IM // UR | HIYA // Chad Valley

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

HIYA // Chad Valley

Tuesday // September 20, 2011 at 17:06 // filed under Music

HIYA // Hugo

photo by Ashley Louise Stanford

Hugo Manuel is perhaps best known for being a part of English math-rock band Jonquil. But his foray into solo productions as Chad Valley proves him to also be a producer in his own right, with his self-described “sun-drenched Balearic pop” project. Softly editing tracks between guitar driven tunes and R&B crooners with palatable bliss-y style, he's remixed the likes of Foals, Penguin Prison, O Children, TEED, The Drums and most recently Active Child.

Also, his R&B edits EP was set free on the interwebs a few months ago (though on that count, I much prefer Nicolas Jaar's Bluewave Edits EP), featuring remixes of Alicia Keys, R.Kelly, Mariah and The Dream, and Keri Hilson.

I've been obsessed with 'Money' by The Drums and subsequently, the Chad Valley remix of it. With the brilliance of it's anacrusis driven verses and it's ensuing syncopatic and offbeat accented vocals, 'Money' is accompanied by Maneuel's trademark misty and tropical-tinged, subtly white-noise coated Chad Valley treatment.

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The Drums - Money (Chad Valley Remix) [mp3]

Chad Valley takes TEED's 'Trouble' straight to the rainforest, bird noise atmospherics and all; stripping it back to nimble and airy treble, warmly accompanying Orlando Higginbottom's vocals with plenty of echo and steamy synths.

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Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Trouble (Chad Valley Remix) [mp3]

A beautiful take on an already beautiful track, Chad Valley keeps Active Child's 'Playing House' almost purely piano aside from the generous haze on the vocals before a lightly tapping beat drops in two thirds of the way through. Chad Valley plays the dynamic of the track with beautiful restraint in a moving and uplifting remix. Immerse yourself:

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Active Child - Playing House (Chad Valley Remix) [mp3]

Chad Valley is currently on mega tour, right now around the US and Canada supporting Active Child (hence the remix), before he finds himself sandwiched in an excellent tour slot between Friendly Fires and SBTRKT around the UK in November. Not bad, eh! Go find him coming to a town near you.

POSTED BY CHRISTEL ESCOSA

TAGS: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, The Drums, Active Child, TEED, Chad Valley, Jonquil // LINKS: Chad Valley, Active Child, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, The Drums

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Comments // 2

Ashley Louise Stanford
Wednesday // October 23, 2011 at 21:08 // #1

great post! big love for hugo
I was wondering though if you could credit my photo. either just my name Ashley Louise Stanford or a link to my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleylouisestanford/5547927403/ doesnt make much difference to me
thanks!!

Christel Escosa
Wednesday // October 26, 2011 at 10:27 // #2

Thanks for letting us know Ashley...updated x

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