Three new littleBits modules, Chilly Gonzales’ Re-Introduction Etudes, the YouTube-indie label clash and The story of Tonka Sound System.
The Tonka Sound System story. A 20-minute video from 1990 that profiles the people involved with legendary Cambridge party collective Tonka Sound System, which propelled the career’s of DJ Harvey and Felix Dickinson amongst others. Watch above.
Chilly Gonzales’ Re-Introduction Etudes. Acclaimed pianist and producer Chilly Gonzales releases a book and CD of “twenty-four easy-to-master, fun-to-play piano pieces” entitled Re-Introduction Etudes, which are intended to re-introduce lapsed piano students and introduce beginners of all kinds to the piano. Info here.
Sample Magic’s French House Tips. Merging elements of house, disco, electro and indie-dance, Sample Magic’s host of tips should set you on your way to recreating everything that’s great about French House, from layering dirty drums to micro-sampling disco guitar licks. Find them here.
NI Summer of Sales. Native Instruments launch their annual ‘Summer of Sound’ special sale where, until June 30th, current product owners can save 50% on updates, upgrades, and crossgrades. This year’s special also sees the Maschine 2 software update on sale for the first time. More info here. Plus, as a bonus, follow NI on Instagram (@nativeinstruments) to be in with a chance of winning a $5,000 gear bundle.
20 Years of Metalheadz: The Future. Having previously shown the ground first charted by Metalheadz‘ founding fathers, the label now shine a light on the artists pushing them forward into uncharted territory. Watch DJs and producers Jubei, Ulterior Motive, Lenzman, Mako and of course Goldie as they turn a page of the ever-evolving Metalheadz in the video above.
The birth of balearic. As the 2014 Ibiza season kicks off, DJs and UK house music trailblazers Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway, Paul Oakenfold, Johnny Walker and DJ Alfredo reveal the truths behind the myths and the real origins of 1987’s Balearic-inspired revolution. Read the i-D interview here.
Bjork retrospective at NY’s MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art plans a 2015 exhibition celebrating Bjork‘s multifaceted work as composer, musician and artist. The exhibition will chronicle her “daring and adventurous projects” over the past 20 years, as well as trace her seven studio albums, from Debut released in 1993, to Biophilia in 2011. Find out more here.
An interview with Greg Beato, the Apron and L.I.E.S-released producer. Read and listen here.
Beatz – Divergences & Contradictions of Electronic Music. Filmed with practically no budget, minimal technical resources but a fervent desire to document an important piece of music history, Beatz is a rapid subjective summary of today’s dance music scene, from its origins to the professionalisation of the scene and the paradigm shift that has come with the digital age. Stream in full above.
Expert Sleepers’ 16-algorithm module. An epic video exposing each of the CV and audio processes offered by Expert Sleepers’ new 16-in-1 multifunction Disting module. Watch above, and find out more about Disting here.
Three new littleBits modules: a MIDI module, a CV module and a USB I/O module, enabling you to enhance the general connectivity of your littleBits modular synth and integrate it into both hardware and software-based setups. Check the new modules out and sign up to be informed upon their release here.