MUMBAI: One of the most innovative and prolific producers on the scene, Daedelus – who combines different genres like hip-hop, bossa nova, jazz, classical, drum ’n bass, techno, house and infuses them with his inimitable sensibilities – will travel to India in July for a three-city tour. The tour, which has been put together by Wild City, will see the American electronic pioneer perform in Delhi on July 9, Mumbai on July 10 and Bangalore on July 11.
Daedelus has collaborated with the likes of Californian experimental multi-genre producer Flying Lotus, American alternative hip-hop producer The Gaslamp Killer and British-American hip-hop artist MF Doom among others. He has released multiple albums and records – 15 albums in 13 years – on beat music’s most respected labels, including Ninja Tune, Brainfeeder and his own Magical Properties and is a regular feature on line-ups for music festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza and SXSW.
Experimental electronica producer Curtain Blue will support Daedelus in Delhi at anti social on July 9 while EZ Riser will open proceedings in Mumbai on July 10 and the last gig in Bangalore will see local acts _RHL – one half of prominent electronic duo Sulk Station – and Blent on the bill.
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Named after the greatest inventor of all time in Greek mythology, Daedalus, who made all kinds of machinations including wings of wax for his more famous son, Icarus, Daedelus’ moniker is focused around the idea of invention.
Throughout his musical career, Daedelus – or Alfred Darlington as he calls himself off the stage – has employed the running theme of his fascination with the culture and technology that was the way of life throughout the Victorian era of British history. In his music, you hear influences that hark back to a time forgotten alongside pulsing synthetic drums. His shows are a carnival of style and sound, complete with him dressed as a Victorian dandy performing on a walnut wood paneled audio controller called Monome.
The Daedelus sound is entirely his own and difficult to pigeonhole in one genre. Right from his first album ‘Invention’ – released in 2002 on Los Angeles-based label Plug Research where he combined 50s sci-fi, jazz, big band and space age pop with hip-hop –to his last release, ‘The Light Brigade’ on Flying Lotus’ imprint, Brainfeeder in 2014, he has continuously surprised fans and critics alike.
‘The Light Brigade’ recalls the Crimean war of 1853-56, and having spent time in Ukraine, Daedelus used conflict as the backdrop and theme of the album and is an abstract patchwork of vocal samples, melodies and organic sounds. The music was written and recorded before the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, a turn of events which lends an air of requiem to the album.
Gig details
Daedelus travels to India for a three-city tour from July 9-11.
Wild City Presents: Daedelus | Curtain Blue
Date: July 9
Day: Thursday
City: New Delhi
Venue: antiSocial
Wild City Presents: Daedelus | EZ Riser
Date: July 10
Day: Friday
City: Mumbai
Venue: Bonobo
Wild City Presents: Daedelus | _RHL | Blent
Date: July 11
Day: Friday
City: Bangalore
Venue: The Humming Tree
