downtempo | Musicosity

downtempo

Methodblack

Methodblack is the work of DJ/Artist Rob Swain (Belfast, 1973). Swain began his Dj career at the age of 17, when he was 23 he set up Fresco Recordings with a collective of local musicians and Dj's, a low budget project, their studio consisted of a 1960's Carlsbro desk, a 15 second sampler and a four track tape deck. Despite these restrictions he successfully produced and released several 12"s under the guises of Wolf75, Denzil Dexter and Baby Al alongside label chums Marty Doherty, Dave Kane, Al Stockdale and Cara Robinson.

Artist Type: 

UNKLE

UNKLE revolves around British producer and mo'wax Records head James Lavelle, working in collaboration with many others. From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts. The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.

Artist Type: 

Kettel

Kettel is Reimer Eising (born 1982), a self-described "elixir-brewing, camping-loving and musicmaking sorcerer-to-be." He is well-known for his playful, spontaneous melodies and organic folk sounds similar to Aphex Twin, Jega, and Plaid. Kettel has frequently performed live in his home country of the Netherlands, including at the Virus festival in Eindhoven, the Dutch Electronic Arts Festival in Rotterdam, and at Eurosonic and Noorderzon in his home town of Groningen. He has also collaborated on several projects of various remixes and compilations on his many record labels.

Read more about Kettel on Last.fm.

Artist Type: 

Da Lata

Da Lata was originally founded by musician and producer Chris Franck and DJ Patrick Forge in the summer of 1996. The idea for the project was to blend influences with modern sensibility incorporating both and elements in the music. Early experimentation came in the form of remixes rather than original material which proved to be a great way of honing the sound and at the same time gave exposure to the name.

Read more about Da Lata on Last.fm.

Artist Type: 

General Elektriks

General Elektriks is the brainchild of RV Salters. A French national and keen vintage keyboard player (check the RV Music section for records he’s played on at www.general-elektriks.com), he initiated GE just before moving to San Francisco. Using a computer, his oldschool keys and a SM-57 mike, he started sewing together loops, Funky keyboard licks, ethereal melodies and digital tweaking. GE became a musical journal that followed RV through his move to Seattle, then back down to the Bay Area, Berkeley, where he currently resides.

Artist Type: 

Lost Idol

James Dean, the Lost Idol, likes to think his unique and often unpredictable psychedelic downtempo sound stems from happy studio accidents. When it comes to making music, he gets his kicks from doing something different, paying little regard to fashion or formula. Thankfully others appreciated this attitude and enabled him to release early Lost Idol creations on pioneering independent label Pork Recordings.

Artist Type: 

Cat Power

Charlyn Marie Marshall, also known as Chan (pronounced "Shawn") Marshall, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. on 21 January 1972. After dropping out of high school, she started performing under the name Cat Power, while in Atlanta, backed by musicians Glen Thrasher, Mark Moore, and others. She soon moved to New York City, United States in 1992, then later opening for Liz Phair in 1994, she met Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Tim Foljahn of Two Dollar Guitar, who encouraged her to record, and played on her first two albums, 1995's Dear Sir and 1996's Myra Lee.

Artist Type: 

Parov Stelar

Parov Stelar aka Marcus Füreder lives and works in Linz / Austria. The freedom of jazz combined with the groove of house and breakbeat describes the character of Parov Stelar. The main theme is clearly defined, high quality music engaged in functionality. Parov's productions addresses the DJ at the club as well as the listener in his easy chair.

Artist Type: