Sunday, December 23, 2007

Cut Copy's So Cosmic

Ok, 2007 is almost ending and Cut Copy will be one of the artists to watch in 08. Instead of presenting their new tracks in a conventional way, they came with a better idea. They are giving away a mix at the Daft Punk's concerts in Australia. This mix includes new songs that they will release next year and also the music that inspired their new record. Personally, I believe that this mix is perfect to end this year and describes the music that we listen at the Neon Rider.

Cut Copy- So Cosmic HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Wayfarer

Moulinex and Disco T.E.X.A.S



3YO already introduced you to Moulinex, but here at the Neon Rider we were so intrigued with their music that we decided to contact them and ask some questions about their plans for 08 with Disco T.E.X.A.S.

Moulinex Profile
Real names and ageLuis, 23 Born in Portugal.
Currently Listening to: Tyrone Brunson - Sticky SituationTony Allen - Lagos No Shaking, Kanye West - Graduation, Burial - Untrue, Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends, VA - After dark (italians do it better)

W: What is Disco T.E.X.A.S?

M:I belong to D.I.S.C.O.TEXAS, together with Xinobi (myspace.com/xinobi) and a bunch of good friends (check myspace.com/discotexas). The name is just a play on the words "discothèque" and "texas" (a slang in Portuguese for "chaos").We've been throwing these parties where we all play back to back for hours, and the reactions have been great.

W:We know you reside in Munich. Can you describe us the night scene compared to Berlin or other cities in Europe?
M:Well, in Munich there's less minimal, so there's more music. But there are virtually no underground and DIY parties like in BLN.

Plans for 08? Yes! An EP is planned for early spring 2008. And a brand new label which seems very very promising. Right now we're collaborating with Arthur Baker (aka GOD!!) in a track, which is possibly gonna be the D.I.S.C.O.TEXAS Anthem, so we want to take the whole thing to another level.I'm friends, and first of all, a big admirer with the guys in Valerie. I think what brings us together is our shared love for "Melody After All". Besides doing great music, these guys have great taste.

W:Whats the deal with pinneapples?
M: I'm terribly sorry, that must be kept a secret. But everyone should start eating them a lot - it's for your own good!---hope that's good.

Please check The last party he did with Xinobi in Lux (Lisbon) it was awesome!

Moulinex and Xinobi at Lux (Lisbon) video

Moulinex-Leisure Suit


Remember

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Exclusive Interview with Cryptonites

From Switzerland, Neon Rider presents you the Cryptonites



W: Real Names and Ages

C: Remo, 26 / Lukas, 27-

W:For how long you've been producing music?

C: We've been producing music together since may 2007. But we were both in several projects before and remo is playing in a rock band besides cryptonites.

W: What are you're influences and what are you guys listening right now?

C: All time favorites are radiohead, nine inch nails, zoot woman, can, prince, archive, depeche mode, editors, interpol, the strokes, all the timbaland productions... well the list is endless.

W:Do you plan to release material in 08?

C: Yes at the moment we are in the studio recording songs for our first ep, which is going to be released in the beginning of 2008. then our remix we did for the ocelot mthrfckrs will be released on iheartcomix records next year as well.

W:Are you working with a record company?

C:No, we aren't signed yet. But in our opinion nowadays it isn't necessary anymore to have a record company to release your music. We have plans to start our own label where we can release our own music and also music from other artists and friends. but it is too early to talk about it.

W:Do you think big players in the scene (Justice, Kavinsky, etc) are so distracted with tours etc, that you guys like Moulinex, the valerie guys, data etc are producing what is going to be heard in 08?

C: Of course being on tour can be distracting but it gives you new expiriences and influences as well and that may be inspiring when you..re back in the studio. But you are right, there are a lot of upcoming talents out there, that are worth a listen.-

W:I know Switzerland is close to everything in Europe, but are you planning to move to a bigger city to have more impact?

C: We really like living in switzerland (even if it..s bloody freezing at the moment) and with the internet and especially myspace you can connect with people from all around the world. but maybe the time will come where we decide to move to a bigger city.

W:Whats your relation with the Valerie guys and Disco Texas?

C:There's no direct connection to the valerie guys. we first became aware of them through russ chimes which is a good friend of us. We really like their quality output. Regarding disco texas we got in touch with them through moulinex. they asked us to do a remix of our "hands of god" which was a huge honour for us. These guys are very talented and will for sure cause a furor on the dancefloors in 2008.

once again: thanks a lot for your support! we really appreciate it!
Here is our latest unreleased songs
Cryptonites-Can't give you up
Cryptonites-New Born
ll the best and keep in touch!lukas/remo//CRYPTONITES

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Hitchcock by Scorsese

Here at The Neon Rider we haven't posted anything about movies or film directors. We don't want just to talk about music.

JWT Spain and Freixenet wine have annually approached a great filmmaker to make a short. Past efforts have included Paul Newman, Sharon Stone, Antonio Banderas and Demi Moore. This year they asked Martin Scorsese to write, direct and even start in The Key to Reserva, (in spanish La Clave Reserva). This is part of the christmas advertising campaign of one of the most famous spanish champagnes) a mockumentary homage to Hitchcock produced by RSA Films out of NYC.

I love how Scorsese paid homage to Hitchcock, the camera style, the suspense moments and maybe even how the directing actors went by. Hope you like it.




And stay tuned because we have an Interview with the Cryptonites.

RYDR

A Smooth Night Drive


If you want to relax, maybe take a long drive, have a glass of wine, read a book or start getting ready for a night out, Seattle's Italo Disco trio Chromatics is an excellent choice. "Night Drive" is the title of their newest album out on Italians do it Better Records which includes ten tracks that will totally get into you. A smooth disco sound combined with great vocals is the fine result that we get from Chromatics and personally once I heard it, I was impressed and really blown away by it, a high recommendation by theneonrider.

First, "Night Drive" which is on their latest album.

Chromatics - Night Drive


As usual I can leave without another two gifts, this track is called "In the City", I'm posting the original which was out in the "After Dark" compilation on Italian do it Better Records and a remix of the same track by Brooklyn's own Neon Coyote.


Chromatics - In the City


Chromatics - In the City (Neon Coyote Remix)

Enjoy!

3YO

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Friendly Fires release first single

It's Monday and to start the week we want to introduce you something different. This time the Neon Rider goes pop. Directly from the UK, we present you Friendly Fires. These guys just released their new single called "Paris" on Moshi Moshi Records. And trust us, once you hear this song you're not going to be able to take it out of your head. This song includes a mix of percussion, synthesizers, catchy choruses and a beautiful voice. We would say Grand National met LCD Soundsystem or maybe Hot Chip met the Talking Heads.

They also came with an awesome video directed by Price James (SMD and the Teenagers) that makes the perfect combination with one of the songs that are going to be big in 08.

Keep coming back because later this week we will post exclusive interviews and content from Moulinex and the Cryptonites two guys that are going to explode in 08.

"Paris" Video

Friendly Fires-Paris (updated)

Obey the Symbol

After going around trying to find something worthy and interesting for this weekend, SymbolOne came across and I decided to put in contact with them and try to unvail the rumors of being two identical twins that just found each other and decided to put together this great tracks. And yes, I got the Info and SymbolOne is Eduard Raos and Vinko Pelicaric, but not identical physically twins, their likeliness is based in their minds and they way of making music. They are still going independent and have been checking around some labels but nothing for sure at the moment, their EP is going to be out probably in mid January but it's still not sure, it will contain Love Juice and probably Everything Louder than Everything Else or something new that this guys make til that time, you will be expecting remixes on this EP from Moulinex (posted previously by The Neon Rider) and Passions. It will be limited to 535 copies so if you like it be aware!

They say their influenced by everything they like old or new, I'll let you have your opinion when you hear them but personally i loved this two tracks. A fresh, interesting and really worth to be heard sound, I won't say more except that it's great.

So here they are, two tracks that probably will be on their EP. Thanks to SymbolOne for this gift and for supporting TheNeonRider to keep this exquisite selection. Enjoy!

SymbolOne - Love Juice


SymbolOne - Everything Louder Than Everything Else

3YO

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Bjork+Gondry

When one of your good friends is Michel Gondry, I guess its easy to ask him to direct a video for you. That's right, Gondry and Bjork together again for another video. The song is "Declare Independence", from her latest album "Volta".




Gondry has directed several of Bjork's videos but the feel of this one is different. Don't get me wrong it's good but its not very typical of Gondry, or not as similar as the ones he has directed for her before. The concept is simple, and goes well with the song,because of the beat, the lyrics and the story Bjork wants to tell. Once again,  Gondry shows us how he interprets music into visual imagery.

Here is the video: Bjork- Declare Independece video, directed by Michel Gondry

And before I go, we have some news here at The Neon Rider. Before this year ends or right at the start of 2008, we're going to have the Top 25 songs that we think were the best of the year. So keep coming back , because as always, you will be able to download them. Our gift from us to you. You don't want to miss that!


RYDR.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ghosthustler

What can I say, these guys fom Texas made my day.

Please watch the video and feel the power of the "powerglove"



Ghosthustler - Parking lot nights

Antibodies


It is turn to talk about Poni Hoax. They come from Paris and they fuse Italo Disco with solid rock sounds and an elegant voice similiar to Ian Curtis (Joy Division). Some of their influences are Bowie, Morrissey and Giorgio Moroder. They just came out with their latest EP "Antibodies" recorded and mixed by Joakim (a French dance producer and remixer) on Tigersushi recordings. Expect to hear a full release in 08.
Will this song be on the Neon rider 07 selection? I would say yes!
Enjoy

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

For My People


Two years have passed since we heard Are You the One? or Down Down Down for the first time, but now Australia's most banging duo is back. "My People" is The Presets new single, which is coming out in 12" and CD December 7th on Modular Records, this is just a little taste of what we should expect for their sophomore album which will be out on April 2008. For what I've heard of this track, Kim and Julian decided to keep the synths, the guitars and that particular voice to give that rough sound that hooks you up right away. After the awarded Are You the One? video, they got back together with director Kris Moyes and they really blend in the song giving birth to this fantastic video.




As usual, I'm not going without leaving all you Neon Rider supporters a gift. Here is the song that will own you for the rest of the holidays and a bonus remix.

Enjoy!

The Presets - My People

The Presets - My People (D.I.M. Remix)


3YO

Saturday, December 8, 2007

DoTheFunkyBot



Inside this french electro movement, you can also find someone that sounds different and gives you new fresh beats for a change, this one is Thibaut Berland aka Breakbot who has two singles out with Moshi Moshi Records (Happy Rabbit/Summer Party) and believe me, interesting music coming out from a laptop. Thibaut was borned in 1981 in Paris and passioned by animation and music he decided to get a degree in computer graphics, thats why he has directed animation films, music videos, commercials and besides all these, he cares to make the exquisite beats that I'm telling you about.

I'm gonna leave you two great tracks, the first one is out with the Happy Rabbit/Summer Party single and the second one I'm leaving it simply because it's great. An interesting blend of sounds that you should definitely check out.

Enjoy

Breakbot - Summer Party

Breakbot - Chelsea Inn

3YO

Friday, December 7, 2007

New Hot Chip Video directed by Nima Nourizadeh

Again a new Bizarre new video from the Hot Chip guys. The song is called Ready for the floor and it's the first single from their upcoming album -Made in the Dark- out in Feb 5 via Astralwerks/DFA. This video was directed again by Nima Nourizadeh (colours and over and over), she recently directed the new Chromeo video (posted by the neon rider) and other videos for bands like Maximo Park, Yelle, Jamie T Architecture in Helsinky and Lilly Allen.







Enjoy it.

Exotic Swedish Experimental Pop?

"These post-punks in the club are far more interesting both sonically and formally than your typical punks in the club"

This is by far the most "exotic" band listed in the Neon Rider. Dan Lissvik and Rasmus Hägg (STUDIO) are influenced by contemporary dance music, dub, disco and post punk. Sounds weird right?. These guys make some really interesting combination of sounds and I can only describe their music as "different" (in a cool way). "There’s a little bit of dub, a touch of disco and even a little bit of European dance pop.

I would love to write more about them but I'm going to leave you with their first track from their album "West Coast" and trust me on this one, this is just brilliant and unique.


Studio- Out There

10 years later

Slowness is the perfect word to describe Portishead's process to record albums. But at least they just came with a date for their awaited new release. Yes, it will be March 31st, 2008 on Island records. I don't really know what to expect from this album, but the thing I know is that it will always be a pleasure to hear Beth Gibbon's voice. Will they be playing at Coachella or Glastonbury next year?

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Blazing speed and Neon Lights with You

Moviemakers, video games, 80's porn, Kris Menace, Analogue synths and Cerrone are just a few of their influences. Sounds good right? These guys are called the Outrunners (remember the sega game?) and are part of the Valerie collective in France. I don't really remember how I found these guys music, but I really believe the songs are great. I know they're not inventing something new, but these combination of late 90's French touch with a little bit of 80's makes me want to dance.

Just hear them!


The Outrunners-These girls are dressed to kill (Minitel Remix)

The Outrunners-Cool Feeling

Wayfarer

Yes, ZOOT WOMAN is back!


I'm really excited about this! Zoot Woman just released a new song! 4 years have passed and I still can't believe it. The track is called "We won't break" and it appears that this is just a little taste of their new album that is going to be out in stores next year. I love that particular sound that zoot woman has; you can dance, work, sleep, and drive with their albums. They've been working with those particular sounds for three albums and it still amazes me.

This song is no exception

Anyway, I hope you like this song

Zoot Woman-We won't break

Wayfarer

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Maximo Park designs their own beer label!



Newcastle's rockers Maximo Park are about to finish their tour with a double celebration at the Metro Radio Arena in their hometown Newcastle.And why? well, they had a terrific year playing in the most important festivals around the world and now Newcastle's beer company invited them to design their own Newcastle Brown Ale label! "The only other person previously afforded this honour by the people at Scottish & Newcastle UK was legendary Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer" Maxïmo Park designed bottles have been produced and will be available on December 15th. Fans will be able to drink it in the UK soon!

Because The neon rider tries to keep you posted with the newest stuff, I'm going to leave you guys with these strange songs from them.

Maximo Park- Like I love You ( Justin Timberlake Cover)

Blamma Blamma vs Maximo Park -Terminal Velocity


God bless Maximo Park!

Wayfarer.

Indifferent to Circumstances


Typography, how affected are we?, I think that there's not a day when some image, phrase, design or add that we run into doesn't stay in our minds for at least the rest of that single day. Helvetica type is having it's 50th birthday and as a celebration, director Gary Hustwit decided to make this documentary film about how visual culture affects people in a global context. This independent film goes inside major cities and gives us a new perspective of different meanings according to how typography is used in each and every single place.

What makes this more interesting is that it includes interesting and meaningful discussions with the most renowned designers about how they work, all the creative process in between and how their choice of type has a precise purpose to grab our attention and captivate us.

The DVD is out now and if you want to know more about it go to www.helveticafilm.com



As usual, I'm leaving you another goodie, this time is one of Japan's finest, Shinichi Osawa (Composer/DJ/Musician/Producer) which has been producing, remixing and doing a lot of interesting stuff with japanese artists as well as with international ones. The One is the title for his new album which has been around for a few months but it's still worth to be in this space and it comes with this great cover for the Chemical Brothers song Star Guitar featuring vocals from Brooklyn's own Au Revoir Simone. Enjoy!

You can check more about it at www.myspace.com/shinichiosawa

Shinichi Osawa ft. Au Revoir Simone - Star Guitar


3YO

Monday, December 3, 2007

Murakami San! Attack!

Well I'm back and I Promise I wouldn't talk more about music but technically this is not about it. It's about art.

Takashi Murakami is arguably Japan’s most popular and successful contemporary artist. He’s shown his work at prestigious museums and galleries around the world, it blends japanese pop culture, anime, painting, sculpture, fashion. (if you're a girl you remember the murakami's for Louis Vuitton). Some people have called him the Andy Warhol of Japan.



At the Moca he had his exhibition showing all his work (new and old), but if you know Murakami, you know you get impressed by his work, but this time, I was really impressed. Once again Murakami proved that he can do commercial work without trashing his artistic view, blending them both in an amazing way. Here's the new Kanye West video "Graduation" directed by Murakami, animated by OLM digital, responsible for animating a lot of anime in Japan including Pokemon.

I think this video is pretty amazing, the character design is great, the setting, the narrative and every detail is been taking care of. I like how Murakami keeps both world separate by colors,and how at the end everything is "Murakami colorful".  Sorry for the video quality, but it's not out yet, and this was taken from the exhibition at the Moca. I promise when the video is out, i'll upload it on good quality.

Check his exhibiton right here and check out his work. Oh! and a preview of his upcoming animated film. Enjoy!





RYDR.