A story contains but few words.
Born. Walked. Kept walking...
The Toronto-based producer first turned heads with his production work in the Canadian hip hop scene, with his work being described as “beats so gloriously fucked, they make EL-P sound like a more accesible Moby” (Now Magazine). Since embarking on a solo journey in 2005, Vangel has released a string of instrumental eps that have confused and amazed music lovers and muddled the boundaries between such genres as electronic, hip hop, jazz, rock, and folk.
Vangel’s first musical steps began with his formal music studies as a member of his school band, strings ensemble, and symphony orchestra. “I hated playing. I wanted to put it together”. His fascination with putting together eventually led to an obsession with dissecting songs and time signatures. Needing a more contextual knowledge base, Vangel spent his days digging through flea markets and garage sales in search of diverse vinyl records with new sounds and ideas.
Eventually, vinyl led to djing. “I bought my first turntables and mixer from this guy’s trunk at a local gas station; they were definetly stolen”. Working with 2 records opened Vangel’s eyes to the possibilities of manipulating and creating new sound relationships. “I wanted to make beats so bad. I had so many ideas I wanted to try out. I bought a computer, quit my job, and started making music”.
Vangel's solo project, Steps Removed, under the alias "peterdeadpan", marked his first effort producing electronic music. The short-run EP drew comparisons to Amon Tobin and Squarepusher, and eventually caught the interest of and was re-released by Toronto-based electronic label, 5&1/4 Records. With the label's support, Vangel released PostModern Eros, his first release as Vangel, a fusion of live instrumentation and fluid sequencing which displayed his ability to meld themes and emotions into sound and depth.
Vangel has taken his live improvisational PA across Canada, the US, and Europe, sharing the stage with RJD2, Omid, EL-P, ProF, and many others, where his set was described as “the best of many good sets.” (Exclaim! Magazine). His talents eventually caught the interest of Germany’s premier instrumental hip hop and electronic label: Equinox Records. Equinox has since featured Vangel on their releases “One Year & A Day: The 5inch Files”, “One Year & A Day: A Sound Exposure Vol.2″, and Vangel's latest themed ep: Biblio.
“Biblio”, exemplifies Vangel’s most polished and musical work to date. A neo classic electronic jazz inspired ep, which was described as "a very accomplished affair, blurring the lines between disparate genres and sound sources" (Cyclic Defrost Magazine), but can be best described as: “Cheesy, but Serious, like hipster scarfs and coffee”.
With a multitude of diverse theme-based instrumental projects on deck, Vangel is taking humble steps towards a unique synthesis of sound.
Born. Walked. And keeps walking…
- PULSE MAG
"... Vangel’s sounds are so difficult to classify because they seem to come from everywhere and mingle in the ether; beats are so crooked yet flow effortlessly through orchestral soundscapes like the ambiance in a futuristic elevator ride.."
- THE SKINNY MAG
"... he splinters the palettes of DJ Shadow and Mr Scruff with jazz-rap beats that are reminiscent of the early '90s sampling aesthetic, the tunes are delivered with such an urgency that the music is drawn away from any notions of laid back hip-hop.."
- TURNTABLE RADIO
"... Well worth your time, trust us. .."
- HEROHILL
"... If you're looking for some interesting, hip hop flavoured, jazz and everything else-influenced instrumental music,
Vangel just might be fors you.."
- SOULMATTERS MAGAZINE
"... more than just beats, this guy’s got an ear for instrumentation.."
- EARSHOTS MAGAZINE
"... A masterful attack on so many musical genres.."
- EXCLAIM! MAGAZINE
"... A beautiful, flowing soundscape: perfect for your intense listening pleasure.
A true work of art.."
- VERSUS SF MAGAZINE
"... A unique version of organic instrumental electronic music
for the new beat generation.."
- AMPLIFIER MAGAZINE
"... complex and original; unified by a unique musical vision."
- CYCLIC DEFROST MAGAZINE
"... a very accomplished affair, blurring the lines between disparate genres and sound sources."
- ILLER. CC
"... A real Endtroducing feel to it.."
- SOUND PROOF MAGAZINE
"... Vangel is an amazing and original producer."
5&1/4 Records presents: VANGEL: EAT YOUR FOOTLOOSE (LIVE)CLICK ON THE BANNER ABOVE for FREE DOWNLOAD
EQUINOX.DIGITAL and 5&1/4 RECORDS present: VANGEL - BIBLIO EP
“Biblio”, exemplifies Vangel’s most polished and musical work to date. Making use of public and private libraries as his primary outlet for sample sources, Vangel set out to create the foundation for an original jazz-electronic music hybrid. Track skeletons were combined with live instrumentation by Toronto’s premier session musicians, and songs began to appear. The result is Biblio: a smooth and rich sounding journey that teeters on the edge of elevator music and avant-garde pop genius. “Cheesy, but serious like hipster scarfs and coffee”.
TRACKLISTING:
1. Cold Rain
2. Broken Jazz Hands
4. Trew Lub
3. Money Money
5. Elevator Talk
As a special treat, Biblio is available as a Limited Edition Biblio CD encased in an old school floppy diskette, courtesy of 5&1/4 Records.
Vangel VS. DJ Unkut: FREE DOWNLOAD!!!
(CLICK ON PIC ABOVE)
One world class producer, one world class dj, one vision. Vangel (Canada) & DJ Unkut (Germany) are well known for their talents and innovation in their respective fields of art.
Vangel is an unassuming instrumental producer whose diverse musical catalogue has been redefining genres that don't exist. DJ Unkut is the 2007 Vestax Extravaganza World Champion/2006 DMC World Champion, and has become the next evolution in turntablism.
Equinox Records drops its second full length album, the second part of the sound exposure compilation series: “One Year & A Day – A Sound Exposure Vol.2”.
One Year & A Day - The 5inch Files Vinyl Release Out Now!
The first ever 5” vinyl series is available NOW. 250 limited hand numbered boxes - each including 5 different vinyl discs in the size of a CD.
Europeans can get copies at HHV.de, Vinylkingz.de, Dense Records, Sound-station.at and Sonicrecords.ch.
Our distribution Kudos Records from the UK is doing the international release.
One Year & A Day - The 5inch Files Out Now!
Equinox Records proudly presents the first ever 5” series worldwide! “One Year & A Day – The 5inch Files” features ten awesome tracks on 5 different records that will be available in a limited collector’s box of 25 handnumbered copies. Artists contributing to this special project are Vangel, Misanthrop, Aqua Luminus III., Mnemotrauma, J.Baracuz, B-Ju, SmoKey131, DJ Snatchatec & The Raincoatman. Release date of the vinyl is January 25th. Download the complete compilation for free now! – and try to get one of the limited vinyl boxes later…
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