Stephen Mejias

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Peachtree Audio’s Grand Pre

Stephen Mejias Sep 14, 2011 First Published: Sep 14, 2011 0 comments

Today, Peachtree Audio announced their new flagship asynchronous preamp/DAC, the Grand Pre, the first in a series of “Grand” products (a power amplifier and an all-in-one integrated amplifier will come later) and the first Peachtree component to have its design, final assembly, and final QC all take place in the US. For audiophiles hoping to "buy American," this should come as interesting news.

Stephen Mejias

Girls Across America: Live From Nashville

Stephen Mejias Sep 13, 2011 First Published: Sep 13, 2011 0 comments

To celebrate today’s release of Girls’ sophomore record, Father, Son, Holy Ghost, the band will make an in-store performance at Grimey’s in Nashville, Tennessee, at 5pm on Friday, September 16. You won’t want to miss this. If you can’t make it to Grimey’s, you can still enjoy the show because this will be the very first nationwide in-store: The performance will be streamed live, one time only, across the websites of our most cherished, influential, and important independent record stores.

Stephen Mejias

Video: Beirut’s “Santa Fe”

Stephen Mejias Sep 12, 2011 First Published: Sep 12, 2011 0 comments

Fred Mills reviews Beirut’s new record, The Rip Tide, in the November issue of Stereophile, due to hit newsstands on October 18th. The album, released by Zach Condon's Pompeii Records, is in stores now. Here's Sunset Television’s video for the lead track, “Santa Fe.”

(The album sounds great on the hi-fi, too.)

Stephen Mejias

New Music: Oneohtrix Point Never’s “Sleep Dealer”

Stephen Mejias Sep 09, 2011 First Published: Sep 09, 2011 0 comments

Photo: Replica.

Yes! The first track from Oneohtrix Point Never’s upcoming Mexican Summer release, Replica, is now available for our listening pleasure. Simultaneously playful and sensual, the track is called “Sleep Dealer” and showcases Daniel Lopatin’s knack for combining electronic and human sounds in distinct and curious fashion.

I love it! If “Sleep Dealer” is any indication of what Replica has to offer&#151and I think it is&#151we are in for a treat.

Oneohtrix Point Never - Sleep Dealer by Mexican Summer

Remember what the press release said:

Replica is an electronic song cycle based around lo-fi audio procured from television advertisement compilations. These sample-based meditations are as lyrical as they are ecological, featuring repurposed “ghost vocals” which serve as narration for Lopatin’s signature amorphous, ambient passages.

Sounds about right. Replica will be released on November 8.

Stephen Mejias

MBL’s Corporate Video: “The Music Lover”

Stephen Mejias Sep 09, 2011 First Published: Sep 09, 2011 0 comments

MBL, the German manufacturer of lavishly constructed high-end gear, has been working hard to reinvigorate their corporate image, strengthening their bonds with existing customers while reconnecting with music enthusiasts in North America. Today the company releases its new corporate video.

Behold:

Stephen Mejias

New Music: Comet Gain’s “Clang of the Concrete Swans”

Stephen Mejias Sep 09, 2011 First Published: Sep 09, 2011 0 comments

I’ve been enjoying Comet Gain’s upcoming album, Howl of the Lonely Crowd, 13 songs and 42 minutes of intelligent, heartfelt, poetic rock and soul&#151timeless, honest, and inspiring.

The album’s opening track, “Clang of the Concrete Swans,” is like something from Springsteen’s Born to Run, as it urges:

Find the forever in what you’re thinking

Find the forever in who you’re kissing

Escape, escape, escape into your dream

Escape, escape, escape right out of here

Howl of the Lonely Crowd will be available on October 4th from What’s Your Rupture.

Stephen Mejias

New Music: Oneohtrix Point Never’s “Sleep Dealer”

Stephen Mejias Sep 09, 2011 First Published: Sep 09, 2011 0 comments

Photo: Replica.

Oneohtrix Point Never - Sleep Dealer by Mexican Summer

Remember what the press release said:

Replica is an electronic song cycle based around lo-fi audio procured from television advertisement compilations. These sample-based meditations are as lyrical as they are ecological, featuring repurposed “ghost vocals” which serve as narration for Lopatin’s signature amorphous, ambient passages.

Sounds about right. Replica will be released on November 8.

Stephen Mejias

Video: Colin Stetson’s “The Stars in His Head” (Dark Lights Remix)

Stephen Mejias Sep 07, 2011 First Published: Sep 07, 2011 0 comments

The video for Colin Stetson’s “The Stars in His Head” (Dark Lights Remix), directed by Isaac Gale and Dan Huiting. Kinda lovely, kinda creepy, kinda perfect for this chilly, gray day.

Colin Stetson's powerful record, New History Warfare, Vol.2: Judges, available from Constellation Records, was reviewed in the July 2011 issue of Stereophile.

Stephen Mejias

New Music: Zola Jesus’ “Seekir”

Stephen Mejias Sep 07, 2011 First Published: Sep 07, 2011 0 comments

Zola Jesus - Seekir by sacredbones

Here’s a new track from Zola Jesus’ upcoming record, Conatus, to be released by Sacred Bones Records on October 4. The track is called “Seekir” and suggests a more polished sound for Miss Nika Rosa Danilova. Combining elements of goth, industrial, pop, opera, and noise, Danilova seems to still be searching for her voice, which is exactly as it should be for a 22-year old with an extremely promising future.

Let her keep searching. I'll follow wherever she goes.

Stephen Mejias

Random Thoughts: On Not Saying Hello to Nori Komuro

Stephen Mejias Sep 01, 2011 First Published: Sep 01, 2011 0 comments

This morning, I walked right by electrician and idiosyncratic amplifier designer, Nori Komuro, and I didn’t say a word. Not even hello. Why didn’t I say anything? I don’t know. I had just emerged from the subway, and was walking up 32nd Street, toward Herald Square, and I wasn’t expecting to see an idiosyncratic amplifier designer. I was looking, instead and as usual, at the ground, at the sky, at high-heels and at skirts. I saw plenty of those. I was pulling a small handcart carrying a box of loudspeakers. Nori Komuro and I would have had something to talk about.

“Oh, loudspeakers,” Nori Komuro might have said.