Brent Amaker and the Rodeo check in about their open call for remixes for Hillbilly Electro Pop. The song is “I’ve Got a Little Hillbilly in Me” and the band wants you to remix it. They are going to take their favorite ones and put them on a CD. For instructions, go here.

Drummer and guitarist Mason Lowe spoke:

Tell me about some of the remixes you all have received:
Mason: The first response came from Randy Robot, a DJ from Berlin (MORE PLEASE!). He chucks out all but a few elements from the original song then tweaks those beyond recognition. This is a challenging listen, even to Rodeo fans who are, I find, some erudite MFers.

Randy Robot’s remix is exactly the kind of transformation Brent had in mind. I am a teensy bit bummed because neither my guitar nor drums made it onto this killer track.

Jay Cynik transforms a song of rural romance into a hip-hop duet with an anonymous male MC. Brent sings, “I wish that you would dance with me,” the MC adds “on the m-i-c.” It sounds way more natural than it should. Add a healthy serving of fiki-fiki scratching and a clever use of the lead guitar line and it’s pretty clear that Jay has had a little bit of hillbilly in him all along.

The good folks at Radio Free Bakersfield knocked together a minimalist remix that occasionally flies in a dubby, distorted guitar from out of nowhere.

Anything unexpected?
Yes, from Peter Fedofsky (of Seattle band Curtains for You). The Rodeo’s simple, happy song has become moody with minor keys and echoing choral voices. But just when you get adjusted to the gothic depth of Fedofsky’s remix, a jaunty piano and kazoos (!) lighten the mood with lovely added melodies. Curveball city, right? Well, I think I’m ready for anything now when – IS THAT A HARPSICHORD? Hats off, Pete. You blew my mind with your baroque-abilly remix.