SXSW 2012 Edition (5/9): Electronic Dance Music

Here it is!  The third annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Edition of the Active Listener Podcast.  Like previous years, I have listened to every band that had a sample up on SXSW.com, around 1,100 bands.  That is way too many songs to really get to know any of the bands well but what it can provide is a first impression.  So with that in mind I have organized the 100 best first impressions I got into 9 genre specific mixes for your previewing pleasure.  There are a couple new technical features to note this year.  First, each podcast has individually labeled tracks for each song so you can skip around and repeat to your heart's content.  Second, we've got a new way for you to contribute and join the conversation, the new Active Listener Podcast Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ActiveListener.  I'll be posting music recommendations and finds as they come to me so you do the same!  Alright, enough with the introductions, on with the music.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

SXSW 2012 Edition (5/9): Electronic Dance Music

I think the title says it all but just for fun I'll give you a little intro.  We start it off with some D\R\U\G\S to get the mood right with their more mellow, dare I say technoish, sounds.  Next up is a latin themed track that is awesome.  And third, we've got a taste of what I am most excited for, Hospital Records in Austin.  All my drum and bass fans rejoice.  Anyway, then we're into the lighter side of house and by the time we get to Porter Robinson it's a full on electro house dance party.  Enjoy.

Tracklist

1. Love Lust F/M by D/R/U/G/S

2. K Le Pasa by Dj Dus aka El Dusty

3. Cross the Line (ft. Ayah Marar) by Camo & Krooked

4. Church by Jacques Lu Cont

5. Reach for the Stars by Sound Remedy

6. Unison by Porter Robinson

7. Immo by SIRsir

8. Promise Me a Rose Garden by The M Machine

9. What You Gonna Do? by Codes

New instructions for how to get the podcast!!

1. To get new episodes

- Open your favorite podcast program (Itunes, Downcast, etc...)

- Search for Active Listener

- Select the first podcast

- Click subscribe

2. To get older episodes (that don't show up in Itunes)

- Head to the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

- Use the Blog Archive file tree on the right hand side of the page to locate the episode you want and click the link

- To stream the episode just click the name, Podcast xx - ......

- To download, right click (open apple click on a mac) on the name and from the menu that pops up select “Save link as…”

- Choose location and file name and then download

SXSW 2012 Edition (6/9): Bangers

Here it is!  The third annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Edition of the Active Listener Podcast.  Like previous years, I have listened to every band that had a sample up on SXSW.com, around 1,100 bands.  That is way too many songs to really get to know any of the bands well but what it can provide is a first impression.  So with that in mind I have organized the 100 best first impressions I got into 9 genre specific mixes for your previewing pleasure.  There are a couple new technical features to note this year.  First, each podcast has individually labeled tracks for each song so you can skip around and repeat to your heart's content.  Second, we've got a new way for you to contribute and join the conversation, the new Active Listener Podcast Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ActiveListener.  I'll be posting music recommendations and finds as they come to me so you do the same!  Alright, enough with the introductions, on with the music.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

SXSW 2012 Edition (6/9): Bangers

If you lean more toward the hip hop side of things this selection of electronic music is probably more up your alley.  There's some Pretty Lights type music on here for ya'll.  Of course, the dubstep fans shouldn't feel left out.  There should be enough bass in this mix to please even a Skrillex fan though this stuff is way more musical if you ask me.

Tracklist

1. i!! by Nadastrom

2. Calgarico by Orion x A-Mac

3. She Like That (Dirty Dub Mix) ft. Machine Gun Kelly by Na Palm

4. Uncrushable by Bro Safari6. 

5. Shine by VibeSquaD

6. That's What They Tell Me by Signal Path

7. Forest of Illumination by Break Science

8. Moonbeam Rider by Slugabed

9. Predatory by Pawn

New instructions for how to get the podcast!!

1. To get new episodes

- Open your favorite podcast program (Itunes, Downcast, etc...)

- Search for Active Listener

- Select the first podcast

- Click subscribe

2. To get older episodes (that don't show up in Itunes)

- Head to the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

- Use the Blog Archive file tree on the right hand side of the page to locate the episode you want and click the link

- To stream the episode just click the name, Podcast xx - ......

- To download, right click (open apple click on a mac) on the name and from the menu that pops up select “Save link as…”

- Choose location and file name and then download

SXSW 2012 Edition (7/9): That H-town Sound

Here it is!  The third annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Edition of the Active Listener Podcast.  Like previous years, I have listened to every band that had a sample up on SXSW.com, around 1,100 bands.  That is way too many songs to really get to know any of the bands well but what it can provide is a first impression.  So with that in mind I have organized the 100 best first impressions I got into 9 genre specific mixes for your previewing pleasure.  There are a couple new technical features to note this year.  First, each podcast has individually labeled tracks for each song so you can skip around and repeat to your heart's content.  Second, we've got a new way for you to contribute and join the conversation, the new Active Listener Podcast Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ActiveListener.  I'll be posting music recommendations and finds as they come to me so you do the same!  Alright, enough with the introductions, on with the music.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

SXSW 2012 Edition (7/9): That H-town Sound

So maybe not all of this music is from Screwston or but the title gets the feeling across.  This is a bunch of trunk rattlers.  We start with a perennial favorite of the podcast, Rockwell Knuckles and then it's on to Swisha House.  One thing I'll point out, this is the first year I have come across so much Jesus rap, particularly in this field.  Agree with them or not, if the rhymes are tight and the beats bang, who cares?  Play it loud.

Tracklist

1. Play Catch by Rockwell Knuckles

2. Chase That (Ambition) by Lecrae

3. Power by Juve

4. Crank It by Fam 420

5. All About My Change (ft. Chamillionaire, Z-Ro, and Gerald G) by Dj Rapid Ric

6. Thug Waffle by Flatbush Zombies

7. Mobbin' (ft. Young Jeezy) by Freddie Gibbs

8. In My City (ft. Efrain of Doubledge) by Andy Mineo

9. I'm Good (ft. Lecrae) by Trip Lee

New instructions for how to get the podcast!!

1. To get new episodes

- Open your favorite podcast program (Itunes, Downcast, etc...)

- Search for Active Listener

- Select the first podcast

- Click subscribe

2. To get older episodes (that don't show up in Itunes)

- Head to the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

- Use the Blog Archive file tree on the right hand side of the page to locate the episode you want and click the link

- To stream the episode just click the name, Podcast xx - ......

- To download, right click (open apple click on a mac) on the name and from the menu that pops up select “Save link as…”

- Choose location and file name and then download

SXSW 2012 Edition (8/9): Straight Hip Hop

Here it is!  The third annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Edition of the Active Listener Podcast.  Like previous years, I have listened to every band that had a sample up on SXSW.com, around 1,100 bands.  That is way too many songs to really get to know any of the bands well but what it can provide is a first impression.  So with that in mind I have organized the 100 best first impressions I got into 9 genre specific mixes for your previewing pleasure.  There are a couple new technical features to note this year.  First, each podcast has individually labeled tracks for each song so you can skip around and repeat to your heart's content.  Second, we've got a new way for you to contribute and join the conversation, the new Active Listener Podcast Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ActiveListener.  I'll be posting music recommendations and finds as they come to me so you do the same!  Alright, enough with the introductions, on with the music.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

SXSW 2012 Edition (8/9):  Straight Hip Hop

I don't really like the title of this one because it implies the previous mix and other stuff is not actually hip hop but I'm no good at labeling subgenres.  There are old school beats and Pharcyde samples as well as future sounds and crazy styles.  What holds it all together is lyricism.  All anyone every really wants at a hip hop show is a dope emcee and these guys are the real deal.

Tracklist

1. '88 by Cadence Weapon

2. Professional Widowmaker by Jesse Dangerously

3. Prom (Rock the Discotech Remix) by Teenburger

4. Slick Talk (ft. Bambu) by Rocky Rivera

5. Sould Food by Above All

6. Run by Dark Time Sunshine

7. Hall Pass by Kydd

8. Believers by Verbal Kwest

9. The Bully Plank by Paper Tiger

10. Share My Blessings by Naeto C

New instructions for how to get the podcast!!

1. To get new episodes

- Open your favorite podcast program (Itunes, Downcast, etc...)

- Search for Active Listener

- Select the first podcast

- Click subscribe

2. To get older episodes (that don't show up in Itunes)

- Head to the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

- Use the Blog Archive file tree on the right hand side of the page to locate the episode you want and click the link

- To stream the episode just click the name, Podcast xx - ......

- To download, right click (open apple click on a mac) on the name and from the menu that pops up select “Save link as…”

- Choose location and file name and then download

SXSW 2012 Edition (9/9): Acoustic (for the most part)

Here it is!  The third annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Edition of the Active Listener Podcast.  Like previous years, I have listened to every band that had a sample up on SXSW.com, around 1,100 bands.  That is way too many songs to really get to know any of the bands well but what it can provide is a first impression.  So with that in mind I have organized the 100 best first impressions I got into 9 genre specific mixes for your previewing pleasure.  There are a couple new technical features to note this year.  First, each podcast has individually labeled tracks for each song so you can skip around and repeat to your heart's content.  Second, we've got a new way for you to contribute and join the conversation, the new Active Listener Podcast Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ActiveListener.  I'll be posting music recommendations and finds as they come to me so you do the same!  Alright, enough with the introductions, on with the music.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

SXSW 2012 Edition (9/9): Acoustic (for the most part) 

While I didn't find myself taken with as many acoustic offerings this year as I have in previous years, there was easily enough to fill this single, longest of the bunch, mix.  Again, we've got a lot of different sounds all lumped together in the same box butt putting labels on things is so difficult.  Just listen for yourself and let them speak to you.

Tracklist

1. Wishing Well by Cheyenne Marie Mize

2. Pillow Talk by Wild Child

3. Lucky by Kat Edmonson

4. What I Wouldn't Do by A Fine Frenzy

5. Chocolate by Erin Ivey and The Finest Kind

6. Clementine by Sarah Jaffe

7. And Suddenly... by Sion Russel Jones

8. The Scout by The Brothers Comatose

9. Road to California by Dan Dyer

10. Murderous Joy by Carter Tanton

11. Go Away My Lover by Elizabeth & the Catapult

12. Good to be a Man by Elle King

New instructions for how to get the podcast!!

1. To get new episodes

- Open your favorite podcast program (Itunes, Downcast, etc...)

- Search for Active Listener

- Select the first podcast

- Click subscribe

2. To get older episodes (that don't show up in Itunes)

- Head to the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

- Use the Blog Archive file tree on the right hand side of the page to locate the episode you want and click the link

- To stream the episode just click the name, Podcast xx - ......

- To download, right click (open apple click on a mac) on the name and from the menu that pops up select “Save link as…”

- Choose location and file name and then download

Podcast 34 - DnB 3: Rollers and Bangers

Oh man do I have a massive podcast for you today.  

Before I get into that though, we've got some big news.  The podcast is now officially up and searchable on Itunes.  That means no more remembering long URLs if you want to share.  Just tell people to search Active Listener on Itunes or any other podcast program.  (Downcast is the best one on the Iphone.  Highly highly recommended.)  You are now also able to rate and review the podcast on Itunes.  It would be great if some of my long time listeners would leave reviews mentioning their favorite episode.  That will be helpful for new comers who want to get into the back catalog.  I'm thinking of my bluegrass fans in particular.  I'll make another one of those but some recommendation could help speed the process.  The podcast reviews would be a great place for those as well.  

Only the last 24 episodes are available through Itunes but the older ones are still available for streaming or download from the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

Alright, now to the music.  Drum and bass is the name of the game and we are not limiting ourselves to only liquid dnb.  Though there is a fair amount of that we also go deeper, have a little drumstep and even a touch of dubstep in there.  The heavier tunes are later in the mix though to encourage the non dnb fans to get their feet wet with some more accessible tunes.  The first song for example, i don't understand how it's not a radio hit.  Anyway, get the mix and turn in up.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

Tracklist

1. Whisper (ft. Kirsty Hawkshaw) by Blu Mar Ten on Love is the Devil

2. Vacancies by Inka on BDTO20

3. Make the Most of Now (Technicolor Remix) by Komatic on Make the Most of Now

4. Attraction (ft. Migli) by Carl Matthes on Attraction

5. Breath by Mendelayev on Future Sounds of Russia

6. Know Us (Ravager's Drumstep remix) by Jillian Ann and Love & Light on The Ravager Remixes

7. Father, Can't You See I'm Burning by High Contrast on The Agony & The Ecstacy

8. Everyday (Netsky remix) by Rusko on Mad Decent Vol. 1

9. Balaclava in My System by Nu:tone on Sick Music

New instructions for how to get the podcast!!

1. To get new episodes

- Open your favorite podcast program (Itunes, Downcast, etc...)

- Search for Active Listener

- Select the first podcast

- Click subscribe

2. To get older episodes (that don't show up in Itunes)

- Head to the podcast website http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com

- Use the Blog Archive file tree on the right hand side of the page to locate the episode you want and click the link

- To stream the episode just click the name, Podcast xx - ......

- To download, right click (open apple click on a mac) on the name and from the menu that pops up select “Save link as…”

- Choose location and file name and then download

Podcast 33 - Alt Classical

The podcast is back!  And may I add I think this one was worth the wait.  For this episode I embarked on a little project that ended up being more difficult that I originally intended.  The goal was to find a new mix of bands that all have a similar style to Balmorhea, who I really love.  Turns out, Balmorhea's sound actually is pretty unique.  The mission was not a however a failure by any means.  I found some great stuff and almost even better, I found some new ways to search for music.  Sit back, relax, and take a listen to what I came up with.

If you notice the file size is a bit bigger, it's because I finally took the ten seconds to figure out how to encode the mix as a 320 mp3.  It makes a huge difference in the sound quality, especially for the recording of my voice.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

Tracklist

1. Schones Madchen by Hauschka on Ferndorf

2. The Beast by Gadarene on SXSW 2010 Showcasing Artists

3. Clamor by Balmorhea on Candor/Clamor

4. Pretend (ft. Emika) by The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble on Mr. Machine

5. Dash and Blast by Yndi Halda on Enjoy Eternal Bliss

6. 3055 by Olafur Arnalds on Eulogy for Evolution

7. Childhood 2 by Craig Armstrong on Piano Works

8. The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman on The Piano Soundtrack

9. Promentory by Trevor Jones on The Last of the Mohicans Soundtrack

10. Truth by Balmorhea on All is Wild, All is Silent

Same old directions on how to access the podcast

1. Use Itunes

-Open Itunes

- Click the “Advanced” pull down menu and select “Subscribe to a Podcast”

- Paste following URL into the box: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

- Click “OK” and you’re set. Downloading should begin immediately and Itunes will automatically download new episodes

2. Download the file direct

-Click the link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

-Find the link that says “Play Now” under the desired podcast and right click on it

-from the right click menu select “Save link as…”

-Choose location and file name and download. This needs to be done each time I release a new podcast.

Podcast 32 - Assorted Jazz Masters Go Mellow

Christmas comes early for all my podcast listeners.  As promised, we have a distinct change of pace for this episode.  It has been too long since I have let the virtuosity of jazz masters shine through on the podcast.  That was the general drive behind this mix with the added constraint that I wanted to keep things on the mellower side.  That took a bit of effort since I have a tendency in all genres of music I listen to, if you haven't noticed, to find the most driving songs.  This leads to a lot of uptempo stuff like bluegrass or drum and bass.  That's not to say I don't like the slow stuff, quite the contrary really but it's gotta be just right.  So with that in mind, here is collection of Goldilocks tracks for your listening enjoyment.  Well and I should say, I really tried to keep it all mellow but there might be a little spark here and there.  I didn't want yall falling asleep.

Thanks for listening, merry Christmas, happy new year, and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

Tracklist

1. Quite Nights of Quite Stars (Corcovado) by The Oscar Peterson Trio on We Get Requests

2. Poinciana by Ahmad Jamal on Poinciana

3. Gloria's Step by Bill Evans Trio on Sunday at the Village Vanguard

4. How Insensitive by Pat Martino on Footprints

5. I Surrender Dear by Great Jazz Trio on 's Wonderful

6. Blue in Green by Miles Davis on Kind of Blue

7. Terminal 7 by Tomaz Stanko Quintet on Dark Eyes

8. Day in Done by Brad Mehldau on Day in Done

9. Smilin' Jones by Bill Frisell on Bill Frisell with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones

Same old directions on how to access the podcast

1. Use Itunes

-Open Itunes

- Click the “Advanced” pull down menu and select “Subscribe to a Podcast”

- Paste following URL into the box: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

- Click “OK” and you’re set. Downloading should begin immediately and Itunes will automatically download new episodes

2. Download the file direct

-Click the link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

-Find the link that says “Play Now” under the desired podcast and right click on it

-from the right click menu select “Save link as…”

-Choose location and file name and download. This needs to be done each time I release a new podcast.

Podcast 31 - Heavy Hitters

So before I even get into talking about my lastest podcast, if you find yourself in need of a new one hour continuous trance, electro, house mix for your workout or whatever, look no further than the latest Data Transmission podcast by Thomas Gold.  It's pure hotness.  Here's the direct link to play it or you can right click and "Save link as..." to download it.  http://www.datatransmission.co.uk/podcasts/DTP197-ThomasGold-datatransmission.mp3

Okay, now to the podcast at hand.  I have really been meaning to get some more acoustic stuff into the podcast but I've just been on a heavy electronica kick recently.  For better or worse, this is the last one of these for a bit.  Some mellower jazz stuff is coming up next but I'm getting ahead of myself.  This mix is decidedly not mellow.  Quite the opposite actually.  After that house mix I didn't want anyone to think I my electronic tastes were going soft.  These tracks bring the bass and an edge that is common of this growing region between electronic dance music and hip hop.  Trip hop finds it's way into the mix too with killer Massive Attack remix that finishes out the podcast.  Enjoy.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

Tracklist

1. Take Your Time by Paper Diamond on Levitate

2. Tea Leaf Dancers (Low Limit Remix) by Flying Lotus on Lazer Sword Remixes

3. 1685/Bach by Nosaj Thing on Drift

4. More Lazers by ediT on The Game is Not Over

5. Mike, Aaron, and Eddie (Boreta Remix) by Haiku D'etat

6. Get the Money by PANTyRAID on Beba

7. Beaver Blink (Ooah Remix) by Fine Cut Bodies on Beaver Blink Remixes

8. Louder (Doctor P and Flux Pavillion Remix) by DJ Fresh on Louder

9. Paradise Circus (Zeds Dead Remix) by Massive Attack

Same old directions on how to access the podcast

1. Use Itunes

-Open Itunes

- Click the “Advanced” pull down menu and select “Subscribe to a Podcast”

- Paste following URL into the box: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

- Click “OK” and you’re set. Downloading should begin immediately and Itunes will automatically download new episodes

2. Download the file direct

-Click the link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

-Find the link that says “Play Now” under the desired podcast and right click on it

-from the right click menu select “Save link as…”

-Choose location and file name and download. This needs to be done each time I release a new podcast.

Podcast 30 - House It Out

Okay so maybe the last mix was a bit out there.  This one on the other hand should have wider appeal.  To mark this milestone of the 30th podcast I thought the best plan was to just have a party.  With that in mind I have put together a house inspired podcast.  I say house inspired because I can't say all of these tracks are strictly house as they range from the chillout to the more electro.  We've got some new stuff and some old stuff but the whole mix is banging, in my humble opinion.  I may have gotten a little carried away with the talking here but I just had a lot to say.  Hope you dig it.

Thanks again for all the support.  Thanks for listening and sharing.  Let's keep it going.  And as always, don't forget to support the artists.

Aaron

Tracklist

1. At Night (Afterlife Mix) by Shakedown on Chillout Session Ibiza 2002

2. I Like the Way by Kaskade on In the Moment

3. Red Alert by Basement Jaxx on Remedy

4. Calabria 2007 (Club Mix) by Enur on Calabria 2007

5. Moombahton by Dave Nada on Moombahton Promo

6. No Beef by Afrojack and Steve Aoki on No Beef

7. Take Over Control by Afrojack on Take Over Control

8. Animal Rights by Deadmau5 on 4x4=12

9. Levels by Avicii

Same old directions on how to access the podcast

1. Use Itunes

-Open Itunes

- Click the “Advanced” pull down menu and select “Subscribe to a Podcast”

- Paste following URL into the box: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

- Click “OK” and you’re set. Downloading should begin immediately and Itunes will automatically download new episodes

2. Download the file direct

-Click the link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

-Find the link that says “Play Now” under the desired podcast and right click on it

-from the right click menu select “Save link as…”

-Choose location and file name and download. This needs to be done each time I release a new podcast.

Podcast 29 - Global South Get Down

Today we've got a selection of music to make you move from outside the standard western fold.  There's a lot of Latin infused tropical electronica coming out these days and I'm loving it.  That's not all we've got though.  We dabble in some middle eastern/Mediterranean flavor and then take it back to where it all came from and check out some Kuduro from Angola and Kapungala from Kenya.  Don't know what those styles are?  Just listen and learn.  Let the global dance party begin.

In the podcast I reference a Buraka Som Sistema video.  Here's the link http://youtu.be/wOMe-8Tf1Y0

And here's a link to the Fauna video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47RZ7CsEcBk

Oh and a random note on listening to podcasts in general, if you listen to podcasts on your iphone , I highly recommend checking out the app Downcast (don't know if it available for android).  It's so much better than the standard iOS player for podcasts.  Best feature of all is that it will automatically download new episodes so you don't have to sync to get them.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

Tracklist

1. Abrazame (Uproot Andy Remix) by Los Rakas

2. Para Mi by Fauna on Manshines

3. Mente de Mente by Mr. Pauer on Soundtrack

4. Techno Rumba (Uproot Andy Remix) by Chief Boima on Techno Rumba EP

5. Beenie Eyes by Matt Shadetek on Flowers

6. BBBeat by Balkan Beat Box on Nu Med

7. Hangover (BaBaBa) by Buraka Som Sistema on Hangover

8. Kisselenguenha ft. Dj Malvado by Makongo on Angolan Kung Fu

9. Tobina by Daddy Owen on System ya Kapungala

Same old directions on how to access the podcast

1. Use Itunes

-Open Itunes

- Click the “Advanced” pull down menu and select “Subscribe to a Podcast”

- Paste following URL into the box: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

- Click “OK” and you’re set. Downloading should begin immediately and Itunes will automatically download new episodes

2. Download the file direct

-Click the link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ActiveListener

-Find the link that says “Play Now” under the desired podcast and right click on it

-from the right click menu select “Save link as…”

-Choose location and file name and download. This needs to be done each time I release a new podcast.