Guards and CULTS

The Kitsuné Maison compilation series is one of the best for a zeitgeist look at the best new indie and electro, and the latest instalment, 10: The Fireworks Issue, has introduced an interesting band called Guards. Their debut release, Guards EP, is available as a free download and is a tasty slice of C86-style lo-fi in keeping with the likes of Best Coast and Girls. The EP is one of the most popular to be uploaded to the Bandcamp website, and led to a record label war to sign them up. Featuring on the EP track Sail It Slow is Madeline Follin of CULTS, who is the sister of Richie Follin from the band.


CULTS are also receiving a lot of attention, and their eponymous 7" single showcases their take on the 1960s girl group-inspired sound contemporaries Summer Camp have had success with.

Both bands are currently on tour and will be visiting The Lexington in London (Guards / CULTS) in February 2011.

Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Jamie xx Shuffle)

Jamie xx must be the most prolific producer around at the moment. Not content with just working on a follow up to The xx's debut album and his own solo material, he has reworked Gil Scott-Heron's I'm New Here in its entirety (due for release in February 2011 as We're New Here, check out the incredible NY Is Killing Me and I'll Take Care Of You below) and is also regularly dropping bass-heavy remixes for artists such as Jack Peñate and Florence And The Machine. This version of Adele's latest single Rolling In The Deep is a definite winner, and is out to buy on 16th January 2011.

Shit Robot - Take 'Em Up (featuring Nancy Whang)

Nancy Whang steps out from behind LCD Soundsystem's synthesisers to star on the latest single from fellow DFA act Shit Robot, Take 'Em Up, which is also probably the best track on his album From the Cradle to the Rave. The video features some clever visual effects which may or may not have been inspired by Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Black Strobe - Me & Madonna (The Twelves Remix)

Seems like The Twelves can do no wrong at the moment, and are having a great deal of success rocking Indie Disco dancefloors with their remixes. This rework of Black Strobe's 2002 track Me & Madonna certainly hits a sweet spot.

Notre Jam Summer Playlist 2010

I've been sitting on this mix for a few weeks now, which showcases a few of the tracks that have been getting regular spins at Notre Jam gigs over the last few months. Turn your speaker stack up to 11 and enjoy.

1. Holy Ghost - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acacpulco Nights Version)
2. Aeroplane vs Friendly Fires vs Flight Facilities - I Crave Paris
3. Miike Snow - Black And Blue
4. Theophilus London - Humdrum Town
5. Twin Shadow - Slow
6. Chromeo - Don't Turn The Lights On (Aeroplane Remix)
7. Database And Holger - This Is An Untitled Song
8. Count And Sinden feat. Mystery Jets - After Dark
9. Robyn - Love Kills
10. Jammer - Back To The 90s

Notre Jam - Summer Playlist 2010 (Right-click, save as)

To book our DJs to play at your event, send an email to dj@becauseassociation.com.

Twin Shadow

It has taken me an age to write this post, but the subject is well worth the wait.

A few months ago Pitchfork posted a track, Castles In The Snow by Twin Shadow, on their Forkcast section which I loved instantly. The album which followed, Forget, has since replaced everything else I previously listened to, and is on daily (more likely hourly) rotation. Even while on holiday in Ibiza, I spent most of my time with it playing in my headphones. From the opening of Tyrant Destroyed, to the last moments of the title track it is a revelation.

The most outstanding track on the record for me is Slow (see video above), which blends the drums from Joy Division's She's Lost Control with a bassline nod to The Cure's Forest. Surely a mix of some of the best elements alternative 80s music had to offer. George Lewis Jnr even manages to sound like a cross between David Bowie and Morrissey on a number of tracks.

If this sounds like your kind of sound, catch Twin Shadow on tour over the coming months. I'll be heading to the show at Madame Jo Jo's in London. I can't wait!

Radio Silence

The Because Association team have all been on their summer holidays recently, hence the lack of updates. We hope you have all enjoyed breaks of your own.

Expect some action from us this week as we get back to regular service.

Jack Splash - King Of The Beats

Gilles Peterson played Cee-Lo Green's new track I Want You on his radio show this week, and this slice of sweetness is produced Jack Splash who has form for producing high-quality, soulful music. His Plantlife project was well received by critics, and seen as a pretender to OutKast's polished hip hop sound, and he has worked with Alicia Keys (Teenage Love Affair), Solange Knowles (T.O.N.Y.) and John Legend (P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)). In the run up to the release of his first solo album, Technology and Love Might Save Us All, Jack is releasing mixtapes online to whet our appetites and remind how prolific he can be. Of the two available so far, King Of The Beats Vol. 1 and Heir To The Throne Vol. 1, check out King Of The Beats Vol. 1 which showcases the sunshine soul side of his repertoire and features Cee-Lo on 38 Special.

Staygold - Backseat (Live P3 Guld 2010)

I felt I had to post this after having played it on repeat for the last few days. The Scandinavians just seem to make effortlessly brilliant pop music, as demonstrated here by Sweden's Staygold with Robyn, Damien Adore and Spank Rock playing Backseat live at P3 Guld awards show.

Also appearing were Teddybears, who played their track Rocket Scientist minus collaborator Eve but without losing any of the quality of the original:


I've still got my fingers crossed for a Junior Senior reunion.

Intel x Vice - The Creators Project

The Creators Project, a diverse multimedia exhibition curated by Intel and Vice Magazine, landed in London at Victoria House this weekend for the second of five scheduled stops in major cities around the world. Featuring a vast array of artists who push the boundaries of thought and technology to produce their works, the event was an eye-opening experience. The curators hope to expand the reach of the event to more cities next year after taking in New York, London, São Paulo, Seoul and Beijing in 2010.