Funny how fast the Internet can move. Earlier today, a mix featuring a bevy of Dallas-based acts (and, OK, some Houstonites and Austinites, too) started making its way around the Internet. Created by Dallas' own DJ Tommy Boy, the mix was commissioned by the folks at Vice Magazine, which apparently had been "badgering him for a while" to create something for its site. In the hours since it was posted earlier today, though, the mix, called The Texas Love Triangle Mix, has found its way onto its fair share of other influential sites, including The Fader, Chocolate Bobka and, how we first saw it, DFW's own WeShotJR.
It's a beast of a listen for sure, heavy on the electronic elements and not for the faint of heart (or for the people who think anything left of The Happy Bullets is "too weird"). My point: It's worth a good deal more than its (free) cost of admission. The mix, which solely features the works of acts from DFW, Houston and Austin, launches quite appropriately with "The Eyes of Texas" before delving into a DFW-heavy open, starting with a George Quartz cover of Harry Nilsson's "Coconuts" and then offering up tracks from fellow locals Phantastes, Darktown Strutters and Corporate Park. Really good stuff, too.
Get the mix here. And, after the jump, check the full tracklisting, as well as Tommy Boy's write-up for Vice on his thought-process behind putting the mix together.
Also? A nice shout out for Dallas' Klearlight Studio...
When Vice UK asked for a submission, I knew I had to share the sound that can only be found right here in my home state of Texas. I am fortunate to live in a place where so many of my peers are creating the kind of music I love. When most kids are worrying about how the grass is greener elsewhere, these bands are working hard to make where they are where they want to be. This mix is made up of current Texas synth-based projects and covers many genres, from industrial EBM to techno, leftfield disco to electro, deep house to minimal wave and even a little screwgaze for good measure.
I am grateful to all groups who were so kind to contribute to this compilation; special thanks to Klearlight Studios for helping master the final mix as well as producing several of the bands in it. I'd also like to thank Answering Machine Records for their submissions as well as their continued output of quality Texas synth music. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for all my creative friends across this big state.There is something sacred in the geometry connecting Houston, Austin, and Dallas - this love triangle that we're all a part of. This mix is a testament to what friends and neighbours are capable of and it's a fitting time capsule for this time and place. Don't Mess with Texas.
And the tracklisting...
1. George Quartz - "Coconut"
2. Phantastes - "Flight of Stares"
3. Darktown Strutters - "Silver Bullet"
4. Indian Jewelry - "Same Mistake Man"
5. Corporate Park - "Intimate Precision"
6. //TENSE// - "Versus Man (TX Love Remix 2010)"
7. Seth Nemec - "Count Zero"
8. Jake Schrock - "Trigon"
9. E.R.P. (aka Convextion) - "Frozen Volatiles"
10. DYX - "Lips in the Darkness (feat. Press-On)"
11. Submersible Machines - "Riding Theta Waves"
12. Missions - "Phantasy"
13. Medio Mutante - "Transit (Demo)"
14. MVSCLZ - "Fascination (Across The Nation)"
15. R9 - "Dreamdance"
16. edrupt - "M-U-S-I-K"
17. betdat - "Nex (Radio Edit)"
18. MKF KÜNST - "Venga (TX Love Remix 2010)"
19. Berliner Eins - "Nite Life"
20. Twisted Wires - "Hell"
21. Low Red Center - "Historic Edition"
22. S U R V I V E - "White Clouds"
23. Future Blondes - "NIGHT ANALYSIS (Oppenheimer Analysis "Behind the Shades" RMX)"
24. Psychic Violence - "U is Moon"
25. How I Quit Crack - "Gone Away"
26. xix - "1111(v7)"