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Botany – ‘Simple Creatures’

7 October 2013

Texan producer Botany (aka Spencer Stephenson) echoes the transcendent escape of 90s New Age but with a current, independent edge far removed from the exoticised ‘world sounds’ of something like Deep Forest’s ethnic-electro.

Existing in its own spacious Atlantean realm, a track like this ‘Simple Creatures’ goes beyond the realm of possibility while still graspable in the liquid movement of Stephenson’s sound. Featuring vocals by Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder-released RYAT, it’s the second single from album Lava Diviner (Truestory),  out on Western Vinyl October 29.

See the Western Vinyl website for more details. **

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SXSW 2011 @ Austin – Texas

3 March 2011

The grooviest, indiest, geekiest and probably most respected mix of festivals in southern U.S. (which also helps the Texas economy…. a lot)  is due in just 2 months… nearly 25 years old and bringing each year some of the best musicians, performances & professionals to set the trend for the coming months; and as you know other related things that go with music… films, workshops, talks, interactive media… all around the American scene, but also international: SXSW.

This year the mix is as varied & heterogeneous as always… so you have musics that go from the incomprehensible electro by James Blake or the more relaxed Fujiya & Miyagi to loads of local rock & indie bands… Experimental Aircraft, Glambilly, Los Lonely Boys…. (the full list this way).

Then you also have the film part which is a bit more mainstream and where a few future blockbusters such as “Source Code” or Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver” will premiere. And last but not least our favorite….the Interactive part, which was the last bit to be added to the festival and includes 5 days of discussions & presentations around emerging media…. loads of brands & advertising surrounding you, trying to sell you services & products, but also loads of ideas for those future twitters and foursquares…

The dates as usual….

SXSWeek 2011 March 11-20
Interactive March 11-15
Film March 11-19
Music March 16-20

Big Star Panel - From left: Ken Stringfellow, Jon Auer, Bob Mehr, Tommy Keene, Jody Stephens, John Fry by video link from Memphis, Chris Stamey and Andy Hummel

What it certainly hasn’t changed is the pricey tickets… which at this point there’s only 2 rates left … and yes, we won’t blame you if you decide not to go, after all, you can always pick up the names of the bands & the films and download them from somewhere on the net. But then, the live experience is not comparable you know…

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