Aaron Frank dreams of electric beats. 62 years young, Brooklyn-based soul man Charles Bradley just released his debut album last month on Daptone Records. Several years ago, label co-founder Gabriel Roth plucked Bradley from relative obscurity after seeing him covering James Brown songs in a New York nightclub. Subsequently pairing him with him producer and […]
| Frank n’ Beats: Caribou Vs. Four Tet | March 1, 2011 |
Aaron Frank records obscure bass music under the name Velma. After releasing two of last year’s best LPs, Caribou and Four Tet have extended their contract in 2011, offering a new collaborative effort in the form of a split 12″, oddly revealed today in the comments section of Irish music blog, Nialler9. The forthcoming release […]
| Question in the Form of an Answer: Smith Westerns | February 16, 2011 |
While it occasionally seems like the Smith Westerns don’t have a care in the world, lead singer Cullen Omari adamantly believes that constant touring defines a band in its inception. After touring with Girls, MGMT and Florence and the Machine, the band is currently barnstorming the US on its own headlining tour, in support of […]
| Frank & Beats: J Rocc Rocks Benji B | January 21, 2011 |
If any weed dispensary owners are reading this, both Frank&Beats and Passion of the Weiss are accepting sponsorships. Since Benji B replaced longtime favorite Mary Anne Hobbs with his new program last year, he’s already given us some memorable mixes from Jamie xx and Darkstar. Turning his focus to Los Angeles artists J.Rocc and Flying […]
| The Winter of George: Twin Shadow Do Daytrotter | January 13, 2011 |
Aaron Frank has been playing frisbee golf all winter. At the outset of every new year, I inevitably find an album that should’ve appeared on my previous year-end favorites list. I stupidly shrugged off Fever Ray as “too weird” in 2009, and eventually became a serious fan through her debut album and dynamic performance at […]
| The Top DJ Mixes of 2010 | December 27, 2010 |
Aaron Frank and Sach O write dope as a tastykake….mix! The following are some of our favorite mixes of the past year in no particular order. If a mix was given out for free, click through for audio, if it was commercially released, click through to buy it. If it was released in another dimension, […]
| It’s Just a Phase | December 14, 2010 |
For the past two years, Phaseone has released mixes that perfectly coincide with the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Anyone afflicted will tell you they notice an almost immediate change in mood after Daylight Saving Time ends. Even in Los Angeles where it’s relatively warm throughout the winter, the melatonin deficiency triggers a natural preference […]
| Frank & Beats: Gangrene’s Fresh Gutter Water | November 18, 2010 |
Aaron Frank rolls up spliffs longer than hockey sticks. Rappers bragging about their weed habits is nothing new–especially in a year like 2010, with Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, and Rick Ross hogging the sativa spotlight. But in 2008, when the Gangrene collaboration between Alchemist and Oh No was first announced, Jim Jones and Lil Wayne prominently […]
| Frank & Beats: The Gaslamp Killer’s Descent to the Death Gate | October 21, 2010 |
The Gaslamp Killer – DEATH GATE from (((∆))) on Vimeo. Aaron Frank is not afraid of Death. They’re afraid of him — there was a falling out over a quibble concerning the proper amount of hair spray. Previously down for his dynamic DJ sets and choices in facial hair, Willie “The Gaslamp Killer” Bensussen […]
| Frank & Beats: James Blake’s Songs of Experience | October 15, 2010 |
Aaron Frank empathizes with James Blake having two first names. It was a welcome surprise when James Blake opted to follow his stellar CMYK with another in the same year. CMYK was a groundbreaking first step for the “post-dubstep” genre, and though I’m circumspect towards that particular name (I remain vague on the definition of […]
