Artist To Know: The Otherwordly Sounds of Ancient Astronauts

Ask any music lover and they will tell you that one of life's greatest pleasures is discovering an artist that demands your ear's attention. Living in Los Angeles, this happens to us more than most but there are still those those artists who emerge from the ethos. We've uncovered our latest find and are pleased to introduce you to the funktacular sounds of German-based DJ collective, Ancient Astronauts

Long-time friends, Tom Strauch and Ingo Moll, or better known as their production aliases of Dogu and Kabanjak, have been releasing material on their own Switchstance Record label but have recently teamed up with Thievery Corporation's Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL) records to release their debut album, "We Are to Answer."

"When we decided to license our album to a bigger international audience, we talked to a group of selected labels and ESL music was definitely our favorite," the guys shared with us. "We know that they do really quality work for their artists and that was was the most important thing for us because we were looking for a label that really builds up its artists and does not treat you like you are just some sort of freaks that maybe could bring some money in."

For their diverse debut, the duo has incorporated their vast array of influences to craft an album that deserves to stand alongside the more promising debuts in recent memory. Combining elements of downtempo [1], hip-hop [2], reggae [3] and soul [4], they even enlisted the talents of hip-hop phenoms, The Pharcyde and Raashan Ahmad to sit alongside reggae-tinged cuts from Tipper Irie and Bajka.

"That's why our label is called Switchstance because we switch between the styles that we love," Dogu explained. "You know it gives you real strength when talented lyricists like these really feel your music and drop lyrics to it that kick you out of your seat when you hear them!"

Taking a page out of Thievery Corporation's book, there's also that strong reggae vibe that permeates through "We Are To Answer," as well.

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"Reggae rules the world," they laughed. "Listening to good rockers reggae and dub can take us away as nearly no other music can do. The musical cosmos of dub is a whole universe for itself and it incorporates peace, love and the will to survive. Even when you're badly hit and feel totally down, the vibe and groove of reggae gives you the strength to keep your head up and move forward."

ESL records has once again delivered another amazing album from an artist we had never heard before and it's also one that the Ancient Astronauts couldn't be more proud of.

"We very much love the album because it reflects all different aspects and musical influences for us," they told us. "It has songs to relax to, songs to get started to and songs to shake your ass to!

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With one listen to the three free tracks available for download below or their heady DJ mix we've also included and it's easy to see what we're on about. To further illustrate our point, take a look at the documentary about the album from the guys themselves!

Like what you hear? We're giving away 4 copies of the album along with posters well! Just send an email to editor@la2day.com [5] and tell us what you love about LA2DAY the most!