Velapene Screen is New York and Los Angeles-based artist Chris Ghiraldi. Velapene has been around for the better part of 10 years. His style is hard to define, but certainly falls within the electronic genre. Known for his remixes and carefully programmed songs, Velapene has been mentioned in Time Out Magazine and Rolling Stone. His blip in the latter was a result of his winning first place at the NYC Laptop Battle in 2006. Velapene has won the Laptop Battle twice, had two full-length releases, and remixed artists including Interpol, Regina Spektor, and Meat Beat Manifesto. I have been a big fan of Velapene’s ever since I was introduced to his music by Unit. Also, Velapene was the one who introduced me to the music of artist Machinedrum, so my taste in music here isn’t exactly following complicated trends. I tend to show more love for artists I know personally, but then, who wouldn’t? When you actually get the chance to communicate with artists you’re into I think that tends to create a better bond, unless of course, the musicians you like and know are total jerks. Thankfully, none of the musicians I know personally fall into that category.
Check out Chris Ghiraldi’s work, art and more here.
New song: added to this post on June 22, 2009:
“Seventeen” by Casxio (“17 Ways Out” Remix by Velapene Screen)
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“Chop Suey:”
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“Something Is Movable In This Room:”
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Here’s a tidbit you might not have known about Ghiraldi. He actually went to college with both Regina Spektor and artist Only Son (singer and songwriter Jack Dishel).
“Damn Random State Shapes:”
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Regina Spektor:
Only Son:
“Three Way Call Detroit Cali New York:”
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At any rate, first off, here is the Velapene remix of “Untitled,” for you to check out. Interpol actually liked the remix so much that they were hosting it on their official site for quite a while. Although I’m not a huge Interpol fan, I like the “Untitled” track they wrote, but I like the Velapene remix even more. Great tune.
Interpol:
“Untitled (Interpool Swimwear Remix):”
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“Our Zone:”
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Velapene Screen wrote the music for a Miller Genuine Draft Commercial as well. Observe (love it):
As for the Regina Spektor remix, Velapene chose to morph Spektor’s track “Fidelity,” into another song that is arguably better than the original. Even die-hard Regina Spektor fans shared this sentiment about the remix, which we think speaks for itself. Ghiraldi received lots of attention from Spektor’s fans both as they heard his Fidelity remix and as they learned that he is actually close friends with Spektor. Of course, Velapene was happy to receive the attention and to have Spektor’s fan-base listening to his music. Below is a video for the Fidelity remix that was prepared without Velapene even asking.
“Biting Is For People Too:”
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Another Velapene song that had a subsequent YouTube video creation crop up as a result is “ReDhaiRCut,” which is an original of Ghiraldi’s using a handful of samples of Regina Spektor vocals:
And last, but not least, is another artistic video using Velapene’s music. This video actually features one of my favorite tracks by Velapene, although I have many, entitled “Something Is Movable In This Room,” from his Medical Breaths record.
“My Plot Is Askew:”
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The first official release for the Velapene Screen moniker – Velatision EP (available from Amazon.com while supply lasts!
