The NetLabel Coalition (NLC) is an organisation consisting of a group of netlabels who have a shared interest in promoting the free music ideal, as well as promoting their own catalogues and artists through collaborative efforts and projects. Using forums hosted by Beat Lizard as their base the various participants also discuss the free music movement as a whole, what can be done to spread awareness and how the scene itself can be improved. Whilst fundamentally created for labels to network the NLC also welcomes general sites who have an interest in the scene (distribution sites, blogs, magazines etc) although individuals can’t directly join, they can support the idea by promoting it, spreading the word and contributing on the open forums.

With this, the debut compilation album from NLC member labels, we’re looking to spread knowledge about the group and what it’s doing, as well as getting good music out there and promoting the labels who release it and the artists who create it. Keep an eye open for new releases and projects from the NLC and head over to the NLC site and forums to get involved. As with all open culture communities, the free music one only flourishes when you contribute.

Dylan ‘YouSir’ Orchard (Founder of the NLC and Beat Lizard)

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Yuri’s Night is a large-scale, grassroots-organized, annual event that brings together ideas and audiences from the communities of space, art, music, and the general public. 2010 is tenth year hosting Yuri’s Night. Last year over 200 separate Yuri’s Night events were held on 6 continents, including at several NASA centers, in Second Life and on the International Space Station. Yuri’s Night has been celebrated by such celebrities as Lance Bass, Phil Lesh, Will Wright, Oksana Baiul, George Takei, Anousheh Ansari, Ray Bradbury, Buzz Aldrin, and many others. Our flagship event in San Francisco this April 10th is expected to draw thousands of attendees, with musical performances by The Black Keys and Common and special talks by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (during the education events on Friday) and private astronaut Richard Garriott. In short, Yuri’s Night is a continually growing phenomenon that bridges the gap between science and popular culture.

Yuri’s Night is primarily dedicated to reaching out to members of “Generation Y” around the world and engaging their interest in the future of space and of humankind.

Three ‘space theme’ releases of Mixgalaxy Records (005, 006 and 007) are now represented on Yuri’s Night Wiki Music page.

Once again the head of ‘Far From Moscow’ made a very interesting review of our release – MIXG007. ‘Far From Moscow’ is a popular project, designed to showcase new music from Russia. It is hosted by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of California, Los Angeles and administered by David MacFadyen.

First review for MIXG007 came from Japan. Thanks to Urban Guitar Sayonara. Google Translator isn’t very good when it comes to Japanese, but we can say it’s rather postivie than negative reaction

Once again our good old friend Simon Roy choose Mixgalaxy Recs track for his weekly show Ouebe Musique. And yes, it was the second track from MIXG007 called PiXtar – Jupier Rising.

Next release will be a bunch of solid and melodic tracks from one very interesting American project. And after that you’ll be able to enjoy another tasty VA album. Stay with us and please don’t forget to share your thoughts about music we share with you. Feedback is what artist really expect to get.

For your listening pleasure we have released a mini album from Moscow IDM producer PiXtaR. This author started to take an interest in experimental music in 1997. He developed as a musician under the influence of such music collectives as “Future Sound Of London”, “Orb” and “Yello”. Compositions from this release have different moods which are filled with details and traits forming altogether a very interesting sound. You’re invited to hear a story consisting of well thought-out rhythm sections and dynamic travels. This entire audio portrait rivets the listeners attention and makes them want to take a closer look into this new sound environment. Diversity in the music is accompanied by accuracy, derived from the creative ideas of the author’s mind and well implemented as music pieces. The release is a must-hear for all IDM connoisseurs.

[MIXG007] PiXtar – Moon 5

Another full-length LP released by Mixgalaxy Records acquaints the listeners with one very interesting author, who works both with music and graphical art. Kirill Kara-Banchuk belongs to Russian idm flow. Being an expert in sound abstractions and experiments, as well as a talented minimalist artist he makes some kind of synthesis of inner images difficult for perception and interpretation, transferring them into sounds and sharing a part of his rich and individual inward with listeners. Moods, atmosphere, tracks order and the album design are one big picture, resembling a road or ascend from darker deeps into the light, what was represented in the booklet.

Music is accompanied by one video clip, visually demonstrating ideas giving start to the entire album. Dismal, black and white pictures, lonesome figures, pressing walls and overall estrangement perfectly illustrate the first track and prepare the listener for sinking into this very powerful and oppressive atmosphere, which weighs upon him in the first half of an album and changes into more comfortable and warmer sound environment as the release moves towards the end. Strong conception and solid realization provides striking impression on the lovers of genres such as idm, experimental and others of that kind.

[MIXG006] Kirill Kara-Banchuk – Star T