Exclusive Premieres & Free Downloads

R$N Premieres: March 2017

"The hive raccoon of the Procyonidae family is a example of a mammal that could survive the harsh environmental realities of unchecked hive city sprawl. The hive raccoon, or Procyon Alveare (a new species coined in 2050 in one of Japan's first hive cities), is unhindered by obstacles vertically and is found to be an exceptional problem solver. Many raccoon families live and nest in the air ducts and substations of superstructures. With maintenance crews stretched thin in the late night, hive raccoons wander the various levels of the megacity foraging for food. Eradication efforts have been futile, and most people have accepted the nocturnal mammals as a part of their sacrifice for living closer to the atmosphere in the upper levels. 

The slums below continued to be dwarfed by the surrounding concrete, steel, and super-strength polymer megaliths. They blocked out the sun in some instances, giving hive raccoons a reprieve to scurry around during the day, often running in packs of four or five around the darkened alleys and under-levels. They are usually shy and docile, preferring to stay away from humans. 
Their gentle and kind disposition and tendency to help other species (including us by picking the streets clean of loose electrical waste), have earned them a place in the hive cities and arcologies around the world. Most of the populace tolerates their existence, despite criticism from the North American Federated States Upper Council claiming that hive raccoons were compromising their super structures and proclaiming their perceived craftiness as a nuisance and a blight to upper-city living.

Animal behavioural scientists have commented that some of the hive raccoons are changing. Sometimes instead of individuals or groups foraging for food, a small band will form and set out together to gather bits and pieces of discarded technology: circuit boards, batteries, copper wires, smart-foam, cellphones, laptops, cameras, etc. Scientists have claimed that the 'super trash pandas' were in the process of adaptation (and a potential evolution), and that they should be not disturbed or removed from their nesting areas, unless there was a rabid one loose. 

The megacity councilors on the other hand prefers to see them as pests. Fearful of unchecked proliferation of these 'hive rats' in their superstructure and critical systems, clandestine control and eradication teams were formed to capture and secure these 'rats'. Some dwellers in the upper levels have complained of things being vandalized, such as speakers hubs and light fixtures torn out of certain tunnels.  Eradication teams will often patrol not only on the upper levels but venture towards the lower more polluted levels as well, causing conflict between the denizens of the two levels regarding jurisdiction violations. Stalking and trapping teams will often comb the inaccessible areas of their superstructures, hoping for a kill or capture, only to waste their time and resources on a dead end. On the rare occasion though, hive raccoons have been tracked, captured, and abused, much to the disdain of lower-level denizens, upper-level animal lovers, and most liberal scientists in the NAFS.

Hence, the hive raccoons, despite their resilience and craftiness, always have to be on guard. Their existence and propagation in hive cities around the world continues to surprise and baffle scientists despite their human/machine efforts to quell the population.

We will continue our program 'Wanderers of the Megacity' shortly after these mandatory messages from the North American Federated States. Please don your headsets to receive this broadcast in VR."

Wanderers of the Megacity: Introduction

Tryst / Yard One ...#... Tracks & Mixing Sessions

Download: http://www.xlr8r.com/mp3/2015/04/yard-one-memory-echoes/
@yard-one-music

Yard One - Memory Echoes

Download: http://www.xlr8r.com/mp3/2015/06/yard-one-willow/

@yard-one-music

Download

Yard One - Willow

♫ Label Showcase ♫:
http://www.deephouseamsterdam.com/london/label-showcase-16-tact-recordings

^tracklist at the link^

Tact Recordings is the collective of producers / DJs hailing from London, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.

In taking inspiration from labels like Harmonie Park, Dial Records, ~Scape and Rush Hour, as well as stirring in its own individual flavours, Tact Recordings was created as a platform for releasing emotional and vibe-inducing music of the labels approach.

With a steady stream of EPs and digital releases each year, drawing on both the talents of up and coming producers as well as those artists who serve as inspiration.

So, with that, we continue our series highlighting some of our favourite labels from around the world, so we thought we would catch up with Tact Recordings, Yard One to get the scoop on all things Tact.

https://soundcloud.com/tact-recordings

♫ LABEL SHOWCASE ♫

LS16 | Tact Recordings | Yard One

Big up @brucetrail
Out 12th August at all questionable record stores

Beginning in the south, the Bruce Trail hugs the ancient shoreline of Lake Iroquoia as it follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. The Path, over its lengthy journey, winds its way through a landscape of natural beauty as it moves up to central Ontario. 
As the Trail leads further into the depths of the woodland and Ravine, sunlight falls through layers of evergreen branches stamping intricate patterns on the forest floor. Continuing north, the Trail passes an array of plants and wildlife native to the historic forest. Vivid colours saturate the forest canopy, complimented by the sounds of the cascading waterfall echoing through the Ravine. In the distance a carpet of gently waving fern cover the rolling hills dotted with slow-growing centuries-old coniferous trees that reach towards the sun.
At the home stretch of the escarpment you will be offered stunning views of the Peninsula, with the calm blue water of the western end of Lake Ontario reaching out to the lush greens of the temperate rainforest. This is the journey of the Bruce Trail.

≧◔◡◔≦

MAGICRS008 - Bruce Trail "Ravine Dream"

Ruthit & Yard One - Abstract Tool - BBC Radio 1 (B Traits) - Bambounou Future 12 Rip

The haunting flowers would struggle to survive the winter months. The ghost orchid would lose its blossom and the cascading petals would fall quite abruptly to the forest floor below. Nature was a cruel mistress by which the jungle must abide, everything was in its place and right where it was supposed to be. The ghosts of winter would soon run riot through this empty trees whilst the animals slept in hibernation between the glow of the distant moon. 

Benjamin Fröhlich recently released music on Permanent Vacation. Now, it is his turn to be remixed, as is so often the way. Lauer, Shan, Jack Pattern and Cleveland all step up to reimagine his work. The latter is who's version we bring to you.

Rude Remixes

PREMIERE: Benjamin Fröhlich - Ghost Orchid (Cleveland Remix)[Permanent Vacation]

The difficulty with language is that it can be hard to articulate, decipher and change. What is said cannot be erased and taken back, it stands firm in the passage of time for a life to come. This is why such holy books have paved the way across the ages, they cannot be taken back. Nowadays it is all about a turn of phrase, depicting what may come next and rephrasing that which was mistaken. Perhaps in the future we will learn better, and take our time. 

Teniente Castillo is set to release a new EP on Playpal Music. Operating out of Madrid he creates tripped out electronic music rife with drive and bass. He is remixed by Undo.

PREMIERE: Teniente Castillo - Rephrased (Undo Remix)[Play Pal Music]

As he charged victoriously towards the finish life he reflected upon a charmed life. Hardship? No. Pain? No. This was all far too easy, in the distance he could hear the echo of a tannoy blaring out loudly to a crowd of onlookers. 

"We are here today..." 

All that nonsense got old pretty freakin' fast when you were running your socks off upon the bareback concrete in extreme temperatures. Little did they know that he would be just fine. 

Kiwi features as part of the latest edition of the Mushroom House series on Toy Tonics Records. He contributes alongside Ponty Mython, Tom Trago, Munk and The Barking Dogs.

Mushroom House EP 3

PREMIERE: Kiwi - We Are Here [Toy Tonics]

Frank Wiedemann - co-founder of Innervisions and one half of German deep house duo Âme alongside Kristian Beyer - is launching a new label called BIGAMO, focused on music from outside the house spectrum.

Out 8th March, the first record on the label comes from Fred und Luna - an alias for German artist Rainer Buchmüller - who has previously released an EP on Optimo and remixed Prins Thomas for Innervisions. New album 'Im Klanggarten' is rather different - a new style which Buchmüller describes as 'Elektrokraut' or 'Krautelektro' - essentially modern Krautrock with an emphasis on beautiful melodies and modern electronic sounds.

We're premiering the opening track, 'Minisong'. It's a haunting, moody number with a slowly evolving melody that could soundtrack a misty morning by the lake.

Im Klanggarten

Buy here

PREMIERE: Frank und Luna - Minisong [BIGAMO]

Wolfstream was made in wintry St. Petersburg and absorbed the "cold of abandoned manufactories and the sound of empty railroad depot". The duo makes hasteless and mesmerising music full of analog synths, percussions and live basslines. On this cut taken from their new four track EP, they collaborate with a certain Mister Gray. Creeping out of the darkness of one of those ghost town monoliths above, it fills up with swirling ethnicity, military snares and sitar styled vibes. Coiled and apprehensive and ticking like a Soviet time bomb, it grows more menacing as you step closer. Beware.

Pre-order here: http://www.junodownload.com/products/wolfstream-i-am-god/3340808-02/?=tcs

I Am God

PREMIERE: Wolfstream - Precious Bodily Fluids (with Duncan Gray)[Mange_Moi]

@scott-franka
Format : Vinyl 12” – 140gram – limited to 500 copies with artwork + Digital

Release info:

While unveiling the ‘Mutant Tournament’ Quartet last year, label boss Nachtbraker was quietly hunting for new music behind the scenes. Being the fine huntsman he is, he came out of the woods with sonic bits and bobs so delectable he had no choice but to spread them out over two brand new quartets. That’s right, eight records in total, to be released over the course of the next 18 months.
We’re delighted to introduce you to Scott Franka, who’s at the helm of the first missive. This creative head from Amsterdam has been making music since the tender age of 11, but it wasn’t until he adopted his Scott Franka moniker that he really found his groove. His music encompasses influences from dub and dark techno to classic drumpcomputer and synth-heavy house. Franka’s style takes cues from Detroit, Chicago and the UK, and yet is also very personal and forward thinking at the same time. ’The Gym’ might be his solo debut, but a smattering of releases from the man is on the horizon.
The best way to introduce you to Scott Franka’s musicality is “The Gym” on A1. Starting of with sweet, melancholic chords and 808 hats Scott turns your world upside down after the first break. Try to keep your head steady, and get that dirty look of your face.. doesn’t work right? It’s just too good. “Toenail” is up next, and its undeniable groove and incredible amalgamation of synths and strings make for an absolute early hours melter. Flip over for ‘Sorry’ to hear Franka knock it out of the ballpark with its heavy breakbeat and UK-style bass. Finally, there’s ‘Street’, a mesmerising groover, rounding things off nicely.
The release doesn’t only mark its first artist EP, it also marks a new look for the label. Building on the muscular, pheromone-rich theme of the first Quartet, Elsemarijn Bruys developed a fresh concept for both new Quartets with a little help from Scott Franka, who is involved in numerous art projects in Amsterdam. And in case you’re wondering: yes, that’s an actual picture of a bodybuilder, painted from head to toe. Don’t ask us how, just marvel.

www.quartetseries.com

buy vinyl

A1 - Scott Franka - The Gym

The sandy outback was not a place to be caught off guard and unaware. This was a perilous place packed rife with danger at every turn and a villainous omen might come a calling at any given time. The purple hills in the distance hung hazily in the blurry echoes of his vision as he continued to walk forwards into the dust storm. The noise of the wind echoed fiercely with a weighty tone between his ears. This was the last time he might see the sky, for it would be no more. 

Yard One returns with a new EP for Unclear Records. It is accompanied by an action packed rave remix from Simoncino, however, it was the original which caught our upmost attention.

Karman Line EP

PREMIERE: Yard One - Karman Line [Unclear Records]

Superb and lush sounding house remix with acid influences from Lauer(of Tuff City Kids fame) of the Yarni track "28 Years Of It", taken off the upcoming "Waterfalls EP" which will be released via Night Noise on March 27th.

Yarni - 28 Years Of It (Lauer remix)

More Info: https://www.xlr8r.com/news/2017/03/hear-a-deep-new-cut-from-freda-jackson/

@moonshoerecords

More Info

Premiere: Freda & Jackson - Sigh

More info - http://loose-lips.co.uk/blog/tryst-bamboo-forest-apltronic005

Issho

Bamboo Forest

More info

PREMIERE: Tryst - Bamboo Forest (APLTRONIC005)

Music is often known as a carrier of emotions - transcending times and places to offer the listener a brief glimpse into a moment where the artist, or artists in this case want to share a snippet of their life. Ueno Falls by London duo Tryst does exactly this. Wordless conversations drift in and out of a river, seemingly made of bass and bubbly percussive elements. All of this framed by a wonderful drawn out set of pads which could almost be the wind that glides through the cherry blossoms of Ueno Park.

'Issho' EP is coming out on May 28th via Apparel Tronic imprint (https://soundcloud.com/apparel-tronic). 

photo credit: Vesna Vrdoljak ( https://www.instagram.com/vesnavrdoljak)
write up by: Zach  https://www.facebook.com/zach.huenink

FOLLOW FICTION LAB ON: 
✖ SoundCloud ▸ bit.ly/LabSC 
✖ Facebook ▸ bit.ly/Labfacebook
✖ Instagram ▸ bit.ly/Labinsta

Interview

PREMIERE: Tryst - Ueno Falls [Apparel Tronic]

Full stream of Tryst's gorgeous dub cut "Mountain Mist," from their new EP on Apparel Tronic. 

More info: https://www.xlr8r.com/news/premiere-hear-a-gorgeous-dub-track-from-tryst

@yard-one-music
@apparel-tronic

Premiere: Tryst - Mountain Mist

Akihabara

Skyline Visions

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.