Since 2000, NY-D.C.-Chicago transplant, ARCHITEKTUR has played Downbeat and Dub in cities from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to Vienna, Austria. Now residing in Austin, Architektur recently released his debut album, Travelogue, on Burning Bowl Records. The CD features remixes by The Waz Experience (Vienna Scientists) & Canartic (Dank Disk) and was mastered by Alex Joechtl of Castle Mastering (Parov Stelar, Karl Moestl, etc.). Architektur has composed music for film and television, including his award winning score for the documentary "Lady Titans: A Title IX Victory"... More
Architektur also hosts the Downbeat radio program PASSPORT, which has featured his exclusive interviews with Gotan Project, Rootz & Zeebo of Thievery Corporation, Rodney Hunter, Canartic, Bitter:Sweet and General Electrics/Honeycut, among others... More
"The Smoker", is included on the Downbeat/Dub compilation "Musik For Film" along with Rootz & Zeebo of Thievery Corporation (See-I), Rick Torres of the Supreme Beings Of Leisure (Lazy), Portishead contemporaries Sin, Jamie Saft of John Zorn's Masada, Professor Oz featuring Sugar B of G-Stone and NuJazz pioneers Xploding Plastix, among 17 heavy hitters... More
. . . . .
Burning Bowl artists See-I & Architektur live at Antone's and the House Of Blues - Dallas
. . . . .
Travelogue Reviews:
"Travelogue" requires multiple listens to even begin to appreciate the depths of its treasures. Rather than falling into the familiar reggae-inspired vibe of much dub (though this album isn't without that influence), there is a much more ambient and experimental approach here. Yet the atmosphere conjured doesn't alienate the less adventurous listener - for the palpable mood is the very thing that envelopes the happy hearer of Architektur's mesmerizing release. Waves of stylishness wash across the listener, with many shifts and surprises along the way. "Travelogue" is also sample-heavy, with odd bits of dialogue and verbage only adding to the curious resonance of this compelling album. 4.5 Stars - Kristofer Upjohn (Raves.com / djfix.com)
If you're wondering what's going to be playing in the halls of the mothership when we're all forced to leave this planet due to inevitable Malthusian catastrophe - Wall-E style, mark our words - you're reading the right review. One can easily image deciding between food pod rations whilst tapping their anti-gravity space-shoes to the retro organs and disembodied voiceovers of "Ubahn (Underground)" as it wafts from the consumption depot speakers. Stroll down the promenade and gaze out into the depths of space as the eerie 1920s big band drowns in molten reverb before the leering percussion tears you away in "Misinformation." Finally, contemplate the ignominious fate of mankind at 3 a.m. some distant morning on your beige bunk in sector 4B, doomed to hurtle through the cosmos to the innocuous jazz pastiche and swirling detritus of closing track "Mantra." In short, this is an album to scare the pants off sci-fi enthusiasts, so pick up your favorite dystopian nightmare and shove these crazy jams in your ear. - Joshua Huck (Austinist.com)
Architektur's album is an uncomfortable mix of those sounds that seem to be embedded in the walls of lifestyle lounges across the globe, jazzy little ethnically inclined samples of uncertain origin - there are no source musician credits - a sinking low into the luxurious sofa experience, with dubby sonics - the diminutive is intended - and mind boggling juxtapositions bagged together in a mix and scattered over an otherwise over smoove mix. Apparently the artist has played across the globe since 2000, I was expecting a more city centred sound and what better cities than Austin - where he's based - and Vienna to create some atmospheres, but when its attempted on the track "Misinformation" the forties swing band in the middle of a jiggly reggae tune is just like a thumb in the eye and again on "Speedball" where Meat Beat Manifesto collides with Shorty Rogers. Totally perplexing is perhaps the point. - Steve Barker (The Wire / On The Wire - BBC Radio)
(Polish Translation) The thing that Architektur primarily proposes to give to us is a kind of a splendor for chillout rythms, which for years were produced by Kruder & Dorfmeister or Thievery Corporation. Of course our musician doesn't create his music better or in some revelatory way, but the final effect - this blissful relaxation that comes to the listener - is achieved perfectly. The album has been created just like that, with no pressure of brand new music landscapes, but with a background of well known techniques. Remarkably selected jazz and - rarely - swing samples are start-point for nice, sweet music themes. The theme of the album is Vienna: from one hand it's chillout, perfect for a relaxing walk during a warm afternoon, but on the other hand - dub, coming out from the metro tunnels. This stylistic cocktail combined with an interesting sound and high-level production creates very good music material. The fact is that these sounds won't surprise you, but well worth listening to them carefully to see their hidden potential. Read complete review HERE - Rafal Mackowski (80bpm.net)
A dense, layered, fascinating effort from Austin, TX. “Travelouge” requires mulitple listens to even begin to delve into. The most apt desciption would be swirling through film scores while on a mild mannered mushroom trip. A gentle yet intense journey through a world of dubbed out beats and textures. Swimming through jazzy chords, psychedelic theremin patches and plucked strings. Not background music by any means, the album is best enjoyed through headphones after a night of partying, when your too high to sleep and don’t want to watch a movie. A fine release that is cinematic in a way few acts can achieve. Excellent listening but not for the faint of heart. - Brian Gerhard (Massive Music America / couerdazure.com)
Charts (2009):
Travelogue - Number 43 KALX 90.7 FM "Top 100" Releases for January
"the smoker ROCKS! would love to download!" - Erdem Tunakan (Cheap Records)
"absolutely superb, i'm enjoying the sound flow non stop!" - Sue Sanchez (Smiles Recordings)
"The perfect loungey, dubby, Downtempo escape from Architektur...lovely album, lovely album, I can't say anything more" - Menno Jager (Rupert-Mennert radio / Play.fm)
"Big up to Architektur, the man behind the great 'Musik for Film' compilation on Burning Bowl Records. This cd is a must-have for every downbeat/chilled dub fan...great stuff!!" - Youri van Driessche (FM Brussels)
(Russian translation) "this album really deserves attention…a mixture of jazz and downtempo. A deep, liquid sound and surrealistic atmosphere. A great album for a trip in itself."
- Samoe Vremya (Now Is The Time)
"DJ Architektur played the dreamiest, trippiest music I'd heard in many moons" - Stephen MacMillan Moser (Austin Chronicle)
. . . . .
.:: Lounge Productions ::.
Architektur also founded LOUNGE PRODUCTIONS Featuring the finest in Downbeat & Dub music
Hi Architektur, please let your friends know about Steel Pulse's MySpace page, so that they can receive updates when Pulse will be performing in their area. There is also a new feature there where Pulse fans can receive Text Messages about local upcoming shows, so register your phone now! Also, check out many cool new items that have been added to the STEEL PULSE STORE!