Local Hero: Quahaze - So Real (Live Guitar Version)

Sooooo, the first weekend off since the holidays, traditionally quiet for the majority of promoters and clubs, but thankfully once again Glasgow has come up trumps. Tonight Numbers team up with Lucky Me for a big, free, birthday bash with Rustie & Jackmaster while One More Tune do their thing tomorrow at The Arty in a similar style with free entry all round before 11.30 in honour of lead promoter, Matt's birthday. You literally don't have any excuse not to get out there! Anyway, it's been a while since we brought together some scintillating local music so here comes the heat:

LOCAL HERO:

It's official, we can't get enough of this guy. If your a regular reader of the blog then you'll be fully aware of our big, shiny disco love for Nuke The Moon resident & promoter Quahaze. A consistent flow of quality material has cemented his name as one to watch in 2011 and with this remastered version of 'So Real' now available for free download we're expecting big things over the next few months. With his brother contributing live guitar, you'll quickly find yourself drifting away with this dreamy number.

Quahaze - So Real (Live Version)




Yet another name that keeps appearing every time I fire up Soundcloud, Hahaha literally sounds like no one else at the moment, which can only be a good thing. With a cacophony of solar synths ranging from the utterly eccentric to intrinsically delicate, Hahaha's sound has both been described as 'Submarine House' and 'Jungle Rhythm'. I find there is no single correct way of describing it other than completely original. Check out his latest mix in the post prior to this one.

Hahaha - Metropolis




Let's face facts, we all secretly like Katy Perry, what with her bountiful bosom, on-screen innuendos and ridiculously catchy power-pop. Unfortunately we don't often get a chance to give her a cheeky spin in a sweaty club (not an innuendo), thankfully Barrientos has come charging in on his white horse with a massive progressive mix on 'Teenage Dream'. The result is truly outstanding, with a thoroughly euphoric breakdown & a liquid bassline to boot Katy Perry never sounded so good. It's also available for freeee!

Katy Perry - Teenage Dream (Barrientos Remix)




Finally, you can always trust Peace to rock the boat. Never one to be pigeon holed, his latest production comes on like the soundtrack to an underground rave promoted by the knife wielding maniac in Psycho. It's fast, dangerous, unsettling and exciting, taking you through disturbing lows, piercing highs and never once lowering the pace. Catch Peace at One More Tune on Saturday...

Peace - 666 (Free Download)

Free stuff 2.0

We at Synth get sent a lot of mixes, tunes and exclusive content over the course of a week so it's only right we make the best of it available to you as soon as we get it. This week I've had a steady eye on Soundcloud and the results have definitely been worth while.

First up, if you missed out on Big Trouble In A Little Warehouse on New Year's Eve you can now hear the magic, taste the sweat and pretend you were there as Mia Dora bring you the midnight set, complete with a bag pipe interpretation of 'Auld Lang Syne'. Of course the traditional sounds quickly give way to a series of stirring beats and devastating basslines but the celebratory atmosphere is not lost as Aaliyah, Willow Smith and Babylon Zoo all make an appearance, intertwined with the hottest UKG and Dubstep riddims you've ever heard.

Midnight Set By MIA DORA @ Big Trouble In Little Warehouse NYE 2010 by Mia Dora

1. auld lang syne
2. oxia - domino
3. format b - dogtag (sebastian leger remix)
4. untold - you didn't win the holiday
5. octa push - quebu sabe
6. phil kieren - skyhook 1 (scuba remix)
7. tyga - coconut juice (vital techniques remix)
8. mia dora - baby i'm bored
9. little dragon - never never (sbtrkt remix)
10. mia dora - snatch you from the woods
11. kidkanevil - when doves bounce (illum sphere remix)
12. roll deep - when i'm ere
13. boson - bag o wire
14. wretch 32 - traktor
15. wretch 32 - traktor (garage remix)
16. redinho - boy racer
17. babylon zoo - spaceman
18. alliyah - try again (instrumental)
19. willow smith - whip my hair
20. brackles rawkus



Next up, one of our favourite Glasgow producers Hahaha has produced a rare mix to celebrate the New Year. Appropriately titled 1.1.11, it's a snap shot of where Hahaha resides musically with the spooky other-worldly beginnings of James Blake, the super-funky Computer Club mix of Prince & of course the Garage-Tech hybrid 'Random Romantics' by the aforementioned Mia Dora. Look out for new music from the Hahaha camp soon...

1.1.11 Mixtape by HaHaHa

1. James Blake - CMYK (eLDOKO Remix)
2. Aeroplane - Superstar (The Krays Remix)
3. Prince - Erotic City (Computer Club Reflip)
4. Audion - Mouth To Mouth
5. DJ Hell - My Definition Of House Music (Renaissance Man Remix)
6. Albert K - CS01
7. Carte Blanche - Gare Du Nord
8. Boy 8-Bit - Baltic Pine
9. Mia Dora - Random Romantics
10. Mount Kimbie - Mayor
11. Booka Shade - In White Rooms



Finally, our favourite French bro's Kitsune have delivered a big ol' New Years present in the form of a free EP which is pleasantly titled 'Happy 2011!'. Featuring some of our favourite remixes from last year, including Villa's submariner mix of Digitalism's utterly outstanding 'Blitz' and TEPR's lo-slung, layed back take on Yelle, you've really got to appreciate such a thoughtful gesture when the quality is this good. Bet you feel bad for ripping that Black Strobe track off Hypem now, don't you?

Get this player from Official.fm!

M.I.A.: The ViCKi LEEKX Mixtape

It's well documented that Maya Arulpragasam AKA M.I.A is politically outspoken and after the obvious controversy surrounding Wiki Leaks it was perhaps only right that she use her influence as a popular artist to voice her opinion on the whole subject. Thus, we have been granted the 'ViCKi LEEKX' mixtape, only branded as such as you can't skip tracks, but with production from Diplo, Switch, Rusko & Blaqstarr this may as well be publicised as a free album.

Ignoring the overriding political content this is 36 minutes of straight FIRE. Tribal rhythms, low-end bashment, global bass, safari House, it doesn't matter how you describe it, this is Diplo, Switch & Co at their very finest, churning out the type of beats that only Maya can ride with unrivalled confidence. And what of Maya? Proclaiming early on that "I'm not saying it should be free. I'm saying it should be...freer, I'm not saying it should be freer, I'm saying the music should be free" she obviously has something to say, it's just trying to decipher what it is. Clearly that's not always the case but ultimately it comes down to how deep your willing to delve.

When Maya heard about the Wiki Leaks scandal her Twitter account read: "It suxx that wiki leaks have to hand over their docx 2 news outlets 2 break the news to the world, it doesn't make sense...." "since their way of reporting doesn't work, and lets mindless government officials get away with murder." She is ultimately ready to let you know how she feels and this is probably the best way to get you to listen. I've just hit 24 minutes and with her voice looped over what is clearly a Diplo beat you tend to forget this is politically motivated. Whether your interested or not, here is arguably the hottest mixtape of the decade from arguably the most interesting artist of our time. Your own analysis is welcome.

Download the mixtape by hitting the black arrow at the side of the Soundcloud player or visit the ViCKi LEEKX website HERE

M.I.A. - VICKI LEEKX MIXTAPE by Pretty Much Amazing

Blog Burner: Breakage ft/ Jess Mill - Fighting Fire

Remember summer? As soon as I saw the image above it all came flooding back to me, long days, fresh cut grass, festivals...it might seem far away now with perhaps three of the most depressing months of year infront of us, but with the promise of some incredible new music to get us there I'm sure well be going taps aff down the KG before you know it...

BLOG BURNER:

So, our first batch of new tunes for 2011, and what a way to start the year. There's always a bit of a lull around this time but thankfully Breakage is here to keep us all on our toes. Master of all things bass, new single 'Fighting Fire' has the tempo of Hard House, the vocals of euphoric Trance and the skeleton structure of Dubstep. Building on the formula that made his Florence & The Machine remix so great this is sure to turn a few heads this year...

Breakage ft/ Jess Mill - Fighting Fire




Next up Netsky gives Leftfield's 92' single 'Release The Pressure' a Drum&Bass re-rub, creating a steely, hard-hitting monster in the process. All the original components are finely tuned, becoming the foundation for something far more heavy. Netsky was perhaps our Drum&Bass producer of year in 2010 and if this is anything to go by I'm sure we won't be disappointed with what he comes up with over the next 12 months.

Leftfield - Release The Pressure (Netsky Remix)




So what, we're four days into 2011 now and already Tensnake has given us something to swoon over? You bet your sweet ass he has. As part of the new Fool's Gold compilation he's given Vega a gorgeously sun-stroked piano re-lick, creating the sort of fun-filled funk we'd usually reserve for mid-July. If your suffering from S.A.D, throw this on and man up...

Vega - No Reasons (Tensnake Remix)




We already made a song & dance about the new David Lynch single last year and if you didn't take any notice, perhaps now you will. Underworld, Skream & Sasha have all been signed up for the remix EP, along with a fairly loyal interpretation from Boys Noize. Like the original, it's eccentric, reflective and oh so hypnotic. It might not work on your dancefloor but it's yet another reminder of just how deep Alex Ridha can go.

David Lynch - Good Day Today (Boys Noize Remix)

Level Thirtytwo Presents...Come Down With Me: Preview

So, two days have passed since we welcomed in 2011 and no doubt even the most vicious of hangover's have most likely evaporated. For the majority of us work begins on Wednesday and of course students still have the luxury of another week sleeping well past 1pm. There's literally no other option but to get straight back on it, and thankfully the boys from In About It! have provided the finest party plan of 2011 so far. Nine hours, seven DJ's and a whole lot of EXTRA BASS.

You'll probably be aware of Level Thirtytwo's beat juggling duo Pasty & Twonko, the lads behind Sleazy's most debauched monthly party, In About It! and a quality show on Subcity Radio which never fails to entertain, they pride themselves on promoting the filthiest, funkiest, downright slammin beats going as well as making sure local talent gets the spotlight it deserves.

It was only right then, that they invite some of their most talented creative chums down to Bar Petite for an all day sesh which promises to see your liver plead for mercy and your head beg for more. Over the nine hours expect to hear enough low end to make your bowels explode as only the finest Dub, Tech, Garage, Electro & House soundtrack an outrageous start to the year. Joining Level Thirtytwo will be the likes of Hahaha, Orderly Disorder, Dirty Basement, Floyd & Evil Ean each bringing their own energy, style and skills to proceedings.

Check out the latest episode of Thirtytwo on Subcity Radio with some of the squad here:

http://subcity.org/shows/thirtytwo/eaea5/

A super funky mix by Bangers and Mash Up's Floyd here:

Come Up Again With Me Mix - Floyd by inaboutit

Plus heavy tunage by Pasty32, Hahaha & Dirty Basement here:

Pasty32 - You Don't Want This




Dirty Basement - Oh What!




Hahaha - Metropolis




We also had the pleasure of catching up with Pasty32 before New Year, here's what he had to say on Come Down With Me & plans for In About It! in 2011:

S: So, only three days after Hogmanay Level 32 will be hosting an all day event at Bar Petite. Seven DJ’s spread over nine hours, with the promise of free pizza for people who need to refuel. What can we expect from this day of madness musically?

P32: All sorts basically! We've tried to keep the line up pretty varied, so there's something for everybody, and a lot of thought has gone into the set times as well so everything flows. I hate genre-dropping, so let's just say there'll be some 4/4 kicks, sub-bass whoomps and maybe even a bit of the waltz.

S: You have a lot of up and coming DJ’s involved, how did you go about choosing who would fit the bill and what do you think each of the DJ’s will bring to the fold? Have you managed to convince them all to do the 3 til 12?

P32: We've tried to keep it a mix of old and new really, some of the people involved have been playing the Glasgow circuit for years, but they're all forward thinking heads; Ean has recently been taking more time out for production, O/D are now Sub Club residents and Dirty Basement are releasing some BIG tracks, as I'm sure you know! The new heads, Floyd, Seabell and Hahaha, haven't been in it for long, but they've really been hitting it hard over the past year and they definitely know what they're doing behind the decks. I hope everyone makes it down for 3, we might have to make some encouraging phone calls early on.... we'll be enticing them down with beer and pizza anyway!

S: You started your flagship night ‘In About It!’ at Sleazy’s earlier this year, promoting some fantastic local talent and a lot of BASS. What’s been the highlight of 2010 for you guys and what have you got planned for the New Year?

P32: The highlight of this year was definitely the launch party, we booked one of our favourite producers (Kanji Kinetic) and he was just so sound, he even came back to Subcity for a wee after-hours show and then out to Mr. Scruff at the Subbie the next night! The crowd were fantastic, all we got was good feedback, and I think that's one of the reasons why we've done so well over the past few months. We've got some quality plans in the pipeline for the not-so-distant future, but we'll be keeping In About It fairly local. We've recently been talking about a bigger Friday night some time in 2011, but I don't want to say too much just now!

S: For the first In About It! of 2011, yourself & Twonko are going in for four hours of non stop musical mayhem. With more time to play with can we expect to hear some more eclectic sounds from the Level 32 record collection? Anything your particularly looking forward to playing?

P32: To be honest I'm looking forward to a big back to back with Twonko, I've got some new records in the post so hopefully they'll be here in time! I think I'll have about half my collection with me so you can expect to hear a few gems that I don't get the chance to play out much, and there's a few of my own tunes that I'm looking forward to hearing off the club system!

WHAT: Level Thirtytwo Present: Come Down With Me - All Day Lock In
WHO: Level Thirtytwo, Orderly Disorder, Dirty Basement, Hahaha, Seabell, Floyd & Evil Ean
WHERE: Bar Petite, Bath St
WHEN: Mon 3rd Jan, 15.00pm - 12.00am
TAX: £3 Advance, £5 Door
FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=146240952094354