solipsistic NATION No. 40: Reggaeton

So here’s the deal. As much as I love electronic music, I don’t love all electronic music. I’m not crazy about House and I’m not overly fond of Electroclash. Despite my preferences, the theme of solipsistic NATION is that I play the best all genres of electronic music I have to set aside my prejudices and play for you what I consider the finest songs from all the many, many forms of electronic music.

As if that wasn’t a daunting task, because solipsistic NATION is a podcast and not a radio program, I can only play podsafe music. That is to say, I can only play music that is licensed to play on a podcast so I don’t have the RIAA, BMI and ASCAP coming after me. So that means I can’t just dig into my CD collection and play whatever rocks my boat. It means I have to be a member of various promotional services that offer podsafe music, or contact indie artists I find on MySpace, or contact music labels to seek their permission to play songs from their roster of artists on solipsistic NATION.

Which brings us to today’s show.

Today’s show features reggaeton. I’m not a big fan of reggaeton but that’s not important. As the host of solipsistic NATION it is my duty to not only play you the very best of reggaeton, but the very best podsafe reggaeton. And I think you’ll find all the songs on today’s show are fantastic!

If you dig the today’s reggaeton themed show, you can show your support for the artists who appeared on today’s episode and purchase some of their songs or CDs by clicking the links below.

Next week we go into a completely different direciton: one hour of blistering noise!

Photo Credit: Julien H

  1. Las Fieras “Baila”
  2. DJ Kruel “Rotores”
  3. Morgan Butler “Mi Vida”
  4. Conexion “A Quitarnos A Ropa”
  5. Chantal Chamandy “You Want Me (Reggaeton Remix by The Bilz – Radio Edit)”
  6. Waldemar Bastos “Pitanga Reggaeton Mix”
  7. Jason DeRoss “Muevelo”
  8. 7 Signos “Perreala”
  9. Papi Sanchez “Pakity”
  10. Tercera Vizion “Despierta (Ft. El Faraon and Andre Iglesias – Dancehall Radio Edit)”
  11. DJ Maxximuz “Punish Me”
  12. Aliados “Introduccion”
  13. Don Miguelo “Dame Una Nocha”
  14. El Rubiote “La Mangulina”
  15. Yo Yais “Chica Sensual”
  16. M.C. Shaky Y Chokito “No Es Facil”
  17. Cruzacaye “Gozadera”
  18. Baby Q Y Chico Pon “Dejen Ese Fronte”
  19. Angel Reyes “Decachalote”

solipsistic NATION No. 39: Aggro!

Each week on solipsistic NATION I play the best of all genres of electronic music. Sometimes I mix it up but most of the time I pick with a theme or a genre and run with it.

This week’s solipsistic NATION is especially for Francis. While he loves the show and digs Nerdcore he really likes industrial music, and who am I to deny him? So crank up the volume, kick in your television and burn down your city because it’s time to get aggro!

This week solipsistic NATION continues to promote art and design culture with another t-shirt give away contest, courtesy of Team Nacu. Email me at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one Team Nacu t-shirt of your choice.

Photo Credit: speed trap

  1. DieselKopf “I’m So Lonley”
  2. Infection Agenda “Complications Of The Mind”
  3. Cixxx J “Death Fish”
  4. Micronaut “Perdition”
  5. DJ Malgosto “Bonde das Impostora”
  6. KHURSOR “Fuzzy Dice”
  7. compUterus “Manufactory”
  8. Ghost in the Machine “Redemption”
  9. Scanalyzer “Screamer”
  10. Sister Machine Gun “Smash Your Radio!”
  11. Vendetta Blitz “Stratagem”
  12. Rasa 9 “See Right Through”
  13. Labra “Pretty Little Core”
  14. Alter Der Ruine “World War III”
  15. Caffeine Kill “The Blood”
  16. Think Tank “On Beyond Zebra”
  17. Faze “All You Need”
  18. In Slaughter Natives “Purgate My Stain”

solipsistic NATION No. 38: Nacional Records

This week on solipsistic NATION we focus on electronic music from Nacional Records. We’ll also talk with Nacional Records founder, Tomas Cookman.

Nacional Records is an ADA/Warner Music Group-distributed label founded by artist manager Tomas Cookman. The label’s philosophy is to bring the best in Latin alternative, Hip-Hop, and Electronic music to Spanish and English speakers alike. Among Nacional’s releases are the solo debut from Aterciopelados frontwoman Andrea Echeverri, as well as albums from Aterciopelados, Nortec Collective, Sara Valenzuela, Nortec member Panoptica and a compilation produced in conjunction with KCRW entitled “Sounds Eclectico”.

Keeping with the theme of Nacional Records, on this week’s solipsistic NATION I’ll give away Nortec Collective‘s CD, Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3.

The third compilation from the loosely organized Nortec Collective offers four years of development from the debut, and there’s an even greater cohesion of sound. Driven by bouncy, tongue-in-cheek tracks such as “Tijuana Makes Me Happy,” the album was a favorite in Latin Alternative circles, and found a home on both college and satellite radio in the US.

  1. The Pinker Tones “Karma Hunters”
  2. Mexican Institute Of Sound “Bienvenidos A Mi Disco”
  3. Interview with Tomas Cookman, founder of Nacional Records
  4. The Pinker Tones “Sonido Total”
  5. Bitman & Roban “El Hechizo”
  6. Monareta “Matanza Funk”
  7. Intoxicados “Transan”
  8. Kemo The Blaxican “I Drink She Smokes”
  9. Pacha Massive “Don’t Let Go”
  10. Nortec Collective “Tengo La Voz”
  11. Nortec Collective “Tijuana Bass”
  12. Nortec Collective “Revu Rockers”
  13. Tanghetto “Blue Monday”
  14. Turista “Buho”
  15. Mexican Institute Of Sound “Dub-A El Tiempo Es Muy Largo”
  16. Novalima “Con La Capilla”

solipsistic NATION No. 37: Verbalize

Today’s special guest is my dad.

My father has had a profound impact on my life as well as influencing my tastes in music. Thanks to him, I grew up listening to The Beatles, Kraftwork, and Segovia as well as the subversive comedy of the Firesign Theater. I’ve introduced him to the likes of the Sex Pistols and The Orb and he introduced me to The Pogues and DJ Spooky.

He’s also had some great ideas for radio programs and podcasts. One idea was to introduce each song on a show with a bit of background on the artist and the song. As a deejay and especially as a deejay for an electronic music show I was resistant to the idea because half the fun of solipsistic NATION is taking people on a journey with a seamless mix so the last thing I wanted to do was break up that mix by talking about each song.

On today’s show we’re going to experiment with the format by trying his idea. In fact, I thought it would be cool to have each artist introduce themselves and their songs.

This week solipsistic NATION continues to promote art and design culture with another t-shirt give away contest, courtesy of Custom Industries. Email me at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one Custom Industries t-shirt of your choice.

Photo Credit: Nick Konings Copyright © Nick Konings and Yell Saccani

  1. WAYZ “Pain”
  2. KT “Lessons In Life”
  3. Nosaj Thing “Heart Entire”
  4. Stuntdouble “El Guapo”
  5. Genius of Soul “Identity Crisis”
  6. DJ Om “Middle Eastern Swan Song”
  7. The Winston Giles Orchestra “We Wait For Sunrise”
  8. The Other Guy “Step One (Kings Street Mix)”
  9. Bluetech & Shulman “Midnight Bloom”
  10. Grouse “Twisted”
  11. Rena Jones “Open Me Slowly”

solipsistic NATION No. 36: Sic Semper Tyrannus

The future of Internet radio is in immediate danger. Royalty rates for webcasters have been drastically increased by a recent ruling and are due to go into effect on May 15 (retroactive to Jan 1, 2006!). If the increased rates remain unchanged, the majority of webcasters will go bankrupt and silent on this date. Internet radio needs your help! H.R. 2060, The Internet Radio Equality Act was introduced by Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Donald Manzullo (R-IL ) to save the Internet radio industry. Please call your congressperson to ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2060 by clicking here.

This week solipsistic NATION continues to promote art and design culture with another t-shirt give away contest, courtesy of ForManKind. Email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one ForManKind t-shirt of your choice.

  1. Bassnectar “Underground Communication (Ft. Seasunz)”
  2. Greenskeepers “Polo Club (D’s Book Learnin’ Dub)”
  3. City Zen “Vozduh”
  4. Riccio “Night Music”
  5. Egor Boss “Stop My Mind”
  6. eccodek “Fan the Flames Dub”
  7. Brainboxing “Good Man’s Loafer”
  8. Andres Bucci “Sentinel”
  9. Crystal Fake “Monday After (Original)”
  10. Naw “5 am West Bound”
  11. Robsounds “No Undo”

solipsistic NATION No. 35: Quo Vadis

Hello, citizens, and welcome to Solipsistic Nation, the show that features the very best of all genres of electronic music.

This week on solipsistic NATION we’ll take a journey in sound.

I think most DJs will tell you that when they play a set that they want to take listeners on a journey. There’s something magical about music in that it can take you places. The sound of crickets chirping can transport you to an idyllic summer night while the sound of fog horns can take you to a mysterious, somber place, all within the space between your ears.

On today’s solipsistic NATION we’ll go to the streets of Italy, the beaches of Mexico and the distant seas. We’ll hear the sounds of bicycles, automobiles, jets and sailing ships. We’ll travel the world without taking a step.

This week solipsistic NATION continues to promote art and design culture with another t-shirt give away contest, courtesy of Philosopher Garden. Email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one Philosopher Garden t-shirt of your choice.

  1. Brindisi Paradiso “Boca Boca”
  2. Chris Watson/Richard H. Kirk/Stephen Mallinder “Runway O2E”
  3. Sismo “Palma Roja”
  4. Bn Loco “Canción Playera”
  5. Nosaj Thing “Aquarium”
  6. Chimp Beams “Menina”
  7. Skink “Pomme Rips”
  8. Tycho “Send and Receive”
  9. Detalles “Move On (Jonas Bering Remix)”
  10. Elan “Driving At Night In the Rain”
  11. Roland P. Young “Willow”
  12. Maju “Distortion”
  13. David Bickley and Tom Green “Frozen Ship”

solipsistic NATION No. 34: Thread

Each week on solipsistic NATION I promote art and design culture as well as playing the best of all genres of electronic music. Last weekend I attended the THREAD Expo in San Diego to meet more artists to feature on the show.

THREAD is a showcase of emerging fashion designers and the music and art that rock their world. For demanding fashionistas seeking ‘whats next’ and the most cutting-edge looks, THREAD is a chance to pick up one-of a kind pieces ranging from hand-stitched frocks to eye-catching jewelery, often at reduced prices. For independent fashion designers used to settling for a couple of inches of rack space at high street boutiques, THREAD is a rare opportunity to showcase complete lines before they hit the shelves and sell off samples.

Below are some of the artists I met while attending the THREAD Expo

FMKLIFEFMKLIFE
We are FMK, which is an acronym representing ForManKind. We are a brand out of north county San Diego and have a lot of local support. Currently all of our artwork is printed on some of the highest quality materials found in the universe, and it’s damn stylish, not to mention very comfortable as well. Our product is not particular to anyone, hence the reason we’ve branded ourselves as FMK (formankind). We incorporate everyone and anyone who wants to be apart of the FMK lifestyle.

What is the FMK lifestyle? It’s anything you can imagine, from your wildest dreams to your worst nightmares. Or it’s as simple as just life itself. We identify with the beauty of all life around us and our clothing represents it all. We are creating a culture of mixed backgrounds. We promote a free-living lifestyle filled with positive thoughts. We truly are boundless and we intend not to offend anybody with our different styles. We line ourselves with today’s very colorful modern youth culture. Often we try to encompass our adventures and wild thoughts into our artwork, which can be a bit off the wall, but that’s just how we do things…

WAFFOWAFFO
Hey Y’all! Word on the corner is that we sell the softest, best cut, vintage tees on the block! None of that American Apparel or wannabe vintage hokey pokey. This is the real deal here! Are you down with old vintage “Screen Stars?” I thought so. Well, try this number out. Our own private label made with our own super soft custom blended fabric. 100% Made in the U.S.A.. Seriously folks, we guarantee this t-shirt to be the softest thing in your closet or yo’ money back!

We are currently cutting, sewing, and dyeing all of our t-shirts in down town San Diego. We use small sewing contractors on the streets of National City, Chula Vista, and El Cajon Blvd. to keep our inventory rooms full, and to keep the quality and cash flow in our neighborhoods.

We hope to provide you with the pleasure of owning and wearing one of our custom manufactured super softs! However, You have been *WARNED*. Once you put one on, it’s hard to wear anything else. Cheers!

Iron FistIRON FIST
We started Iron Fist to make affordable kick ass clothing for the kids. It’s a sincere deal, no bullshit.

Just a crew of delinquent skaters, artists, musicians, BMX’ers, surfers, punks… whatever you want to call it making stuff that we want to wear. Not some 50 year old guy with his winning formula for brands who thinks we won’t know the difference because he has to pay people to wear his shit.

Fuck the so-called industry and fuck the way things are. Let’s change it for ourselves, create anew and make our own deal.

Just like how it all started out in the beginning when it all meant something to someone…

SPRKFRSPRKFR
“Because you can’t be naked, all the time.”

Founded by Marco Rached, SPRFKR, offers t-shirts that are both sexy and provocative. Marco’s clothing is clearly inspired by Art Nouveau, Victoriana, Dada, Pop Art and 60s psychedelic rock concert posters but twisting it with his own unique vision of the world.

You can email Marco at el_suprfukr@yahoo.com or visit his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/SUPRFUKR.

TEAM NACUTEAM NACU
NACU Clothing serves as a reminder to recognize the people who support and help us achieve our goals.

The five points of the star in the NACU logo represent the people and groups that influence what we do & who we are today. For John Joseph Nacu, those five groups are God, family, friends, teachers, and culture.

The letter “N” that connects to the star standards for “Nacu”.

CUSTOM INDUSTRIESCUSTOM INDUSTRIES
CUSTOM INDUSTRIES was founded in the summer of 2004 in Venice, California by graphic designer and world traveller Matt Taylor. Matt has visited over 45 countries on six continents, and has been around the world more times than he can count. Prior to founding CUSTOM, Matt worked for over 10 years as a designer and animator in the entertainment industry, creating works for clients such as Disney, MGM, Dreamworks, Activision and EB Games to name a few. Matt’s partner and wife, Catherine Roa, is a fashion designer with 10+ years experience in apparel design, sourcing and product development for a number of internationally recognized apparel manufacturers. All of the graphics and embellishments reflect our passion for travel, art and adventure. We share this with our customers by offering high quality, detail oriented streetwear with style and comfort. Each of our unique graphics is accompanied by an individualized tag with an anecdotal and irreverent description about the place that inspired the design. In January of 2007, Custom Industries moved to San Francisco, CA.

PHILOSOPHER GARDENPHILOSOPHER GARDEN
Headquartered in Irvine, California, a company was born from the imagination of two young, creative, and independent women who believed there was a void in intelligent, yet sophisticated and fashionable items.

After countless meetings scribbling ideas, while sipping strong black tea and eating much too many Russian bakery cookies, a unique concept was conceived; we called it Philosopher Garden. Philosopher Garden provides a new and unparalleled experience of enjoying inspirational and meaningful written sentiments. Our diversified fashion and gift lines combine favorite quotes with high impact graphic designs.

Philosopher Garden’s fashionable t-shirts delivers heart felt, motivational, and witty sentiments in a personal and unique way. Our junior line, debuts with Mukalacha, our sweet and friendly cow. She speaks for our youthful spirit and desire “to be a star”. From our imagination to you…

MINDTRIXMINDTRIX
MindTrix is a fusion of eastern wisdom and western fashion.

The clothing’s unique design is ruled by MindTrix’s passion for the environment, eastern philosophy and fashion.

MindTrix is for people with more discriminating tastes who want street fashion that fits their own sensibilities.  MindTrix focuses on reaching customers who have resisted being labeled as a particular generation or lumped into a target market.  Individualism manifests in their lives as a conscious choice and as a culmination of fashion, the environment and sustainable living.

BLENDSBLENDS
There’s not much I can tell you about Blends because their web site is almost as minimal as their display at THREAD. I’m a sucker for sneakers so I headed right over to talk to the owners. I was directed to Keith, who was kind enough to take time out from his hectic schedule to share a few words.

The Blends display was all black and their shoes were either black or white, negative and positive. If I had more time I would have had asked the significance of their choice of colors, but there was so much to see and do!

This week solipsistic NATION continues to promote art and design culture with another t-shirt give away contest, courtesy of Marco Rached of SPRFKR SPRFKR. Email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one SPRFKR t-shirt of your choice.

  1. Greenskeepers “Polo Club”
  2. Urban Delights “Crush”
  3. My Robot Friend “Rapture (Freelance Hellraiser Remix)”
  4. Levan Vs. Ekala “Tram”
  5. Tomboy “Flamingo (KIM Remix Radio Edit)”
  6. Junior Boys “In The Morning (Hot Chip Remix)”
  7. FMKLIFE Interview
  8. Waffo Interview
  9. Iron Fist Interview
  10. SPRKFR Interview
  11. Team Nacu Interview
  12. Custom Industries Interview
  13. Philosopher Garden Interview
  14. MindTrix Interview
  15. Blends Interview
  16. Bizzart “Suicide Bomber’s Parade”
  17. Omni “Batterie”
  18. Paulie Rhyme “Thuganomix”
  19. Walter Meego “Romantic”
  20. Drop The Lime “Glock Box”
  21. Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid “The Sun Never Sets”

solipsistic NATION No. 33: 3rd Stone From The Sun

On this week’s edition of solipsistic NATION we’ll focus on electronic music infused with rhythms and sounds from around the world.

Some call this subgenre of electronic music ethnotechno while others call it world beat. Maybe the reason it escapes such easy categorization is because this kind of electronic music borrows from so many cultures and is performed and composed by so musicians across the planet. Is ethnotechno electronic music that incorporates global rhythms and sounds? Or is it music composed by artists from different countries? Or both? We’ll ask Derek Beres, author of Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music, this question on today’s show.

Speaking of global beat fusion, this week’s solipsistic NATION give away is Karsh Kale‘s CD, Broken English.

On Broken English, London born and New York raised Karsh Kale balances his Indian heritage with rock ‘n’ roll, hip hop and atmospheric pop for his most diverse release to date. His third studio release, Kale works with a talented cast of collaborators including MC Napoleon and vocalists Trixie Reiss (The Crystal Method), film composer Salim Merchant (one half of the “it” Bollywood composer team, Salim-Sulaiman) and Dierdre of Ekova.

Send me an email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you might find yourself the lucky winner of Karsh Kale’s Broken English.

Photo Credit: Osvaldo_Zoom

  1. Banco de Gaia “Kara Kum (Radio Edit)”
  2. Karsh Kale “Hole in the Sky”
  3. Welder “Shiva”
  4. Soma “Baal”
  5. ZAMAN 8 & Hafez Modir “Sani”
  6. Marsicano “Ganges”
  7. MIDIval PunditZ “Piya”
  8. Bitstream Dream “Flight of the Diplasiocoela (Ft. Sandhya Sanjana)”
  9. Mr. Tunes “Metamorphosis”
  10. Maïdo Project “Galatasaray (Remix)”
  11. Blue Tribe “Sun King”
  12. Cheb I Sabbah “Madh Assalhin (Praising of the Saints Ft. Haddaretes)”
  13. Interview with Derek Beres, author of Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music
  14. Land “Bustle”

solipsistic NATION No. 32: Sturm und Bass

Drum and bass emerged out of the UK in the 1990s as an offshoot of the breakbeat and rave scene.

Like most forms of electronic music, drum and bass is flexible enough to incoporate other genres of electronic music such as dancehall, house and electro. It is perhaps for this reason why drum and bass has remained relevant for over 15 years. In fact, after a brief lull, there is currently a resurgence of excitement in drum and bass!

Many of the songs on today’s edition of solipsistic NATION came from my interviews with Simon “Bassline” Smith of Technique Recordings, Nathan Vinall of Skynet Recordings, Doug Kubiks of Rubik Records and Barry Lundie and Simon and Ashley Arnold of Jerona Fruits Recordings, not to mention erb N dub. Head over to small WORLD podcast to hear the interviews and to hear more great drum and bass!

This week solipsistic NATION continues to promote art and design culture with another t-shirt give away contest, courtesy of Noah Singer and Mike Andrews of Imperfect Articles. Email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one Imperfect Articles t-shirt of your choice.

Photo Credit: Mr. phelps

  1. Skynet “Lucifer (Ft. Messinian)”
  2. Phetsta “Intergalactic”
  3. DJ Panik “Party Time”
  4. BioUtopia “Psychological Continuity (Jungle Mayhem Remix)”
  5. Mijatoho “Something True”
  6. Sabre “Floating Source”
  7. Physics “Far East”
  8. Roberto “Ayeshia”
  9. CLS & Wax “Double Bubble”
  10. Roni Size “Friends”
  11. erb N dub “Don’t Know Why (RMX)”

solipsistic NATION No. 31: 1337

Back in September I released a documentary about nerdcore on solipsistic NATION. That epsiode got such an overwhelming response that I thought it was time do another show on the genre. Besides, I identify more with songs about video games and comic books than songs about drive-by shootings and smacking bitches.

If you dig the songs on today’s show you can download all of them and more at the Rhyme Torrents web site.

Since we’ll be listening to nerdcore on today’s show, I thought it would appropriate to give away a few tshirts from J!NX. J!NX specializes in clothing for discerning gamers and geeks. You know, people like you.

Hit me up with an email at solipsisticnation@gmail.com and you could be a lucky winner of one J!NX tshirt of your choice.

Photo Credit: Elinay

  1. Benjamin Bear “Interlude”
  2. Old Scratch “To Hell With Hip Hop”
  3. Metamystiks Incorporated “Superior Beings (Ft. ArmageddonMan)”
  4. Dr. Octagon “Ants”
  5. Myf “Top Secret (featuring Masta Cwik)”
  6. Super Dragon X “When You Wanna Win: The Cheate”
  7. Futuristic Sex Robot “WoW”
  8. Nursehella “Nursehellamentary”
  9. Beefy “Tub of Tabasco”
  10. MC Hawking “Rock Out With Your Hawk Out”
  11. Baddd Spellah and MC Frontalot “Nerdcore Hip-Hop 2006”
  12. Benjamin Bear “The Last Fantasy”
  13. Rai “Big Lie”
  14. Ultraklystron “So Long Kids”
  15. funky49 and Redvoid “RPG (Rhymes of Phatness and Greatness)”
  16. Baddd Spellah “Gawd Particlez”
  17. YTcracker “In My Time”