Earlier this week I returned from my mecca in the desert, Coachella. This was my 2nd year attending as the people were beautiful, the weather was blazin, and the music was blissful. With such a loaded lineup, it’s impossible to see every artist you want to catch, as I missed plenty of good acts due to time conflicts or the stage I was at, but here are the sets I was able to catch a good portion of:

Fri – Warpaint, Cee-Lo Green, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, A-Trak, Afrojack, Cold War Kids, Brandon Flowers, Interpol, The Black Keys, Sasha, & The Chemical Brothers

Sat - Freelance Whales, Foals, Joachim Garraud, Chuckie, Cage the Elephant, Yelle, Bright Eyes, The Swell Season, Mumford & Sons, Fedde le Grand, Steve Angello, Empire of the Sun, Arcade Fire

Sun – Jack’s Mannequin, City & Colour, Angus & Julia Stone, Jimmy Eat World, Nas & Damian Marley, Foster the People, Ratatat, The Strokes, Leftfield & Kanye West

If you have the funds or the time to make it next year, I can’t recommend it enough. I set high expectations for the festival each year and the festival  has surpassed them every time. Here is a bunch of video highlights put together by JamBase – Coachella Highlights

Below is a mixtape of songs I enjoyed the most at the festival. Hopefully these tracks can already generate a flashback to those who were there. I’m assuming you’ve heard most of these tracks by now but just in case you haven’t. . .

Freelance Whales – Generator First Floor

Empire of the Sun – Standing on the Shore

Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Ratatat – Mirando

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Belong

Yelle – Comme Un Enfant

Foster the People – Houdini

Cage the Elephant – Shake Me Down

Kanye West – Can’t Tell Me Nothing

The Chemical Brothers – Swoon

Mumford & Sons – White Blank Page

Angus & Julia Stone – Yellow Brick Road

- Joel

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There’s a million Valentines day commercials on TV, red is everywhere and I still had no idea it was already February until Steph sent me the lastest installment of LMDM. Who can blame me though, the city’s been dark and cold for who knows how long so I’ve made it my duty to zone out on all things music.

This month Steph is a facilitator because all you want to do while listening is escape to the surreal dreamscape she creates with the song selection and sequencing. Just listening to See of Bees going to Jamie XX to Fleet Foxes will instantly change your environment and put you in an extremely relaxed, balanced and creative mindset. Don’t forget though, this is a Steph mixtape and what goes down must come up and you could start dancing at any time with little to no warning. Once again, Steph kicks it up a notch cooking up a mix fresher than the rest leading me to title Steph and LMDM as your favorite mixtape maker’s favorite mixtape, enjoy.

I discovered Sea of Bees in Rough Trade, London. The opening track on the album is Gnomes, and I thought it was perfect to open the tape with that as well. Her voice is strong and a little different and I think it sets a great tone for February’s mix. Agent A & Omae is another band I found last month that you should definitely check out more on their bandcamp and download their whole album, its amazing. I could say something about each track, but I’ll leave it at that and let you decide which are your new and maybe some old favorites..”

Le Miel du Mois at work? That’s much better than work at work! Download

Tracklisting:

1. Sea of Bees – Gnomes
2. Jamie XX – Far Nearer
3. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
4. Foster the People – Helena Beat
5. Agent A & Omae – Breathing 2007
6. Polarsets – Morning
7. Aydio – Deltitnu
8. Slowwave – Pour
9. Wine & Cheese – Make It With You
10. The Naked & Famous – Young Blood
11. Starfucker – Born
12. Vadoinmessico – In Spain
13. Candy Claws – Catamaran
14. Tame Impala – Lucidity (Pilooski Remix)
15. Ratatat – Mi Viejo

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Looks like the guitar-shredding, bass thumpin’, globe trotting, big beat making duo Mike Stroud and Evan Mast collectively known as are Ratatat is back with a new album called LP4 and it bumps. According to the band, LP3 was intended to be a teaser for this new album since they were both recorded at the same time and in the same studio.

“I remember thinking before we went up there, ‘I’ll be happy if we come home with five songs,’” he recounts. “We came home with 30.”

Still Evan and Mike would assure that this one is much “weirder.” The album was recorded at Old Soul Studios up in Catskill, NY, the studio which represents the bands growth and departure from home studio laptop producers to endless experimentation and creative use of instrumentation.

“For me, when I hear a record and I know exactly what’s going on, you know, it’s boring,” he says. “Like ‘Oh, that’s that instrument and that’s how they’re playing it, and blah blah blah.’ It’s like not a challenge. It’s always exciting for me to hear something that [makes] you stop and be like, ‘Whoa, what is that?’”

I guess that explains why their music is sounds so simple on the surface but still has an intense level of entertainment and replay value. The album isn’t due for another month but here are a few tracks to get your fix, enjoy.

Ratatat – Drugs

Ratatat – Alps

Count on Ratatat to make anything dirty, gritty and flat out bumpin. The Virginia bounce inspired production style is an instant addiction and with my Skidmore reunion on the horizon I’ve felt the need to represent for my alma mater.

Point out the bounce!”

A lot of people say hip hop is dead but all you have to do is listen to everything but hip hop to realize just how alive it is. The influence of the genre is stronger then ever, listen to the XX’s The
Intro and you’ll see what I mean. N.E.R.D stand for Nothing ever really dies and that couldn’t be more appropriate for hip hop. From Ratatat to Peter, Bjorn and John, the bounce is every where and I love it, enjoy.

The Knife – We Share Our Mother’s Health (Ratatat Remix)

Wrecking ball hit yah like a freight train coming, I’m on a warpath gonna hit the ground running.”

Et Musique Pour Tous has opened up so many opportunities as of late that we’ve been on a non stop grinds for pretty much the last 3 three weeks and it doesn’t look like were stopping anytime soon. We threw our first Noctambule and it was such a success that we’re getting calls from all sorts of bars and clubs that want to Space Age style, it’s a very humbling experience and we’re very thankful to all of you who help make it happen.

Of course, I have a complex that doesn’t let me understand the concept of satisfaction so everyday I wake up with more and more hunger, wanting to give you guys the best of the best, wanting to accomplish more. Today was no different which is why I’m walking around playing this gritty Ratatat remix of Young Buck’s Stomp.

Now where you from who the boss I’m a break him off…”

I’m going into my meetings today to make this thing pop, we have our next Noctambule tomorrow and it’s going to be bigger then ever. We’re going harder then ever and taking no prisoners, let’s get it!

Young Buck, T.I. & Ludacris – Stomp

Young Jeezy & Bun B – Over Here (Ratatat Remix)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say again, Skidmore is on the rise. With Micah Sloat getting his huge break in Paranormal Activity and Ratatat placing two songs on Kid CuDi’s debut I’d say we’re doing pretty good. So what better time to feature some Skidmore music on EMPT.? On top of that G.O.V. sent me a remix he did of Wildcat in which if I understand correctly he’s talking about all the girls he meets during happy hour at Benihanas, nice. I’ve always been one to appreciate all the work girls put into their fashion, especially the girls who manage to still look sexy wearing work clothes. It really does make for a much pleasant day for all of us so thank you pretty young things, it’s appreciated here on EMPT.

“I’m feeling nice like a saint right now & her work skirt fitting like paint right now.”

I thought I was the only one into these minor details but I guess I’m not alone. Seriously though, who writes a song about girls during happy hour? Apparently G.O.V. does. How it came about? I have no idea but I like it. Anyways, here’s the G.O.V.’s remix of Wildcat and some other Ratatat hip hop remixes I’m particularly fond of, enjoy.

twitter.com/govmusic

Kanye West  – Get ‘Em High (Ratatat Remix)

Missy Elliot – Wake Up (Ratatat Remix)

Ratatat – Wildcat (Feat. G.O.V.)

It seems like album leaks these days are more exciting then the actual releases, and what a sad story it is. How does the old adage go? If you can’t beat them join them. I guess that explains why Kid CuDi officially announced the leak of his freshmen effort, Man On The Moon: The End of Day. Not sure if you can find the album anymore but I got my hands on a copy so I’d thought I’d share my experience.

At first listen I was off by the monotonous and sometimes dreary effect of CuDi’s delivery, but then I remembered why I like the martian in the first place, lyrics. I started listening to the songs in terms of the writing and instantly had an entirely new and fantastic experience. There’s a good part of the hip hop generation that would say Kid CuDi is weak, soft or corny for addressing certain emotions, I have much empathy for those people, it sucks to be limited in any form of expression or appreciation. Oh gangsta rap, how you’ve brainwashed us all.

The album has some slow moments but those are easily overlooked.  My favorite previously unheard songs are Enter Galactic, Pursuit of Happiness, Alive, Heart of a Lion, CuDi Zone and Up, Up And Away. I feel those capture the melancholic nature of CuDi’s music while maintaining entertainment value, hopefullness and an engaging level of musicality. Two of those tracks, Pursuit of Happiness & Alive, are produced by fellow Skidmore students Evan Mast and Mike Stroud, collectively known as Ratatat. Of course, there are other producers on the album but they didn’t go to Skidmore so I’ll let someone else talk about them.

I’ve only had the album for a few days and have gone back and forth but after spending some quality time with the man on the moon I’ve concluded that I actually do like this album. Again, Kid CuDi is a writer so naturally the best thing about his freshman effort are the lyrics, pay some attention to those and you won’t have a hard time embracing the martian. Here are 3 of my favorite tracks, Space Age Bachelor Pad Music at it’s best, enjoy.

I know it’s easy to imagine, but it’s easier to do. If you can’t do what you imagine, then what is imagination to you?”

Kid CuDi – CuDi Zone

MP3

Kid CuDi – Enter Galactic (Love Connection)

MP3

Kid CuDi – Up, Up And Away (The Wake & Bake Song)

MP3

Ok so Mike Stroud and Evan Mast met while going to Skidmore, I went to Skidmore, so pretty much any excuse I find to post their stuff is going to be exploited.

Anyways, here’s a pretty straight forward contest for all you creative types out there. THE FADER wants you to design some RATATAT merchendise, could be anything, and if you win you get a custom RATATAT bike. Fresh. Though there are many, here are two of my favortite tracks. Enjoy.

Ratatat – Kennedy

Beanie Sigel & Jay-Z – Glock Nines (Ratatat Remix)

Here’s the official press release and pictures of the grand prize…

THE FADER PRESENTS

The RATATAT: Design some Merch and WIN A BIKE CONTEST

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Design your very own Ratatat object/piece of merch (yes, object meaning anything at all)

It can be a skate deck, turntable mat, t-shirt….you get the idea.

2. All contest entries MUST use the design elements from LP3, we’ve supplied some for you HERE

3. Entries must contain a photo or graphic design. It cannot just be a description of an item.

4. SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY HERE

5. Not only will the winner get the Ratatat bike (pictured above), XL might just put the

winner’s design into production.

This Contest will run through Ratatat’s Spring tour, so we’ll take submissions up until the end of

April.

-that’s it, go! points for creativity.

ALSO, be sure to go get Ratatat’s new album LP3 HERE

and check out SE Bikes HERE

Anyone know what car that is? I’ve been looking for an excuse to post this picture and Mirando is more than a reasonable one. The production on this track is technical mastery. 8 Bit bounce anyone? Enjoy.

Ratatat – Mirando

Someone had this song on their Top 10 best songs to have sex to. I don’t know what kind of furry fandom kinky shit this dude is getting into to find this appropriate for naughty time but I like it! Wildcat is one of the many impressive tracks from Ratatat’s 2nd LP Classics. It was on this album that fellow Skidmore heads Mike Stroud and Evan Mast took their production to a new level, introducing a wealth of new sounds and rhythms guranteed to keep you engaged and entertained the whole way through. Enjoy Wildcat, play it for your girlfriend or boyfriend and see if you get some ideas ; P

Ratatat – Wildcat