Detroit's Electronic Music Festival: An Oral History

Resident Advisor recently published an oral history on the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, as it looks back retrospectively upon ten dramatic years of the festival's event organization. The history captures a unique dialogue from journalists, musicians, dj's, and even local public officials who were instrumental in providing the first annual event - often regarded as its most illustrious - in addition to the cast of individuals in charge of it's production over the years, leading up to current producer's, Paxahau.

Great read, especially for those who have visited or plan to visit the festival in the future. check it HERE.

* Photo Cred: Robert Emperley

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings @ The Majestic Theater

From: Majestic Detroit

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings :: I Learned The Hard Way

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have come a long way since their humble beginnings nearly a decade ago. Steeped within the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul and funk, this nine-piece Brooklyn collective has continued to electrify fans, disc jockeys, critics, record collectors, and bloggers the world-over with their authentic, heart-felt sound. The authenticity clearly demonstrated on the band’s three critically-acclaimed albums Dap Dippin’ (2002), Naturally (2005) and 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007) captured and released by the independent Daptone Records. Their albums recall an analog era led by iconic studios like those at Motown and Stax Records, and have thrust the fifty-three-year-old Augusta, GA native and crew into the multimedia limelight.

Catch their live performance tomorrow evening at the Majestic Theater in Detroit. More information HERE

Jared Wilson - The Rise and Fall of the Machines - Lux

Jared Wilson - The Rise and Fall of the Machines - Lux Records
LXRC02 - 12 inch

1. Night Sky Jpeg
2. Jupiter One
3. Lap Jack

Pre-order the record through Rush Hour Distribution HERE.

Ninja Tune XX - 20 Years of Beats N Peices

From: Ninja Tune XX

On the 20th September 2010, it will be 20 years since Coldcut founded Ninja Tune. To celebrate, the label will be releasing a deluxe, limited edition box set of new and exclusive material by some of their favorite artists. Until then, they will be giving away rare material, mixes, merchandise and brand new videos for your own personal pleasure. This new material will change every week and for one week only, leading up to the release of their box set. Check it HERE.

Exit Through the Gift Shop - A Banksy Film

Exit Through the Gift Shop is a story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner with spectacular results. Billed as "the world's first street art disaster movie", the film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Space Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work. Exit Through he Gift Shop is showing at the Royal Oak Main Art Theater until Thursday, May 20th. Browse showing times HERE. Additionally, one of Banksy's pieces recently appeared in Detroit's Packard Plant. Check out selected works, including the Packard tag on his Flickr page HERE.

Craig Sopo - Drawl - LESS 008

Craig Sopo is showing some restraint with this release, biting his tongue as it were.

Drawl, staying true to it's name, starts with a slow but steady pace (slow for Craig at least). Once the track heats up the kick drum becomes relentless while maintaining it's composure, sporting lush textures and a dapper dinner jacket. At the end of it all you will feel like you were just courted by a true Southern gentleman.

All of a sudden things start to slip, your speech begins to Slur. Was it the dubbed out bassline? The synth stabs oating around my head? Or was it those $8 domestics? There is no point in relationship reconciliation once that acid bassline rears it's dirty, dirty head.

Preview and Purchase LESS 008 HERE.

William Irving Singer

William Irving Singer is a Detroit based artist currently residing on the city's westside in Woodbridge. Singer, earned his BFA from the University of Michigan, with a dual focus in painting and film arts. During his time in school he studied painting and graphic design at VSUP in Prague, Czech Republic.

Through his experience, his interest in painting grew exponentially, driven predominantly by the city's overwhelming architecture. It was within Prague's building blocks, the discarded alleys and city spaces, that he discovered a passion for historical fragments. His work often draws from collected images of antiquated portraiture and architectural space that are re-imagined in a de-historicized expression.

Lookout for up coming artwork by Singer for the new Blank Artists' monthly, "Aphotic Segment". Check out the rest of his online catalog HERE.