Video: Avalanches – “ Artzone Documentary”

It’s been a hot minute since I shared anything from The Avalanches;  Of course for the most part the collective hasn't actually given us anything new in well over a decade, but I've seemingly made it my duty to offer up a handful of treats to our readership each year to keep the name and interest alive.

What we have here is an ultra-rare short documentary about The Avalanches and the creation of their classic album Since I Left You and rehearsing their live sets. The clip was produced for and originally appeared on the Artzone TV show in 1999 and was written/directed and photographed by Philippe Charluet.

Listen: Avalanches "A Cowboy Overflow of the Heart" Demo (ft. David Berman)

After hinting as much on Twitter, the Avalanches have released a new demo. "A Cowboy Overflow of the Heart," which features Silver Jews’ David Berman performing a spoken word poem over some faint music. Truthfully it’s not the strongest piece of music as far as getting an idea of what the Australian collective’s next album will sound like but on the plus side it is another strong indication that an album will actually see the light of day.

Download: The Avalanches - "Cool Gays by Cool Gaze Mix"

The Avalanches may be involved in yet another covert release. Website Pinchy & Friends dropped a new 45 minute long mysterious mixtape, Cool Gays by Cool Gaze, which closes with a track called "A track that may or may not be The Avalanches". Check it out HERE.  In reality, the closing “track” is actually a minute long snippet. The piece is a digitally twisted chunk of guitar funk, sprinkled with bits of old soul and six stringed jangle – classic Avalanches, in short. The tape itself is a sly affair, and well worth your time.

Download: The Avalanches – “Sleepy Bedtime For Young Ones' Mixtape”

The Avalanches unveiled a new mixtape and like most things coming from the Australian group there was some mystery with the release.  Débuting via  twitter, the group claimed it may or may not be mixtape by ♥ ∆v∆L∆NCH∑≤ ♥. Taking a brief look at at their twitter feed would suggest that it is in fact their work, but why don’t you DOWNLOAD it and judge for yourself first hand. The mix clocks in at an hour, features Joanna Newsom , and is a real breezy affair. 

A new album is expected by the end of the year.

Throwback Thursdays: The Avalanches - "Record Club Mixes +"

Until The Avalanches drop some new material I’m going to keep revisiting the old so I might as well make it part of this week’s Throwback Thursday right?  If you’re a super fan of the group like me then you might already be part of their record club, a source for all non commercial releases from the Australian collective including rare mix’s, remix’s, DJ set's and B-sides reaching back as far as 1997 and if you aren’t then this is going to be quite a treat! Here are 14 downloads worth of material to dominate your holiday season and beyond or at least until the rumored 2012 release of the groups sophomore lp drops, enjoy…

Thank You Caroline - b side of debut 7" - 1997

Gimix - A Mixtape by Robbie - 2000

A Different Feeling - Carl Craig Paperclip People Remix - 2001

The Avalanches 'Cornerstone' Mix  - A Mix by Robbie (w/Dexter's DMC set 15:20 thru 17:15) - 2001

The Avalanches Minimix live on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic  - 2001

The Avalanches on Tim Sweeney's 'Beats in Space' Radio Show  - Robbie & Dexter – 2001

The Avalanches on BBC Radio 1 'Breezeblock' Show - 2001

The Avalanches on XFM 'One Night Stand' Radio Show - Robbie & James de la Cruz – 2001

Since I left You - the Recipe - n/a

Some People - A Mixtape by Robbie - 2005

Brains Mixtape Teazer - Teazer for Unreleased 'Brains' Mixtape - 2005

Soca! Sirens! Brains! - Full Length Brains Mixtape (Robbie Tony & Darren @ Brains) - 2005

Ray of Zdarlight - Wham vs Digitalism Bootleg by Robbie - 2006

The Avalanches Yoga Mind Meld Zombie Relaxation Tape - Mixtape by Darren - 2006

Sunday Matinee - Celebrating Sunday's with a live clip - DJ Dexter

Dexter is most famously known for his work with the critically acclaimed Australian group The Avalanches but has long since parted ways citing the long delay of the eagerly anticipated follow up to 2001’s "Since I left You" and consequent drought of live performances. Disillusioned with mainstream music Dexter went on to form Grrilla Step dubbed the world’s first Krump band  with Papua New Guinean log drumming master Airi Ingram and Krump crew Royal Fam from Dandenong, who weave Polynesian culture into the aggressive, emotional street dancing.

For this week’s Sunday Matinee we are gonna go back to 1998’s Technics World DMC Championship, my favorite of Dexter’s many outstanding appearances.