News

DJ Shadow Delivers Two New Tunes

• 14th Sep 2010

DJ Shadow, one of the most ground-breaking, forward-thinking and influential artists in modern music, has delivered two new tunes, “Def Surrounds Us” and “I’ve Been Trying”, directly to a number of record shops across Eastern Europe where he is currently on tour. A limited number of the 12inch only releases, featuring original artwork hand-drawn by the artist, have been given to selected stores in the UK and US. Shadow, who has been working for the last year on his new album which is pencilled for release in May 2011, will be releasing new music as he completes it via limited runs of vinyl and downloads.

The two new tracks will be available for free from link on 13th September, and will then be available to buy from iTunes et al from 20th September.

Speaking about this novel way of making his music available DJ Shadow had this to say :

“The idea is 'shop-placing;' it's the opposite of shoplifting. You go into a store, and leave your record in the racks to be discovered later. It's not about being cute, it's about passing the music along in the most unobtrusive way possible. No hype, no shouting, no shot-in-the-void online campaign. Just, 'here you go…I'm glad you found it, and I hope you enjoy it.'”

“All of the covers are different. Some are intricate, some are simple, but the theme is 'don't think, just draw.' Almost like a stream-of-conscious, ongoing series of cartoon doodles.”

“I'd rather give away free vinyl than a download, because to me, downloads are so impersonal and soulless. In 2010, it has become akin to sending your Dad an e-card on his birthday; no personality, no class. And from an artistic point of view, I think it sends a negative message about the worth of the music.”

“Still, there are plans to eventually offer the music on download…at least for a while. I realize that many people don't use vinyl anymore, and I don't want to be intentionally obscure.”

“Then after the dust has settled, I'll see what worked and what didn't. It's all about trying as many different methods as possible, so that when the album comes out next Spring, I'll be informed and hopefully be able to offer an experience that resonates with people beyond the realms of what they're used to.”