December 2009

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Introducing: STARKEY

Posted in Interviews Music Videos on Thursday 31st December, 2009 by Smash Gordon



Philadelphian musician PJ Geissinger, known to his legions of fans as Starkey, first hit out at the world with an album on the pioneering Planet Mu label last year. Entitled ‘Ephemeral Exhibits’ it put his own unique, and for lack of a better word – American, take on bass music in centre stage garnering huge support in the right places and a slot on Mary Anne Hobbs’ Generation Bass feature, which laid a particularly potent path to success for all of its subjects (Joker, Silkie, Oneman, Cyrus etc) in 2009.

Fusing a little of his love for boom heavy hip hop and his talent for classical compositon with sweeping low end and maniacal synthesizers Starkey’s music forces you to move; its caterwauling presence is immediate, erratic and highly individual. Following a bout of UK dates including slots at pioneering dubstep session FWD>> and a couple of dates in our own Room 3 earlier this year, it was clear that Starkey had fans; fans who would brave the sweatiest of dances just to hear the (then unreleased) VIP refix of ‘Gutter Music’ featuring grime emcee extraordinaire Durrty Goodz on vocals.

Ahead of his second album on Planet Mu and his Room One fabric debut on the 15th January, we tracked the ever busy producer/label owner/music teacher/radio host down and asked him a few vital questions...

So… album number 2… how’s it sounding?
The writing's done. Just tweaking a few mixes here and there. I think we have a solid tracklist and order in place as well. It's been an interesting process. We started with about 22 songs in the final list of tunes which we were all happy with... and now we've whittled it down to 15, I think, for the actual album. There may be another single dropping right before the album release... so a few of the songs which we liked that did not make the album cut could surface as b-sides.


Whats the deal, is it more progressive than ‘Ephemeral Exhibits?’ How do you see it?
Yes definitely. ‘Exhibits’ was pieced together when I signed with Mu. It was mostly tunes from the previous year or so... and ultimately felt good as an album.... but this one was written from scratch with an "album" in mind. There's some guest vocalist appearances as well as vocals from myself on it. I really wanted to make an album that you could enjoy from start to finish and not just a collection of tracks... which is how most "electronic" music albums feel. I think I've succeeded... with the help of some very talented vocalists of course.


Regarding my own singing... that's always been something that I've been very self conscious about. I was a choir boy growing up... literally. And, when I used to sing in rock bands and such, I never felt comfortable with my voice in those settings. Now, I've kind of said, you know what, I don't care. If I want to express something through signing... then I'm just going to do it. I think my vocals turned out pretty good on the album. The reaction from most people has been pretty positive as well. Like that track ‘Club Games’ which I've been playing out for a few months now, that's me singing the chorus. Most people won't even realize it at first. haha.



Continue reading "Introducing: STARKEY" »

Introducing: NUMBERS

Posted in Interviews Music Videos on Wednesday 23rd December, 2009 by Smash Gordon



The Stuff Records, Wireblock and Dress 2 Sweat imprints all impacted on us in their own way over the course of the last couple of years; with each of them carving their own unique niche within our collective record collections and the electronic music scene in general. Stuff bore the likes of Rustie (helming his breakthrough ‘Jagz The Smack’ EP), TVO, Offshore and Slugabed. Wireblock gave voice to Lory D, Ghosts on Tape and Emvee, alongside releases from Rustie and Hudson Mohawke’s classic ‘Oops EP’ whilst Dress 2 Sweat helmed projects from Starkey as Moves!!!, Piddy Pi, Rod Lee, Kazey & Bulldog as well as 12”s from Dj Deeon and L-Vis 1990 & Bok Bok.

With each label’s own distinct flavor and their close geographical proximity - all 3 labels are run by friends out of Glasgow, Scotland – 2010 will see the trio unite under the singular label banner of Numbers - the name of the Glasgow based club night all parties help run. Stepping out of their comfort zone, the crew have recently begun holding bashes elsewhere, most memorably in Barcelona this summer just past at this year’s Off Sonar and in London at Plastic People for Hudson Mohawke’s ‘Polyfolk Dance’ EP launch and for their new roster showcase last month.

On January 8th the Numbers family take over Room One with live performances from their label staples Hud Mo and Rustie, DJ support from Deadboy, Jackmaster and the Numbers DJs alongside the headliner to end all headliners, Todd ‘The God’ Edwards. Ahead of the event we caught up with three of the parties responsible for the Numbers arc, Richard Chater (formerly Stuff), Calum Morton (formerly Wireblock) and Jackmaster (formerly Dress 2 Sweat) to get the scoop on the need for a change and their plans for the label.

So… what made you guys want to start a record label in the first place?
Jackmaster: It's always been a dream for all of us I think, starting a label. I've always naturally wanted to be as close to the source and involved as possible, and the obvious way to make that happen was to start our own label. Nothing else really interested me when I was younger except for music and the only guy who was really on the same page as me on this was Calum. We used to talk about taking that step when we were like 14 or 15, and at somepoint Neil got involved (probably once he realised calum and I had grown out of dodgy Subliminal records) and that was Wireblock. Calum was always moaning that having 3 labels in one group of pals was stupid and we should focus our energy more. The result was Numbers.

Richard Chater: Liking music too much and being surrounded by people making amazing tracks…

And in turn what made you guys want to bring all the labels in house? Was it a case of too much competition on your own doorstep...
Calum Morton: I guess part of it was that - we all like a lot of the same music so it was becoming a bit tricky at times. The main angle of it - which was more important - was that I think we eventually started seeing the light of how much more we can do if we club together and run in the same direction.

It's also much simpler for people to grasp what we're about, and in time we can get more out of using our club experience over the last 7+ years to tie into the label.

We've had quite a long history of doing stuff under different names, but I think we all got a bit fed up with explaining to people what was going on and we realised that people don't care about who runs what - we're better all wearing the same colour.




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Stream Supreme: BURAKA SOM SISTEMA

Posted in Music on Tuesday 22nd December, 2009 by Sam Collenette



We here at Fabric have made no secret of our love for Portugal’s premier party starters, Buraka Som Sistema. The gang have become part of the family, regularly shaking the club’s foundations with their riotous live show, releasing their brilliant debut album ‘Black Diamond’ on our label and earlier this month becoming the latest to join the illustrious FABRICLIVE mix CD series.

In celebration of the release of their infectiously exuberant addition to the series, they put together a tasty little 30 minute promotional mix for you guys. Boom!



1. Roulet vs Dj Znobia - Bad Jóras/Eu me Remexo Muito (CDR)
2. Emalkay - When I Look At You (Dub Police)
3. Octa Push feat. Tony Clean - Deixa (Iberian)
4. L-vis 1990 - United Groove [Buraka Som Sistema Remix] (Mad Decent)
5. Stenchman - Puking Over (Bovinyl Moosick)
6. Sub Focus feat. Culture Shock - Move Higher (Ram)
7. Deekline & Wizard feat. Ivory, DJ Fresh - Blow (The Bomb) [Ed Solo & JFB remix] (CDR)
8. Deadmau5 meets Daft Punk - FML / Revolution 909 (CDR)
9. Buraka Som Sistema vs Technotronic- IC19 / Pump Up The Jam (fabric)
10. Buraka Som Sistema - Aqui pra voçês [Buratronic mix] (fabric)
11. Buraka Som Sistema Feat Kano - Skank (fabric)
12. Drop The Lime - Hear Me [Buraka Som Sistema remix] (Trouble & Bass)
13. Number Nin6 - She (CDR)

Feed Your Stereo: MARC ROMBOY

Posted in Downloads Music on Tuesday 22nd December, 2009 by Sam Collenette



For those of you whose thirst is not quenched by a night of New Years Eve celebrations, those who wake up (or not, as the case may be) on New Years Day with an urge for more, the Wet Yourself boys are here to help with another massive shindig to continue the festivities well into 2010. If you are one of the aforementioned party-going types and make the journey to Farringdon, you will be rewarded with a set from house legend Marc Romboy.

The man behind the ever-impressive and influential Systematic imprint has been in the game for over a decade and he remains at the forefront of the house scene going into the new decade. Over two solo LPs, countless singles and a number of collaborative projects with the likes of Stephan Bodzin and Gui Boratto, Romboy has proven himself to be a tireless innovator and one of the premier tastemakers in the tech house movement.

In anticipation of his New Years Day set at Fabric, he has been kind enough to pass on an exclusive mix to entice you down to our dancefloors.

Download: Marc Romboy – Promo Mix

You can catch Marc Romboy at Fabric on NYW alongside regular collaborator Stephan Bodzin as well as Martinez, Rui Da Silva, Mikki Most, Antony Di’Francesco, Harry McCanna, Oiram Gar b2b Paco Modinos, Nat Self, Solo, Nic & Kaleb, Rossko, Ray Stanley b2b Kid K and the WYS residents.

Eyeballin': Elevator Music Vol. 1

Posted in Music Videos on Tuesday 22nd December, 2009 by Smash Gordon



Release Date: 18th January 2010

Pre-order the CD and get entrance to the launch party on 8th Jan all for £10 here: fabriclondon.com/label/misc/Elevator_Music

Taking place on Friday, January 8th, 'Elevator Music' will take over Room 3 with Untold, Shortstuff, Hot City, xxxy, Mosca and Vista, whilst Rooms 1 & 2 will feature the likes of Todd Edwards, Hudson Mohawke (Live), Rustie (Live), 2562, Headhunter, dBridge, Instra:mental, Joy Orbison and more.

Minimix by mlr // Art by Remote Location // Animation by Peter Dickinson

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