Photek’s KU: PALM Embraces Past, Present, Future

In his first full-length album of new material in a decade, KU: PALM, the electronica artist Photek delivers hints of the past, crafted in the present, with a look to the future.

I recently had the opportunity to reviewKU: PALM and as electronica/dance goes, am pleasantly surprised. This isn’t a record that blew me away after first hearing it, but that’s because the depth is in the details, something that only comes with repeated listens — preferably at very loud volume.

I’ve long been a fan of Photek’s stuff. I got into Modus Operandiabout the time I was discovering Massive Attack (Mezzanine is in my top 5 all-time favorite records) in the late ’90s. The textures and beats in tracks like “Axiom” and the forward-moving groove of “The Fifth Column” got me interested, and I’ve been into Photek ever since. Here in KU: PALM, I especially dig new elements like the Eastern-ish themes in “Pyramid.”

Whereas the following track, “Shape Charge” is exactly what I’m talking about when referencing the past and future. It holds up against anything from Modus Operandi, but the production is super-clean and razor sharp for 2012, even with a hint of dubstepwobble. But not too much.

The Phuture

That’s what I mean about an eye toward the future — there’s no telling where dubstep will fall in the electronica pantheon, but to have some of it worked in here for color is totally appropriate. That’s something I’d expect from an artist with a track record like Photek. Check it out yourself over at AllMusic or download a copy at the Photek site.

What do you think? Have you discovered any good records lately? Do you still listen to music you were getting into 15 years ago? Let us hear from you in the comments.

Related articles

• Photek official website (Photek.fm)
• Featured: Photek (spacedoutmagazine.com)
• Music Hall of Williamsburg announces their BEMF shows (Photek, Gold Panda, Nicolas Jaar & Nick Hook) (brooklynvegan.com)
• 2013 Grammy Nominations: (pearlsandparis.wordpress.com)
• ✪ Photek – Essential Mix on Bbc Radio1 (brandnite.org)

Garbage Video Fan Art: Crowdsourcing Done Right

I love it when a plan comes together, and this one fires on my favorite cylinders: music, iPhoneography, social media and especially Public Relations. How could Inot write a blog post about this!?  I’m sending a huge thanks to one of my favorite bands, Garbage, for including my artwork in the promo video for I Hate Love,  a track off their new album due in May, their first in seven years. I don’t hate love, but I do love me some Garbage, and not just because of their excellent taste in visual art. My grungy abstraction, “Heart on a Wall“ flashes for half a second at :44 — if you don’t want to see it, be sure to blink. Just to prove I am not making this up, here ’tis:

Yeah! That's us! Woo! Garbage!

The group even refers to it a “beautiful” in their Facebook album of all the artwork:

Aww, you guys! What a band!

Back in the day I saw Garbage rock the house, and Shirley Manson signed my ticket afterward, now enshrined in my mini-Hard Rock Cafe. Awesomeness all around.

Oh, and in the time between calling for submissions and posting the results, Garbage drummer and famed producer Butch Vig was on the Grammys behind Dave Grohl dropping a killer acceptance speech.

Obviously, I am pumped for this album. I’ve been a fan of the group since day one, and think they’re a talented bunch. Props to the band for some smart and fun crowdsourcing — way to make the most of social media and get the promo machine rolling for the record. It’s low-cost, super fun for the fans, and you might even get some music nerd to write a blog about it. Check their site for a look at how they did this.

This even made USA Today - wow! Way to score some earned media.

All other bands should take note. Seriously. Email me. Let’s do some iPhoneography.

Have you ever been part of a crowdsourced promotion through social media or other media? Have you ever interacted directly with a favorite band, professional athlete, artist, public figure, or a celebrity you admire? Is there value in this type of promotion? Let us hear from you in the comments!

Related articles

• First Listen: Garbage Previews Their New Song ‘I Hate Love’(pinkisthenewblog.com)
• Garbage Announce First New Album In 7 Years To Be Released In May(kroq.radio.com)
• Serj Tankian & Shirley Manson – “The Hunger” (jambase.com)
• Shirley Manson Rocks My Universe (poppingcherry.wordpress.com)
• U2 and the Importance of Dialogue With Your Fans (Michael Brandvold)
• Alternative Press Magazine Throw an Arty Party for Their 25th Anniversary– cool artwork by Shirley & others (Ali MacLean)
• Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl’s Grammy Speech Honors the ‘Human Element’ of Music [Video] (inquisitr.com)