Say Hello To Dadahack’s Debut
November 14, 2009
Between working with the We Fear Silence boys and a few other projects, I’ve been inundated with a plethera of reviewing and the virtual postbag (or six, or seven) has been filled with all sorts of new music. With so much to plough through and listen to, it’s refreshing when something pretty awesome like Dadahack’s Hellos EP jumps up and grabs you by the very tired ears.
The London/Stockholm-based duo compromise of James Banbury from 90s band The Auteurs and Pete Davis. On November 30th, they release the full Hellos EP on their own imprint serviceAV and if you’re wondering why it might sound familiar, check out the snippet of the title track as featured in the Soundville ad by Sony, brought to you by the makers of a particularly memorable gorilla ad.
There’s plenty to keep you entertained on this release too - from the outstanding original cut to the Freelance Hellraiser and Traquility Bass mix, the remixes are cleverly constructed to equally be stand out tracks, plus polish the original’s charm. In addition, you’ll find a spin off of Hello titled Hello Dust and a revamp of this cool little bonus track by prolific producer Håkan Lidbo that features singer/songwriter Hannah Robinson. With the right amount of 80s influence, purrs and shrills of warming notes, plus little “Hi!”’s that remind me of Blur’s infamous milk carton for some reason, the title track and each and every mix is brilliantly uplifting. Definitely don’t miss the Lidbo mix, with a fatter bassline, it’s your sure-fire way to kick-start any party.
Thanks to the addictive synths and extensive offering of quality remixes on the release, the Dadahack duo have been successful in ensuring my iPod has been playing little else but Hello. Play it loud, fix it on repeat, it really does just keep getting better.
Hellos EP Tracklist:
Hello
Hello Freelance Hellraiser mix
Hello Tranquility Bass mix
Hello Dust
Hello Dust (todust) Håkan Lidbo remix feat Hannah Robinson
The Fashion Office Recommends…Songs About Driving
November 13, 2009
This week, we’re getting into our virtual car and stepping on the gas pedal in Songs About Driving. Read on to find out what tracks are accompanying the girls speeding through their work and all the way into the weekend…
Sostylistic selects: Tracy Chapman – Fast Car.
Sartoriology recommends: Chris Rea – Road To Hell.
A Work In Progress picks: Madness – Driving My Car.
Ellie chooses: Iggy Pop – The Passenger.
New Favourite Thing suggests: Prince – Little Red Corvette.
Frankie opts for double whammy as it’s her turn to own the phrase “BECAUSE I’M LEAVING!”: Cyndi Lauper – I Drove All Night.
And..
Chris Rea – Driving Home For Christmas.
Soldiersailor elects: AC/DC – Highway To Hell.
In tune with Battersea Park love themed fireworks, things got a bit slushy in the office last week. Find out what tracks we chose in Songs Inspired By Love.
The Fashion Office Recommends…Songs Inspired By Love
November 6, 2009
Due to the powers that be (aka work), I sadly had to abandon, or at least postpone my Bonfire night plans last night. Not one to miss out, this simply meant moving my celebrations to Saturday where I’ll be drinking mulled wine, snapping pics and singeing my fingertips on sparklers to the ‘Love’ themed display at Battersea park.
So, in light of that, this week’s The Fashion Office has been dedicated not to fireworks, but to that slushy stuff called love.
Just how romantic are the girls feeling this fabulous Friday? Read on to find out…
Sostylistic is back in the game with: Mary J Blidge – Love No Limit.
Sartoriology selects: Minnie Ripperton – Loving You.
Ellie opts for: Shakira – TU.
New Favourite Thing picks: The Beach Boys – God Only Knows.
Frankie chooses: Beyoncé – Crazy In Love.
Soldiersailor recommends: José James – Love.
It was a spook spectacular in last week’s Fashion Office Recommends, find out here what tracks the girls chose in Songs To Trick Or Treat To, a Halloween special. Enjoy.
The Fashion Office Recommends…Songs To Trick Or Treat To
October 30, 2009
This Saturday things will go bump in the night, carved orange faces will eerily light up door steps and ghouls, gargoyles, skeletons and black cats will take to the streets. Halloween, it’s just like any other night out in London.
To celebrate the spooky occasion, The Fashion Office have dedicated this week’s issue to Fright Night with Songs To Trick Or Treat To. Whether you’re planning on seeking out what rewards await you behind neighbouring doors, or simply celebrating with a few cold witches brews, here’s our tracks to get you into the supernatural spirit.
Happy Halloween.
New Favourite Thing recommends: Hocus Pocus – I Put A Spell On You.
A Work In Progress opts for: The Rocky Horror Show – Timewarp.
Frankie chooses: Backstreet Boys – Everybody.
Sartoriology picks the ultimate horror of horrors: Thriller by Michael Jackson.
Stevie asks who you gonna call?: Ray Parker Jr – Ghostbusters!
New recruit Gemma elects: Alice Cooper – Feed My Frankenstein.
Soldiersailor recommends: Dusty Springfield – Spooky.
Last week, Sostylistic left us for pastures new. Find out which Songs About Leaving we dedicated to the occasion to ensure she never forgets her time with The Fashion Office.
The Fashion Office Recommends…Songs About Leaving
October 23, 2009
For the last week, all we’ve heard in the office is “Because I’m Leaving!” belted out at the top of SoStylistic’s voice.
In a vain attempt to keep the noise down, and as the rather vocal lady in question is moving on to pastures new, it seemed only fit to dedicate this week’s The Fashion Office Recommends to Songs About Leaving.
So, Miss Stylistic, here are your tracks the office have chosen to send you and your fabulous new watch (a.k.a “Because I’m Leaving” present) off in serious style…
Sostylistic sums it up herself with: Aerosmith – I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.
Sartoriology has questionable taste with Basshunter and Please Don’t Go.
A Work In Progress suggests: Everything But The Girl – Missing.
Ellie opts for: Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight.
Frankie chooses: The Temptations – ‘Ain’t To Proud To Beg.
Stevie picks: The Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way.
Emily selects: Chicago – If You Leave Me Now.
Soldiersailor recommends: Gladys Knight – Midnight Train To Georgia.
And just for fun…
Don’t miss the girls recommendations from last week in Songs Inspired By Colours.
Will Chris Tietjen Rocket Germany’s Temperature Above Freezing?
October 21, 2009
It’s October. In Germany, it’s already minus seven degrees at night, so who better to step up to the challenge of getting the countries temperature, and pulse, royally roasting other than Cocoon regular Chris Tietjen?
On Saturday November 28th, home grown tech DJ Tietjen will take to the decks at Gloria’s in Regensburg, and as my first experience of both Germany and Tietjen live in the mix, I’m filled with a mix of eager anticipation and bottomless excitement, but characteristically retain the critical stance of a reviewer.
In preparation, I’ve been filling my sharply tuned ears with the sound of Tietjen, including an eleven minute mini mix that’s a pretty good introduction to his world. Oddly, it’d appear that his MySpace holds not one single track, something he really ought to fix pronto to further a global reputation. Whether in a period dominated by Twitter and Facebook or not, it’s still automatically your first port of call for music.
Despite less than a wealth of his productions online, it’s safe to say Tietjen has firmly made my hit list of must-see producers – simply for the fact he’s affiliated with my first love of 2009; Cocoon recordings. Having fallen head over heels into Sven Väth’s world and his globally renowned parties this summer, (where have I been for the last ten years?), I’m pretty certain that not only will Tiejten set alight both Gloria’s and Germany’s temperature, he’ll also do a pretty good job on mine too.
The Fashion Office Recommends…Songs Inspired By Colours
October 16, 2009
There’s a good vibe in The Fashion Office today, the sun is shining, it’s Friday and we’re feeling inspired by Colours this week. By chance, it’d appear there’s a lot of gold going on too, and from a collective of sensationally-stylish ladies with naturally expensive taste, who’d expect anything less?
Sostylistic recommends: Jill Scott – Golden.
Sartoriology picks: Spandau Ballet – Gold.
New Favourite Thing elects: Chris De Burgh – Lady In Red.
A Work In Progress suggests: the late King Of Pop, Michael Jackson and Black Or White.
Ellie opts for: Counting Crows – Colourblind.
Emily selects: Madonna – True Blue.
Frankie chooses: Prince – Purple Rain.
Soldiersailor nominates double whammy: The Golden Filter, Solid Gold.
Last week, the girls switched on their boxes and chose their favourites from Songs Featured In Adverts. Find out which ads we loved and the tracks that were top of our list.
The Fashion Office Recommends…Songs Featured In Adverts
October 9, 2009
This week The Fashion Office Recommends turns its attention to TV with Songs Featured In Adverts. From Crunchie to Barclaycard, Levi’s to the very British Co-op, here’s the tracks we love from some of the best ads to grace our screens over the last few years…
Sostylistic recommends: The Pointer Sisters – I’m So Excited, from Crunchie.
Sartoriology picks: The Bellamy Brothers – Let Your Love Flow, from Barclaycard.
New Favourite Thing elects: Andy Williams – The Impossible Dream, from Honda.
Ellie opts for: Bright Eyes – First Day Of My Life, from the Halifax ad.
Frankie chooses: Erma Franklin - Piece Of My Heart, from Levi’s.
Soldiersailor nominates: Bob Dylan – Blowin’ In The Wind, from the Co-op.
Last week we took up treading the boards with some of the best songs from Musicals. Check out what got the girls singing along in style.
Bimbo Jones Puts The Party Into Lott’s Mama Do
September 27, 2009
Straying from house and into slightly foreign territory, I’m going to stick my neck out and say I like Pixie Lott’s recent chart stormer Mama Do. However with what can only be described as eclectic taste, and although not a music snob; it’s got to be UK mixmasters Bimbo Jones’s impressive revamp.
I heard it whilst in a cab recently on what turned out to be an epic journey to my best friend’s 30th. Between all of the bridges in London being shut, gridlocked traffic and on arrival, a non-existent table reservation, I think my friend probably asked herself what her mother would have done in the situation…she promptly got drunk and thoroughly enjoyed herself.
Although the music at the super-cool (but don’t bother eating there) restaurant Brickhouse was indeed very good, judging by the desperation to dance experienced by my prosecco infused friends, it didn’t nearly hit the mark. With a couple more recognisable tracks making an appearance and a few more bottles of bubbly, the party was kick-started and dancing on the beds plus swinging from the rafters commenced. By throwing this bass loaded version of Lott’s number one smash into the mix, I think they might have tipped the party over the edge. Which, and for a group of girls from Scotland, is just how we like it.
So despite the teething problems of getting there and hiccups along the way (such as taking four hours to serve a five, mini course dinner), fun was definitely had by all. Plus, discovering this track made my night all the more enjoyable, and was probably partially responsible for me joining the ‘monkey’s’ clinging to the roof top and dancing the night away.
