Music of the month - Fantastic Mr Fox.

Fantastic Mr Fox.

This month's music comes from Fantastic Mr Fox. Originally from Wolverhampton, Fantastic Mr Fox (Stephen Gomberg) has been producing music since the age of 14 and this really shows in his intricate and layered compositions. The samples used in his music range from 60's funk to a simple hand clap to 90s garage vocals yet layered over one another it creates a unique sound sewn together with an underlying moog synth sound often giving way to a deep earthy bass.

To quote the man himself from the Guardian band of the day blog...

"There might be 200 layers in a song – I might record myself clapping or there might be a split-second of 60s prog hi-hat that I might then put an effect on and mess with for hours. It's all very laborious. I take the samples from so many sources, and they get so messed up, you can't tell in the end where they came from."

The hard work really has payed off for Stephen. Not only is Fantastic Mr Fox popular in the Manchester scene, playing alongside the main man of the Drum and Bass scene Rich Reason at Hit and Run, he also has famous fans including The XX and Warpaint.

The XX took him on their US tour where he DJ'd between their sets and also at every after party alongside Jamie XX, the producer of the moment. Opportunities like this don't come around often and it must have been an exhilarating experience to get his music out to the masses of Uncle Sam hipsters across the different states.

Anyway, enough of my chitter-chatter, take a look for yourself as the music really does speak for itself. You can find more mixes on the Fantastic Mr Fox. Facebook page.

Big in 2011 - Part Two

Sleigh Bells:

You're in for a treat(s), excuse the pun, when you take a listen to this creative duo. The debut album from Sleigh Bells is currently making waves amongst the English shores. Based in Brooklyn the pair met in 2008 and the distorted angst rock partnership was formed. With guitarist Derek Miller's hardcore roots and singer Alexis Karuss's earlier pop attempt make the pair seem an unusual coupling.

I first became aware of Sleigh Bells when Nick Grimshaw chose Infinity Guitars as record of the week back in September. The song has a riot grrrl sound to it and an unfinished edge which some how sounds so polished at the same time.

When I got my hands on the album Treats I was pleasantly surprised by the variation of styles amongst the tracks. Not only does singer Alexis Krauss posses an riot grrl snarl but her softer side can also be heard on the track Run The Heart. The song still managed to keep the distorted synth/riff sound they have won so many fans with. Sleigh Bell's album opener Tell 'Em has an odd Americana tone which one would associate with a teen movie opening scene of girls walking down the corridor. But yet again the distorted synth sounds bring back an edge back to the track and takes something that could be repetitive to a whole different level.

After taking a glimpse at tweets and youtube comments it's seems the band have been labelled 'Noise pop' which I agree with to a certain extent, but hopefully the band are big enough to overcome being labelled amongst bands such as The Naked and Famous and MGMT and keep their somewhat soft punk/hardcore edge.

(photo credits: google and express Milwaukee.com)