Unicorn Kid
Encyclopedia
Oliver Sabin, also known as Unicorn Kid is an electronic music
/chip music composer and musician from Edinburgh
http://www.hecklerspray.com/myspace-trawl-%E2%80%93-unicorn-kid/200815502.php. Educated at Leith Academy
Sabin has had a number of BBC Radio 1
appearances including an early live session on the Vic Galloway
BBC Radio 1 show http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/vicgalloway/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20080703 and a BBC Maida Vale Studios
session for Rob da Bank
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-catchall/2009/01/16/sound-check-86908-21044856/.
After two self-released EPs, 'Lion Hat' was released in early 2009 on Euphonios, a Scottish-based independent label. Followed up by 'Wee Monsters'/'Animal City' (Euphonios 2009), both singles picked up favourable reviews and mainstream radio plays.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-catchall/2009/01/16/sound-check-86908-21044856/
In mid 2009, Sabin remixed the Pet Shop Boys
single Did you see me coming?
. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/10/unicorn-kid-pet-shop-boys http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Leith-17yearold-to-remix-Pet.5205856.jp The Unicorn Kid mix was released on the 12" vinyl version and as part of the digital bundle.
In April 2010, Sabin provided the first remix of the Gorillaz
track Superfast Jellyfish
http://pitchfork.com/news/38467-listen-gorillaz-remixed-by-unicorn-kid/.
Signed by EMI Music Publishing in 2009, Sabin initially released his material through the Euphonios label, but signed to Ministry of Sound
in February 2010 http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1040002§ioncode=2 and Ultra Records
http://www.ultrarecords.com/artists/unicorn-kid/ in the USA. His first release on Ministry of Sound
was the track 'Dream Catcher', followed by Wild Life in October 2010.
In 2009, following an appearance at T in the Park
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tinthepark/2009/artist/unicorn_kid/ and support slots for Calvin Harris
, played two official shows at In the City
http://inthecity.co.uk/showscreen.php?site_id=30&screentype=site&screenid=30 and Sŵn
Festival. Unicorn Kid has also supported Pet Shop Boys in Scotland, and in early 2010 supported Hadouken!
on their UK tour before performing several shows at SXSW http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/2010/03/sxsw_day_zero.shtml http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/7947 as one of the official Scottish Arts Council
representatives http://www.sac.org.uk/1/artsinscotland/music/features/sxsw2010.aspx. He returned to SXSW in 2011, and featured in a BBC Scotland
documentary http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0100q6v.
In August 2011, Unicorn Kid released the three track 'Tidal Rave' EP, with the final track 'True Love Fantasy' featuring as 'Hottest Record in the World' on the 25/08/11 Zane Lowe
show on BBC Radio 1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/2011/08/hottest_record_-_unicorn_kid_-.html. It was then featured on the BBC's 'In New Music We Trust' playlist and as 'Record of the Week' by both Nick Grimshaw
and Huw Stephens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist/. The track includes vocals from Talk to Animals, with whom Sabin had collaborated on his first release.
Unicorn Kid was the support act for synth-pop musician Owl City
on his rescheduled UK and European tour in September/October 2011.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
/chip music composer and musician from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
http://www.hecklerspray.com/myspace-trawl-%E2%80%93-unicorn-kid/200815502.php. Educated at Leith Academy
Leith Academy
Leith Academy is a state school in Leith, Edinburgh. It currently educates around 1,000 pupils and around 2,800 part time adult learners.The former headteacher, Sandy Mcauley, resigned in 2008; Jack M Simpson was appointed headteacher in September 2008....
Sabin has had a number of BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
appearances including an early live session on the Vic Galloway
Vic Galloway
Michael "Vic" Galloway is a DJ on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 1, Vic presents a self-titled show on Radio Scotland every Monday from 8:05pm-10pm and does the BBC Introducing Scotland Radio 1 programme Wednesday evenings/Thursday mornings from 12:00-2:00am...
BBC Radio 1 show http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/vicgalloway/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20080703 and a BBC Maida Vale Studios
Maida Vale Studios
Maida Vale Studios is a complex of seven BBC studios on Delaware Road, Maida Vale, London.It has been used to record thousands of classical music, popular music and drama sessions for BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 from 1946 to the present...
session for Rob da Bank
Rob da Bank
Robert John Gorham, known by the pseudonym Rob da Bank, is a British disc jockey. He presents a Friday-night/Saturday-morning show, Rob da Bank, on BBC Radio 1 from 5am-7am, focused on promoting new left field music...
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-catchall/2009/01/16/sound-check-86908-21044856/.
After two self-released EPs, 'Lion Hat' was released in early 2009 on Euphonios, a Scottish-based independent label. Followed up by 'Wee Monsters'/'Animal City' (Euphonios 2009), both singles picked up favourable reviews and mainstream radio plays.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle-catchall/2009/01/16/sound-check-86908-21044856/
In mid 2009, Sabin remixed the Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
single Did you see me coming?
Did you see me coming?
"Did You See Me Coming?" is a song written and recorded by Pet Shop Boys, released 1 June 2009, as the second single from their tenth studio album Yes. It peaked at #21 on the UK singles chart....
. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/10/unicorn-kid-pet-shop-boys http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Leith-17yearold-to-remix-Pet.5205856.jp The Unicorn Kid mix was released on the 12" vinyl version and as part of the digital bundle.
In April 2010, Sabin provided the first remix of the Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
track Superfast Jellyfish
Superfast Jellyfish
"Superfast Jellyfish" is a song from Gorillaz's third album Plastic Beach. It features Gruff Rhys, lead singer of Super Furry Animals, and De La Soul, who were previously featured on the hit Gorillaz' song "Feel Good Inc."...
http://pitchfork.com/news/38467-listen-gorillaz-remixed-by-unicorn-kid/.
Signed by EMI Music Publishing in 2009, Sabin initially released his material through the Euphonios label, but signed to Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
in February 2010 http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1040002§ioncode=2 and Ultra Records
Ultra Records
Ultra Records is an American independent electronic dance music record label. Ultra was formed in New York City in 1995 by former Polygram and Virgin Records executive Patrick Moxey, who is still currently the owner...
http://www.ultrarecords.com/artists/unicorn-kid/ in the USA. His first release on Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
was the track 'Dream Catcher', followed by Wild Life in October 2010.
In 2009, following an appearance at T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tinthepark/2009/artist/unicorn_kid/ and support slots for Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is a Scottish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. His gold-selling debut album, I Created Disco, was released in 2007 and contained the top ten singles "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls"...
, played two official shows at In the City
In The City (festival)
In The City is an annual music industry conference and festival founded by the late Tony Wilson, formerly of Factory Records and Granada Television, and his partner Yvette Livesey....
http://inthecity.co.uk/showscreen.php?site_id=30&screentype=site&screenid=30 and Sŵn
Swn
The Sŵn Festival is a music festival curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and Cardiff-based promoter John Rostron, which takes place annually in Stephens' hometown of Cardiff, Wales. The first Sŵn Festival took place on the 9–11 November 2007...
Festival. Unicorn Kid has also supported Pet Shop Boys in Scotland, and in early 2010 supported Hadouken!
Hadouken!
Hadouken! are an English grime, electronica, dance band who formed in Leeds in October 2006 by singer, writer and producer James Smith, alongside his girlfriend, synth player Alice Spooner, guitarist Daniel "Pilau" Rice, and drummer Nick Rice. The band name is taken from the name of a special...
on their UK tour before performing several shows at SXSW http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/2010/03/sxsw_day_zero.shtml http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/7947 as one of the official Scottish Arts Council
Scottish Arts Council
The Scottish Arts Council is a Scottish public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government, and is the leading national organisation for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland...
representatives http://www.sac.org.uk/1/artsinscotland/music/features/sxsw2010.aspx. He returned to SXSW in 2011, and featured in a BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
documentary http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0100q6v.
In August 2011, Unicorn Kid released the three track 'Tidal Rave' EP, with the final track 'True Love Fantasy' featuring as 'Hottest Record in the World' on the 25/08/11 Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
show on BBC Radio 1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/2011/08/hottest_record_-_unicorn_kid_-.html. It was then featured on the BBC's 'In New Music We Trust' playlist and as 'Record of the Week' by both Nick Grimshaw
Nick Grimshaw
Nicholas Peter "Nick" Grimshaw is a British television and radio presenter. Commonly known as 'Grimmy', he has presented shows for Channel 4, E4, BBC One, BBC Two and Channel 4 youth strand T4...
and Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens is a radio presenter currently broadcasting shows on BBC Radio 1.-Early life and career:Stephens was born in Cardiff, Wales, the son of the author and literary journalist Meic Stephens...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist/. The track includes vocals from Talk to Animals, with whom Sabin had collaborated on his first release.
Unicorn Kid was the support act for synth-pop musician Owl City
Owl City
Owl City is an American electronica musical project by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young formed in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. Young created the project while experimenting with music in his parents' basement...
on his rescheduled UK and European tour in September/October 2011.
Discography
- We Had Eaten All The Animals, And Bartered All The Jewels (with Talk to Animals) (December 2007)
- Lion Hat - 3 Track Double B Side (January 2009) (Euphonios)
- Wee Monsters - with B side 'Animal City'(July 2009) (Euphonios)
- Pet Shop BoysPet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
- "Did you see me coming?Did you see me coming?"Did You See Me Coming?" is a song written and recorded by Pet Shop Boys, released 1 June 2009, as the second single from their tenth studio album Yes. It peaked at #21 on the UK singles chart....
" (Unicorn Kid mix) 12” Vinyl (July 2009) (Parlophone) - Dream Catcher - Free Download (April 19, 2010) http://www.ministryofsound.com/blog/blogDetail.aspx?n=890 (Ministry of Sound)
- Wild Life - Single (October 17, 2010) (Ministry of Sound)
- Tidal Rave - EP (August 30, 2011) (Self Released)