Category: News

TikTok looks to acquire and manage music content as it starts beefing up its Music Content Investment Team, even in the face of a potential US ban. Now that TikTok has become the de facto place for musicians to go viral and turn a hobby into a full-blown career, the ByteDance owned platform is setting […]

This week’s podcast comes from Shcaa, the French composer and guitarist otherwise known as Sacha Khalifé. Khalifé started music production in high school, while living in Tunisia. He had been playing guitar for a couple of years and was listening to a mixture of ’60s rock and British IDM, and eventually Burial. At the age of 18, Shcaa was born, a project for channeling his fascination for blues and its diverse iterations, electronic minimalism, and an obsession with cinematic narrative, and soon he released his first EPs on Chich Marionette, a friend’s label. “I had a rather precise idea of the sound I wanted,” he said in an interview. “I always wanted it to be organic, something living, I hated sounds that felt synthetic.” His music since then has appeared on labels including R & S Records and its ambient imprint Apollo, which is where Khalifé released No Moon at All, What A Night, his most recent album, in 2020. Sonically, his records are abstract and emotional electronic, and they’re meticulous in their use of space and time, arranging harmonies, rhythm, and texture with a sensibility. His podcast, recorded earlier this month, is layered with rich melodies and harmonies and, across its 53-minute run-time, invites contemplation and self-scrutiny.

01. What have you been up to recently?
Finding a new rhythm, both creatively and personally. I am self-releasing everything now, on Placidum, which gives me the opportunity to enjoy the moment more, and to go deeper into music. I am finalizing my next release at the moment which will be my first cover EP, songs from the amazing post-rock band Deathcrash.

02. What have you been listening to?
This week: Eric Chenaux Delights of My Life

This past year: Rod Modell & Taka Noda; Jonny Nash Point Of Entry; Raphael Roginski; a Charles Curtis compilation; Mike Cooper; Blake Mills Jelly Road / Notes with Attachments; Eddie Chacon, David Sylvain Blemish; Bill Orcutt Jump On It.

On a longer term: a lot of Paul Motion, The Beatles, Yo La Tengo, Chico Hamilton, Charles Lloyd, Loren Connors, Jon Hassell, Sam Gendel, ECM, Faitiche, and Black Truffle.

03. You’ve just put out a new EP. What can you tell us about it?
It is a composite work which is built around the first track, “Her Conscious Drift To Neptune’s Frozen Reliefs.” This track was initially produced in 2016 and 2017 for a well known Parisian microhouse label but the release never happened. Seven years later as my artistic expression has moved away from its club aspirations I felt the need to find a vessel for this track, a context, to get it out of my system. So the three other pieces are portraying, I guess, a kind of deconstruction of house music.

04. Where and when did you record this mix?
I recorded the mix in my studio in Paris, I am actually listening to version four right now as I am answering the questions on June 7. I think that you will listen to version five.

05. What setup did you use?
I used a computer, my guitar, and an effects board. I have actually used my live set up in some kind of hybrid manner. I initially made a big selection of tracks, put everything in an Ableton project along with a selection of field recordings—all recorded in New York in 2017 actually. Then I mixed a portion of these tracks in a single take, just using my mouse and keyboard. After that I played guitar and effects on the mix itself, in one take as well, and finally refined volumes and EQs. Hence version five.

06. How did you choose the tracks you’ve included?
The day I mixed it I wanted a warm mix. Also with some sense of mystery. It actually started from the Charalambides track which felt right and I built it out from there. I excluded anything feeling too artificial, or lacking in intimacy, even though I had nice things in that department. I used superimpositions to balance the emotions of some of the tracks and to improve coherence.

07. Where do you imagine it being listened to?
In an intimate environment, either with early morning light or in a quiet evening. If possible with some plants around and a good soundsystem. As summer is coming, I would totally consider an outdoor listening too if only natural noises are heard around.

08. What’s next on your horizon?
I have been working on my next album for a year now, and I guess I will need another year for it to be ready.

XLR8R Subscribers can download the podcast below. If you’re not an XLR8R subscriber, you can read more about it and subscribe here.

Tracklisting

01. Charalambides “Voice Within” (Siltbreeze)
02. Bonjour Bonsoir “Hendrickje III” (Unreleased)
03. R.I.P. Hayman “Waves for Flutes” (Recital)
04. Ora Clementi “Paradigm and Places” (Black Truffle)
05. Nino Nardini “La Planète Oubliée” (Neuilly)
06. Marsen Jules “Kayi” (Oktaf)
07. Kagami “Tori” (Root Strata)
08. Audio Werner “Warten Auf Godot” (Audigi)
09. E. Sanchillo “Solstice” (Waneela)
10. Lawrence English “The Jungle” (Room40)
11. Raphael Roginski “Naima” (Bôlt)
12. Hahmed Malek “Bolero” (Habibi Funk)
13. Etienne Martinez “l’après-midi d’un fœhn” (Editions1OF1)
14. Land of Kush “Ana” (Constellation)
15. Phonic Grafts “Drowning In Oxytocin” (The Wire)
16. Sam Gendel “Kagome (籠目, woven bamboo)” (Leaving Records)
17. John Zorn / Bill Frisell “Kisofim” (Tzadik)

The post Podcast 856: Shcaa appeared first on XLR8R.

Post Content

Following a split from Full Stop Management’s Irving Azoff and Steve Moir – and the cancellation of a whole arena tour – the Black Keys have reportedly landed with Red Light Management. The rock duo’s new management came to light in reports from outlets including Rolling Stone. At the time of this writing, though, the […]

3 Stacks won’t tolerate scams.

Montreal’s Hansom Ēli unveil their new single “Places”, from forthcoming album Sip Montreal, QC’s indie/pop siblings Hansom Ēli have unveiled their brand new single, “Places,” from their upcoming release, Sip, set for release on September 6, 2024, via The Vault. This Alternative Pop, Indietronica, Indie Folk nostalgic song describes the experience of losing oneself in others, creating a feeling of duality that hurts our integrity. Everything can seem to be won or lost depending on our desire to truly find […]

The post Hansom Ēli Unveils New Single “Places” first appeared on Canadian Beats Media.

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Cube weighs in.

What better way to enter the summer season then jamming out to your favorite house tunes no matter what time of the day it is. Worried you are running out of tunes for your playlists and beach parties? Well, look no further as we have you covered with our very first edition of FUXWITHIT House Selects featuring none other than Bleu Clair, San Pacho, R-CHY, CJ, Jhayco, LEFTI, Bexxie, Elohim, CHKLZ and Esther Anaya. 

Bleu Clair – ‘Inner Circle’ EP

Bleu Clair’s latest EP, ‘Inner Circle,’ exemplifies the essence of his ‘NEWAGEOFHOUSE’ movement. This release captures the pioneering spirit that Bleu Clair has infused into the tech house genre, highlighting a sound that is both distinctive and  identifiable by his fan base. His meticulous attention to detail and cohesive thematic elements set his music apart, positioning him as a true legend driving the house music scene forward. The EP includes three fresh singles: ‘Bring The Hats On,’ ‘Hold On,’ and ‘Want Me Back,’ each offering a deeper, more insightful look into Bleu Clair’s sonic evolution in 2024.

San Pacho  – ‘No Guest List’ EP

San Pacho is a natural when it comes down to pumping up the party and his No Guest List EP only proves this further. The collection includes singles that have energized crowds at major festivals and this is the ideal time to bump these tunes as we enter the festival season.  The EP includes six singles, featuring new tracks ‘To Di Drum’ and ‘Cha Cha Cha,’ along with a VIP version of ‘Amor.’ This collection showcases San Pacho’s musical direction for the year and takes listeners on a journey through the new era of house music driven by the man himself.

R-CHY  – ‘Do It’

You may have heard R-CHY’s releases being aired at Tomorrowland by Tiësto, Alan Walker, or Ilkay Sencan, but now he is about to rile up the dance floor this festival season. ‘Do It’ with Brazilian artist BoweD is a deep-house tune crafted perfectly for those summertime beach and pool parties. It will get you dancing right off the bat and R-CHY never disappoints when it comes down to showcasing his energetic, yet groovy sound design. As he shares “the track’s journey began with a collaboration with BoweD, a supremely talented Brazilian artist. He sent me around ten demos, but this particular one immediately caught my attention. I played around with the stems he sent, enhancing the sound design of the main lead, revamping the kick, and layering in new drum patterns. Additionally, I incorporated unique vocal edits that vary rhythmically throughout the track, rounding it out with a thorough mix and master.”

CJ  – ‘Steppin’ Out’

If you do not know the Denver-based artist known as CJ, now is the time to keep him on your radar as this rising talent in the house scene has become known for his vibrant personality and dancefloor-ready singles across festivals. Recently playing Regenerate Festival on the main stage and now teaming up with his good friend Proppa for their new single ‘Steppin’ Out’ via Hood Politics, CJ really does it all. Combining elements of house, funk, and hip-hop, ‘Steppin’ Out’ has an appeal like no other. With tight drum beats, a rumbling bass groove, and nods to old-school inspiration, this track promises a summer groove ready to be blasted on the speakers. It’s perfect for kickstarting any party and resonates with both seasoned house fans and newcomers alike.

Jhayco – ‘Holanda’ (Lil Tato Edit)

Jhayco has been a leading force in reggaeton, collaborating with industry heavyweights like Skrillex, Cardi B, and Bad Bunny. His journey from early beginnings in Puerto Rico to international success includes chart-topping hits and critical acclaim, notably with his sophomore album, Timelezz, reaching number two on the Top Latin Albums chart and most of
us are familiar with his single ‘Holanda’ that Mexico’s Lil Tato racks over to the house music world for a top-notch latin house remix. Lil Tato is becoming essential for his ability to craft Latin music with minimalism yet potency that attracts pure house heads and reggaeton weekend warriors uniting the dancefloors worldwide.

LEFTI – ‘I’m On FIre’

LEFTI, the brainchild of producer Alex Suarez, releases ‘I’m On Fire,’ a single that deeply embodies the essence of warehouse-party culture while introducing a hybrid sound concept. The track channels the intensity of a peak-hour warehouse rave, merging analog acid elements with a strong tech house base. LEFTI’s bold technique and high-energy soundscapes involve slicing up an acapella to form new phrases, then enlisting a vocalist to re-record these segments, creating an energetic and compelling vocal line. A solid tune for the masses, this one is about the be played on repeat.

Bexxie – ‘Gotta Be Real’

Bexxie has been marinating her classic 90’s rave vibes into her music for years, cooking a sound that sounds as good as home cook meals smell. Recently, Bexxie has revealed ‘Gotta Be Real’ on Insomniac’s IN/ ROTATION and it is truly impeccable.  The disco vocals speak to you like your best friend making perfect sense and tied with the big
room energy, Bexxie makes this house record essential to experience.

Elohim – ‘Didn’t Sign Up For This’

The multi-dimensional artist known as Elohim as shown the sky is the limit when it comes down to her production style. Elohim’s latest single, ‘Didn’t Sign Up For This’ is the third release from her ongoing album cycle. This track boldly fuses indie vibes with UK garage, incorporating the raw strum of acoustic guitar. It stands out with its distinctive, dark allure while aligning with Elohim’s unique musical identity. A perfect match for those not afraid to take a deep dive into the realms of electronic music.

CHKLZ – ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’

As CHKLZ stampedes toward an unprecedented momentum of shows in 2024, the duo invites fans and newcomers alike to join in on the ‘Pawesomeness’ that defines their journey. At the heart of CHKLZ lies an upbeat, fun-loving nature, not only as individuals but as artists, a quality that ripples through their music and electrifies their live shows. Their latest single, ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane,’ perfectly captures this spirit. As you delve into the story of CHKLZ, prepare to be swept into a world where grooves, joy, and a profound sense of community merge to create something truly special.

Esther Anaya – ‘Higher Self’

Colombian artist Esther Anaya has shared her latest, ‘Higher Self,’ which is more than just a club anthem. It is a powerful journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Through a perfect blend of deep house, future-rave, and tech house, Esther channels her own challenges into a track that resonates with fans from all walks of life. The track is crafted with meticulous melodies and a message that speaks to the human experience of overcoming self-doubt and confusion. It’s about rising from the ashes and becoming the person you’re truly meant to be, confident in your choices and direction.

The post FUXWITHIT House Selects Vol 1. featuring Bleu Clair, San Pacho, R-CHY & more appeared first on FUXWITHIT.