Turntable Terrorists: ALTZ (free MP3 inside)

By Matt Lyne | Tuesday, Dec 1, 2009

ALTZ

*click HERE to download a FREE exclusive ALTZ MP3

Although born in Gifu, ALTZ grew up in Osaka playing bass, slide guitar and mandolin in several bands during the 80s. After graduating from Osaka University of Art he travelled to India and South East Asia with an Akai MPC, where he became inspired by psychedelic culture. From this experience and using the sounds accumulated on his sampler, on his return to Osaka he started his off-kilter hallucinogenic electronic project. ALTZ initiated the infamous "Flower Of Life" parties at the Misono building in Nipponbashi, and in 2002 he released his first album, Fantastico. While he was expanding his stock of equipment, he progressed from predominantly sample-based MPC creations to full Mac-led studio production. ALTZ followed his debut up with a second album, La La La, on Lastrum. With these releases, and his musical evolution towards a more cosmic disco-tinged experimental sound, he began to attract attention from DJs, producers and labels all over the world.

In 2006, ALTZ started rubbing shoulders with the likes of Idjut Boys and Brennan Green, having released Yell on the UK-based Disco-Dub label Bear Funk. The following year he accomplished perhaps his biggest release to date: a 12" called "Max Motion", on James Murphy's NYC imprint DFA Records. This was released around the same time as other celebrated DFA output by LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost! and Shit Robot. The same year he supported !!! on their Japan tour, and in 2008 - between remix work and releasing other international twelves - he recorded a mix for Tim Sweeney's globally acclaimed NY radio show "Beats In Space".

ALTZ's DJ sets voyage through cosmic disco, loose psychedelic acid house, and the bizarre eclecticism of percussive electronic sounds. ALTZ can often be found laying down sets alongside Boredoms' Yamataka EYE, in clubs such as Sound Channel, Clapper and Noon in Osaka, Metro in Kyoto, and various Tokyo clubs.

www.altzmusica.com

myspace.com/altzmusica

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