Loyal Divide - Labrador EP

Psychedelica might be the new posh thing to emerge in 2009. Only reason why I say that is because of the mass amount of hype surrounding Animal Collective, and the recent 9.6 rating they got on Pitchfork (nobody has scored that high since The Arcade Fire back in 2004). And when a band creates sounds comparable post OK Computer Radiohead, Sebastian Tellier, and Explosions in the Sky sans 20 minute track lengths... you have a good thing going.

Chicago outfit Loyal Divide do just that, and they're playing a gig at Subterranean in Wicker Park to help promote their new Labrador EP. The show is Wednesday the 14th with a 9pm kickoff. They were recently featured on RCRD LBL (so you know they're good), and I'll be sharing their title track with you today.

01 Young Blades
02 Labrador
03 Lover I Can Tell You
04 Vision Vision

Help out some local flavor by buying their album [here] and seeing their show at SubT. Very much looking forward to witnessing these guys make all this noise live on stage. It will be mesmerizing to say the least.

BONUS:

Just wanted to throw out a few inbox tracks now that I have your attention...first a new release from Tantrum Recordings, this week featuring a new fan favorite Crimewave remix. Also something new I've been sitting on from Saint Pauli.

Crystal Castles vs Health - Crimewave (Keìth Remix) | download

Tiptronik - Crash & Burn (Saint Pauli Remix) | download

Loyal Divide - Labrador EP

Bloop. Bleep. Bleep.

8-bit, chiptune, nintendocore... whatever you want to classify it as (for the record, I call it 8-bit) the electronic subgenre of our generation hits home in a way no other genre can. Whether its the Commodore 64, Atari 2600, NES, or that big grey brick we all had, the GameBoy... 8-bit artists are able to recreate those all-too-familiar bleeps and bloops with software synths or authentic hardware chips to provide their loyal fans with video game-esque theme songs for their lives.


courtesy of katutaide

Probably the most commercially successful artist to embrace this subgenre would be Crystal Castles. And while definitely straying further away from true 8-bit than others, the Toronto based duo still do it proper. Posted is "Crimewave" but be sure to also check out a schweet vs with Health and LAZRtag.


Mp3: Crystal Castles - Crimewave


Mp3: Crystal Castles - Good Time


courtesy of Idiolector

Next up is 8 Bit Weapon, who provides tracks a bit more pure and true to form. 8 Bit Weapon has been touring across North America and Europe for a while now, bringing with him an arsenal of hardware to get even the smallest Nintendo fanboy in all of us fraking for more.


Mp3: 8 Bit Weapon - GameBoy Rocker


Mp3: 8 Bit Weapon - Mario 2 (Drum Mix)


Mp3: 8 Bit Weapon - Bit 'n' Run


courtesy of Air_Louise

Nullsleep is another guy that holds true to the 8-bit roots as evidenced as one of the cofounders of 8bitpeoples, a collective of artists that all share a 'common love for classic videogames and an approach to music which reflected this obsession.' (check out Nullsleep's last.fm page for a slew of tracks he has for free download (woot woot for creative commons!))


Mp3: Nullsleep - Her Lazer Light Eyes


Mp3: Nullsleep - On Target


Mp3: Nullsleep - Ballistic Picnic


courtesy of nickgraywfu

Now for something completely brand spankin' new... this coming from Rambrant via my inbox (in full 320 kbs glory (how does that work when it's 8 bit to begin with?)). Anywho, dont know too much about him other than he claims to be from Christmas Island, but with a track and myspace full of German influence... meh I'll hold judgement. Just enjoy the track.


Mp3: Rambrandt - ALARM!


courtesy of stickerHelsinki

Finally, one from a band that is in no way 8-bit, Disco Villains. But for one reason or another decided to dip themselves in a vat of nintendo and regurgitated this piece of work... nice. [since I got the green light to post their ish, you can expect more posted here soon]


Mp3: Disco Villains - 8-Bit Disaster

Bloop. Bleep. Bleep.

Bored This Week?

Well fear not my fellow Chitown electrobots. Two unnecessary parties are in line for the next couple of nights. Starting things off Wednesday night at the Double Door, Urb Magazine presents the 'Cool By Association Mixtape Release Party'. Apparantly there will be some 'fresh noise' from the likes of DJ Zebo, Murderbot and the Starters DJ's. Notice the guest list at the bottom of the flier... you might've heard of a few of them, Flosstradamus, Crystal Castles, and Kid Sister included.

Head over to Hot Biscuits for some tracks from the featured spinners. [link]

Then on Thursday we are privileged to be one of the cities on the "Tales of Colt45 Tour" which features Drop The Lime (many know them as Curses!). They're playing at the Hideout, which I have yet to visit, but heard some sweet things about. Chicago will have special guests Brilliant Pebbles, Clique Talk, and DJ Willy Joy on the decks as well.



Here are some of the latest tracks from Curses! that should get you in the mood for some weekday pan flashing.

PHONIC


Mp3: Midnight Juggernauts - Road to Recovery (Curses! Remix)


Mp3: Health - Perfect Skin (Curses! Remix)

Plus something Willy Joy was able to send over from his new 12". Definitely digging this. Buy the album here. [link]


Mp3: Capcom - A Prayer for Kevin Garnett (Willy Joy's Safe Journeys Remix)

Bored This Week?