Why you messing with my life?

youtube.com/watch?v=nJg8RoJzXcs

Radio da Bank: Glastonbury Special & Daughter in the studio

Rob presents a show with some insider tips on things not to miss if you were heading to Glastonbury, plus singer-songwriter Daughter is in the studio.

Head over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank to listen again online.

Tracklisting:
GusGus — Selfoss - Kompakt
Benny Page — Sound Fi Dead (Ft. Topcat) - High Culture Dub
SBTRKT — Pharoahs (Ft. Roses Gabor) - Young Turks
Vondelpark — Tv - R&S Records

Sunrise Track
The Orb — Little Fluffy Clouds - Big Life

Boy 8 Bit — Madrigal - Mad Decent

Glastonbury Moment 1
Jamie xx — Far Nearer - XL

Gang Gang Dance — Glass Jar - 4AD
Tensnake — In The End I Want To Cry (Lone Remix) - Running Back
Friendly Fires — Hawaiian Air - XL

Glastonbury Moment 2
Eels — Novocaine For The Soul - Dreamworks

Joker — The Vision (Ft. Jessie Ware) - 4AD
Matais Aguayo — I Don’t Smoke - Kompakt

The 6 O Clock Snooze
Mount Kimbie — Carbonated - Hotflush

The Very Best — Super Mom - Moshi Moshi

Glastonbury Moment 3
Wu-Tang Clan — Gravel Pit - Epic

Daughter Live in the Studio
Daughter — Candles - Live acoustic track

Dry The River — No Rest - RCA
Boxes — Throw Your Stones - Bow Records
Arkist — Fill Your Coffee - Apple Pips

Glastonbury Moment 4
Two Wounded Birds — Treat Me Tender - Moshi Moshi

Jonquil — Mexico - Dovecote
Foster the People — Pumped Up Kicks (Chrome Canyon Remix) - Columbia

Glastonbury Moment 5
Beyonce — Girls (Who Run The World) - Kito Remix

Beardyman: sound of the police

One of Bestival’s home grown stars the quite brilliant Beardyman will be playing at both our festies this year. And at Camp Bestival he'll be on the same bill as one of his all-time heroes, Police Academy legend Michael Winslow. Here, the Beardy one reveals why this beatboxing genius is such a unique inspiration...

When/how did you first come across Michael Winslow?

“I first came across Michael Winslow the way everyone else did - in Police Academy. He was the best thing in it. But I watched as many of his solo stand-up shows as I could once the internet started hosting videos.”

What was it about him you found so inspiring?

“His noises, his stand-up is well constructed but his noises are just insane!”
He can do funny as well as brilliant, right?
“Yeah, he's a walking cartoon. . . amazing that one man can have so much weird stored up inside him.”

Were you beatboxing at the time?

“I've always beatboxed - even before I knew it was a thing people did. I thought it was another habit that I'd one day grow out of.”



You've met him...what was that like?

“I was very star-struck, but I don't think I let it show. I may have though, it's always tempting to gush and be a fanboy but that can put people on edge so then you have to try not to do it and you end up acting really weird, or worrying that you're acting weird. Which makes you act even weirder. . . the best thing to do in those kind of situations is to burst into tears and start slitting your wrists in front of them whilst begging them to have sex with you.”

And you've performed together, tell us more...

“We did a short spot together but I was pretty star-struck as I was doing it. I didn't want to tread on his toes too much so didn't do that much, just some beats. I was also totally paranoid about doing some noises that just wouldn't stand up to the great master. If we played together again I'd want to plan something for it.”

What's his live show like? How would you describe it to someone down the pub?

“It's a man standing on a stage being any noise you can think of, telling stories, all of them sonically illustrated with sound FX from his mouth. The most incredible thing he did when I saw him live was to re-score a space-fight sequence from star wars...Wookies and all...it was nuts...he's not human.”


What other artists inspired you in the early days?

“Rahzel obviously. . Kenny Muhamed, Shlomo, Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Tim Exile, Bill Bailey, Victor Borge, Paul Daniels, Underworld, Leftfield.”

What's the last year been like for you?

“It's been a living hell, I've been touring so much that my face has started to detach. My wife has left me, my dog has died; I got another dog...that died. I got a tortoise cos they live longer, it killed itself cos it couldn't bear to live through a man made world bent on destruction... such destruction... I hate everything. Apart from sex, and music.”

You've been out in America, right... 

“America is mad entirely of plastic, concrete and aluminium, it was built on haunted property by super-slaves. They were freed but are still slaves to Walt Disney's estate. The ivory phlegm-bots want to control the universe, except, builders make the best movement and art; the ivory tower is now being felated by an ivory-builder yet the wars do not stop. Death to the infidels. I am the revolution, carpe diem.”

What can we expect from your show at Camp Bestival?

“Destruction, dancing, fun, limbs, music, events, happenings, a police presence, trembling, water canons, joy, rejuvenation.”

What do you remember about your first Bestival?

“Nothing, I was battered. Well...I remember it being quite colourful, I think I remember falling over quite a lot...I definitely remember there being music and joy. . . but I can't be sure. How can one be sure of anything?”

Hear new James Blake 12"

Besti favourite and all-round musical boy wonder James Blake will release a new 12″ next month for fellow UK producer Untold’s Hemlock label.

Hemlock is the label that gave James Blake his start, releasing his debut single ‘Air and Lack Thereof’ back in the days before Feist covers, major label props and general critical acclaim.

Blake's new single, ‘Order’ / ‘Pan’ is a return to the abstract, compressed dance music that he initially made his name with, and will be released on July 11. You can hear clips of both tracks at HMV’s pre-order page.

Besti-mix 57: Sound of Rum

Our latest Besti-mix continues our much-cherished tradition of our favourite artists, bands and DJs going off-piste with their selections and throwing up a few surprising curveballs into the equation. Compiled by Archie and Ferry of Sunday Best-signed and justifiably lauded London trio Sound of Rum, whose new album 'Balance' is essential listening, this is a perfectly attuned appreciation of all that's currently great about 21st century electronica and low-fi pop, including cuts from Dam-Funk, Jamie Woon, James Blake, Baths and Toro Y Moi. Hit up the download and feel the love...

ps. Sound of Rum are playing several gigs at Glastonbury this weekend. Check all the times and places at soundofrum.com

Download: Bestimix 57 Sound of Rum

Tracklisting:
1. Tell Me What You Want From Me - Hudson Mohawke feat. Dam-Funk
2. Night Air - Jamie Woon
3. Ancestors - Gonjasufi
4. Dedication to the Horse - 4hero
5. Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back - Deerhoof
6. Go With You - Toro Y Moi
7. Hood Pass Intact - Dam Funk
8. CMYK - James Blake
9. Lovely Bloodflow - Baths
10. Death By Creation - Jade Fox
11. Digital Age - New Sector Movements

Bestimix 57: Sound of Rum by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Radio da Bank: Sonar Festival Special

Rob plays out four epic sets from Sonar 2011 - Four Tet, Toro Y Moi, Floating Points and Barcelona Laptop Orchestra - recorded across day and night at The Sonar Complex & SonarVillage. Dip your toe into one of the most exciting electronic music festivals in the world.

Head over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank to listen again online.

Tracklisting:
Appleblim — Moonlight - Vitalik Recordings
Spank Rock — Energy - Bad Blood Records
Wheelchair Sports Camp — 15 Steps - White

Barcelona Laptop Orchestra Live Set from Sonar 2011

Maverick Sabre — Let Me Go (Shy FX & Benny Page Remix) - Mercury
Maya Jane Coles — Senseless - 20:20 Vision
Niki and the Dove — The Fox - Sub Pop Records

Floating Points Live Set from Sonar 2011

Frank Ocean — Novacane - Mercury Records

6 O’Clock Snooze
Jamie xx — Far Nearer - XL
Rizzle Kicks — Down With The Trumpets - Island

Opus III — It’s A Fine Day - Aggro VIP Mix

Four Tet Live Set from Sonar 2011

I Break Horses — Hearts - Bella Union
Hypnolove — Holiday Reverie - Record Makers

Toro Y Moi Live Set from Sonar

Inc. — Swear - 4AD
The 2 Bears — Bear Hug - Southern Fried

Rob’s Best Record In The World… Probably… Maybe
Bon Iver — Holocene - 4AD

Magnetic Man — Anthemic (Ft. P Money) - Columbia/Rinse

Free Download: David E. Sugar 'Fingers on the Button' plus mixes by Leo Zero, Drums of Death & more

Free, yes free music for you lucky people from one of our favourite people, David E. Sugar, a man who makes the 21st century look and sound like 1980, in the best possible way. 'Fingers on the Button' is free to download (320kbps mp3) via the Soundcloud player below, and you can also check out 'Although You May Laugh' and remixes by Leo Zero, Drums of Death, Tommy Four Seven and our own Sunday Best re-take:


David E. Sugar 'Fingers On The Button' / 'Although You May Laugh'

Both original tracks are taken from David's debut album 'Memory Store' which iDJ Mag described thus: "His debut jaunts with a low-swung swagger that'll resonate with anyone who's found favour with Hot Chip (especially their early works), WhoMadeWho, LCD or Black Ghosts… 8/10".

Check it out (or miss out).

Besti-mix 56: The Disablists

"Broke ass brothers high on life and low on funds", turntablist maestros The Disablists (four times UK DMC Team champions!) have put their heart and soul into creating a truly special Besti-mix. Recorded in one take, old-school hip-hop style, their session mixes up classics from some of your favourite artists playing at Bestival 2011, fusing the likes of The Cure with Bullion, Primal Scream and Joy Orbison, James Blake and Magnetic Man. The result? A party-starting soundtrack perfectly suited to getting you in the mood on your car journey to the grand ol' Isle o' Wight come September!

Download: Bestimix 56 The Disablists

Tracklisting:
1.  The Disablists - "Say Goodbye To Your Organ" intro
2.  Bullion - "Say Goodbye To What"
3.  The Cure - "The Lovecats"
4.  Primal Scream - "Movin' On Up"
5.  Primal Scream - "Loaded" / Jungle Brothers - "Jungle Brother" (acapella) / DJ Shadow - "Midnight in a Perfect World"
6.  Midnight in a Perfect World (original sample)
7.  Joy Orbison - "Hyph Mngo"
8.  James Blake - "Limit to Your Love"
9.  Skrillex - "Scream and Shout" / Magnetic Man - "I Need Air"
10. Magnetic Man - "I Need Air" (Redlight Remix) / Fake Blood - "Mars" / Kelis - "Milkshake" (acapella)
11. Fatboy Slim - "Everybody Needs A 303" / Fatboy Slim - "Star 69" (acapella)
12. DJ Zinc - "Reachout" (Remix)
13. Jungle Brothers - Jungle Brother (Urban Takeover Mix) / DJ Shadow - "Building Steam With a Grain of Salt"
14. Danny Byrd - "Shock Out VIP"

Bestimix 56: The Disablists by Bestimix on Mixcloud

David Lynch to open real life Club Silencio!

You could say it was inevitable: having turned his hand to releasing a massively acclaimed debut electronic single (via our very own Sunday Best no less!) Tinseltown legend David Lynch has now designed a nightclub, but not just any night club, oh no...this one's a real-life Club Silencio, and it's due to open in Paris on September 11.

The hitherto fictional night-spot was the setting for a key scene in Lynch’s 2001 masterpiece Mulholland Drive, being a liminal, occult-charged zone wherein Naomi Watts and Laura Harring’s characters learn a little something about the art of illusion from a sinister, moustachioed compere, then experience emotional release witnessing Rebecca Del Rio’s breathtaking Spanish rendition of Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’, before finding the blue key that will help unlock the secret of their confused identities (well, sort of). Part old-school cabaret, part metaphysical threshold, Silencio is a truly memorable construct – so what can we expect from its real-world incarnation?

Well, all we know at this stage is that will be located on the Rue Montmartre in Paris (unlike its fictional forebear, which was found down a windswept LA backstreet), and is set to house a concert hall, restaurant, library and cinema. Lynch himself has designed the club’s interior, telling the New York Times, “I enjoy how architecture and design create mood.”

An eye-witness report of the new space comes from one of the few people to actually be afforded a sneak preview, Bestival's master of ceremonies Rob da Bank: “I played at the amazing Social Club in Paris on Friday night with Spank Rock,” he says. “Just before I DJed, the promoters took me downstairs for a sneak peek at the eye-opening Club Silencio, a very cool underground club/cinema/bar/hangout which none other than David Lynch has designed… even down to the chairs and the bonkers ‘wood pixel’ roof. When the club does open this will be one of the hottest places to hang out worldwide and when Mr Lynch himself hosts some nights in the autumn I intend to be at the front of the queue…”

5 Records: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Sunday Best recording artist and all-round fountain of old school 20th century music Lewis Durham, aka Lewis of Kitty, Daisy & Lewis fame, has just written an amazing feature for our friends at FACT magazine about some of his favourite records.

"When asked by music journalists, 'What is your favourite record' or, 'Who is your favourite artist', I find myself left quite speechless," says Lewis.

"This is partly because I know that they are looking for one name to write down. And also because I have no favourite artist or record. Of the millions of discs manufactured worldwide, there is no one favourite record. Sometimes, I get home and am in the mood for a Norman Granz Jazz At The Philharmonic Concert. Another time I am not in that frame of mind, and will put on a jug band record.

"So, in order to write this, I have gone to my record collection and at random, blindfolded, picked out five records. My records are not in any particular order any more, mainly as a result of my coming home after a few too many and pulling them out and forgetting where they came from and not putting them back. This method will also give a good varied selection of what is in my collection.

As I am currently writing this travelling in a transit van on tour, I have no access to my books, papers, label discographies, etc.…so, I will try to provide as much as I can remember about each record. Please forgive any mistakes!"

Read the full article here

Besti-mix 55: DJ Rastacore

Bestival may be a British festival but part of our mission is to spread musical good times and madcap festi madness around the world and, in turn, showcase global sounds both at our annual shindig and right here, on the Besti-blog.

Our latest mix is a case in point, a brilliant showcase of Latin American drum & bass, dancehall, dubstep and low-end soundsystem biz by Buenos Aires, Argentina DJ and producer Rastacore aka Alejo Gonzalez. You might not recognise any of the tunes but what's more exciting than discovering something totally new, it's part of what we're all about at Bestival, and what better time to get in the South American spirit than when the sun's blazing and the weekend is creeping ever closer!

Download: Bestimix 55 DJ Rastacore

Tracklisting:
1. Youth Rmx - ONDUBGROUND
2. Ninja_We_Ninja - KALBATA
3. Rub a Dub  - ROOMMATE/THE BASSIST
4. Face Gets Splat - STAGGA
5. Get On Up - BABYLON SYSTEM
6. Experience - ONDUBGROUND
7. No - SOLO BANTON
8. El Gauchito Gil - FAUNA
9. La Tirana Caravana D&B Rmx - ADDONDEBASS
10. La Vueltecita D&B Rmx - ADDONDEBASS
11. Run far away - ODG -OLO
12. De La tierra Crece - ZONA GANJAH

Bestimix 55: DJ Rastacore by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Watch how Kitty Daisy & Lewis wrote 'Messing With My Life'

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis popped round to the Guardian a few weeks back to talk about their next single 'Messing With My Life'...

guardian.co.uk/music/video/2011/jun/02/kitty-daisy-lewis-messing-life

A Song In Seven Hours on Rob da Bank's Twitter

There is so much musical talent hiding out in the nether regions of the interweb and i'm determined to get people to come out of their shells and sing a song even if they'd never normally think about it... so 2 weeks ago i launched A Song In Seven Hours on Twitter and have had some great songs posted up as a result.

The best bit is that the winner gets two tickets to Bestival! Simple...

So tune into my Twitter @RobdaBank next and every Sunday between now and Bestival to find out the song title... then get strumming!

Winners so far are...

1. Bees Not Polly (There's a Bee Drowning in my Lemonade) by Bestival Bandits


2.  Psychedelic Bacon by Alice Jemima (pictured above)
 

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are Smoking in Heaven & Live on Tour

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis have grabbed the musical bull by the horns, producing an exquisite and exciting self-penned second studio album 'Smoking In Heaven'. It's out now via our Sunday Best Recordings label and we implore you to check it out (and play it loud).

You can preview the album via a clever interactive YouTube player:
(click on the track titles to skip between tracks)



Album of the Week at Rough Trade last week, it's available on CD digipak, Double Heavyweight 12" Gatefold LP, limited edition hardback 8 x 78rpm 10" Record Album and digital download. Both vinyl editions also include a free digital download of the album.

Grab your copy from the KD&L store or from Rough Trade, Amazon or iTunes.

Catch the band live on tour in the UK this month at the following dates...

    * 07/06/11 Portsmouth – Wedgewood Rooms (tickets)
    * 08/06/11 Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach (tickets)
    * 09/06/11 Exeter – Cavern (info)
    * 10/06/11 Manchester – Ruby Lounge (tickets)
    * 12/06/11 Leeds - Brudenell Social Club (tickets)
    * 13/06/11 Newcastle - Academy 2 (tickets)
    * 14/06/11 Glasgow - King Tut's (tickets)
    * 16/06/11 Nottingham - Rescue Rooms (tickets)
    * 17/06/11 Birmingham - Academy 2 (tickets)
    * 18/06/11 Bristol – Thekla (tickets)
    * 20/06/11 Norwich - Arts Centre (tickets)
    * 21/06/11 London – Dingwalls (sold out)

Radio da Bank: King Creosote & Jon Hopkins in session

Rob da Bank presents an eclectic two-hour mix of music from leftfield's finest, from techno and bleeps to ambient and acoustic, featuring King Creosote and Jon Hopkins in Session at Maida Vale.

Checkout the tracklisting below and get yourselves over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank to listen again online to this show...

2 Bears — Bear Hug - Southern Fried
Sleigh Bells — Rill Rill - Columbia
Tensnake — Something About You - Mirau
Crystal Fighters — Plage (Compuphonic Mix) - Zirkulo

Sunrise Track
Daughter — Landfill - Stay Loose

Style of Eye — Wet - Sound Pellegrino
JFB — Praise You - Skint
Javeon McCarthy — Love Without A Heart - PMR Records

Maida Vale Session and Interview
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins — John Taylor’s Month Away - Domino

Babe Rainbow — It’s All Happening - Warp

Fishy Forecast

Stubborn Heart — Need Someone - Stubborn Heart
Carte Blanche — With You (Fake Blood Remix) - White

6 0’Clock Snooze
I Feel Studio 002 — Morgengruss III - International Feel

Justice — Civilisation (The Champs Mix) - Ed Banger
The Temptations — Ain’t To Proud To Beg (Pinot Vs Mojo Filter Vintage Re-Love) - (AOR Disco)
Baron Zen and Tekblazer- Goodtimes (Stones Throw Records)

Maida Vale Session and Interview
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins — Bats In The Attic - Domino
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins — Bubble - Domino

Oh My! — Run This Town (Rack n Ruin) - 679 Recordings
Two Inch Punch — Love You Up - PMR

Rob’s Best And Improbably Greatest Record In The World Right Now… Possibly… Well At Least For This Morning… Maybe
Mr Little Jeans — The Suburbs - White

tUnE-YaRdS — Bizness - 4AD
SebastiAn — Kindercut - Ed Banger
Wu Lyf — Dirt - Lyf Recording

Love Yourself

Maker of dreamy post-pop shot through with wide-screen electronica that's become a firm favourite here at Besti HQ, How to Dress Well has been one of 2011's softly softly breakthrough artists... and his latest mix, appropriately titled Love Yourself, shows just why. Download it here, and drift away.

Stream new Skream EP!

Everybody's favourite low-end dubstep don Skream is set to release a new EP on June 6, which is virtually guaranteed to go down a storm at Bestival when he tears it up as part of the Rinse FM collective...

Simply entitled Skream EP, it’s the dubstep perennial’s first substantial solo offering in some time, and comes courtesy of his own Disfigured Dubz label.

‘Hats Off’ arrives just in time to fulfill its summer anthem destiny – it’s a breezy, unreconstructed junglist rave track, complete with ’91-style diva vocals, threshing breaks and buzzing sub bass.

‘Heavy Hitter’ is tough, stripped-down half-step tune that harks back to classic Skreamizm biz, while ‘Rigging’ and the aptly named ‘Sea Sick’ show how wildly enjoyable wobble can be if deployed smartly.

You can listen to short preview clips of each track over at FACT.

Download your Super Bestival Heroes Card Game for Bestival 2011 now!

Bestival has so many heroes that make it the wonderful fun weekend that it is but this year we decided to salute our pick of the bunch, the most crazy, talented and generous among many great people.

We’ve created this special limited edition card game for Bestival 2011 to celebrate some of the people who are doing something special and wacky to help raise money for charity, raise the spirits or make you just feel that little bit better when you’re at Robin Hill.

Each of the 15 Super Bestival Heroes has an individual card with their Rock star points, BPMs, Lunacy level, Stamina required and the Big Love their activity generates.

The rules are simple; top score wins in each category, winner is the one with all the cards... so download and print out these pages and cut around the cards for a fun game; guaranteed to make the ferry journey over to the Isle of Wight or early morning in your tent a little more fun.  Who of your friends will win all the cards?!

Besti-mix 54: Greg's Greats (Shellac Collective)

Sex and music is an explosive combination - just ask Lady Gaga, Prince or Britney Spears! But as this Besti-mix from the Maestro of Bestival's Black Dahlia Tent, Greg Butler, demonstrates, the two have made for killer tunes from way before all the aforementioned were an itch in their daddy's pants! All of the tracks in this latest Greg's Greats musical cocktail have been recorded from the original 78rpm Gramophone records and are no less than 55 years old with some dating back as far as 1928! Listen out for 'My Daddy Rocks Me' from Tampa Red's Hokum Band recorded in 1929 with Frankie 'Half Pint' Jaxon on Vocals - an outrageous five foot two something transvestite from Kansas - who puts in a orgasmic performance that would have definitely been banned by the BBC!

The line up in the Black Dahlia at this year's Bestival is better than ever with the original vintage sounds of The Shellac Collective DJs being complimented by an amazing array of live acts including Ade Edmondson's Bad Shepherds, Sara Spade, The Del Rio Ramblers, The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, The Siren Sisters, The Vagaband, Punks not Dad, Adam Palma, Ethan Ash, Cock-a-Hoop and of course The Henry Brothers.

So if you're up for good time music - The Black Dahlia Cocktail Lounge at Bestival is the place to be!

Download: Bestimix 54 Greg's Greats (The Shellac Collective)

Tracklisting:
1. Ruth Bown – Love Contest   (1953)
2. Wynonie Harris – Lovin’ Machine (1951)
3. Julia Lee – Don’t Come too Soon (1949)
4. Todd Rhodes – Rocket 69  (1952)
5. Etta James – Good Rockin’ Daddy  (1955)
6. Wilmouth Houdini – Black But Sweet  (1931)
7. Blue Lu Barker – Don’t You Make Me High  (1938)
8. The Dodgers – Let’s Make a Whole Lot of Love  (1954)
9. Lil Green – Because I Love My Daddy So (1941)
10. Moose Jackson – Big Ten-Inch Record  (1952)
11. Ethel Waters – My Handy Man  (1928)
12. Blind Boy fuller – What’s that smells like fish (1938)
13. Sarah McLawler – Ready, Willin’ and Able  (1952)
14. Austin Talbot – She’s got Freckles on her But She is nice (1956)
15. Tampa Red’s Hokum Band - My Daddy Rocks Me (1929)
16. The Swallows – It Ain’t the Meat it’s the Motion (1951)
17. Fluffy Hunter w. Jesse Powell Orch – The Walkin’ Blues (1952)
18. Charlie Adams – Cattin’ Around (1954)
19. Muddy Waters – I Just want to make love to you (1954)
20. Washboard Sam – Back Door (1937)

Bestimix 54: Greg's Greats (The Shellac Collective) by Bestimix on Mixcloud