DECEMBER 2015

new artist

Inspired by a 14th-century chant by Medieval French composer Solage. With this song we also welcome and introduce the vocalist "Anis".

"Très Gentil Cœur" by Pixeltruppen

I read a report on the BBC website about modern slavery. According to United Nations estimates, some 30 million souls are currently caught in the slave trade. Human trafficking, forced prostitution, child soldiers, forced and bonded labour are flourishing today as a result of poverty, discrimination and social exclusion. The BBC report made the point that slavery is more widespread now than at any time in human history, including the days of Ancient Rome. The reference to Rome reminded me that in AD 73 a slave-revolt took place, led by Spartacus. Kubrick made a movie in 1960, which includes the famous scene where survivors of the slave army are promised mercy by the Romans on condition they identify the leader Spartacus. But when Kirk Douglas (as Spartacus) tries to shout his name, all his men stand up and shout "I am Spartacus!"

The historical "Spartacus" was a Greek soldier called "Spartakos", captured and enslaved as a gladiator. He escaped with his friend Crixus and set up camp on Mount Vesuvius. Thousands of slaves soon flocked to the camp and the Romans had to fight long and hard to put down this slave rebellion. It occurred to me that if there are 30 million slaves in the world today -- that would be an unstoppable army! All they need is another Spartakos. Hmm, with these thoughts in mind, I composed the song-lyric in my head while walking through the busy streets of Eboracum.

We wanted to make a dance song with a retro "eighties" feel. Karsten analysed and studied some of the sounds from that era -- for example, Depeche Mode (who had recorded some of their stuff at Hansa Studios Berlin -- just "down the road" from Karsten). Karsten created a totally electronic backing track. He also created a special custom-made Moog patch for the lead vocals. Anis then added the chorus vocals and backing vocals. Job done!

"Spartakos" by Pixeltruppen

This song was inspired by the 2011 movie “Bobby Fischer Against the World” (directed by Liz Garbus) and the 2004 book “Bobby Fischer Goes to War” (by David Edmonds & John Eidinow). It concerns the 1972 World Chess Championship, which took place in Reykjavik (Iceland) against a tense political backdrop of Cold War mistrust and animosity. Here in Reykjavik, between July and August 1972, chess became a metaphor for superpower rivalry: the world was a geopolitical chessboard and human beings merely pawns in a strategic game between opposing power blocs …

Spassky-Fischer by Pixeltruppen

Composition & performance by pixeltrooper Karsten, utilizing analog synths, vocoder, & vocal samples recorded by the band. Karsten used the following gear:
Zebralette
ARP 2600
ABL 2
Abakos
Zebra
Halion
ADM


"Emoticon" by Pixeltruppen

right!
secondary stems link: https://mega.co.nz/#!ksBHwKrK!LQl8Vqd-e-mUVmXONVNivWdcgAImthN7zM_XMoQtAK4

secondary dl link for song
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/vfwj5pojf8ree52/weirdinside_-_just_ask.wav

just ask

Improvised studio jam featuring TR909, TB303, Waldorf Pulse, Mini Moog, ARP Odyssey, guitars, vocals. "Aoede"? According to Ancient Greek Mythology she was the "Muse" of song ...

"Aoede" by Pixeltruppen

HOLOGRAMS

Available Now

ZENTROPROJEKT - (Space Lounge Mix)

Dive into sweet audio nectar derived from combinations of vocal harmonies fused with saxophones, acoustic & electric guitars, synthesizers & bass.  Pull up a folding chair and watch the sunset in paradise as you let the music take you on an existential journey that will feel both familiar and foreign.  

     BINARY ICON officially formed as a name for a band on a warm and windy summer evening in 1992 at InnerSpace Records Studio, a modified 130 year-old stage-coach station in Montecito, California.   When Ian Renga and Wiley Thrasher tried sounding-out different band names and nothing clicked they decided to each open the dictionary in a random manner and point at a word without looking at the page.  

     Once we found the two randomly picked words we guessed at their meaning:  Since music and the music icons of the future would be relying heavily on Digital to work effectively with synthesizers and acoustic instruments it sort of made sense to be called BINARY ICON.  

A major influence and continuing inspirational fuel is the iconic Guy Guden's Space Pirate Radio, Santa Barbara's ultimate portal to true world music: https://www.twitch.tv/guygudenspacepirateradio