DJ Knix of WERU's The Knix Mix Q&A

I've done a few Q&A profiles of artists and other WERU programmers along the way, and I thought it would be a bit of fun to answer a few questions myself.  Of course, you know I spin electronic music on The Knix Mix every Friday night from 10 p.m. to midnight. If you don't, you can listen by going to weru.org and live stream or listen to a previously recorded show.  I'd always been aware of WERU being from this part of Maine. I graduated from Brewer High School in 1988, which happens to be the same year WERU was getting underway at the Hen House in Blue Hill. When I returned to Maine after a decade in Massachusetts I moved just down the road from the station. There's a great sense of community at the station, and it doesn't hurt that I get to play the kind of music I wanted to hear. I've been at the helm of The Knix Mix for over two years and counting.  Which is, come to think of it, one of the reasons I coined "Knix Picks." So I could keep track of all the new music in that span of time that I love, love, love!

1. Favorite genre of music? My heart belongs to electronic music, which encompasses a range of styles. Basically, I’m a total child of the 80s. British New Wave was the soundtrack of my youth, and I subsequently love anything that has synthpop origins. Ah, nostalgia!  Electropop, electro house, electro clash, French house, club/dance...Sensing a theme here? Really, I adore anything you can dance to.
2. Favorite band? It’s hard to name just one, but there is exceptional music to dance to coming out of Europe. Artists like Röyksopp, Etienne de Crécy, Autokratz, Vitalic, The Bloody Beetroots, Yuksek, Simian Mobile Disco and Soulwax. I also love music to brood to. Bands that have that angst-ridden post-punk influence like Motorama, The Juan MacLean and White Lies.
3. Favorite song? I’m really crushing on Etienne de Crécy generally, but “Someone Like You” on Essentials (Best of) is amazing. It also appears on Super Discount 2 as “Fast Track.” Other tracks that I adore are Vitalic’s “Poison Lips,” “On a Train” by Yuksek and Simian Mobile Disco’s “I Believe.”
4. What was the first LP or CD you bought? The first album that I picked out on my own was Shaun Cassidy’s second studio album Born Late. I was kind of obsessed with Shaun Cassidy in elementary school. I swooned over him as little brother Joe in The Hardy Boys. I remember bringing the album to my 3rd-grade class’s show and tell. I sat up front and held the album cover open while the teacher played the record for the class. I couldn’t have been prouder.
5. What hobbies and interests do you have outside of music? I love hiking and snowshoeing, which I get to do a lot of living in Orland. Besides conveniently living very close to the station, I also live very close to the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust trail system and a short drive from Acadia National Park. I love nature photography, and I take a lot of photos on my hikes. I have two rescue dogs who are my hiking partners and frequent subjects of my photography. This doesn't mean I'm especially outdoorsy. I'm not the person you want with you on a mountaineering expedition.  I wouldn't last a hot minute. I have a romantic notion of nature and am fascinated with natural history and anthropology. I’m a voracious reader, and I love to browse the library or used bookstores on Saturdays. I love all things vintage, so flea markets and antiquing are fun for me too. I value learning new things. I’ve dabbled in acting and working with clay, and I’ve continued to take writing classes over the years.
6. If you could hang out with anyone, alive or dead, who would you pick and why? I would love to meet Gary Numan, who is one of the pioneers of electronic music. I’ve seen him in concert a couple of times, which was great fun. He smiled at me when I yelled for him to sing “Down in the Park.” I’d especially love it though if I could hang out with Josh Gates for an Expedition Unknown adventure or two. He’s kind of cute (and very married), true, but I’m also exceedingly envious of his job. Something that combines travel, adventure, history, archeology, and anthropology? Sign me up! Just don’t sign me up for a spelunking adventure because the movie The Descent scarred me for life.
7. If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why? I would want to be an owl. Owls symbolize intuition and have highly evolved senses - seeing what other can’t. They seem wise and cerebral, but they are also stealthy and can use those talons pretty effectively when they need to.
8. Favorite food? I could probably live a long, long time on pizza and cheesecake. I won’t. But I could.
9. Favorite book? Honestly, I could probably expound more on books than on music. Music I like specifically. Books I like generally. Though I’ve come to prefer reading nonfiction. I think everyone has a story to tell, and real life is often more interesting than fiction. Devil in the White City is a great example of compelling historical nonfiction. I read a lot of adventure books where people overcome – or don’t – seemingly insurmountable obstacles like Touching the Void, Into Thin Air and Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage. I love satirical memoirists like Augusten Burroughs and David Sedaris too. Laugh out loud hysterical!
10. Favorite movie? Henry and June, 1984, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Children, The Shining, and Out of the Blue.
11. If you could have any super power, what would it be? To know the unknowable and solve life’s mysteries. Like where did the settlers from the Roanoke Colony go? What happened to Amelia Earhart? What’s up with the Bermuda Triangle? That kind of omniscient knowing.
12. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? New Zealand is at the very top of my bucket list. Amazing flora and fauna sans large land predators or snakes. Perfect! Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Everest, was a Kiwi!
13. What would people be surprised to know about you? I have two teenage sons who are amazing. They spend their school year in Massachusetts. They’ve co hosted The Knix Mix a few times. Keston, my youngest, has a boy band aesthetic, plays piano and prefers dance pop. Keegan, my oldest, looks like he could have been a Seattle rocker circa 1990, plays guitar and is into progressive rock.  They both love WERU but neither are into electronic music, and they are spectacularly unimpressed that their mom has a radio show.
14. What three words would best describe you? Complicated, introspective, sentimental.
15. What three words would your friends use to describe you? Honest, loyal, intelligent.

Knix Picks for Best Albums of 2015

The albums that represent the top picks for The Knix Mix for 2015 are a mix of treasures that have been overlooked by most media outlets and some heavy hitters, like Arca and Jamie xx, who seem to have gotten nods on every list I've seen. Of course, I'm more electro pop than experimental electronic on The Knix Mix as a rule. I'm also ridiculously sentimental, so music that is evocative of the alternative music of the '80s and '90s gets my attention. If it's danceable, even better. It's curious to see Leftfield and The Chemical Brothers - both formed in 1989 and a big deal in the '90s - appearing on a 2015 list. Welcome back, guys! New Order is on the list as well, and I dare you to listen to Motorama and not be reminded of New Order's first incarnation before Ian Curtis's death - Joy Division. So check it out and let me know what you think!  

Arca Mutant
Mutant is Venezuelan Alejandro Ghersi's second studio album. The album is unsettling and corporeal in its experimentation with sound and subject matter.

Big Data 2.0

American producer Alan Wilkis's project, Big Data, offers danceable hooks for the Internet age. Dangerous features New York-based quintet Joywave.

Björk Vulnicura
Vulnicura is the 9th studio album of the accomplished Icelandic songstress Björk. The album follows the arc of a relationship through a breakup. 

Bob Moses Days Gone By
Deep house meets live instrumentation in this debut album from the New York-based duo.

The Chemical Brothers Born in the Echoes
The duo's 8th studio album features guest vocals by St.Vincent and Cate Le Bon, among others. The title track, Born in the Echoes, has been on repeat play on The Knix Mix since the disc arrived in the studio. These old pros still have it going on.

Empress Of Me
This is Lorely Rodriguez's debut album using her "Empress Of" alter ego. The album is full of introspection and melodic vocals. With Rodriguez handling everything from songwriting to production, it really is the expression of "Me."

Étienne de Crécy Super Discount 3
The third installation of the Super Discount series from the French producer and DJ arrived a good ten years after the second installment. Well worth the wait.

FKA Twigs M3LL155X EP
The "Melissa" EP builds on British FKA Twig's earlier work replete with haunting vocals and commentary about femininity.

Grimes Art Angels
Grimes is the alter ego of Vancouver native Claire Boucher, who defies female pop vocalist convention by doing it her way.

Holly Herndon Platform
American Herndon is not only accomplished musically - she also happens to be a doctoral student in composition at Stanford. Herndon uses technology as a means of self-expression without being cold or impersonal.

Humans Noontide
Humans is the Vancouver duo of Peter Ricq and Bobbie Slade. The album is full of auditory twists and turns. Peter, who I had the pleasure of interview on The Knix Mix, brings a gift for the visual arts to Humans, which makes their videos well worth checking out.

Jamie xx In Colour
In Colour is English producer Jamie Smith first full-length album. Influenced by vintage club culture, it has elements of everything that has shaped Smith's sound.

Kate Tempest Everybody Down
The debut album from the English poet and spoken word artist. Tempest weaves a gritty narrative with hip hop influenced beats and a South East London accent honed by battle-rap practice.

Leftfield Alternative Light Source
I couldn't be more excited about the first Leftfield album released since 1999's Rhythm and Stealth. As innovative and relevant as ever.

Le Galaxie Le Club
This '80s influenced Irish electro-pop band's sophomore album features upbeat tracks that make you want to move your body and an album cover that screams Miami Vice. I kind of love it.

Motorama Poverty

This Russian band is a throwback to the post-punk era. Their cold wave sound is evocative of Joy Division. Motorama is a well kept secret worth a listen.

New Order Music Complete
Music Complete is New Order's 10th studio album. Despite the departure of Peter Hook and the ensuing drama, this album is a return to form for the reconfigured New Order.

Panda Bear Panda Meets the Grim Reaper
The fifth studio album for American producer Panda Bear. A contemplative and somewhat doom-laden album where electronic meets psychedelia.

Purity Ring Another Eternity

This is the sophomore album for the Canadian duo. Sweeping pop sound with emotive lyrics.  

Superhumanoids Do You Feel Okay?
This LA trio's sophomore album is '80s synthpop inspired electro-dance. Do YOU feel okay?

 

Best wishes for an amazing and music-filled New Year! DJ Knix

The Knix Mix Top 20 Electronic Albums of 2014

In the world of electronic music, 2014 was a banner year for the ladies.  Kitten, Kimbra, Kiesza, Lindsey Stirling, Dev, Lana Del Rey and La Roux all released new music.  There were new releases by electronica/EDM staples like Tycho, David Guetta, Tiësto, Example, Skrillex and Deadmau5. House fans saw new releases by Simian Mobile Disco and Booka Shade.  Pioneers of the genre came out in force with Brian Eno & Karl Hyde, Bryan Ferry, Morrissey, Echo & the Bunnymen and Midge Ure releasing albums.  The LCD Soundsystem and Röyksopp said their goodbyes - at least in their current incarnations - in the form of farewell albums.  And I've discovered a few unsung treasures like Voxmirage, Faded Paper Figures, Flight Facilities and White Hex.
My Top 20 list includes a few albums that have achieved critical success.  You will surely recognize those picks if you're keeping up with these kinds of things.  Quite a few of the albums speak to my personal fondness for post punk, electro pop and disembodied robotic voices without consideration for acclaim.  Check it out!

Aphex Twin Syro
This album can be found on many a "Best of 2014" chart and with good reason.  This is UK based Richard D James' 6th studio album under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, and the first in 13 years.  It's contemporary and on point.

Arca Xen
Xen is the debut album of Venezuelan born producer Alejandro Ghersi who is best known for working with Björk and FKA Twigs.  All futuristic and stylistically interesting, this album is a critical darling.

Audit Division Audit Division EP
Maybe it's because they vaguely remind me of The Juan MacLean by featuring a male and a female vocalist with a retro synthpop sound that I like this little sleeper EP no one has heard of.

Banks Goddess
American Jillian Banks has pop appeal, but the soul laid bare lyrics and synthpop sound on her debut album garnered some positive attention among electronic music fans.

Broods Evergreen
This is New Zealand brother and sister duo Broods debut album, which is a follow up to their self titled EP.  They have a broader pop appeal that will eventually get them some Top 40 airplay.

Caribou Our Love
Another album that has made it's way onto many "Best of 2014" charts, Our Love by Canadian musician Caribou is a feelings album. There are moments of real loveliness on this album.

Diamond Version CI
Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys makes a vocal appearance on this album, but I am most taken with the deconstructed Orwellian vocal samples like on "Science for a Better Life."

Röyksopp & Robyn Do It Again EP
Norwegian duo Röyksopp and Swedish songstress Robyn can do no wrong in my eyes.  I especially like the cheeky "Sayit."

Gazelle Twin Unflesh
British producer Elizabeth Bernholz brings us her dark and chilling second album.  She was influenced by heavy subject matter like feral children and euthanasia, and the results sound a bit like the soundtrack to a nightmare.

Hundred Waters The Moon Rang Like a Bell
Hundred Waters hails from Florida and some of the members have been making music since middle school.  This album has an emotive electro folk sound,  Check out the single "Cavity."

The Juan MacLean In a Dream
There is a certain something that just works in the collaborative efforts of American house master Juan MacLean and former LCD Soundsystem member Nancy Whang. This album has been on repeat play for me since its release.

Liars Mess
Known for being experimental, Mess is the seventh studio album for the US band.  It's quirky and provocative and a bit of a style change from their previous albums.

Mr Little Jeans Pocketknife
Norwegian Monica Birkenes is Mr Little Jeans.  "Mercy" is the essential song on the album, although she does a cover of Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs."

Museum of Love Museum of Love
Like The Juan MacLean, this is another offering from the DFA label. Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem pairs Dennis McNany for a retro synthpop sound.

Phantogram Voices
In another male and female pairing with some shared vocal duties, American duo Phantogram has pop appeal.

Starwalker Losers Can Win EP
French Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Icelandic Bardi Johannsson collaborate on this stylistically spare but intriguing EP.

St. Vincent St. Vincent
The eponymous 4th album by American St. Vincent has that irreverent and wry art rock style that she does so well.

Trust Joyland
Toronto based Robert Alfons was on his own for the second Trust album with Maya Postepski having returned to her duties with Austra. Alfons vocals are incredible and throwback influences like Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins and bygone video game soundtracks give it that synthpop flavor that I love.

Tying Tiffany Drop
Italian Tying Tiffany seems to fly under the radar in the US, but she has that art school dropout DIY style that deserves a listen.

Wild Beasts Present Tense
This is the 4th studio album for Wild Beasts.  Honestly, there is no other band who sounds quite like them, so it's best to just listen for yourself.

Q&A with Resistor's Steve Goldberg

It isn't every day that you come across an album that successfully combines pop music and parody as social commentary.  Like Devo with their satirical humor or Talking Heads with their deadpan Delphian lyrics. Then along comes Resistor with First World Problems.  The first single from the album, "Narcissist," was immediately on my playlist because of its irresistibly catchy refrain.  It's equally irresistible to picture the narcissist in your life while the song plays.  Doesn't everyone have one?  The video for the track has all the elements of a Saturday Night Live skit set to music.  Funny and with cultural references that you will surely appreciate.  Note the nod to the iconic Say Anything boombox scene but with a twist.  Brilliant!  Steve does the Star Wars sleeveless t-shirt and red jogging shorts justice, I must say.  The rest of the album is equally cheeky. You'll have to give it a listen to know what I mean.

Resistor, the nom de synth of Philadelphian Steve Golderg, arose from the ashes of a previous band, Goldberg's financial and emotional resources were low, and he needed a way to make music quickly and cheaply without depending on anyone.  He began writing songs with only his computer and his voice, and Resistor was born.
Resistor's debut full-length album, First World Problems, was released on May 20th.  With a synthpop sounds reminiscent of The Human League and OMD, the record was recorded and mixed by Jeff Zeigler (The War on Drugs with Kurt Vile) in Philadelphia.  While songs like "Narcissist" and "Choose Your Parents Well" are tongue in cheek, the core of the record is genuine.  Over a bed of New Wave synths, energetic drum machines and multilayered vocal harmonies, Resistor parodies the pursuit of fame and questions the meaning of artistic success.  He wonders "Why do I crave the spotlight?  Do I deserve it?  And why should anyone care about what I have to say?"

Any special talents?  Immense physical strength.  My best squat, bench and deadlift to date are 405 lbs., 290 lbs., and 525 lbs., respectively.  By powerlifting standards those aren't elite or anything, but I think by like synthpop or hipster standards they are.  There are probably a lot of guys in metal bands who lift a lot more though.  Also I'm good at JavaScript; check out my 100% hand-crafted artisanal website http://resistorsings.com/.
Favorite movie?  Is it still okay if I say Annie Hall?  Woody seems like he's probably messed up IRL, but it's still a great film.
What did you plan to be when you grew up?  I really wanted to be an actor when I was in high school. Making the music video for "Narcissist" was a great opportunity to show off my acting chops, just really get into character and do some method acting like back in the day.  Plus it was my debut as a serious filmmaker. Look for my entry next year at Cannes.
Favorite funny story about you?  So a little while back I took part in this "fitness transformation" contest on the Internet where you had to post 12 week before and after photos.  I had taken my "after" photos flexing in a pair of Star Wars tighty whities and put them online for the contest.  Some months later, a friend told me that they'd seen my Star Wars undies photos on the Tumblr of Wil Wheaton, the actor from Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Big Bang Theory.  It turned out that a random Internet person had posted them on his gay beefcake Tumblr, then they got reblogged on a satirical Tumblr called "Fake Geek Guys," then Wil Wheaton reblogged them, and then tons of other people did.  I just checked and the post has 11,176 notes, mostly from gay porn Tumblrs.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  That's probably been the peak of my fame to date.  Also, I didn't win that round of the transformation contest, but I entered it again the next time and took first place.  (Way to go, Steve!)
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?  "Probably a shark riding on an elephant's back, just trampling and eating everything I see. Because it's sink or swim out there."
What three words would best describe you?  Curious / Sensual / ECMAScript compliant
What makes you laugh?  I like the Mel Brooks saying, "Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when you fall down a manhole."
Favorite food?  Gonna go with the Shooter Sandwich. Check this shit out!
Do you have a nickname?  Some people call me "The Space Cowboy." Just kidding.  Nobody has ever called me that, but I probably wouldn't mind.
What was the first band you saw in concert?  I think it was Blink 182 at The Electric Factory in Philly.  I was really into Enema of the State.

Knix Picks: The Top 20 Albums I Never Get Tired Of

If you're anything like me, you have hundreds of tracks on your iPod to listen to while you work out or otherwise go about your daily business.  In my case, I have a waterproof, ugly bright orange mp3 player, so when I go hiking or snowshoeing and inevitably drop it, it is that much easier to spot.  By the way, if you come across a small blue mp3 player on Great Pond Mountain after the spring thaw, it's mine.  But that one wasn't waterproof, so you can keep it!

Anyway, I digress.  My point is that I recently emptied my mp3 of every single track that was on it.  All 700 or so of them. Because, despite so many choices, I got bored, bored, bored. Granted, I go hiking or snowshoeing for a couple of hours every day and that makes for a lot of listening.  So it was when I was picking tracks to put back on my mp3 that I came up with a brilliant Top 20 list for my blog!
There are a ton of singles that I never tire of.  For instance, Nitzer Ebb's "Murderous," Yaz's "Situation," or Club 8's "Stop Taking My Time" will never get a yawn out of me.  (Trivia moment. Yaz is Yazoo in the UK.) But I was thinking how much harder it is to make a full length album where nearly every track is compelling enough to want to listen to it repeatedly without growing weary.  I've been known to catch a fever for an album, play it to death, put it away and never touch it again.  R.E.M.'s Out of Time is one of those.  "Losing My Religion" was a great track in 1991, but that time is over.  Sorry, R.E.M.
So what are my top picks for albums, new or old, that I decidedly want to hear again and again and again? With much consideration, here it is....

Ascii Disko Ascii Disko - The project of DJ Kat D.D. Rokk, this album includes previously released tracks.  Synthpop and house with Euro flair and Rokk's German cool reserve.  Fabulously danceable!
Autokratz Animal - The first full length album by the British electro duo of David Cox and Russell Crank, the track "Always More" is my personal version of a mood lifter!
Cut Copy Bright Like Neon Love - Australian Cut Copy's debut album was indietronica at its best.  Then a trio and now a group of four, the album combines songwriting capability with club friendly tracks!
Digitalism Idealism - The German DJ duo's 2007 debut album was meant to be a garage band gone electronica.  It works!  (Their DJ-Kicks LP features one of my favorite tracks ever, "83.")
Egotronic Ausflug mit Freunden - A German electro punk band with a decidedly political point of view. I can't speak German, so I don't actually contemplate their lyrics.  I just listen to the music.  Is that bad? Danceable but with an edge!
Gary Numan The Pleasure Principle - This is English musician Gary Numan's debut album after the demise of Tubeway Army.  Numan, along with bands like Kraftwerk, was influential in introducing the use of synthesizers in music.  No guitar was used on the album. "Cars" is the track that most people know in the US, but Numan is no one hit wonder.  The entire album is impeccable and inspired what we now call synthpop.
Gesaffelstein Aleph - This album by French producer Mike Levy (who goes by the moniker Gesaffelstein, which is a combination of the German word for "universal artwork" and Albert Einstein's name) is crazy good!  I was obsessed with the electro industrial sound of "Pursuit" when I first heard the LP.  Right now I'm obsessed with "Destinations," which is one of the few tracks with vocals (spoken by Chloe Raunet) and hot in a completely indescribable way.
House of Blondes Clean Cuts - John Blonde released a different House of Blondes album in 2007, but he considers this album, created with a different band and in a very different style, his debut.  Experimentation with synths and the quality of sound make this the only House of Blonde debut that matters.
Icon of Coil Machines are Us - Electro industrial Scandinavian band Icon of Coil was founded in 1998. They tend towards dark, futureworld themes with wordy lyrics while remaining dance friendly.
Ladytron Velocifero - Ladytron was formed in Liverpool, England in 1999.  They've had a few different sounds since their 2001 debut LP, 604.  Velocifero is a tad darker than some of their previous work and perhaps more slick.  Really, I love all of their work, but this is their go to album for me.
Lightning Dust Fantasy - This album is a style change for the Vancouver duo of Amber Webber and Josh Wells.  The addition of synths and rythym boxes to their already impressive songwriting makes for an album I keep going back to.
Lindstrom & Christabelle Real Life is No Cool - This collaborative effort between Norwegian producer Hans-Peter Lindstrom and singer Christabelle is electro disco at its best.  "Lovesick" is my favorite track on the album.
Naked and Famous Passive Me, Aggressive You - The New Zealand indietronica band's debut album is infectious and features strong songwriting and equally strong vocals by both Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers.
Nitzer Ebb Industrial Complex - This Chelmsford, England band was formed in 1982 and was doing industrial dance music long before I knew what the term meant.  That Total Age was a college favorite, but this album was considered a comeback for them, and I love a good comeback.
Royksopp Junior - This Norwegian duo used to be responsible for a lot of downbeat trip hop.  Who knew? Because this album is decidedly danceable electro pop.  Guest vocalists pepper the album.  Karin Dreijer of The Knife guests on one of my favorite ever tracks, "This Must Be It."
The Golden Filter Voluspa - This duo sounds decidedly Euro, but they're based in New York.  They combine an electro pop sound with disco elements and great lyrics for a cohesive album of must listen tracks.
Trust Joyland - Joyland just came out, but I was smitten as soon as I heard the second track, "Geryon." What is not to love?  Dark Wave marries pop with brooding lyrics sung in a low baritone.
Tubeway Army with Gary Numan Replicas - Released in 1979, this was the 2nd and final album Tubeway Army made.  Gary Numan went on to an extraordinary solo career.  This "machine" concept album helped to define the post punk era.  Beggars Banquet released reissues of the album with additional material in 1999 and 2008.
Tying Tiffany Peoples Temple - Tying Tiffany is an Italian artist, singer and songwriter who experiments with elements of post punk, electronic and industrial music.  The Peoples Temple (The title of the album refers to the doomed Jim Jones cult.) has a darker, edgier sound than her newly released album Drop.  The track "Show Me What You Got" has her basically screaming the chorus, and I love it!
VNV Nation Empires - This 3rd full length album by the London industrial dance duo is one of their most powerful albums.  Dark, dystopic with lyrics that prophesy the end of the world, Empires carries on a theme I've been attached to since I read George Orwell's "1984."

So there you have it.  My Top 20 albums that I never get tired of. From my list, you can probably discern that I have a taste for electro pop and dance industrial.  And only one US band.  What's up with that?  What albums make the cut for you?  Post on The Knix Mix Facebook page and let me know!

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Knix Pick for Best New Album: Joyland

 Joyland is the sophomore album by Trust fronted by Toronto's Robert Alfons, and it is The Knix Pick for Best New Release.  I haven't been this excited about a new album since Gesaffelstein's Aleph was released in the fall.  Trust's 2012 debut album TRST was a dual effort with Maya Postepski, who left to focus on her role as drummer of Austra, an electronic band also from Toronto.  (May I remind you that Austra's Olympia was one of my favorite albums of 2013?  Just saying.)   Joyland is my first exposure to Trust, which may be a good thing. The reviews for TRST weren't all that flattering. Apparently a little one dimensional, the effort was deemed "gothic revival" in the snarkiest of manners.

No matter.  Robert himself indicated that Joyland is a departure from the first album in that he was trying for something more expansive and playful.  Thus, Joyland is best heard with fresh intentions.  The name of the album, by the way, is mildly ironic given Trust's relationship to the brooding Dark Wave of the early post punk era, which doesn't evoke thoughts of "joy" unless one is speaking of Joy Division.

Joyland mixes things up a bit by adding elements of the techno and acid house that Robert is a fan of to more eclectic influences like Kate Bush and Cocteau Twins.  And this will be charming for those of us who actually grew up when New Wave was new, and Atari was king.  Robert cites video games as an influence, having grown up without Internet.  I can relate.

The tracks range from the ethereal "Slightly Floating" to the danceable "Rescue, Mister."  Robert's vocals are reminiscent of the deep low baritone of Ian Curtis without his cold restraint or the more emotive gloom of Peter Murphy.  Give a listen to Murphy's album Deep to see what I mean.  Andrew Eldritch of The Sisters of Mercy comes to mind as well, though The Sisters have tried very hard in more recent years to part ways with their gothic past and sound a bit more hard rock these days.

Now just because I have a thing for synthpop, this doesn't mean every band that hints at an 80's revival gets a free pass.  Some of the newer bands don't get what was so exciting about the post punk period in musical history.  Hearing something that was innovative and new.  Then mainstream Top 40 bands got on board and it was over. Curiously, I've heard bands (with members too young to have been around for the Second British Invasion) quote as inspiration 80's era synthpop bands that weren't even interesting in the 80's. That said, it's that nod that Joyland gives to the past while still moving towards the future that makes it a compelling listen for me.

Knix Picks for Twenty Best Electronic Albums of 2013

The year 2013 is quickly coming to a close, which is good enough reason to take a look back over the broad spectrum of what constitutes electronic music and pick my personal top 20 new releases.  I have a penchant for music that smacks of the Second British Invasion, which dominated the airwaves in the 1980's, so I was pleased that 2013 saw new releases from some of the most influential bands of that era including New Order, Depeche Mode, The Pet Shop Boys, Berlin, Visage and Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. Gary Numan, one of the founding fathers of synthpop whose career has spanned over three decades, added a new album to his extensive discography.  It took Daft Punk eight years to produce a follow up to Human After All, and the resulting slick 1970's French disco sounding album was not quite what I expected, though it grew on me. The trend this year seems to be looking back to move forward with bands emulating the disco, post-punk, New Wave, Brit pop, alternative dance and electro-industrial sounds of earlier decades.
At the same time, the proliferation of electronic music festivals has made DJ's and producers like Deadmau5 household names. I kid you not, there was an article in Seventeen Magazine declaring neon as an absolute must in music festival fashion for the teen girl crowd.  I'm not so much a techno/electronica/EDM (or whatever they're calling it this year) gal myself, though I have my moments, but it seems to me that when underground music is no longer underground, something new will inevitably come along to fill the gap for those who don't want to "follow" the trend but "be" the trend.  So here are Knix Picks (in alphabetical order) for the new electronic albums I loved listening to in 2013.  I look forward to hearing what's new in 2014! (And don't forget to tune in to The Knix Mix on WERU and request what you want to hear in electronic music!)

Austra Olympia
Austra, a band from Toronto, released their sophomore album, a follow up to the successful 2011 debut album Feel It Break.  Katie Stelmanis's passionate vocals and the emotional lyrics paired with a synthpop backdrop make for a compelling album.  "Painful Like" was a heartrending standout track.

Boards of Canada Tomorrow's Harvest
The Scottish duo last released an EP seven years ago and a full length album eight years ago, but Tomorrow's Harvest is still recognizably their well crafted style.

Braids Flourish//Perish
This is Braids' second album and their first after losing their guitarist.  Experimental pop with a shoegaze feel, this is the softer side of electronic music.  "Amends" is undoubtedly my favorite song on the album.

CHVRCHES The Bones of What You Believe
This album can be found on many a "Best of 2013" chart and with good reason.  This Scottish trio crosses music genres with their infectious electropop songs, and there isn't a throwaway track on the album.

Cut Copy Free Your Mind
This is the Australian group's fourth album, and I never get sick of hearing any one of them.  This is probably why Cut Copy has enjoyed a bit of commercial success despite their indie roots.

Daft Punk Random Access Memories
Daft Punk's Homework, Discovery and Human After All were staples in my music diet for many years, so I was particularly interested to see what they would do next.  Random Access Memories is a bit more slick and polished than previous work.  That said, there are a few songs on the album that will become dance club staples.

Deptford Goth Life After Defo
Moody and spare, there is nothing "goth" about Deptford Goth, but this art school graduate has produced some beautifully ethereal songs.  Listen to "Feel Real," and you'll know why this album made the cut.

Disclosure Settle
Another album that has made it's way onto many "Best of 2013" charts, Settle is probably the consummate dance album of the year, even if the British Garage sound is not usually my thing.

Gesaffelstein Aleph
I can't stop talking about this album, and I'm not usually hyped about all instrumental tracks.  I like emotive lyrics. I just do. But this French producer has taken techno and shaken it up a bit with a heavier industrial sound that has me listening to the album on repeat play.

Goldfrapp Tales of Us
I had to give a nod to English duo, Allison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, who have delivered infectious disco inspired dance floor hits like "Number 1" and "Ooh La La" for years.  This, their sixth album, is a complete departure.  Each song is inspired by a person, and the result is a haunting, melodic, ballad driven album that will not inspire you on the dance floor but will inspire you to stop and listen.

House of Blondes Clean Cuts
This album is more minimal ambient electro than I typically go for, but I found myself playing it again and again.  "Shadows" has to be one of my favorite tracks of the year.

The Knife Shaking the Habitual
In my mind, nothing bad ever comes from Sweden, and The Knife is no exception.  Their fourth album is a bit more raw and avant-garde than previous releases.

Lightning Dust Fantasy
An indie folk act from Vancouver, I am surprised at how much I like this album.  They took what they were doing well before and added synthesizers and rhythm boxes.  The result is an album that is a step above their previous releases with "Loaded Gun" being one of my favorite tracks ever.

Mat Zo Damage Control
Damage Control was only recently released, but it quickly made my favorite picks list for the year.  This London born producer looked to old Chemical Brothers for inspiration, which might be why I like it so much.

Moderat II
The German trio includes Apparat, who definitely makes his unique style a part of the collaboration.  It's more experimental than I typically like, but I can't get enough of "Bad Kingdom," one of the best tracks of the year.

Juana Molina Wed 21
Molina is an Argentinian singer/songwriter.  Her work is Latin folk meets electronic, and her melodies are amazing.

Neon Neon Praxis Makes Perfect
A second concept album from Neon Neon.  The first being Stainless Style, which was a musical portrait of John DeLorean.  This time the subject is Italian communist publisher Giangiacomo Feltrinelli.

Gary Numan Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind)
Numan is always changing up his game.  This time he takes his cues from a dark time in his family life and perhaps hanging out with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails (who also had a new album this year).  Splinter is a bit darker and a more industrial than some of the early synthpop he is well known for, though true Numanoids will be reminded of the more aggressive vocals and guitar work of Pure, the follow up album to Exile.  As a devoted fan, I had to give a nod to one of the most influential artists in the electronic genre.

Sonen Inside the Sun
Atlanta based Sonen created a home grown album that attempts to embody their impressive live shows with tracks with strong hooks that will make you want to hit the dance floor.

V.V. Brown Samson & Delilah
Brown is an English singer/songwriter with an R&B vibe.  This album is a stylistic change for her.  The backdrop is more synthpop than prior work, but the vocals are pure V.V. Brown.

There are a ton of other albums that could have made the cut.  I loved the new releases from Tricky, Her Royal Harness, Ikonika, Rudimental, Club 8, Sigur Ros, Rudimental, Still Corners, Small Black, MS MR, Morcheeba and The Naked and Famous - though a couple of those albums rated more highly with me than with music critics.  And let's give a shout out to the ladies of 2013.  Lorde, Icona Pop, Charli XCX, Sandra Kolstad, AlunaGeorge and Maya Jane Coles had some of the best club hits of the year.  There are also albums that are forward thinking critical successes in the electronic music category, making the cut on many "Best of 2013" charts, which I haven't chosen for my Top 20 list.  Albums by Autechre, Oneohtrix Point Never, Kaskade, Jon Hopkins and James Holden come to mind.  I've only been hosting The Knix Mix for the last half of the year so a few of these passed me by, and I promise to give them a proper listen.  What constitutes a critical success is not necessarily the same thing as what constitutes a Knix Pick, but if I want to hear an album again and again, it rates highly in my book.  Extra points if you can dance to it!

Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired by Gary Numan

Gary Numan circa 1980

If you're looking for inspiration for a Halloween costume, Gary Numan's long and illustrious music career is a virtual gold mine of looks.  You need not be a fan of Numan to recognize the definable eras of electronic music in his incarnations over the years. Numan's style ranges from late 1970's punk, during his early Tubeway Army days, to 1980's New Wave, which has seen a resurgence in popular culture, to his current steam punk incarnation for his newest LP, "Splinter."
Science fiction, a desire to appear cold and unemotional, and a robotic stage presence shaped Numan in his early career. Interestingly, the look that most people associate with Numan, from the early 80's "Republicas" era, was purely accidental.  Just before an appearance on Top of the Pops in the UK, a make up artist put a layer of white make up on Numan's face to cover his "spots," otherwise known as acne.  His eyes looked like "pissholes in the snow," so they were lined in black.  And viola!  The Numanoid look was created.
Over the years he's had an all white with blue hair look, an all black and skinny tie look that screams 1980's, a suit and fedora look, an industrial look that is all about the 90's, possibly inspired by his admiration for Nine Inch Nails, an all leather look, a military inspired look, a goth look and a hip rocker in a black tee and jeans look.  I'm always interested to see what he's going to come up with next.
Enjoy taking a walk down electronic music history in the Numan photos below.  I've also included some photos of Numan's vixen of a wife, Gemma.  She supplies some female specific costume inspiration., not to mention great concepts in hair color.

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Gemma