Academik Podcast 002 /// Free Download

The March 2013 Academik Podcast (mixed by Arcader) is now online.

It's a free download from SoundCloud, so go for it!

Academik SXSW 2013 Event

Since 2011, Academik Records' SXSW event has been one of the most talked about parties during the festival. By fusing world-class electronic artists with massive technology giveaways - on a rooftop in the heart of downtown Austin - the Academik event is always packed to capacity as soon as it begins.

Starting at 9pm on Saturday, March 16 at Austin's hottest rooftop venue - Lanai Austin at the corner of 5th and Congress (get directions) - 2013's free event is the perfect way for SXSW EDM fans to end the conference with a bang. With no wristbands, no cover, a huge line-up of emerging names in techno, tech house and progressive - and chances to win a recording studio's worth of gear and software - this year's party is poised to blow away our previous records.

The Academik 2013 Event includes DJ sets from:

• 
Francis Preve (Toolroom, Definitive, Armada) 
• 
Zenbi (Hotfingers, Zenbi)
• Jan van Lier (Definitive, Zenbi, BluFin)
• The Chaotic Good (Dim Mak, Academik)
• Arcader (Academik, Zenbi)
• Without Wax (Academik)

This year's event sponsors include some of the top names in music tech:

Win Big. Really Big.

Since Academik's focus also includes music production technology, our Grand Prize giveaway is a full DJ/studio rig including Ableton Live 9, iZotope Ozone 5 mastering software, and Livid Instruments' new Alias 8 controller.

Our second prize package is equally deep and includes Ableton Live 9 Intro, iZotope Ozone 5, Korg Monotron Delay, and BleepLabs' new Bleep Drum rad-fi drum machine.

Additional prizes from Ableton, Korg, and BleepLabs will be given away throughout the event - along with a truckload of surprise goodies.

All it takes to enter is to follow us on Twitter, be at the event, and tweet the following during the event:

I'm at the @AcademikRecords party at @LanaiAustin! #SXSW

Throughout the night, we will randomly select a tweet from our feed and announce the winners via Twitter.

So show up on March 16. Tweet wildly. Dance your ass off. Get crazy - and maybe even win your own Ableton Live 9 rig.

Yep, that's exactly how we roll...

RSVP via Facebook

Arcader - Pillowtalk/Bermuda EP

Academik's newest discovery, Arcader, delivers a debut EP of funky techno that is sure to please fans of Definitive and Maquina, whilst remaining wholly original through and through.

"Pillowtalk" is one of those tracks that proves there's still a lot of creativity in today's techno scene. Pivoting on a vocoder hook that's neither cheesy nor common, the track is full of clever arrangement tricks - including an unforgettable turnaround fill that redefines the word "pop".

"Bermuda" is equally infectious. Arcader's clever sense of rhythm, combined with chunky production, sets the tone for this peak time groover. Starting with bouncy drums and a subby bass wobble, "Bermuda" evolves quickly into a catchy romp that's both minimal and memorable.

We're happy to have Arcader in the Academik family this year. His formula for minimal yet funky tech is a breath of fresh air for today's techno and tech house scenes - and the Pillowtalk EP is a testament to that.

Buy Pillowtalk/Bermuda on Beatport!

Here's what top DJs and EDM blogs are saying about this EP:

Song of the Day - Notable Dance

MC Flipside
Rating: 4/5
Comments: pillowtalk is incredible... what a tune

Markus Shulz

Rating: 5/5

Comments: Thank you.

Jan van Lier

Rating: 4/5

Comments: I'm down with Bermuda! :)

Blake Jarrell

Rating: 5/5

Comments: Support!

Noel Sanger

Rating: 4/5

Comments: Loving both tracks.

Randall Jones

Rating: 4/5

Comments: Nice tunes!

Dan Tait

Rating: 4/5

Comments: Great grooves. Supporting Pillowtalk.

Jason Jenkins (Hypersonic Radio)
Rating: 5/5
Comments: Perfect amount of heaviness and funk + techno. 5 star.
 
Roe Pressley
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I love the Pillowtalk track. Very cool in its minimalism yet full and thick.
 
Toddy B (Hypersonic Radio)
Rating: 5/5
Comments: Arcader is the man!! All of these will be going in my rotation!!

Pete Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Comments: Another solid release from the Academik stable, sounds thick and punchy!