When Cape Town’s Bateleur wanted to release an EP, they spared no cost in making something that was beautiful and unique; a real collector’s piece of artwork. The band’s Cargo Cults EP was a collaborative project between them and five artists, each of whom produced art for four unique limited edition LP-sized “vinyls” made from indigenous South African wood (by product designer Max Basier). After a period where you could compete in auction to own the “vinyls”, the band’s finally releasing their EP for download.
Check out more info after the jump
When Bateleur came to Jo’burg, our resident art critic, Jean-Michel Wickli (@HalfnHalfMusic), dropped by Kitchener’s to check them out.
“I made a point of arriving at 8pm on the dot, to have a quick run through the art exhibition of the Limited Edition Wooden LP Series the band had set up
…
Each of the vinyls house a flashdisk, tucked away in a groove in the reverse side, with Bateleur’s music as well as some tracks remixed by five local DJs, including Christian Tiger School, a DJ duo that is, in my opinion, the best thing to come out of this country in a loooooooooooong time. This is definitely one of the more unique ways of distributing music and, even though it may not be the most profitable means of getting your stuff out there, it definitely speaks to my artistic side.
…
“I guess if I never see Explosions in the Sky, I could justify it by having seen Bateleur play in the corner of a small bar in Jo’burg.”
Well then, that’s quite a fucking compliment, no?
The band announced yesterday that there EP would be available for download via their Facebook Music page. Featuring an A Side of their original tracks, and an entire Remix EP featuring work by O’ltak, Oxblood, Christian Tiger School, Rub Rubb Rubbb and Fun Toy, You can buy it for $2 or more, which is basically nothing at all for the work of this amazing band. Go check it out.
