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:
I’m extremely pleased to share my latest remix of “C’mon” by Pharrell-protégés, Chester French. I was tapped by CF, alongside San-Fran electro-bangers, Pance Party, to assemble a special FREE HOLIDAY DOWNLOAD just in time for the New Year.
If you aren’t already familiar with Chester French, then you’ve probably been living under a rock… In the past year, they have toured with Lady Gaga, Blink 182, and Weezer, been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, and pretty much every major media outlet in existence… and their debut record, “Love the Future” was recently listed as one of iTunes’ top pop albums of the year… It should also be noted that CF-frontman, D.A., is just an all-around awesome dude.
“C’mon” was particularly fun for me to work on, as it’s such a complex piece of pop. It’s full of unpredictable chord changes, half-measures, and countless twists n’ turns. As usual, I tried to keep within the form of the song while putting my own spin on it. Hope you like!
You can stream or download my remix here, and please feel free to share it with EVERYONE YOU KNOWWWWWWWW!!!
It’s been a little while, apologies for being a bit out of touch. I was busy stuffing myself full of Turkey and enjoying the drive through Connecticut. Hope those of you Stateside had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a pleasant regular old week to the rest of you international folk!
I’ve been hard at work over here, a few exciting tidbits to report:
1) I’ve completed a brand spankin’ new remix for a very talented band, and friends of mine from college. I would have shared it with y’all already, but there’s been some talk of a potential “official” release for it… so I’m in a bit of a holding pattern there – stay tuned!
2) I’m about 2/3’s of the way finished with another remix for an artist that I have truly loved and admired over the years. By some insane stroke of luck, I’ve been corresponding with him over email and working on a new single from his upcoming record. I shouldn’t say who he is just yet, but I WILL say that fans of the show Mad Men will be especially excited about this one.
3) Been hard at work, co-producing for my pals, Project Jenny, Project Jan, on their new record. We’re entering the tracking stages. The skeletons are in place for all the tunes, now on to recording different live parts and honing, editing, and honing some more. It’s gonna be awesome.
4) Wanted to share a few more studio videos with y’all from my adventures with Rob a few weeks ago at his studio in Greenpoint. If nothing else, these videos are a neat little way of demystifying the recording process a bit…
Man oh man… My Shwayze remix has been getting an outrageous response… THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the folks who were kind enough to listen/tweet/share/write about it! Thanks to you, I spent 3 days straight at the top of HypeMachine’s Twitter charts, as well as on Elbo.ws’ “Hot Tracks” List. Not too shabba-labba-ding-dong.
Before I jump to the blog recap, just want to share my utter excitement for the next few remixes I’ll be working on. Been in touch with some truly wonderful bands & artists whom many of you probably know quite well, and I’m SO pumped to work on their stuff!
Also, spent the majority of this weekend writing and recording with my talented friend, Rob. Here’s a little footage of me chunking along on the drums… I’m self-taught & only started playing 2 yrs ago, so hopefully not too crappy all things considered:
Here’s what peoples are saying about the Shwayze track:
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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