U:Move

    Within recent years, many bands have been reaching for a kind of all-encompassing, live instrumental take on current and past dance music sounds, sometimes without any vocals.  This style is also known in some circles as “jamtronica,“ often indicated by a chosen collective progression rather than specific solos.  And not many are doing it better than the California/Georgia-based quintet, STS9.  Think ascending psychedelia united with jazz, funk and hip hop style beats making for quite an uplifting sound moreover.  Sound Tribe Sector 9 is unlike any other band that will be performing at Kanrocksas this year.  It has proved to be rather difficult in getting our hands on free downloads from STS9 by simply googling (their soundcloud page is rather outdated as well).  But we suggest your best bet would be to join what will probably be one of the bigger crowds of the whole Kanrocksas Music Festival under the Critical Mass tent for STS9’s nearly two-hour set beginning at 11:15 p.m on August 6th.  Bet that.  You can preview and purchase their new EP HERE. 

    With the first day of the Kanrocksas Music Festival just about one week away, we’re starting to bring the u:move blog spotlights to the bigger names that will be performing under the Critical Mass tent.  These are the artists that you should really be geeking over by now if you’re not already.  Kid Cudi’s first performance in Kansas City at Voodoo Lounge back in July of 2009 was spectacular, particularly when he performed the Crookers remix of “Day ‘n Nite” at the end.  That one really caught me off guard.  It’s a great remix, though.  The original version of “Day ‘n Nite” peaked in the top five of the Billboard Top 100 charts in that same year.  Soon after, Cudi went on to work with the likes of Kanye West, Common, David Guetta and plenty other stars.  If you’ve never seen him perform, we recommend Kid Cudi as one of your music destinations at Kanrocksas on August 5th.

    Straight from down under (Sydney, Australia that is) comes Bag Raiders.  A disco/house pair probably best known for their internet hit, “Sunlight”, Chris Stracey and Jack Glass ditched orchestra practice to smoke cigarettes when they were in school together and began making cooler music a couple of years later after they began hanging out.  That turned out to be a good call.  Out of the two, we were only able to reach Mr. Stracey.  Check the following Q&A wherein he speaks upon their fascination with European club music, what to expect from them under the Critical Mass tent at the Kanrocksas Music Festival in August and much more.

    u:move:  Tell us about how you guys came together as Bag Raiders.

    Chris Stracey:  We knew each other in school. I guess you could say we first started hanging out in orchestra practice sneaking out to smoke cigarettes in the break. But really we didn’t start hanging out doing music together until a couple of years out of school. Really we were making some strange experimental electronic stuff of which I think none of exists today.

    u:move: How were you guys initially introduced to house and disco while living in Australia ?

    Chris Stracey:  We used to listen to mostly French house like Daft Punk, Demon, Alex Gopher and all the Roulé stuff.  But also we were into German techno and stuff. Our buddies from Bang Gang were putting on these legendary parties and that sort of kick started things for us. We would make bootleg blends and give ‘em to our friend Gus Da Hoodrat (now the Finger Prince) to DJ. Then we did a remix here and there. Those parties were a big part of what was going on musically though. We actually learned to DJ at those parties by just jumping on with those guys and playing records.

    u:move:  What are a couple of general music trends happening in Sydney right now, and how might those trends in the DJ/electronic music community differ from what’s going on in the States?

    Chris Stracey:  There are a few really good house/disco/electronic producers and bands coming out of Sydney, and Australia in general. I guess the states have people like the Classixx and Holy Ghost carrying that torch but I feel like it’s a bit more of a niche in the states, whilst it’s kind of THE music in Sydney.

    u:move:  What can we expect from you guys at Kanrocksas here in a couple of weeks?  What does a Bag Raiders show sound and look like?

    Chris Stracey:  It’s the two of us each at our own little station. We both sing, we each have a ton of percussion and things to hit with sticks, and a couple of synths each. It’s a lot of fun, we both move around a bunch playing everything. It’s a bit of a house party with a journey.

    u:move:  What upcoming projects and events do you guys have slated for the rest of the year?

    Chris Stracey:  Currently we are touring the USA with Ellie Goulding. We also have some of our own shows planned, and a 10-day tour of Europe, then back home to Australia for another run of shows. Once the touring slows down we’ll start work on our 2nd album.

    u:move:  Lastly, give us your top 5 chart, whatever you’re feeling at the moment.

    Chris Stracey:  In no particular order, I’m feeling these a lot right now..

    Laid back - Bakerman (Soul Clap Remix)
    JKriv - Another Night
    Christophe - The Rorce (Julio Bashmore Piano Mix)
    Rogerseventytwo - You Take Me Higher
    The Count and Sinden - Future (Canblaster Remix)

    (Also, check the remix that KC-based DJ, Spinstyles, concocted from the aforementioned standout single from Bag Raiders, “Sunlight”, right here:

    12th Planet, the dubstepping alter-ego of the drum and bass character, Infiltrata, has patented a distinctly soaring, but edgy and difficult-to-digest (or “sick”, as hundreds of soundcloud comments have simply described) style of dubstep over the past few years.  Make sure to check for 12th Planet’s dubstep set under the Critical Mass tent at the Kanrocksas Music Festival on August 5th at 6:15 p.m.  He just might end up dropping the hardest beats heard at the whole festival.  Speaking of festival season, we thought it would only be appropriate to embed a promo video for his performance at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami just a few months ago…

    P.s. Trouble about convincing yourself of those hardcore beats he‘s known for dishing out?  Check this drum and bass track that he did way back in 2005 under the Infiltrata alias.  One of my personal favorite drum and bass tracks ever.  Check the technique…

    We’re not going to lie.  Many of the DJs covered at the u:move blog have biographies stretching nearly a mile long, most of which are supported by the names of other (perhaps more famous) DJs who the given featured act has “played alongside” or “shared the stage with” over the years.  John Digweed is one artist who doesn’t need to do that. 
    The dark, silky techno and progressive house sounds that John Digweed has been pushing over the past two decades by means of over 40 compilations, albums, mixes and singles, have earned John Digweed title as one of the most renowned DJs on the planet.  His work with the equally-esteemed, Sasha (Sasha & Digweed), catapulted him into DJ superstardom in the 1990s.  Today, John is still a relentless festival and club touring DJ, leaving his mark etched in fields, coliseums, clubs and lounges around the world. 
    Banging the world out with big room (festival-sized) beats much longer than some Kanrocksas attendees have been alive, John Digweed is one act you do not want to miss.  Get your dose of Digweed’s prog and techno on the night of Saturday, August 6th at the Kanrocksas Music Festival in Kansas City, KS.  But before you do that, check this quick Q&A he was kind enough to engage in with us.

    u:move:  Tell us about tour season 2011. What have been some highlights of your tour so far and what cities are you looking forward to?

    John Digweed:  I played Glastonbury and The Balaton Sound festival in Budapest, the opening party at Space in Ibiza was fantastic as well as the WMC party at The Vagabond in Miami.  I will be hitting Los Angeles, New York City, Denver, Atlanta, Montreal and Miami over the next 5 weeks which should be fun.
 
    u:move:  What have your experiences been like in the Midwest?

    John Digweed:  I have always had a good time when I have played there.  This is my first big festival in Kansas and I have heard great things about the festival.
 
    u:move:  Structures 2 was just released. Tell us more about that release and other ongoings with your label, Bedrock.

    John Digweed:  Yes reactions to Structures Two have been great so far.  People really seem to like the downtempo mix on CD 1 and the live mix on CD 2 gives people a snapshot of me live in the mix. Bedrock records is having a great year with albums from Marco Bailey and Guy J plus some fantastic single releases.  The last half of 2011 is looking very strong release wise.
 
    u:move: What upcoming projects do you have slated for the rest of this year?

    John Digweed:  Well I am still promoting the Structures Two album over the summer.  I then have some new remixes and another original track to come out around September time, as well as touring all over the world.
 
    u:move:  Lastly, what would be in your top 5 chart, whatever you’re into at the moment.

    John Digweed:   
    1, Alan Fitzpatrick - Moon Palace
    2, Gabriel Ananda - Give me 5
    3, Electric rescue - Dope
    4, Slam - Black gold
    5, Reference - Another Place