Celebrating the life of DJ Dusk, who tragically died last week, ArtDontSleep presents "Old School Rules" on May 11th. An event that has now become a benefit show for the late DJ Dusk, proceeds will go to helping his family in this time of need. So come out and show your support. Event Details Thursday, May 11th "Old School Rules" Originators: Afrika Bambaataa | Kool DJ Herc | Jazzy Jay The New Generation: DJ Spinna | Rich Medina | Ge-ology Eli Escobar | DJ Center...

After debuting at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Electronic Albums chart in 2004 with ‘When It Falls,’ (Listen to tracks here ) UK electronic/pop outfit, Zero 7, will return on June 6 with their third album ‘The Garden.’ To be released on Atlantic, the new album will be produced by members Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns and will feature vocals from singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez, who late last year became a household name after Sony used...

Just in time for his new album due out later this summer, the follow-up to 2002's 'The Private Press,' acclaimed hip hop stylist DJ Shadow has signed to Universal Records. On speaking about this recent news, Josh Davis (DJ Shadow) noted "I’m thrilled to join the team at Universal. Finally, after years of feeling like an orphan I feel like I finally have a home." In response Universal Motown Records General Manager, Andrew Kronfeld stated "As someone who has been a fan of DJ Shadow for the...

Released in the UK last week on vinyl, UK-based DJ/Producer James Holden, remixes Depeche Mode's "Darkest Star" from their latest album 'Playing The Angel.' Breaking down the original melody to its essence, James Holden creates a darker take on the song. Listen to it here and a dub version here. Photo by: Joshua Binczak

I’m sure by now you have heard of Gnarls Barkley, the collaboration between visionary producer Danger Mouse and R&B vocal star Cee-Lo Green. But in case you missed it, with all of the press surrounding the debut of this group, we thought it would be nice to give you a "here's what happen last time" recap of Gnarls Barkley, as we count down to the release of their debut album ‘St. Elsewhere.’ Set to be released on May 9th on Downtown Records/Atlantic Records, Gnarls Barkley, a name...

Perhaps there is allure to calling a show "secret" when it isn't so, in the same way car companies call some models "limited," but regardless we just got word that Gnarls Barkley will be playing a secret free MySpace show in CA on Friday April 28th. The band will perform a 35 minute set. See details below. If you happen to make it out, feel free to send us some pics at news@giantstep.net. Friday April 28 The Roxy Doors 7pm Showtime 730pm

Not a stranger to the hip hope scene, Smitty has written for some of Hip-Hops heavy weights including Dre, P. Diddy and B2K. But it isn’t until now that he finally steps into the forefront with his debut album ‘The Voice of The Ghetto' due out May 16th, 2006. Featuring top shelf producers that include Kanye West, Jazze Pha, Akon, 9th Wonder, Hi-Tek, StreetRunner, Scram Jones, Buckwild and more, ‘The Voice of The Ghetto’ presents a long awaited debut of Smitty as more than a...

This week is turning out to be a good week for free goods. The latest, Ubiquity Records is offering their second 'Shape Of Things To Come 2' compilation for free at eMusic. Half of the songs are unreleased (NOMO, Nino Moschella, Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra) and will only be up until the end of the week I believe, so go grab it while you can.

It has been 7 years since Dr. Dooom murdered Dr. Octagon on the opening track to Dooom’s “First Come First Served.” But just like the infamous gopher in Caddy Shack, who actually lives to dance to "I'm Alright" by the very bad Kenny Loggins at the end, Dr. Octagon will make his long awaited return on June 27th. First emerging as part of the legendary New York crew, the Ultramagnetic MCs back in 1987, Kool Keith (Keith Thornton) later moved on to pursue a solo career, where he...

If you don't know about New York-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Jason Drake, of Cassettees Won't Listen, perhaps you should. The Director of Marketing at the famed independent label Definitive Jux, Drake has been playing music since age 12, crafting beats and adding layers of electronic and indie instrumentation to match. Sounding like a poppier version of German outfit the Notwist, Cassettes Won't Listen's EP, ‘Nobody's Movin’ has already drawn praise from critics and fans....