VHS or Beta's have set a May 8th release date for their new album Diamonds & Dub. Putting a creative spin on their 2011 release Diamonds & Death, VHS duo Mark Palgy & Craig Pfunder called upon renowned DJ/producer Jacques Renault (Holy Ghost, YACHT, Midnight Magic) and engineer/remixer Mark Verbos (Fischerspooner, The Gossip, Gang of Four) to create a dub version for seven of the original album's 9 tracks.
The idea was conceived when Mark Palgy met Jacques Renault, who was spinning boogie and disco records in Brooklyn bar Commodore. Palgy explains, "The idea of dub versions began in the late 70s and early 80s. Artists began seeking extended 12 inch mixes of their songs to be played in nightclubs. And usually one side of the 12 inch had a 'dub version' which was a little less vocal and usually a bit spacier due to echoes made from spring reverbs and cool studio effects. So rather than get people to do more traditional remixes as we know them today -- we decided this time around to try something that hasn't been done in a little while."
"Jellybean Dub" is a dark atmospheric spaced-out track that slowly builds to a climax with handclaps, electric piano and thumping bass. "I Found A Reason Dub" is armed with a flurry of tambourine and driving piano, while title track "Diamonds and Dub" sprinkles vocals over a landscape of beats, low sub bass lines, blips and bumps and warped oscillating synths. Download the "Diamonds and Dub" MP3 here
Catch VHS or Beta LIVE on tour!
5/3: Cambridge, MA @ T.T. The Bears
5/5: Durham, NH @ University Of New Hampshire
5/10: Columbus, OH @ The Basement
5/11: Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
5/12: Lexington, KY @ Buster's Billiards & Backroom
5/17: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom