Uppermost

Uppermost
Uppermost in 2018
Background information
Birth nameBehdad Nejatbakhshe
Also known asUppermost, Downed, Alonely
Born (1989-02-19) February 19, 1989 (age 35)
OriginParis, France
GenresElectro house, electroclash, progressive house, experimental, French house
Occupation(s)DJ, producer
Years active2008–present
LabelsUppwind Records, Bazooka Records,[1] Zimbalam

Behdad Nejatbakhshe (born February 19, 1989), better known by his stage name Uppermost, is a French electronic music producer and DJ based in Paris.

Career

Uppermost's wordmark
Uppermost's logo

Uppermost started producing music using FL Studio at the age of 17. His music has been released by Sony BMG, Ministry of Sound, BugEyed Records, Starlight Records, and his own label, Uppwind.[2] His song "Equivocal" reached 3rd place in the Beatport electro-house chart in 2009 and in 2011 his Biscuit Factory EP ranked 1st on the JunoDownload electro-house chart.[3] Uppermost has remixed Daft Punk, deadmau5, Burial, Crystal Castles, Johnathan Coulton, Syl Johnson, Congorock, Gregor Tresher, Cyberpunkers, OniMe, Jesus Luz, Spencer & Hill and Felguk. He has been playlisted by artists such as Tiësto, Armin van Buuren and Steve Angello and remixed by the popular Swedish dance duo Dada Life. In 2010, Uppermost released 41 tracks for free on his MySpace page under the aliases Uppermost, Alonely and Downed.[4] Uppermost is currently working to promote his record label, Uppwind. His goal is to "...create a network where people can share art with each other; an artistic community where all talents can meet and learn from each other."[5] Uppermost's idea to create music came from "an urge to express what I (Uppermost) felt at the time, some kind of nostalgia, music seemed to be the only language to translate this emotion."[6]

On 19 September 2011, Uppermost released his debut album, Action, on his own label, Uppwind. It was made available for purchase on Beatport and Amazon on 28 November. On 19 December 2011, he released his second album, Polis, for free on his Uppwind blog, just two months after the release of Action. Uppermost began performing at live events in early 2012, starting with his gig at Alte Kaserne in Zurich. He made his first French radio interview on a student's radio named CommonWave on 21 January 2012 with Steige and Zach Mayer.

On 15 September 2023, marking his third free-to-download LP releases to date since Polis and Control, Uppermost released his 12th album, titled P2P. All tracks are titled in all caps, with their initialisms deliberately referencing computer science terminologies (HDMI, VOIP, SSH, P2P...). Uploaded on Google Drive, the release contains, alongside the 16 tracks in .wav format, a .zip password-encrypted archive titled "EXTENDED" featuring 7 additional tracks, and a readme.txt asking listeners to "find some hints on (his) discord server".[7]

On 3 November 2023, P2P EXTENDED was released, including the 7 previously unreleased tracks.

Influences

He cites Burial and Daft Punk as some of his greatest influences.[8][9][10]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details
2011 Action[11]
  • Released: 19 September 2011 (CD), 28 November 2011 (Download)
  • Label: Uppwind/Zimbalam
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Polis[12]
  • Released: 19 December 2011
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: Free digital download
2012 One[13]
  • Released: 10 September 2012
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Control[14]
  • Released: 17 December 2012
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: Free digital download
2013 Revolution[15]
  • Released: 10 June 2013
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2014 Evolution[16]
  • Released: 14 April 2014
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2017 Origins (2011-2016)[17]
  • Released: 10 February 2017
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
2018 Perseverance[18]
  • Released: 23 March 2018
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
Given by Nature[19]
  • Released: 7 September 2018
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Format: LP, CD, digital download
2021 Painted Stories[20]
  • Released: 12 February 2021
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
Digital Realism[21]
  • Released: 26 December 2021
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2023 P2P[22]
  • Released: 15 September 2023
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: LP, CD, free digital download
P2P EXTENDED[23]
  • Released: 3 November 2023
  • Label: Uppwind
  • Formats: LP, CD, free digital download

Compilation albums

Year Album details
2019 Uppwind on Air, Vol.1[24]

Extended plays

  • Daily Clouds EP (2008)
  • Funk EP (2008)
  • Uncontrollable EP (with Yoann Feynman) (2008)
  • Cake Shop EP (2009)
  • Off Stage EP (2009)
  • Punch EP (2009)
  • Mainstreaminization EP (2010)
  • Biscuit Factory EP (2011)
  • A Fallen Soul (2011)
  • Method of Noise EP (2011)
  • System32 EP (2011)
  • Underground Life EP (2011)
  • Life Is a Fight (2012)
  • Hidden Poetry (2013)
  • New Moon (2015)
  • Impact (2016)
  • Origins (2011 – 2016) (The Remixes) (2017)
  • Pure (with Juani) (2019)
  • Night Walk (2019)
  • Overnight (2020)

Singles

Title Year Album Additional Notes
"We Rock" 2009 Non-album single None
"Equivocal"
"So the Answer Is"
"Mirage"
"Somebody"
(vs. Antillas)
"Give It Some Punch"
"Sound Box"
"Cake Shop Is Dope"
"Hit"
"Clipped" 2010
"Rox Sox"
"Technical Lies"
"Take a Blow"
"Funky"
"Life Is a Fight" 2012
"Hidden Poetry" 2013
"Disco Kids" 2015 New Moon EP
"Hold Me Up"
(featuring Vita Schmidt) 		2016 Impact EP
"Watch You Blaze"
(featuring Dutch Party)
"Impact"
"Hope" Origins (2011-2016)
"Stay in Love"
(featuring Ofelia)
"Dance" One
"Constellation" Origins (2011-2016)
"Emotion" 2017
"Alive"
"Beautiful Light" Previously featured in Control (2012)
"Retro Digital" Non-album single None
"Make a Change" Perseverance
"Step by Step"
(featuring Sora)
"Slide"
(featuring Yudimah) 		2018
"Atoms"
(featuring Birsen)
"Better Days Ahead"
"Perseverance"
(featuring Harry Pane)
"Given by Nature" Given by Nature
"Starslide"
"Echoes of Mystery"
"Open Hearts" 2019 Non-album single
"Days and Nights"
(featuring Jack Lena)
"Overcome"
"Forever Present"
"Pure"
(with Juani)
"23rd Street" Rework of "23rd Street", a previously unreleased track[25]
"True" Rework of "True", previously featured in Control (2012)[26]
"Inner Peace" None
"Selfless"
"Every Human Is an Artist"
"Night Walk" Rework of "Night Walk", released as a single in 2014[27]
"Fire Starter" 2020 None
"Creative Infinity"
"When the Birds Start Singing"
"United in Hearts" Painted Stories
"Fireflies"
"Iris"
(with Fuji) 		Non-album single
"The City 2" Painted Stories
"They Call Us Dreamers"
"Shatter" Rework of "Shatter", a previously unreleased track[28]
"Willpower" Rework of "Willpower", a previously unreleased track[29]
"Everlasting" None
"Endure"
"Don't Forget the Sun" Rework of "Don't Forget the Sun", released as a single in 2013[30]
"After Hours" None
"Deep Space"
(with Fuji) 		Non-album single
"Missing Link" Painted Stories
"Get Warm"
"Overnight" Rework of "Overnight", released as a single in 2012[31]
"Discover Life" 2021 Rework of "Discover Life", released as a single in 2013[32]
"Warm Winter"
(with OBu) 		Digital Realism None
"Ascent"
(with OBu)
"Cristal"
(with Fuji)
"1000"
(with Fuji)
"Emerald"
(with Fuji)
"Raw Jewels"
(with Fuji)
"Sapphire"
(with Fuji)
"ODC"
(with Medium Douce)
"Fast Forward"
"Sanctuary Tree"
(with Ambyion)
"Morning Dew"
"Rainy Nights Magic"
"Now or Never"
"New Dawn"
"Someday"
"Beginnings"
"Example"
(with No Mana)[33] 		Electromag (compilation)[34]
"LAE"
(with FA) 		Digital Realism
"Supernova"
"Journey"
"Heaven"
"Upflow"
"Illusion"
"Glider"
(with Fuji and OBu)
"BSO"
(with Fuji and OBu)
"Feeling"
(with Mesita)

Samples

Remixes

  • 2007: Kevin Tandarsen – "Moria"
  • 2008: Cyberpunkers – "Is Alternative"
  • 2008: Missy Jay – "Nobody's Perfect"
  • 2009: Disco Bitch – "C'est Beau La Bourgeoisie (Kevin Tandarsen & Uppermost Remix)"
  • 2009: Greenpower featuring Ely Morelli – "What Is Love?"
  • 2009: Nina Martine – "Kick It"
  • 2009: OniMe – "Close Your Eyes"
  • 2010: Swen Weber & Jewelz – "Memory"
  • 2010: Spencer & Hill – "303"
  • 2010: Sebastien Szade & Eddine.B – "Pyramid of Kheops"
  • 2010: deadmau5 – "Complications" [unreleased]
  • 2010: Jesus Luz – "Around the World"
  • 2010: deadmau5 – "Jaded"
  • 2010: Squeeeze! – "Doop"
  • 2010: Felguk – "Side by Side"
  • 2010: Daft Punk – "Technologic"
  • 2010: Rene Rodrigezz featuring Sivana Reese – "More & More"
  • 2010: Syl Johnson – "I'm Talking About Freedom"
  • 2010: Jonathan Coulton – "Still Alive"
  • 2010: Burial – "Archangel"
  • 2010: Fatboy Slim – "Star 69" [unreleased]
  • 2011: OniMe – "Elsewhere"
  • 2011: Crystal Castles – "Vietnam"
  • 2011: Keane – "He Used To Be a Lovely Boy"
  • 2011: Burial – "Forgive" & "Street Halo"
  • 2011: Dada Life – "Happy Violence"
  • 2012: Sebastien Benett – "Slap"
  • 2012: Lemaitre – "Appreciate"
  • 2013: Futurecop! featuring Cavaliers of Fun – "Atlantis 1997"
  • 2013: Camo & Krooked featuring Ian Shaw – "Move Around"
  • 2014: Daft Punk – "Face to Face"
  • 2014: Röyksopp – "Poor Leno"
  • 2015: Phoenix – "Bourgeois"
  • 2015: Adele – "Hello"
  • 2015: Modjo – "Lady"
  • 2015: Christine and The Queens – "Saint Claude"
  • 2016: Olga Kouklaki – "Oxytocin"
  • 2016: Rihanna – "Work"
  • 2016: Halsey – "Haunting"
  • 2017: Flyboy featuring Radiochaser – "Run Away with Me"
  • 2017: Xavier Boyer – "Stockholm Syndrome"
  • 2018: SKYGGE feat. The Pirouettes – "One Note Samba"
  • 2018: SACRE – "Forever Young"
  • 2019: Uppermost – "Pure" [with Popiche]
  • 2019: The Midnight – "Shadows"
  • 2020: Midnight Kids featuring Lisa Goe – "Break Away"
  • 2020: Gareth Emery – "Way to You"
  • 2021: Alex Bone feat. Nile Rodgers - "In Dream"

References

  1. ^ "Bazooka Records". Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Discogs Uppermost Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  3. ^ "JunoDownload | Bestsellers This Week". Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Uppermost on MySpace". Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Uppermost LessThan3 Interview". Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  6. ^ Chant, Louis (25 February 2016). "Interview: Uppermost Talks Beginnings, Soundcloud and More". The French Shuffle. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Official P2P release on Uppwind". Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Uppermost on Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Uppermost LessThan3 Interview". Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Interview de Uppermost dans le studio de Paris Culture Club". YouTube. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  11. ^ "Action on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Polis on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  13. ^ "One on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Control on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Revolution on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Evolution on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Origins (2011-2016) on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Perseverance on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Given by Nature on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Painted Stories on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Digital Realism on Soundcloud". Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  22. ^ "P2P on Soundcloud". Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  23. ^ "P2P EXTENDED on Soundcloud". Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Uppwind on Air, Vol.1 on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  25. ^ "23rd Street (experimental stuffs) on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  26. ^ "True on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Night Walk on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Shatter, featured in Time Travel Mix, on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Willpower (experimental stuffs) on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Don't Forget the Sun on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Overnight on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  32. ^ "Discover Life on Youtube". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Example (feat. Uppermost) on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Electromag on Soundcloud". Retrieved 25 September 2021.