Sweetheart Of Kairi moniker. Combining cinematic strings and pads with top notch swinging drums, they've come together to create something that doesn't sit comfortably anywhere, and it's all the better for it. (Buy here)

46. LV & Josh Idehen - Murkish Delights (From Routes (Keysound Recordings))

Everyone knew that an LV album was going to be good, just not THIS good. This track is one of the darker affairs on the album, Routes, located near the end, bringing you down after the many highs of the album. Makes for a perfect outro though, and Josh Idehen's delivery only adds to it. (Buy here)

45. Krytikal - Selfish Way (from Area Music Vol. 1 (Area Recordings))

For me, this was the standout track from a seriously impressive release by the Birmingham based Area Recordings. Nobody gets the eyes down, tribal dubstep thing as well as Krytikal does, and this track is no different. (Buy here)

44. Dorisburg - Transform (from Tundra/Transform (Aniara Recordings))

Perfectly straddling the line between UK Garage and Techno, this track from Sweden's Alexander Berg completely blew the A-side 'Tundra' out of the water. Whilst this hasn't taken off yet, I can see this being the sort of track collectors franticly dig for in years to come, only to find it available exclusively on discogs for £40. (Buy here)

43. Silent Mind - Farwater (from Farwater (Self Released))

Dreamy, minimal dnb as it should be done. Silent Mind is on to something here, and its great to see him amongst a group of producers that are doing something different in a scene that some say is saturated with sound-a-likes. (Buy here)

42. Benton - Skeptics (from Skeptics/Thermo Stellar (Black Box))

Black Box might've been pushing records since 2009, but 2011 was the year they really made their mark, thanks in part to badmen like Benton, who took things darker than ever before. (Buy here)

41. The Weeknd - The Morning (from House Of Balloons (Self Released))

Abel Tesfaye was a veritable force in 2011. Some love him for shaking up a boring RnB scene with innovative production from Illangelo, and lyrics that at least attempted to differentiate themselves from the standard. This track just oozed soul, and that's something that's always going to go down well. All for free too. Big up. (Buy here)

So that's all for now, the first ten tracks. Take some time to listen to them all, who knows, maybe even buy some of the ones you like? Check back soon for 40 to 31...

Apple Bottom - Forget It/Your Touch (Forthcoming Night Tracks)

2011-12-07T15:07:00.000Z

Big news at Night Tracks, as we have yet another release confirmed. This one's all happened a bit quickly, the tracks are completed, I'm just waiting to send the tracks off for mastering, artwork should be completed soon-ish, and then we're ready to go.

Out to Apple Bottom for this, because the tracks are absolutely huge. Expect a guest mix and interview to go with the release soon too! As always, I look to try and bring you something a little different, and this no, err, different. 'Forget It' brings big bass, shuffling percs and quality vocal sampling, while 'Your Touch' has an almost UKG feel to it (that he's probably far too young to remember!). Check out previews of the tracks below:

Apple Bottom - Forget It

Apple Bottom - Your Touch

Dub Phizix & Skeptical Ft. Strategy – Marka

2011-12-07T13:47:00.002Z

I don't want to be "that guy" and post something that lots of people are already talking about, but I'm gonna make an exception for this. I'm not a huge fan of DnB, so for me to get excited about a track, it takes a lot, but seriously, you've gotta check this track, Marka by Dub Phizix & Skeptical feat. Strategy. Absolutely amazing, pitch black dark, and also, it reminds me of Skeng, and anything that reminds me of Skeng is good in my books. Coming out in a couple of weeks on Exit Records

Check it out.

EDIT: There's now a campaign to make this number 1 for Christmas. Certainly makes more sense than the Rage Against The Machine campaign last year.

Few Tunes To Keep You Going...

2011-12-06T21:00:00.000Z

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I'm starting to put stuff together for the Night Tracks End of Year Review, so to keep things ticking over, here's a selection of quality recent tunes from Soundcloud. Big up. Tunes after the jump...

I'm always excited to hear of new work from Alteria Percepsyne, and this time it's no different. Hopefully we'll see a full version of this sometime!

Next up, man like Bhava (who released on Night Tracks previously) coming with this garage-y wonder. Always big stuff from Bhava!

Dark, minimalistic UKG vibes from Mirror State, who is also remixing Kid Smpl's track "Float" forthcoming on Night Tracks.

Laid back, bouncy, dark hip-hop(ish) vibes on this one from Desolate & Snowfox. Pretty interesting tune, quite unique at parts.

Last but not least is this piece by Muroidea, who has pretty much captured the pure essence of dubstep here. Not sure if that was intentional, but the song is deep, dark, amazing percussion with a real spacious, almost cinematic vibe.

Night Shift Radio & Dubstep Forum Awards

2011-12-06T18:32:00.001Z

The Night Shift Collective has invited by Freemote Festival to host a special radio show where they will be presenting exclusive music by the artists of the collective with a live streamed broadcast and chat room (With prizes apparently!).

A little more info on the facebook event page, but if you don't have facebook, just log onto the Night Shift Radio page on livestream here at 21:00 (Central European Time) on Thursday 8th December.

Also, if any of you are signed up over at Dubstep Forum, don't be shy about nominating Night Tracks for the best website/blog award! Big up.

Currently putting together the end of year reviews, so apologies for being a bit slow on posting. Soon come...

Sub Radar Radio 003: Budeaux

2011-12-02T18:56:00.001Z

I put together a guest mix for the quality Sub Radar blog based in L.A. I'm not gonna take away traffic from his site, especially as it's well worth checking out, so go and listen now!

I will however, give you the tracklist to whet your appetite! Out to Mike for giving me the opportunity!

1. Burial - Dog Shelter (Essáy's Old Edit) (Dub)
2. Budeaux - Goodbye (Dub)
3. Burial & Four Tet - Moth (Text)
4. EPLP feat. Alpenglow - Blue Evening (Forthcoming Night Tracks)
5. Addrift - Selfish Society (Dub)
6. Burial - Shell Of Light (Hyperdub)
7. Kelle - Love (Dub)
8. Moving Ninja - Uranium (Tectonic)
9. Bhava - Immerse (Night Tracks)
10. Boards Of Canada - Basefree (Warp)
11. Burial - UK (Hyperdub)
12. Burial - South London Boroughs (Tease) (Hyperdub)
13. Sully - 2 Hearts (Keysound)
14. A Guy Called Gerald - Silent Cry (Juice Box)
15. Brian Eno - An Ending (Ascent) (Polydor)/A Sample From Charles Dickens' 'The Signalman' film by the BBC

Congratulations to eplp!

2011-12-02T17:57:00.001Z

Congratulations to my buddy eplp for being picked as Soundclouder of the Day! It's another great day for the Night Shift Collective as Soundcloud choose to pick another member to represent, big up!

Check out a track from eplp's forthcoming release on Night Tracks, called Blue Evening feat. Alpenglow.

Check out more of his tracks over on his Soundcloud page. I've just noticed that his collaboration with Runamucker now goes under the name Fontaine, and with both artists producing sickness, you've got to keep an eye out for their EP forthcoming on Gradient Audio.

Anyway, a final big up to eplp.

Follow him on Soundcloud
Follow him on Facebook

Some Great Releases From 2011

2011-12-01T13:40:00.000Z

I put together a chart of some of the releases I was most feeling in 2011 (in no particular order), so if you're a vinyl buyer, definitely worth checking out, might be something you've missed before! You can preview all the tracks below or view the whole chart here. Sorry if some of them are out of stock, but I'm sure you're clever enough to find them on other sites! Might start putting together one of these monthly to give you all a hand!

Kid Smpl - Float (Forthcoming Night Tracks)

2011-11-30T13:12:00.000Z

You may have read Night Tracks' recent interview with Kid Smpl (if you didn't, read it here) and listened to his guest mix full of his own productions, both signed and unsigned. After listening to that mix on repeat for a stupidly long time, I decided to try and get him on board for a release. We settled on the following track, Float.

Cinematic, futuristic vibes for me on this one. I don't really like using this word (it's become massively over used), but the drums are epic. Really happy to have this one on Night Tracks.

The flipside to Float will be a remix of the track, so if you think you can put together something sick, throw Kid Smpl a message on Soundcloud, as he's currently looking for remixers.

No date on when to expect this yet, but will update you nearer to the time.

Another Recommendation: Volor Flex - Tramp

2011-11-29T22:16:00.000Z

Out to Taavi for putting me onto this one. This is an album that comes out tomorrow (November 30th) on Dark Clover Records and the album is called Tramp by Volor Flex. Now, if you're a fan of Burial, you might think that this is maybe a little bit too much like Burial (points to those who can guess the track that sounds a lot like 'Prayer' and the track that sounds like a mash up of 'Wounder' and 'Pirates'), but also, if you're a fan of Burial, you should love this album.

It really is great stuff, very well produced too. Perfect night time listening, I'm definitely going to be grabbing it. Looks past the fact that it sounds quite like Burial. Perhaps we should start seeing this a style of music, there's certainly enough intricacies in the music for it not to become stale.

Check out the audio below:

Minimal Corner - Big News

2011-11-29T11:48:00.000Z

After some discussion, it was decided that a sub-label for Night Tracks would be founded, and curated by man like Venture. Sticking with the name of his regular feature here on Night Tracks, it's called Minimal Corners, and will naturally be focussed on the more minimal sounds, although I'm not yet sure what tempo he'll be pushing, if any. I'm sure he'll be searching for potential releases straight away, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Follow Minimal Corners on Soundcloud, and grab a track from Venture's second album, Heart Strings, as a free download to celebrate.

A Recommendation: Everlone - Everlone

2011-11-28T13:13:00.001Z

I was just browsing soundcloud today, when I came across a guy I asked for some tunes some time ago. That guy is Everlone, the criminally underrated producer who seems to have slipped under the radar of just about everyone.

I noticed that he'd self released an EP of some his tunes, including the amazing track, Starred. You can grab it as a name your price download here, and check out the samples below.

Congratulations To Me!

2011-11-25T19:55:00.000Z

I get home from work, suddenly I've got a lot more followers of my (pretty mediocre) Soundcloud. Then, I look in my exclusive tracks, and I've got a private message from one of the Soundcloud crew, and I've been picked (probably randomly) as the Soundcloud User Of The Day! If you don't trust me, check it here, here, and here.

Anyway, seeing as I'm now a celebrity, I'm looking to sell out for the maximum amount of $$$. David Guetta feat. Flo Rida and Budeaux forthcoming Night Tracks.

Free Venture Download & Forthcoming Night Tracks Stuff

2011-11-24T19:32:00.001Z

You're in for a treat today goons and goblins. To celebrate nailing down what I consider to be his best work yet to Night Tracks, Venture has decided to give away one of his older tracks as a free download.

'A Special Kind Of Love' is an archetypal Venture tune, with lush pads fading in and out over shifting minimal drum patterns. It's a pretty old tune, but definitely worth a download, so click on the artwork below to download it or check out the preview below.

Now, onto the track that's forthcoming on Night Tracks. Called 'Together We Fall', Venture sent it over to me, and immediately I had to check that it wasn't scheduled for release by somebody else (he's a very in demand man), and as soon as I knew it was available, it had to happen, so yeah, at some point, there will be a Night Tracks release of Venture - Together We Fall/??? (I'm not being mysterious with the '???' there, we just don't know what the other track is going to be yet). Check the track out here:

A bit of news on the other forthcoming releases now. There's a release by London and Leeds based production duo Mosket planned, Tek Som/Knock Turn All, which you can check out below, but the tracks are currently being reworked, so who knows how it's going to sound when it's finished?

Also being worked on is a release by my man, eplp (who I interviewed before and he gave away a free tune), who is, quite confusingly, releasing an eplp EP through Night Tracks. I'd love to one day release an eplp LP, but who knows. Meanwhile, check out one of the tracks from the forthcoming release below, featuring Alpenglow, called 'Blue Evening'.

There's another track that's being kept on the down low for now, but I can assure you, it's quality stuff. I'm also getting sent some quality tracks too, have discussed releasing some of them with the artists, so hopefully that'll come off, because man, they are good. More on that in the future!

A Recommendation: Sweetheart Of Kairi - Sweetheart Of Kairi EP

2011-11-24T11:54:00.000Z

Anybody that follows the constant high quality output of the Night Shift Collective will probably have heard of this already, but if you haven't, it is essential you check it out. Right now.

Sweetheart Of Kairi are Sorrow and Owsey (who Night Tracks interviewed before) merged together in a blissful clash of production genius, and they've pulled some of their free downloads together with a few extras (including a remix by Stumbleine) into an EP, which you can grab for a minimum of £0.40 from their bandcamp page, but come on, check it out, and you'll know it's worth more of your hard earned pennies, so reward their generosity with a little of your own!

&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://sweetheartofkairi.bandcamp.com/album/sweetheart-of-kairi-e-p"&amp;gt;Sweetheart of Kairi E.P by Sweetheart of Kairi&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Night Tracks Classics - Burial & Four Tet - Moth/Wolf Cub

2011-11-23T18:44:00.000Z

In celebration of my second copy arriving (I have a copy of the original press, but I bagged a copy of the repress for DJ purposes), I thought I'd take the time to talk a little about one of my all time favourite releases. You may have heard about their second collaboration, in no small part due to the involvement of Radiohead front man Thom Yorke, but their first link up was the mysterious Moth/Wolf Cub, packaged only in a plain black sleeve with no information on.

Burial and Four Tet already had some common ground outside the world of music, both attending the now (sort of) famous Elliott School in London. Probably. As with all things Burial, nobody can be really sure of anything. What else was special about this collab was that they were already two massively respected producers in their own right, with more than their fair share of mainstream coverage.

Anyway, onto the tunes. Check out the A-side, 'Moth'.

Burial & Four Tet - Moth

This was the track that took the underground music world by storm. There was (and still is) a lot of speculation about this tune with regards to the input of its creator. Was this tune just Burial? Was it just Four Tet? Some suggested that 'Moth' was Burial's take on Four Tet, and that 'Wolf Cub' was Four Tet's take on Burial, but to my knowledge, it's never been confirmed. Perhaps in hindsight, now that Burial has shown his versatility with tempo with his 'Street Halo' release, it is obvious that there are elements of both producers in 'Moth'. Although Four Tet is impossible to pin down to a certain style, the synth that runs through this track has got to be his. Check out his tune 'Plastic People' from his album 'There Is Love In You' to see how he can make the same loop repeating over and over both interesting and hypnotising.

Now check out the B-side, 'Wolf Cub'...

Burial & Four Tet - Wolf Cub

For me, this is a lot easier to distinguish who put what in this one together (barring the situation above, where this is Burial's take on Four Tet). That mish-mash of looping, frantic woodblocks rolls as the main attraction over almost archetypal Burial drums, until around the five minute mark when the pads that have been threatening to emerge finally do. It's a shame almost that 'Wolf Cub' came attached to 'Moth', because I think it's massively overlooked, which I suppose is testament to 'Moth's greatness. Anyway, a much underrated track.

So there you have it, a release that I like so much, I had to buy two copies because I was so scared of messing one of them up. If that doesn't convince you to at least try and get your hands on one of the represses (Four Tet has said there will be more) then I don't know what will.

Movement (Birmingham, Fri 25th November)

2011-11-23T12:46:00.000Z

Just a reminder for Birmingham heads, that if you have any interest in bass heavy music, and want to hear it on a good system with some good people, then come down to Club PST in Digbeth on Friday, for Movement.
The night stays true to the original dubstep vibe, dark room, big system, DJs playing vinyl. No shirtless bros, and no moshing, just vibes.

Interview with Be-1ne & Night Tracks 026: Be-1ne Guest Mix

2011-11-20T22:12:00.000Z

Today we've got producer, DJ and Area Recordings head honcho Be-1ne in to answer a few questions, and he's very kindly taken the time to put together an (almost) all vinyl mix for your auditory pleasure. Read on...

NT: Hey man, can you give us an introduction?
B: Hi I’m Be-1ne, I’m a producer / DJ, label owner and cat lover, not necessarily in that order.

NT: What made you decide to start up your label, Area Recordings?
B: A lack of vinyl releases in the style of music I wanted to buy and a desire to find out what it was like to go through the steps of putting a record out.

Be-1ne - Cane Cutter

NT: What do you look for from producers when they send you demos? You've recently released a triple pack of relatively new producers, but what makes you decide that you want to release their music?
B: A good piece of music will move me in some way. Whether It’s screwing up my face to a big bass line or drifting off with some lush melodies, I’m looking for music that I get an emotional response from. When I hear something that is just so amazing, I want to share it. I have worked closely in some way or other with the people released, and forthcoming on the label. They have all have something unique in their music that I have wanted to help them share to a wider audience.

NT: How important a role do you think vinyl has, or should have, in the bass music scene? Can you say anything that might change the opinion of those who think it’s an obsolete format?
B: Vinyl will never be obsolete, I was reading an article the other day saying that vinyl sales have risen for the 5 year running. I think now it is much more of a luxury item than highly profitable commercial commodity. It is like anything, it comes in and out of fashion. I think with the crop of small sub-styles in the UK bass music scene vinyl is important and helps the scene to flourish. People view something with a physical presence as having some kind of worth or stamp of quality. I think music has gone through a period of anything goes with easy access to make and upload music into the public domain. Now I feel your seeing a generation who have developed their understanding of production values and understand that you don’t need vinyl, but the process a piece of music goes through to get there shows it has a certain level of professionalism to it.

NT: The sub-heavy, ‘eyes-down’ style of dubstep that you favour in your productions and on your label seems to have made a big resurgence in the last year or so. Do you have any thoughts on why this might be?
B: Eventually it was going to come back into vogue, like all music it moves in cycles. I’m a little more interested in the newer producers pushing the sound forward than getting stuck in a certain sound, which I hope the new release shows people.

Be-1ne - Tube Sound

NT: Another style that has kind of taken off in recent times has been the 160-ish ‘Autonomic’ sound. Do you have any plans to produce/release any more of your ‘Autonomic’ stuff?
B: I have a couple of tracks I've made that I'm really proud of and will be looking to get them out next year. Ive found im usually more productive in the winter so im looking forward to making some new music between now and spring and hearing what comes out.

NT: Local question time: I first thought of this question before Burlish planned the night Movement, but I’ll still ask it anyway. Why do you think there has been such a lack of decent bass-music nights in Birmingham? It’s a huge city, and there’s clearly more of a rock-vibe to the place, but I’m shocked that there aren’t more nights like Movement around.
B: Birmingham’s main failing is it’s lack of venues. There used to be so many decent venues back in my early raving days, and they have virtually all been knocked down. Birmingham hasn’t really had an underground scene for a while and I hope Movement could be the start of it. Somewhere for like minded people who are into the music to gather and enjoy it, as opposed to sitting in a sweat box with a load of people trying to be cool because some Dj on radio one played a tune.

NT: You made an appearance at the first Movement night. What came first, DJing or Producing?

B: DJing came much more before producing, I’d DJ’ed for maybe 5 or 6 years before producing, when I first got introduced to it and encouraged to give it a go I wasn’t that interested. My best mate had a studio and I really just saw it as a cool place to hang out in hindsight. I kick myself now for not being a little more interested.

NT: What’s your opinion on the lack of non-producer DJs? Do you think you would’ve got as far as a DJ if you didn’t produce as well?
B: I think from when I started DJing the whole DJ scene has completely changed. Back in the day you had to be serious about your music, hunting down records and trying to build up a really good collection of records. Most DJ’s back then weren’t producers. To be honest I used to play out much more before I started producing, and is something I would like to try and pursue a little more next year.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your three favorite ‘Night Tracks’, what would they be?
B: Jay – Z – Can I Live
Consequence – Circles
Steve Spacek - Slave

NT: Thanks for your time man! Check out Be-1ne's guest mix below (or download it here), and bag Area Recordings goodies over at their store.

Unknown - Untitled (Dubplate)

Strago & Snooks - Pills (Dubplate) Forthcoming Niteshade Inc

Lysergene - Spooks (Dubplate)

Strago & Snooks - Potstir (Forthcoming Niteshade Inc)*

Fused Forces - Ocean Dawn (Area Recordings)

Compa - Sentance (Dubplate) Forthcoming Boka

DCult - Face the Sun (Area Recordings)

Be-1ne - Untitled (Dubplate)

Krytikal - Selfish Way (Area Recordings)

3rdeye - Yonaguni Dreams (Area Recordings)

All tracks played off dubplates cut at Dubstudio.co.uk Except * Niteshade Inc Test Pressing.

LOL Part 2. Not So Much LOLs

2011-11-20T14:00:00.000Z

After yesterday's post about the attempted piracy of Night Tracks releases (which are of course as free as you want them to be), I dug a little deeper to see how far this goes.

I searched google for Venture's album, Night Tracks and lo and behold, the results were full of links to sites offering downloads of an album you could have in a higher quality for free. This irked me a little, but I guess it's inevitable in today's age of instant gratification, but I was willing to let it slide. Sure, I was missing out on exposure for my site, and therefore the artists involved in current or future releases, but like I said, it's inevitable.

Then I came across a site that is currently charging for one of Night Tracks' releases. I won't give them the traffic by linking to their page. Is it really too much to ask that you visit the site and maybe find some more music you like, in return for an album that people put in a hell of a lot of work to give to you for as much as you want to pay? I don't even ask for an e-mail address in return for said album.

Anyway, I'll try and put this right. LONG.

LOL

2011-11-19T22:21:00.000Z

I had to make a post about this. Earlier today, I was looking through the stats for Night Tracks, and I happened upon the search terms people had used to end up here. A few caught my eye.

Bhava Immerse Mediafire
Bhava Mediafire
Venture Heart Strings Rapidshare

LOL. In case you haven't been following, both of Night Tracks releases are Pay-What-You-Like downloads. That means if you like, you can pay absolutely nothing. You don't need to try and search for pirated downloads if you really, really don't want to pay. So for all those people who want to listen to some sweet, sweet, night-time music, check out Night Tracks' Bandcamp page.

(NT001) Bhava - Immerse/Irradiate

(NTLP001) Venture - Heart Strings

Interview with Kid Smpl & Night Tracks 025: Guest Mix

2011-11-18T21:25:00.001Z

The interviews keep on coming, and today we've got Kid Smpl to drop in and answer a few questions. He's also put together a guest mix exclusively for Night Tracks, and double bonus, it's comprised entirely of his own productions. Here's top hoping that they see a release, because they are next level. Check it out at the end of the interview!

NT: Can you give those that don’t know about you an introduction?

KS: I'm a 21-year-old producer/dj from Seattle, Washington in the US. I make music on the deeper more ambient side of things and tend to focus a lot on atmosphere and melody.

NT: Coming from Seattle, how did you get into the music you produce today, which undoubtedly has roots in dance music from the UK?

KS: When I first started producing music I was making hip hop but I became uninterested in that pretty quickly. I then discovered dubstep through the internet and also word of mouth from some college friends. Dubstep was the first form of UK bass music that I had ever gotten into. I fell in love with the sound and started producing it. My dubstep production eventually evolved into what I'm making today which, probably shouldn't be categorized as dubstep.

Drake - Find Your Love (Kid Smpl Remix)

NT: Who or what are your influences, locally and a little further afield? Musically and outside of music?
KS: Burial and J Dilla are undoubtedly my biggest influences. As far as locally, a Seattle band called Pretty Girls Make Graves who unfortunately is no longer together is also a big influence. A lot of dubstep and grime as well, specifically Starkey, Eskmo, Zomby, and Wiley's eski period.

As far as non-musical influences, I'm extremely interested in recreating the vibe/atmosphere of certain moments I've experienced personally. I really like the emptiness of night and hope my music often depicts/recreates that. Also basic human emotions and things I experience in my personal life always have an on-going influence on me.

NT: I heard from HGLDT, that you have a release planned on Swing & Skip. How did that release come about?

KS: Ya I have an EP called "Unkept" coming out on Swing & Skip. That release basically came about when he heard my tune "Unkept" and wanted to sign it. The rest of the track list was determined throughout the months following that as I was producing with the EP in mind. I'm really excited for that EP to come out, I think it's some of the most personal music I've made to date.

Kid Smpl - Ur Back (Forthcoming Swing & Skip)

NT: Do you have any other releases planned that we should know about?

KS: I just released a pay what you will EP called "Collapse" via Bandcamp. I also have a remix of DJAO's "Taigamoss" being released for free via Bandcamp, one tune on a Dropping Gems compilation, and another tune on a Phantom Hertz compilation all of which will be coming out in the near future.

NT: What is the scene like in Seattle? I’m always interested to know how the underground music scenes are developing in these far-flung locations.

KS: The scene in Seattle is small but supportive. There's quite an audience for dubstep now and Decibel Festival brings out some really big names every year. However there aren't many events throughout the year that focus on deeper sounds yet but the nights that do focus on those sounds are extremely supportive.
A few notable things going on are Shift (Seattle's first dubstep night/label), Car Crash Set/Street Halo, Dropping Gems (mostly Portland based but still dope!), and of course Decibel.

NT: Are there any producers, locally or otherwise, that you can recommend we keep a look out for?

KS: Locally there's quite a bit to name but DJAO, Ill Cosby, Cedaa, qp, Dubtek, and Dash EXP are all worth checking out. Elsewhere, Mirror State, Blind Prophet, Sublo, Archie Pelago, Numan, Graciellita, HxdB, and Simple are all really great.

Kid Smpl - Gbye

NT: You’ve put together a guest mix for us, can you give us a few words about your selection?

KS: The mix is made up entirely of my own productions. Some tunes are new and some are a bit older.

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your three favourite ‘Night Tracks’, what would they be?

KS: Burial - Etched Headplate
Drake - Marvin's Room
Shlohmo - Seriously

NT: Big up man, thanks for your time! If you haven't already, check out Kid Smpl's mix below or download it here! Also, check out his stuff for offer on his personal bandcamp here.

Kid Smpl - Keep It Close (dub)
Kid Smpl - Understand (Forthcoming Swing & Skip)
Kid Smpl - Over (dub)
Kid Smpl - Ur Back (Forthcoming Swing & Skip)
Kid Smpl - Rendition (dub)
Kid Smpl - Float (dub)
Kid Smpl - Staring Up (dub)
Kid Smpl - Never Knew (dub)
Kid Smpl - Miles Above (dub)
Kid Smpl - Streetlight (Screwed) (dub)

Venture's Minimal Corner

2011-11-18T09:40:00.007Z

After a short absence, Venture's Minimal Corner makes its return to Night Tracks, and the track he's selected is Pro Luxe - My Hands Are Wings Again. You can listen to a clip from Pro Luxe's soundcloud below, and you can bag the Radiance EP it appears on here, released by Soul Deep Recordings.

Pro Luxe - My Hands Are Wings Again

Area Recordings Vol. 1

2011-11-17T11:30:00.000Z

Went on my pretty regular trip to the Post Office to pick up another batch of vinyl that I missed because I'm never in. I was driving to work racking my brains, couldn't remember what I'd ordered. Got to work, and I realised it was this badboy. Area Recordings Vol. 1.

I was fortunate enough to be up late enough to bag some of the pre-release copies from the Area Recordings shop. Can't wait to finish work and stick it on the decks. This is a big release, the 4th vinyl release from the Area crew, who guarantee deep, quality goodness with every release. This one takes the form of a double pack, with tracks showcasing some up and comers and some more established faces, with DCult, Aeon, 3rdeye, Krytikal (who you can catch DJing at Movement on the 25th), Safire and Fused Forces. Check out the previews below, and bag this huge release when it comes out on the 21st November. Keep your eyes open for an interview and guest mix from Be-1ne around the time of the release too.

Freemote

2011-11-17T10:59:00.000Z

Unfortunately, I can't make it to this myself because of work, some of my friends will be there (some performing!), including Essay, Inofaith, Fedbymachines and many more. Looks like a great line-up, should be a great time for anyone that can make it to Utrecht.Click on the flyer below to go to the official site.

Ok, I got a twitter...

2011-11-16T09:07:00.000Z

After you all convinced me that twitter was worthwhile, I set one up for Night Tracks.

You can follow @nighttracksblog by going here.

Big up, a couple of new interviews and guest mixes coming soon!

Follow Night Tracks on Soundcloud/Facebook

2011-11-14T15:45:00.002Z

For those that may not know, you can follow Night Tracks on Soundcloud and Facebook. Follow the Facebook page for instant updates when something cool is posted, and follow the Soundcloud if you want to check out some of the free downloads we have available, or listen to some of the stuff released on the Night Tracks label.

Edit: Not yet on Twitter, Twitter seems to be long. Is it worth it?

Big up, and thanks for reading! In the meanwhile, check this out this tune.

Cairo & Svpreme Fiend - Untitled (Other Heights)

Now, whilst listening to the tune, check out this, Black And Gold - The Fire Wheel by the certified badman, Whistler.

Enjoy.

Interview with Inofaith

2011-11-13T18:50:00.001Z

I've been fortunate enough to convince Inofaith to answer some questions, and luckily, I've decided to share them with you followers of Night Tracks. Read on and see what he has to say, and check out some of his tunes along the way...

NT: Hey, can you give us an introduction for the people that haven’t heard of you yet?
I: Hi, I’m Tobias aka Inofaith, producer, sound design freak and DJ from The Netherlands. I’m busy with deep music, odd sounds and imagination.

NT: I’ve asked the following question to quite a few people that aren’t from the UK, as I’m always interested in finding out; How did you first get into the garage sound?
I: It’s all bits and pieces over a longer period of time. But part of it stems from when I started producing at 14, I did HipHop/TripHop, then Breakbeat, finally Drum and Bass. The thing I liked most was the drum programming, that’s when my love for working with syncopation and strange rhythms developed.

I did hear a few 2-Step tracks in popular music now and then like Artful Dodger - Re Rewind haha.
I also bought my first Dubstep record, Boxcutter’s album “Oneiric” in 2006, featuring tracks that were 2-Step and Garage influenced but nothing like it in the traditional sense.

But shortly after that I stopped producing (2007), started again early 2009. It was sort of my musical re-boot and also when I really got into Dubstep and focussed completely on that. Initially I made very ambient and chilled stuff like ‘Dawn Is Late’ and ‘Girls Go To Bed Early’. Then in 2010 me and a few friends had a resident gig in Haarlem, there I played more and more 2-Step and deeper experimental stuff.
Later I got reacquainted with Garage and it made me realise my beats had more 2-Step and Garage in them rather than half-time Dubstep. That got me back in touch with my breakbeat & syncopation loving side :).

Inofaith - Nocturne

NT: Is there a specific vibe or feel that you try to work into your productions?
I: Yes, it happens naturally and tends to be a mix between the vibe of films that can really move you, the feeling when you’re alone late at night and it seems like you’re the only one on the world. Also travelling: being on the train or a bus, you can sort of be nowhere in between places. I want music to take me on a trip like that.

NT: What is it that attracted you to the “night time” sound?
I: As you might have guessed I’m somewhat of an insomniac. I just love the freedom and peace that comes with the night; people have gone to sleep, stores are closed and the whole city dims down.
If you take a walk at 4 AM you really notice the details; like moths flying around streetlights, a cat sneaking in an alley, things like that.

I love music that can take me to those kind of places.

Inofaith - Girls Go To Bed Early

NT: What is the garage/dubstep scene like in the Netherlands? Is there much of a following, and are there any Dutch artists we should look out for?
I: The Dubstep scene is very healthy, there’s a lot of guys out there doing their thing. Some came from previous scenes like dnb and there’s a lot of newcomers.
There’s a pretty clear distinction between the brostep and dubstep parties which is nice, so people know what they’re in for.
It a lot of DJ’s and producers are now getting into a more mature stage and really taking the scenes to the next level. Garage has been lurking around and seems to be more abundant than before.
Of course FedByMachines has really got that Dark Garage vibe going, TMSV is doing proper Dubstep and guys like June Miller and Julien Mier are very talented producers that really got their unique sounds nailed.

NT: I want to talk about local influences. A lot of “Superstar DJs” that are really big at the moment come from the Netherlands. Whilst they don’t DJ or Produce the sort of music you do, does the music they play out have any influence on your productions? Or do you feel it’s a case that the internet and the accessibility to new music have put an end to any localised sounds?
I: You mean DJ Tiesto etc? That doesn’t influence my sound at all. I don’t listen to it, but my brother who is a DJ as well is into it. Though I am proud of the fact that Holland has healthy Techno/Trance/Electro scenes which are appreciated internationally.
I do think that the internet has removed any barrier local musicians would normally have, but I feel people still produce local sounding music. Every city has a vibe, and a lot of times you can pick that up in the music, it just spreads further today than it could before. That results in like-minded individuals finding each other online and sharing music, that’s why I started Night Shift Collective.

Inofaith - Twelve Hours

NT: How important to you was it to have a release on vinyl?
I: Since I started producing at 14 I dreamed of having my music on real vinyl, holding actual music in your hands is more real. I kept holding on to that thought and wouldn’t settle until somebody would give me a chance to release a record. It’s only in recent years that digital music has grown so much, that didn’t make me change my mind, I love vinyl and want to keep that alive.

NT: Can you tell me more about your Sound Design pieces?
I: Growing up I watched a lot of films, and now I have quite a healthy collection of DVD’s. I always watch the behind-the-scenes or making-of’s and found out about foley, field recording and sound design. Since I was already busy with sampling and audio editing/processing, the step to start crafting my own special sounds was obvious.
You can really create something that gives a certain feeling or puts a picture in your head. It’s the other side of sound that doesn’t involve percussion, melodies or song structure.
I’ve always liked the idea of scoring a film. Or making sounds for one, which is very free-form and can be non-musical.

Inofaith - Dawn Is Late

NT: Do you have any releases forthcoming that we should know about?
I: I’m working on a very special (unofficial) audiovisual remix in celebration of a 1000 likes on my facebook page, which I will release as soon as I get the video remix done.
There are official things in the works, but it’s too early to say anything about them yet, it’s gonna be dark that’s for sure.
I’m doing more gigs at the moment, where I play new material that is not on my SoundCloud. So keep your eyes and ears peeled ;)

NT: Finally, if you had to pick your three favourite “Night Tracks”, what would they be?
I: The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Bluette
Boxcutter - Chlorophyll
Arts The Beat Doctor - Revolve (ft. Esther)

NT: I appreciate you taking the time to answer the questions man, thank you! If you liked the tunes you heard, follow Inofaith on Facebook to get the updates fast.

Buy the Dawn Is Late EP here, here, here or here or download it here.