Monolith Music Festival Artist Spotlight: MSTRKRFT

Don’t even try to come to Red Rocks in a couple of weeks not prepared to dance. Canadian (AWD loves Canada) raised MSTRKRFT will be at Monolith on day two. (Bio from the most credible source on the internet - Wikipedia)

Their first single was "Easy Love", released in 2006. They released their second single, "Work On You", on July 6. In contrast to the "Easy Love" music video, "Work On You" featured animated robots similar to those found in classic cartoons (see: Voltron, Transformers ). Although The Looks is MSTRKRFT's first album featuring original content, the band has created remixes from a variety of other artists ranging from Buck 65 to The Kills to Jesse F. Keeler's own band, Death from Above 1979.

MSTRKRFT released their first LP, The Looks, on July 18, 2006 in the United States and February 2, 2007 in Britain. Keeler and Al-P told Eye Weekly weeks before the release of The Looks, that as the album was being finished, the planning stages for a follow-up record had already begun. Describing the upcoming album's new direction, Al-P said that the album would be "darker, underground disco and house with elements of American rock music."

The "2007" version of their song "Street Justice" was also released as a single. On the band's website message board, Keeler mentioned they were also working on a compilation album composed of their remixed tracks. Street Justice was also featured on the THQ action game, Saints Row 2. Neon Knights was also featured on Need For Speed: Pro Street, and their remix for Justices' D.A.N.C.E. was featured on the movie "Meet The Spartans".

Their song "Paris" was featured in a 2006 commercial for the online music store URGE. In 2007 MSTRKRFT appeared at the WEMF World Electronic Music Festival.

In September 2007 MSTRKRFT performed at an Australian spring music festival "Parklife" in Brisbane. They performed their remix of the song "Woman" from Modular label mates Wolfmother. Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother appeared on stage and sang live while MSTRKRFT performed the remix.

In 2008 through Obeygiant.com released a mix cd with Z-Trip. In conjunction with this CD, Obey offered the Art work print, entitled Soundclash of the Titans. On May 24, 2008 MSTRKRFT were featured on the famous BBC Radio 1 show, The Essential Mix. MSTRKRFT later performed at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which included a diverse group of artists ranging from Metallica to Jack Johnson.

On March 17, 2009, MSTRKRFT released their second LP, Fist of God. All songs were written by Jesse F. Keeler and Al-P. Initial critical response has been average at best, with major periodicals Spin, Rolling Stone, and Blender giving the album less-than-stellar reviews. The album features guest appearances by John Legend, E-40, N.O.R.E., and Lil' Mo, among others.If the order doesn’t change, MSTRKRT should be going on right before The Mars Volta. Sunday is going to be epic!

Bacardi B-Live Tour

(courtesy of my blogger buddies ultra8201)

We are still trying to get more details but wanted to give heads up on this ridiculously good line up. Diplo will be performing with Switch in the duos new group Major Lazer. Santigold, A-Trak, MSTRKRFT, Jazzy Jeff, Tiga, and Matt and Kim fill out the line up. They haven't listed anything yet and although this would be a dream line up I can't imagine how they would pull it off logistically. More than likely certain line ups performing on select dates. Either way whoever we get will certainly be worth checking out.....

In other news Diplo and Switch, who have been working under the new moniker Major Lazer, just created a new MySpace page. They killed at The FADER Fort during SXSW (pictured above) and the new page has artwork, new tracks and a video. Check it out. Listen to [Major Lazer]

"BACARDI B-LIVE offers a premium interactive environment and the best in musical acts," said Billy Melnyk, experiential marketing manager, BACARDI rums. "We're looking forward to bringing this unique BACARDI experience to consumers (21+) across the U.S. this summer with the BACARDI B-LIVE events."

Attendees (21+) will have the opportunity to sample custom-made BACARDI rum cocktails at the BACARDI Bespoke Bar. This premium bar allows for attendees to sample and create their own cocktails with the help of a talented mixologist. These unique and personalized cocktails are made using the freshest ingredients, fruits and flavor combinations.

BACARDI B-LIVE will feature a memorable stage and lighting experience that complements the overall theme of the events. Designed by multimedia environment company, Moment Factory, an old-school boom box will illuminate the room and serve as a backdrop for performing music acts. Adding to the visual appeal, renowned illustrators and designers have produced limited edition posters and silk-screen t-shirt designs to create an experience that lives on with attendees long after the event.

A program of music events that has toured 25 countries, BACARDI B-LIVE showcases both international and emerging artists. It provides them with a collaborative environment and rousing audio and visual experiences that are designed to promote spontaneity through adult audience participation.

No mystery that the 'spirit' behind the B-LIVE series is BACARDI. In 1862 in the city of Santiago de Cuba, Don Facundo Bacardi revolutionized the spirits industry when he began producing BACARDI Rum, the world's best-selling rum brand.

Today, the BACARDI family of rums is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo - crafted in a five step distillation process, mellowed in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

BACARDI B-LIVE mixes the hottest music with the very best BACARDI cocktails for the ultimate taste experience. These events are exclusive ticketed events for adults aged 21 and over only. For more information, please visit www.bacardi.com.

Tour Dates:
Wednesday, May 20 Seattle, WA
Friday, May 22 San Francisco, CA
Thursday, May 28 San Diego, CA
Friday, May 29 Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, May 30 Phoenix, AZ
Wednesday, June 3 Denver, CO
Saturday, June 6 Kansas City, MO
Thursday, June 11 Milwaukee, WI
Friday, June 12 Chicago, IL
Saturday, June 13 St. Louis, MO
Wednesday, June 17 New York, NY
Thursday, June 18 Boston, MA
Friday, June 19 Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, June 25 Louisville, KY
Friday, June 26 Cleveland, OH
Saturday, June 27 Columbus, OH
Thursday, July 2 Charlotte, NC
Friday, July 3 Atlanta, GA
Saturday, July 4 Orlando, FL
Wednesday, July 8 New Orleans, LA
Friday, July 10 Austin, TX
Saturday, July 11 Dallas, TX

MSTRKRFT defeats Denver

Do you ever get so excited that you have to stop in the middle of what you are doing and run to the bathroom? Such was the case as Toronto’s finest also known as none other than MSTRKRFT took to the Ogden Theater stage in Denver on Saturday night. At one point during the set one of the members of MSTRKRFT ran off the stage (apparently to the bathroom) only to come back a few seconds later to blindside the crowd with sound pleasure. The show kicked off with one of Denver’s own Boyhollow who got the crowd primed and ready for the rest of the nights festivities who also included Bird Peterson a native Houstonite and Felix Cartal who almost blew the roof off with his bass thumping set. As the crowd settled in for the nights main attraction the venue was already soaked in sweat as MSTRKRFT took the stage playing a mesmerizing set of electronical bliss. I would have to say the crowd lost it when the opening riffs of B.O.U.N.C.E hit the speakers. as it created a audio ecstasy to those in attendance. The Generation X kids sure got what they bargained for and left the venue with their ears buzzing from some of the hottest in the game. For those of you making it to the Mecca of music festivals (SXSW) in Austin this week be sure to catch MSTRKRFT, Felix Cartal, Bird Peterson, LA Riots, and Steve Aoki at the Radio Room Saturday night. Oh and by the way you might want to bring a pair of ear plugs. For more pics CLICK HERE

MSTRKRFT

MSTRKRFT will be launching off into their "Fist of God" tour, starting today, all the way through November 1. The Toronto-based electro wizards will be joined by Felix Cartel, LA Riots and Congarock.

Unfortunately, their highly anticipated release won't hit retailers until January 6 of next year, so we have to wait! The album will also include an appearance from N.O.R.E.

MSTRKRFT Tour Dates:
September
30 Pomona, CA - Glass House %+

October
1 San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine %+
2 Seattle, WA – Showbox %+
3 Vancouver, British Columbia – Celebrities %
4 Winnipeg, Manitoba - Exchange Event Center %
6 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue %+
7 Chicago, IL - Metro %+
8 Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre %+
9 Columbus, OH 0 Boma %+
10 New York, NY - Webster Hall %+$
11 Poughkeepsie, NY - Vassar College %+
12 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts %+
13 Boston, MA - The Estate %#+
15 Baltimore, MD - Redrock %#
16 Charlotte, NC - Forum %#
17 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge %#
18 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Music Park %#
19 Memphis, TN - Hard Rock Café Memphis %#
22 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live %#
23 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa %#
24 Dallas, TX - House of Blues %#
25 New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Music Experience: The Tenth Ritual
27 Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall %#
28 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre %#
31 Salt Lake City, UT - Salt Palace Convention Center %

November
1 Las Vegas, NV - Fabulous Festival

* = w/ DJ A-Trak
^ = w/ DJ Steve Aoki
% = w/ Felix Cartal, MK
# = w/ LA Riots
+ = w/ Congorock
$ = w/ DJ Assault

Listen:
MSTRKRFT feat N.O.R.E.-Bounce (MP3)