Klay Cartier is an emerging artist who dabbles in the deep end, where the borders between genres have evaporated into mist. His latest offering, a percussion-heavy (or should I say heavy percussion) single titled ‘Good For Nothin’’, showcases his ability to veer off into new lanes without changing course.
To this end, he shared: “I recorded and worked on this song over a year ago. I knew I wanted to step out of my wheelhouse like I usually do, and it pushed me to make this incredible song. I took aspects from R&B, Pop, Rock, and Latin genres and mashed them together to create this electrifying experience for the listener.”
Signed with Kult Klassic Studios, his latest offering is a bare-bones production. This is not to say that it is by any means sparse, but rather that the focus on the raw physicality of the drum rhythms mixed with Cartier’s unblemished voice makes for an essential and directed work of art.
Following the release of their exceptional new album, Off Planet, Django Django have revealed a new video for the trance-inducing dance anthem, ‘Slipstream’.
The fast-paced techno of ‘Slipstream’’s humming beat, and addictive synth tones are accompanied in the new video by Tron-esque flashing lights and neon scenery, while lead singer Vincent Neff journeys through a sonic landscape that visualises Django Django’s unparalleled musical electronica.
Speaking of the video, the band said: “The lyrics are a bit of an ode to watching the Tour de France with Pete Shelley’s signature track playing as a kid. We thought it would be fun to build upon that with the video, which sees Vinny being put through his paces, ramping up in speed until he breaks beyond reality”.
Director Daniel Nellis continues: “In ‘Slipstream’ we join Vinny on his wayward journey through a twilight town. In this parallel universe characters are stuck in motion forever, their soundtrack cosmically transmitted between them, leaving each other in a state of ecstasy. Vinny’s search for his non-existent destination leaves him in ever increasing kinetic states of blissful speed fed highs, leaving the others in his world forever and ever in his Slipstream.”
The video’s unveiling arrives just after the announcement of a new headline UK and European tour, which includes a show at London’s KOKO on 14th December.
Off Planet, the band’s fifth full-length studio album, is out now via Because Music (stream / purchase it here.) Released in four parts, each representing a different “planet”, Off Planet is the biggest, boldest, and most varied statement the band have made, with a cavalcade of mainstream and underground stars – Self Esteem, Jack Peñate, Stealing Sheep, Toya Delazy and many more, all of them either friends of the band or personally sought out by Dave – bringing entirely new creative angles into play. Off Planet was conceptualised by Django Django co-founder and producer Dave Maclean as “a way to go beyond”, to bring new voices, new rhythms, new experimentation into play, and effectively to deconstruct the band’s identity. From bluesy pop and Middle Eastern cabaret goth to Afro acid and piano rave, to call it kaleidoscopic is putting it mildly. Despite at times not sounding like anything on their previous releases, Off Planet is very much still recognisably Django Django.
The album was described by Uncut (8/10) as “their most accomplished and ambitious record to date”, by The Arts Desk(4*) as “sprawling, eclectic and ear-pleasing” and Record Collector (4*) as “a rewarding listen”.
Off Planet features multiple standout singles including the BBC Radio 6 Music A-Listed 90s dance-pop explosion, “Complete Me” ft. Self Esteem, the genre-bending “No Time”ft. Jack Peñate, the futuristic club track “Don’t Touch That Dial” ft. Yuuko plus “Slipstream”.
See below for the full tour routing and click HERE for tickets.
Disney has put a contemporary spin on their classic animation The Little Little Mermaid. Originally written by Hans Christian Andersen, the fairy tale has resurfaced, and this time with a twist. Now reimagined, The Little Mermaid is a musical adaptation featuring singer-songwriter Halle Bailey as Ariel, the little mermaid herself.
The major motion picture made its debut on the 26th of May and, naturally, the official soundtrack, written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, followed soon after – available now across digital streaming platforms. Fans can also purchase the cinematic score on vinyl at Disney Music Emporium.
Rob Marshall, the film’s director and producer, said the following: “Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda have written three thrilling new songs and one new reprise for this film, which is kind of amazing. It’s extraordinary actually.”
As musicians know, the audience is everything. As such, SoundCloud is in the process of launching an innovative new feature on SoundCloud for Artists that will enable creators to make direct contact with key members of their audience. Called ‘Fans’, the feature was built to help artists forge stronger bonds with their die-hard fans.
Still in the beta phase, the feature has been made available to over 50,000 test users, who are now able to message the select few who make a difference. The hope here is that artists will be able to build increasingly meaningful relationships with their core followers.
The potential here is worth noting: instead of relying on streams, musicians could, at least in theory, offer their loyal listeners exclusive content and merchandise, leading to higher revenue; the possibilities are endless. In addition, musicians will be able to track listening behaviours and form strategies based on the feature’s handy analytics dashboard.
