Hip hop icon DJ Shadow has previewed his new album by hiding tracks in Eastern European music stores.
DJ Shadow is a turntable icon. The dextrous DJ has an enormous collection, which he mixes in groundbreaking fashion to craft new music. Helping to pioneer trip hop, Shadow’s music has become more linear as time moves on.
Spending the past year working on new material, DJ Shadow is now ready to unleash the results. Preparing to release his new album, the producer has decided to hide material across Europe.
Two tracks – ‘Def Surrounded Us’ and ‘I’ve Been Trying – have been hidden in locations across Europe. DJ Shadow is currently on tour, and seems to be distributing his music as he travels across the continent.
Issuing a statement on his website, DJ Shadow outlined his reasons for the project and claimed that he would release material as he finishes it.
“The idea is ‘shop-placing;’ it’s the opposite of shoplifting,” he said. “You go into a store, and leave your record in the racks to be discovered later. It’s not about being cute, it’s about passing the music along in the most unobtrusive way possible.”
In recent times, DJ Shadow has become increasingly disillusioned with the music industry. “I’d rather give away free vinyl than a download, because to me, downloads are so impersonal and soulless,” he admitted.
“In 2010, it has become akin to sending your dad an e-card on his birthday; no personality, no class. And from an artistic point of view, I think it sends a negative message about the worth of the music.”
However that hasn’t stopped DJ Shadow from utilising the internet. The producer has issued both new tracks as a free download from his website, with the music available from iTunes on September 20th.
Grab the new DJ Shadow tracks HERE.
