A column by Paul Blandford. Apologies for the tardiness, it would seem that I haven't done a column in quite a while, due to the fact another little bundle of joy has entered my life... meaning 3 women in my house now!
Anyway... Having been a fan of both these next artists for a long time I thought the next instalment of the column would be an ode to 2 (3 if you include their recent collaboration!) of the most pioneering acts in electronic music at the moment. Modeselektor & Apparat.. otherwise known as Moderat.
I remember my first introduction to Modeselektor. T'was Elite Force's maiden visit to my club night SUMO in Cardiff, and with it he brought a true behemoth of a tune, so much so that I discreetly pestered him for what was then to be one of my most played tracks to date. Followers of the Manifesto, I give you 'Kill Bill Vol.4'... brace yourselves.
Their basslines are second to none and every track oozes dancefloor fodder, generating techno, dubstep, electro and even more leftfield textures, their sound is unsurpassable yet always immediately known to the ear once you hear something new from them... simply because no one else makes music quite like them. I...M...O.
Apparat's arrival however, was a tad late for me. Which I didn't mind because the amount of music that was to follow was nothing short of mesmerising. The soundscapes and melodies this man generates are quite spectacular, think of him as the bastard child of a menage et trois with Sigur Ros, Royksopp and Bjork.
Having collaborated with one of the true techno femme fatale's, Ellen Allien, I soon learn't that this man has so much to offer, always holding that superbly constructed sound. Which was recognised by none other than John Peel. But by far and away, the main highlight of these 2 acts, is their exquisite collaboration, in the shape of Moderat. You only have to take a listen to the 1st track on the album, 'A New Error' to appreciate where your about to be taken, a moody trip through some of the most awe-inspiring electronic music you are likely to hear.
It's quite hard to put them up against another act as what you are likely to hear is so original, this is only confirmed when they take this live, it quite simply takes your breath away, well mine anyway. So many acollades have followed their amalgamation, and none more so than recently receiving an award from the Beatport Music Awards for their track 'Porc 2'... you can understand why.
Now with a busy summer ahead of them with another European tour, things are certainly looking up for what I believe are the next big name to come out of the underground scene... but who's to say they haven't already... I certainly wouldn't.
MODESELEKTOR MYSPACE
APPARAT MYSPACE
MODERAT MYSPACE
'til next time. x
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