Naked On My Own - Charged (Dopedrone Remix)

Naked On My Own is the solo project of Jarek Leskiewicz, a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Opole, Poland. Leskiewicz is in the midst of writing and recording material for a Naked On My Own album, but took time out to chat with Nugazer about his intriguing collaboration with fellow producer Dopedrone for a forthcoming EP.

So what brought about the collaboration? "Naked On My Own is a brainchild of mine" states Leskiewicz. "It's usually me on all fronts, but I'm trying to invite friends and musicians I admire to collaborate on tracks as much as I - and they - can."

It's this willingness to collude that led to a meeting of minds, influences and ideologies as two hugely promising songwriters took turns at remixing each other's work. "My influences come from very different places. Indie guitar rock, ambient drone, slowcore... even some prog-rock and pop. Martin (Dopedrone) brings some Ulrich Schnauss & Slowdive melodic gazyness in to the mix... I'm a fan too of course."

The end result is an absorbing journey into the darker reaches of shoegaze and drone. Charged, is a brooding, seven-minute exploration of industrial psychedelia, whilst Tunnel litters the swell of post-rock with samples and pulsing bass-loops.

Indeed, with Leskiewicz, you sense the passion for post-production and studio trickery is as strong as his zest for playing. For every band he reveres ("Cocteau Twins, Swervedriver, Psychedelic Furs") there's a technician to match ("Ivo Watts-Russell, Alan Moulder, Steve Lillywhite"). "I always cared about musicians but also the people 'behind the curtain' like producers and sound engineers... I'm a big fan of soundtracks and creating vivid, layered musical landscapes within a song structure."

Something evidently accomplished on our featured track, below.

To hear more from Naked On My Own. Visit their page at ReverbNation or join them on Facebook.

Sarabeth Tucek - Get Well Soon (Team Ghost Remix)

It's incredible to think that Sarabeth Tucek only picked up a guitar when she was in her mid-20s... An acclaimed singer-songwriter, Tucek already has one album under her belt (her eponymous 2007 debut), a prestigious support slot for Bob Dylan and a songbook to make Neil Young blush.

Fêted for her soul-searching brand of alt country, Tucek is now back for more with a clutch of live dates, a new single and her eagerly anticipated second album - due in April on Sonic Cathedral.

The lead single and title-track of the album, 'Get Well Soon' is a typically absorbing slice of raw Americana - comparable with the likes of Mazzy Star and Cat Power. A fragile ballad played through a fog of vulnerability; it's as beautiful a song as you'll hear all year.

Included on the single is a quite astonishing remix of 'Get Well Soon'. A truly heart-stopping moment courtesy of Tucek's Sonic Cathedral stablemates, Team Ghost. As one might expect from the new project of Nicolas Fromageau (formerly of M83) it's a remarkable reinvention full of warped synths and squalling guitar. It's intense stuff and a blissful statement of intent from two hugely promising artists.

Like what you hear? Then have yourself a free download, courtesy of the lovely people (I would imagine) at RCRD LBL

Sarabeth Tucek's new album, Get Well Soon is released in April 4th 2011 on Sonic Cathedral.

School of Seven Bells - My Cabal (Robin Guthrie remix)

It’s fair to say that Robin Guthrie has something of a midas touch when it comes to music production. His celebrated career with the Cocteau Twins led to eight hugely influential albums and a string of successful collaborations, perhaps most notably with This Mortal Coil.

Now best known for his solo work, Guthrie has also forged a credible path as a remixer, working with the likes of Ulrich Schnauss & Definition of Sound.

One such project, which really caught my ear, was his 2006 reworking of the School of Seven Bells single My Cabal. In pushing out the pulsing chorus, Guthrie gave what was already a strong record a new-found depth of sound. The result was a glorious, anthemic slice of dream pop. There's no video this time, just audio, so you'll have to entertain yourself on Facebook whilst it plays...