Worth Checking Out - The Little Bits Modular Synth Kit

Reggie Watts himself gives us an awesome little demo of the little Bits Synth kit, an incredibly powerful, easy to use modular synthesizer which seems to draw some inspiration from Legos. Created for with both amateurs and professionals in mind in collaboration with Korg, the Little Bits kit looks like a synth tinkerers dream come true, as well a gateway for starters to get into the scene. Retailing at about $160 a pop with a ton of optional modules to boot, this one's worth adding to the Christmas wishlist.

Developed to inspire innovation in hardware, littleBits lets users create circuits in seconds, with no soldering, no programming and no wiring required. littleBits has been has been heralded as the most extensive, modular and accessible electronics platform in the world. The brand’s Bits modules revolutionize the way people interact with technology by breaking down electronics into their very basic parts (lights, sounds, sensors, motors, programmable circuits), and making engineering fun and accessible to non experts of all ages including children , teachers, artists, designers, makers, hobbyists and tech-enthusiasts.

Music Video Roundup: Compuphonic, Django Django

Belgian producer Compuphonic's 'Sunset' (Ft. Marques Toliver) got an awesome stop motion based treatment from the Lisbon based Salon Alpin creative collective. Built with an unmistakably retro-synth pumped foundation, Sunset is a blast to the past. And on a related note, Compuphonic has one of the best websites I've ever seen, emulating the look of the very first Apple operating system, OS1. Check it.



Despite indie rockers Django Django having had a meteoric rise to success in 2012 with their self titled debut album, they made a rather interesting mistake of making their music video overshadow their understated track, 'Wor.' Featuring a look at the gravity defying Well of Death Riders from Allahabad, India..The documentary style approach to the music video nearly drowns the track completely out. However, it's commendable for it's experimental approach.

Scratch Massive/Koudlam - "Waiting For A Sign"

Filmed in Thailand and directed by Edouard Salier, this haunting music video features a group of boys wandering around in a state of stupor, stripped of any sense of innocence. Following a harrowing encounter on a bridge with a remorseless soldier, the video will inevitably make you ponder how our environment shapes our behavior, and ultimately influences what we grow up to be.

With an underlying heavy, brooding synth sound reminiscent of early 80's horror movies, the tone ultimately matches the sobering subject matter of the video perfectly.

Maxxi Soundsystem & Thomas Gandey - I Don't Care

Thomas Gandley and Maxxi Soundsystem, mentor and producer respectively teamed up to deliver this sensual piece of house music, accented by distorted, robotic vocals and flowy, pulsating synths. A series of stylized monochromatic portraits present a variety of fringe characters unconcerned with the way society sees their interesting quirks, professions or orientations.

Golden Axe - Space Fire

This Simon Ward directed music video features a catwalk model traversing a series of psychedelic realities reminiscent of early 80's/90's CG, which works surprisingly well with the heavy synth sound of Space Fire. The New Zealand based duo with a Sega flavored twist, Golden Axe released their excellently titled 4th album, Liquid Bacon late last year and have been busy touring Europe ever since. If you're curious to hear more, head over to their label website and give the album a listen.

Distance By Les Gobelins

Ever deal with social anxiety? This animated short by the always impressive students at Les Gobelins features an awesomely stylized take on a girl dealing with angst, shyness and insecurity as she attempts to approach a boy she's attracted to. The entire thing plays out like a psychedelic acid trip, featuring her world imploding into a world of abstract visuals as she makes the first move to get his attention. Loved the abstract nature and the retro-synth score, which nearly turns this into a music video. The short was created by Todd De Jong, Tom Law, Wandrille Maunoury, Etienne Metois and Jonathan Vermersch, all third year students.

The Death Set - Slap Slap Slap Pound Up Down Snap

Australian electronic punk band The Death Set's new video about a handshake or something. Tons of fire and yelling. 10/10