Disciples "Catwalk" Remixed by Plastic Plates

Following the release of his latest EP, LA-based producer Felix Bloxsom (AKA Plastic Plates) offers an upbeat house remix of Disciples’ latest track Catwalk. ‘The Catwalk EP’, a collection of Catwalk remixes, will be released on the 30^th of March on Beatport. Disciples will follow ‘Catwalk’ with ‘Poison Arrow’, a collaboration with underground maestro Shadow Child.

Reflecting the stylisation of New York’s Ball scene of the late Eighties with a contemporary pop edge, ‘Catwalk’ encapsulates Disciples’ ability to weld the old with the new, creating a future-retro sound that can snare fans of both eras of music.

“Our influences come from so many different places that we’re not part of the any one scene which is what sets us apart from other people,” says Duvall, one-third of Disciples alongside Gavin Kool and Luke Mac. “If you look at people like Daft Punk and NERD, they’re not part of a scene but they have their own sound. It’s the same for us when it comes to house music. We’ve got our own section in house music.”

Formed by three ambitious, music-obsessed friends in south London, Disciples honed their genre-splicing, uplifting sound before debuting with the ‘Remedy’ EP last summer. Subsequently championed by the likes of Mistajam, B Traits, Toddla T, Pete Tong and DJ Target, Disciples have also remixed artists as varied as Robin Thicke, John Newman, Grouplove and HAIM.

Disciples – Catwalk EP

1.       Catwalk

2.       Catwalk (Bot & Astronomar Remix)

3.       Catwalk (Plastic Plates Remix)

4.       Catwalk (David Herrero Remix)

Joel Peter - Wrap My Ankles

Joel Peter's new video is a cracker. Joel used to be in Retrofect, who I liked a lot, and used to play gigs with a fair bit. One of the few bands I used to look forward to going to see (I sound so jaded!). It was really quite sad when they called it a day, and it's great to see Joel Peter has now come along with a debut, self-titled EP of intelligent, articulate summery-pop. I'm looking forward to digging into the EP further and I'm sure I'll find more delights when I do.

(I also quite like it because my bandmate Ben is in the band, favouritism is allowed, right?)



In an entirely uncynical aside, it's nice to see a video of an indie-ish song in which the band look as if they like each other and are having fun. I must be getting old....

Check out the video, download the EP. Keep an eye on Joel Peter this year

Glass Animals - Leaflings EP

Recently, I had a greatly enjoyable time visiting Gathering, a brilliant one day festival in Oxford. It really was splendid. I saw several acts for the first time. Three of these, Karima Francis, Luke Sital-Singh and The Staves, have become instant favourites of mine. All of them have great recent releases which I am still enjoying devouring. I would heartily recommend you check them all out.

BUT, one of the biggest surprises of the day for me were Glass Animals. I'll be honest, by the time their set began, I had pretty much had enough. A one-day festival can lead you into a kind of musical overload after a while, and their set wasn't helped by the venue they found themselves in (basically a rather crusty community centre). However, even with my relative lack of attention, it was pretty obvious that something special was going on here. The indie-leaning synths, and strongly bass-driven grooves of the songs offered the tantalising sense that something special was going on here.

Pleasingly, the "Leaflings" EP" provides substance and clarity to these thoughts. Every song here is basically great. Cocoa Hooves (Parts 1 and 2) are both sumptuous, glacial grooves, bursting with melody and vibe. Golden Antlers takes its time, with flecks and flourishes aplenty. Closing with the equally impressive Dust In Your Pocket, probably the highlight of the EP, this is a great new discovery. A good example of why you shouldn't judge a band on first hearing, this is one of my favourite Eps of 2012. Check it out.

Enjoy the video for Cocoa Hooves below and hear the potential greatness for yourself.

Moro - Lay Down Your Ghosts EP

I can't remember where I first came across Moro - I think it might have been a tweet from Tim Hughes or something equally random. Whichever it was I'm glad I followed a link to Soundcloud and basked in the glory of the title track of this EP. Lay Down Your Ghosts is immense, soulful, dirty and heavy, but perfectly formed as the best pop song you've heard all year. You will love it. Your mum'll love it. Your dog'll love it.

This EP is the follow up to an album from last year, Slow River, which I really need to hear. All the rhetoric is that this new EP is a change of gear, a new direction. Motorcade, the second song, features some chiming U2-esque guitars, and a vocal performance with incredible energy and passion from Steve Hughes. Hunting For Gold is driven by a rock solid rhythm section and another soaring chorus.

There's so much invention here. Partly, I suspect, provided by the production team of Mo Hausler (U2, Lily Allen) and Adrian Hall (Sinead O'Connor, Alicia Keys) but also drawn from the musicality and skill of the band themselves. This EP provides a snapshot of a band on a major growth spurt. Probably, they are already in a place where domination of airwaves/live settings should be within their grasp, but woe-betide other indie bands if Moro actually have the temerity to grow even further over the coming months. We'll be powerless to resist.

This is most clearly seen on this wonderful taster EP's closer "Don't Need Your Love", a song which threatens to explode throughout and never does, as Hughes whispers and hollers over a bed of beautiful atmospherics.

Simply put, this is great, and I can't wait to hear more.