RELEASE: Meanest Man Contest (Digital Only)

Wow, these Meanest Man Contest fellows are quite prolific. On the heels of some wonderful new tracks through RCRD LBL and the previous GRR release comes a new EP featuring some remixes, a cover version, and a new original track.

We Blame You is the first in a series of odds-and-ends EPs from the San Francisco/Los Angeles hip-hop/electronic pop duo. Three remixes of MMC faves – by Paris-based producer Débruit (Musique Large), San Francisco laptop king Mochipet (Daly City Records), and Dutch up-and-comer Multi-Panel – are rounded out by a cover from Roman Ruins (Gold Robot) and a new MMC track ("You're Right. It's Ballin'.").

Check out the tracklist:

1. We Wouldn't Want It Any Other Way (Débruit remix)
2. Throwing Away Broken Electronics (Mochipet remix f/ DJ Lion)
3. You're Right. It's Ballin'.
4. They Do (Multi-Panel remix)
5. They Do (Roman Ruins version)

The Multi-Panel remix was selected from numerous entries to our "They Do" remix contest. They were all excellent, and you'll start seeing some of them pop up over the coming months.

Here's a free MP3 from the EP, feel free to spread it around.

::: Meanest Man Contest - We Wouldn't Want It Any Other Way (Debruit Remix)

You can download the album through a number of digital retailers, including Emusic and iTunes.

[Meanest Man Contest on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records home.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: mp3, music, meanest man contest, roman ruins, mochipet, multi panel, debruit, remix, cover, gold robot records

SIX: GRR Related Remixes

It's true: a veritable flood of GRR-related remixes has been released. Special thanks to Sneakmove for facilitating most of this deluge. Sightings include Panther (GRR002), Copy (GRR003), Roman Ruins (GRR001), Meanest Man Contest (GRR003) in both duo and solo (Eriksolo & Quarterbar) form, and Lips 'n Ribs (GRRD03, forthcoming). (Side note: Arcade Fire is not associated with Gold Robot Records, but they are good.) Enjoy the sounds.

::: Panther - On The Lam (Copy Remix)
::: Panther - Puerto Rican Jukebox (Lips 'n Ribs Remix)
::: The Hidden Cameras - Doot Doot Ploot (Roman Ruins Remix)
::: Thee More Shallows - Night at the Knight School (MMC Remix)
::: Apes on Tapes - Catkilla (Eriksolo Remix)
::: Arcade Fire - Black Mirror (Quarterbar Remix)

(PS - Keep your eyes on the GRR website and your favorite digital music shops for a super secret remix CD coming out in the near future.)

[Gold Robot Records home.]
[Current macktronic contest.]
[Download Music from eMusic; 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to guzzy123.]

Tags: mp3, music, remix, panther, copy, meanest man contest, roman ruins, lips and ribs, arcade fire, apes on tapes, quarterbar, eriksolo

MISC: Music Blogs

It's been an interesting internet world of late with most of the attention centered around a certain band's self-leaking of a new album. Admittedly, this new model of distribution excited the pants off of me; seems like I've devoted alot of time reading articles/posts/etc which investigate the state of the music industry, in particular the role of mp3 blogs. (Obviously, of interest to yours truly. Here's a couple links, followed by some thoughts.

Pretty Goes With Pretty's blog post titled Can't Talk; Hyping
Check out this four-parter which looks at the changing roles (goals?) of music blogs.

NY Times Freakonomics blog article called What's the Future of the Music Industry?
I really have no idea how this digital vs physical battle will shake out.

NY Magazine article on what the music business actually sells, called Facing the Music

SaveNetRadio.org runs a good blog, all about their plight

Heck, even Popular Science is weighing in.

Obviously, this is just a short list of the many, many which exist out there. (I'd be interested in reading more if you want to leave some in the comments below). Many thanks to catbirdseat which got me started with the Freakonomics blog post linked above.

As it pertains to this particular endeavor (Macktronic), it's been fun to see the shifts/problems/paradoxes firsthand. When I first started this thing, I would get a kick out seeing how many hits a certain post could garner. Not so much so anymore. Similar to what was pointed out in the Pretty Goes With Pretty article, I get tired of reading about the same bands over and over and over in other blogs; entries stacked upon entries, mostly filler.

The goal of this thing has always been to easily share some of my musical fascinations with my friends (and, by extension, a wider audience). Some of the bands are popular, some aren't, but that's kind of the point of the exercise. (Being, "I like this, do you?"). I also enjoy listening to new stuff, whether I stumble upon it on my own or by way of a promotions department. I think many blogs feel pressure to post everything that passes through their inbox, even if it doesn't interest them. That's a bad habit. And although I'm a fairly horrid writer, I try to at least lay down a framework for why I post a track.

I'm sure that the focus/scope of this blog will continue to evolve based on my interests/tastes; Ideally not becoming a dreaded "filler blog".

+++++++++++

In return for putting up with that rant/discussion, here's the first product of the Meanest Man Contest remix contest we're doing over at Gold Robot Records. Check it out.

::: Meanest Man Contest - They Do (Roman Ruins Remix)

+++++++++++

[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 (kerry).]

Tags: mp3, music, blog, future, remix, roman ruins

VIDEO: Roman Ruins - "Bird Island"

Check out this video for the brand new Roman Ruins track titled "Bird Island". Great song, interesting video. Also, here's a track (that I've posted before) from his limited edition 7-inch record on Gold Robot Records.

::: Roman Ruins - Releasing Me

Get your own copy for 5 bucks here.

[Roman Ruins on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Current macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: mp3, music, roman ruins, video, bird island

MONDAY: Motivation

This has to be the most songs I've posted at a single time in quite a while, but I just wanted to pass them along. Two sets of 5 tracks, the first set being remixes and upbeat songs with the second a collection of instrumentals. All excellent.

::: Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)
::: Yazoo - Don't Go (Quarterbar Rum Remix)
::: Teddybears - Cobrastyle (Diplo Remix)
::: Panther - Use Your Mouth To Breathe
::: Thunderheist - Suenos Dulces

::: E*Rock - Living, Breathing, Etc.
::: Global Goon - Dead Weird Keks
::: Roman Ruins - Panic Disorder
::: Bell Orchestre - The Upwards March
::: Tiga - Far From Home (DFA Instrumental Remix)

[Official Bell Orchestre website.]
[Audio Dregs website.]
[Quarterbar website.]
[Official Panther website.]
[Roman Ruins on myspace.]

[Gold Robot Records.]
[Current macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to martin isaac.]

Tags: mp3, music, justice, mstrkrft, yazoo, quarterbar, teddybears, diplo, panther, thunderheist, erock, global goon, roman ruins, bell orchestre, tiga, dfa

MUSIC: Roman Ruins

Decided to revisit one of Macktronic's favorite artists today since this track came up on my iPod during the work commute and it really did me right. Roman Ruins, out of Oakland, creates some amazing/intricate songs that have their own unique atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one.

::: Roman Ruins - Familiar and Serene

You can download another song of his from a previous post here on Macktronic. Buy all albums/EPs/45s by Roman Ruins (formerly Delux) over on his myspace page. Also check out the tracks "Bird Island" and "Your House" which are awesome.

[Roman Ruins on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to got2knit. It's the West Oakland station on BART!]

Tags: mp3, music, roman ruins, oakland, indie, pop

LAUNCH: Gold Robot Records

So there's been some changes around here at Macktronic. The focus and design have slowly been evolving, and probably will continue to do so throughout the history of this project. One offshoot of the endeavor is that I've decided to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, and start a record label...... Gold Robot Records. The focus of GRR is small run vinyl releases with a focus on independent musicians, artists, printmakers, and designers. It's a non-profit project, with all proceeds going to the making of the next release.

We've got two 7 inch releases this month. GRR001 is by Oakland's Roman Ruins, an electro/pop/rock artist that crafts intricate and powerful songs. GRR002 features Portland's Panther and all of his dance/funk talent. Both musicians are extremely talented with full-length releases on other labels in the works. Check out the A-side tracks here, and buy an album afterwords.

::: Roman Ruins - Releasing Me [from GRR001]
::: Panther - How Well Can You Swim [from GRR002]

Order a seven inch of both artists, support the creative folks who make independent music, and spread the word.

For those of you in the Bay Area, we've got a launch party for GRR001 on Friday Feb 16 at Space Gallery in San Francisco. Music sets by Roman Ruins, Jones + Height (Baltimore), and The Parish (Oakland) plus many local artists including Rhea Fontaine, Marlon Ingram, Bruk Dunbar, Andrew Venell, Hunter Mack, Kerri Johnson, and Jason Byers. Music starts at 10PM.

Panther is dropping his full-length album on Fryk Beat in early March, titled Secret Lawns. Roman Ruins debut full-length is due out later this year on Daly City Records. Hear more music from both artists on their myspace sites linked below, and be GRR's friend as well.

[Gold Robot Records official website.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Roman Ruins on myspace.]
[Panther on myspace.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to tubes.]

Tags: mp3, music, macktronic, panther, roman ruins, san francisco, bay area, oakland, portland, independent, the parish, jones, height, elctronica, rock, space gallery, vinyl, record label, new, awesome