A cultural sub-movement of electronic music in the mid 2000s, bloghouse was a mix of indie rock, electroclash, fidget house and new-wave styles that embraced the immediacy of the burgeoning internet's global reach.
Artists were able to craft DIY, lo-fi songs (at the expense of quality fidelity and mastering), collaborating with other artists on the other side of the country/ world that zinged around the web, shared via a cacophony of underground blogs.
The scene rapidly went global with such acts as Justice, Crookers, LCD Soundsystem, Sleigh Bells, MSTRKFRT, Crystal Castles, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bloody Beetroots and Hot Chip at the forefront of the movement.
A decade-plus later Australian indie electronic maverick Sir Winston is applying a defibrillator to the bloghouse scene, with his own take on danceable indie-sleaze rock & roll beats.
Sir Winston's newest release is 'Perfectly Numb', the second preview of his forthcoming EP, 'Démons à Combattre'.
The song was recorded at Transmitter Studios in Brooklyn, New York, while the accompanying music video was filmed on the New York subway, and features Sir Winston performing with W.A.F.F.L.E crew, a NYC-based collective of Litefeet Subway Dancers.
"Everything flowed and ran like a dream making 'Perfectly Numb'," shares Sir Winston. "We had found the new sound we were after. Completing it was total joy – I left the studio that day beaming.
"I'd been talking about the state of being 'perfectly numb' with a friend the night before, and when the synth part was looping in the studio I yelled 'this is making me perfectly numb' – booooooom!"
Here, Sir Winston walks down memory lane sharing 10 of his favourite bloghouse aka bloghaus tracks from the mid-late 2000s.
Justice - 'Genesis'
Powerful AF – it really rocks and has the most killer riff. Super tuff and funky too. This whole album, 'Cross', by Justice was massive through the era.
Hot Chip - 'Boy From School'
One of the real signature tracks of the bloghaus era – it really grooves and has some definite class to it with the harmonies and clever parts.
Peaches - 'F... The Pain Away'
This actually came out awhile before bloghaus, but it became a main stay through the era. It's so daring and cool. The lyrics are mad and the production is killer. Wild and sexy electroclash.
Juan Maclean - 'Give Me Every Little Thing'
Really sweet synth intro gives way to a super sexy funky bassline. Late night, house party vibe. I still listen to this all the time – big wiffs of dirty disco, it's a banger for real. Very Brooklyn sounding – on the DFA label.
Felix Da Housecat - 'Ready 2 Wear'
Another track I still play all the time. This whole album 'Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever' was really well produced electroclash. This track hits '80s and has a great chorus and lyrics.
Sir Winston - 'Perfectly Numb'
I made this as a real throwback to the bloghaus era – or 'indiesleaze' as it's recently been coined. Made in Brooklyn and I think it sounds it.
MGMT - 'Kids'
Lots of synths, great vocals and lyrics, a really memorable song. As time passes it become more and more iconic – makes me reflect on this era when I hear it.
LCD Soundsystem - 'All My Friends'
LCD Soundsystem were big players in the bloghaus era and are still big today. Lots of killer LCD tracks I could put in this playlist. 'Sound Of Silver' was my favourite album of the era for sure. Brooklyn sounding and genre defining.
Sleigh Bells - 'Infinity Guitars'
Really cool and tuff. Super catchy and chic. Started a movement. Brooklyn strong AF. Soundtrack to destroying everyone who doesn't want to stay up all night.
The Ting Tings - 'That's Not My Name'
A real hit with immense energy – super catchy and clever. It rocks and jams out in the end. Cool layers to it. It's a feel-good, party-hard banger.
