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
Valentin Stip | Hiathaikm
[Valentin Stip]
Yet another golden piece has been offered up from those over at Clown & Sunset . This time, the tune is courtesy of Paris-born producer Valentin Stip , who we caught warming up the day at Montreal’s MUTEK Piknik . Although he hit the decks early in the afternoon ( MUTEK Piknik begins at 2pm), the crowd was already substantial and completely immersed in Valentin’s set, which quickly encouraged us to forget about our anticipation to see C&S founder Nicolas Jaar , the following act.
Valentin’s latest gem first became available on the Clown & Sunset Prism , however, the tune has now been (thankfully) loaded up onto his Soundcloud . Like much of the work that emerges from the label, “Hiathaikm” has a cinematic quality as it evolves, winds up and releases at just the right moments. Valentin characteristically embraces space, crafting woolly soundscapes through a deliberately drowsy beat, which remains present behind the mystical vocal and melancholic piano lines throughout.
While you’re at it, be sure to lend an ear to Pavla & Noura , a collaboration between Val and his friend, Paul Sara, available on the Prism as well.
[Clown & Sunset Prism]
alh
MUTEK | Montreal 2012
MUTEK is just around the corner (the official festivities begin tonight) and it’s safe to say that anticipation is running high, here in Montreal. If you’re not already familiar, MUTEK is an international festival organization, founded in the year 2000. It’s centrepiece: the presentation of its annual namesake festival, held in Montreal, which thoughtfully showcases the strength and value of both electronic music and the digital arts. This year is MUTEK ‘s 13th instalment.
“Over 70 acts will converge on Montreal from May 30th to June 3rd, among them respected pioneers, hotly tipped emerging artists, adventurous sonic manipulators, and a significant number of Canadian artists who represent the wealth of digital creativity currently at work in this country.”
(via
MUTEK
)
The 13th edition, as it has done in the past, will provide a platform for some of the most forward thinking minds in digital creativity to demonstrate their talents. This year’s spectators have the opportunity to catch some of our unabashed favourite names: Nicolas Jaar , Shlohmo , Salva , Kode 9 , Valentin Stip , Prison Garde , and so many more, as well as a number of experimental art installations that we’re looking forward to exploring (take the CineChamber for example).
“MUTEK is an immersive journey, with many levels at which to explore the artistic contours of its many creative scenes.”
Whether you manage to be in attendance or not, we’ve put together a little offering of just some of the sounds attendees will be exploring during the next few days. The tracks included are from either the recent or far-gone past. Check back for some exclusive updates in the near future.
We hope to see you there-
Download || MUTEK 2012 Promo Pack [zip]
Tracklist:
And I Say (ft. Scout LaRue & Will Epstein) – Nicolas Jaar
Hot Boxing the Cockpit – Shlohmo
Wake Ups – Salva
Babylon – Kode 9
Goodbye (Instrumental) – Apparat
High For This (Sibian & Faun Bootleg) – The Weeknd
Sea of Pulses – Tim Hecker
Arose – BNJMN
Anytime Will Do – Valentin Stip
Parking Lot – Prison Garde
Whit Dub – Alex Smoke
Best Of (Deniz’s Freestyle Version) – Deniz Kurtel ft. Mykle Anthony
Beat 26 – Jimmy Edgar
International Fires – Shackleton
T.P.Ø. (Rumpistol Remix) – Acustic
[Anstam, MUTEK 2011]
[Modselektor, MUTEK 2011]
[Four Tet, MUTEK 2011]
alh
Nouveau Palais | Avant Gang EP
[brought to you by the RBMA]
The Red Bull Music Academy brings you the collaborative effort of Lunice , Ango , and Prison Garde , as well as that of an onslaught of contributors; Sinjin Hawke , Monolithium , HxbD & Self Evident , Bobbi Kay , and RBMA alumni, Canblaster and Salva , in anticipation of their Mutek showcase this Thursday night. You’ll be happy to know that the healthy 14 track extended play is also free of charge. There’s no stopping these guys. (The Canblaster / Sinjin and Salva additions are particularly fantastic, if I do say so myself.)
[Ango, Prison Garde, Lunice]
sam.i.am
