"Glasgow based electronica duo Mark Flanagan and Gordon MacDermid have amassed a crack team of remixers for their lush and lovingly crafted soundscapes. Black Dog and Dextro turn in superb interpretations but it's Kirk GeDiorgio's stripped down club friendly mix that could well make this one of the surprise underground hits of the autumn. As a taster for their soon to be released Carnivalesque album this is very promising stuff indeed" News Of The World, Single of the Week (Sunday 14th October 2007)
"The Black Dog, Kirk Degiorgio and Dextro provide revised versions of the pair’s Breaking Into Smile, another track taken from Carnivalesque. One of the definite standout moments from the album, the original, also featured here, is another piece of heady melodic electronica which continuously evolves around a central theme, a classic structure pioneered by the likes of The Black Dog and Degiorgio, amongst others, in the early nineties. The Black Dog remix originally settles for much more ambient settings, using the melody as basic structure for a somewhat darker and more abrasive piece which launches into an ecstatic electro-tinted second half, giving the original a rather twisted makeover. Degiorgio, here acting under his As One guise, provides a classic piece of minimal Detroit techno which pushes Rubens firmly on the dance floor. None of the original’s lush rendering is present here, replaced with short reverbs and tight loops, but Degiorgio’s stylish atmospheric treatment is nevertheless worth a listen.
Dextro’s Ewan Mackenzie opts for a much meatier slice of kaleidoscopic electronic music as he distorts the melody into a multitude of parallel elements which he then sets them to erupt one after the other into luminous soundscapes. Dextro manages here at once to remain faithful to the original and craft a wonderfully unique and personal track, and provides in the process the undisputed highlight of this EP." The Milk Factory
[HERB002] Vertical Hold / Puggies
7" Vinyl (Limited Edition)
Release Date - OUT NOW.
Available on extremely limited edition 7" vinyl format only, from good record emporiums. Taken from the forthcoming album Carnivalesque, out October 8th.
RECORD OF THE WEEK AT PICCADILLY RECORDS - HERE.
Also now available from the following leading record stores:
"A lovely little 7" this, dunno much about Rubens, two blokes from Scotland that make electronica. Anyway that's by the by, what really matters is that "Puggies" is a great electro pop instrumental, with flashes of Stereolab (without the rubbish vocals) and Caribou, a lush melody line, driving beats and deft edits. Over on Side-B "Vertical Hold" mangles acoustic guitar, rewound synth noises and motorik beats into a stunning little number. Just like Bibio with beats."
‘Carnivalesque’ is the long awaited and hotly anticipated debut album from Scottish electronic duo, Rubens. Since signing to the Herb Recordings label in early 2006, Mark Flanagan and Gordon MacDermid have been quietly forging their unique and contemporary brand of melodic electronics and have emerged with a highly polished gem of a debut full-length. With 10 tracks spanning just under an hour, ‘Carnivalesque’ is a finely balanced blend of head-nodding melodies, taking the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride from the opening chords of the acoustic guitar-laden ‘Vertical Hold’ through to the simply beautiful conclusion that is ‘After Now is Next’.
Skilfully crafting together both acoustic and electronic percussion before infusing with uptempo synth melodies along side more dulcet, and sombre layers of sound, Rubens have put together an album that is both genuinely refreshing and immediately accessible. Drawing upon their collective and often shared taste in music, the Rubens sound comes from a blend of their contemporary influences (Autechre, Boards of Canada, Caribou to name but a few), with their often intricate and emotional style of music.
Carnivalesque is available on CD format now and is available to buy from all good online record shops as well as selected high street stores.
"Anything from the 70s ambient explorations of Bryan Eno and Robert Fripp to early Future Sound Of London can be heard echoing around tracks like 'Vertical Hold' and 'Breaking Into Smile' but, again, the sound is all their own. The key is the amount of emotion they pour into their music. This gorgeous soul results in something that can only be described as beautiful, which you can't say much these days." 5 out of 5 (Kris Needs) Update
"Rubens specializes in vibrant melodic electronic music that seamlessly blends acoustic and electronic sounds into a lush, enveloping whole." Textura (May'07)
"The production on display seems almost effortless - textures and layer upon layer combine with such ease that it is all too easy to overlook the substantial effort that must have gone into the compositions on offer. It is also refreshing to note that a variety of live instruments have been used to give the sound more depth."
Blackplastic.co.uk
"Carnivalesque is not an album that reaches out and grabs you, but it’s well worth spending the time to let it’s subtleties sink in and take hold. It’s those nuances which pull the pieces together into a good album." Cyclic Defrost
"CARNIVALESQUE is an album that plays out with sublime majesty and class, a moody and atmospheric record that sets out to take you on a journey, dropping you off at a place you may not be expecting but will be glad you've reached." UK Music Search
“Rubens have created an album of timeless electronica, full of infectious melodies & emotionally stirring compositions, that sit gracefully with hi tech beat programming...2007 is already off to a great start.” DublinXFM Radio
“Rubens marshall a pleasing palette of sound to choreograph the slow-burning electro-balladry of "Giraffe" with its rippling pianoid sonorities, staying elegiac and rightside of grandiosity.” Igloo Magazine
"Rubens deploy an impressive armada of sounds and moods, wrapped up in disarmingly simple and confident pieces, that it is a wonder how they could sustain the pace for long and continue to deliver. Yet, they do, time and again...
Carnivalesque is intrinsically organic and warm, with vast cinematic open spaces and more intimate moments alternating with insistent regularity, denoting impressive maturity and judgement from the band. This is a record made by human beings, for human beings." MilkFactory Blogspot
“Rubens’ Carnivalesque is one of the most refreshingly emotive electronic albums we’ve heard in quite some time, reminiscent of the likes of The Black Dog and Caribou at their best. From heart-tuggingly upbeat melodics through to melancholic downtempo cuts, this debut album from the Scottish duo is a slice of absolute class.” Reverb Magazine
“Carnivalesque was intended to be an album of “head-nodding melodic electronic music”, every box is checked with regards to that statement, making this a fine debut from the Rubens team and another goal for Herb Recordings.” Boring Machines Disturb Sleep
"In spite of the seemingly understated nature of these tracks, Carnivalesque is an impressive feat of programming, at times approaching an almost Richard D. James-like magnitude of studio virtuosity...By and large, Rubens has recorded a spirited and prepossessing release that serves as an extraordinarily poignant debut."
Grooves Magazine
A little info...
Rubens is the collective project of Glasgow based Mark Flanagan (previous solo work under the ~ism guise) and Ayrshire based Gordon MacDermid (aka Gump). With an emphasis on upbeat electronic melodies and a blend of electronic and acoustic drum beats, the Rubens sound is primarily about putting a smile on your face while getting your head nodding. With a shared love of all things electronic and braindance with musical influences including the likes of Boards of Canada, Autechre, RDJ, Arovane, Black Dog and Caribou/Manitoba through to Depeche Mode, Neu!, Cocteau Twins, Eno, Bowie and more.
Aside from original material, Rubens have also turned their hand to some remix and collaboration projects with some well received results including work with fellow Scottish electronic artists Dextro (Gronland/Border Community/16K Records), Mosca (Herb Recordings) and similarly melodic flavoured collabs with South London's New City 16 (Retropublik) and Belgian singer/songwriter Peter Vanek.
Rubens now have a live show on the go and have already played at Tronic in Glasgow with The amazing Dextro (Gronland Records) on Drums and The Lava Experiments (herb recordings) on guitar. The not so dynamic duo may finally get their show out on the road later in the year to promote the new album. Stay tuned here for more noises along these lines...
Remix/Collab Projects
Rubens are always on the lookout for remix work, so if you like what you hear here and fancy giving the workshop some fresh material to get stuck into - contact them here at myspace or over at via the label HERE
We will be showcasing our new drummer at a couple of gigs in Glasgow:- April 7th at Pivo Pivo and May 4th at King Tuts We have a limited number of free tickets for both gigs so get in touch sharpish. Hope to see you there.
Label news and release date for our next EP to follow.
Hey man. I'm defo up for a collabo but I have no internets at the mo(using bird's iPhone to send this) I'll get a cd or something over to you for the 28th. Good to see you and claribo the other week!
Next gig : Genre Is A Dirty Word, G12, Glasgow, 08/11/08
I'll be playing with Cinephile, Marco Bernardi, Conor Mason & The Lava Experiments. Special guest DJ Mash. Doors 7pm and first act on @ 7. 45 - get there early!
Howdy Gents, Hope you are mighty fine. We've a cracking gig coming up shortly. Check out all the gubbins below. Hope you can make it along:-
Introducing: Antimatter @ James Arnott Theatre, G12, University Avenue, Glasgow - 08.11.08
On Saturday 8th November, five of Glasgow's best up and coming artists take centre stage for an evening of cutting edge live performance. From trip-hop to electronica, acoustic to ambient, this is a unique chance to see and hear such a diverse mix of talent and sound under one roof and on the same bill.
The line up includes a rare appearance by alternative trip-hop duo and Hollywood favourites Cinephile, whilst rising star and recent XFM/YourSound winner Conor Mason shows just what all the fuss is about.
DJ Magazine Album of the Year winner Marco Bernardi tests the limits of the soundsystem, whilst recent Digitalism support act Satellite Dub loosens the fixtures. The Lava Experiments complete the picture with their signature epic wall of sound.
This unique event encapsulates the full sonic spectrum of the Antimatter label roster. Set in the stunning surroundings of the James Arnott Theatre at Glasgow University's G12 venue on University Avenue this is certainly something not to be missed.
Private aftershow party until 3:00am. Get a badge with admission to the gig - the badge gets you into the aftershow FREE.
Live visuals by concept&graft plus DJ support
Doors 7pm. Tickets £5/4 in advance, £6/5 on the door
Tronic has played its part in uncovering some hidden gems of the underground electronic world over the last 3 years in amongst Glasgow and beyond.
Never being a night to stick to one generic sound, our album (volume 2) exemplifies just that - with 14 tracks covering techno, electro, breaks, dub-step to ambient and chiptune.
Tronic Volume 2 will be released on November the 7th with some cracking up and coming Scottish live electronic acts featured from the compilation getting involved on the night of diverse tunage. Here's who will be playing:
SABREPULSE (Chiptune Alliance) GRAVIOUS (Hot Flush & Scuba) ENGINE 7 (Herb) I AM BLIP THIRD MOUNTAIN (Edge Of The Map)
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