Electronically Yours

Not surprisingly Austra were simply marvelliiisimus at Cargo in Shoreditch last week; perfect sound, arresting atmosphere and impressive laser show. The whole production was spellbinding in operatic proportions and from someone so tiny too; Katie Stelmanis big voice must surely start in the cyber goth platforms she performs in while she enchants with beckoning dance moves.

So with the building gig excitement, note taken that Shoreditch is pretty super trendy really. Amongst all the tired East End grimness, a hub of coolness spanning most musical genres and ages and this was reflected in an audience that were, well all types mostly, which I personally like.

While we wandered up Rivington Street, a rich mixture of bars and music venues, Katie and her very cute twin backing singers aka Tasseomancy were spotted chilling out and mingling before the gig. My special code for occasions like this is 'I just need to reapply my lipstick' which means 'band are near, pause and look cool'. Having omitted to share this code though, Orac's look of confusion and then his pointing and 'look it's her, it's her, look and the twins, woop' plus a huge amount of pointing again as they scuttled away, scared or feeling paparazzi'd of course; all very amusing though.

Bright Light, Bright Light were supporting although to be honest the lure of the quite lovely courtyard was too appealing so admittedly waited there with some wine until Austra's entrance. Venue wise, really very nice, a huge improvement on Eat Your Own Ears choice of Electrowerkz for Niki & the Dove which to be honest was plain horrid.

Cargo is friendly, clean and intimate for watching bands; you might want to re-mortgage your house to pay for drinks if you hung out there regularly but that's London for you. Click below for some 'Beat and the Pulse' live action...

So now for the setlist which couldn't possibly disappoint. The opening track 'Darken Her Horse' teased the crowd of a back to back album order, it being the opener for 'Feel It Break'; sadly this did not come to fruition but there was a good choice of tracks performed. The spine chilling moment when she started the line 'Shoot into the darkness...' is the point you know that the bass is going to fill your being with dark electro beat. 'Lose it' as the latest single got the crowd moving as much as it could in a very 'cosy' venue, no room for serious dance shapes but still better than a half empty venue.

A lovely surprise was 'Young & Gay' which didn't make the album but is such a strong track, along with 'Beat and the Pulse', 'The Choke', 'The Villain' and 'Spellwork' ( biggest woooooop in the world from Orac, scared the living daylights out of me) and ending with 'The Future'. There was a teaser with a new track, title unclear, after much youtubing investigation, watch below, it's not too wibbly wobbly and gives an idea of more excellence to come from them.

So essentially, wherever you are in the world Austra inclined lovely readers, go see them, you won't be disappointed by the bewitchingly electro front woman as she weaves her musical spell with the help of her glittery androgynies on keyboards and guitar and hugely bespectacled drummer. Eccentrically brilliant...my only criticism was the absence of 'The Noise' but there has to be some tough choices made on what to take from an album of 'Feel It Break's quality.

And for something else to look forward, a remix album out in a few mere weeks which includes this quite superb by the other big glasses lady of electro MNDR. I lovelovelove the sound of 'Sparkle', how could 'Spellwork' be made to sound even more 'Modey' but still with a twist of uniqueness. Listen to its splendour below. This will be the final word on Austra now until a second album, maybe?

Related links:

Austra official site
Melodeewrites

Update: Austra made it to the front page of The Guardian online this week providing an alternative to the News International phone hacking scandal they helped uncover. In an exclusive video interview, Katie talks about the current single 'Lose It' followed by a must-see live performance of the track - jump here for some Austra magic.









Reeder: Remixed - with exclusive new Depeche Mode remix!

The man who helped forge the definitive sound of New Order from 'Blue Monday' and beyond - Sir Mark Reeder has delivered a crystal data to EYHQ containing news of his forthcoming remix compilation featuring acts old and new.







Mark's retro-modern mixes will include an officially sanctioned Depeche Mode mix of the 'Violator' gem 'Sweetest Perfection'.


'Mark Reeder's Sweetest Conception Remix' was commissioned earlier this year by Mute Records and will make its exclusive debut on Mark's remix compilation this Autumn.

Other Artists will include Bernard Sumner's current band Bad Lieutenant with the tracks 'Sink or Swim' & our fave 'Twist of Fate' - and both get the Reeder electro treatment that brings the songs more in line with early 1990 Electronic offerings.

Another track to get a 'Bizarre Love Triangle' make-over is Electrobelle's 'Falling' (a track that premiered on EY in 2008) whilst Mark's remixes for the John Foxx classic 'Underpass' and the Sam Taylor/Pet Shop Boys cover of 'I'm in Love With A German Filmstar' also make the tracklisting on this highly promising double CD.

All mixes have been painstakingly remastered by Mark whilst a special limited edition will include a DVD featuring some lovely 5.1 surround sound remixes for musical stowaways who feed on 360 degree pure electro. Lovely to see people who still care about the importance of the physical format in a virtual and meaningless age of compressed MP3 releases.























Previously on EY...the sheer brilliance of John Maus