The Kite String Tangle X Dustin Tebbutt - Illuminate (Charles Murdoch Remix)
Brisbane artist/producer Charles Murdoch has taken on remix duties for two of Australia’s brightest young artists The Kite String Tangle and Dustin Tebbutt for their beautiful new collaborative single ‘Illuminate’. Listen to the remix here.
Announcing his return last month with his incredible single ‘Straws’ following a two year hiatus, the mercurial talent that is Charles Murdoch will be announcing news of his debut LP soon, set for release on Future Classic.
“Straws” is the first single to be taken from the LP and is led by a captivating video which acts as the first in a three-part short film series from young German creative collective, Jüngling.
“Straws” is Charles Murdoch’s first original since 2013’s critically acclaimed “Weathered Straight” EP, and boy was it worth the wait. A perfect demonstration of why Murdoch was picked up by innovative and esteemed label Future Classic, the track leads with an emotive intro with whispered vocals building into a dark and textured melody. With production as tight as ever, “Straws” manages to be euphoric and melancholic all at once, tugging at the heartstrings whilst simultaneously making you want to throw your hands in the air.
Shot in Germany and tackling themes of suppressed sexuality and contradictory identities, the accompanying film follows Pete, a skinhead whose daily life is decisively affected by his membership of an aggressive, right-winged group and his urge to play out suppressed desires of love. This conflict results in a highly precarious state of mind, setting up a perfectly poised narrative for the remaining parts of the mini-doco series – echoed perfectly in the enthralling ebbs and flows of the track.
Charles Murdoch first caught the attention of the Future Classic label in 2013 with his rework of Flume’s “Sleepless” in a Beatport remix competition – exhibiting his masterful knack for sophisticated, cerebral bass and house music. His debut solo track and first release on the label, “No Lungs”, pricked up industry ears in Australia as well as across the pond, finding support from the likes of taste-making blogs Indie Shuffle and La.Ga.Sta to name but a few.
The release of his much-anticipated debut EP “Weathered Straight”, with Oscar-Key-Sung-featuring sonic masterpiece “Dekire” leading the way, cemented Murdoch as one to watch on the Australian dance music scene. Sure enough, the track went on to receive a nomination for “Best Independent dance, electronica or club single” at the 2013 AIR Awards, alongside widespread local and international support from the likes of Triple J, FBi Radio, i-D Magazine (UK), Dazed Digital (UK), XLR8R (US) and DJ Magazine (UK).
More recently as part of this year’s VIVID Live Festival, Murdoch (alongside Seekae and Victoria Kim), took to Sydney’s iconic Opera House to create an original composition made from field recordings recorded within the building. Featuring the sounds of hot water pumps, plant rooms, the sounds of the Australian Ballet dancers’ feet as they rehearse and the world’s largest mechanical organ, his remix can be downloaded for free here.
Having supported the likes of Nicolas Jaar, Shlohmo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Lapalux and Cashmere Cat, Murdoch has more than earned his place alongside some of Australia’s major dance music exports. And if “Straws” is anything to go by, it’s safe to say that we can expect the LP to be a monumental and beautifully crafted piece of artistry.
“STRAWS” OUT NOW ON FUTURE CLASSIC
