Peaking Lights Remix

100% Silk are out in force to remix Peaking Lights' adored '936' LP. One of the year's most nattered about names, Ital refits 'Marshmellow Yellow' with a struttin' Mr. Soft groove, all spongy bass bumps and refracted melody, while Xander Harris views 'Birds Of Paradise' as a sludgy piece of Balearic baroque with spy-eyed arpeggios. Best of all is Innergaze's baggy acid re-tweak of 'Shines For U', full of lip-smacking MDMA charm, and Cuticle make a welcome return to the label with the seeping, sideways Chicago revision of 'Tiger Eyes'. Perfectly trippy.

Pre Order Here

Dallas Show Saturday 12/17

Mixes, Fun, Etc

Here's a mix I did inspired by my friend Angeliska in honor of the theme she chose for her monthly dark party, Exquisite Corpse. Exquisite Corpse is on the first Thursday of every month at Swan Dive here in Austin, TX. If you live here in Austin, please come out and celebrate all things weird, dark, and dada. The theme for Exquisite Corpse held last night was Teen Goth and it was truly a lot of fun. Check this awesome post from Angeliska for her musings on the subject. Be sure to check out the rest of her site for her amazing poetry, great photos, and dark, fun wit. The ever wonderful Devaki Knowles (and finance/ collaborator with Xander Harris) was there to capture the event with her amazing photography at Swan Dive, a place where I moonlight behind the bar from time to time for extra cash.

a colourful storm 006 : xander harris by a colourful storm

Here's a little mix I did for A Colourful Storm



Check their page for all of the fun mixes on there.

I'll have a year end mix of what rocked my socks off in 2011 in a few days. Keep checking back here for updates about what's going on. See you soon and thank you!

Xander

The 2011 End Times

Urban Gothic received the honor of being #50 on Fact Magazine's top 50 releases of 2011. You can check that out here

This year has been magical and insane. 2011 is a year that I will never forget. I've made new amazing friendships, got engaged, released some music, and played some awesome shows. Thanks to everyone for coming out to the shows, buying the music and supporting me. There are a bunch of things that are on the horizon for Xander Harris for December and the great 2012 cataclysm. Cassettes, 45s, remixes, 12 inches, mini discs, USB keys, you name it, it'll have some sort of synth jam on it, hopefully. Hopefully there will be more shows, more tours, and more fun. I have a show coming up in Dallas on the 17TH of December with sonic outlaws Eyes, Wings, & Many Other Things that will be free and fun. There are more shows coming up in the future and hopefully there will be some jamming at SXSW this year.

2011 wouldn't have been possible without the following people: Devaki Knowles, Jackie Mandujano, Natalie Ribbons, Nay Nay, Brian Keene, Amanda and Britt, Isobelle Fox, Greg and Margot and the Portland Crew, Dennis Dread, Soft Metals, Jake and Speaker Snacks and the Denver Crew, Healthy Times Fun Club, AGL, Akino Taurus, John Vardell, Tom Hall, Group Rhoda, Damon, Dylan Ettinger, Clarke Thomas Joyner, Topping Bottoms, Matt and Jeremiah, Justin 70, Daughters of the Sun, //TENSE//, Michael, Adam, Stephanie, Eli, Harlan and BNB, Chad and Switched On, George and Christina, the 100% SILK/Complicated Dance Steps/NNF family, Sean and Marjorie, Eyes, Wings, & Many Other Things, Ian, Boy Manor, Luke Barta, Holy Strays, Swan Dive, Angeliska & Colin, Amelia, Lau & David, RecSpec, Tamale Molly, Psychic Handbook, Holy Strays, Ruralfaune, Nick and Melissa, Greg and Allyson, Sheri, Steve and Moon Glyph, and everyone else. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone! Don't hold it against me!

#20 With a Bullet!

Thank you Fact Magazine! I'm #20 on the list of "20 killer records for Halloween".

You can read the list here

Movie Advocate

Xander Harris stopped by The Movie Advocate and discussed horror film. Thanks to Speaker Snacks for posting this up along with the Movie Advocate. There is also an exclusive track, "Afraid of the Light", debuted from the To Be Released "Poison Belt" coming out on Ruralfaune Records in the not too distant future. You also get to take a peek at the Devaki Knowles shot cover photo.

Go
here
and
here

New Tunes

Xander Harris-Visor Glare by Justin Sweatt

Pour Le Corps Records is putting out a limited tape of our science fiction concept release "Chrysalid". Here is a taste of the bits on the tape:

100% LOVE

Not Not Fun and 100%SILK will be performing at the Unsound Festival. If you are in Europe, please go out and check out my friends make some fantastic sounds. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have my music in the company of such geniuses.

Scene Selection: Sir Stephen's introduction to 100% Silk by Mixmag

An introduction to 100% Silk mixed by Sir Stephen

Maria Minerva - 'Hagasuxzzavol'
Pharaohs - 'Uhh Uhh'
Bobby Browser - 'No Appointments'
Magic Touch - 'Clubhouse'
Sir Stephen - 'By Design'
Innergaze - 'Hypnogogisco'
Polonaise - 'Thema'
Ital - 'Only For Tonight'
Octo Octa - 'I'm Trying'

Cool Review

YAY! Thank you!

Benefit Show This Saturday at Cheer Up Charlies

Proceeds will be donated to AIDS Services of Austin and Austin Radical Action for Gender Equality!

NO COVER BUT DONATIONS WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Performances by: HipNaughtica, Chola Magnolia, & Bulimianne Rhapsody

DJ Line Up:

Pasht-Pagame-John Gomi-Asil Bee-La Mala Mota

Live Band:

Xander Harris

Photo Booth: Devaki Knowles of Fun Loving Photos

Chrysalid

Dallas, TX based Pour Le Corps Records is releasing a new Xander Harris tape entitled "Chrysalid". The picture above is the cover for the tape. The tape is a concept album based on a female android that goes by the name Chrysalid, who leads an uprising against humanity on Earth after decades of enslavement.

There are other releases on the horizon as well so stay tuned. Details will emerge as they become more concrete.

Cheers,
Xander Harris

Fear Itself!

Fear Itself from Altered Esthetics on Vimeo.

Altered Esthetics used my song "When The Hammer Starts To Swing" in a trailer for their upcoming event titled "Fear Itself". Artists confront phobias ranging from the creepy, crawly, or things that go bump in the night, to the terrifying anticipation of social situations or life events. Super stoked!

Rose Quartz Love!

Rose Quartz gave my remix for Holy Strays some serious love today. I greatly, greatly appreciate it.

As far as what's going on with me these days new music wise? I'm working on a bunch of stuff and I'm getting married!!! Life is amazing and thanks to everyone out there who supports what I do. I couldn't do it without you.

Xander Harris Live At Skinny's!!

Xander Harris from egroeg on Vimeo.

Video taken of my entire set at Skinny's by the amazing George Jensen. Enjoy!

Texas Shows!

This friday, tomorrow, August 12 Xander Harris is playing the Complicated Dance Steps showcase with Sneaky Snake and Eyes, Wings, & Many Other Things at Skinny's here in Austin. I start first and should go on around ten.



This Saturday August 13 we play the 29th Street Ballroom with the amazing Silent Diane and //TENSE//. This should be a really awesome show! I'm a super huge fan of //TENSE// and I can't wait. I start first so I should be on at ten o'clock at this one as well.

Next Saturday, August 20, there is a show at Rubber Gloves in Denton with BETDAT and Kiwi Sisters. That should be a really good time. It's been a long, long time since I've hung out in Denton.

Holy Strays Remix

Read full review of Enlightenment - Holy Strays on Boomkat.com ©

I remixed the Holy Strays track "Phernesia". Check it out!

Thank You!

Photo from Luke Barta at the Los Angeles Boy Manor Show.

Tour was fantastic, magickal, and all of the above. Thank you to everyone who came out. I'd like to thank the following:

Alan George Ledergerber Jr and Lisa for their hospitality, Derek, Kenny, Ronoso, Peace and Justice Center and the awesome vegan lasagne, Chris, Jake, Rhinoceropolis, Hot White, Tollund Men, Vitamins, King Mob, Tom, Healthy Times Fun Club and the awesome vegan thai food, Ian, Brain Fruit, U, Brad for the hospitality, Ariel and Ian for their hospitality, Emily, Andrea, Emmett, Matty, Max, Kyle, Greg, Margot, Soft Metals, Tunnels, Remy and his amazing lady-friend, Michael, Anthony, Jordy, East End, Dennis Dread, Ashley, Scott and Vicki Knowles for their hospitality, Elizabeth Ellerbee, Michael, East Nile, Group Rhoda, Psychic Handbook, Ander, Boy Manor, Britt & Amanda, George & Christina for their hospitality, Pete, Greh, Grant, Luke, Lee Nobles, KeepBullFighting, Sneaky Snake, Tom Hall, Krystal, Dad, Mom, Peter, Isobelle, Bryan and everyone who hung out, everyone I talked to and everyone that I hope to see again. I'm forgetting a lot of people because it was all a wonderful blur. I made new friends and family and I am so appreciative for it.

xoxoxo
Justin
Devaki

Tour is starting at the end of this week! STOKED!

West Coast Tour 2011!!

Xander Harris is going out on their first West Coast Tour this summer. Please come out and say hello.

Tour kick off starts THIS Saturday 7/16 with the wonderful Jean Eric at Beauty Bar here in Austin, TX.

7/22 Albuquerque, NM at the Peace and Justice Center w/ Sorrower, Ronoso, and AGL
7/23 Denver, CO at the Rhioceropolis w/The Vitamins, Hot White, King Mob, Tollund Men
7/24 Off/Drive
7/25 Seattle, WA at the Healthy Times Fun Club w/ U + more!
7/26 Olympia, WA at Le Voyeur
7/27 Portland, OR East End w/Soft Metals, Tunnels, Sick Jaggers
7/28 Off
7/29 Oakland, CA at East Nile w/ Group Rhoda, Psychic Handbook, Ander
7/30 Los Angeles, CA at Boy Manor w/ Sneaky Snake, Tom Hall, Keepbullfighting/LA Vampires DJ Set

Fun!

Favorite Releases of 2011 So Far, In No Particular Order

Dylan Ettinger "Lion of Judah"
John Maus "We Must Become The Pitiless Censors of Ourselves"
Jonas Reinhardt "Music For The Tactile Dome"
Holy Strays "Enlightment"
Gang Gang Dance "Eye Contact"
Steve Moore 2004 Demos
Juliana Barwick "The Magic Place"

Favorite Reissue/Discoveries of Older Material

All of the Minimal Wave reissues
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Ralph Stanley
Michael Rother
DJ Screw

Favorite New Artist

Soft Metals

My Dream Collaboration

Jamming out with Chris Carter, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Patricia Hall, Ian Hicks, and John Maus

Favorite Song of All Time

"Something In The Way" by Nirvana

Last Great Concert I Saw

The Melvins at the Mohawk here in Austin play "Houdini". Pretty bitchin'.

Last Great Film I Saw

Citizen Ruth

Last Great Book I Read

"The Woods Are Dark" by Richard Laymon

Favorite Piece of Musical Equipment

My Concertmate MG-1

Favorite Records Shop

End of an Ear Austin, TX

Subbacultcha!

I got a cool mention in the new music section of the great magazine "Subbacultcha". Click here to read the issue.

End of an Ear

Hola! I'm playing an in-store at End of an Ear in Austin, TX tomorrow at 6 p.m. I'm looking forward to playing and seeing you there if you are in the area. If you haven't been to the store, please come a little early or stay a little after and look at all of the wonderful albums that are available for purchase. End of an Ear is definitely one of my favorite record stores ever so I'm very humbled and honored to be able to play this show.

End of an Ear Newsletter

X

Xander Harris Radio Interview

xander harris interview / 100% silk / not not fun

Listen Here

Xander Harris has been making music for around 15 years. This guy knows about synths, is soo into Chris and Cosy and loves Skinny Puppy. This episode will feature an interview with Justin about his record, synthesisers and being awkward in clubs - something which we can all relate too.

He recently released ‘I Want More Than Just Blood’ on Amanda from Not Not Fun’s new dance label 100% Silk. ‘I Want More Than Just Blood’ consists of some sweet dancefloor jams with a big 90s horror vibe. Imagine running through a field in pink neon leggings to the sound of Hellraiser and you’ve just about got it.

Thank you to Sub City Radio and Sofie for a wonderful chat and playing awesome tunes.

Taxidermied Kitten Shuffle

I made a mix for one of my favorite blogs of all time, the blog Clumsy & Shy.

Click here to listen! I hope you like it! Be sure to listen to the artist Eyes, Wings & Many Other Things! One of my favorite jams!

Footage from the Dallas Show

Thanks to Peter Telck (the Xander Harris merch guy/bff/tour buddy) for taking some video of the Dallas show.

Peaking Lights "Amazing and Wonderful"

Peaking Lights - Amazing & Wonderful from Not Not Fun on Vimeo.

New Peaking Lights video directed by Ben Shearn and Amanda Brown featuring Complicated Dance Steps!!!!

Post Show Blues

Thanks to everyone in Dallas, Texas for making the first Xander Harris show ever an amazing experience. Thanks to Eyes, Wings, & Many Other Things, Marjorie Owens, Brian, Diamond Age, friends old and new, and anyone else I might have forgotten.

Self-Titled Mag Needle Exchange Mix

I made a mix for the magazine, check it out:

Check it out clicking here

1. Jonas Reinhardt, “Eos, the Dawn”
Music For the Tactile Dome is going to go down as one of my favorite releases of 2011. I love the bubbling synths and psychotropic sounds that all over this track. It reminds me of a long lost Ashra jam.

2. Dylan Ettinger, “Endeavor”
Dylan’s synth work never ceases to amaze me. I love this track so much; it reminds me of something you would hear while you’re having a drink at Quark’s on Deep Space Nine.

3. Michael Rother, “Karusell”
Neu! is a band that completely changed the way I look at music. I’ve always loved the driving drums of the songs and the melodic quality of their work. A couple of years ago, my friend Jacob Green turned me on to the Rother solo stuff when Water reissued those albums. They are vastly underrated, and I’m pleased that his solo work finally got the reissue treatment. One of my favorite tracks.

4. Ashra, “Midnight on Mars”
Ashra rules! I went into my favorite record store here in Austin, End of an Ear, and they were blasting Blackouts on the stereo when I walked through the door. Each track that played was better than the last and my interest had piqued so I asked them “what record is this?”, hoping they would have it in stock. I immediately purchased it, went home, and listened to it for a week straight. One of my all-time favorite jams, especially on a Sunday morning while sipping on some Yerba Mate.

5. Klaus Schulze, “Floating Sequence”
Klaus Schulze is one of my synth gurus. I’d love to get a chance to see him live. I’ve always loved his sequencing and the way he composes his work. I like that he has these long ambient segments that will then explode into these beautiful arpeggiations at the perfect moment.

6. Jean Michel Jarre, “Oxygene 8″
I’ve been obsessed with Jean Michel Jarre since I was a teenager, working at a used record store back in my hometown. I love this track. It has some of the most interesting rhythm work I’ve ever heard. Oxygene is another album that I never get tired of.

7. Cluster, “Caramba”
Cluster is one of those bands that I didn’t listen to much until a couple of years ago. I used to play drums in some psych projects with my friends Blake and Alan, and they were always praising those old Cluster records. I chose this track because it still has that edge to it where you’re really uncertain if it was made in the ’70s or 7 minutes ago. Great song.

8. Harold Grosskopf, “Transcendental Overdrive”
This dude is finally getting the reissue treatment and some well-deserved praises. One of the best releases to ever come out on the Sky Records label. I love the drums on this track, along with the strange arpeggiations going on in the background. It sounds like space and being jettisoned to an alien planet to me. Super good.

Dallas Show Update

Rene Hell and Wet Hair had to cancel but I'll still be playing along with Eyes, Wings, & Many Other Things. Please come out if you're in the Dallas area and have a good time. I think it'll be fun.

love,
Xander

Dallas Show 5/28

I'm playing a show with the amazing artists Rene Hell, Soft Healer, Eyes&Wings&ManyOtherThings, Wet Hair, Matthew of Diamond Age. This will be the first live show of Xander Harris. I'm really nervous and I will probably vomit profusely.

LA Vampires Go Ital

LA Vampires feat. Ital - Streetwise from Not Not Fun on Vimeo.

Patent Red High Heels

Purchase

Italians may do it better – ice cream, genuine leather, synth splatter – but everything’s still bigger in Texas. Like this X Large redux from Austin’s X Harris. He calls side A the “high heels remix” which is chop-shop talk for shoegaze if yr shoes happen to be red patent pumps. Less gore than before, more vast unknown than he’s ever shown, side B soars like the flight of a DJ navigator who’s recently returned home to realize he’s left the 80s far behind, it’s almost 2012, and everyone he loves has aged and moved on without him. But the force is still strong with this one. If Xander Harris had a hammer, he’d beat down John Carpenter’s door, turn that Carpenteria into a Danceteria, and make that grave-waver Sweatt. Finally, an escape from New York.

Sick of the Radio Interview/Meeting The MAN

I did an interview for Sick of the Radio that you can check out here.

Last night I got to meet Brian Keene here in Austin at the World Horror Convention. Why is that so important, you ask? This is the man that inspired me to make my record. He wrote the book "Urban Gothic" (Purchase Here) that became the muse for my album of the same name. Brian Keene's fiction has gotten me through some dark times and has generated a wealth of inspiration. This was a very majestical thing to have happen. My face is hilarious in this photo because it will be one of the only times that I will actually look visibly shocked. I don't usually get nervous but I had a total nerdy "I'm not worthy" moment.

West Coast 2011 Summer Tour

Looks like cities and stuff is getting moved around so stay tuned. I'll post dates and venues when I get everything submitted. Thank you for your patience!

I'm hoping that this tour falls into place per being shackled by the amount of time I get from the day job. It will be nice to meet everyone at the shows and get away from the Texas heat.

xoxoxo,
Xander

The Wire

Simon Reynolds wrote an article about Not Not Fun in the latest issue of The Wire. Check it out. These are two of my favorite people in the whole world.

Reviews/Blogs/Fun

Hola! Thank you to everyone for all of the support for "Urban Gothic", "Contamination", and the 100%SILK single that is about to drop. I really, really appreciate it.

MP3s of "Urban Gothic" are available from Boomkat!

MP3s of "Contamination" are available at the BandCamp site.

Britt sequenced and created a mix of Not Not Fun artists so check it out. It has amazing tracks from Maria Minerva, Dylan Ettinger, Jonas Reinhardt, Umberto etc. The mix is awesome!

Fact Mag Review

MishkaNYC Review

Speaker Snacks

SSG Music

20 Jazz Funk Greats

NoFop

Zen Effects

Sick of the Radio

Impose Magazine

KEXP

Clumsy and Shy

Isobelle Fox

If I forgot to add you to this list, I truly apologize. Thanks to all for caring!

UFOria MIX

UFOria! MIX - Justin Phillip Sweatt by Xander Harris by UFOria

Are You Loathsome Tonight?

Are You Loathsome Tonight? by Xanderharris on Mixcloud

Xander Harris 100% SILK SINGLE TEASER

This will be out soon.

Gillette TEASER!!!

GILLETTE - I teaser from 100% Silk on Vimeo.

Check it out! Coming soon on 100%SILK. I can't wait to get my paws on this single.

Xander Harris "Tanned Skin Dress" Video

Xander Harris - Tanned Skin Dress from Not Not Fun on Vimeo.

"Urban Gothic" is now available for purchase.

Clumsy and Shy

Clumsy and Shy, the fantastic blog, gave the Xander Harris track "The Hungry Moon" some love. Check it out and check out their fantastic blog.

Contaminated!

The wonderful Christina showing off the test pressings of my cassette EP "Contamination". I can hardly contain myself I'm so excited.

DON'T FORGET!!!!!!!

I have a full length coming out on Not Not Fun records called "Urban Gothic" very, very soon. If you are in Austin, come out for the official showcase tonight at the Hideout on Congress. If you can't make it to that you will have a chance to see the Not Not Fun crew at the Parlor on North Loop. EXPO 70 is playing as well and I am so stoked on checking them out. Also, please, please, please continue to support 100%SILK. They are releasing the best dance music in the world right now. If you haven't done so, please purchase ALL of the releases. Trust me, you'll thank me for the suggestion later.

Complicated Dance Steps

Meet Complicated Dance Steps

Contamination

Xander Harris-Last Call by Justin Sweatt

"Last Call" from the cassette EP "Contamination" released March 18th on Complicated Dance Steps. Please purchase the cassette from www.complicateddancesteps.com

Digital release at xanderharris.bandcamp.com

xoxo,

xh

No Time To Cry

Italian Brian Keene Love

Italian Customers Purchase Here: http://ivermiconquistatori.xii-online.com/

Let's Hang Out!

Not Not Fun Records (who are releasing my Urban Gothic full length very soon) will be throwing down some werewolf sonic howls throughout Austin during the week of SXSW. Please come check this stuff out and hang out! I'll be there with some spiked Kombucha, notes on the philosophies of supernatural horror, and musings on why modern horror needs to re-embrace their Italian past.

100% Amazing

Click on the photo and get some prime zombie-rave, vampire-disco gems on wax from Cuticle and Maria Minerva. We're label mates!

Major Lazer Highway

Journey To Arcturus

DRIVING BLIND TO HELL KNOWS WHERE

Wowza!

MARIA MINERVA - DISKO BLISS teaser from 100% Silk on Vimeo.

Why I Make Synth Music

My Jam For This Week is MNDR's "Cut Me Out"

YES!

Great Records!

ITAL and DEEEP have released two great singles on 100%SILK
Click on the link to purchase. Great records by amazing artists for your dancing pleasure!

12" Remix Single on 100%Silk Coming Soon!

I have a 12" single of "I Want More Than Just Blood" coming out on 100%SILK. This is going to be one hell of 2011 for Xander Harris. I am so excited to be working with such rad people. VIVA LA!

Keep checking listentosilk.blogspot.com for details. I'll post them here as well as they become available.

Cheers,
Xander

News, News, News

Happy New Year!!!!

I have stuff that should be coming out this year, one of those will be a cassette release on Complicated Dance Steps. There are a lot of exciting projects on the horizon so stay tuned.