Life Aquatic

Charles Murdoch // Ahama Brisbane’s Charles Murdoch...

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:44:00 +1000

Brisbane’s Charles Murdoch first popped up with his clean cut UK bass inspired sound with his track Ecoiv. His latest piece is even more accessible to a dance crowd than his previous work. Beginning with some pop sounding synth arpeggios he soon strips those out for a head nodding groove and tender vocal samples. [photo]

mp3 : Charles Murdoch // Ahama

Curls // Welcometothejungle Starting off with odd lullaby...

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:36:00 +1000

Curls // Welcometothejungle

Starting off with odd lullaby plucks and a tap rewind, Curls is quick to add the jungle 808 kick drum rhythm and the ominous bomb alarm. Shortly after which the song because all wet and drippy with those drawn out meditative chords. [photo]

mp3 : Curls // Welcometothejungle

C.Z. // Throw Sum 1’z Straight off the M|O|D II release...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:23:00 +1000

C.Z. // Throw Sum 1’z

Straight off the M|O|D II release comes this bumping track by C.Z. from Fort Lauderdale. M|O|D is blowing up fast including infamous clan members like Trap Arnold and Lil’ Texas. I think Ben from Live For The Funk said they were like the odd future of trap. Could be in some ways, except that they aren’t really trying to get on MTV, yet. This track is the last one on the M|O|D II mixtape and incorporates some dark reverbed 808 toms as a melody which fit around the Young Joc vocal sample perfectly. trap trap trap. [photo]

mp3 : C.Z. // Throw Sum 1’z

Rainbow Chan // Sweet Tooth (Guerre Remix) Two of...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:14:00 +1000

Rainbow Chan // Sweet Tooth (Guerre Remix)

Two of Sydney’s favourite obscure electronic artists and songwriters Rainbow Chan and Lavurn Lee a.k.a. Guerre come together on this remix of Rainbow’s stunning dark pop track Sweet Tooth. Guerre keeps this piece as reserved as possible using Ifan Dafydd-esque chords and sampling style while leaving large amounts of breathing space. A blunt kick and a single clap command the rhythm as sharp hi hats dance about in between. Download the remix over at Rainbow’s bandcamp, accompanied by a remix by Sydney lords Albatross [photo]

mp3 : Rainbow Chan // Sweet Tooth (Guerre Remix)

Life Aquatic Presents : Galapagoose Album Launch Sydney

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:36:31 +1000

I will be co-presenting the Sydney launch of one of a terrific album called Commitments by one of my favourite humans, Trent Gill aka Galapagoose with my good friends at The Gate at Serial Space in Chippendale. Supporting acts will be Guerre and a super exciting new Sydney outfit Cliques, consisting of members of Seekae and 48/4. Also, at one point in the night I’ll be DJing (whatever that means). Australians can buy Commitments here and internationals from here or digitally from Beatport. The launch is this Sunday so join the facebook group and attend the shiz out of this!

Trap Arnold // Eugene’s Bike Thank you Flashlight Tag...

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:20:00 +1000

Trap Arnold // Eugene’s Bike

Thank you Flashlight Tag for spotting this up and coming super star trap producer. Wonky beats combining a love of synth and obscure sampling with some straight up trap shit. Melodic and deep 808 subs and fluttering hi hats, full of ghetto youthfulness. Holiday Season. [photo]

mp3 : Trap Arnold // Eugene’s Bike

Color Plus // Fuzz I went on a recent Bandcamp hunt....

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:31:00 +1000

Color Plus // Fuzz

I went on a recent Bandcamp hunt. Haven’t done that in a while. To my delight it led me somewhere, namely to an album by Color Plus. I recall searching for trap. I got what I requested in a way and more. This track wisely holds back from overreacting and remains relatively spacious. The lack of a regular hi hat pattern allows for those quick rare hats to really make an impact. The short unclean vocal sample is the stunner though. [photo]

mp3 : Color Plus // Fuzz

Sin City Status // The Clave (¥oin Remix) Strange for this...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:05:00 +1100

Sin City Status // The Clave (¥oin Remix)

Strange for this blog I guess. Things progress. This is kinda the stuff I’ve been into lately. Minimal, relying on rhythm and drums. This Scottish dude ¥oin wields the 808 the way Braveheart did the sword. Only sparse trancy plucked chords appear towards the middle of the piece and dripping vocal cuts add to the mystery. Drums… [photo]

mp3 : Sin City Status // The Clave (¥oin Remix)

nknwn // 003 Its only been a week or so since I posted this...

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:42:00 +1100

nknwn // 003

Its only been a week or so since I posted this mysterious cat last. I still have no clue who he/she is, or where they are from. All I know is that their tunes are lush. This new one contains some great tom drum patterns and breathing synths below a headnodding hip hop rhythm. I’ve got a strange feeling I know this person, there are parts of their production that seem familiar to me, I just can’t put my finger on it. Oh well, lets just look forward to 004. [photo]

mp3 : nknwn // 003

Yosemite // 102 Yosemite is Eugene Brockmuller and Cameron...

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:29:00 +1100

Yosemite // 102

Yosemite is Eugene Brockmuller and Cameron Smith from Melbourne. They have recently popped up on the cloud and have produced two quality pieces so far. This one is a super slow motion 4/4 dance track. Using screwed guitar chords and and bells they incorporate Mount Kimbie inspired tom drum clicks and short vocal samples. The best part comes towards the end when slow pulsing synths are introduced gently. [photo]

mp3 : Yosemite // 102

Albatross 7" now shipping + free launch party

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:58:00 +1100

Life Aquatic Records is proud to announce that the Albatross Murder / Casper’s Theme 7”s have arrived and are now ready to be mailed away! We also joining forces with the new Sydney powerhouse clan Astral People to throw a free dope-ass launch party for the 7” on the 17th of March. It will be held at the now famous Goodgod Small Club on Liverpool Street and the lineup will be as follows:

Albatross

Guerre

Special Surprise Guest

Canyons (DJ Set)

We expect to see you all there, especially because its a free show! All you need to do is email the astral bros (info[at]astralpeople.com) with your RSVP and you’ll be on the list! The vinyls will be for sale at the launch as well. Start buying them online before they sell out! Download the 7” tracks here for free.

nknwn // 002 Haven’t really been inspired by much new...

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:45:00 +1100

nknwn // 002

Haven’t really been inspired by much new music lately I have to admit. This track really lifted me up though somehow, mostly because its so unabashed. Nknwn obviously stands for unknown, so the artist is probably making fun of all the ‘humble’ electronic musicians out there. He just labels his tracks as 001 and 002, which I find quite nice as well for some reason. No soundcloud picture, just these beatiful lofi tracks. And all though you can hear elements of plenty of current electronic artists, I don’t think that you can say that nknwn is trying to emulate anyone in particular. [photo]

mp3 : nknwn // 002

Kyson // Forest Footsteps Kyson has truly mastered string...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:56 +1100

Kyson // Forest Footsteps

Kyson has truly mastered string sample arrangement. He coaxes the Cello into weeping politely, which reminds me of those tragic Wong Kar Wai films, where the Cello is basically one of the protagonists. Kyson is a Berlin via Brisbane gentleman if you didn’t already know. [photo]

mp3 : Kyson // Forest Footsteps

Polographia // Sunsets (Knxwledge Remix) Pretty stoked to...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:44:00 +1100

Polographia // Sunsets (Knxwledge Remix)

Pretty stoked to have had the opportunity to share this piece with the world. If you read this blog you’ll probably have already assumed how much of a fan I am of Knxwledge. This is a perfect example of why. Knxwledge has pucked out the bizarre chords that lie in the background of the original and twisted them into something that he could have written himself as well as adding that warm, muffled bassline. The original comes off a great EP by Sydney’s Polographia which you can downlad for free here. Be sure to grab the Hugo Frederick Remix of Righteous Hit over here. The remix EP should be dropping shortly, stay tuned. [photo]

mp3 : Polographia // Sunsets (Knxwledge Remix)

Hoodcats // Streed Fung Another stellar release by one of...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +1100

Hoodcats // Streed Fung

Another stellar release by one of my favourite online label Mapzzz. This one is a stellar release by our darling Shortcircles’ side project Hoodcats (a trio including fellow Oakland Residents James & Evander). They describe their sound as ‘sample-based future-music that owe as much to stoney instrumental hip-hop as they do to bass-minded footwork and house.’ Everyone one of the three tracks on this EP is just as good as the next, containing the most outrageous samples. Download the EP from Mapzzz’ Bandcamp. [photo]

mp3 : Hoodcats // Streed Fung

Charles Murdoch // Ecoiv I don’t think I’ve...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:44:57 +1100

Charles Murdoch // Ecoiv

I don’t think I’ve heard too much music stemming from Brisbane lately but here is some. His name is Charles Murdoch and this track Evioc is bumping. The beautiful chord progression consisting of those UK style synths and that funky, funky bassline that appears two delicious times should hopefully make this track a hit. I look forward to hearing some more new tunes from this up and comer who says he might add some vocals into the mix, in the meantime check out his other Soundcloud sounds. [photo]

mp3 : Charles Murdoch // Ecoiv

Galapagoose // One Who Can’t Move Our favourite man...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:29:12 +1100

Galapagoose // One Who Can’t Move

Our favourite man Galapagoose has just released his first single from his upcoming album Commitments which is coming out on Daedelus’ label Magical Properties (and Two Bright Lakes for an Australian release). I recall Trent telling me about this Frank Sinatra sampling track he’d started in a bar in Sydney just before we met up for dinner once and here it is. One Who Can’t Move uses the most spine tingling vocal samples I’ve heard in a while. Moulding those melancholic vocals with an upbeat and joyful bass line is a task I’d only trust Galapagoose with pulling off. If all goes to plan Galapagoose should also be releasing a delish 7” vinyl through Life Aquatic Records within the next few months. [photo]

mp3 : Galapagoose // One Who Can’t Move

Life Aquatic Records Release : [LA002] Albatross :...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:45:00 +1100

Life Aquatic Records Release :

[LA002] Albatross : Murder / Casper’s Theme

Its finally time to announce our next 7” vinyl release: Albatross’ Murder / Casper’s Theme double A-side. One of the most exciting acts to emerge from Sydney in the last year has definitely been Albatross.. They take their time perfecting their sounds and hence have not released a great deal of mp3s, so it makes this 7” all the more special. The amazing album art was made by the talented Jacob Ring, who we hope to work with again in the future.

It has been a pretty complicated few months with Lucas (head of Life Aquatic Records) and I only seeing each other once in the past 6 months, when I just got back from Europe and as he was leaving to Europe. We managed to still hustle up the funds to pay for this wax release and we are pretty proud of it. The mp3s are free but you can pre-order the 7” vinyl from our Bigcartel page. There will only be 250 copies of these bad boys so get in there quick before they run out.

The full release is availible on their Bandcamp long with two incredible remixes by Guerre and Dro Carey.

[LA002] Albatross : Murder

Persona La Ave // Spirits High Its been too long since...

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:19:55 +1100

Persona La Ave // Spirits High

Its been too long since Persona La Ave has graced this blog. He came from lofi live recorded sample based funk hop and has landed here and some more hi fi sounds, but he still keeps his reverb bottle handy to soak things with. This track is a hit. Full of funk. [photo]

mp3 : Persona La Ave // Spirits High

Geoffrey O’Connor // So Sorry (The Townhouses...

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:46:40 +1100

Geoffrey O’Connor // So Sorry (The Townhouses Remix)

The Townhouses gives Melbourne’s Geoffrey O’Connor’s So Sorry an unapologetically tropical redo. The Townhouse’s calling card has got to be those soft keys that he gives all the room in the world to breath before he lathers on some vocal samples and double bass. On Friday this fine remix will find itself among other remixes by Guerre and Oliver Tank as a collaboration between our buddies Yes Please and Chapter Music and will be available from Geoffrey’s Bandcamp. [photo]

mp3 : Geoffrey O’Connor // So Sorry (The Townhouses Remix)