pepepe - Roba orgón de plantas y animales

Carlos Pesina is pepepe. An experimental electronic music performer from Guadalajara, Mexico, better known for his eccentric behavior and complex improvisations at local parties and gigs than anything else.

“Roba orgón de plantas y animales” is pepepe’s second release at Poni Republic, only this time, a little different from his remixes EP, for this recording contains his most intricate and emotional work so far, featuring beautiful girl vocals (Cyané) almost in every track, as well as samples from Hey Chica! and a remix of his own to Unsexy Nerd Ponies' "1986 Valerie".

This is by far one of our favorite releases ever, it just fits right, somewhere between Atlas Sound, The Books and... Akufen? So Carlos says, anyways. But indeed, there's a lot of micro-sampling involved in this record. Future folk pop at its finest.


// PEPEPE / ROBA ORGÓN DE PLANTAS Y ANIMALES //

1.- Unsexy Nerd Ponies - 1986 Valerie (pepepe remix)
2.- Jacinto Cenobio
3.- Sleep With You
4.- Simetría
5.- Algebra
6.- Mirar a los ojos es de mal gusto
7.- Te fundes

DOWNLOAD LP
RAR file, includes artwork


All songs written and performed by Carlos Pesina and Cyané, except on track 1 "1986 Valerie" orginally by Unsexy Nerd Ponies. Track 2 "Jacinto Cenobio" originally by Amparo Ochoa. Track 6 "Mirar a los ojos es del mal gusto" contains sample by Hey Chica! Contact: myspace.com/pepepepepepepepepe

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2009.

Nuuro, Reddest Ruby

Hace cinco años Alejandro Ghersi comenzó a producir y regalar sus canciones en MP3 hasta que éstas consiguieron darle la vuelta al continente americano en distintas escenas y círculos sociales, en gran parte debido a la calidad y versatilidad de su trabajo, pues éste desde un comienzo ha oscilado entre varios géneros musicales que van desde el IDM, el drum & bass, la indietronica, el shoegazer electrónico, y muy, muy a menudo, el pop.

Nuuro, luego de haber debutado con el LP “All Clear” a través del sello mexicano Soundsister, cuatro años luego, por fin decidió autoeditarse su segunda larga duración titulada “Reddest Ruby”, en la que sin buscarle mucho, podemos percibir una madurez abismal entre su primer trabajo y éste. Algo que quizá se deba principalmente a que desde el año pasado este chico dejó su ciudad natal Caracas por una vida menos pasiva en Brooklyn.

Cual sea el caso, “Reddest Ruby” es una obra de arte completa, musicalmente y gráficamente (contiene 7 hermosas piezas realizadas por el artista Nikolay Saveliev), incluso, trae consigo guardado un poema bastante complejo y muy bien logrado del que surge todo el concepto del disco. En fin, como se habrán dado cuenta seguimos sin aliento, y a continuación, descubrirán por qué.

Esta nueva joya ya se encuentra disponible a la venta en iTunes.

Texto vía PlayGround.










// NUURO / REDDEST RUBY //

1.- Introduction, or (more aptly), Reddest Ruby
2.- Cotacachi!
3.- Bari (Japanese Tree That Speaks)
4.- Stone Girl
5.- Forest Fire (Intermission)
6.- Six Vespers
7.- Avila
8.- Five Lakes (Near the Capital)
9.- Hail and Farewell
10.- Ilimuh
11.- An Owl Waving Goodbye

BUY REDDEST RUBY AT ITUNES


Tracked and produced by Alejandro Ghersi. Album art direction by Nikolay Saveliev. Mastered by Eduardo Larez at Visionear studios. All songs written and performed by Alejandro Ghersi, except on track 3. "Bari, or (more aptly) Japanese Tree That Speaks," guitars and bass written and performed by Julio Briceño. Contact: www.nuuro.net.

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2009.

Lázaro Valiente, COMPOSIÇÃO NÃO DETERMINADA EP

One year ago, while traveling through Brazil in search of a legit "Tropicalia treatment" for their sound and rearranging some of their indie folk pop tunes at the studio, Lázaro found an object, a label, a tiny tag in cloth.

It was the label with the textile composition of a blanket that belonged to the house where Mauricio Pastrana and his friends (Caloca, his loyal squire, and Lázaro, his more than-beloved dog) were staying at in São Paulo, more specifically, Rua Dos Pinheiros.

Such tag only contained the message: COMPOSIÇÃO NÃO DETERMINADA (non-determined composition).

Lázaro Valiente found interesting to include "non-determined" compositions and show, next to the songs, a series of images, creating the art of the music material.

So, for the art of this release, we thought it would be interesting (and fun) to invite all of his (and our) friends to help us –for we usually are the ones in charge of the artworks– build up the concept behind Lázaro Valiente’s debut online.

Thus, the following experiment starts off by listening to Lazaro Valiente's songs and slowly scrolling down this growing visual improvisation that will be over until the first half of March. Such improvisation will allow us all to discover, one by one, each visual element that in the end will conform altogether the release’s artwork.

The point of all this, is that everyone in the end will eventually pick their favorite image for each song or EP cover (using iTunes).

¡Salud!


// COMPOSIÇÃO NÃO DETERMINADA //

1.- Benvindo
2.- And Never Call Me On The Phone
3.- Dinamo
4.- Alfombran el día


DOWNLOAD EP
RAR file, includes artwork

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2009.




Borja Conde
Russian Instituten Techniken
www.myspace.com/sobrenada
www.myspace.com/leevoyeur


Illustration for "Alfombran el día"


Illustration for "And Never Call Me On The Phone"

Alfonso Ochoa
www.monobloc.com.mx
alfonsoochoa.blogspot.com


Camila Jurado
www.flickr.com/photos/molosha


Juan Caloca
thinkthesenses.blogspot.com


Artwork for "Benvindo"

Artwork for "And Never Call Me On The Phone"

Maria Jose Diaz de Cossio Reynaud
www.mariajoart.me


Elisa Malo
www.elisabambi.com
www.myspace.com/somanymusicianstokill
www.thunderingranger.blogspot.com


Mauricio Marcin y Maríaeugenia Calva Díaz


Photo for "Benvindo"

Photo for "And Never Call Me On The Phone"

Photo for "Dinamo"

Photo for "Alfombran el día"

Jaime Martínez
www.brightlightbrightlight.com


Photo for "And Never Call Me On The Phone"

Photo for "Alfombra el día"

Molly Surno
www.mollysurno.com
www.cinemasixteen.com


Cuauhtémoc Suárez
www.c-suarez.com
www.flickr.com/photos/thekidsmakeout


Eric Gamboa
myspace.com/elebleu


Carla Loyo
benitacorre.blogspot.com



Cesar Aliosha


Mauricio Pastrana
myspace.com/lazarovaliente


Tania Osorio
www.antidomingo.tv


Pablo Zulaica
blogs.elcorreodigital.com/euskaltitlan/posts



Andrea Viedma



Ruben Ochoa
www.rubenochoa.com


Juan Pablo Viedma


Jean Claude Van Damme
Lats


Álvaro Urbano
http://www.cokeurbano.com


Andrea Ancira
discomancia.blogspot.com


Enrique Parás

Anton, To Terra

Sometimes, we tend to get a little crazy in here. As you may already know, Poni Republic seeks pop through all sorts of art, initiatives and sounds. We truly believe there are pop references everywhere and actually, finding them, is one of our favorite sports. Although Anton in this particular case was the one who found us, we consider these spontaneous mutual discoveries THE true objective of this so-called netlabel game, thus we’re more than happy to introduce you once again, to one of the most fucked up releases we’ve ever hosted.

To Terra, lies somewhere between the atmospheres of the earliest Richard D. James’ work and the forever-yummy atmospheres, textures and bipolarity of the legendary roster of Rephlex Records. Do any of you remember Bogdan Raczynski or Cylobotnia? Well we do, as a matter of fact, we always do, a little bit too much, to be sincere. However, this release is also “a compilation of tracks put together as a vessel for adventures, experiences, memories, and best friends. Enjoy” so says Anton Vegel, the guy behind this scene.

// To Terra //

1.- Form
2.- Grum
3.- Wee-hu
4.- Square Ex
5.- Death Acid
6.- You and She
7.- Fuyo's Noise
8.- Whe Whe
9.- Luces
10.- Quest
11.- Mega BXX
12.- 2
13.- Prance
14.- Sunshine Beach
15.- Joure
16.- Hiyaki's Supercomputer
17.- Room Amatory
18.- 3
19.- More Shy
20.- Coplet
21.- You Left

DOWNLOAD RELEASE
RAR file, includes artwork


Everything by Anton Vegel. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2009.

Anthna, Tones EP

Today is such a perfect day for our label and it’s mostly because we’re more than glad to present to you one of Mexico’s finest laptronica documents ever to be recorded in the history of (glichy) electronic (rock) music. Does that sound mad to you? Well, it might probably be, because it’s true.

Tones EP was released under a very limited edition through Soundsister in early 2005, this EP was so goddamn good, somehow ended up in every Mexican IDM freak, future folk pirate and weirdo post-rocker dudes’ iPod. One of those iPods just happened to be the right one, and then the next thing you know, you got Anthna onstage giving an epic massive gig at MUTEK MX’s third edition. Hell, we’ve seen Mogwai and Fennesz live for a few times, and yet, Anthna that day, for some reason managed to whoop their ass. No rubbish, mates.

Here you will find five songs that shall always remain in our thoughts like a shocking story of love, hope and pain, mostly because it was narrated to us in such a great, raw, cold, loud, fickle and strongly distorted approach. We hope you like it as much as we do.


// Tones EP //

1.- 31
2.- Domingo #14
3.- Loving Raw Bands...
4.- ...Crashing On Stage
5.- The Birds Have Gone


DOWNLOAD EP
RAR file, includes artwork

All music and artwork by Nicolás Pradilla. Mexico City, 2005. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2009.

Bright Star Regulus

Long ago, right after one of those annoying heart-wrecks that usually arrive every three years or so, we received the following e-mail:

Hi, how are you? My name is Fan Zhang from Berkeley, California. I'm 19 years old and a first year at UC Berkeley. I've been a longtime fan, but first time submitter.

My music project that I wanted you to give a listen to is Bright Star Regulus. I made these music 2 years ago, when I was in high school. They are a bit experimental, a bit shoegazy. Give it a listen, let me know if you like.

myspace.com/brightstarregulus

Thank you.

Fan

Ever since then, we can’t help but to reach this EP and play it every single time that we come home and find ourselves feeling exactly the same way we did the first time we heard Bright Star Regulus’ music.

The most beautiful thing about bedroom folk music like this one, is its brutal inspiration and message of love. Good or bad, we can all easily feel (or get) the point, and well, during bad times, it just suits right.

Enjoy!



// BRIGHT STAR REGULUS EP //

1.- Ashes Become Shooting Stars
2.- Mixing Mutima
3.- Prince
4.- Something About You


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Each song was created after a few hours of trial and error with instruments and different sound effects in Audacity by Fan Zhang when he was 17 and living in California. Artwork by Self Control. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2009.

Heartbeeps, Canton EP

And what have we here now? C’est quoi Heartbeeps?

Heartbeeps is Craig Nunn from Leeds, constant traveler and creator of what he calls "instants songs". That's why this EP lasts less than 10 minutes, and each song no more than two. It's amazing what one man can do with his memories, the way he manifests his deepest emotions; the glimpse of a young boy with a profound desire to make honest songs (mistakes included) and “a true record” in this world where hours are spent on postproduction.

The four songs were made during December 2007 and January of this year, no wonder why listening to Canton reminds me of Winter, dead leaves, green grass, and makes me want to put on my “Hat & Gloves & Scarf” and go out and walk through “Glacial Valleys” after taking an overnight train (“Kuszetka” in Polish) and seeing how the “Light Leaks” through a frozen window while singing it was where we wanted to be…

Just so you all know, everything was recorded on one take, all lyrics were improvised, and each track was written and recorded in less than an hour. Whoever’s fond of lo-fi and sweet-happy-melancholic songs that you can play over and over without getting tired of them, download Canton now!

Craig Nunn also has a new band called Internet Forever. If anyone wishes to check it out, visit www.myspace.com/internetforever.

Cheers!

Text: *mil.


// HEARTBEEPS / CANTON EP //

1.- Glacial Valleys
2.- Light Leaks
3.- Hat & Gloves & Scarf
4.- Kuszetka


DOWNLOAD EP
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All tracks written and produced by Craig Nunn. Artwork by Topiz. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2008.

Carrie + The Oslo Deadtrash Project, The City EP

There are only really two things to say. Firstly, this is a lovely recording. You’ll want the City EP in your life. Secondly, it’s free. Gratis. All it takes is a flicker of that index finger of yours. But wait. Don’t leave. Not just yet, anyway. Stick around.

Who wants free music anyway? (Apart from Radiohead fans.) It must be of poor quality after all. Except of course that this EP is something of a marvel. But don’t decide for yourself. I haven’t told you why yet.n What do we even know of these collaborators? The Oslo Deadtrash Project is Pierre Lejeune and Pierre is one talented bunny. Already a reputable act in Belgium. I guess we could call this electronica, but knowing how twitchy certain folk become when labeled in this way, especially when, like Lejeune, they play guitar – maybe we ought to tread carefully. Carrie is less well known to me. Based in Mexico, Carrie is ostensibly Laura B and she sings like an angel. She’s an established artist in her own right whose own compositions also harbour downtempo tendencies.

So we have one eccentric, loner Belgian who likes messing around with old organ sounds and we have one sexy Mexican princesa. But how did this collaboration come to be? We could speculate that Pierre and Laura met at a festival in Montréal - that their Moogs locked eyes across a crowded tent and that, as they say, was that. This would be pure speculation and frankly ridiculous. When the two duet on "Yellow Building" the effect is frankly sublime. I have always loved Lejeune's far-away, lost boy voice. Laura B’s pipes are all honey-coated sensuality. I want to marry her but clearly she’s already fallen under the spell of TODP.

"Yellow Building" is the centerpiece of this EP. The other three tracks are instrumental save for some vocal sampling on the cinematic "Solar 2". This piece, incidentally, would make for ideal soundtrack material. I’m thinking Amine. "Solar 2" would grace something akin to Spirited Away or Paprika. "The Super Groove Smokey Song" and "Solar 1" are more ambient in texture. More about creating a mood. Normally in the world of TODP the mood is distinctly melancholic. Nobody else in electronica or downtempo sounds like Lejeune. His stuff is light years away from that chilled, ice DJ shtick. It’s comforting. Together with Carrie, he has created a warm intimacy for cosy daydreamers and lovelorn loners everywhere.

On no account though should you snag this for free. I mean, something as wonderful as this – you’ll just have to take my word for it.


Text: Brett Spaceman

// CARRIE + THE OSLO DEADTRASH PROJECT / THE CITY EP //
01 - Solar Part I (The Night) DOWNLOAD
02 -Yellow Building DOWNLOAD
03 - The Super Smokey Groovy Song DOWNLOAD
04 - Solar Part II (The Day) DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD EP
RAR file, includes artwork


All songs written and produced by Laura B. and Pierre Lejeune. Montréal, 2007. Mastered by Luis Ramírez at CZG International Productions. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2008.

Nuuro, Paper Heart EP

We met Alejandro Ghersi when he used to be a 16 year old indietronic emo kid from Venezuela. He was too shy to sing on his own, he wouldn't even dare to play a guitar alone, yet, he kept trying until the point he found himself in New York City, living on his own, with one LP recorded, various songs in respected compilations such as annual Darla's "secrets", and more recently, two EPs.

This is the latter, and it's his deepest, most mature, and heartbreaking work so far. Downtempo, vocoders and deep atmospheres that become the menu of a banquet to which all can access, but only a few will be fortunate to be pleased with. A five-piece EP that will remain as one of Ghersi's cult jewels from here to a very long time.

// NUURO / PAPER HEART EP //
01 - Secret DOWNLOAD
02 - Make Sure DOWNLOAD
03 - Knife (Grizzly Bear Cover) DOWNLOAD
04 - Fell In Love (On A Tragic Sunday Morning Of Mourning And Incompetence) DOWNLOAD
05 - Cute DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD EP
ZIP file, includes lyrics and artwork for pods


All songs written and produced by Alejandro Ghersi; except "Knife", written by Grizzly Bear. Paper Heart EP, Caracas, Venezuela; 2007. Artwork by Nuuro. Contact: www.nuuro.net.

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.5 License. The Poni Republic, 2007.