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The Electorate
by RDW Staff

Detroit transplant and minimal techno artist Daniel Bell has been making noise in the electronic music world for nearly 20 years now — and he's still going strong. After leaving the cozy confines of his hometown, Toronto, Bell moved to The D and teamed up with Richie Hawtin shortly after to form Cybersonik. Later, as DBX, Bell started his own record label called Accelerate (1991) and released material that helped define and push the genre forward. Three years later, he released the single "Losing Control" before founding 7th City Distribution, which pressed and distributed Robert Hood's M-plant, Dopplereffekt's Dataphysix and Anthony Shakir's Frictional record labels. 1998 saw the close of 7th City, but Bell wasn't finished — he moved to Berlin in 2000, released the DJ mix album The Button-Down Mind to critical acclaim and its sequel, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back on Logistic Records. Often characterized by his use of strange voice effects, blips, bleeps and just flat-out weird atmospheric layerings, Bell released a collection of earlier work entitled, Blip, Blurp, Bleep: The Music of Daniel Bell in 2003. Stop by Oslo on Saturday to hear the man spin his little heart out — you will not be disappointed.  | RDW

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The Zone
by Origix

From a city that isn’t looking to become a globally known hip-hop spot, Port Huron’s scene does boast one pretty damn fine group, The Lyricists. Illtone, Rym B and DJ Haus Diesel have been making traditional hip-hop since 1995, staying consistent with their fifth release, Transmittin' Live! The Radio EP.

The EP is now backed by both DJ Excel and independent imprint Bmore Original Records, based in Baltimore. “Transmittin’ Live is the most evolved music we have made," Rym B says. "I really want this one to catch on and hope cats can hear what we hear when we listen to it.”

The Lyricists have made a big impact in parts of Canada, as the Blue Water Bridge connects our two countries. By playing many shows in the Midwest and the East coast, they have laid down a blueprint for quality hip-hop. What keeps them motivated? “It's people sleepin' on us! It’s the Web sites that don’t play our music, the people we reach out to and don’t respond back,” Illtone concludes. More: myspace.com/TheLyricists.  | RDW

The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Saturday’s 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 89.3FM; stream atwhfr.fm & visit myspace.com/thezoneradio & 2Raw4fm.com.

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Deep Cutz
by Jeff Milo

Mid-November, Saturday morning, head throbbing, mouth dry, ears blown — another long night in the trenches with beer and amps and guitars. I’m certainly not “taking it easy,” leading up to the always-busy, stacked night of Thanksgiving Eve. For those who stayed home, for those who want seconds or those looking for more neo-folk, golden-jangled romance, hard-worn singer/songwriter melancholy or just sunny groove-pop, Corktown’s the place, 11/28. Essentially an Ann Arbor showcase, featuring eclectic popsters Sh! The Octopus (pictured), stalwart troubadour of chalky woe, Chris Bathgate, the ornate folk-rock of Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful and the poetic, experimental styling of former Rescue player Alan Scheurman (album Old Patterns available 12/2 — free download).

So, we give thanks to more people coming together, listening to and sharing music! Proven by this not-quite-folk, not-quite-indie lineup, Ann Arbor is strong enough to be a scene unto itself.  | RDW

More info: shtheoctopus.com; alanscheurman.com; myspace.com/mistylynmusic; acorktalewake.com

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Motor City’s Burning
by Eric Allen | photo by Sammich

There is a running thread over at my favorite punk rock message board, Terminal Boredom, where members are attempting to see if they can fill 30 pages of post by talking shit about New York’s Crystal Stilts. It’s unclear if it’s a joke or serious — almost like everything else on TB — but regardless, this band is fantastic and plays an entertaining brand of minimalist psychedelic garage rock.

Many will liken them to fellow NY rockers Interpol, but Crystal Stilts shine with gleaming Beach Boys jangle guitars through a guise of noise pollution that is a style all their own. Their primitive drumming reminds me of something that is only capable from Mo Tucker of the Velvets, Peg of The Gories, Meg White or my five-year-old cousin. Yet, there is beauty in such cavewoman-esque drumming.

Bringing a bit of fun to what seems like it will be a freezing Detroit December, the Crystal Stilts will play at the Magic Stick on December 12. However, you don’t just get a taste of NYC post-punkers, you will also get a chance to check out Sweden’s newest hitmakers, Love Is All. You can’t miss this thing. I know I won’t.  | RDW

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