Anticon

2013! We had so many great moments this year, so it's only natural we'd also like to share our own lists of our favorites with you. Read on to share some nostalgic and comedic year-end higlights with the Anticon team, including words from Alias, Daedelus, Doseone, Jel, Odd Nosdam, and Alloysius of Young Fathers.

 

 

1. Anticon 15th Anniversary Shows:

 

The last time I performed in Cali was 6 years ago. Going back and performing there and seeing the mix of original Anticon acts performing alongside the newer ones was so exciting to me. I was so inspired afterwards, I flew back home, took a week off from my day job and finished up my new album that will be released in 2014. I only wish Young Fathers could have been there… [take a look at our recap in pictures…]

 

2. Finally getting around to listening to And Their Refinement of the Decline by Stars of the Lid:

 

Back in like 2003, your boy Odd Nosdam made a Stars of the Lid mix for me. He selected what he thought was their best tracks all on one CD. So glad he did that. I immediately went out and bought The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid and never looked back. Can't count how many nights I slept to that album while on tour. Not sure why I slept on And Their Refinement... for so long, but damn... it's gorgeous. Really helps me feel centered when I'm stressed out.

 

3. Otto Pizza opening up in South Portland, ME:

 

If you are ever in Boston or Portland, ME, you need to do yourself a favor and go to Otto Pizza. They just opened up a location near my house in South Portland. Their pizza is insanely great. Thin, crispy crust. Just the right amount of toppings. My favorite slices are the Mashed Potato, Bacon and Scallion pizza and the Butternut Squash, Ricotta and Cranberry pizza. Yowza.

 

4. Buying my Apogee Quartet:

 

For the longest time, I had a tabletop version of the Digi 002 in my studio. But I'll be honest, I always hated the AD/DA converters in it. I read about the Quartet in an issue of Tape Op and knew I had to get one. When I first hooked it up, I listened to some mixes I had been working on through my Digi 002. It sounded like someone had taken a blanket off my studio monitors. Everything sounded waaaaay more crisp and clear. So clear, that I was noticing things that sounded off. Best studio purchase I've made in a loooong time.

 

5. Vapor City LP from Machinedrum:

 

Every few years, there is an artist who I start listening to who will continue to blow my mind more and more with each release. Machinedrum is that dude for me lately. Room(s) was in steady rotation for me, then the Sepalcure kicked my head open. The first time I listened to Vapor City, I was driving around at night... pretty much the perfect LP for that sort of thing. Still listening almost daily. Cannot wait to hear what he comes up with next.

 

6. Native Instruments:

 

I got a Maschine back in 2012. It was the first time that had started working with software and midi. I had always worked with my MPC or strictly worked with audio within Pro Tools. Once I learned the basics of it, my head got cracked wide open with the amount of possibilities for beat making. This year, I got Komplete 9 Ultimate. Head cracked open even further. Between Maschine and Komplete 9 Ultimate, I've found a brand new working process and it's made it fun and exciting all over again. I seriously love Native Instruments. They allow me to make beats on my phone while riding the bus and then flesh them out even more when I get home. Never thought I'd be able to do that.

 

7. Tomorrow's Harvest LP - Boards of Canada:

 

I have a vivid memory of Dose playing me Music Has the Right to Children soon after we had all moved out to Cali. We were sitting in his living room listening and hanging out. When the opening notes of the bassline in "Roygbiv" came on though, he turned it up and said "Check this shit out..." We both started nodding along to it. When that lead synth comes in, Dose shouts "AHHHHHHHHH!!!!" I was just smiling in sheer amazement. I got chills. It's something special when music does that to you. That memory will always stick with me. Since then, anytime a Boards of Canada album has come out, I spend at least two weeks listening to it multiple times per day. I had goosebumps when the drums kicked in on "Reach For the Dead" upon first listen. Never been disappointed by a release of theirs. The way they rolled out the album was super fun to watch too. Love those dudes.

 

8. Cutting out that final bit of negativity in my life:

 

This year, I finally cut all ties with someone who has been a constant negative force in my life. I've lost track of how many chances I've given or been on some "well, some people are just difficult" steez when dealing with them. In the next few years, I'm going to be 40. I'm a father and husband. I have so many great people in my life that I'm luck to call label mates, friends and family. I have no reason to try and maintain a friendship with someone who has been such a source of (unnecessary) negativity in my life. After giving too many chances, I cut all ties and it feels... amazing.

 

9. Young Fathers:

 

I remember when Shaun sent me a link to check out TAPE ONE by Young Fathers. I was immediately blown away. The production and overall feel they have is something I immediately connected with. So warm and dirty. I heard the same sort of energy in that release that I hear in early Anticon releases. Artists bursting with creative energy that shines on each song. Then Shaun sent me TAPE TWO. When the opening chords of "I Heard" came on, I got chills. When the chorus hit, I got a lump in my throat. So good. I'm so excited the be able to say that I'm label mates with Young Fathers. I can't wait for people to hear DEAD. Headz ain't readee...  [pre-order DEAD @ the anticon webshop]

 

10. Burial - Rival Dealer EP:

 

Damn.

 

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Daedelus' Best of 2013

10. Lone - Airglow Fires
9. Dj Clap - Best Night Ever
8. Nosaj Thing - Home
7. Shigeto - No Better Time Than Now
6. Dj Rashad - Double Cup
5. Kaytranda - (pretty much everything he's done this year)
4. Canblaster - Infinite
3. Rustie - Triadzz / Slasherr
2. SCNTST - Self Therapy
1. Traxman - Teklife, Vol. 3: The Architek / So Damn Whattt!!!
0. RP Boo - Legacy

[purchase Daedelus' Drown Out on CD/LP/MP3 at the Anticon webshop]

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Doseone's Top 10 Tim Dog lines on Earth

This year we lost one of my FAVORITE Rappers EVER...but not his LYRICS! R.I.P. Tim Dog:

1. "My mouth is a Waxaphone..."
2. "Rap is nothing you can put in a movie with a bunch of Turtles..."
3. "Every time you heard about a fight, you know I'm in it..."
4. "Cause I'm an Indianapolis ..."
5. "She wanted me to pee in her face. So what did i do, I pee'd in her face.."
6. "Motivate, and Illinivate, Participate, God Damn its time to ReLuminate..."
7. "HO, you're fucking with my HairLine..."
8. "I got the Energetical, Theoretical, Copasthetical, Alphabetical, Hypothetical Lyrics..."
9. "the Metaphor has yet to be done..."
10. "DOG stands for, Doing It on the Ground..."

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Jel's Top 10 Musical Pop Icons With Their Caricature Portraits

I have been only listening to pop music for the entire year of 2013. So I decided to give this year's top ten list for Anticon up to the pop music icons we all know and love in the most grotesque visual medium known as "caricature art". So here we go...

1. Drake: We all know and love him. And the song that I couldn't escape from this summer was on the radio more times than any breast cancer comercial across the United States of America. Why? I dont know, but it was a good song right? And we are all proud of his acrting accomplishments.

2. Beyonce: We all know her and love her. And the song I couldn't drink myself into a puddle of piss to get out of my head, was on "Pre-Payed" FM Radio more times than a mother cat has eaten its still born on this planet earth every spring.

3. Miley Cyrus: we all know her now and will lover her later. She has grown in to such the whore of Babylon, I think we should change the holiday of Easter, in her made up name, just so she can co-oped some other Druid practice where we can worship savory junk food instead of sugary junk food, Such as this.

4. Lorde: We all love and know her right now. What a rebel! This island girl can sing and dance and lead the next Occupy Oakland if you call her on her iPhone. Also see "How concious hip hop was systematically overtaken by the military industrial prison system" here.

5. Kanye West: This guy is from Chicago. He makes music and loves fashion and attention. I really liked that one song that was on the radio all year, 12 times a day. It made me want to punch any speaker I layed my eyes on.

6. Kendrick Lamar: We all know and love some one. This guy is a rapper's rapper's rapper. Like Rakim and KRS One... Kendrick was Born in America and Has enjoyed ice cream and soft drinks and maybe some Cheerios as a toddler. His song that is still on the radio is playing right now. Just turn on a station that plays "The best hip hop and RnB and hip hop around" I heart AM radio for free!!

7. Lady Gaga: This diva only turns me on sexually. Her body movements and Artistic visual choices completely match her sonic spectrum and hypnotic brain washing rituals, like twins joined at the genitles on fire, in a lake of hand sanitizer. For real. That's how she makes me feel. I love that other song she does as well.

8. Bruno Mars: this guy can sing, and everything. I loved Lenny Kravits, I loved el debarge, I loved Allen Thick's theme song to Growing Pains. I loved Patty LaBelle, I loved Ernie and Burts "rubber ducky", I loved every one who ever bit and still biting Michael Jackson/Prince/Marvin Gaye/Curtis Mayfield. I also love bland food when I'm hungry.

9. Jay Z: we all know of him and love of him. This guy is an icon like a brand. His hit single with the kid from New Kids on The Block was the only song I heard all summer. Not one other song was played on the radio from June 12 to Sept 23. I couldn't even tune into Oldies 104.whatever fm without hearing that awesome record about the 3rd Indians Jones movie with Old Ass James Bond As his father.

10. Macklemore: we all know he's indie and we all support independents right!!!! The slamming single that caught my attention this year was played more times in upper middle class homes by jr high and high school students than Nervana "smells like" in the blessed year of 1994. Plus he is making more money than any artist signed to a major label. That is impressive and inspiring and swaggery.

Bonus Icon!!!!!

11. King Krule: this British pop newborn has been blazing the charts for some time now. He was born with no eyes and probably has more freckles than songs under his belt. His voice is not like Beyonce. He doesn't rap like Kendrick or wear Madonnas old outfits like Ga Ga and Hannah. But he did record an unreleased track with Egyptian Lover this year that blow my socks hard. I wouldn't even compare him to Will or Eliot Smith because they are different.

This has been Jel's Top Ten Musical Pop Icons in Caricature Images I Took off of the Internet.

[purchase Jel's Late Pass on CD/LP/MP3 at the Anticon webshop]

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Odd Nosdam, in alphabetical order

1. 19 Gifs of Animals Attacking Kids.
2. Arca - &&&&&.
3. Cambodian Swing Machine MP3. Cute mix of pre-Khmer Rouge Cambodian pop music that appears to be both sped & beefed up with at least drum machines & keyboards? I randomly discovered the mix here.

4. Edan - Headphone Highlights. Edan guides us through some of his all time bugged-out classics.
5. Internet K-hole. I get lost in this photo blog.
6. Manufacturing the Deadhead: A product of social engineering… by Joe Atwill and Jan Irvin.
7. Matthewdavid + Diva - md_diva_brainforest_tape3. Yet-to-be-released 30+ minute love jam... trust me, this is TOP NOTCH ambient.

8. Mox Nox by Joan Cornellà. A book of Joan's art.

9. Street Fighter II (The Church Edition).
10. Wild Boys - "Madness Reigns". Private press 45 from Michigan, 1973.
BONUS: "Have A Christmas!" - Kenny Dennis

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 Alloysius of Young Fathers

Events: The death of Mr Mandela (sad moment) helps to focus in and highlight the story of great man.
The Emoticon race row.
Songs: "Kol Zol" (I love this song in its entirety. great way to start my day and end my day. The man is a genius. WTF!!), Cocorosie - Tears for Animals (feat. Antony Hegarty) [Album Version].
Coming across these gems of south african house on YouTube: Vetkuk vs Mahoota - "iStokvela", Official MAFIKIZOLO ft Uhuru - "KHONA", Professor and Brickz - "Ntombzam", "Busiswa" - Ngoku ft Oskido & Uhuru. Love the videos for all especially "KHONA".
Albums: Kanye West - Yeezus, BLK JKS – ZOL!, Official Rökkurró – Svanur, & Son Lux – Easy.
Books: "The Human Zoo" by Desmond Morris, "Sum: Tales from The Afterlife" by David Eagelman, "Steel Beach" by John Varley.
Pens: LEXON ARCHI LONG PEN. The pen I used to write down a fans email address after a gig in Paris. Smoothest silver pen ever and had a bit of weight to it too. I need that pen!
Films: "The Hunt", "Computer Chess", "Privilege", and "My Beautiful Laundrette".
Google: photographers pictures of his girlfriend leading him around the world [Murad Osmann's Instagram]. Also the story of Neil and Jacqueline Megson.
Shoes: "Hugo" trainers by Native Shoes (Torch Red and Jiffy Back).

[pre-order Young Fathers -  DEAD on CD/LP at the Anticon webshop]

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Sodapop / Shaun Koplow's Best of 2013

Top 11 LPs in no order except for #1: 

Kanye West - Yeezus (Def Jam)
Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus Seven (Warp)
Jai Paul - s/t (??)
Death Grips - Government Plates (self-released)
RP Boo - Legacy (Planet Mu)
Mount Kimbie - Cold Spring Faultless Youth (Warp)
Dean Blunt - The Redeemer (Hippos In Tanks)
Omar-S - Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself (FXHE)
Maxmillion Dunbar - House of Woo (RVNG Intl.)
The Cyclist - Bones in Motion (Leaving)
Vessel - Order Of Noise (Tri Angle)

EPs:

DJ Rashad - Rollin’ / I Don’t Give a Fuck (Planet Mu)

Lil Silva - Distance (Good Years)
Teams - Oneworld 開発 EP (Fin)
Visionist - I’m Fine (Lit City Trax)
Samo Sound Boy - Your Love EP (Body High)
Jacques Greene - On Your Side (Lucky Me)

Other albums I really enjoyed but could not fit into my top 10:

Pusha T - My Name is My Name (GOOD / Def Jam)

John Wizards - s/t (Planet Mu)
Jon Hopkins - Immunity (Domino)
Son Lux - Lanterns (Joyful Noise)
Airhead - For Years (R & S)
Blouse - Imperium (Captured Tracks)
Laurel Halo - Chance of Rain (Hyperdub)
Earl Sweatshirt - Doris (Columbia)
Machinedrum - Vapor City (Domino)
Kingdom - Vertical XL (Fade To Mind)
Boards of Canada - Tomorrow’s Harvest (Warp)
Huerco S. - Colonial Patterns (Software)

Reissues:

Fall of Saigon - s/t (Dark Entries)
Patrick Cowley - School Daze (Dark Entries)
(sure i’m missing a lot of these here)

2013 life wrap-up thins:

4th trip to Japan (thank you Tugboat Records), working records i’m proud of, all things Young Fathers, Low Limit, Household, 15 years of Anticon, all my friends are married and have babies, lost some special people along the way, AQUAhydrate, SXSW 2013, Anticon at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, and most importantly, really looking forward to 2014.

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Low Limit's Top Vine Trends 2013

Lil' opinionated babies who talk like adults, Soulja Boy, #scarecam, "White people be like, black people be like", Conner O'Malley.

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See you all in 2014!