Thursday 31 March 2011

Back

Some of you may have noticed my lengthily absence for some time now and I apologise, the excuse is that I have been travelling for a fair few months and have only returned in the last two weeks. Where have I been you may wonder? The answer is Australia, our cousins from the other side of the world. Yes, in what was perhaps a spur-of-the-moment decision I felt that I was in need of a change of scenery with perhaps a splash of sunshine as an added bonus. Now, in retrospect, though it helped in teaching me about being self reliant and making friends on all parts of the globe, the price of living was far to expensive which was a shock at first. But more importantly, the music scene was lacking enormously almost to the extent of making one asking "what music scene?". This became especially problematic when writing the events section of the magazine I was interning at during my stay, where I would often find myself scraping the barrel for decent gigs and club nights. Yes there are The Presets and Cut Copy also but the influence of America on the Australian music industry is scary, with flimsy artists like Keisha at the forefront. However music aside I am glad I went for it has given me a new taste for travel and a revived taste for living.

An Australian character


So recently after being re-united with my laptop and regular internet I have finally had the chance to search for new music, such a relief! I'll start off by telling you about a producer I was briefly enjoying just before my departure last year who goes by the name of FaltyDL.



FaltyDL, the brainchild of New Yorkian, Andrew Lustman, first gained recognition in 2009 with the 'Love is Liability' album. Rich with modern glitches, electronic loops, garage inspired basslines and emotive melodies similar to Caribou, it is neatly sealed off with vocal sampling that could give Burial a run for his money. Later that year the 'Bravery' EP was released and filled with the same amount of intrigue. The mysteriously bassy "Play Child" pulsates dramatically through the speakers whilst the infectiously soulful vibes of "Mother Beam", have your ears peeled (definitely two of my favourites).

FaltyDL - "Some Day My Queen Will Come"



Come 2011 and the release of his latest album 'You Stand Uncertain's' hybridity of genres is immensely satisfying which only enhances the resonance of FaltyDL. The forth track "Brazil" has a heavy garage vibe whilst "The Pacifist" perhaps bares resemblence to the mellower style of BOC.


Now that we are a sufficient way into the 21st century, music software is more advanced and available than ever before allowing musicians to take advantage. Rewind to the 90's when being in a band surpassed in popularity to the music producer or DJ, today this role has been very much reversed. Furthermore, the ability to experiment with infinate sampling and styles makes music and genres harder, if not impossible to catergorise, FaltyDL is just one exciting example of this music revolution.


If you liked FaltyDL you may also enjoy: Bullion, Mux Mool and Jamie Xx. http://soundcloud.com/faltydl
http://www.myspace.com/bullionness
http://www.myspace.com/muxmool
http://www.myspace.com/jamiexxlondon
Other random musings: Sangria, William Stryon's 'Darkness Visible', James Frey's 'The Final Testament of the Holy Bible'.
Regards¬