New Forms Festival 2012 | Vancouver, British Columbia
If you’ve been keeping up with us here at LOW-LIFE, you’re probably already aware that we have been festival hopping, cross-continentally, over the course of the summer. So far, we have collectively managed to hit MUTEK (Montreal, Quebec), Sonar (Barcelona, Spain), 10 Days Off (Ghent, Belgium), Tomorrowland (Boom, Belgium), Shambhala (Nelson, British Columbia) and Outlook (Fort Punta Christo, Croatia). Next on the docket, we have Vancouver’s very own New Forms Festival , a cultural hub dedicated to exploring art, media, and electronic music.
“[New Forms Festival is] a survey of the electronic scene that rivals Montreal’s internationally acclaimed MUTEK.”
(via
The Georgia Straight
– read more
here
)
Now, if you have ever had the pleasure of attending the now Montreal-based festival, you would recognize that the Georgia Straight scribe has made a mighty bold statement. However, having attended both (LOW-LIFE paid a visit to New Forms ’11 last September), we couldn’t agree more.
[Teen Daze, New Forms 2011]
This year is New Forms’ 12th instalment and, arguably, the detail-oriented organizers may have very well fashioned the most striking line-up yet. This year, some of the most admirable forward-thinking artists, such as Teebs , Actress , Kode9 , Sinjin Hawke , and Canblaster , will take to the decks. Furthermore, like MUTEK , New Forms places an emphasis on young and local talent, recognizing the importance of providing a “platform for artistic growth.” So, spectators will also have the pleasure of catching the Vancouver-based Jellyfish Recordings crew – Headspace , Nick Wisdom , FALCONS , Jolin Ras , and 8prn – in action. Just take our word for it- it would be a mistake to sleep on any of these acts.
The theme this year will revolve around “Living Labs” and you’ll have to join us there to understand how that will manifest in both visual and aural form. In that respect, we know as much as you do. A Festival Pass, which fortunately won’t break your wallet (it’s only $60 ), covers you for the entire weekend, French Electro Showcase and A/V installations included. Individual passes can be purchased as well and are all available at the official site here.
If you need any more incentive to attend, we’ve compiled a mixtape, available below, featuring a blend of some of the sounds you can expect to hear at New Forms 2012. We’re looking forward to seeing your faces there.
Download || New Forms Festival 2012 Promo Pack [zip]
[Nautiluss, New Forms 2011]
[Shlohmo, New Forms 2011]
alh
SONAR 2012 | Recap
[From 'La Distancia']
This weekend past, Barcelona was the capital of the world. Or, at the very least, it seemed as such, because between the buzz from artists and fans alike; the resulting heat, apprehension, joy and euphoria; the all around sense of a welcomed cutting-edge, it was hard to assume it as anything else. It was Sonar 2012 .
Personal highlights are numerous:
Flying Lotus bouncing to Flosstradamous ‘s ‘Original Don Remix,’ alongside a super-sayaned Thundercat before making an impossibly smooth segue from a dubstep take on Wacka Flocka ‘s ‘Hard In Tha Paint’ to an utterly delicate jazz outro.
Jacques Greene voguing on Doc Daneeka ‘s dancefloor.
Darkside .
Brenmar uncharacteristically dropping an instrumental version of Joker ‘s ‘In My Head,’ inspiring Paul Salva to remark to his surrounding entourage (which included half of Nguzunguzu and Julio Bashmore ‘s manager, amongst others) “Man, 2 years ago we were all bitching about dubstep. Now we all miss it!”
Julio Bashmore playing out his infectious ‘Au Seve’ at 8′am, Sunday morning; a track that rightfully earned the title ‘Sonar 2012 Anthem.’
The list goes on…
[Flying Lotus]
[Amon Tobin]
[Azari & III]
[Nicolas Jaar]
[Jesse Boykins III]
[Salva]
[Squarepusher]
See you next year, Barcelona.
sam.i.am
SONAR | Barcelona 2012
[ the official image of Sonar; a still from Sergio Caballero's forthcoming film, 'La Distanca' ]
The city is buzzing. Club-rats, artists, and industry folk of every rank have flocked here to witness what is widely considered to be one of, if not the most influential three days in the world of electronica, internationally. We’ll see about that, as low-life will be on site, reporting the tides and triumphs of this so anticipated celebration of the multi-media arts.
“
Sónar once again makes Barcelona the world capital
of electronic culture: the festival presents more than 150 proposals in its programme, including music, exhibitions, screenings and activities for professionals based around the technology applied to artistic creation. The music line-up includes essential classics, experimentalists with a unique profile and an extensive representation of the new forms of house, contemporary electronic pop and the multiple derivations of bass music
.”
(via Sonar )
This year promises a typically astounding line up that includes performances from Flying Lotus , Jacques Greene , James Blake , Modeselektor , Hot Chip , The Roots , Sinjin Hawke , Nguzunguzu , Salva , Jack Beats , Maya Jane Coles , Azari & III , Kode 9 , Julio Bashmore , Blawan , Simian Mobile Disco , Nicholas Jaar and Darkside … to only name a few.
Be sure to grab the 4 track Sonar 2012 Sampler , courtesy of Bleep.com, before it’s taken down midnight tonight.
[Four Tet @ Sonar 2011]
[Magnetic Man @ Sonar 2011]
[Aphex Twin @ Sonar 2011]
[Sonar 2011]
sam.i.am
