Downtempo Artists, Labels, & Releases

Working On The New Website

2007-04-27T14:19:00.003-07:00

Once again, it's been awhile since I posted anything to this blog or Transmitting to Earth. There's a myriad of reasons for this: Lack of inspiration, difficulty of posting, shortage of time...I could go on and on, but what's the point of doing so? I'm back now, and that's all that matters, right? And hopefully you'll be hearing from me more often; I've just begun using a desktop blogging client called ecto, which should make the process of posting to my blog(s) less painful.

So here's the latest from that region of the downtempo universe you know as VoyagerRadio (and Tempo of the Down). I've begun working on a new website for the Tempo of the Down podcast, and you'll be hearing new sessions soon. I'm currently working on Session 06, following the ultra-popular/mucho-downloaded Session 05 (Pirates), which you can download in MP3 format by clicking here. You can view the playlist for Session 05 here. Once Session 06 of the podcast is available, I'll be making an announcement in my forthcoming newsletter for Tempo of the Down. Please consider subscribing to the newsletter so that I know you're excited about the podcast and ready for me to put it out there; subscribe by simply emailing your preferred email address to VoyagerRadio@Gmail.com.

The Tempo of the Down website will be located at tempoofthedown.com but it's not yet available, and until it is, you won't find much of interest there. I'll let you know when it's ready by making an announcement here and/or on the Transmitting to Earth blog; of course, newsletter subscribers will probably receive notice first -- and will also have the opportunity to receive special VoyagerRadio/Tempo of the Down swag! (Members of VoyagerRadio's discussion group already know all about this.)

iriver T30 + Virgin Digital = Number 1

2006-03-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

I spotted a discounted iriver T30 at an electronics store the other day, and I just had to buy it, knowing that the portable digital audio player would allow me to transfer my Virgin Digital music subscription downloads to the device to take with me anywhere. Since yesterday, I've been going nuts with the device, transferring songs and full albums using my Red Pass subscription. Right now on my headphones: Goldfrapp: Number 1 [EP].

Bitter:Sweet Performance

2006-03-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

Just a few minutes ago, I listened to a sexy downtempo band perform here at Virgin Digital, Bitter:Sweet. I say "sexy" because the band was really putting the seduction on with their new single, "The Mating Game", lead singer Shana Halligan mesmerizing her audience with sultry moves, as her partner (and former Supreme Being of Leisure) Kiran Shahani got his own groove on with his own instrument. Bitter:Sweet's debut album The Mating Game will be released April 4, 2006 on Quango.

Thanks For Sending Music; Now Send Some Images, Too (Please)!

2006-03-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

I've been finding some great downtempo in my mailbox and email inbox lately, due in no small part to the submissions of artists like Filewile and DJ Olive and Luminous, and recording labels such as Modus Vivendi Music and Switchstance Recordings and redCola and Kriztal. Thank you to everyone for sending your music; a new session of my Tempo of the Down podcast will soon be delivered, showcasing the best downtempo music in the universe. You make it a whole lot easier for me to find that music by sending it my way! By the way, I keep forgetting to make time to change those album covers images you've seen at the top of this page for the longest time; send me your album covers and perhaps I'll remember to change those images once in awhile! (You can send your album images via email, via the form you'll find on this page (currently located at the bottom of the right column), or via old-style mail to the address you'll find on VoyagerRadio's Contact page.)

Currently On My Headphones: DJ Olive

2006-02-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received a CD in the mail by artist Gregor Asch, also known as DJ Olive. I believe the CD is titled The Agriculture, though I could be wrong; certainly it's a continuous mix of either works by DJ Olive or works by other downtempo artists. I obviously don't know much about DJ Olive yet, but I've been enjoying the rip I made of his CD this morning (and currently have playing to my ears through my portable audio player's headphones). I was also pleased to find that Virgin Digital has an earlier release by DJ Olive, Bodega, which I've now downloaded and am enjoying -- I've even passed a recommendation to one of the fellows who selects the music that is featured in the digital music service's software player...

Session 05 Playlist (With Links)

2006-01-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

Here is a reposting of the Tempo of the Down: Session 05 (Pirates) playlist, to include links to the recordings artists' websites (or the websites for the recording label they are associated with):

Timbo - Zero Hour - Slow Progress [myspace.com/timbo2]
Chill Factor 5 - Truth - Premiere [electronfarm.net]
Solus - Ummes - Lights In The Valley [upstairsrecordings.com]
Solus - Session 5 - Lights In The Valley [upstairsrecordings.com]
Mossyrock - Whiskey is the Devil - The Zero to One Sessions [nicesmooth.com]
Mossyrock - Lips That Hurt [nicesmooth.com]
Canartic - One Drop - Headphone Test [dankdisk.com]
Kinder Atom - Cabride - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm [nicesmooth.com]
Kinder Atom - Willie Pierce - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm [nicesmooth.com]
Molasses - Curiosity - Madness [E.P.] [ubiquityrecords.com]
Aphex Twin - Fingerbib - The Richard D. James Album [warprecords.com]
Quant - Get Off My Line - Getting Out [laxrecordings.com]
Under the Radar - Red Eye Back - Radio Flyer [richardsouther.com]

discussion of modern copyright practices

Session 05 is currently available for download, or as an automatic download using your choice of podcatcher (such as iTunes, Juice, or Doppler) with the following podcast feed: http://www.voyagerradio.com/podcast.xml

Current Podcast: Session 05

2006-01-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

Tempo of the Down: Session 05 (Pirates) is currently available for download using your web browser, or as an automagic download using your podcast receiver with the following podcast feed: http://www.voyagerradio.com/podcast.xml The Session 05 playlist is as follows:

Timbo - Zero Hour - Slow Progress [myspace.com/timbo2]
Chill Factor 5 - Truth - Premiere [electronfarm.net]
Solus - Ummes - Lights In The Valley [upstairsrecordings.com]
Solus - Session 5 - Lights In The Valley [upstairsrecordings.com]
Mossyrock - Whiskey is the Devil - The Zero to One Sessions [nicesmooth.com]
Mossyrock - Lips That Hurt [nicesmooth.com]
Canartic - One Drop - Headphone Test [dankdisk.com]
Kinder Atom - Cabride - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm [nicesmooth.com]
Kinder Atom - Willie Pierce - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm [nicesmooth.com]
Molasses - Curiosity - Madness [E.P.] [ ubiquityrecords.com]
Aphex Twin - Fingerbib - The Richard D. James Album [warprecords.com]
Quant - Get Off My Line - Getting Out [laxrecordings.com]
Under the Radar - Red Eye Back - Radio Flyer [richardsouther.com]

New Underworld Works Available Online

2005-12-11T21:14:00.000-08:00

Underworld is releasing its latest works online, as downloads. The first release was a 35-minute pastiche of original songs called "Lovely Broken Thing", and the latest release is another long piece titled "Pizza For Eggs". Download the tracks at UnderworldLive.com.

Exclusive Download By Royksopp Available

2005-12-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

Röyksopp's single "What Else Is There?" is due out on CD (in the U.S.) in January of 2006, but it's available for download now at City16.com. Also available at the website is an exclusive download of the "Thin White Duke Edit".

New Filewile Album Due December 1

2005-11-29T13:02:00.000-08:00

Filewile has sent me a preview of their next big release, a 2-disc album composed of remixes. The album, Filewile Remixed Part One & Part Two, is due to be released the first day of December, so look for its release on iTunes and other online music stores. More information is available at filewile.com.

Track Submission Form in Action

2005-11-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

Previously I told you about VoyagerRadio's new track submission form; today I'm Transmitting to Earth an example of how this form is helping downtempo recording artists get their music to me (so that I can, in turn, get that music out to your listening ears). If you haven't already, subscribe to Transmitting to Earth's blogcast feed using your choice of podcatcher application. (I'm currently using two podcatchers to receive my favorite podcasts: Odeo and Juice.)

New! Music Submission Form

2005-11-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Recording artists: I've just added a form by which you may quickly and easily submit your track(s) to VoyagerRadio for inclusion in our podcast & Internet radio programs; you'll find it on the bottom right of this page (the Artists page). This simply provides another way to submit your work to us; you can also still send your music via email or to our mailing address (which you'll find near the bottom of the page).

Bent Somewhat Bent But Now Recovered

2005-10-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

I just learned that one of my favorite downtempo artists, Nail Tolliday, had recently been quite ill. Nail is one half of a band called Bent; the other half is Simon Mills. Together, these fellows have produced some of the most gorgeous-sounding music you can imagine; just ask Nicole Kidman, who recently expressed her desire to have Bent produce her own album. (Hey, Nicole has some great taste - look at some of the films she's participated in!) Read about the personal (mis)fortunes of Bent at Bent-World.com.

This Blog's Feed Will Soon Be Changing

2005-10-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

I will soon be changing this blog's feed, so stay tuned...I will make one last post here letting you know the location of the new feed so that you may subscribe to it, but if you would prefer me to email you a reminder, please send me your email address. Thanks for taking the time to do this - the new feed is likely to be more permanent. (Though nothing's absolutely permanent in this world, is it?)

Endtroducing...Obey DJ Shadow

2005-10-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

DJ Shadow and Obey Giant's Shepard Fairey have teamed up to bring us a limited edition clothing and music box project, PUBLIC WORKS. The box set includes 5 tees, a new full-length mix CD by DJ Shadow, a copy of Shepard Fairey's book Post No Bills, stickers, buttons, and other goodies. PUBLIC WORKS is limited to 450 pieces, each signed and numbered.

Free Downtempo MP3 Downloads From Electronfarm Records

2005-10-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

Chill Factor-5, one of the downtempo artists you'll be hearing in my next Tempo of the Down podcast (Session 05), is associated with the Electronfarm recording label, where you can find a variety of MP3 tracks available for free download (including one of the tracks I'll be including in Session 05).

2005-10-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

During the process of putting together my Tempo of the Down podcasts, a theme always develops (or I strangle one out of the session). I don't always know the theme ahead of time; the current them of Session 05 appears to be something Pirates of the Caribbean or Halloween-inspired. Then again, it may change entirely before I'm through. I'm going to do something I don't usually do: I'm going to provide you with a preview of the current session, not yet completed. (In fact, some of this music may not even end up in the final version.) That way you'll get a taste of the next session before it's released, and a window into my development process. Here's what I have so far: Tempo of the Down: Session 05 [This is incomplete and is a work in progress.] Beware, the sound quality is not as good as it will be in the final version!

Lamb:Remixed Now On Sale

2005-10-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

Lamb fans: a new 2-CD compilation was released, Lamb:Remixed, described by the band as being "like a retrospective journey through the life of Lamb". Buy it now at Lamb Store, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, or through vendor of your preference.

Less Than Two Hours Left To Bid on Limited Boards of Canada Record

2005-10-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

In two hours from the time of this post, the eBay auction for an extremely limited test-pressing of a blue Boards of Canada record will have ended. So place your bid now!

A BodyRockers Giveaway From Properly Chilled

2005-10-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

The downtempo music & culture site Properly Chilled° is currently hosting a BodyRockers CD and vinyl giveaway...

Filewile's Latest Release

2005-09-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

A personal favorite recording artist, Filewile, has a new recording available via the iTunes music store. Listen to the song, "Robinhood", at filewile.com and then click here to access the song at the iTunes Music Store.

Monta Will Provide Music For Film

2005-09-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Monta, an artist you've heard here on VoyagerRadio, will be providing music for the film, Godhead...

Podcasts Available: Sessions 04 and 04.5

2005-09-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

Tempo of the Down: Session 04 and it's companion, Session 04.5 are currently available for download using your web browser, or as automagic downloads using your podcatcher with the following podcast feed: http://www.voyagerradio.com/podcast.xml Following are the playlists, including links to find out more about each artist:

Tempo of the Down: Session 04 (Transmission)
1. Eyesight Project - "Eyesight" - Eyesight Project E.P. [ModusVivendiMusic.com]
2. The Winston Giles Orchestra - "We Wait for Sunrise" - Soundtracks for Sunrise [PlayupMusic.com]
3. Filewile - "Shlenco" [Filewile.com]
4. Tryad - "Our Lives Change" - Public Domain [Tryad.org]
5. John Holowach - "Big Fucking Robot Death Machine" [Narphonax.com]
6. Cujo - "Break Charmer" - Adventures in Foam [Ninjatune.net]
7. Timbo - "Gas Station Signal Test" - Slow Progress [MySpace.com/timbo2]
8. Canartic - "Grape Meringue" - Headphone Test [DankDisk.com]
9. Monta - "Slwpoki" - Unsuspecting [Monta.us]
10. Paul & Price - "I Adore You (Late Night Mix by Paul & Price)" featuring the vocals of Angela McCluskey [RedCola.com]
11. Solus - "Rise and Shine" - Lights in the Valley [UpstairsRecordings.com]
12. Kinder Atom - "Mmm..." - Mmm! [NiceSmooth.com]
13. Mossyrock - "Rain Dries & Clouds Form" - The Zero to One Sessions [NiceSmooth.com]
14. Nortec Collective - "Tengo la Voz" - The Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3 [NacionalRecords.com]
15. Kabanjak Meets Protassov - "Blue Encore" - Grow [SwitchstanceRecordings.de]
16. Baby Grande - "The Moscow Caper" - And Dream of... [ClubGrand.co.uk]
17. Baby Grande - "Elise's Theme" - And Dream Of... [ClubGrand.co.uk]
Tempo of the Down: Session 04.5 (Katrina)
1. John Holowach - "My Piano Wakes" - Piano Works [Narphonax.com]
2. Monta - "A Little Better" - Unsuspecting [Monta.us, MontaMusic.com]
3. Canartic - "Toad Worship" - Headphone Test [DankDisk.com]
4. Division Kent - "Brooklyn Dub" - Monsterproof [Division-Kent.com]
5. Solus - "Basic" - Lights in the Valley [UpstairsRecordings.com]
6. Cujo - "Cat People" - Adventures in Foam [Ninjatune.net]
7. Mossyrock - "Pissjug" - The Zero to One Sessions [NiceSmooth.com]
Throughout: Richard Humphries - "Thunderstorm June 9, 2005" - The Free Sound Project and President George Bush

Tempo of the Down, Extended Edition

2005-05-18T22:38:00.000-07:00

A special extended edition of Tempo of the Down is now available for download; this downtempo podcast is just under 80 minutes long, perfect for burning to a CD. This podcast features music by Flunk, Monta, Terminal-3, Quantic, Baby Grand, Filewile, and others. Enjoy the show - and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast feed.

Third Podcast Now Available

2005-05-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

Session 03 of Tempo of the Down is now available. Head over to our Podcast page to download this latest edition of the VoyagerRadio podcast or, if you prefer, download it right here. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast's RSS feed to have future sessions of Tempo of the Down automatically delivered to your desktop or portable MP3 player. Also expect an extended version of Tempo of the Down to be introduced soon! Watch this website for more details...