I was cruising around MSTRKRFT’s MySpace page in the Fall of 2006 and stumbled across a friends’ picture that caught my attention.  Two slender leather-clad kids heads down and faces hidden were intriguing enough for me to click through and check them out.  Their music and the vibe of their page inspired me enough to do something I had never done before…email someone through their MySpace page.  A day or 2 later they responded and I discovered they were from my hometown.  I had them come to meet me.  Alice sat on the couch and said very little while Ethan outlined a vision for his duo to take over the world.  It was a plan that was ambitious and unrealistic but intriguing all the same.  They brought a genuine edginess to the roster that we expose from time to time: spontaneity, danger, sex, darkness – the same things that first inspired me about The Clash and The Sex Pistols.  I don’t think at that stage they really thought it would lead them to making the cover of NME twice in 2008.  After our meeting I didn’t immediately move forward.  Over the Christmas break I spent 2 days in the office listening to their MySpace page on repeat.  The melodies, the sounds, the rawness…..it all began to sink in.  I reached out to the group again and apologized for sleeping on things and we started to talk about making records in early 2007.  Today, by our estimation, over 400,000 people own Crystal Castles’ debut album (about 33% have actually purchased it: thank you for that) with more converts joining us daily.  We have great international license partners to thank for the rise of CC around the world (PIAS in the UK & Europe, JVC in Japan and Shock in Australia), and at the center of it all, Ethan and Alice who pursue a torturous touring schedule to continue spreading the word.

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“…it all comes down to creating something people like.  And what people like most is not slick, not glossy, over-produced songs written by guns-for-hire, but straight from the heart original numbers.  You don’t have to create a new genre.  But you do have to be good.  Hell, just like Stephenie Meyer, pick up on a tried and true genre and give it your own twist.  A brother and sister can be the new Carpenters.  Scruffy kids can be the new Beatles.  Don’t reinvent the wheel unless you have that ability.  Clive Davis is right in one regard, you’ve got to have your hit.  A hit is something that is irresistible, not a track that is driven to the top of the chart by big company money.  Create your hit, and you’ll get a fan base.  But, from there, know that you’re the leader of the gang.  But the gang is more like a Boy Scout troop or a group of Brownies.  But, Boy Scouts and Brownies desire to break through into adulthood.  You’re going to help them, by giving them the tools to show the rest of the world that not only do they matter, they’re aligned with the best stuff out there, and they’ve been dedicated from the very beginning!”

Bob Lefsetz

The Lefsetz Letter – August 7, 2008

http://www.lefsetz.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1

This month we are proud to present no fewer than 3 new videos from our scruffy kids for your viewing pleasure.  We have an amazing slate of new acts to talk about and some of the blossoming flowers that are continuing to grow our gang.

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A visionary, vision is scary, could start a revolution

Pollutin’ the airwaves, a rebel, so let me just revel and bask

In the fact that I got everyone kissin’ my ass

[“Without Me” - Lyrics by Marshall Mathers]

Billboard Magazine listed your President as 1 of 10 “Indie Innovators who are taking risks and reaping the rewards”.  I don’t know about the rewards part, but I do know this is a tip of the hat to the entire Last Gang crew that consistently take it in, turn it out, and set it loose!  These records don’t just get out there by themselves.

Festival season is upon us.  As I write, I am flying back from Crystal Castles’ performance at Glastonbury.  They played a blistering set on the John Peel Stage at about 7PM on the closing night of the festival.  Thanks to the BBC, you can watch it here.  There is something about this band that makes them different.  When Death From Above 1979 broke up, I thought we’d never capture it in a bottle again; but with Claudio and Alice, I think we have: real danger, real oddity, real spontaneity, real soul.  In addition to CCs’ worldwide exploits, MSTRKRFT, Tiga, Boys Noize, Chromeo and Metric are all playing at festivals throughout the summer – you can check our Myspace page for the detailed listings.

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Some days the only thing that deters me is jail time.  New Music Tipsheet just listed Last Gang as one of the, “killer indie labels coming into their own this year”.  A Billboard feature about the label will drop by the end of the month.  And…..we just received word that one of our favourite magazines has chosen us as one of the their “Top 25 Indie Labels” (more about that next month).  We must be doing something right….

Perfect timing for a celebration it would seem…. No better way than to finally be throwing an official Last Gang Records showcase!  Join us Thursday, June 12^th at Wrongbar in Toronto to witness some of the newest and brightest acts coming out on Last Gang this year: Terry Lynn, O’luge and Let’s Go To War.  All the way from Orlando, South Rakkas Crew will wrap it up with a DJ set that will last until 4AM – just about as long as our liquor license.  We’ve got limited edition vinyl and t-shirts to giveaway…..plus, for one lucky winner, a custom Last Gang Records ipod!  The last LG showcase introduced MSTRKRFT to the masses……this one will be equally as epic.  Join us.  We are planning future parties for Pop Montreal (we love that festival) and CMJ – both in October. Stay tuned.

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I travelled to the desert with Hodgie and Sassie. Two guys who are such good friends I end their names in “ie”.  We initiated Ryan into the club.  We hung out at the Palm Valley Country Club along the 7th fairway bracing ourselves for the 100+ degree temperatures. Thankfully our artists were all playing well into the afternoon so we filled our mornings sleeping in, hanging by the pool, or sneaking in some NHL viewing.  In the end…….Chromeo crushed it and reached new heights; Boys Noize filled the Sahara tent as the crystal skull spun in the background; and Metric played while the sun set in the West over the hills….(what a career highlight) – they’ve come a long way from the loft parties of Metropolitan Ave.

We are planning our first big party of 2008…..a fitting stage to introduce to the world some of our newest signings.  The night will feature electro/funk/hip-hop specialists Let’s Go To War, a new signing from Jamaica Terry Lynn, and reggae ambassador O’luge.  Mark your calendars – it will go down Thursday, June 12^th at Toronto’s NXNE festival. We’ll have special limited edition vinyl, Puma giveaways, Last Gang wear, and some other good shit that I can’t mention yet.  If you are in the neighborhood, come by and join us – our license is until 4AM!  If all goes as planned, we’ll see you at CMJ and Pop Montreal for more Last Gang presentations.

We started this label with a motto, “Us Against the World”.  It’s always been about the bands and without them we wouldn’t exist; however as we celebrate our 5^th year in business, it’s nice to see that our brand is meaning something to fans of our artists and readers of this newsletter.  In this day and age when there is so much clutter and so much hype we are honored that you are trusting us to help you navigate through the noise.  Thank you for your words of encouragement and thank you for connecting the dots.  You’re right, “we always sign good bands”….well, we try.

Now….some updates on our incredible artists:

Crystal Castles continue to connect with kids on computers and kids in clubs.  Remember the stories you read about punk rock shows in the early part of the 80’s….well….in that spirit, their last LA show was shut down by the Fire department…..25 minutes of glory before the Marshall shut it down – deep bass, heavy strobe, violent screams, and way too many people packed into one club.  I saved a YouTube link to share with you, but it has since been removed…you’ll have to trust me – a true punk rock moment.  Our darling CC’s also scored their first NME cover (you can read the article here).  The artwork “controversy” is “news”??  Wow…we must doing be something right.  What next? “Ethan J Walks – AGAIN!!!.”  They are playing everywhere this year.  We are pushing for a remix record for the Fall….fingers crossed.

Terry Lynn is our newest signing.  She hails from Waterhouse, Jamaica – one of the more dangerous places to live on our planet.  As you would expect, her music reflects the place and times she has lived in.  Our good friends at Phree are hooking up a mix to give you an early listen to the record….hopefully for next month.  LGR – continuing to bring the danger.  Don’t believe me?  Check this.

Last year’s set by MSTRKRFT at Coachella was epic….this year’s set by Boys Noize was R-E-T-A-R-D-E-D.  When the greatest DJ in the world chooses to be on your label (along with our partners at Turbo of course) you gotta feel proud….and we are.

This summer we are celebrating Turbo’s 50^th release by re-releasing 15 of their finest 12”s…..including music from d.i.m., Proxy and Duke Dumont.  The first three vinyls will be released June 3, with the rest to follow through the summer (check lastgangrecords.com for details on street dates).  We are also putting together a digital retrospective to be released on iTunes, tentatively called “Superamerica”….watch for it in June.  Our relationship with Turbo continues to expand as they consistently bring the best dance music in the world to our doorstep.  All of that and advice on Rolex watches.  A match made in heaven.

Let’s Go To War have finished the masterpiece.  Electro, Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Dancehall….call it what you want – how about GOOD music?  It took a while but it is finally here.  We are hoping to have some music out to you soon, but for now, check Live We Live (available free as an exclusive download through Myspace) – blog it, playlist it, stream it through imeem, ilike, muxtape, mixwit…..Myspace, Facebook……all of the above.

Chromeo was another highlight for a lot of people at Coachella this year.  We all have to admit that there was one funkier brother in Indio (a five foot dynamo from Minneapolis by the name of Prince), but if Chromeo isn’t #2, I don’t know who is.  We just got their new video for “Fancy Footwork” – check it through Myspace.  We are releasing a massive remix compilation called Fancier Footwork – available June 3rd through iTunes (Canada) – the perfect companion to the album….and pretty much all you need for your backyard summertime danceparty.  The release features exclusive mixes from DFA, MSTRKRFT, Proxy, Sinden and more, plus a few choice songs from their first album, She’s In Control.  If you missed them at Coachella, you can catch Dave and Pee sometime this summer….they are playing pretty much every major music festival that matters.

Metric skipped out of the studio to rock Coachella.  Technical malfunctions this time around were limited to Emily’s Pro1 keyboard……though she talked it back in fine style.  Unlike in 2005, the Coachella gods spared us equipment falling over, speakers blowing up, and a drum kit imploding.  Could it be an omen for good things ahead?  I hope so.  An album this year would be an amazing start…..all good things in time.  Check out their new song Satellite Mind.

The New Pornographers’ new video for Myriad Harbor is rolling on the nation’s music station.  They recently confirmed North American tour dates through the summer – check here for details….more to come soon.

Mother Mother are inches away from delivering a mastered/sequenced album, which we are hoping to release to you in the Fall.  I’ll have a preview for you very soon.

If you buy one reggae record this year, this should be it: O’luge, “Movements” featuring Citizen Cope, Ken Booth and other reggae all stars.  Check his track Istanbul on Myspace.

Watch out for our new look website coming in June. Pinky is killing it!

Hey………did LG just become the best label in the world????

Your President.

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……Ahhhh, ribs….SXSW is the Mecca of all that is alternative rock and roll and all that is beef ribs. Lenny Levine and I have been going together for about 5 or 6 years.  He swears I spooned him one late night in ‘06, but I disagree.  I think I was just momentarily “confused”.  He still agrees to room with me regardless.  We talk about ribs incessantly throughout the year, but the non-stop emails (including random photos of ribs, people eating ribs, people looking at ribs, ribs by themselves, rubbed ribs, hot girls eating ribs, cowboys eating ribs, ribs piled on one another, etc., etc.) start around January when the smell of brisket, sausage and other delights seem to waft through my tiny Toshiba laptop speakers.  For the past 10 years my friend Steve “The Grand Marshall of Meat” Jordan has organized the Saturday afternoon “Cattle Drive” to a specially selected eatery somewhere outside of Austin.  This year we ventured to Spicewood, TX (mmmmm Spicewood) about 45 minutes from town, to Opie’s BBQ.  Late Saturday morning our crew packed into the rental vehicle, we popped ZZ Top into the stereo and began the trek to a mouth-watering oasis that filled parts of my stomach I didn’t know I had.  I think I’m still digesting and emitting memories of the afternoon.  Best ribs of the week by far. Glorious. Just glorious.

Not all ribs are created equal and nor are bands.  SXSW was further proof that there are a lot of bad bands out there – here’s a taste of some of the good stuff…

Crystal Castles’ lead singer, Alice, slowly recovered from her rib injury suffered last month and trooped through the remaining US tour dates….there will be more coming soon.  Their album hit shelves on March 18 and has already sold 6000+ copies in North America!  Stay tuned for a preview of their first official video (Courtship Dating).  The Village Voice headline was hilarious, “Crystal Castles: Better Than Justice”.  The album debuted as the “Most Added” at college radio in the U.S. and continues to rise up the charts.

Let’s Go To War killed it at SXSW…..(and apparently in the bathroom stalls of 6^th Street).  Get ready for their first 12” in June featuring remixes from Al P (of MSTRKRFT), Roger Sanchez, and a feature vocal appearance by new Last Gang signee Terry Lynn.  Burn down the disco!!!!!!!!!! Fah Real.

What more can we say about Boys Noize?  His Oi3 EP dropped last month, featuring remixes from A-Trak, Para One, Housemeister and more.  The story just continues to get bigger and bigger.  Ask anyone who saw his SXSW or WMC sets last month…. they were over the top.  The SXSW set was for many the “show of the week” in Austin….. watch the last bit here.  WMC was equally crazy.  If you missed those, you can see him at Coachella on April 26^th.  Together with Turbo, we are giving away a laser engraved custom Boys Noize iPod loaded with the Oi Oi Oi album, EP, and other cool shit – enter to win here.  This thing is dope – trust me!

We are all happy to say The Jealous Girlfriends’ self-titled album will be available through Last Gang in the US and Canada on April 22^nd via our kind friend, Serge at Good Fences.  For those who just can’t wait, you can buy it a week early on iTunes.  Their sets at SXSW were truly sublime.  Holly and friends deliver effortless harmonies and ooze natural cool and confidence.  We are so excited about this record! Check out the video they made for How Now.

We’ve just re-released Chromeo’s first album “She’s In Control”, which features some cool bonus tracks not on the original album.  For those making the trek to Indio, they are playing Coachella on April 27^th.  They blew through SXSW and played a highlight set at Stubbs on Saturday afternoon….2-step, 2-step.

Metric continues their work in the studio.  Thank you all for your support on their DVD, Live At Metropolis, which is available in stores across North America or via mail order at Kill The 8.  They also join Chromeo and Boys Noize at Coachella this year.

The New Pornographers’ new video for Myriad Harbor is fantastic!!  We are so proud of it.  If you haven’t already seen it, check it out here.  We saw the band at Canadian Music Week last month and, once again, were amazed.  Carl and crew are the nicest group of musicians you could hope to work with.

Mother Mother are busy putting the finishing touches on their next album….if all goes as planned, we’ll have a mixed/mastered version by the end of April.  Check out next month’s 411 for a sneak-peek.

MSTRKRFT LP2 is still in progress.  We are all looking forward to hearing the new masterpiece! Their Kylie remix and current tour date info is available here.

…… Hope to see you somewhere in the desert in Indio.  Note to the wise: bring sunscreen…lots of it!  Until then, check back into www.lastgangrecords.com for announcements about the Coachella Turbo/Last Gang After-Party…..as if a full day in +100° temperatures wasn’t draining enough!

Metric (2003), Death From Above 1979 (2004), MSTRKRFT (2005), Emily Haines (2006), Boys Noize (2007), Crystal Castles (2008)……..

Any more questions???

Ribs.

Your President.

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