Stephen Farris is a producer and visual artist based in Houston, Texas. He’s my favorite unsigned producer at the moment, with three outstanding releases to his name that display a unique understanding of composition and form. I didn’t know what to expect when he agreed to send a mix our way, but this work features a broad spectrum of influences – including a track he’s made exclusively for the mix – and serves as the perfect introduction to his sound.

Substitute Teachers: Stephen Farris by Dipped in Dollars

Cat Stevens – Don’t Be Shy
Mr. Oizo – Nazis
Hudson Mohawke – Thunder Bay
VHS Head – Motions
Salva – Icey
VHS Head – Twitch of the Nerve
Salva – Wake Ups
Mobb Deep – Up North Trip
Midnight Star – Midas Touch
Stephen Farris – Raider Raider
Black Rob – Woah
Letherette – Dance Brace
Mr. Oizo – Half a Scissor
Fever Ray – Here Before
Vashti Bunyan – Here Before

---

If there is any lesson I’ve taken away from my top remixes of ’09, it’s that someone on the internet will always be better at mixing your music. This was a dangerous year in terms of producers finding credibility through remixing, and I wonder where things will be by this time next year. Hope you enjoy these remixes as much as I have.

10. Nosaj Thing [Flying Lotus - Camel]
Flying Lotus holds a very special place in my heart.  This remix is perfect. Made even more perfect of DJ Cerebral Paulson‘s mash up with Beck‘s Where It’s At.

Flying Lotus – Camel (Nosaj Thing Remix)

9. Death to the Throne [Daft Punk - Technologic]

Listening to this song just makes me feel so good. There isn’t much in terms of chord progressions, but the changes are perfect. Everything sounds so dangerous.

Daft Punk – Technologic (Death To The Throne Remix)

8. Toro Y Moi [Washed Out - Feel It All Around]

I’ll never forget the first time I heard Washed Out’s Feel It All Around but Toro Y Moi‘s remix is a great reinterpretation of one of my favorite jams of the year. Washed Out is pretty apprehensive of letting anyone comprehend what he’s singing about, but I’m happy this remix let’s everyone know what’s going down.

Washed Out – Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)

7. CFCF [Health - Before Tigers]
I’ve honestly never heard anything that’s sounded like this. This song is so much better than the original and highlights legit CFCFis in terms of production. You really must read Danger‘s review of Continent.

Health – Before Tigers (CFCF Remix)

6. Chico Love [Phoenix - Lisztomania]

Danger‘s review describes this better than I ever could. 8 minutes of excellence.

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Chico Love Remix)

5. Neon Indian [Grizzly Bear - Cheerleader]

Vekatimest was one of my favorite albums of the year, and Neon Indian was able to recreate Grizzly Bear‘s sound in a way that made me yearn for more.

Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader (Neon Indian ‘Studio 6669′ Remix)

4. Flying Lotus [Lil Wayne - A Milli]

Flying Lotus + Lil Wayne is a combination I’d love to see live. Too fucking good. Praying they’ll collaborate in a studio someday and create something I’d dream to hear.

Lil Wayne – A Milli (Flying Lotus Remix)

3. Lissvik [Fever Ray - When I Grow Up]

This remix of Fever Ray made Lissvik one of my favorite producers of all time, and I can’t wait to hear what he’ll make next.

Fever Ray – When I Grow Up (Version by Lissvik)

2. Phaseone [Animal Collective - Daily Routine]

White Collar Crime threw this producer from Missouri on the map, and I wonder how this remix will influence his first official release. Definitely one of my favorite songs of the year.

Animal Collective – Daily Routine (Phaseone Remix)

1. Breakbot [Digitalism - Apollogize/Pacific! - Runway to Elsewhere]

For me, this was the year of Breakbot. Everything he makes fits into the same aesthetic and I can’t believe Ed Banger still hasn’t released his LP.  2010 will be the year of the Bot. Apolo-Gize is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Pacific! – Runaway To Elsewhere (Breakbot Remix)

Digitalism – Apollo-Gize (Breakbot ‘Hypnotoad’ Extended remix)

---

Lissvik is steadily becoming one of my favorite producers.  His spectacular remix of Fever Ray pulled me through the spring, only to be snagged by this Taken By Trees jam this summer.  I was so into this song that I looked into his previous projects and found a very impressive catalog from his group Studio.  I’m ready for him to take over the future.

Fever Ray – When I Grow Up (Version by Lissvik)
Taken By Trees – Watch The Waves
Studio – West Side

---