Hiya Jack and Chris

Bag Raiders have just released the video to accompany the first single off of their long awaited self-titled debut album, coming out via Modular on October 1st. The track is called 'Way Back Home' and demonstrates a darker, more weighty direction than the soaring heights that their ubiquitous hit 'Shooting Stars' took.

'Way Back Home' shows a more serious side to the duo; exhibiting traits similar to two other brilliant Australian synthpop duos, Cut Copy and The Presets. The track also works the 'tribal drums' in the club angle to give it a chance in the more serious club arena. It ain't no 'Shooting Stars' but a great track nonetheless, and equally destined to be played to death.

The Kris Moyes directed video, shows a decidedly different style to their 'Shooting Stars' video effort; instead of surfing cars through computer made skies, Jack and Chris run around a darkened studio in this one-shot-wonder making art, whilst some pretty scratched and painted effects are layered over the top.

Meanwhile, we're waiting with anxious anticipation to finally hear the album, the cover of which looks like this (then check the video below that):

Here's the vid:

Yesterday was Bag Raiders' Chris Stracey birthday - one of the coolest people IM//UR have had the pleasure to meet. But, like a cheesy TV advertisement might say, it might be his birthday but the gift is ours (ok god, you may send the lightning of death in my way) because Bag Raiders just released a fantastic minimix to promote the latest 12 Inches compilation of Bang Gang DJs and Modular.

The (almost) 30 minute mix is full of genres, hits, future hits and gems. Tracks from Röyksopp, Phoenix, Classixx, Felix da Housecat, Kid Sister, The Eternals and more and remixes from the likes of Kris Menace,  Breakbot, Friendly Fires (and more) and of course "Shooting Stars" (one of the best songs of 08/09) makes an appearance, all uplifting you to get through this week dancing.

Check the whole tracklist after the jump, send a (late) kiss to Chris via Bag Raiders' twitter and if in Australia buy the Gang Bang 12" here. Oh yeah, and of course, download the minimix below!

Bag Raiders Mini Mix (via Modular)

We gave you the video for Bag Raiders' 'Shooting Stars' (It's a purple coloured virtual town to make Nintendo 64 proud of its technology - check it here) and we've expressed numerous time in the past how much we love this song, so why the hell did we never write about all the remixes? It might be because we were too busy dancing to it. After signing to Modular, the boys finally release the epic and romantic song with treatments from the likes of In Flagranti, Kris Menace, Shazam and Siriusmo, and there's some seriously good remixes in there.

Let's start with In Flagranti who totally won us over with his remix of Riton and Primary 1 (check it here).  The duo went a bit too far in sampling the disco love and kinda forget to use something from the original except for some unrecognizably chopped vocals. Although not a great remix for that, it's a good track by itself.

The Shazam dub mix is probably the best version here, first because it's a proper remix (they used that amazing synth line from the original) and second because it clears the cloudy atmosphere of the original with a more classier, more funky feel. Impressive.

Kris Menace keeps the song in the dark by extending its serious 80's concept and mixing in some techno. Basically extending something that you already liked to 7m41s and filling all the newfound space with lines that aren't too far away from the original. What is there not to love?

Only if we could post the remixes from Siriusmo and Cassian. But now that you get the drift that this is one of the best singles of the year - full of great remixes and a ridiculous video - you are going to buy this, right?

Bag Raiders @ IM//A\PARTY, Sao Paulo, April 09

'Shooting Stars' is one of our all time favourite favourite tracks - it NEVER gets old and always makes us feel good. It's one of those rare gems that has the ability to uplift the mood quicker than say, perhaps two sportscar surfboards speeding across the galaxy at warp speed.

So now that Bag Raiders have signed to the Modular Records party posse, they're officially releasing 'Shooting Stars' into the stratosphere that we know it belongs, with a video directed by Ron Winter.

This video documents the smooth moves of Jack and Chris cruising not only the virtual street, the boardwalk and the club, but also surfing the starry starry skies; all delivered with a high camp that's somehow skillfully underplayed by the boys.

Check it:

My favourite bits are the contemplative sunset gaze and heart drawing in glittering stardust. BEYOND.

Stray and Grass (Chris Stracey and Simon Pongrass)

You already know our friend Christopher Stracey from one of our favourite duos Bag Raiders (with Jack Glass) - but were you aware that he's just kicked off his own label? Chris and another of his talented mates, Simon Pongrass are together known as Stray and Grass. They met rapping the same Dr Dre song whilst in art class, and from then on, they knew they'd found something real.

The boys spent their post high school years going to art school and cooling around the streets of Sydney, and messed around with various creative projects from filming a B-grade horror short to writing b-grade pop tunes efore landing their first DJ gig. It was an epic 10 hour set at a farm party in the countryside. Whether it was bad, amazing or only entertained the livestock we'll never know, but from then on, they began to forge successful careers in music production and graphic design.

Graffitied all over town...

Late last year, they decided to combine their powers into bringing forth a collabo between themselves and entitled it Stray and Grass - so the tshirt label was born. Taking influences from Slick Rick, R. Kelly and Hall & Oates with a burger and shake in hand, these boys have come up with a cheeky line of fresh tees - and a mixtape of the pop songs that they've lovingly written.

Check out their tees, DEFINITELY check out the website it's mad pimp, and cop their mixtape. I've put a couple of my favourite R'n'B swaggering choons that have a Bag Raider kick below:

Fast Food // Slow Love

GALLERY

Dust La Rock's exhibition

There's a lot to be said about the uneducated and metaphorically unwashed, making their way through the world - and not just surviving, but prospering. Dust La Rock aka Joshua Prince is the epitome of a modern successful artist, marrying his artistic expressions with not only commercial success, but also that ever elusive indie-cool credibility. Not only emerging as an unschooled designer to shape the face of Ecko as an important brand in the early days of the streetwear/lifestyle movement; Dust has also developed projects for everyone from MTV to Nike. And did we mention that he also co-founded cooler than cool record label Fool's Gold, where he serves as Creative Director for the label and as A-Trak's personal Art Director? Boo-yah!

Dust La Rock for Kid Sisterrrrr

So Dust La Rock had an exhibition last night in New York, presented by Fool's Gold Records and The Fader, where he explored the branding of good and evil. All eighteen newly created works on show were on sale, so if you went, you had a chance to possess your very own piece of bone-achingly cool enlightenment a La Rock in 'Best of the Beast'.

GALLERY

Stay tuned for an interview with the man himself!

NEW BAND ALERT: The Twelfth Bonde do Drama

Welcome to our IM//A\\PARTY - The Synth Pop Edition galleries! The line-up was graced with Bag Raiders, Luciano from The Twelves, Boss in Drama and Pomada from Funhell. Not one, but SIX of the best party photographers in São Paulo also represented and here are our favourite shots from each.

This is IM//A\\PARTY as seen through the lense of Marcelo Elídio.

GALLERY

Luciano - appearing as half a dozen - from The Twelves

Welcome to our IM//A\\PARTY - The Synth Pop Edition galleries! The line-up was graced with Bag Raiders, Luciano from The Twelves, Boss in Drama and Pomada from Funhell. Not one, but SIX of the best party photographers in São Paulo also represented and here are our favourite shots from each.

This is IM//A\\PARTY as seen through the lense of Marcelo Fubah (Funhell).

GALLERY