Audiotistic

I headed down to LA this weekend to hit up the Audiotistic Festival, which is sort of the younger cousin of the Electric Daisy Carnival. It was a much smaller event, but the line-up was sufficiently top-notch and the production, for its size, was some of the most organized I've ever seen at an electronic event. With raves (I don't think I'm ready to call them Electronic Dance Music Events just yet) getting a lot of shit in the media these days, it's nice to go to a show where the promoters really have it together.

First up was a Kill the Noise x Donald Glaude back to back set. Mostly missed KTN, but we came through in time to watch Donald sweat out the packed room. Once that stage segued into a prog/trance bonanza (don't get me wrong, I have mad love for all my trance-heads), we moved to the Sound Arcade, which seemed to have the coolest stage setup and the least number of people in the crowd.

From there, Riva Starr threw down a funky set of his signature house, gypsy drops and all, as the audience built up. Then A-Trak put down the best big-room set I've ever seen him play, with the perfect balance of electro bangers and flawless turntablist micro-routines. As it was just about time to head back to the hotel, Treasure Fingers came in and closed out the night with his synth-drenched disco goodness. I wish I had something more controversial to say, but every DJ we saw came and crushed it.

A-Trak

Riva Starr

Donald Glaude getting mad with the crowd

Foooooooools Gooooold

Slow Roast in the house!

To make the weekend even more special, I had the opportunity to end my trip at the Do Over. The Do Over is a Sunday-afternoon weekly at this little restaurant/bar in LA where a trio of residents and handful of guest DJs play classic sets in this tiny fenced-in backyard (really, tiny) while burgers get flipped in the front and the line on the street grows like some kind of bottle service ish. However, with Audiotistic and LA being LA, this was a particularly special Sunday.

On the lineup we had an all-vinyl house set from the Juan Maclean (while eating a burger, I might add; pretty sure the dude's name isn't really Juan though). Then Craze came through with a crowd-pleasing hip-hop routine, rocking everything from Ice Cube to Deja Vu. Nick Catchdubs picked up the sunset hour with an eclectic set of reggae jams (he played a lot more than that, but I can't just say he played everything, can I?), and while A-Trak was slated to close out the night, I needed to hop back in my car, delirious as all hell, and drive six hours back to San Francisco with one headlight. The things we do for music...

Bambounou + French Fries

The first Bambounou track I heard was "Coconut," a cut he produced with French Fries. The next was the two gents' remix of "Romane." I still love both songs deeply and dearly, so it's only fitting that I'm super stoked on the latter's remix of the former's "Nappy Head." Peep the track, then cop the Animism E.P. whenever and wherever it drops.

A1 Bassline

Those of you that have been reading Panda Toes for a minute now might remember a certain Mr. Kagan. Anywho, he and I were driving to a gig a couple of weekends ago and started to chit and chat about A1 Bassline. We quickly came to the conclusion that every track the dude touches is perfect. "Breathless" is no different. I'm not really digging the video (it kinda feels like a budget Tron), but I couldn't care less - this song rules, A1 Bassline rules, life rules, etc.

Big Boi + Jack Beats

So Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty dropped a few weeks ago, and it's seriously dope. One of the standout jams in particular - "Shutterbug" - seemed perfect. Until Jack Beats touched it, that is. And as Jack Beats are prone to do, they took an already ill track and made even more fiery. Do Want.

Ciara + Ludacris + DJ DStar

Aight, so I'm a bit late on this one. I was all about Ciara's video for "Ride" a few months ago, but I'm just now getting around to blogging it. Eh, whatever. Anyways, the video is indescribably sexy. If you aren't already in love with with Ciara, you will be after this. Good moves, good fitteds, good pants, good looks, good everything.



And of course there's DStar's fiery remix of the track. We all know dude can shred on 1200s, but it's a better-kept secret that his production game is top notch as well. So good.

Katy B + Benga

Let's get one thing straight: I'm not a big dubstep fan. There are a few tracks I play regularly, but the genre as a whole never really made sense to me. However, Katy B's new cut - which was produced by Benga - is seriously huge. It's poppy, it's grimey, and it's absolutely banging.

Keep an eye out for Katy B's upcoming LP, which drops soon on Rinse.

Swedish House Mafia

As you might imagine, I've been heaps into Swedish House Mafia for a minute now. However, it wasn't until relatively recently that I was entirely sold on "One." The track grew on me and I soon fell in love with the Hardwell and Congorock remixes. Not so sure about the Pharrell version just yet - here's to hoping that grows on me too.

The Knocks

I DJed a show with DJ B-Roc of The Knocks a few months back. Dude was on point and I was blown away. Unsurprisingly, the highlight of the set came when B-Roc dropped his group's new single "Make It Better." The song is so dope, so summery, so perfect. And you can download it now at the Neon Gold blog. Be sure to pre-order the single so you can cop all of the remixes when they drop.

The Knocks - "Make It Better" (via Neon Gold)

And in case you somehow missed it, check out The Knocks' previous single "Blackout." It's a true pop banger. Similarly dope.

Round Table Knights

Made to Play and Round Table Knights have both been crushing for a minute now. Thus, it comes as no surprise that "Cut to the Top" - a R.T.K. release on Made to Play - is a bit of a beast. The video isn't a throwaway either. Peep: