As a DJ, Devin Lucien has been a staple in the Los Angeles music scene and holds residencies at some of the most popular clubs in LA. In addition he plays throughout the US and appears monthly in NY, Miami, Las Vegas and more. He has also been brought out to Japan to spin at Le Baron de Paris. Devin has recently moved into the production side and has worked with numerous fashion brands and magazines – as well as consulting on films.

This months mix features choice cuts and remixes from some amazing artists. The mix includes Yeasayer, Beastie Boys, Breakbot, Gigamesh, Sleigh Bells and more. Full track-listing after the jump.

DOWNLOAD: Devin Lucien – “ATG First Fridays Mix (June)”

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Australian folk-songstress Julia Stone (of Angus and Julia Stone fame) recently stepped back into the solo spotlight for her second album, By The Horns, which came out in the U.S. on Tuesday. The female Stone’s newest effort mostly channels the sound of her work with her brooding brother, with a few exceptions, one of them being her gorgeous cover of The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” On the original, Matt Berninger’s trademark gravelly voice groans over thickly-layered reverb, though Stone transforms the haunting gem into a quiet, charming number without removing the deep passion that shines through on the former’s version. Anyone that can hold their own against The National gets a gold star, and Stone does just that. Have a listen and be sure to grab a copy of By The Horns.

STREAM: Julia Stone – “Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National Cover)”

Brooklyn-based Friends came together in 2010 when New York’s bedbug infestation forced the future bandmates under one roof for a week. They’ve been fueling parties since, so it’s no surprise we’ll spend the weekend gearing up for the release of their debut album Manifest! on Monday. Get yourself in the mood with the newly-released “Home,” a bongo-studded track that will give you everything you need to finish the week strong and start your Friday night even stronger.

Stream: Friends – “Home”

(photos from Soho House courtesy of Loren Wohl)

Crystal Fighters may have been one of the original kids on the scene of eclectic and dreamy electro pop. The four piece London-based outfit first arrived in 2009 with their single “Xtatic Truth” (Kitsuné), which got some serious remix attention from Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, L-Vis 1990, Renaissance Man and a few more. It’s hard to believe that the group’s debut album Star of Love was released almost two years ago in the UK, but has only now made its way across the golden pond to the States for release by Atlantic Records. Even now, however, tracks like “Plage” and  “At Home” still sound as vibrant and versatile as they did before.

Crystal Fighters can be classified as electro pop, but to corner them into that genre would be a disservice. Their music combines aspects of rock, punk, techno and, most notably, Basque folk (heard in their use of the txalaparta, a giant two person xylophone). All of these different influences come together to create a frantic, euphoric blend of sounds. After a recent stripped down performance at the Soho House in NYC I had a chance to sit down and interview Gilbert Vierich to talk about the band, touring and his ensemble. Full interview and more photos after the jump.

STREAM: Crystal Fighters – “At Home”

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Billboard: Bloc Party announce details for first release in four years, aptly titled Four, along with a teaser trailer.

Pitchfork: Wolf Parade/Spoon/Handsome Furs supergroup Divine Fits release a preview of their album due out later this year.

NME: The British music mag names its 100 Best Tracks of the ’00s. Number 1? Beyonce’s “Crazy Right Now”.

PMA: A “lost” Lana Del Rey album has been discovered from before she was Lizzy Grant.

Hypebot: Facebook might be designing an iTunes competitor.

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Grimes has been talking big game about her boy Blood Diamonds, aka Canadian producer Mike Tucker, for a minute now. It’s good to see the two have finally come together for Tucker’s upcoming 12″, Phone Sex. Claire Boucher’s playful pop vocals take the foreground in the title track, propelling it through Tucker’s R&B-influenced baleric pop. The bright poppy hooks are straight out of the early 90s, but are darkened by a dissonant blanket of synths. The result is a perfect balance between the ying and yang. Look out for the rest of the EP (printed on transparent pink vinyl) on July 25th via 4AD.

STREAM: Blood Diamond – “Phone Sex (Ft. Grimes)”

Few bands in recent memory have carried the torch of riotous exuberance as well as Britain’s Los Campesinos! The group’s brand of high-energy power-pop has been youth incarnate, spouting doomed lyrics with enough force to send melancholy fleeing into the shadows. This penchant for huge, explosive sounds makes the latest track from the band, “Tiptoe Through The True Bits,” all the more surprising. The pace is slower, and the first minute features Gareth David’s vocal sparsely accompanied by a simple guitar riff and quiet cymbal tap. It’s not long before the seven-piece fills the track to bursting, however the execution is still more thoughtful than reckless. The lyrics are as dark and twisted as ever, but the measured delivery gives the track a poignancy the group doesn’t often strive for.

MP3: Los Campesinos! – “Tiptoe Through The True Bits”

There’s something about Purity Ring‘s “Belispeak” that chills you to the bone as much as it appeals to your pop sensibilities. Perhaps that’s a sign of good witch-house. The Montreal duo’s video for the track achieves similar effect, dropping front woman Megan James into an eerie, blue-lit swamp as she undergoes some twisted, Kafkian metamorphosis. It’s a scene straight out of your dreams. Or nightmares, depending on how you look at it. Purity Ring’s Shrines is out stateside on July 24th via 4AD.

STREAM: Purity Ring – “Belispeak”

The Chain Gang of 1974‘s latest video for “Teenagers” puts a poetic twist on Kamtin Mohager’s — the creative force behind the project — pains following a failed, two-year relationship. In the clip, Mohager’s heartache and despair is retold as a kid’s attempt to cope with constantly warring parents. The images turn out to be all too fitting for this Tears for Fears-inspired track. The Chain Gang Of 1974′s Wayward Fire is out now on Modern Art.

STREAM: The Chain Gang of 1974 – “Teenagers”

Kickstarter: Amanda Palmer, formerly of the Dresden Dolls, has raised over $1 Million via Kickstarter for her upcoming album/art project. Giving Ian Mackaye a run for his DIY money.

Brooklyn Vegan: House Of Vans returns for a triumphant second summer in Greenpoint. Initial lineups include The Rapture, H20, Tanlines and more.

Billboard Biz: Buzzmedia acquires XLR8R.

VR: Robert Pattinson announces biopic on The Band. Levon Helm is rolling in his grave.

Pitchfork: Primavera Sound is under way. Catch live sets from The Cure, Mazzy Star, Neon Indian and more.

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