After eagerly awaiting Empire of the Sun’s debut album Walking on a Dream, I have to say on listening to the entire album a few times over, it has been everything I was expecting. I know you couldn’t expect anything bad from two musical geniuses like Luke Steele (from The Sleepy Jackson) and Nick Littlemore (from PNAU), but wow it is awesome!

Now we did bring you ‘Walking on a Dream’ a couple of months back, and that is an epic track, but I thought I’d bring you a few more of my favourites after my marathon of listening over the past couple of weeks.

The first track is We Are The People and included will be a really nice remix by recent Kitsuné signing, Ted & Francis. We Are The People heavily features the amazing voices of both Luke and Nick, which is matched by some equally amazing lyics, all topped off with an Acoustic guitar. The end result is a very special song. We Are The People would have to come close to Walking On a Dream as a favourite of mine from the album.

The World is the next track I think is worthy of posting. It hasn’t really had a lot of blog exposure, but it is a really good track nonetheless as it is something a little different to the tracks receiving most of the attention.

Empire of The Sun – We Are the People (320)

Empire of The Sun – We Are the People (Ted & Francis Remix) (320)

Empire of The Sun – The World (320)

American producers Kap10kurt have been gaining notoriety over the past couple of months. Most recently with their remix of Grafton Primary’s She Knows It. Their first release, Mission Complete has just hit the shelves. Currently touring the US with YELLE, be sure to check them out, and have a taste of Mission Complete.

Kap10kurt – Mission Complete (320)

Kap10kurt – Mission Complete(Moulinex Rmx) (320)

A couple of weeks ago we caught up with UK producer Phonat for a couple of questions.

CST: Firstly can i ask you to tell me a little about yourself?

Ok. I was born in Florence, Italy but I’ve been living in London the last couple of years. I am very very tall, blue eyes, curly hair. I like music, basketball, fast bikes and going out with friends for a drink or ten.

If you think you’re the right girl for me please send me a piece of your hair via carrier pigeon.

Ah, I do smoke.

CST: How exactly did you get into music, and what sparked the creation of Phonat?

I started to play guitar when I was eleven (but now I still have the same skills as back then!), that’s how it all started. But I got into computer music during my time at high school. Me and my mates had a hip hop band and I was supposed to be the producer.

CST: How did the name come about?

The name is a modified version of the tag I use to have when I was doing graffiti some years ago. I started playing around with letters to experiment different shapes and I came out with Phonat. I liked it so much that I kept it as the artist name for my productions.

CST: What artists do you find have a big influence on you and your music?

I’m a big AC/DC fan, Angus Young is definitely my idol. Lots of 80′s stuff like Howard Jones, Toto, Mr Mister and so on. But the band that probably is the biggest influence is Daft Punk. So I make electronic dance music, with rock and pop hiding in the beats.

CST: Favorite artist of all time?

Seth McFarlane.

CST: You have a fantastic sound. But it’s hard to place your music in a style/genre. How would you describe it?

I simply cannot! I could start to tell what it doesn’t sound like but as you said its difficult to place it into a defined genre. I tried to fit into some specific scenes but I always end up doing whatever I want after a while. That said, most of the latest tracks I’ve released are quite housy and fidgety. But for the album I’m going to surf through many corners of dance music.

CST: How did signing to indie label MofoHifI come about?

Hal Ritson (The Young Punx) at MofoHifi also runs a breakbeat label called Heavy Disco. I got in touch with him 3 years ago cause I was into their sound and because I was doing quite a lot of breaks at that time I started to send him some demos. He and the guys at Heavy Disco really liked them so we started making some vinyls. Then I slightly moved into 4 on the floor stuff so we decided to release the new stuff via MofoHifi.

CST: What are Phonat’s plans for the future?

I’m working on my debut album. It should be finished by Xmas. I’m also co-producing the new Young Punx album. Then take over the world.

CST: Any other words for our readers?

Don’t mix pot with YouTube. You’ll never get out of that spiral

CST: And last but not least Pepsi or Coke?

Pepsi. The 90′s advert where amazing!

A big thanks to Phonat, check out a couple of his tracks.

Phonat – Learn To Recycle (Original Mix) (320)

The Young Punx – Fire (Phonat Mix) (320)

Well Big Day Out sold out in two minutes, as usual…When Big Day Out goes on sale you know Summer is just around the corner. So I thought it would be a good idea to give a quick run down of what’s on this Summer.

The much anticipated Turbo Love EP has hit the streets and the Bag Raiders are on top of the world. With a release lined up on Fool’s Gold and a tour in the works there is sure to be plenty of Bag Raiders action for all to experience. Check out their Myspace for tour dates and pick up their vinyl from any good record store.

Here is Shooting Stars, with the lyrics. Something we’ve all been waiting for!

Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars (320)

My F***ing computer is giving me the F***ing shits and seventeen year olds are taking over the world! Clockwork AKA Henry Steinway, from LA is tearing up the dancefloors with this remix of Crystal by New Order and is one not to be missed. There’s also a bunch of other Clockwork remixes you can check out here.

New Order – Crystal (Clockwork Remix) (160)

I do another two awesome remixes for you. One is another Clockwork remix, Love Lockdown by Kanye West, and the other is the Starters Search Warrant remix of Bright Like Neon Love by Cut Copy. That makes three great tracks in one day, enjoy!

Kanye West – Love Lockdown (Clockwork Remix) (160)

Cut Copy – Bright Like Neon Love (Starters Search Warrant Remix) (320)

So what! We like French music! And these remixes are exactly why!

Joakim has just dropped My Best Remixes, featuring a heap of remixes from artists like Tiga, Cut Copy, Late of the Pier and DJ Mehdi. For your sampling we have his mix of Pocket Piano, Camino Del Sol and Hearts on Fire. Check out the full track listing in the comments.

DJ Mehdi – Pocket Piano (Joakim Remix) (320)

Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (Joakim Remix) (320)

Antena – Camino Del Sol (Joakim Remix) (320)

We also still have one t-shirt from Rise Records to give away if you a size small living in Australia. Post your email in comments to win.

It’s been a while sine we have posted anything which was sent to us so I thought it was about time.. Straight out of the inbox I have two tracks and a mix tape – which will be our first new mix posted..

I have been a fan of Radiohead for some time now… and there are quiet a few different remixes of this song floating around – because of the remix comp (Radiohead Remix) which is going on right now, so I thought I would take one from one of our friends in Japan. This is Metalion’s remix of Reckoner. Opening with that catchy little keys melody, you are hooked right from the start and an awesome beat right through the song. I cant stop playing it… So check it out..

Radiohead – Reckoner (Metalion Remix) (320)

We have also been sent/recommended to check out Alphabet Assasins by Mongrel. A little different to the other tracks we post… The main thing I love about this track is the funky / badass bass line which lies beneath. And features a F*** load of different artists and MCs, like Wordplay, Logic, Doc Brown, Purple, and No Lay just to name a few… This track is MASSIVE… who would have thought only one member of this act has a rapping background – and that is Lowkey.! The album is out on the 22nd of this month from all good record stores and more than likely online at beatport or iTunes.

Mongrel – Alphabet Assasins (160)

I think this is actually the first mixtape we have posted since starting this blog… yeah we did a Bang Gang mix… but that was an oldie but a goldie.. This tape is made by Dj Ryley, out of Adelaide… And the track listing is as follows:

A-Trak – Say Whoa (Boys Noize Remix)
Deadman5, MC Flipside – Hi Friend
Twocker – Stitch (Bass Kleph Remix)
Underworld – Born Slippy *who is playing Shore thing.!
Radioclit – Born Slippy (Crookers Spino Mix)
Shinichi Osawa – Star Guitar (Streetlife DJ’s Mix)
MIA – Paper Planes (LAZRtag Remix)
X-Press Feat. David Byrne – Lazy (Mowgli Wobblin’ Mix)
A Capella – Lazy
Kidda – Under The Sun (Herve Remix)

Dj Ryley – Ryley’s Early Morning Shisco Mix (192)

Whilst the 2008 Sydney Parklife is over, and the ache in your head, it’s sole reminder, had subsided. We turn to the only remaining proof we have left; a couple of pics and a hazy memory.

For me the day started off as most. I awoke, msg’d my friends, and went on the hunt for a nice bottle of strawberry champagne for the ride into Moore Park. As we stepped out of the car I was hit by the unmistakable smell of festival. Bad fashion, huge crowds and cheap booze. As a pack, we entered and went our separate ways. First off, Bag Raiders…

Photo by Justine Curtis

Grafton Primary dribbled off stage as the Bag Raiders arrived. Parklife being their first ever LIVE show, all were excited. What followed was an electric dance driven set featuring Jack on guitar, and Chris on keys/bongos. The crowd was pumping, everyone was getting into it.

Photo by Justine Curtis

We then scuffled over to the Water Stage where New York duo Metro Area was about to start. Their set had an exciting chillout vibe that settled us into Parklife. It was time to sip back a couple of drinks and enjoy some music.

Photo by Benjamin Magro

Soulwax soon arrived on stage wearing all white, the four piece certainly had a presence. It’s always great to see an electronic act create so much sound whilst on stage. It was immediately clear how professional these guys were, a set full of tracks from their vast remix catalogue. The latest of which was MGMT’s Electric Feel.

Photo by Benjamin Magro

Dusk was setting in as the distinct sound of a Diplo remix flowed through the air. It’s South America meets Philadelphia and Diplo really is the king of this scene. The crowd had easily doubled in size as everyone prepared for the headlining acts.

Photo by Mitch Wright

It was my first time seeing Peaches, and about 7 years since I first heard Fuck the Pain Away. I’d heard how crazy she was on stage and prepared myself. Believe me when I tell you there was no lack of dildos. Each back-up dancer with their own and Peaches sporting one herself. She is one crazy girl and I would recommend you all experience one of her shows.

Photo by Spinal Faun

Parklife was coming to a close and still buzzing from Peaches, 2ManyDJs hopped on stage. The crowd peaked as they dropped their amazing mashups and electronic anthems. This was another amazing Parklife in the bag.

Thank you, we’ll see you in 2009!

Also enjoy a couple of tracks from the featured artists.

Metro Area – Miura (192)

LCD Soundsystem – Get Innocuous! (Soulwax Remix) (320)

Santogold – I’m A Lady (Diplo Mix Ft Amanda Blank) (192)

In 2005 three lovely girls from Brooklyn released a record by the name of Verses of Comfort, Assurance and Salvation. Followed up in 2007 by The Bird of Music, they are back again with a collection of their favorite covers and mixes. Off Reverse Migration we bring you Lark by Ruff and Jam.

Au Revoir Simone – Lark(Ruff and Jam) (192)