Music Essentials: Classixx

Los Angles-based music duo Classixx – consisting of Michael David and Tyler Blak – took the sonic airwaves in 2009 with a decided blend of funk, disco and indie-rock — a breath of fresh air to the then heavily populated iterations of nose bleeding electro and leftovers of nu rave. Finding a home under dance-meets-indie staple Kitsune, Classixx delivered “I’ll Get You” — a mesmerizing single that sountracked the young and restless in Hollywood. Fast forward to 2013 and the duo’s replete resume speaks for itself, Donned as remix proficients of alternative dance music, Classixx’s reworks for Ladyhawke, Mayer Hawthorne, Groove Armada, Major Lazer, Lana Del Rey and Madonna are hard to avoid, while their recent full-length Hanging Gardens further harbors them as disco and house contemporaries’ finest. During Michael David’s recent gig in New York we got a chance to snap-up his Music Essentials. Prepped for a DJ gig or a live show, David keeps a MXR Phase 45 pedal and a Macbook Air with him always, while the ear plugs are obligatory for any musician trying to preserve their hearing. To soothe his irregular sleeping pattern, David keeps a Tropical Jungle album close alongside a droning device to assist him when he sleeps. We also get a glimpse at David’s modish choice in attire, opting for brands like Thom Browne, Uniform Wares and Marc Jacobs in his dress. His quaint style is further punctuated by the old Red Clouds guitar strap that “should last forever.” Last but not least, David carries the group’s latest effort; the Hanging Gardens LP by his side — a definite music essential and earnest reminder of his passionate efforts.

Photo Credit: Verena Stefanie Grotto