Author: Darren Ressler

DJ/Producer/Label Head Michel Baumann (a.k.a. Soulphiction & Jackmate) Has Died

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Michel Baumann soulphiction

German DJ/producer Michel Baumann, who recorded under the musical aliases Soulphiction and Jackmate and was also part of ManmadeScience, has passed away according to posts on social media. The cause of death is not known at this time.

Baumann, who was born in Stuttgart, was first inspired by hip-hop in the mid-’80s. He later became enamored with Chicago and Detroit house in the late ’90s. He went on to co-found Philpot Records with Tobias Ettle in 2000. The imprint’s moniker was inspired by Larry Levan’s real surname.

As a producer, Baumann released deep cuts tinged with elements of jazz and techier tracks on a host of labels including Perlon, Sonar Kollektiv., Playhouse, Poker Flat, Mosaic, Freude am Tanzen, Philpot and many more.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Premiere: Ægir – He Is So Timid

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Ægir

Ægir Sindri Bjarnason is a multi-faceted artist from Reykjavík. He’s cut his musical teeth playing drums in hardcore bands such as World Narcosis and Dead Herring and exploring dream-pop and indie-rock with Bagdad Brothers and Laura Secord, respectively. A DIY enthusiast, he also helms the Why not? label and has been running an all-age venue in his basement since 2017.

After debuting his electronic-driven Ægir solo project in January 2020, the Icelandic musician has been experimenting with a host of genres ranging from ambient to experimental. After releasing two albums in the past 18 months, he’s getting ready to release a third full-length, The Earth Grew Uncertain, on his indie imprint.

Ahead of the album’s release on June 18, we’re thrilled to world premiere “He Is So Timid” from Ægir’s upcoming eight-song collection.

The instrumental about “social anxiety and lack of confidence which leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness” opens with woozy pads, crisp breakbeats and a meandering melody. Midway through the cut, he stomps on the gas pedal, upping the tempo and driving the listener careening into a sonic moshpit of frenzied blips, bleeps and adrenaline-inducing rhythms.

Hit the download button below and enjoy.

Ægir The Earth Grew Uncertain
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Video Premiere: David Åhlén – If I Have You

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David-ahlen

Ahead of the release of new music coming later this year, Swedish singer/songwriter/producer David Åhlén (pictured above) has collaborated with visual artist Gustaf Järver on a striking music video for his new single, “If I Have You.” The song is culled from Åhlén’s My Face Will Shine EP released today on Jivvär Records.

We’re elated to world premiere the video of the achingly beautiful minimal masterpiece that’s complemented by an expressive video of a lone dancer interpreting the song. The footage was filmed amid the majestic natural splendor of Jämtland at Helagsmassivet, a mountain in Sweden, on a clear and windy day.

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

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Video Premiere: Wolff Parkinson White & Hayden Chisholm – “If Only”

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WOLFF PARKINSON WHITE & HAYDEN CHISHOLM 1

Today sees the release of Off World, a collaborative album between multi-instrumentalist, singer and poet Hayden Chisholm and electronic music artist Wolff Parkinson White.

Good things are indeed well worth waiting for: the duo — who are half of Nils Wogram’s classic jazz quartet Root 70 — took nearly a decade years to bring the ten-song collection to life.

We’re extremely pleased to world premiere the music video for the album’s opening track. It was directed and edited by Chisholm and realized with fellow creatives Jochen Rueckert and Masato Tsutsui.

Within the frame of a single shot is a clever triptych. It’s a meditation staged in a cafe composed of two men playing chess, a video screen bursting with motion graphics and Chisholm singing at a table behind the men.

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.