Fear of Tigers - Ma Foom Bay (demo)

Great to hear some new stuff from our buddy Fear of Tigers. You recognize his slightly less than minimalist soundscape, which is a refreshing change in these times of deep house/disco. The funky electro bass is kind of new in his repertoire though. "Ma Foom Bay" don't make us any less anxious waiting for the album.

Ma Foom Bay (demo) by fearoftigers

About that name, I'm not sure what the connection is to Cultural Vibe's old house classic from 1986 with the similar name. But being an old house DJ, Ben probably has some idea behind it.

Fear of Tigers remixes

Awesome producer and good friend Fear of Tigers is sharing his many remixes in a rather unorthodox way; by mixing them together. A little while ago he uploaded his Remixes part II mixtape. You should check them out. Also, if you recognize the artist in the last track of of the second mixtape, help to identify her would be greatly appreciated since Ben has forgotten the artist's name.

Fear of Tigers - The Remixes Part 1 by fearoftigers

Fear Of Tigers - The Remixes Part II by fearoftigers

Ben is nice enough to share some of the rather rare remixes with us:

Queen Of Hearts - Where Are You Now (Fear of Tigers Remix) (192 kbps)

Ronika - Only Only (Fear of Tigers 7" Remix) (160 kbps)

Studio Killers - Ode To The Bouncer (Fear of Tigers Remix) (160 kbps)

"Artist Unknown" - Burn (Fear of Tigers Remix) (256 kbps)
(Please help to identify)

Also, speaking of The Sound of Arrows in the last post, Human Error is hosting an awesome party in London on Friday. The line-up include live shows from Fear of Tigers, Visitor, The Sound of Arrows and Queen of Heart plus a number of DJ sets (check the flyer above). And the best part is that it's free! Here is the Facebook event.

And don't forget to tune in to Fear of Tiger's podcasts. The last couple of shows include The Magician and an Italo house special.

Fear of Tigers podcast, remix contest and Digitalfoxglove remix

While it was a while ago since Fear of Tigers released some music of his own (hopefully he's making the finishing touches on his upcoming sophomore album as we speak), he has a couple of interesting side-projects. Firstly, he has set up a pretty nice-looking website (see link above). Secondly, he's been making a really cool podcast show for quite a while now. On the show he brings in some really cool and interesting guests who give interviews and exclusive first listenings on new music, while Ben Tiger gets to show off his great radio voice (he used to run a radio show you know).

The latest couple of shows have featured the likes of Futurecop!, Edwin van Cleef, Justin Faust and Alan Braxe, while we especially recommend podcast number 7 recorded in Stockholm and featuring Mille, Sound of Arrows and an interview with a certain really cool Swedish music blog. Modesty forbids us to say which one. Check out all the shows on iTunes.

As if a podcast wasn't enough Mr Tigers is having a remix contest based on his track "Adventure of Pippi Longstrump". If you think you have what it takes, download all the stems from his website and send over the finished result (preferably as a Soundcloud stream) for evaluation from the expert jury consisting of Justin Faust, Edwin van Cleef, Futurecop! and Diamond Cut. The competition is running to September 5, and all the details including download links for the stems are on his website.

This means you can probably look forward to a lot of great remixes of Fear of Tigers here on Tracasseur. Here's the first one, courtesy of Digitalfoxglove:

Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump (Digitalfoxglove's Fearless Remix) by digitalfoxglove

Virgin Ears premiere w/ Tesla Boy (RU), Rosanna (SE) and Montauk (SE)

We're mighty proud with our new club Virgin Ears that will open this Friday, March 25 at Debaser Medis in Stockholm. One of the things that make us real proud, is our line-up of live-acts that will perform during the night. We have flown in our Russian faves and friends Tesla Boy for their first live show in Sweden ever. That will be an awesome thing on Friday, be ready at 23.15 for something extra.

Besides Tesla Boy we're proud to announce fine Swedish girl Rosanna feat. Rocket Boy. And the rumour says that she will perform a bunch of new tracks and that make us excited. And then we have the fantastic luxury pop duo Montauk, who have had a great year. Now they will perform a live show again, it was a while ago, extra excitement for that because they chose to do it on the premiere of Virgin Ears.

The bonus to all this great live-acts are also our dj-lineup with ourselves, La Petite Putain and Daniel Odelstad. Untz untz...

If you live in Stockholm and like what Tracasseur have done for you with new music and dj-sets, you couldn't miss out on this premiere on Friday. We promise that this is going to be a remembered night filled with a lot of fun!



Rosanna - Waterfall (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Montauk - Holiday

As a tribute to Tesla Boy and their arrival in Stockholm we've made this tribute mixtape, only including tracks or remixes of or with Tesla Boy.

Tracasseur - Tribute to Tesla Boy Mixtape

Tracklist:
1. Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets (Tesla Boy Edit)
2. Tesla Boy - Neon Love
3. Tesla Boy - Minsk-2
4. Tesla Boy - Thinking Of You (Toomy Disco Remix)
5. Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (Tesla Boy Remix)
6. Sally Shapiro - Miracle (Tesla Boy Remix)
7. Tesla Boy - Electric Lady (7he Myriads Remix)
8. Anoraak - Nightdrive With You (Tesla Boy Remix)
9. Tesla Boy - Liberating Soul
10. Tesla Boy - Dark Street
11. Tesla Boy - Synthetic Prince
12. Tesla Boy - Speed of Light
13. Tesla Boy - Runaway Man
14. Tesla Boy - Spirit Of The Night
15. Tesla Boy - Rebecca

Killabite + Fear of Tigers

It's great to hear from Fear of Tigers again! Ben is currently working on his second album that is supposed to be finished this spring, even if it looks like it might be slightly delayed. I know both his UK and Spanish management are on his back, and why don't you head over to his Facebook page and nag on him, you too?

Killabite is a duo consisting of Matt and Chau, who according to the legend met at a UFOlogists Anonymous Club meeting in LA. I'm not sure if that's true or just a cynical way of catering to the probably huge UFOlogist market. Either way, they make nice electropop, and sport a really cool Tron-like keytar.

Killabite - Follow Me Home by UniversalMusicSweden

Pick up the single on iTunes!

Killabite - Follow Me Home (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Happy Monday!

Today is Happy Monday, everyone's favourite day of the week. To celebrate that we thought we'd share a few random tracks with you; some newer, some older.

Fear of Tigers is working on a new album, which I imagine you will hear a lot about. In the meantime we all have to make do with his remixes, which come a little bit too far in between. On the other hand, we're not that fast with this anyway.

EDIT: Jonny posted this way back in July when I was on vacation. Apparently I'm the one who's slow, but what else is new, right?

Rosanna - Waterfall (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Van She Tech finally released a new remix, which was included in Edwin Van Cleef's mixtape that we posted yesterday.

Vandroid - Master & Slave (Van She Tech Remix)

Chris Jylkke has concocted this quite epic nu-disco edit of a Madonna track I hadn't heard before.

Madonna - Miles Away (Chris Jylkke Mash-Edit)

This Bright Light Bright Light remix is just beautiful. One of my favourite tracks this weekend.

Leni Ward - I Want My Heart Back (Bright Light Bright Light Mix)

Got this new Gemini Club remix of Housse De Racket today. There's a neat combo for you.

Housse de Racket - Gwendoline (Gemini Club Remix)

Speaking of Housse de Racket, there's a remix of "Oh Yeah!" that we simply have to post, and that's Tonka's Cosmic Munich remix. Tonka is a legendary act of the old German disco house scene with acts like Ian Pooley and Gene Farris and labels like Force Inc. When I say legendary I'm talking Daft-Punk-mentioning-you-in-"Teachers"-legendary.

Housse De Racket - Oh Yeah! (Tonka's Cosmic Munich Remix)

Swedish Rosanna

Rosanna may be from Sweden, she may have quite a similar voice of Robyn and she may have the first two letters in her name the same as above mentioned Robyn. But she's not our new Robyn, she's unique of her own and has been around for a while.

She was a member in the Swedish girl-group Play only at the age of thirteen touring the states with Destiny's Child. She has also been a part of Kocky's debut album "Kingdom Came" back in 2007 that was a huge success.

And now she's back with some new fresh tunes of her own at the age of 22. Her single Waterfall/Runaway are to be released August 22 on the newly founded label Popjustice Hi-Fi. Here is the original "Waterfall" track streamed from Soundcloud.

Waterfall by popjusticehifi

We also have remixes for both the tracks from the release. "Waterfall" is awesomely remixed by our very good UK friend Fear of Tigers and "Runaway" is nicely remixed by the Swedish duo Rocket Boy.

Rosanna - Waterfall (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Rosanna - Runaway (Rocket Boy Remix)

Take a look at this nice video when Rosanna performs "Waterfall" live unplugged with the music collective Teknologgatan.



And finally as a bonus, here is "Tricks" from Kocky's album where Rosanna featured.

Kocky feat. Rosanna - Tricks

Fear of Tigers + Monsieur Adi

So finally we got our hands on Monsieur Adi's remix of one of our favourite tracks of last year (made my no. 1 spot for 2009); Fear of Tigers' "I Can Make the Pain Disappear". This really is a match made in heaven; one of the most talented producers around getting remixed by another of the most talented producers around. And what does Mister Adi do with the upbeat peaktime anthem that is the original? Why, a beautiful slow-dance ballad of course...

Fear Of Tigers - I Can Make The Pain Disappear (Monsieur Adi Remix)

Arnie Becker's best of 2009

So, I've tried to sum up the music year of 2009 in 15 tracks, and man oh man was that hard. Women giving birth often think that is hard. Luke Skywalker probably thought hitting that shaft on the Death Star with those torpedoes was hard. But none of that compares to having to weed down a 50 or 60 tracks long shortlist to just 15.

In the end people like Baxter, Chromeo, Neon Workout, Cassian, Lebatman, Beaumont, PH Groove, FM Attack, and Pelifics along with bigshots like Bag Raiders, Midnight Juggernauts, Lifelike and Fred Falke (and all the others I've forgot to mention) were axed. But I'll stop bitching and get right to it.

#15. Severin - The Edge of a Sunday (Breakbot Remix)
Breakbot had a huge year in 2008, but there came a couple of gems this year too. I chose the Severin remix, even if the Yuksek one also was a favourite and also could have made the list. With an album coming out in 2010, expect to hear more from France's funkiest.

Severin - The Edge of a Sunday (Breakbot Remix)


#14. Edwin Van Cleef - OvertakenEdwin van Cleef was another one who spit out excellent tracks on almost a weekly basis in late 2008 and early 2009. After some label troubles he finally released "Overtaken" on his own label this fall. Despite releasing a bunch of great remixes this was my favourite Cleef track of the year. It's just filled with such energy!

Edwin Van Cleef - Overtaken


#13. GRUM - Runaway (Calling In Sick Remix)
From Leeds to Leeds and to Van Cleef's roommate GRUM. There's a place that should have some decent music at the afterparties... Both of them manage to transform their sound beyond the trash electro à la Justice they both had come to master into something new, while not losing a bit of their star quality. GRUM made so many great remixes this year, with Friendly Fire's "Skeleton Boy" narrowly missing my chart. His own "Runaway" release was epic as well with the great original accompanied with just as great remixes. Calling in Sick's was my favourite though.

GRUM - Runaway (Calling In Sick Remix)


#12. Elke - Blue Dream Lover (Youth Remix)Elke is one of those Australian bands that really makes you realize that the success of other Australian bands like Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts, Empire of the Sun and The Presets isn't just a fluke or an undeserved hype. The music scene down under really seems to be next to infinite with great bands a dime a dozen. The incredible thing is that the electro scene seems equally big with electro DJs and producers also a dime a dozen. That's two dimes a dozen! Brisbane-based Youth's nu disco odyssey is both beautiful and danceable.

Elke - Blue Dream Lover (Youth Remix)


#11. French Horn Rebellion vs. Database - Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix)
The Brazilian maximalism from São Paulo's Database made up a big part of the soundtrack to the spring. Their energetic disco edits were on high rotation and the Phyllis Hyman edit could have made the list. One track that did is Hey Champ's remix of their collaboration with French Horn Rebellion. Rockford's Cut Copy, who combines making great pop tunes with their band while making awesomely funky house remixes, continues to be one of the most underrated acts in the music world. Such a great bassline on this one.

French Horn Rebellion vs. Database - Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix)


#10. Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool (Thin White Duke Remix)I haven't listened to that much indie rock the last couple of years, but when I rarely do one of my favourite bands are indie dancers Friendly Fires. Their self-titled debut from 2008 included so many great singles which in turn resulted in even more great remixes (I've already mentioned GRUM's "Skeleton Boy"). Stuart Price aka Les Rythmes Digitales made a string of great remixes under his Thin White Duke guise. The "Jump in the Pool" remix was a match made in heaven.

Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool (Thin White Duke Remix)


#9. Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version)
Classixx had a great year with their hit "I'll Get You" and countless terrific remixes. Their blend of ultra-cool nu disco and lo-fi house was a big influence on the sound of 2009. Their remix of Brooklyn funksters Holy Ghost! took the cake though.

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version)


#8. Visitor - Los Feeling (Monsieur Adi Remix)
Visitor's "Los Feeling" was one of the most blogged and most remixed tracks. Fear of Tigers, Flashmen, Gentlemen Thieves, Digitalfoxglove and Wonder, Flashworx and Freak You were among those who gave it a shot and did it well. Monsieur Adi came out on top though.

Visitor - Los Feeling (Monsieur Adi Remix)


#7. Paul - I Feel Change
Paul haven't got the attention he deserves yet, despite being posted on Valérie. He stood out as one of the major renewers of the French touch scene, combining the house sound of Lifelike with more of pop music. He released a string of great tracks so picking out a favourite was hard, but given that we hadn't posted it for some reason, I chose "I Feel Change".

Paul - I Feel Change


#6. Miami Horror - Sometimes
Miami Horror reinforced his standing as one of the greatest stars of Aussie electro. Fewer remixes this year than in previous years but some great releases on his own. Like the "Bravado" EP and of course one of the most epic singles of the year, "Sometimes".

Miami Horror - Sometimes


#5. kamp! - Breaking A Ghost's Heart (ODahl Remix)
ODahl was one of our finds of the year, even if I was tipped off by a friend in Poland. His remix of Empire of the Sun's "Walking on a Dream" was a big favourite, and was close to making the list. In the end the remix of Polish band kamp! was marginally better. Something I know Olle agrees with since he's told me he thinks this is the best track he's ever done.

kamp! - Breaking A Ghost's Heart (ODahl Remix)


#4. Digitalfoxglove feat. Freak You - Beasts and Flowers
The collaboration between On The Fruit's Digitalfoxglove and Freak You resulted in one of the best intros of all time. Digitalfoxglove was one of all producers who moved away from the trashy electro sound to something else. In his case that gave him more room for his great sense for melodies and harmonies. Add Freak You's funky bass and you end up with this dancefloor stormer.

Digitalfoxglove feat. Freak You - Beasts and Flowers


#3. Coeur De Pirate - Comme Des Enfants (Le Matos Andy Carmichael Remix)
Le Matos was really one of the biggest favourites for all of us in the spring. They just had (and still have) such a unique fuse of beautiful pop melodies and pumping techno. They made a bunch of awesome remixes and tracks of their own (especially in the first part of the year), but when adding the delicate voice of Coeur de Pirate we got a track that was loved by everyone, no matter if you liked club music or not.

Coeur De Pirate - Comme Des Enfants (Le Matos Andy Carmichael Remix)


#2. Tesla Boy - Spirit Of The Night
Tesla Boy must have made one of the more meteoric rises to stardom in 2009. I was on to them by word of mouth from our eastern European connection and was immediately hooked on their blend of 80s sounding electro pop and new wave. Then they were posted by Valérie and the rest is history. The promo EP (that we daringly posted) contained five tracks that were such great pop tunes all of them, so the favourite was a close call. But in the end "Spirit of the Night" narrowly edged out "Runaway Man". Now we're all looking forward to the album which will be out early 2010.




#1. Fear of Tigers - I Can Make The Pain Disappear
Fear of Tigers really affirmed himself as one of the greatest and most innovative producers in electronic music right now. He made a couple of my all time favourite tracks in 2008 (the remix of Pnau's "With You forever" is still my top track on Last.fm), and yet the release of his debut album this fall blew my mind. He combines music from all over the place into such a unique sound. From the eighties and nineties to the naughties, from electro and house to indie, his music transcends all genres. From a whole album full of perfect tens the opening track was the eleven.

Fear of Tigers - I Can Make The Pain Disappear


RAR: Arnie Becker's best of 2009 (All the tracks, including awesome artwork)

Friday night is disco night...

...so here are a couple of tracks that'll give you a tingling sensation in your legs.

First up, I have to post one more Fear of Tigers track since this is currently my favourite track from an awesome album.

Fear of Tigers - I Can Make The Pain Disappear

As you know, we love ODahl. We hadn't posted this for some reason.

ODahl - Your Arms Around Me

We also love Paul who we wrote about in August. I hope someday we'll dj together.

Paul - Someday…Together! (Link fixed!)

Passion Pit are great, but Hey Champ are greater.

Passion Pit - Little Secrets (Hey Champ Remix)

I remember last spring it seemed Le Matos was about the only thing I listened to. Great that they're back with this remix of We Have Band.

We Have Band - Honey Trap (Le Matos Remix)

Justin Faust is coming to Sweden and Gothenburg on February 6. Hope he makes the trip up to Stockholm as well. Here's a remix of Nightriders.

Nightriders - Take My Hand (Justin Faust Deep Mix)

Fear of Tigers album out!

Ok, this is a super quick post just to tell you that Fear of Tigers released his debut album today. It seems to be so popular that there are problems downloading it, so this post is also to serve as a mirror downloading site. Here it is:

Fear of Tigers - Cossus Snufsigalonica (RAR)

Give Tigers some MySpace love and become a fan on Facebook!

And after having listened to it a few times I can only say that it has been well worth the wait. Tremendous stuff all the way through. Here are a few favourite tracks:

Fear of Tigers - Calling Your Name

Fear of Tigers - Please Don't Leave

Fear of Tigers - What Did I Do

Débuts from Edwin Van Cleef and Fear of Tigers

Great news from that windy island north of Europe! Finally the Brits have made something to make up for their terrible football (apart from West Ham United of course). Two of our favourite British producers are making their long-awaited début releases this autumn. Fear of Tigers is releasing his album "Cossus-Snufsigalonica" as a free download on December 1 on his Facebook page since all record labels are busy barfing out "Absolute Idol Hits 999" or whatever...

We've already posted "The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump" eons ago, but why don't you upgrade it to a 320kbps version along with two great remixes by Diamond Cut and our second débutant Edwin van Cleef?


Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump

Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump (Diamond Cut Remix)

Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump (Edwin Van Cleef Remix)


The second début is Edwin van Cleef's EP "Overtaken" which also marks the début of the Space Disco label. The EP was released Monday and includes, apart from a remastered and reworked version of the great original we posted quite a while ago, a Radio edit and remixes by Neo Tokyo, FM Attack and Stockholm's own Mille. The EP is available exclusively on Beatport so head over there and by a copy!

Edwin Van Cleef - Overtaken (Radio Edit)

Edwin Van Cleef - Overtaken (Mille Remix)

By the way, if you missed Eddie and Tiger in Gothenburg this summer you'll get a new chance when their playing at I(love)Electro at Stars n Bars on December 5. Don't miss it, 'cause they rocked the last time! To see what I'm saying, listen to this mix from Mr Van Cleef (tracklist after the jump):

Edwin Van Cleef - Space Disco 3

Into The Clouds

Up in the sky there are clouds and we're are going into them together with the two promising Swedes from The Sound of Arrows. But we will not travel alone into the dreamland, along by our side we have the incredible Fear of Tigers that will make us fly even higher...



The Sound of Arrows - Into The Clouds

The Sound of Arrows - Into The Clouds (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Summer night space disco

If you're anywhere near the Swedish west coast Saturday night you really have no reason not to go to Summer night space disco at Storan, Gothenburg, hosted by our dear colleagues Dödselectro. Not only are they running a great blog (and filling in as our personal tech support at times), they have also branched out to become ambitious club promoters.

For their third club night they have really hit the jackpot, eventhough I guess it's been down to hard work rather than luck, with the bookings of two excellent British acts in Fear of Tigers and Edwin Van Cleef. Both of them are among our true favourites and we've written about them both (see FoT here EVC here).

We'll send a reporter/spy/party delegation there and we'll be very disappointed if you don't show up. I mean, 80 SEK for a fantastic night like this is something even Bernie Madoff would invest your money in.

Here's a brand new track from Mr Tigers:

Bent - To be Loved (Mr B aka Fear of Tigers Remix)

Classic Van Cleef, incredibly not posted apart from the DW remix:

Edwin Van Cleef - I Want You

And here's some excellent Swedish music that have come to our attention via Gothenburg:

Mille - Crysteena
MySpace (you'll probably be hearing more about him soon)

Calis - Running Away
MySpace (Dödselectro's latest find)

New Fear of Tigers!

One of my absolute favourite producers of the past year has been Fear of Tigers. Mr Tigers is music journalist Ben Berry from Greenwich, London. Born in Kobe, Japan he grew up in the far east. After moving back to England in his teens, he moved to Tenerife, Spain to work as a DJ when he was 20. This period of time also resulted in a few house records he labels 'rubbish' (I don't believe it). Growing tired of DJing every night, he hasn't done it for five years now. Ben also seems to have a soft spot for Sweden and Scandinavia; he is even learning swedish.

So, does any of this reflect in his music? Well, it's obvious that he knows music. His productions have a wide range, from the slow electrotrashy funk of the remix of Mariah Carey's "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time", to the lovely indie electro of the remix of Pnau's "With you forever", my favourite track of the last year, to his latest track, "Sirkka", an almost trancey synth house banger, and his most club-oriented track yet. Everything is really well produced and share a distinct sound though, with lots of great breaks and build-ups.

It would be impossible to single out a favourite track, but I have to admit that I have soft spots for the Pnau, Anoraak and Does it Offend You, Yeah? remixes along with "The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump" and the brand new (got it yesterday night) "Sirkka". And who knows, perhaps a Scandinavian tour beckons?

Fear of Tigers - Sirkka

Fear of Tigers - Layers

Fear of Tigers - Sex with Robots

Fear of Tigers - Study Hard Drugs School

Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump

Fear of Tigers - The Rich Cry Too

Anoraak - Nightdrive With You (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Archangel - Not The Man You Think I Am (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Dawn of the Dead (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Ghost In The Water - Dodging Lasers (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Infadels - Love Like Semtex (Fear of Tigers Remix)

Mariah Carey - Loving You Longtime (Fear of Tigers Remix)

PNAU - With You Forever (Fear of Tigers Remix)