isolatedmix 127 - David Douglas & Applescal

Two familiar names step up for our next isolated mix, with a highly conceptual approach that matches their new (and similarly conceptual) collaborative album, ‘Démarrage’.

I’m unsure where I would start if I were to create an album based on a love of cycling. Weirdly enough, it wouldn’t be the first electronic album to do so (See Kraftwerk’s, Tour De France, of course), but it’s obviously a big enough inspiration to spur electronic producers David Douglas and Applescal. After listening to t‘Démarrage’, it makes total sense, in more ways than one. The energy, euphoria, drive - even the pop of color and variation in approach - an effervescent continual movement throughout its 10 tracks.

Applescal contributed an isolatedmix some twelve (!) years ago now, and it remains one of our most popular in the series. Combining multiple styles across an addictive hour of listening, the session proved Pascal is a master at developing a conceptual narrative in mix form, and now evidently in album form. David Douglas, who has made numerous appearances on Pascal’s Atmonation label, with one highlight for me being 2014’s, Moon Observation’s, is similarly a man of conceptual understanding and many undercurrents, spending time scoring music for films and commercials, while also releasing under a new alias HATY HATY, which combines electronic and indie music tendencies.

I imagined a hybrid of styles to appear on their mix submission, and I wasn’t disappointed. But for it to also match the concept of their new album, takes it up a notch. The mix, goes as slow as Chihei, with the euphoric highs of The Paradise, sudden bursts of pace in Eversines, the anguish in Bersarin Quartett, and the comforting (I can see the finish line-vibes) of Ulrich Schnauss, in an unexpecting manner that’s on par with the unexpectedness of Fourtet’s not-so-secret secret side project.

“Just like our album "Démarrage," which is essentially a long mix of interconnected tracks, we aimed to tell a broad story with this mix. We love to approach music as a continuous mix, as you can set a certain different vibe and have tracks complement each other. Our mix for ASIP begins gently, like a warm bath, with the calming sounds of Chihei Hatakeyama's "Calm Sea." Later on, we bring up the pace with the remix from Roman Flugel. We end with a return to tranquility and introspection with work from Bersarin Quartett and Skúli Sverrisson. Just like on our new album, we added a bunch of samples of cyclists to capture the emotion of the race” - David & Pascal

astrangelyisolatedplace · isolatedmix 127 - David Dougls & Applescal

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Tracklist:

01. Chihei Hatakeyama - Calm Sea
02. Tomaga - Intimate Immensity
03. Kyle Hall, Kero - 19FT
04. Unit Moebius - Dolfinarium
05. Tambo’s House - Jhe Gu Jye
06. Dusky - Metropolis
07. C.A.R - Idle eyes. (Roman Fluegel Remix) Applescal body Edit
08. The Paradise - In Love With You (Alan Braxe Remix)
09. Fasme - Sweet Flux
10. David Douglas & Applescal - Galibier
11. David Douglas & Applescal - Galibier (Gruppetto)
12. ⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ - ʅ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡(ƟӨ)ʃ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡ ꐑ(ཀ ඊູ ఠీੂ೧ູ࿃ूੂ✧✧✧✧✧✧ළඕั࿃ूੂ࿃ूੂ
13. Eversines - Vlaag
14. Eversines - Vlaag (Beatless Version)
15. Ulrich Schnauss - A Letter from Home
16. Bersarin Quartett - Verflossen ist das Gold der Tage
17. Skúli Sverrisson - Instants

Applescal | Bandcamp
David Douglas | Website

ASIP Wantlist #4 Applescal

A man of finely curated electronica; some of the best DJ sets you'll hear; and the face behind the respected and-forward thinking label, Atomnation; we copped the download on five of Pascal Terstappen's most wanted pieces of vinyl. As you might expect from such an ear, it's a melodic mix of colorful grooves that suit the personal playlists, as well as the DJ's amongst us.

Be sure to check-out Atomnation's latest compilation release, Unfold after you've treated yourself to the rarities below. 

1. Apparat - Walls [Discogs]
My all-time favourite album. Pure nostalgia. I listened to this one on repeat riding my bike (40 minutes back-and-forth) to high school for a long time. On my first 128kb MP3 player. Haha. Still get goose bumps when I hear the track 'You Don't Know Me'.

2. Traumprinz - All The Things [Discogs]
Just heard a repress is on the way (also for lots of more Giegling releases). Especially 'All The Things' I love. His last one, '2 The Sky' is also on my want-list.

3. David August - Times [Discogs]
One of my favourite tracks of all time appears on this LP: 'Forgive Me If I Bleed'. In my opinion, he may be the best producer out there at the moment. His work is always unpredictable and sounds warm. I'm looking forward to his new work - I have the feeling a new album is on the way.

4. Kona - Sing A New Sapling Into Existence [Discogs]
This is a side project of Lone. Maybe the best of all his work. My friend has the LP and is constantly bullying me that I don't. I Might not buy this one and just steal it from his collection to justify. Pional made a cool edit for one of the tracks, which is how I discovered this project.

5. Kim Brown ‎– Somewhere Else It's Going To Be Good [Discogs]
A nice laid-back LP by a duo from Berlin - not very well known. Lovely for after-hours or to play when friends are visiting. Quarion remixed one of their tracks recently which is a real banger, if you have time check that one out too.

Passing by: Textural Being, Stray Theories, Horizontal Excursions & Applescal

Textural Being – Transmission EP

Our local Portland dub-techno mastermind, Textural Being has released this lovely three-track EP on German label Tiefenrausch, also available on vinyl (dub-techno fans know how hard it is to find decent music of this type on wax). Whilst ‘Safe Places’ is his typical, floaty gorgeousness, ‘Transmission’ pics up the pace a little; perhaps appealing to the DJ’s out there and ‘Descend’ is a thoroughly deep, slow and submerged affair.

Buy on Bandcamp

Stray Theories – We Never Left

Combining cinematic instrumentation with lush ambient soundscapes, Stray Theories hits drama smack bang on the head, and this release featuring remastered tracks of old and new is nothing short of exceptional as usual. I picked the image above whilst listening to his album – enough said. Beautiful.

Buy on Bandcamp

Horizonatal Excursions – Legacy EP

It’s been a while since Roger Martinez has released something on his Horizontal Excursions guise (don’t forget his Places Series EP). This EP however, seems to be built more around song structure than any of his previous work; featuring arpeggiating synths, loops and intense climaxes, sprinkled with subtle samples, and all lovingly wrapped in those luscious soundscapes we love HE for. Roger has a track on the next ASIP vinyl/comp coming soon which will knock your socks off.

Buy on Bandcamp

Applescal – Hyp 192 (Mix)

Pascal’s isolatedmix was heralded as one of the best by many, skilled in track selection and perfect key matching. No surprise to find the same great selection and techniques on this mix – an upbeat electronic journey providing a nice lift as summer comes to a close for many.

Download

01. Long Arm – Sleepsafe (ft I.V.A. & Ruslan Gadzhimuradov) [PMC]
02. Télépopmusik – L’Incertitude D’Heisenberg [Capitol]
03. Deft – One Eye Open [Self Released]
04. Sau Poler – Juun [Atomnation]
05. Gidge – I Fell In Love [Atomnation]
06. David August – Forgive Me If I Bleed [Diynamic]
07. Arcade Fire – Morning Talk Supersymmetry [Her]
08. I-D [Atomnation]
09. Olaf Stuut – Libre (Applescal Remix) [Manual]
10. Dntel – Anywhere Anyone [Sub Pop Records]
11. Portable Sunsets – Light Switch [Atomnation]
12. Postiljonen – Supreme (Niva Remix) [Self Released]

Atomnation – Anniversary Compilation ’10’

Atomnation is just over a year old now, and looking back at its small but growing catalogue, label honcho Applescal can definitely hold his head high on getting some new talented artists on board and some exquisite music out to us all.

Launched under his alias ‘Yoshiba 87′ (featured on ASIP here), Atomnation has amassed a beautiful library of electronica and has opened me up to a new breed of artists including David Douglas and more recently, Gidge. Ten releases in and it’s time for a quick reflection on the achievements so far with this compilation.

In an electronic dominated world where Boards of Canada take all the headlines, take some time to absorb what the new kids on the block are bringing us – it’s definitely worth it.

Available to download below or on Bandcamp for pay-what-you-want.

isolatedmix 25 – Applescal: A Telegram To The North

I’m a lover of all things techno and sometimes when it comes to mixes, the guys that spend all their time making the heavy-hitters know a thing or two when it comes to taking it down a level. Applescal is renowned for his tech-tinged beauties that have graced the likes of Traumover the years and not only am I a big fan of the label, Applescal’s productions and remixes are also never far from a regular spin at ASIP HQ.

For those with an eagle eye, you would have noticed I managed to sneak in one of Applescal’s tracks into my latest ‘Traumbient’ mix; ‘Welcome To The Woods’ – a melodic bit of madness which formed the peak of a second tribute to the German label. You may have also caught heed of ‘El Diablo’, Applescal’s latest production released on RTFKT – a music community he lovingly maintains with a few others (you may remember the ASIP Mutecast?) Pascal’s also a bit of a talent when it comes to remixes; Max Cooper, Eelke Kleijn, Morris Cowan and Nick Warren to name just a few on the receiving end lately.

It’s safe to say the youngster has got some diverse skills. For isolatedmix 25, not only do we get a peak into the drive behind the dutchman, but Applescal mixes some brand new inspiration with the old, and when I say brand new, I mean brand spanking new. Add Télépopmusik’s greatest track to that remix list, and you have the icing on the isolated, debuted here in Applescal’s mix for astrangelyisolatedplace.

I caught up with Pascal to ask him a few quick-fire questions and you can also scroll down to see Pascal’s track notes. Follow Applescal on Soundcloud for his latest and greatest or see Applescal.net for more info.

Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the mix?
I found the inspiration on Soundcloud. There are so many talented and unknown artists out there making really good music. It’s amazing. I love to discover new tunes there and that’s what inspired me to make this mix.

Did you have to leave any favourite tracks out?
Yes, a lot… Tracks by Essay, Chrome Sparks, Tree!, Julien Mier, Aether, Jacob 2-2 and many more.

The sound in the mix is a bit of a change from your productions – when and where do you listen to this type of music?
At home when i’m checking my e-mails or when i’m in the studio. I prefer to listen it when i’m alone.

Have you considered making more downtempo style music?
Not really. I make what i like.. I never know what the result is when i start a new project. Just following my thoughts and feelings and that ends up as a song.

The mix contains an exclusive new Télépopmusik remix from you, can you tell us how this remix came about?
Well, I was working on the mix and I thought it might be cool to mix new music up with some old music. I was listening to Télépopmusik’s ‘smile’ and thought, wow, this track is really cool to edit for the mix. So, before I realised, I worked on a bootleg remix and finished the track in two days.

And the inspiration behind the mix title?
I think the north is really nice. Beautiful nature and nice people. I was going on vacation to Sweden as well when the mix was done, but nothing really special.

What can we expect from Applescal in the future?
I’m working on a lot of new music and planning to share most of it on my Soundcloud. I’m working on a new album which hope to finish this year! Pretty exciting.

Download.

Tracklist:
01. Of Oceans – In Love Not Limbo
02. Fourtet – Locked
03. Pien Feith – I have done nothing (Applescal remix)
04. Aebeloe – Elliot
05. ◯laf Stuut – Love
06. Tonik – Snapshot Two
07. Moonbeam – Motus (Applescal remix)
08. Pional – Alabama Dice
09. John Talabot – Families (feat. Glasser)
10. Tortilla Pass – When The Sun Is Here
11. Jonas K.P. – Day
12. Yasume – Slowly, Clearly and Calmly
13. Sigur Ros – Untitled #2 (Sekuoia remix)
14. Floex – Blow up
15. Télépopmusik – Smile (Applescal’s Tribute Mix)

Tracknotes:

01. Of Oceans – In Love Not Limbo: I found this track in a mixtape from Sun glitters (makes pretty cool tunes and mixtapes, you should check them out.)
02. Fourtet – Locked: Great track. I love his style.
03. Pien Feith – I have done nothing (Applescal remix): A remix i did for Pien Feith. She has an amazing voice and hope to work more with her in the future.
04. Aebeloe – Elliot: Pretty cool track by Natal Zaks, a producer from Denmark. He has a cool label called Farver which is part of Origami Sound.
05. ◯laf Stuut – Love This is one of my favorite tracks of 2011. This young guy is from the netherlands as well.
06. Tonik – Snapshot Two: Pretty awesome song by Icelandic Anton Kaldal Ágústsson. I met him on a gig in the netherlands. The vocals are by Johann Kristinsson and he does an exciting solo project as well.
07. Moonbeam – Motus (Applescal remix): I pitched the melody on this remix a bit to make it deep. The original mix by moonbeam is pretty different and i think it’s one of the best remixes i’ve done.
08. Pional – Alabama Dice: I only used the intro of the track. it’s in the same key as my moonbeam remix and i thought it was a good interlude to the next track.
09. John Talabot – Families (feat. Glasser): Great melodie, great vibe. John talabot is very popular at the moment and he deserves it i think. i’m looking forward to his album.
10. Tortilla Pass – When The Sun Is Here: This is a beatmaker. If you’re on soundcloud, he shares a lot of tracks.
11. Jonas K.P. – Day: This track is released on a cool label titled Fødselsdagsbarnets Rec.
12. Yasume – Slowly, Clearly and Calmly: This is an old song.
13. Sigur Ros – Untitled #2 (Sekuoia remix): Is from denmark as well..
14. Floex – Blow up: This is one of my favourite songs of the set. think i’ve listened this song about a 100 times.
15. Télépopmusik – Smile (Applescal’s Tribute Mix): My tribute to Télépopmusik.