· By Mattias Forsgren
Brighton based producer Cut La Roc remix Erratic from Visors featuring Icelandic trailblazers Þór Eldon and Einar Örn from The Sugarcubes Remix release February 7th via Icons Creating Evil Art
Brighton based producer Cut La Roc remix Erratic from Visors featuring Icelandic trailblazers Þór Eldon and Einar Örn from The Sugarcubes. This new track from American duo Visors is heavily inspired by the Madchester sound of the early 90s, capturing the vibrant essence of the Manchester/Hacienda club scene and maybe a bit of The Shamen in there. Now Cut La Roc adds his own house infusion to the mix.
Erratic stands out not only for its nostalgic homage to a transformative era in music but also for its collaboration with Þór Eldon and Einar Örn from the trailblazing Icelandic band, The Sugarcubes. Known for their avant-pop sound and whimsical yet heartfelt lyrics, The Sugarcubes made a significant impact on the global music scene with hits like Birthday and Hit. Jeff Martin from Visors explain:
- "As a lifelong fan of The Sugarcubes, I'd always loved Þór's guitar style and sound and thought it would suit Visors well. Once I connected with him and started piecing together the first couple of song ideas, I knew we needed the right vocalist to finish it off. We'd talked with Shaun Ryder from The Happy Mondays, but once the title "Erratic" stuck, Þór thought to ask Einar if he'd be interested. Einar took the word "Erratic" and ran with it, and we couldn't be happier with the result."
Cut La Roc is Lee Potter, Brighton, Sussex, England. Like numerous DJ-producers of his generation, Potter grew up with a passion for hip-hop and would skip school to practice his mixing and scratching skills. In 1987, around the time when Potter felt hip-hop had become stale and over-commercialised, he was seduced by the acid house phenomenon. Potter’s DJing sets reflect his diverse interests in rap, jungle, and techno. His DJing engagements have taken him all over the world and he plays regularly at Brighton’s Big Beat Boutique, alongside his Skint Records comrades Fatboy Slim and the Midfield General. He has also remixed tracks for numerous dance music artists. His series of EPs on Skint, Mad Skills, attracted significant praise from the music press. During 1999, the releases of two Cut La Roc singles were hampered by the denial of copyright clearance for samples after the records had been pressed. Despite the setback, Potter completed a mix compilation album for the Ministry Of Sound imprint, FSUK. Known for his occasional turntable stunts such as scratching with various parts of his anatomy (head, elbows, feet, etc.), Potter also set a world record in 1999 for DJing with the highest number of decks (nine!). Recorded sporadically over a period of two years, his debut La Roc Rocs was described by one critic as ‘funny, delirious, debauched and intelligent’.
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Visors is a new-school, new wave re-imagination, helmed by longtime industry vet Jeff Martin, a musician and producer whose sound has been shaped by years of touring on all sides of the pond. Martin re-connected with longtime friend Daniel Biltmore, a DJ/producer who signed on after spending over a decade of tutelage under Chad Hugo of The Neptunes/N*E*R*D. Studio wizard Tom LoMacchio would throw his hat in as well, creating their own brand of retrofuturism along the way.
Einar Örn Benediktsson is renowned for his dynamic vocal performances with The Sugarcubes. Beyond his work with The Sugarcubes, Einar Örn has co-founded the experimental band Ghostigital and has been an influential figure in Reykjavik's cultural and political spheres.
Þór Eldon is celebrated for his distinctive guitar work and songwriting that helped define The Sugarcubes' unique sound, blending punk, pop, and avant-garde elements. Post-Sugarcubes, Þór has continued to make significant contributions to various musical projects.
The Sugarcubes were formed in 1986 and quickly gained international acclaim with hits like Birthday. They were pioneers, achieving unprecedented success for an Icelandic band. Although they disbanded in 1992, the members have continued to shape the music and cultural landscape of Iceland. (and Björk went on to become a global star).
Erratic from Visors feat. Þór Eldon and Einar Örn is released August 16th via the Swedish label Icons Creating Evil Art.