Machinedrum: Top 10 Most Influential Albums
5 March 2012
Travis Stewart a.k.a Machinedrum is a North Carolina born, Berlin based electronic musician who has produced and composed several albums under various aliases since his first independent release way back in 1999 (as Syndrone).
His debut Now You Know was released in 2001 on the influential Miami based Merck Records and immediately gained worldwide praise and attention from musicians, fans and critics alike. It was heralded as the "standard to which the next wave of imitators aspires" by Pitchfork.
2010 saw Machinedum re-surface with a bang. His Many Faces EP on Glasgow-based label LuckyMe garnered attention from a brand new audience and opened the door for his very first performance at electronic music mecca, Sonar Festival. Simultaneously his latest Room(s) LP, released on Planet Mu gained momentum as quite simply one of the years finest releases. He even managed to squeeze in time to release a couple of 12"s as one half of the Hotflush signed Sepalcure.
We just wanted to get our head round his. Curious by his tastes we asked him to compile a list of his top 10 most influential albums and you know what, he went and did just that. What a nice chap:
STEVE REICH - MUSIC FOR 18 MUSICIANS
"One of my favorite musicians/composers of all time. Classical compositions influenced by the repetitive and loop based nature of modernity."
BOARDS OF CANADA - MUSIC HAS THE RIGHT TO CHILDREN
"This one deeply influenced me from very early on. The melodies and atmospheres are haunting yet soothing. It changed the way I listened to music by making me pay attention to hidden melodies. When I listen to this I feel as if there is some sort of entity or being watching me."
AUTECHRE - TRI REPETAE
"I hate talking about why I like music, especially my favorite albums. The music speaks for itself. This one makes me speechless."
MU-ZIQ - LUNATIC HARNESS
"Great hybrid of jungle/IDM/hip-hop/ambient."
SKINNY PUPPY - LAST RIGHTS
"Dark industrial music that scared my parents."
METALLICA - ...AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
"My cousin gave me this tape when I was 9 years old and it kind of made me who I am today."
TORTOISE - TNT
"Really good jazz/rock/electronic album. Modern fusion."
APHEX TWIN - RICHARD D JAMES ALBUM
"Best electronic album ever."
DON CABALLERO - 2
"Fucking great math rock album. I almost got in a car accident air drumming to it."
OUTKAST - STANKONIA
"One of my favourite hip-hop albums ever."