Dorian Concept - The Nature of Imitation [Brainfeeder]

Following the release of “Joined Ends” in 2014 - a deeply intimate and textured project he describes as his “chamber music” record - Dorian Concept performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Sonar to MoMA PS1’s Warm Up and then deliberately took himself off the radar. The time since has been spent meticulously un-learning his prodigious production process and developing a brand new sound that even the most clued-up won’t be expecting - showcased on ‘Promises’, in the most prominent use of his voice to date. The recording and processing of his vocals represent not only a more human expression of his highly technical sound, but also an inclination toward recursion - the challenge, ephemerality, and demand for attention of “unequal repetition” which shapes the build and deconstruction of energy throughout the record. 

Taking inspiration from multi-generational eclecticism (‘60s jazz, ‘70s fusion, ‘80s neo prog-rock, ‘90s electronica), Dorian Concept sought to replicate “modern” music elements with old-fashioned methods, live-playing and hand-recording deceptively digital sounds in service of a tongue-in-cheek “parody of nostalgia”. Having produced the record largely in the years 2016 and 2017 - widely characterized as periods of a cultural reckoning throughout the democratic world - he ambitiously took timely themes of cumulative error, shortening attention spans and subjective experience and transposed them into his making. As is to be expected from him by now, for all the considered, high-concept musing, the result is refreshingly unpretentious: dizzying swells, cacophonous breakdowns and formidable rhythms are both expert and childlike, hyperactive and hyper-focused. 

Left to freely associate, Dorian Concept describes the record as follows: 
Using a different vocabulary. 
“Lively, Chaotic and Loud” 
Sloppy Virtuosity. 
Deconstructed with Love. 
Audible Uncertainty. 
Visceral. 
Crowded. 
Somewhat of a Study. 
Fast-paced. 
Pointless ... Meaning there’s no dot at the end. 

Born Oliver Thomas Johnson, the self-taught keyboardist and producer should be no stranger to those in the Brainfeeder orbit. He first caught the attention of the crew in its infancy, when head honcho Flying Lotus discovered Dorian Concept’s MySpace profile and swiftly included a remix in his lauded debut Essential Mix (2008). Dorian Concept went on to tour with FlyLo’s live band, appeared at some of Brainfeeder’s earliest international label nights in 2009 (Off-Sonar in Barcelona and the infamous Hearn Street Car Park session in London), and released a string of celebrated EPs and albums for Kindred Spirits imprint Nod Navigators, Affine and Ninja Tune - as well as remixing Taylor McFerrin, contributing production to Thundercat’s “The Golden Age of Apocalypse” and playing keys on Flying Lotus’ seminal “Cosmogramma”. The announcement of his signing comes alongside the reveal of a brand new live show, which he is set to debut at Brainfeeder’s takeover of Sonicmania in Tokyo on 17 August. 

Released August 3, 2018 via Brainfeeder

Ross From Friends - Family Portrait [Brainfeeder]

Having recently made his inaugural outing on Brainfeeder with “Aphelion EP”, British producer Ross From Friends aka Felix Clary Weatherall returns with his debut album on Flying Lotus’ label. "Family Portrait" is characterised by a perpetual desire to experiment and Felix's obsessive attention to detail, somehow marrying an intricately layered production style with warm, heavily saturated sonics that elevate, rather than stifle, his melodious funk. With a handful of revered 12”s under his belt via Breaker Breaker, Lobster Theremin, Distant Hawaii, Magicwire and a 10” on Molten Jets. “Family Portrait” showcases his ability to shift and evolve, moving from the world of lo-fi to the world of FlyLo, he demonstrates a versatility exemplified by the ease in which he can switch between playing shows with Little Dragon, holding down a peak-time slot in Berghain’s Panorama Bar and performing live at Maida Vale for BBC Radio 1. 

The culmination of almost two years of intense studio time, working 20 hour days, and often spending months perfecting just one aspect of a track. "I tried to be careful with every single sound” he explains, “Trying new things, making a bit more of an explosive sound”. The album also finds Felix recording his own voice for the first time, with the resulting tracks acting as snapshots of his personal life while recording. “Every time I went to make music the things which would really grab me are the emotional things, and while I’m in that place I felt I could really focus on the track. That was a massive part of this album, tapping into my emotions… into my emotional instability”. 

The album title - “Family Portrait” - also nods to a very specific personal aspect of the record: the influence of his parents. Dance music has always been a feature in Felix's life, with early memories of his dad producing music on his analogue set-up, or pumping out hi-NRG tracks on the turntable, he grew up discussing, sharing and learning about music from his dad. “My dad has been hugely influential to the whole thing,” he explains. However it was with the emergence of some old family VHS tapes, and the story of how Felix’s parents came to meet, that the true significance became clear. 

Having built up a sound system in the 1980’s while playing at various squat parties around London (including the then derelict Roundhouse) Felix’s dad decided he wanted to get out of the capital and see some of Europe. He got his hands on a bus and started putting word out through a network of like-minded friends and acquaintances. At the time just a friend of a friend, the trip caught the attention of Felix’s mum-to-be, who offered to document the whole thing in return for a seat, and in 1990 they loaded up the sound system and hit the road. Travelling through France, Belgium, West and East Germany (though returning through a unified one) and beyond, setting up in towns to share their passion for the sounds of hi-NRG dance, Italo disco and proto-Techno through spontaneous parties in whatever venue they could find. 

Releases July 27, 2018 via Brainfeeder

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Overload [Brainfeeder]

An excited Flying Lotus shared news of Georgia Anne Muldrow’s signing to Brainfeeder earlier this year, prompting knowing smiles and ripples of anticipation amongst fans and commentators who recognised the perfect symbiosis of their musical pathways, heritage and spirituality.

Now, following her triumphant live set at the Hollywood Bowl in LA on Sunday (in support of FlyLo) Brainfeeder is proud to present a brand new track from Georgia titled ‘Overload’ - available to stream/download now. Produced by Mike & Keys (The Futuristiks), ‘Overload’ addresses “the process of building loving relationships in spite of the malfunctions of Western society” according to Georgia. (source)

Released June 20, 2018 on Brainfeeder

Above is Georgia Anne Muldrow's first rap EP. Released June 24, 2014. 

Little Snake - ENTER [Brainfeeder]

Newest release from Brainfeeder, 'ENTER' by Little Snake, is a three track EP inspired by Gaspar Noé's film "Enter The Void." Each track sets the tone with melodic tribal drums soon to be cut through by a hard hitting lead bass and drops that continuously stretches and mangles you through every angle of its sonic arena, incidentally reminding us all why Little Snake is Brainfeeder's newest member. 

Release date: 25 May 2018 on Brainfeeder Records