Q&A with AutoErotique
by SonyaB
Toronto-based production duo AutoErotique are known for their ability to transform themselves -- and their music projects -- effortlessly from electro to techno, to house, rave, indie-rock, and back. They are one of the newest additions Dim Mak's roster and have done remixes for HipTronik favorites like Diplo and Laidback Luke. They took a quick break from pushing their new EP "Bubonic" and work on their upcoming fall album to sit down for a Q&A. Read on for more.
Thank God I’m Fresh – Triangle Offense (FREE DOWNLOAD)
It’s not all fun and games for Adonis, Sci and Finesse. The Triangle Offense trio hailing from New Jersey brings some depth to the table with “Thank God I’m Fresh” – a feel-good song where “being fresh is what you make it.” With “Thank God I’m Fresh,” the group hopes to inspire a positive self-image, breaking the perception of dance music as a shallow medium. With the success of “The Courting” and a new mixtape in the works, it looks like Triangle Offense is living up to their HipTronik potential.
Download Triangle Offense's "The Courting Mixtape" here.
Download their new single "Cricketz Freestyle" here.
Too High – Schlachtofbronx ft. Big Space & Spoek Mathambo
HipTronik gets a taste of South Africa in “Too High” – a vibrant collaboration between Germany’s Schlachtofbronx and South Africa’s Big Space and Spoek Mathambo. The track's blazing energy combines Schlachtofbronx’s heavy electro bass with the sprightly rhythms of Mathambo and Big Space. The colorful mesh of distinct cultural flavors is mirrored in the song’s playful video, shot at the 2009 Oktoberfest. Schlachtofbronx, Big Space and Spoek Mathambo each have their own distinct characters, but “Too High” displays their perfectly quirky chemistry.
Work Hard, Play Hard- Tiesto ft. Kay
Tiësto is arguably one of the world's best DJs, and he's back with a HipTronik venture alongside Canadian artist Kay. "Work Hard, Play Hard" is an anthem for working men and women, perfect for that Friday night out. You can download the track free as part of Tiësto's virtual mix CD "What's Next," available through SanDisk's Wake Up Your Phone promotion when you purchase a mobile SanDisk memory card. SanDisk will also be sponsoring select Tiësto concerts worldwide, encouraging fans to record concert footage on their phone and submit it for use in an official video. New tracks from Tiësto are always amazing. But an entire free Tiësto album? That's on a whole other level.
Bumper Cars (Just A Band) – Disco Trash Music
Tom Deluxx and Stella are more than Just A Band. The Bordeaux pair has branched out of their native France, making waves as they play at shows and festivals throughout Europe. Just A Band is known for their edgy remixes from artists like Acid Jacks, Thieves Like Us and Alex Gopher, but they also produce original material, like they’re recently released “To Hell With Gravity” EP. “Bumper Cars” steers away from stock electro, creating a high-energy track that builds on a gritty tension. It’s a complex sound that contradicts Deluxx and Stella's straightforward Just A Band persona.
Whatever You Like (Discotech Remix) – T.I.
Despite the fact that there's not much information out there about the actual identity of Discotech, we can definitely come to the conclusion that they create some awesome remixes. The one we like best? That has to be their take on T.I.'s "Whatever You Like." The original had us smooth grooving, but this version has us jumping on the dance floor. The remix hardly strays from the arrangement of the original track, instead simply giving it that necessary HipTronik push. Discotech has just launched a new blog, which still lacks a bio, but makes up for it with little remix gems. If the music's good, does it really matter?
Causing a Stir: the LA Riots
by SonyaB
Meet the LA Riots, a versatile production duo steadily gaining ground with their live deejay sets and their official remixes for everyone from Tiesto to Laidback Luke to Sidney Samson. Jon Pegnato and Daniel Ledisko are known for their club bangers and indie electro tracks, but -- as you'll read -- the pair are always looking to push musical boundaries and break genre barriers. Read on to learn more about their unique approach to deejaying, remixing and HipTronik.
Roots – Kill The Noise
Jake Stanczak is the man behind the skull mascot. Better known as Kill The Noise, this LA youth proves he’s no amateur, boasting a resume that rivals some industry veterans. The globetrotting DJ/producer has already made his mark on the HipTronik scene, playing at nightclubs and festivals all over the world and accumulating a devoted fan-base outside of his hometown sphere. “Roots” is the title track on Kill the Noise’s first solo release "Roots” EP. Stanczak keeps you on your toes with his unpredictable lines and suspenseful beat. Be sure to look out for the skull in the baseball cap. You’ll be seeing it again.
We Are Rockstars – Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Does It Offend You, Yeah? might seem like a brazen attempt at a manifesto, but that just isn’t the case. The British dance-punk group came across the quote whilst watching "The Office," and it stuck. Does It Offend You, Yeah? are a motley crew consisting of James Rushent, Matty Derham, Chloe Duveaux, Dan Coop and Rob Bloomfield. Tracks like “We Are Rockstars” have a rough, discordant beat juxtaposed alongside James Rushent’s soothing, synthesized vocals -- a sound that’s garnered the group plenty of recognition. Rolling Stone called them a “Breaking Artist” and they were the ninth "most-listened to new band of 2008” on Last.fm. Does It Offend You, Yeah? releases their second album “Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You” in October.
Club Love – The Cataracs
The Cataracs have become a Bay area sensation. Campa (David Singer-Vine) and Cyrano (Niles Hollowell-Dhar) stay close to their Berkeley roots with their hyphy-influenced tracks. The sprightly duo’s fresh sound caught the eye of their current label, Indie Pop/Universal Republic, and they’ve released songs with high-profile artists like Far East Movement and E-40. “Club Love” has a sultry rhythm and electro beat that’ll have you feeling the hyphy motion. It’s the diverse elements of The Cataracs’s sound that has HipTronik buzzing with anticipation.
Fireball- Dev
You've already heard Dev on the hit track "Like a G6" by Far East Movement, which sampled her song "Booty Bounce." But this singer is no one-trick pony. Dev has a slew of amazing tracks floating around the internet right now, including "Fireball," an eclectic forray into HipTronik, mixing electro with a touch of reggae. But her style and the song's dreamy interludes remind us of a rougher version of Uffie. The emotion spilling out of Dev's flow and the bass is enough to leave our head spinning. "Fireball" is not a track you can miss.
Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix) – Metric
MSTRKRFT are a Dim Mak duo with an ear for mixing. Jesse F. Keeler and Al-P jumped into the HipTronik game after their respective bands called it quits. The Canadian mix masters and longtime friends decided to combine their musical talents to create MSTRKRFT. Their remix of Metric’s “Monster Hospital” toes the electro-indie line with its somber dance fusion, demonstrating that Keeler and Al-P are really masters of their kraft.
Control (LA Riots Remix) – Kid Sister
The LA Riots are always the life of the party. Daniel Ledisko and Jon Pegnato let loose on their tracks with bass-thumping, electro action fit for the the carefree club set. Best known for their amped-up productions, the LA Riots perform as well as they remix. The pair have played at Lollapalooza, ULTRA Music Festival and most recently at the Electric Daisy Carnival, demonstrating their irresistible magnetism both onstage and on their records. The HipTronik duo infuses their high-velocity stamina into Kid Sister's electro-hop smash “Control,” creating an explosive, dynamite track.
Idealistic – Digitalism
The HipTronik twosome Jens “Jence” Moelle and Ismail “Isi” Tüfekçi choose to venture into the unknown with their eclectic group Digitalism. The German duo breeds transcendent appeal, creating fusion-electro beats with personality. “Idealistic” has a stimulating electro rhythm with an undeniably indie feel, giving the track a complexity characteristic of the duo. Digitalism captures a worldly essence that puts them at the forefront of HipTronik.
Bubonic – AutoErotique
AutoErotique are HipTronik to the core. Not only are their remixes noteworthy, but their original work commands just as much attention. Their latest EP “Bubonic" is a charged set that includes the original track and remixes by Mustard Pimp and Drop the Lime. The Autobots bring a new level of edge, giving the “Bubonic” track an escalating electro thrill with its dramatic bass and suspenseful beat. Can’t satisfy that Autobots fix? You can catch them playing at the Electric Daisy Carnival this week.
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