RAC (musician)

RAC
Native name André Allen Anjos
Born Porto, Portugal
Genres
Occupation(s) DJ
Labels Cherrytree, Interscope
Associated acts Andrew Maury
Website RAC.fm

RAC is the solo indie-electronic project of André Allen Anjos.[1] Originally the Remix Artist Collective, RAC was started by Anjos as a group of international members who created re-interpretative rock, electronica, and dance music remixes for various musical artists.[2] Today, RAC has expanded into the production of original music, continuing to collaborate with artists across multiple genres. RAC's debut studio album as Anjos' solo project, Strangers, was released on April 1, 2014. Beyond touring and releasing music as RAC, Anjos is also involved with the American band The Pragmatic.

Music career

Founding Remix Artist Collective

The Remix Artist Collective was created in January 2007 by André Allen Anjos with partners Aaron Jasinski and Chris Angelovski. Originally from Porto, Portugal, Anjos founded RAC in Portland, Oregon, U.S.[3] and became coordinator of the Remix Artist Collective.[3] Later, Andrew Maury (New York) and Karl Kling (Portland) would replace Jasinski and Angelovski. RAC's first release was "Sleeping Lessons (RAC Mix)" for The Shins, earning the remix a spot as a B-Side on the single release for "Australia." The mix, along with several other projects garnered interest among bands like Tokyo Police Club, Bloc Party, and Ra Ra Riot.

RAC's 2008 Sega Vs. Nintendo EP[4] spurred interest by bloggers and earned a headline from the gaming site Kotaku.[5][6] In addition to the mention and posting of remixes by online publications such as Pitchfork Media and Brooklyn Vegan,[7] RAC has received more formal recognition in a full-length feature article for the St. Louis Riverfront Times,[8] an online interview with Stereo Subversion,[9] and an exclusive free mp3 debut through Stereogum.[10]

Recent years with solo project

RAC has remixed artists such as Kings of Leon, Lana Del Rey, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Edward Sharpe, Death Cab For Cutie, Phoenix, Surfer Blood, Foster The People, Two Door Cinema Club, Delorean, and Washed Out.[2] RAC released their first original song "Hollywood" featuring Penguin Prison's Chris Glover via Green Label Sound on May 3, 2012. "Hollywood" was the promotional single to the debut RAC original album.[2]

RAC released their second original song "Let Go" featuring Bloc Party's Kele and MNDR on August 20, 2013. This was the second single from their EP "Don't Talk To", released October 1, 2013. RAC's debut studio album as Anjos' solo project, Strangers, was released on April 1, 2014. Anjo now resides in the USA.[3] Outside of remixing, Anjos has done work creating original music content for HBO’s Entourage, and is now an active, principal member of the indie-electronica band, The Pragmatic.[11][12]

Style and influences

The vision of the Remix Artist Collective was to maintain a style of remixing that strays from the "club mix" archetype, creating new incarnations of songs that stem from the original structure, but expand on their genre and musical arrangement. Early RAC mixes typically feature a blend of hip-hop and vintage drum machine samples, analog synthesizers, melodic hooks, and original instrumentation performed by the remix artists themselves.[2] As was stated, "Unlike many electronic remixes, which are commonly technical and precise, RAC mixes embody a unique aesthetic built on emotion and nuance, an almost intangible warmth and innate playfulness."[2] Current member André Allen Anjos' signature remixing sound is in large part a result of some of his equipment: Notably, a 1982 Roland Juno-60 and 1973 Univox MiniKorg. André has also been known to manipulate analog tape machines to achieve effects, and primarily works with Ableton Live and Digidesign Pro Tools.[2]

Members of Remix Artist Collective

RAC
Also known as Remix Artist Collective
Origin Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres
Years active 2007 (2007) – present
Labels Cherrytree, Interscope
Website remixartistcollective.com
Members André Allen Anjos
Past members Aaron Jasinski
Chris Angelovski
Andrew Maury
Karl Kling
Current members
Former members

Discography

Main article: RAC discography

Albums

Year Title Release details
2010 Holy Rollers OST
2012 Chapter One Remix compilation
2014 Strangers Interscope/Cherrytree (Mar 3, 2014 / Apr 1, 2014)[13]

EPs

Year Title Release details
2008 RAC VOL. 1 Stereogum (2008)[14]
Nintendo VS Sega 2008[15]
2009 RAC VOL. 1.5 2009[16]
2011 Nintendo VS Sega 2
RAC VOL. 2 2011[17]
2013 Don't Talk To
2014 Cheap Sunglasses (Remixes)

Singles

Year Title Album Release details
2010 "If You Forget Me" Single only 2010 release
2012 "Hollywood" (ft. Penguin Prison) Strangers Green Label Sound[18]
2013 "Let Go" (ft. Kele and MNDR)
2015 "Tear You Down" (ft. Alex Ebert)

See also

References

External links

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