Tag: Oliver

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Music

Leon Else – The City Don’t Care (feat. Oliver)

If you’ve talked to me over the past few months, you know that I’ve become an absolute sucker for ’80s nostalgia through a variety of artistic avenues. Visually, I’m smitten with the purple and pink neon aesthetic; it provides a comforting glow that simultaneously sparks my imagination and sets me at ease. In terms of film, the timeless innocence of releases like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Dirty Dancing resonates with me on a spiritual level as I’ve learned to embrace emotions over incessant intellectualization. And as for music, it’s predictably the core of my late 20th-century obsession.

It started off with the radio genius of Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, and Madonna, but I slowly realized that the decade had so much more to offer. With the help a Duran Duran fangirl better known as my mom, I was exposed to a seemingly endless amount of pop music that just clicks – INXS’ “Don’t Change,” Cutting Crew’s “Died In Your Arms,” Howard Jones’ “What Is Love?”, and of course Duran Duran’s “Union of the Snake” all being recent favorites.

While released in 2017, I get that same feeling from Leon Else’s “The City Don’t Care” as its pink-and-purple artwork is backed by cascading synths and drum machines galore. It’s excess as its finest, excess that I’ll be indulging in repeatedly over the coming weeks and months to further my ’80s fix.

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Music

Oliver – Light Years Away

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My music taste lately has been skewing old. Lot’s of New Orleans blues, 60’s live rock recordings, and of course Cambodian surf rock from the Vietnam era. Friends and family, who constantly ask me for new music, have been disappointed of late when I weakly shrug.

So thank goodness for my favorite radio DJs spinning late night on KCRW. Friday nights with Travis Holcombe are a crash course in the newest bangers from across electronic genres, and after attending an intimate Chris Smither concert, I needed a dose of upbeat happy.

Mr. Holcombe obliged. I’d heard of Oliver before, but hadn’t delved into the duo’s discography. They are leading electro away from nu-disco and into a post-nu-disco era (only half facetious…) I compare them to Fake Blood, but able to reach the pop sound that he never did (or never wanted to), and group them with producers like Breakbot and Aeroplane. However, their latest EP, “Light Years Away,” throws in a hefty dose of Gestaffelstein for good measure, bringing a much-needed grit to the often sugary nu-disco formula.

And who can say no to a diva vocal disco bridge?!

“Light Years Away,” the song, is an all-timer at first listen. It is tonally dark, while maintaining an uplifting twinkle in its eye. The grimy snap bass tears a wormhole in the space time continuum, the sparkling diva break exposes us to the ecstatic gamma rays within. Both a militant, industrial shredder and a funky shoulderroller, this track will undoubtably worm its way into your rotation, and boom over dance floors around the world this holiday season.

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Mash-Ups Music Remixes

Oliver vs. Ellie Goulding – Control the Lights (Chris Carter Edit)

There is a sound to summer, and it is sweet. It’s the sound of a jolly homeless man singing “Let It Be” in the streets, the ripple of conversations heard outdoors as you wonder how everyone is able to brunch everyday of the week. It’s outdoor seating for restaurants, and skater dudes with cool tricks. It’s a crew of beautiful decked out men and women walking the streets of your neighborhood with glitter and colors, boom box in hand and reggae in ears.

Maybe it was after all of those awesome things today that I came across this and felt, yes. This is what summer is about. I’m thrilled to bring it to you from EMPT and I’m really excited for you guys to embark on summer sound journeys. The thing about listening to music in the warm weather is that no matter how much you like or dislike the weather, the sun is out. So outside, your face is really happy about the fact that it’s light out, and your ears are reacting to a sound (whether you like it or not) that kind of equates to what’s going on with the sun. Everything is connected.

So my kitten is now playing with the space fan in my bedroom because it’s that kind of weather and he’s that kind of cat, and everything is adorable. Chris Carter has done some beautiful work in terms of remixes and edits, so you won’t be surprised that this is just as fun and just as happy. I’m going to sleep and I’m leaving you guys with this work of fun.

Oliver vs. Ellie Goulding – Control the Lights (Chris Carter Edit)

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Music

Kris Menace Featuring Black Hills – Waiting For You (Oliver Remix)

Can you imagine what the world is going to look like in five years? In ten?

The march of progress, in technology and culture, is inexorable. The really great thing about it? Our vision of tomorrow is constantly shifting. So which future are you looking forward to? There’s those that think our urban centers are going to take an agrarian turn. I’m not talking farms in your backyard as much as massive towers, smartly laid out with open indoor green spaces and fauna covering the exterior, that are more organic than they are pre-fab. Hell, some close friends of mine are looking forward to getting uploaded to the internet, Matrix-style.

Though it is looking less and less likely an outcome, there will always be a spot in my heart for some kind of Blade Runner-esque metropolis. With less grime, of course. At least that possible future has a bit of character to it! A bit of grit to go along with the towers imposing their size and geometry against the sky and the sleek user interfaces of our floating Minority Report computer screens.

I’ve been biased by today’s musical selection. It’s impossible not to conjure those visions while Kris Menace Featuring Black Hills’ Waiting For You (Oliver Remix) is pumping through my headphones.

Well, there’s a bit more glamour and glitz in Waiting For You. But the vibe is about right. The synths alternatively twinkle and warble high in the mix or they’re providing the full-bodied mid-range bounce. The remix manages this wholly contemporary trick of integrating some of dubstep’s penchant for glitchy maximalism, nu-disco’s devotion to melody, and a very 80s brand of confidence.

No matter what philosophy on where the world is going you subscribe to, I’m certain you’ll be able to get down with this.

Kris Menace Featuring Black Hills – Waiting For You (Oliver Remix)

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Mash-Ups Music Remixes

Black Van – Inside (Oliver Remix) vs Goldroom – Fifteen (ft. Chela) (Silenx mashup)

Greetings from the beautiful state of California! Los Angeles has been my place of destination for the past week and I have to say, having lived on the east coast my entire life, this place is magical and filled with sunshining possibilities. The soundtrack for this trip has been eclectic to say the least, but this song has crossed my path at just the perfect time. With love and familiarity, we are introduced to this remix/mash-up in bouncy synth fashion and I could not be happier.

I’m feeling this track in the sun. It’s in headphones, the weather is perfect, and a drive is on the horizon. Wait for the drop and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find an anthem that makes you feel like the young sassy dancing rebellious teenager that you are at heart. Run upstairs, slam the door, put this on the speakers and let that bass penetrate the floor so that your parents know that you’re serious with your rebellion. That’s what this feels like.

Enjoy this track while you let your young at heart emotions get the best of you.

Black Van – Inside (Oliver Remix) vs Goldroom – Fifteen (ft. Chela) (Silenx mashup)

Categories
Music Remixes

Aeroplane – We Can’t Fly (Oliver Remix)

 

If I could assemble an Avengers-styled troupe of my favorite producers on this planet, Aeroplane and Oliver would be shoe-ins (along with Monsieurs Falke, Braxe, Terje, Breakbot, Flight Facilities, those robot suit guys, and…etc). That combination of ill music-making dudes would also make for a pretty nice festival lineup/mixtape/entourage.

Anyway, I’m sure you’ve also been waiting for this remix to drop for the past 2 years. It’s been dropped in live sets, it’s been heard in shitty quality on Youtube, and it’s finally seeing daylight with its “official” release. It’s Aeroplane (pre-split up) at their finest. It’s Oliver (U-Tern and Oligee) at their finest. It’s a Ninja-Turtle like meeting of four musical minds that’s a party from the front to the back. It’s fly magic.

Aeroplane – We Can’t Fly (Oliver Remix)

 

 

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Music

Breakbot – One Out of Two (feat. Irfane)(Oliver Remix)

Love on a Saturday is all you need for the weekend. Breakbot shows us time and time again the nature of that honest devotion. Irfane’s vocals ooze head-over-heels affection and pedestal-building adoration.

I’ve been having a dream 
And in it, I am just a machine 
And only she has the potion that can give back emotion 
To the meaningless thing I’m becoming 

She’s every image that could ever be seen 
She’s in the air, if you know what I mean.”

Oliver shakes some of the disco out and injects a little oomph into the bass. The result is sublime and drives smoothly alongside Irfane’s earnest. Uplifting and powerfully innocent, the sound is true to Breakbot’s form. It’s a feel-good track fit for dancing with the one that knows you best. Hold hands, spin each other around and enjoy your weekend.

Breakbot – One Out of Two (feat. Irfane)(Oliver Remix)

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Music

EMPT LA

I’m sure most of you have noticed the scarcity of post from me as of late and for that I have no excuses. However, I haven’t exactly been laying dormant. Last week I was in Hollywood getting a feel for the LA scene and contemplating one of the biggest decisions I’ve had to make in recent years. As many of you know, I usually share these type of things as they happen but this required a little self-reflection. Do I keep doing what I’ve always done, play the game hans solo and continue to grow the space age on my own or do I link up with a bigger movement, make a few sacrifices and put this thing on steroids. I’ve been very fortunate to do things 100% my way but I’m also obsessed with championship teams, beautiful execution and speed. Long story short after being shown a great time, seeing the potential of the people around me and getting a taste of life in the sunshine it’s all signed, sealed and delivered –  EMPT is moving to LA!

Needless to say there are some of my friends, family, client and others who can’t comprehend the decision but…

Everybody look at you strange they say you changed, like you work that hard to stay the same!” – Jay-Z (Hot 97 Grammy Family Freestyle)

That said, I’m heading west by 1.1.12 and hitting the ground running so expect nothing but movement in the year to come. I assure everyone this is a well thought out move and it wouldn’t be happening if the people around me weren’t excellent at what they do which they are, just playing the cards I’m dealt baby…

Housse De Racket – Roman (Oliver Remix)