The reviews are in for my RJD2 remix, and the response was once again overwhelming! Time Out NY called me a “Brooklyn studio whiz,” The UK Independent noted that I’m “quickly becoming the go-to guy for remixes among the indie sector,” some more Sirius/XM satellite radio airplay, sat on Elbo.ws top ten list for well over a week, and for the 4th time this year hit #1 on the Hypemachine charts!
So… ttttthankkkkk yyyyyyouuuu a million times over to those of you out there that listened and/or had something kind to say!
Before I get down to business, I should tell y’all I’m hard at work on a few new remixes, two of which are quite different from my usual fare, in large part because there’s FEMALE SINGERS on both… Oooooooh
My “Sweet Disposition” remix has struck again, this time with a trifecta of exciting news tidbits. First off, it’s been released on the latest Ministry of Sound compilation, “Hed Kandi: Nu Disco.” It features Chromeo, Fred Falke, Lindstrom, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, and… me? You can check it out here:
“…featuring a myriad of modern day disco gems taken from a dance music phenomenon that has taken over Hed Kandi headquarters and every enlightened dancefloor across the globe… Nu Disco is Hed Kandi’s perspective on the natural evolution of our beloved disco as it is transformed into the pioneering distant futuristic sound of the 21st century. This is disco’s budding romance with science fiction…”
Next order of business, the SD remix snuck it’s way onto DJ-AM-protegé DJ Morse Code’s latest mix, entitled “Walking on the Moon!” It’s a great mix (and not just because I’m biased!) – Calvin Harris, VHS or Beta, Miike Snow, and many more… Check it:
It gives me IMMENSE pleasure to present my latest remix of RJD2’s “The Shining Path” from his new album, “The Colossus” (BUY IT). RJ is a 10-year-strong musical innovator and pioneer, and it’s been an honor to correspond with him and work on this. Furthermore, today on his website, he said he loves what I did with the remix, and I’m still buzzing quite a bit about that.
The man is a legend and needs no introduction. I vividly remember hearing “Ghostwriter” for the first time, and thinking “YES…” RJ’s unique vision, ability to cross genres, and garner the respect of so many major artists and fans alike is unparalleled. Also worth noting, he’s released his latest record himself, abandoning the traditional record label model at a high level. That’s something I wish I saw more of in the world and is pretty inspiring, to say the least.
As I tried to explain the big-deal-ness of this project to my parents, they looked at me encouragingly but blankly… until I explained that his song, “A Beautiful Mine,” was licensed as the theme song to AMC’s “Mad Men,” at which point their eyes lit up – “oh we LOVE that song.” Damn straight!
Enough gushing, and on to the remix… It features Grammy-nominated Phonte Coleman of Little Brother and The Foreign Exchange on vocals. Without getting too technical/music-dorky about it, the original song (listen here) had a 6/8 feel, reminiscent of some classic Motown. As I listened to Phonte’s vocal, though, I saw the potential to hear it as a straight 4/4 rhythm, but with hints of triplets. In non-dork terms, I gave the song a very different feel – elements of G-Funk, California 60’s surf-pop, 8-bit sounds, and more… I hope the result will make you want to strut in the sunshine. Check it out:
I just did my very first radio interview for a show called “The Daily Feed” on WFPK 91.9 FM in Louisville, KY. The show will be re-broadcast on a few other stations nationally.
Past interviewees include OK GO, Spoon, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Sonic Youth, and more! I’m feelin both proud and flattered to say the least… Although I’m totally cringing at the sound of my own voice.
My Yeasayer remix is on the much-respected My Old Kentucky Blog show today. Tune in to SIRIUS XMU, Channel 26 on SIRIUS & channel 43 on XM – the two-hour program starts at 12pm ET and is replayed again at Midnight ET.
I’m on there alongside Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Cold Cave, Holly Miranda, Phoenix, Rogue Wave, and many more… Check out the playlist and download some MP3’s from the show at My Old Kentucky Blog.
And, lastly, because I can never pass up an opportunity for a bad pun, especially when it involves Jermaine Jackson, here’s the amazingly funky Stevie-Wonder-produced “Let’s Get Serious”
I’m insanely pleased to announce my latest remix, this time of Yeasayer’s “Ambling Alp” from their upcoming record “Odd Blood.” If you’re unfamiliar with Yeasayer, please take a moment to check them out, as they are an UNBELIEVABLE band. They write wonderful wonderful music, and they manage to combine live instruments with electronics & samples in a totally unique and inspiring way.
As I told their guitarist, Anand, within minutes of hearing the remix stems, I was completely floored. I was already a big fan, but upon hearing each instrument isolated, I couldn’t believe my ears. They labored over every little sound with the utmost care, from the tiniest percussion slaps, to their singer Chris’ own voice re-pitched through a sampler… All I could think was “man, I gotta step my game up if I’m gonna do this song any justice.”
I tried to approach my remix with that similar attention to detail in mind. I re-harmonized the song into a minor key, and I mixed a number of electronic sounds (synths, bleeps, boops) with live instruments (banjo, live hi-hat & snare drum). The song struck me as having some African influences deep in it – I tried to tease those out a bit more, although filtered through my bizarre-child-of-the-80s lens…
I’m especially proud of this, and I’ve gotten a great response from the band about it – I really hope you like it, too! And as always, please feel free to download and share it with any and everyone you know! HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD!
Also, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE support the band and pick up their album when it drops next week. And check out their psychedelic not-safe-for-work video, below, and the also not-safe-for-work website Ambling Alp Experience:
Man oh man it’s been a busy weekend at AW central. Writing some new music, doing a lot of work with my pals Project Jenny Project Jan for their new record (which is AMAZING and getting closer and closer to done!), and I’m wrapping up my latest remix. I expect/hope to be sharing it with y’all in the next few days! Just tweaking the final mixing and mastering on it + testing it out on a few different soundsystems, and then Bon Voyage.
As a little preliminary taste, I video-taped myself tracking some of the percussion parts that I play on it. You’ll have to excuse the audio, as it sounds a little crude…
And moving right along, my Chester French remix really took the old intynet by storm! Even managed to top the Hypemachine Twitter charts for a few days (screenshot). And picked up some nice writeups, too – check it:
Aside from all the critical acclaim and my own personal enjoyment of the series, I have an alterior motive for posting about the show… They used my song, “Bad Mamma Jamma,” to soundtrack the following episode from their new season!
And because I’m SOOOOO nice, for a limited time I’m offering up a free download of “Bad Mamma Jamma” just for you!
Welcome to Wilcassettes, the home of everything Alan Wilkis. Alan is a Brooklyn-based musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and general musical mover-and-shaker... Anything else you'd like to know? Ask Alan HERE: http://www.formspring.me/alanwilkis
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