Archive for August, 2009

Andy Hart – Valley Crusades EP OUT NOW!!!

August 26th, 2009

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BGR007 – Andy Hart – Vally Crusades EP
A: Original Mix
B: Mike Buhl Mix

In a club world awash in excessive minimalism, sampling and electro, it’s quite refreshing to hear this solid effort from newcomer Andy Hart. Hailing from the Down Under mecca of Melbourne, Mr. Hart is representative of the quality and talent to be found throughout the Australian landscape. This is the sound of a cosmopolitan metropolis and the underground dance scene beneath it all. Both tracks complement each other nicely, creating an overall exceptional release.

The original mix is a well-produced, opening set builder. On display are crisp congas and handclaps, blended with mellow basslines and reverberated synth riffs. Lush pads open up at the break, against the backdrop of touchy percussion and effects. Beautiful stuff.

Fellow Aussie talent Mike Buhl turns in a funky groove-laden remix, packed with heavy hitting kick drums, floating synths and captivating melodies. A perfect balance of progression, dancefloor appeal, and deepness.

The original is the stunner here, a wide-screen display of melancholic emotions and cutting-edge minimalism. The beauty of the unknown, the anticipation of the next tune. A gathering of differing personalities, a party where everyone knows the end result. But no one’s giving anything anyway.

Donald Wilborn [11-Aug-2009] www.progressivehouse.com

listenDOWNLOAD THE CLIPS

buy_nowBUY FROM BEATPORT

 

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Introducing Mike Buhl

Currently, Mike’s music resides somewhere between minimal techno and tech house, which is the perfect realm for his balance between swingin and sinister. While inspired by a medley of electronic artists over the past few decades, the more contemporary artists Mike admires are the likes of Stephan Goldman, Paul Ritch, Richie Hawtin, and the current main players in minimal production.

The past year has seen Mike playing around in the studio collaborating with a couple of other producers under the moniker “3amp”. While this combination of talents promises some exciting music to emerge over the year to come, time in the studio has also encouraged Mike to work on his own solo projects which has seen a number of tracks created in a short period of time.  We’re glad to have Mike on board delivering a stellar remix and we can promise that you’ll be seeing much more of him in the future.

EMAIL info(AT)beatgeekrecords.com
WEB www.beatgeekrecords.com
SPACE www.myspace.com/beatgeekrecordsdigital
TWITTER www.twitter.com/beatgeekrecords
BEATPORT www.beatport.com/labels/beatgeek+records

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Posted in Labels and Distribution, Production

Cool production tools with Jaytech

August 25th, 2009

Track Guide

If the Myers Briggs Personality Type indicator test is anything to go by people either like to make lists or they like to be spontaneous (known as the J-P Dichotomy). I’m most definitely one who likes to make lists and work with the immediate and tangible so it’s no surprise that this cool little flowchart from one of Australia’s best producers appeals to me and my workflow greatly. » More: Cool production tools with Jaytech

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Posted in Production

Beers with Kosmas

August 21st, 2009

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Just to round of your working week I thought I’d write a few quick words about one producer I’ve followed for many years – Greek producer Kosmas Epsilon. His distinct production style and cult following have always been of interest to me and after receiving an email stating that he’d like some of my music on his label some weeks ago a meeting for beers was in order during his Australian visit this week.

Starting his career by handing James Holden a CD in a club in Greece, Kosmas is considered to be one of the most talented & consistent producers of the last decade. After having his remix of FC Kahuna’s “Hayling” included in Holden’s Balance 005 compilation, things turned out being a lot easier for Kosmas to showcase his productions and Djing skills. His tracks have gained great support and are being played by renowned Dj’s such as Sasha (earlier this year he claimed to be one of his biggest fans!), John Digweed, Nick Warren, Dave Seaman, James Holden, Hernan Cattaneo, Desyn Masiello, Pete Tong & even Tiesto to name but a few.

Toping this off is the brilliant mix compilation for the legendary Platipus Records, alongside Melbourne’s very own Luke Chable . Aside from that the guy is one of the nicest producers I’ve met in a while and the couple of hours we spent downing beers went all too quickly.

Epsilon Trax, like its owner, has a distinct cult following. The digital only label was started by Kosmas so to release his own productions and music that tickled his fancy along the way and the support it’s received is massive building on a reputation of quality music for dance floors.

My release should be out in the Northern Autumn along with a remix I’ve don’t for electronic legend QBical but in the mean time be sure to check out the pre-masters below

 Have a great weekend

 

Blinky – Kiss Not A Kiss (Original Mix)

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Blinky – Dance Like Deaf People (Original Mix)

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http://www.myspace.com/epsilonkosmas

http://www.myspace.com/epsilontrax

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Mastering with Liquid Mixes

August 17th, 2009

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One thing that’s always left me feeling slightly underwhelmed whilst out of pocket is the mastering process.

With 2 labels on the go I’m constantly sending cash and data off into the internet to be mastered and about 2 days late I’ll get back a bundle of tunes in a zip file. This isn’t to say that what I’ve got back doesn’t sound amazing, we’ve used some great engineers in the past year or so but I’ve always felt left out of the process so When Danny Bonnici from Liquid Mixes contacted me the other day I knew this could be the phone call to ease my frustrations » More: Mastering with Liquid Mixes

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New Live Set and Ableton EQs

August 7th, 2009

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After a 3 month hiatus i’m pretty excited to be playing my first gig in a while tonight for the Nexus Breed Crew. After gigging with my live show steadily for about 4 years I really found that I was burning the candle at both ends and things had got a bit stale so I made a decision to take some time off and really focus on getting some new material written.

The decision has been the highlight of my time writing music and I’ve come out the other side of things with about 7 new productions and a few remixes and most importantly I’ve breathed fresh life into my live show. I’ve been working against the clock a bit so there’s a few tunes in there i haven’t been able to loop out so I can play them completely live but the new layout is really modular and I’ll be able to build on it for some time to come. The file I use for my live set is still the same file a started with years ago and it’s a constantly evolving canvas. » More: New Live Set and Ableton EQs

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Posted in Production

Release Promo – Free marketing at it’s best.

August 5th, 2009

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How often do you get a newsletter from a record label that is just jammed packed with testimonials from some of the biggest DJs in the world and wonder “how the hell did they get in touch with those guys?!?”

In my opinion the most important marketing tool is a well constructed and nurtured database of your fans and followers and there’s nothing better to catch their eye and prove your worth that some praise from big names.

Testimonials and support from taste maker DJs are really make-or-break in today’s industry so yesterday when I was asked to provide a testimonial for my favourite promo pool’s new site I thought it was about time I shared one of the biggest cards I’ve got up my sleeve.

Release Promo is in my eyes the best promo pool I’ve found so far and in a new industry full of these “pools” has been the only one I really need and the best part of all – it’s free.

“Record labels provide Release Promo with advance, promotional material that we then electronically distribute to our hand selected recipients. In order for any recipient to download your music, all recipients must submit reactions & ratings (with the additional option of comments) via our website. This feedback is then available for the your label(s) on the Release Promo website. This feedback can be viewed by logging into our password accessed on-line feedback system. The reactions are posted to each account in real time as the DJs submit them.”

During the time we’ve been with Release Promo the exposure we’ve seen has been stellar. We’ve received feedback and support from Dubfire, Armin, DJ Vibe, M.O.D.E, Sasha Le Monnier and countless others as well as featuring heavily on their chart, including our last release from Def Digital sitting at number 1 for 2 weeks! Great exposure considering their chart “is also emailed to the Release Promo 30,000+ mailing list twice a month.”

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Release Promo is also a great litmus test for your releases, tracking the feedback received on the site with sales stats once received you will see an almost linear correlation between the two so it is a good way of working out how you should structure your marketing for your releases. Whether is be that you may need to give a release a bit more of a push or make sure it gets in the hands of every DJ alive because is going to be a hit.

In short, I’ll tell you what I told them in my testimonial…

“Release Promo is a pivotal part of our operation and has been instrumental in the success of BeatGeek. The Total Promo Service has seen our music played by the biggest names in dance music which is a big factor in driving sales and I can safely say that we wouldn’t be half the label we are today with out them”

Make sure you check it out.

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Posted in Labels and Distribution, New Media