Heartbeats Vol 2 : Change Your Tune

If your a regular reader of this blog then you'll be more than aware of our love for Glasgow's Heartbeat collective. Over the past few months the group of 13 local producers have been responsible for some of the hottest music to fill our columns & abuse our airwaves. Created by Chris Stevens aka Megamegaman earlier this year, he managed to enlist some of Glasgow's best up and coming talent to contribute some devastating dancefloor material for the first edition 'Heartbeats: First Pulse'.

With the second compilation encouraging the same artists, plus some new ones to remix each other's stuff, the result was nothing short of incredible. Whether it's the slamming techno of Rob Etherson's driving mix on Barrientos, the progressive grandeur of Peace's strictly Balearic 'Sleeper' or Mia Dora's liquid dub mix on Megamegaman's 'Tywyllfyd', this is nothing but uncompromising quality. This album alone has provided half of our own weekly Blog Burner title's this year, and the best part? It's completely and utterly free. You can download the Zip file of all these incredible tracks below and check out some of the artists while your at it.

Heartbeats: Change Your Tune (ZIP File)

Tracklisting:

1 Peace - Sleeper (Barrientos Progressive Remix)
2 Dirty Basement - Funkyass Boom Bap (B.Tone Simplified Mix)
3 Barrientos - Breathe (Rob Etherson's Suffocating Remix)
4 Megamegaman ft EL Mondo - Tywyllfyd (Mia Dora Remix)
5 Rob Etherson - Frenchy MaMal (Esq Remix)
6 Kabur - Actualise (Kid Robotik Heart Attack Remix)
7 MAUSR - Arcane Markings (Megamegaman Remix)
8 Esq - Little Shark (MAUSR Remix)
9 Mia Dora - Snatch You From The Woods (Kabur Dark Woods Remix)
10 Barrientos - Santiago (Esq Remix)
11 Kabur - Caustic (Megamegaman Redux)
12 Kid Robotik - Buckets (Dirty Basement Remix)
13 Sly & Stallone - Fame and Fortune (Ohmegasir Remix)

For a more indepth idea of Heartbeats and what Chris is trying to achieve with it we recently cornered him for a very interesting interview:

S: Ok, with the release of ‘Change Your Tune’ this week, can you firstly tell us a little about the concept behind Heartbeats as a collective? What initially inspired you to create the group and how did you go about choosing the artists involved?

MMM: There are a lot of good nights fronted by local producers and djs in glasgow, each with their own style and crowd, all fostering creativity. I thought that it would be great to gather producers from as many different scenes as possible and put something together to show what's really going on in Glasgow. I asked the producers behind regular nights like Spectra, Itch and Subfriction to get involved, as well as artists I'd played with and a few guys that I spoke to after seeing their sets and managed to get them on board.

S: The first edition of Heartbeats was released during the summer, what was the reaction to the first edition from Glasgow’s producing talent and how has ‘Change Your Tune’ built on the original formula?

MMM: The first thing that came out of it was that it opened people's ears to artists that they wouldn't normally have heard, and that meant bookings and potential new fans for all involved, but I noticed afterwards that the producers were talking more amongst themselves too and this gave me the idea to cross pollinate further and make the second volume a remix edition. I took on a couple of new artists and drew names from a hat to decide who would remix whom to keep it as fresh as possible.



S: Obviously you believe in Glasgow’s producers and their music, can you give us an overview of the scene, who you are finding particularly impressive and how close you think some of the local talent is to breaking out on a wider scale?

MMM: I believe very strongly in the talents of the artists I've already got on board and they seem to be getting bigger and bigger all the time, in the last month I've seen some great performances from Esq, Peace and Kid Robotik and guys like B.Tone and Dirty Basement have had some big releases. There's been an amazingly diverse scene this year particularly, with new nights launched almost every week, and the one off nights from the Vitamins crew have left a trail of destruction behind them, there's some great work being done there.... and then there's that guy Vianassa that can't stop winning competitions. (Thanks, cheque's in the post - Synth)

S: You had an official launch party for ‘Change Your Tune’ at IAM on last night, how did that go and how has the response to the new compilation been in general?

MMM: The launch was really good, I did a set that included tracks from the new CD and we gave out stickers, sold the first lot of physical copies and IAM residents Beta and Kappa both played great sets. Sub Club became a warm and noisy refuge from the icy, empty streets and we had a lot of fun. Change Your Tune has been very well received so far and general consensus is that it's better than the first and that takes some doing. I'm really pleased to be able to continue giving it away online and sell physical copies at the same time, I want as many people to hear it as possible and if they like it they can pick it up at an event for just a couple of pounds to help us pay for the next one.



S: Finally, can you hint at what you might have planned for the future with Heartbeats? Are there any new artists you want to introduce to the project and how do you see the collective and brand developing in 2011?

MMM: We've recently welcomed AC from Abraxas into the fold, as well as Binary Zero from Tronic, who is putting on Tronic vs Heartbeats on the 28th of January next year at the 13th note, I'm keen on continuing the vs Heartbeats theme to take some artists to nights they haven't played at before. I'm also going to launch a blog, hopefully before the new year to give the artists another outlet and develop our online identity. We're already thinking about volume three, some of the guys are keen on collaborations which could be a logical progression but I'm tempted to go for something completely different.

You can pick up physical copies on request from the Heartbeats Facebook & at selected events.

Heartbeats Facebook
Heartbeats Soundcloud
Heartbeats Blog

BBC Sound of 2011: Longlist

With only 24 days left in 2010 (where did the time go eh?) it's about that time when we start looking forward & predicting who we'll all be namedropping in the year to come. The BBC have released the official longlist for the Sound of 2011 and although in some years it's been slightly off the mark, it's usually pretty solid. I'm glad to see some of our favourite electronic artists such as Nero & James Blake are floating about in the top 15 and I'm certainly interested to see who delivers. Incase you've not seen it yet, here is the list in it's entirety with links to our favourites:

James Blake
Anna Calvi
Daley
Esben & the Witch
Jessie J
Clare Maguire
Mona
The Naked & Famous
Nero
Jai Paul
The Vaccines
Warpaint
Jamie Woon
Wretch 32
Yuck

Personally I believe 2011 is going to be a seriously interesting year for popular music. With dubstep reaching new heights in 2010 with the likes of Magnetic Man & Katy B surely it's only a matter of time before we see the first official dubstep number 1 and who's to say Nero won't deliver it? Further to that, with artists like Jamie Woon & James Blake in particular fusing sub-bass into electronic soul this is truly an exciting progression for mainstream music. Check out the latest cuts from our favourite longlist artists below:

James Blake - Limit To Your Love




Jamie Woon - Night Air (produced by Burial)




The Naked & Famous - Punching In A Dream




Nero - Me & You




Jai Paul - Btstu

Weekend heat...

Ok, so a new week, the situation with the snow still hasn't changed but I'm not going to keep bangin' on about it, because let's face facts, everyone's pretty much bored of it now. Infact it added extra pressure to Killer Kitsch, Muck & Dirty Noise's Xmas bonanza on Friday. Poor PMcQ had to undertake a massive 140 mile round trip to pick up Ado from Dundee because the trains were cancelled and Reset! very nearly didn't make it when Edinburgh airport got closed, AGAIN.

Thankfully all came together in the end, with Reset! & Ado bringing a serious mix of head-nodding tech and bouncy electro-fuelled fun to Stereo. By 4am the state of the dancefloor was a messy amalgamation of spilt drinks & sweat, there was even some nutter parading about with a massive lampshade on his head. All in a good night's work I guess.

Right, tuuuuuuunes

BLOG BURNER:

So it seems Dr Dre has finally got tired of teasing us. After literally five years of speculation the first official cut from 'Detox' has dropped under a storm of hype. The track has seemingly been about for a month or so (apologies if your already on it) but it was only this weekend that it finally DROPPED if you know what I mean. It's standard Dre material, big West Coast piano's, bouncing 808's & more expletives then I care to mention. Was it worth the wait? The jury's definitely still out at the moment.

Dr Dre ft/ Snoop Dogg, Akon & Timbaland





At the completely opposite end of the spectrum I heard a lot of quality disco air this weekend and needless to say Tensnake was at the forefront. It literally seems whatever this man touches will turn to gold as yet again he comes good with a hot new mix on American soul singer Aloe Blacc. It's a blissful 7 minutes of deep grooves, lush vocals & sax induced breakdowns which scream quality. Look out for Tensnake at Subculture this Saturday!

Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (Tensnake Remix)




Yet more disco next with Azari & III's latest offering, 'Into The Night'. With a galloping bassline which sits neatly beneath a swirling constellation of cosmic synths, this is the perfect remedy for the current cold snap. It almost comes on like a digital Barry White, tempting you to get downright sensual as they encourage us to 'get it on' while 'giving it to the night'. Get your girl by the fire, dim the lights and throw this on - guaranteed results.

Azari & III - Into The Night





Finally, here's something new from Tom Staar's 'Pandemonium EP' which is turning a few heads. It seems Moda's flagship signing has a penchant for dancefloor devastation with every track on this EP translating as utter filth on the floor. Perhaps the techiest number is the rather disturbing 'It Excites Me' which has a breakdown which will either induce a sex explosion in your pants or encourage you to be voluntarily sectioned.

Tom Staar - It Excites Me

Friday flex

Well, I've got my fingers crossed that I'm going to be able to make it down to Reset! & Ado tonight but the snow is falling rather rapidly now. Mind you, it's Friday night, I've been stuck inside all week and I'm desperate for a booze, I'll get there by dog pulled sled if I have to.

LOCAL HERO:

So it's time to dish out this week's Local Hero award, and with Heartbeats 2: Change Your Tune getting a release next week it seems appropriate that we should have yet another cut from the album steal the spotlight. This time Itch! resident and super-talented dub technician Mia Dora goes in on Megamegaman's quite unpronounceable 'Tywyllfyd'. With dark, menacing undercurrents complimented by trance inspired stabs it's a song of beautiful contrast. Look out for a full feature on the new Heartbeats compilation next week....

Megamegaman - Tywyllfyd (Mia Dora Remix)




We blogged our next tune way back in July, but with an official release this week on Beatport it felt right to give it some extra exposure. Here Dirty Basement slap MC Freeflow with a pulsating bassline and an addictive piano loop, ultimately delivering the dancefloor satisfaction Freeflow promises throughout. No nonsense, peak time devastation. Trust. Also, look out for Dirty Basement's new track 'So Cruel' with Baby Taylor...it's MASSIVE

MC Freeflow - Dancing Shoes (Dirty Basement Remix)




If you were lucky enough to be at S-Type's EP launch at the Art School last night for Mixed Bizness then you might have heard this at some point. Recently signed to Phuturelabs, this Glasgow based hip hop, grime, anything-goes producer is definitely a name to watch in 2011. Here he provides the beats for Emilio Rojas with a track that lies somewhere between Dilated Peoples & Just Blaze. Download the track for free by following the link & check out S Type's EP (also free) below. Straight heat.

S-Type - Medusa EP

Emilio Rojas - So Alive (produced by S-Type)




Finally, Kid Robotik returns with more fire from his twisted dub machine. Taking a more relaxed approach then some of his recent productions 'Exit' announces itself like the calm before a terrible storm, eery, peaceful, but ultimately menacing. As the bassline drops, you find yourself gripped by the unveiling soundscape, a contrast of distant thunder and fading rainbows. Wow, what the hell am I talking about?

Kid Robotik - Exit

Killer Kitsch, Muck & Dirty Noise present....Reset! & Ado: Preview

Yes, the country may be incapacitated by snow, and yes it is probably warmer in your favourite onesie, but you still need to get loose right? Personally, if I don't get one good night out a week I tend to become somewhat of a turbo-grump. Thankfully then a tripod of hard-partying club factions have come together to bring you an out and out orgy of bass this Friday with Italian renegade's Reset! and Dundonian heat-rocker Ado.

No doubt you will have heard of the three club nights in question here, Killer Kitsch is of course responsible for bringing you the finest Tuesday night party action at the Buff Club with a mix of jump up electro, cosmic disco & classic funk while Muck has been getting messy for the last two years with the likes of Malente, Mighty Fools, Clouds & Strip Steve purely for an excuse to get taps-aff wild and overdose on bass. Meanwhile Dirty Noise descend on Sleazy's basement on the last Wednesday of every month to provide you with somewhat of a harder midweek alternative. Think pounding techno and ear-bleeding electro mixed as smooth as a baby's arse.

So it was only right they got together for a filthy gang-bang then, but what of Reset! & Ado? Hailing from Milan, Reset! are a troupe of bassline molesting stallions who have remixed the likes of Cassius, Fatboy Slim & The Count & Sinden. Residing on Herve's Cheap Thrills label, they like it hard & sweaty but also fun & frivolous. Check out their latest EP 'Your Army' below:

Reset! - Prepare To Fight




Reset! - Sabarage




Scottish native Ado will only be trundling down the road from Dundee but he still means business. Freaky naughty, face-blasting electro for the likes of Wax:On & Blood Music has caught the attention of Annie Mac, Felix Da Housecat, Erol Alkan & more. Check his flex below:

Ado - Multiply Me




As an extra treat here is Muck's PMcQ's latest mix he did for the DUR launch party. Crammed full of certified tunes from The Clash to Clouds. 17 tracks, 10 minutes. SAFE

PMcQ - DUR promo mix by PMcQ

We recently caught up with Killer Kitsch big cheese & all-round nice guy Euan Neilson about the forthcoming messiness (they also have Drop The Lime & Wafa playing Buff Club on Tuesday)

S: So this Friday heralds the start of rather hectic week for you as Reset! and Ado bring the heat to Stereo, while your weekly night Killer Kitsch presents Drop The Lime & Wafa at the Buff Club. What should we be expecting from both these nights and what is it about these particular artists that have compelled you to book & promote them?

E: Expectation wise, if I'm being honest I just hope people turn up and have a great night and everything goes smoothly. We book these people cause we like their music, and I'm proud to bring acts to my city....

S: For the event on Friday you’ve teamed up with Muck & Dirty Noise, do you think there is a good sense of community in Glasgow’s club scene or is there an element of competition involved when there are so many great nights running at once?

E: There is some sense of community, but not as much as i would like to be honest. I wish clubs would work more closer together. I do think there is too many nights in Glasgow, and at the moment that is a real problem as no one has any money, so all your are getting is loads of nights but only a quarter full.

S: Your weekly night Killer Kitsch has been running successfully on a Tuesday night for nearly 6 years now. How do you feel Glasgow’s club scene has changed over this time and what would you attribute to your own longevity?

E: I would hope by playing good/more interesting music and offering something different from all the other places in Glasgow. That's what we set out to do, and i think we have achieved that. I think there is a lot of luck involved as well, being at the Buff Club was a stroke of luck, i don't think many people knew of it, especially students, before we started there.

S: Over the last few month’s we’ve seen the likes of Tom Staar, Yolanda Be Cool, Grum & Simian Mobile Disco appear at Killer Kitsch. As a weekly party do you feel it’s important to still make these bookings even when you have a consistent and arguably loyal following?

E: You could argue there is no point at all, but while we are in the position to do so we will keep on booking guests. Its nice to give people something different, it's good press for the club and we build up lots of contact through them.

S: Finally, with Reset! on Friday, followed by your popular Saturday spin off Konichiwa at ABC, plus Killer Kitsch on Sunday in Edinburgh and then of course Tuesday at The Buff Club with Drop The Lime, how difficult do you find it to stay on top of it all? Have you any tips to fend off debilitating man flu for other DJ’s or indeed punters who like a solid bit of partying?

E: Its total murder to be honest. I couldn't do it without the help of everyone involved in Killer Kitsch, the other dj's, Buff managers, our pr staff etc etc. I've been close to cracking up at times, but its a great job so you keep going.....I just had the man flu so I'm maybe not the best person to ask.

WHAT: Killer Kitsch, Muck & Dirty Noise present...Reset! & Ado
WHO: RESET! (Cheap Thrills), Ado (Blood Music), plus Killer Kitsch, Muck & Dirty Noise DJ's
WHERE: Stereo, Renfield Lane
WHEN: Fri 3rd Dec 11-4am (extended license)
TAX: £7
VISUALS: Mediaheroic
FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170838169609953