MUSIC: More New Panther!

In my eyes, a new track from the upcoming Panther LP makes for a good Friday. Check out this driving little track; it's not as frenetic as previous releases, but there's a sense of urgency lurking underneath throughout. I'm honestly loving this new stuff (see here).

::: Panther - Violence, Diamonds

Pre-order 14 KT GOD from Kill Rock Stars and get a free poster plus instructions on how to make your own Panther mask.

[Panther on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to kevin. Get it? "Panther" city bicycles!]

Tags: mp3, music, panther, kill rock stars, awesome

FRIDAY: Ratatat

It's always a good day to listen to some Ratatat, with this track coming off the 9 Beats CD. You can find the whole thing online fairly easy; good luck finding a hard copy.

::: Ratatat - Track 07

Recently, E*Vax (half of Ratatat) has collaborated on a single-sided 7" record on Mold Recordings with Craig Wedren. (The flip side is etched). Limited to only 300 copies and shipped from Japan. You can listen to a sample of the track and order your own copy here.

[Official Ratatat site.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to germany_as.]

Tags: ratatat, mp3, music, e*vax, mold recordings, vinyl

LATE: The Cool Kids

You can absolutely call me one of the following:
(a) late to the party
(b) a bandwagon fan
(c) slow

However, I couldn't resist posting something on these guys since it's all I've been listening to over the past week. I was reciting lines from "Black Mags" while on the ski lift in Colorado this past weekend, it was embarassing. Check out a good post on Passion of the Weiss (aside from the yelling during the set part, which wasn't all that cool; anyone should be able to enjoy whatever music they like, regardless of what they look like) and the accompanying LA times review.

::: The Cool Kids - Black Mags
::: The Cool Kids - Gold And A Pager
::: The Cool Kids - Mikey Rocks

Expect an LP on Chocolate Industries sometime soon.

[The Cool Kids on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to konstriktion, awesome shot.]

Tags: mp3, music, hip hop, rap, cool kids

MUSIC: DRI

I started listening to this album a while back but it somehow slipped from my consciousness. Then, I started hearing/reading more about Range Life Records out of Lawrence, Kansas. This small (but excellent) label only has a couple releases under their belt (White Flight, Fourth of July, 1 Million Light Years), including the debut album by DRI titled Smoke Rings. She's the ex-keyboardist from The Anniversary and also plays with Art In Manila, but this album leans a little more electronic with whispy/light vocals throughout. It's a strong debut and a perfect companion to these cold/bright months. Here's some tracks, including a remix by her labelmates.

::: Dri - What's Real
::: Dri - You Know I Tried
::: Dri - Meet Me Out (1M Light Years Remix)

You can order Smoke Rings through the Saddle Creek webstore.

[DRI on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to hittheroad.]

Tags: mp3, music, lawrence, dri, range life records, remix

CONTEST: FADER 51 7-inch (Dirty Projectors b/w White Williams)

UPDATE: This contest has ended, congratulations to Eric of Brooklyn!!! You can always find a direct link to the latest contest using the "current contest" link found in the sidebar.

Fader Mag have dropped another limited edition (500) split 7-inch single (in cooperation with Southern Comfort) coinciding with the release of FADER 51 (articles on Santogold among others). The vinyl features The Dirty Projectors and White Williams (cover art by Matt Furie). Already hyped on the interweb, Macktronic is happy to give away one of these fine records.

Here's some free downloads:
Download FADER 51 for free
FADER 51 audio mix MP3

To enter the contest, simply send an email to macktronic (at) gmail (dot) com with the subject line "FADER 51 CONTEST" including your mailing address in the body of the email. Winners will be chosen at random on Tuesday January 29th. Good luck!

While we're obviously fans of free stuff, we're also fans of both featured artists. Check out these tracks.

::: Dirty Projectors - Six Pack
::: Dirty Projectors - Spray Paint (The Walls)
::: White Williams - Route to Palm
::: White Williams - New Violence

You can buy albums by these artists (or any other for that matter) from Insound. If you place the order by January 21st, you can use the following discount codes:
"vampire10" for 10% off your entire order
"vampire15" for 15% off an order of $50 or more

[Dirty Projectors on myspace.]
[White Williams on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Cover art by Matt Furie.]

Tags: mp3, music, fader, vinyl, contest, free, dirty projectors, white williams

MUSIC: Quinn Walker (and Suckers)

I've been listening to Quinn Walker tracks for around 3 years, and it's not because I have an amazing nose for talent. One of my housemates, upon returning from a trip to his childhood home of Connecticut, kept bringing home these sprawling, disjointed, manic CDR's from this kid he grew up with. There were always about 25 tracks packed onto each album, the covers were xeroxes of intricate/messy hand-drawn art. I'd listen to each one since I'd become accustomed to hearing 3 or 4 moments of brilliance among the rest of the (still quite good) noise. That's why it doesn't surprise me in the least that his first proper release is a double album (first since Cody ChestnuTT?). The debut release is titled Laughter's An Asshole / Lion Land, and drops January 29th on Voodoo Eros . There's also a good preview/analysis over at this Stereogum post. Here are some sample tracks for you to digest.

::: Quinn Walker - Save Your Love For Me
::: Quinn Walker - Baby Neon
::: Quinn Walker - Plenty Of Water For Mud

Buy Quinn's debut double-CD here for only 16 bucks.

Also, it's quite pertinent to mention another project involving Quinn. NY-based band, Suckers, also includes Austin Fisher, Brian Aiken, and a mystery man named Pan (I have no idea). I find it slightly more accessible, a little more reckless, and extremely enjoyable. Apparently the live performance should not be missed (come to the West Coast sometimes, perhaps). Anyhow, I don't know of any release plans bu they've got a few NE shows coming up at the end of January. These demo tracks are off their myspace page (nice of them to offer them up for download!).

::: Suckers - Afterthoughts and TV
::: Suckers - Easy Chairs
::: Suckers - Hiding Behind Waterfalls
::: Suckers - Kiss Goodnight

[Quinn Walker on myspace.]
[Suckers on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to dubsyuhs.]

Tags: mp3, music, quinn walker, suckers, brooklyn, glam folk

MUSIC: Panther (new song!)

It's officially time to begin the countdown to Panther's new full-length album. The now-duo, recently signed to Kill Rock Stars, will drop 14 KT GOD on February 22nd. Although this track was just posted on a blog with a heavier readership, I thought I'd pass it along to the infinitely smaller (but infinitely better looking) readers of macktronic. Enjoy the complex danceable stylings of these brilliant guys.

::: Panther - Puerto Rican Jukebox

You can buy Panther's debut LP through Fryk Beat. It's fantastic. Also, get your hands on the limited edition vinyl-only single released by Gold Robot Records. It includes an alternate version of the album track "How Well Can You Swim" and the unreleased track "Burning". Do check it out.

[Panther on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to puhitos.]

Tags: kill rock stars, mp3, music, panther, portland