STOP PRESS - Pitch Black Not Dead

Although Paddy and Mike have been keeping a relatively low profile in NZ of late, it does not mean that they have disappeared from the scene completely! Gigging overseas more often than at home, the alleged-Godfathers of Kiwi Electronica have been going hard out in many parts of the world – especially the virtual ones. No, this doesn't mean they've become addicted to Second Life, but are taking their music and their careers more and more online.

Their tours to Japan and the US late last year were their biggest yet - their 3rd and 5th time playing there, respectively - and will be followed by almost three months of solid touring in both those countries plus the UK and Europe this year from June through to August.

Internet download sales has been working well for the band, with (legal!) paid downloads currently averaging 5,000 per month from places as far a field as Finland and Invercargill.

The band recently posted one of their tracks, Harmonia, up for remixing on the web, and after the demand for the files crashed not only the download site, but also the server AND the network carrying them, they received 35 fully finished versions! Two of these will be among the tracks on the forthcoming Rude Mechanicals remix album entitled: Rhythm, Sound and Movement (inspired by the lyrics from the title track).

Rhythm, Sound and Movement is released digitally worldwide on April 28th, and on CD on May 4th. It features remixes from Kiwi electron-herders International Observer, Simon Flower and Kerretta, American dub-tronica artists Bluetech and Patch, Melbourne-based Deep Fried Dub, plus a wide range of international remixers.

The remix album, like Pitch Black themselves, covers a wide variety of styles from ambient through to downbeat dub, up to 4/4 stomping bizniz and full-on drum'n'bass workouts. As a teaser, the remix of Transient Transmissions by Deep Fried Dub will be available for free download on April 14th from Amplifier. Also, seven additional remixes will be available as bonuses for people who buy the whole album as a download.

Mike and Paddy's semi-emigration to cyberspace has contributed to keeping the boys busy in other ways. They are currently working in the studio on remixes for International Observer, Friends Electric (UK), and The Laya Project - an album of music from countries affected by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami that was released last year as a fundraising effort. Paddy is now considered a world authority on live-performance music software Ableton Live, He was flown to Ableton Headquarters in Berlin to give input in developing the software, and Pitch Black frequently give workshops all around the world about live electronic performance. The last ones in London and Amsterdam were standing-room only affairs.


Upcoming Gigs:

NZ
Wellington: Saturday 18th April - Summerset Festival

Australia
Melbourne: Thursday 4 June – Roxannes
Sydney: Friday 5 June – Void @ Spectrum
Brisbane: Saturday 6 June – Step Inn
Byron Bay: Sunday 7 June – Buddha Bar

USA
Santa Cruz: Friday 12 June - Raindance Festival
Southern Washington: Saturday 13 June - Oracle Festival
Los Angeles: Tuesday 16 June - Zanzibar
San Francisco: Thursday 18 June – Fat City
Marin County: Friday 19 June – Know:Audio Festival
Northern California: Saturday 20 June - Stilldream Festival


Rhythm, Sound and Movement - Rude Mechanicals remixes

Track List:

1. International Observer - 1000 Mile Drift
2. Deep Fried Dub - Transient Transmissions
3. Mistrust - Rude Mechanicals
4. Fold vs Horace - Bird Soul
5. Subtone - Bird Soul
6. Patch - Sonic Colonic
7. Bluetech - South of the Line
8. Neon Stereo - Harmonia
9. Hooves - Please Leave Quietly
10. Kerretta - Bird Soul
11. Simon Flower - 1000 Mile Drift
12. Rob - Harmonia
13. Groove Yantra – Fragile Ladders
14. Friends Electric - Please Leave Quietly