CoachellAltDelight brings attention to special artists that will be featured in Indio come April.
Some we love. Some we just discovered. All essential.
Click here for more from this series.
34/41 Days

When Robert DeLong‘s name popped up on the Coachella lineup, I was nothing short of ecstatic. The track that caught my attention was “Happy” when he opened for Dillon Francis a year ago. Since then, he’s been making waves across the entire music industry, which is no surprise considering his incredible musical talent. His debut album Just Movement has been receiving a lot of attention since it came out in early February. Every song on the album is different – which is refreshing. He mixes melodic pop/dance with driving electronic beats that are guaranteed to get you going. Especially live, but I’ll get to that. Even more spectacular and unique are the existentially spiritual musings; which, unexpectedly, blend perfectly within each song.

Robert DeLong – Happy

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The sultan of sultry, Aeroplane, just released his Not So Monthly Mix for March 2013. From start to finish it challenges you to stay still – don’t fight it.

LA Residents, catch him with Cassian and Tiger+Woods on March 15 at LURE in Hollywood. Tickets this cheap for a show this stacked shouldn’t be anywhere but in your pocket.

KAVINSKY | Buy Outrun

Kavinsky’s Outrun opens with narration: “The year was 1986. He was a teenager like any other, dreaming of his heroes and in love with a girl.”  Outrun throws us back to a 1980s movie soundtrack of sounds with arpeggios, 8 and 16 bit sounds, and a lead synthesizer on songs that sounds like a hybrid of sax and guitar. Kavinsky thanks Ed Banger label-mate SebastiAn for helping him lay out a vision and plan for this album. SebastiAn was also given co-producing credits of “Outrun,” so his involvement cannot be understated. “Nightcall,” the biggest single, was released in 2010 and was produced with Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel De Homen-Christo. The back up and people involved with Kavinsky are enough to make this guy credible.

“Prelude” opens and tells us how after crashing his Ferrari Testarossa in 1986, Kavinsky reappeared as a zombie in 2006 to make his own electronic music. “Blizzard” centers around a guitar riff and a palm muting and sounds reminscent of something Justice would’ve put on Audio, Video, Disco. “Protovision” follows and has a very distinct guitar driving the song with strong electronic chords providing a very lush sonic foundation. After being featured in the hit film Drive, “Nightcall” will be the most familiar to new listeners. Unfortunately “Suburbia” feels a little out of place on the album, it is an electronic hip hop song with artist Havoc rapping over the beat. I just can’t help but feel that this song would have been much better as an instrumental.

Outrun is definitely one that needs to be checked out by people of all musical backgrounds. It features such an assortment of styles all melded into a coherent sound. Kavinsky took nearly seven years before releasing his debut LP. Kavinsky shows us that just like the other French producers mentioned in this article, Daft Punk, Justice and SebastiAn, it is about the quality not quantity. Check some tracks after the jump.

Kavinsky will be playing to a SOLD OUT crowd at LOT 613 in Los Angeles Saturday March 9th. We’ll definitely be there to see what Kavinsky brings to his only west coast show. Let’s go LA!

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Digitalism | Classixx | TICKETS

Digitalism always comes in and out of my life at random times. I’ve been listening to them since the beginning of my electronic music endeavors, and they’ve been holding their own ever since. I still remember the first time I was caught offguard with the bounciness of Pogo. And even their more recent releases stay true to that classic techno sound with their own style of Brit Rock. Not to mention funky bass extraordinaires Classixx AND half of Major Lazer’s Switch! This show is going to be of its own realm at one of the more high end clubs of LA: Exchange. Think Vegas, but not as douchey. Definitely nice to go here from time to time. This being one of those times.

Digitalism – Idealistic
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/digitalLA/04%20Idealistic.mp3]

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Treasure Fingers | Oliver | TICKETS

I keep wanting to say this week’s Private Label Fridays is the one I’m most excited for. But TEED was so legit. RAC last week was the guaranteed dance party I had hoped for. Now this. THEN Aeroplane. Bondax and Breakbot coming up in March. It just doesn’t stop! Treasure Fingers is one of the top mix makers in the game. Most of this guy’s shows in LA the past couple years have been free, so I’m happy he’s finally getting some paid recognition on Lure’s stage. Not to mention as the headliner!

Oliver just released their Mechanical EP, and it’s just as fresh as ever. Those dudes’ production skills are unparalleled. This continues the disco/dance streak that’s slowly taking over LA. It’s all about having a good time with this music. Nothing else. And $15 for this is a steal. Check after the jump for your chance to win tickets for you and a friend.

Oliver – Control (Original Mix) **Off Mechanical EP! Buy here!**
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Control%20%28Original%20Mix%29.mp3]

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French Horn Rebellion | Blende | TICKETS

I don’t know about you guys, but I definitely don’t see myself getting tired of giving away tickets to these awesome shows. Just for the record, every show we give tickets away for we also will be in attendance! We’re not the type to miss a good, free show, especially one of this caliber. French Horn Rebellion opened for Yelle when I saw her last year, and these guys know how to make sure everyone has a good time. The fact that this is going to be a live set gets me that much more excited. We’re going to see an actual French Horn in action!

French Horn Rebellion – Beaches & Friends (The Twelves Remix)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/frenchhornblende/Beaches%20and%20Friends%20%28The%20Twelves%20Radio%20Edit%29.mp3]

Dim Mak beat us to the punch at getting Blende to Southern California, but I’m not complaining. This kid is a taste of 2007 Ed Banger electro. A blended concoction of aggressive synths, funky bass lines, and uplifting beats. I’ve been trying to find a reason to get back to Dim Mak Studio’s AMAZING Funktion One sound system, and it doesn’t get much better than this. You’ll have to hear it to believe it. Find out how you can win 2 tickets after the jump!

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Excision | Paper Diamond | Original Photos

Ever since Skrillex took bass music to a whole new level in mainstream culture, the scene has been over saturated. Quality bass music tunes are few and far between. I’m not one to drop an entire genre just because it’s popular, but it’s become harder and harder to get down to something unique. Seeing this type of music live takes me back to the days when I used to go to hardcore shows. The only difference is that people are way less egocentric and aggressive. So you get all that energy, and you don’t have to be worried about being sucker punched by the next douche who thinks he’s going to be the World Moshing Champion. It’s about the music now. As DJs continue to push themselves, it all comes down to what you have to offer at your show. Why should someone pay to see YOUR show? Well Excision gave us a thirty foot wide, ten foot tall reason: The Executioner.

Excision & Datsik – Deviance (Dirtyphonics Remix)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Deviance%20%28Dirtyphonics%20Remix%29.mp3]

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