reflect on
2011 arrive in 2012
Happy New Year! As another year dawns, we must take time and reflect on the good tidings that 2011 has brought us. What better way to do it than with a five-and-a-halfhour compilation of fresh music released in 2011?! That’s right, this book is a companion reader to 700MB of music, handpicked from this year’s dopest underground musicians. We’ve all caught ourselves thinking, “Man, it’s been a while since I re-upped my music collection!” That’s why we wanted to put this together—so you are all equipped to answer the question: “Have you heard any cool new bands lately?” Plus, it makes a great party playlist, just put it on shuffle! What are the major trends in this year’s music? Well, it seems like the best recordings sound a lot more electric than electronic... the lovely warm sound of old guitar amps, lush vocal reverb, and the big fuzzy sound of a tape machine are all making a come-back in today’s recordings. Also, the lines between the genres continue to blur as we experiment with choosing where to use terms like “indie-pop” and “electro”. And, have you noticed what Top 40 music has become? It’s basically house music with rap lyrics. If only we could go back in time and 2
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show this to the rappers of ten or twenty years ago! Note: if you have a time machine, please don’t really do this, or you may change the entire course of the universe. So if you get turned onto a new artist in this mix and you want to hear some more, you might want to go cop their whole album. We had to keep the mix to 700MB and had to cut out A TON of awesome songs to make it fit. We use emusic.com to buy most of our music these days—the downloads are half the price of iTunes and twice the quality! It’s a fairly new music website that specializes in selective, niche music. Or check out the artist on Soundcloud, Spotify, Turntable.fm, or like them on Facebook... do something to show your appreciation! These people aren’t flying around in private jets like in the 70s—they are mostly just trying to pay their rent and hopefully save up enough money to record another album that will change your life forever. Well, we hope you enjoy! Keep your eyes on the sky in 2012!
Dave + Leyla Having trouble with the CD? Just email planet.rump.music@gmail.com and we’ll sort ya out :)
This music compilation is dedicated to the life and living spirit of
Jillian Lanier 1982-2011
Jillian, you left behind a legacy of art and creation, and a following of friends whose hearts you blessed with your amazing love. You lived your life by an example we all strive to follow. Whenever there is a choice to stay in or go out, to complain or appreciate, to give up or persevere, to be a wallflower or get up and dance, we’ll try to follow your incredible, brave example of living life to the fullest and never taking a moment for granted. We thank you tremendously for all the lessons you’ve taught us and for the time we got to share with you. Every day is a blessing, and we promise to make you proud. arrive in 2012 3
Anoraak
Wherever the Sun Sets ORIGIN
Paris
How is Anoraak (aka Frederic Riviere) able to write such amazingly emotional and catchy tunes in English, his second language? If he wrote a love letter to someone, which language would it be? It would probably be in French. He is basically like Rocky Balboa fighting the title fight lefthanded instead of his more natural right. Damn you, you romantic musical genius! Frederic’s very special brand of deep housey pop is like having a dentist giving you nitrous oxide, and then turn into a unicorn that gives you a ride over a magic rainbow instead of taking out your wisdom teeth. It’s very French sounding (except for the entirely English lyrics). If you are into Mylo, Daft Punk, or Boards of Canada you might just dig this dude.
Alex Nelson & Sherm Sherm Mind the Gap ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Alex Nelson is a gentle poet who lives in a Williamsburg bird’s nest filled with jazz records, candles, and tea. Her music is honest and her voice is like a golden dove flying into your window in your deepest most fascinating dreams. Sherm Sherm took a demo of her acapella and dubbed a beat onto it with his MPC, resulting in this tune: “Mind the Gap”. 4
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Bad Rabbits Stick Up Kids ORIGIN
Boston
Bad Rabbits oh where did you come from? You say you are from Boston, but I can’t help but let you remind me of London’s Basement Jaxx. There are also some hints of Prince, Morris Day and the Time, P-Funk, and New Edition in there. I first heard (not saw) Bad Rabbits from outside of a basement club on the Bowery during CMJ 2010 when it was so packed I couldn’t get in! Your funk filtered strongly into the streets and it lingered there with me. The message lives on.
Beastie Boys
Hot Sauce Committee Part Two ORIGIN
Brooklyn
If you haven’t heard about this album yet, what’s up with that? You don’t listen to the Beastie Boys anymore? After all they have done for you? Shame shame. Well, let’s bring you up to speed: The 3 boys (now arguably men) from New York deliver their 8th studio album and do NOT fake the funk with this delivery! They produce, perform, and even engineer this one themselves like the all-stars they are, and their game is totally tight. They are still delivering the premium funk and will come over and completely embarrass your reputation in a freestyle battle if they ever find out you are saying a single word of smack about them, so don’t even try to dis!
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Breakbot f/ Ruckazoid Fantasy ORIGIN
Paris
Another showstopper on Paris’ Ed Banger label, launching pad for many French electro acts including Justice. I haven’t heard much from Breakbot, but this one track is absolutely funky—a nu-disco dance gem that sounds a lot like a Michael Jackson remix. Is that MJ’s voice? You be the judge. This cat is on tour with Chromeo right now, and recently made a sensational remix for Chromeo’s “When the Night Falls” (sorry, it didn’t fit on this mix!).
Captain Planet Cookin’ Gumbo ORIGIN
LA via Brooklyn
If you are at all into outernational global funk grooves like those of Quantic, you are probably going to be really into Captain Planet, the current project of Chuck Wild, formerly of the hip-hop group The Beatards. Chuck really knows how to dig deep into the crates, and is an obsessive presenter of deep cuts on his illustrious music blog Mixtape Riot. The grooves here on this record are infused with all sorts of Latin, African, and Asian-styled beats and instruments. I’m not quite sure how he does it—he looks like a regular human in person, but in the studio he is nothing less than a superhero.
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Codebreaker The Space Chase ORIGIN
Australia
Codebreaker is a mysterious electro-disco duo from Australia with very little biographical information available. However, their music is an incredible delivery for those looking for disco cuts that can hold their ground on modern dancefloors. They do a great rendition of “First True Love Affair� by Jimmy Ross (circa 1979), an almost mythical Italo-disco legend who only released one record and disappeared from public awareness as quickly as he came onto the scene decades ago. Thanks for resurrecting that one, Codebreaker!
Cut Copy Zonoscope ORIGIN
NYC via Australia
This album is a brilliant and warm recording full of 80s synthesizer sounds injected with surf guitars. The use of lush reverbs provides an epic sense of atmosphere and journey. If the Beach Boys were cryogenically frozen in their heyday and then re-born in the year 1975, they would have probably played some hand in making this record. It was hard to pick which tracks deserved to be on this mix, as Cut Copy does a tremendous job making the whole album flow through subtly different moods without interruption. So absolutely soothing and groovy! Great for sunny winter days.
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The Drums Portamento ORIGIN
Brooklyn
The Drums are the type of indie-rock band that you just can’t help but gravitate toward—their upbeat sentiments are reminiscent of Ra Ra Riot and their amazing reverb soaked guitars and vocals give the record a very lush and organic sound. Their riffs are beautifully simplistic, layered with dreamy synthesizer stabs in a way very reminiscent of Joy Division or Moving Units. Altogether, the record is a listening gem that’s also fit for the dancefloor. While the lyrics are mostly about heartaches, it’s also really dreamy and cheery, and you can dance to it!
Dynasty Electric Electric Love ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Dynasty Electric is not just a band, they are a culture— prominent figures of their tribe that consists of Burners, artists, activists, healers, and shamans. Vocalist and theraminist Jenny Electrik, producer and multiinstrumentalist Seth Misterka, and their former South Williamsburg commune/venue, Newsonic Loft, have served as the nucleus to this ever-evolving cosmic scene for nearly a decade. After dropping an album in early 2011 called “Golden Arrows” produced by Ski Beatz (Def Jam, Jay Z), they are already poised to release another LP in 2012. ”Electric Love” serves as the first single and it is totally slammin’! Check out their video for this song, which was shot at Newsonic Loft (before it was closed down), to get a taste of their party vibe. 8
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Great Tiger
We Are Great Tiger Changing Brooklyn
BONUS TRACK ORIGIN
Great Tiger is like Daft Punk trapped in a cage with the Chemical Brothers, an Atari console, and a pair of hunting knives. Stephen and Grier of Great Tiger slay you with an array of thrashy guitars, synths, drum samples, and lo-fi effects that are merely earthly vehicles their unbridled dance energy. They are in a wonderful stage of artistic diversity, as the tune Changing shows a whole ‘nother side to their talents and nature. Think about sending them a hand-written fan letter where every letter is a different color. They love that, they told me.
Holy Ghost! Holy Ghost! ORIGIN
Brooklyn
This album is absolutely sensational and I cannot stop listening to it! The quality of the production and recording is phenomenal, compliments of Brooklyn’s DFA label (James Murphy et al), and the song writing gives you an eerie feeling of cinematic romance (the independent kind, not the blockbuster kind). Expect some tasty 80s synths and solid drums that kick right through any speaker without hurting your ears. It’s a little bit like Fleetwood Mac to be honest. And the reverb on this one, man, it’s like a recording studio geek’s dream come true! Get ready to fall in love with this record.
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Jonathan and BPro What Happened Last Night / Turn It Up Remix ORIGIN
Brooklyn via Denver
These two cats from Denver came to Brooklyn to spread the seeds of their music. Their live set gives off a vibe that is part Prince, part Depeche Mode, complete with future-techno wardrobes, sunglasses, and artsy video projections of them looking pretty gangster. Their music is very danceable and Jonathan’s live vocals come through like gold. If David Bowie knew about this band he would have no choice but to have a mid-life crisis and become their stylist/manager/best friend!
Justice
Audio, Video, Disco ORIGIN
Paris
Oh boy! Justice is back! Thanks guys! We’ve been missing you for the past couple years since you put out the epic † album. Audio, Video, Disco has undergone much scrutiny, as their debut album was a major game-changer for most everyone in the Northern hemisphere, successfully putting indie-rock lovers and house music lovers into a big ass-kicking melting pot. It’s tough to follow-up from that without judgement. Here, Justice delivers a head bobbing, fist pumping masterpiece of instruments that is just as much Led Zeppelin and Rush as it is Daft Punk and Baroque. If you dis Justice you are probably just jealous that they are still getting mileage out of the devastatingly handsome leather jacket/cigarette look first popularized by 1950’s Hollywood. 10
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Kamp!
Cairo (Moullinex Remix) ORIGIN
Poland
Just wanted to feature Moullinex (aka Luis Clara Gomes of Munich via Lisbon), who is firing off some incredible remixes and tunes that you should definitely be paying attention to! This one is a really funky disco-house floorstomper! The original song by Kamp! is a great track too, basically a slower paced version better suited for the bedroom than the dancefloor. Sexy!
Lana Del Rey
Blue Jeans (Penguin Prison Remix) ORIGIN
New York City
This lovely lady sounds like Stevie Nicks on an electro beat! Her original version was much more acoustic, but Penguin Prison turn it into a super-fierce, epic, moody late night floor-filler. It’s refreshing to hear compelling love songs every once in awhile that don’t sound corny! It may take you a few listens to like this one, but it becomes an addictive tune very quickly.
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Little Dragon Ritual Union ORIGIN
Sweden
Many people are still just now catching Little Dragon fever, though this band first formed when they were all high school classmates back in 1996. This year they released their third full length album. Lead singer Yukimi Nagano’s voice is the focus of most of the songs, while the enormous sounding instruments create an organic yet electronic atmosphere for her to inhabit. If you are into the Gorillaz or TV on the Radio you would probably be into Little Dragon.
Little Star Dweller Catch A Killer ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Richard Spitzer takes on many electro projects under different names, including Nite Club and Vinyl Life. His latest incarnation, Little Star Dweller, ties together his cosmic level of musical imagination and his curious nature as an aspiring astronomer. These days Rich is onto some next level Squarepusher-style beats! This man is always making some really far out remixes, displaying a deep knowledge of electronic music. Not to mention, when Rich lays down a vocal, it’s like angels are dancing in your ears. He could read you your grocery list and it’s as good as any medicine for high blood pressure. He also features hyper hip-hop vocals from Phaze Future on a couple tracks to balance it all out. 12
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LoveScenes
A Classy Excuse For A Trashy Experience ORIGIN
Buffalo, NY
LoveScenes’ first record is a self-produced minimal melodic chiller that sways between electro and shoe gaze. TJ Grace—on synths, drum machine, and guitar—was in my Catholic Ed class when we were 11. I remember him wearing his Nirvana Nevermind t-shirt and always be getting kicked out for causing a ruckus. This attitude pervades his music today—he is playing by his own rules. Leah Loefke lays down poetic verses and ghostly melodies with washy reverbs in a way very reminiscent of Telepathe and sometimes New Order and Postal Service. Keep an eye on this duo, they have a ton of potential.
MEN MEN
ORIGIN
New York City
You may have heard of JD Sampsonfrom Le Tigre or seen her onstage with Peaches. These days she can be found touring North America with her brainchild band, MEN, destroying dancefloors packed with cheering fans. Her music reminds you of ESG and the Tom Tom Club and her lyrics are all about love and freedom. It’s all got a floor-stomping beat and JD just totally works it like she’s known you this whole time. She is a major role model for many because of her civil rights messages. If you listen to what she’s saying, she’s got a point!
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Neon Indian Era Extrana ORIGIN
Texas via Mexico
Who is Neon Indian? None other than Alan Polamo: a one-man band, reminiscent of a very psychedelic and spacey version of The Postal Service. Neon Indian first wowed you with the 2010 release Psychic Chasms. Here, Polamo steps up his game with a lot more groovy, danceable beats and super melodic, sometimes de-tuned, synth lines. The slightly overcompressed kick drums and intentional distortion are current music trends that will most likely permeate 2012 and beyond. Another great example of absolutely heart-wrenching reverb-soaked sexy computer music that helps us all believe in the present and future of the American music landscape.
Pimps of Joytime Janxta Funk! ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Hello Pimps of Joytime! You are a wonderful find, sort of like a bedroom computer producer/street rap version of the Dap Kings. We’ve all probably seen you on the train at some point and wouldn’t even realize it because your style is completely stealthy and pedestrian. The Pimps of Joytime employ soulful hooks, hip-hop vocals, and wait—vibraphone jazz god Roy Ayers getting featured on two tracks! We applaud you for bring Roy back to the dance scene!
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Planet Rump Daydreams ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Yours truly, Planet Rump, delivers a new electro breakbeat club banger as a prelude to our upcoming record to be released in early 2012! We are really sinking our teeth into new styles and mastering new methods of self-expression. This single definitely takes on influences from Chico Mann, the Prodigy, and Egyptian Lover. We couldn’t have done it without the lyrical contributions of Sherm Sherm, big up bro!
Poolside
Do You Believe? ORIGIN
Los Angeles
Whoa Poolside! You get your name from recording all your music from your pool house in the backyard of your Los Angeles home. And your music video shows you playing a ton of cool instruments, skateboarding, eating steak, and chilling in a rooftop hot tub. MUST BE NICE! Anyways, these cats describe their music as “daytime disco” and they turn it out at a very nice tempo that allows for maximum grooviness. I haven’t been to many daytime discos, but I would go to this one, or at least drive to one listening to this song and doing that thing with my hand outside the car window like my hand is some sort of dolphin swimming through invisible waves.
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Preston Reset Just Let Me Know ORIGIN
Brooklyn
The wiley synth addict Preston Reset drops some super throwback pop-funk on your eardrums like he is the twisted love child of Phil Collins and Dave-1 from Chromeo coming at the world full steam. He rocks you with synthesized horn sections like it’s the 80s all over again in “Just Let Me Know.” It’s like you have a nice house in California and Preston Reset is knocking on your front door holding a corsage waiting to take your daughter to the prom with a huge smile on his face and promising to bring her back by midnight and knowing it’s a big fat lie.
Rich Aucoin
We’re All Dying To Live ORIGIN
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Rich Aucoin’s shows are like an 8-year-old’s birthday party where the boundaries between audience and performer are blurred into a magical participatory experience. A mega-multi-instrumentalist, he is more like a conductor with the generosity and love of the Dalai Llama. His first EP synced to How the Grinch Stole Christmas just like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon synced with Wizard of Oz. When he tours, he runs half marathons to raise money for cancer charities. He is an amazing man beyond comparison to any musical peers.
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Rubblebucket Omega La La ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Rubblebucket delivers some straight-up tasty poppy big band jams for you this year. Omega La La was recorded in Williamsburg’s DFA studios, ya know, the record label for LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost!, Yacht, Hot Chip, etc? So you can imagine that these joints sound nothing less than sexy. Rubblebucket called on Planet Rump to cameo in their Super-8 music video for “Silly Fathers”, which has guitars like Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” and lots of great horns. Planet Rump later remixed “Triangular Daisies”— our first ever remix. We missed the deadline for their remix EP, but you can check it out on our Soundcloud!
Rye Rye
RYEot powRR Mixtape ORIGIN
Baltimore
Rye Rye is a fiesty young talent signed to M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. Recordings. Just 21 years old, she caught the ears of Diplo and MIA when she broke onto the scene at a ripe 16. This mixtape gives a pretty good taste of what’s to expect from her upcoming debut album, Go! Pop! Bang!, and it’s gonna be HOT! Wake up any dancefloor with the booming bass production and swag-laced rhymes of “Witchdoctor” and “Go! Pop! Bang!”
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Spank Rock
Everthing is boring and everyone is a F___ing liar ORIGIN
Philadelphia
Spank Rock! Thank you old friend! You have returned after five long years with another pelvis-thrusting creative masterpiece. Spank Rock does not disappoint you with this follow up to 2006’s YoYoYoYoYo, as he pairs his super dirty street poetics with jazz-like club beats from Diplo, XXXChange, and BoyzNoize! Big Freedia guests on a track that sounds like an updated version of 2 Live Crew. I just read a music magazine at Barnes and Noble that said he is the Jean Michel Basquiat of club music. I’m not sure what that really means, but in the photo spread, his hair looked awesome.
Suspicious Package Bird of Prey ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Electro-poppers Suspicious Package drop hot fire in your eardrums on this epic metaphorical love story dance jam “Bird of Prey”! With a synth reminiscent of a Benny Benasi jam, Ashlynn and Emily of SP deliver a feathery follow-up to last year’s legendary “Hummingbird.” These two ladies are always up to some artistic creation and have a whole load of unrecorded material we are all wishing that they release ASAP! Catch their videos online for some seriously amazing stuff! These Renaissance ladies are making moves with all artforms of the mind, body, and soul.
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Tayisha Busay Focus/Virus ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Electro glitter queens Tayisha Busay go DEEP with this record! You may know them for their choreographed mayhem on stage that creates contagious innappropriate dance spasms among the fans that grew up on Nickelodeon shows like “You Can’t Do That On Television.” Well this record takes all that energy to the next level of sophistication on a spiritual roller coaster of reality, desire, and love, interjected with comforting episodes of silliness. Neighbor and buddy Richard Spitzer (aka Little Star Dweller) mixed these tracks to sound like pure manifestations of electro-emotions that are in a category all their own. When Rich’s guest vocals come in on “Can’t Believe It’s You”, you may draw a your own picture of epic romantic fantasy in your mind. This one is for the history books, ladies and gentlemen.
Will Sheridan
Welcome to the Jungle (SRIMIX remix) ORIGIN
Brooklyn
Will Sheridan aka Simba aka GIANT has been making quite a name for himself this year. Maybe you witnessed his tremendous bravery and leadership during his May 2011 ESPN interview (he was a blue chip basketball star at Villanova, didn’t you know?) about what it is like being gay in the NCAA, and how he overcame prejudice. Or maybe you saw his photo in the November 2011 GQ magazine feature on Brooklyn: The Coolest City in the Planet. Or maybe you danced to this remix of Welcome to the Jungle by SRIMIX. Stay tuned for Will’s full-length album dropping in early 2012!
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Happy Holidays 2011 + Happy New Year 2012 î‚Ş Dave + Leyla