Nicolas Jaar: I was a Teenage Villalobos

can't blame this dave dude though, if nico asked me to bluesfart all over his album & then join him on a decked out world tour i'd say yes

at some points i could almost swear that they had turned the guitar down in the mix to a just-ever-soslightly above audible level

the guitar isnt that bad!! its not too different from like AM01 or something.

Pretty sure there are guitars on the Jaar album anyway.

and he always played with a live band (of which harrington was part) anyway

like, blending electronic stuff and ~real instruments has always been jaar's thing, the guitar is just something else naturally enfolded into what he has at his disposal

xp maybe there were, they just weren't played by anonymous jazz majors

idk i found it kind of awkwardly incorporated, like there was a forced equality of prominence b/w them rather than it just being one more element carefully folded into nico's mix... the first track is p great tho

There's one song where it sounds like "blues guitar" as far as I can tell, mostly it's pretty tasteful.

I like this a lot more than the Jaar debut but I think Ines is still my favourite Jaar-associated release - it seems like the "album" that weaves together all his competing tendencies most successfully.

listening to that Boiler Room set again, so good.

NY Times likes to run features on him:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/magazine/nicolas-jaar-tests-the-limits-of-dance-music.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/arts/music/nicolas-jaar-electronic-musician-and-student-at-brown.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

like, blending electronic stuff and ~real instruments has always been jaar's thing, the guitar is just something else naturally enfolded into what he has at his disposal

This is what makes him boring IMO, a lot of it just doesn't feel interesting enough musically, like if you saw a real band playing music like this it would just feel aimless, but it's not propulsive or hypnotic enough to work as techno either.

I gave this album a go wanting to like it but I couldn't get all the way through it, it just felt so dreary.

I loved the EP but so far this feels rather tedious

I like this a lot more than the Jaar debut but I think Ines is still my favourite Jaar-associated release - it seems like the "album" that weaves together all his competing tendencies most successfully.

this is strange to me, i like inès for what it is, a label sampler, but it's really slight - as an overall listen it's not that satisfying, it doesn't do that self-contained world thing that jaar's best works do so well

ok now that i've had the chance to hear the full Darkside album, i'm all about it.

xpost I don't think it's the best jaar associated thing ever, just the best that happens to be in album form.

Hands down best jaar thing still that XLR8R mix IMO, though there's stiff competition.

i basically think this dude has 75% immaculate taste, 25% cornball in a pretty bad way. bbc essential mix, griz & eno remixes, this album all p disapointing. he's always had a corny sid eto him, i think. his beats in space (maybe he's done one since but the first one where he plays a bunch of instrumental hip hop) was really interesting as a way to understand where he's coming from but had some clunkers iirc. his first run of singles (basically everything i downloaded from this thread, up to bluewave edits & excluding space) is still my favourite, if i can cheat that way

my corset's laced up nice and tight

This is what makes him boring IMO, a lot of it just doesn't feel interesting enough musically, like if you saw a real band playing music like this it would just feel aimless, but it's not propulsive or hypnotic enough to work as techno either.

haven't heard the album, but saw Darkside live in January and it was TOTALLY intense and propulsive (Harrington played cello as well as gtr btw)

his first run of singles (basically everything i downloaded from this thread, up to bluewave edits & excluding space) is still my favourite, if i can cheat that way

i agree with this

darkside worth ~$30 live?

His 2012 sonar set is in youtube and its awesome.

it is awesome as is that boiler room set. wasn't sure if darkside is a different setup what with the bluesman and all.

Yes it is.

Darkside live @ Maida Vale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjK_zF-3KTY

This sounds totally rad. Every single time I think Jaar has maybe lost the plot he brings me back in. This is sexy sexy stuff.
Pink Floydesque Balearic Rock with tracky propulsive resonance and some light crossover appeal ? Either way I'm on board.

More goodness. Live @ RA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAAUqBghiVo

not content with being a prodigiously talented producer he's a pretty bloody good singer too.

and he's a ride!

Darkside US tour in Jan/Feb!

http://www.darksideusa.com/tour/

should i see darkside live for $18?

Psychic ended up being one of my most listened to albums of last year

Well yes, then. Dur.

yeah but i could see it being a dud live

just picked up a vinyl copy of Space Is Only Noise yesterday, holy moly this stuff is great - had only seen/heard that boiler room set. the store has it listed as "downtempo" and I told them they were doing him a disservice, this is so much more abstract and compelling.

I got tickets to see them next week. The live clips i've seen online are incredible. Has this interview been shared? http://www.electronicbeats.net/en/features/conversations/its-as-if-the-plants-are-speaking-or-even-singing-to-you-daniel-pinchbeck-talks-to-darksides-nicolas-jaar-and-dave-harrington/

tim finney said he kills it live

I saw him solo not as Darkside but the set was kinda halfway between Jaar and Darkside in terms of sound anyway.

$20 is sorta steep but i think i have to go

Random Access Memories Memories > Random Access Memories

Darkside live is a bargain at $20. Killer show. Go if you have a chance.

i forgot i had my work holiday party that nite so i didnt go :(

Saw them live in SF. Killer show, great visuals. Use of fog+lasers+LEDs+mirrors was mesmerizing. Crowd was fucking horrible. Wouldn't. Shut. Up.

kinda surprised they sold out the Fillmore, even some of my Jaar-loving friends didn't know who was playing

SF crowds can be the worst. I had to leave a Pat Mahoney DJ set because the dance floor was clogged with people staring at their iphones.

Missed that SF show. Scalpers wanted to charge 60. No Thanks.

That being said, when I read it I was at the Fillmore I was underwhelmed.
The sound there is hit/miss plus the concert crowd vibe for a Jaar show was not what I wanted. Looks like my instinct was correct.

I have been watching his live shows on youtube and I am convinced Darkside is getting BETTER in a short amount of time of touring.

My main beef with Darkside has been the overuse of Dave's guitar and at times Jaar's vocals.

I watched this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPRQBSitPOQ

Paper Trails has always been the song that exhibits those two qualities to a larger effect. However, in just a few months Dave has toned down on the guitar solo side of things and is more restrained, more focused on sonic ambience and melody. He still tweaks out solos but its in service of the groove. This may seem like a subtle thing but it has made me like Darkside much more. Also, Nico is becoming even more adept at switching from minimal/maximal when it comes to the midi controller and the beats. His vocals also seem more confident and natural. I always sensed a hint of affect in his vocals on the Darkside project (really all of his vocals) but i think he's getting more comfortable. Overall, I am super pleased with where they are going and I have to catch them next time around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8_ref358zQ

Darkside cover Black Sabbath's Planet Caravan at the end of their Boiler Room set.

Never heard the original before, it's beautiful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSWsLADAYSw

Darkside. The End.

https://soundcloud.com/otherpeoplerecords/07-gone-too-soon

"Hello.

DARKSIDE is coming to an end, for now.
On September 12th, we will be playing our last show at Brooklyn Masonic Temple. (tickets : http://bit.ly/1p6XtRR)

Here are two songs that we made while working on "Psychic" but that didn't make the album. "

Did I see something on twitter about a new solo album?

yes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGeNUgizTaM

we never mentioned his soundtrack for The Color of Pomegranates, worth listening to