London’s Lo*kee is built the old-fashioned way – through dedication, driven by passion, reinventing ideas and creating mystery at every event- their parties never miss a beat. Founder, promoter and resident of Lo*kee’s lawless after hours since 2008, Sebastian Voigt has recent remix releases on Keinemusik and Debox plus a further release of his own in the pipeline and describes the Lo*kee party ethic with positive energy; “we just wanted to create something that felt right, a nice little party with the right people and the right music in a relaxed atmosphere, less is more.”
Embarking on a magical musical pilgrimage upstairs to Room Three this Saturday, the new series of nights aptly crowned “Lo* kee loves” will showcase the rare talents of the Lo* kee founder himself, The Monchhichi Boys, who “ came to an early Lo * Kee and it was love at first sight” and Wareika (LIVE), best known for their organic approach to producing deep techno, jazz, electronic and classical music- their June released LP “Harmonie Park” for the Perlon imprint is not to be missed.
For those that love extended after hour sets; Lo* kee is the auditory journey for you and you can catch Sebastian Voigt’s words on how it all started here. What’s more he’s given us a brand new fabric promo mix- so good it will “boil your dancefloor soft.” Read on to see what we mean…
You are one of the main three protagonists behind the Lo*kee party ethic. Tell us about how the Lo* kee concept first started and the meaning behind the name?
I had just moved from Berlin and was a bit disappointed with parties in London. I met Nic and Akie, we started to go out and hang out together and the idea was born. We didn’t have a great concept really; we just wanted to create something that felt right, a nice little party with the right people and the right music in a relaxed atmosphere - less is more. The name can mean anything and nothing, mostly is has to do with keeping it low key I reckon.
What’s the vibe like at a Lo* kee party? Why do you believe they are important within the electronic dance community?
Well, the vibe. Friendly, sweaty, anything goes. Less attitude and more smiling and dancing. I don’t wanna take myself too serious but I believe that especially at the time when we started we’ve offered something quite unique in the London club scene.
What are your musical goals?
Keep it fresh but be aware of history, mix House and Techno, which are all part of the same thing for me by the way. I want music that touches me, not just functional stuff. Personally I’d like to push myself and release more music.
How would you describe the current club scene in London compared to Berlin nightlife?
I think London has a great party scene but is lacking good clubs. Except fabric there’s not much left, so people are forced to go underground, which is also good in a way because it keeps things fresh and exciting. Berlin is totally different because it has all those great clubs, some of them open till the next evening which creates a very unique vibe. People take it for granted because they can. That’s why Berlin nightlife is a lot more relaxed I guess.
You’ll be gracing Room Three this Saturday alongside regular Lo*kee guests, The Monchhichi Boys and Wareika (LIVE). Tell us about how you met these artists, how they fit into the Lo * kee collective and what sounds they’ll be charming our ears with?
The Monchhichis came to an early Lo*kee and it was love at first sight, haha. We had an extended discussion about how to pull girls by singing national anthems and about groupsex in general. So it was clear we had to make them part of the crew.
I’ve always loved Wareika’s music, since their first 12” on Connaisseur years ago. When I met them through our friends from Wilde Renate in Berlin, we clicked instantly and it was just a matter of time until we would invite them to play.
What are your favourite current peak time tracks?
Phew, loads.
Ray Okpara – True Crowd
Lil Louis & The World - I Called U (Why'd U Fall)
The Mole - Nervous Disid
Matthias Meyer - Tout Va Bien (KiNK Remix)
David August – Moving Day
and many many more…
What is it that you enjoy most about the extended after hour sets?
In German there is an expression “to boil until soft”. This applies very much to the dancefloor. Go to Berghain at 10am and the dancefloor has been boiled until soft, in the best possible meaning. Everyone’s on a certain level, in a certain groove. People can appreciate the music in a different way at this point, which gives the DJ more freedom to do things beyond the usual peak time maneuvers.
What is a typical weekend like for you?
If I’m not playing somewhere else: Sleeping in, going to the market, meeting friends. Lokee on Sunday.
Lo*kee loves fabric promo mix by Sebastian Voigt
Tracklist
DJ Food - Colours Beyond Colours
Mickey Moonlight - Love Pattern (Isolée Remix)
Wareika - Burnin
Taron Trekka - Blue Cinema
Livio & Roby - Jack Cu Soul
The Mole - Nervous Disid
Lil Louis & The World - I Called U (Why'd U Fall)
Vega feat Johnny Dangerous - New York City
Jens Loden - First One (Lodemann Remix)
Delano Smith - Overseas
MRI - Filthy Lesson (House Mix)
Ame - Rrose Selavy
Justus Kohncke - I Wouldnt Wanna Be Like You
On Saturday the 18th of September Safari Electronique will be taking over room two of our disco. In anticipation main man Arnaud Le Texier has put together this extra special mix for the occasion. Heres what the man in question has to say on it....
"When I did the mix, I tried to make a sample of what the night at fabric is going to be. A mix between House, Tech-House & Techno. With new and classic tracks."
Starting at the end of 2004 by Arnaud, Safari Electronique rapidly grew to international recognition for it's diversity and high quality, over the years releases from the likes of D'Julz, Italoboyz, Shinedoe, Damian Schwarz, Miss Fitz, Luca Bacchetti, Ekkohaus and Johnny D have also put their stamp on a Safari Electronique release.
Tracklist
01 - Trickski - Point 0 - Suol - (2010)
02 - Oracy - Funk Advice - Mojuba - (2010)
03 - Rick Wade - Prime Time (Mirco Violi edit) - Unreleased - (2010)
04 - Collint Eastwood - Dancin Dub - Remake Music - (2010)
05 - D'julz - Get Down (beat mix unreleased) - Poker Flat (2010)
06 - Like A Tim - Bagpipe - Djax up Beats - (1994)
07 - Synthetic Gems - This is How We Roll - Hot Kitchen Records (2007)
08 - Aubrey - Shimmer (Aubrey’s unreleased 2010 Mix)- Syncrophone (2010)
09 - Gemini & Unit T - Gemini - B Trip - Sounds US - (1995)
10 - Antonio de Angelis - Marcellino - Safari Electronique (2010)
11 - Jonas Kopp - In My Soul - Traut Muzik (2010)
12 - Skudge - Ontic - Skudge (2010)
13 - Pattern Repeat - Pattern Repeat 03 (A) - Pattern Repeat (2010)
14 - DVS1 - Falling - Timefog - (2010)
15 - Fingers Inc - I'm Strong - R&S Records - (1987)
16 - Terence Fixmer - Drastik - EDLX - (2010)
17 - Arnaud Le Texier - Round and Round - Unreleased -(2010)
Invited by Kill Em All to host the third room of the crew's three-way takeover this Friday - which also features the Eat Your Own Ears collective lending some aural muscle to the lineup - the kind fellows behind ASBO, namely the Riotous Rockers - who run the Chalk Farm rave along with Alvin C - have put together a mix to commend their curation of our top floor. In their own words:
"its a mix of disco dynamite to celebrate our ASBO room this Friday! We're looking forward to playing with our Belgian brothers, The Glimmers. Always a pleasure... guaranteed goodtimes!"
1. Give it all you got - Beautiful Swimmers (U.S Future Times)
2. Come into my Life (Mugwump Remix) - Juergan Paape (Kompakt)
3. Sage Oil (Bottin Edit) (Artifacts 1)
4. Come on y'all - Jacques Renault (Private Release)
5. Flaming Hot - C.O.M.B.I (White Label)
6. Get to My Baby (TBD Extension) - TBD (Golf Channel)
7. Clear Skies (Villa Dub) - Keane (CDR)
8. Breakthrough - The Back woods (Ene Japan)
9. In the Candy Store - S.A.S (Foot and Mouth)
10. The Fire Below (The Revenge Bassline Dub) - Runaway (On the prowl)
11. Crystal Babe - Ajello (Gomma)
12. Without You - Art Department (Crosstown Rebel)
13. Swept Away - Mark Seven (Mule)
14. Walk like an Egytian - Cleo and Patra (White Label)
15. Misery (Hercules and Love Affair Remix) - Cock n bull Kid (CDR)
16. Grey Matter - Foog (Mule)
17. Pure and Easy (J R Seaton Phonebox Tapa) - Tape to Tape (Relish)
18. Take it in (Osborne Remix) - Hot Chip (Parlophone)
This Saturday Bigger Deer Recordings will be taking over Room Three for the first time ever and BDR stalwart and label head, Lewis Ryder, has provided us with dishing out dibs on a mix comprised mainly of his own productions and Bigger Deer material.
Joining Mr. Ryder this weekend will be Raymundo Rodriguez, Huw Lloyd and our ever impressive Terry Francis.
Tracklist
1. Lewis Ryder - Simple Mindfields (Original Mix) [Electric Sheep]
2. Lewis Ryder - Fluffy White (Original Mix) [Bigger Deer]
3. Lewis Ryder - Pale Sky (Original Mix) [Wiggle]
4. Terry Francis & Klunk - Zulu (Lewis Ryder Remix) [Bigger Deer]
5. Lewis Ryder - Thursday Night (Alecs Marta Remix) [Bigger Deer]
6. Lewis Ryder - Kaffee-Monster schief gegangen (Original Mix) [Bigger Deer]
7. Lewis Ryder - Aussdisco (Original Mix) [Bigger Deer]
8. Lewis Ryder - Hole 18 (Original Mix) [Eukatech]
9. Lewis Ryder - Familiar Beep (Original Mix) [Cuatro]
10. Lewis Ryder - Stinkface (Klunk & Zilly aka Terry Francis Remix) [Bigger Deer]
11. Lewis Ryder - 606 Monday (Original Mix) [Unsigned]
Earlier this month, we were all shocked by the news that long established Soho record shop, Harold Moores was closing for a re-fit and in order to prepare its shop for a revamp, staff chucked out thousands of records – dumped in a skip outside for anyone to just walk past, jump in and pick up what was thought to be up to 20,000 rare musical gems. Unfortunately we missed out on the gold mine and have been kicking ourselves ever since but with the dream still alive, we caught up with techno veteran Tim Green to ask him, if he had been in Soho that day which records would he have saved and why?
The Dirtybird/Cocoon stalwart has also given us an exclusive mix to download which burns a raucous party atmosphere and has been heating up the fabric office of late.
1. Pat Metheny - As Falls Wichita
Pat Metheny Group can do no wrong in my opinion. This is one of my many favourite records by Pat Metheny, due to childhood memories mainly. Only 5 tracks on here I think, but all really long and interesting Jazz; kinda similar in feel to Miles Davis’ ‘In A Silent Way.
2. Jeff Buckley – Grace
One of the most haunting and beautiful albums; it’s a real favourite of mine. An absolute perfect record in my opinion; everyone should have a copy of this!
3. Bjork - Vespertine
I love everything Bjork does, but this is my favourite record by her. She always has the ability to re-invent herself. She can always get away with just realising any type of music she wants; people expect it from her :) This album though is brilliant for the use of technology and tiny sounds, mixed with incredible choirs and orchestras. The group Matmos was a huge part to this album also.
4. Daft Punk - Discovery
This is the record that got me into dance music. Funnily enough it wasn't ‘Homework’ (just because I heard ‘Discovery’ first tbh). But I’d never heard anything like them before.
5. Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue
A recent addition to my favourite records, I really can’t stop listening to it. The title track is incredible and is what I first heard from the album. Sounds just like a road trip to me. Plus it’s on Warp, who are easily one of the best labels in the world. Such a great mix of musical styles all perfectly working together – a super talented artist.
6. DJ Shadow - Entroducing
This record definitely should be saved. If you haven't heard this album then you should punish yourself! Another record that got me into dance music heavily. The ‘Changeling’ track is my favourite, especially as its time signature is 7/4 or 14/8.
7. Rowan Blades, Chris LakeFilth (Andy Page Remix)
Getting back to dance music, this was an incredible remix in my opinion. I used to really love breaks, also a lot of the progressive stuff. It had such incredible atmosphere but with the crispest beats. It was so futuristic when I heard it. Andy Page has some incredible production skills.
8. Illogic & Raf - Could It Be
I was into drum and bass a long time before I started producing techno/house. I learnt to DJ with drum and bass and used to produce it. This was my favourite record from that time. It has everything I loved about drum and bass - moody, trippy and rolling!
9. Gaiser - Egress
This record still blows me away. So futuristic, it influenced me so much. The best groove on any record. Ridiculously funky!
10. JD - Sealed Up
I think if this album exists anywhere, it would be in a record shop like Harold Moores. It’s a brilliant folk/country album by an English musician, with the most incredible songs - in a very similar vein to Sparklehorse. I made a copy on minidisc from a good friend from college whose step Dad engineered on the record I think but I’m pretty sure it never came out; maybe only on promo copies in record stores. So I’m not even sure if that was the name of the LP, or even what the track names are, but it’s got such great songs.
Russ Gabriel is a name synonymous with UK Techno and we're ever incredibly pleased to welcome him to Room Two for an extra special live set alongside Ben Sims and Ben Klock this Saturday. To fill you in; Gabriel's first full techno release came out back in 1993 on his newly formed Ferox label after that he went on to record for most of the major techno forces of the 90’s including Carl Craig’s Planet-E, Peacefrog Records, DJAX-Up-Beats, GPR, Force-Inc, Soma Recordings, New Electronica and Dave Clarke’s Magnetic North to name just a few. In more recent times Russ has recorded for Sushitech, Pariter, Mobilee, Steve Bug’s Pokerflat, Morris Audio, Dieb and many others.
Now, after a year bouncing mixes back and forth Russ’ collaboration with Dutch producer TJ Kong and vocalist legend Robert Owens, their collaborative project will finally bear fruit on Chicago’s Large Music label with Large - a label boasting an already impressive roster including Kerri Chandler and Roy Davis Jr - set to release the trio's EP entitled 'Celebration' on both vinyl and digital formats. Forthcoming before the end of 2010 Russ’ follow-up to 'Returning Home' will be released on Greek label Dieb Audio. 2011 should also prove to be an extremely exciting year for Gabriel and his projects as it sees the launch of Ferox Audio Systems and their new DJ/Live software which Gabriel has been hard at work on, testing and developing the new system during 2010.
In anticipation of his performance this weekend he kindly put together a promo mix that finds him in majestic form.
1. Dynamo (Falko Brocksieper Remix) - Rene Breitbarth - Deep Data
2. Latin Lover (Microsoul Remix) - Moving Cities - Lust Recordings
3. In My House - Martin Eyerer & Bjan - Airdrop Records
4. Funkmatic (Garcy Noise Remix) - Alex V - Justified Cause Recorthings
5. Out To Lunch (Raw Beats Edit) - Russ Gabriel - Dieb Audio
6. Covert Action - Falko Brocksieper - Tuning Spork Records
7. 12.34 PM (Electric Indigo Remix) - Toktok - Toktok Records
8. Jupiter - Tom Flynn - Artform
9. Where Were You - Rolando - Delsin
10. Tears - Monkey Harris - Unreleased
11. Go Deeper (Kenny Larkin Remix) - Anonym - Sushitech
12. Sleepless in Striesen - Insect O - Etoka
13. Da Beat - Russ Gabriel - Unfinished/Unsigned
The Glimmers are coming backdown to Farringdon for a long over due DJ set on the 3rd September, heading the proceedings up in Room Three as part of ASBO's room takeover alongside Riotous Rockers and Alvin C. To poignantly tag the occasion they've offered up this short but sweet mini mix to get you suitably hyped.
Having taken their notoriety from countless solo productions Calyx and TeeBee – South Londoner Larry Cons and Norwegian Torgeir Byrknes respectively - blew apart the drum & bass sales charts with their debut collaborative album for the Momentum Music label, ‘Anatomy’ back in 2007. Now hard at work on a follow up, along with running of TeeBee’s massively respected Subtitles imprint, the two producers have traversed the globe together numerous times since their debut album’s release; touring both as a b2b performance and also with their rather special 6 deck set.
Developing their ideas, understanding and the realms of possibility with each performance the sets have brought them closer to that level of performance they’re both known for in the studio to the live setting, keeping the sets unpredictable and spontaneous. Performing next Friday at the Playaz Carnival Special – the annual celebration and full club takeover from Hype’s legendary d&b imprint – on a Room 3 bill that boasts Jubei, Cause 4 Concern, Blokhe4d and Prolix as their counterparts, Calyx and TeeBee took the time to put together a quick half hour mix in anticipation.
Featuring brand new dubs and unreleased material for a positive smattering of incredible producers like Stray – who tore up Critical Sound here last week – Octane & DLR, Cymantic, Fracture & System and Ulterior Motive - who are gracing Room Two tonight – it feels like right now, at about 5pm on a dreary London Friday afternoon, is the perfect time to stick this on and work up to your Friday night.
Our Sunday night mainstays and lovers of all things house and techno, WetYourSelf - powered by the combined force of Cormac, Peter Pixzel and Jacob Husley - have embarked on a brand new adventure. Channeling their long running WYS! night, crew and the leigon of talented artists they've invited to perform they've birthed a brand new record label, and are set to release one 12" a month kicking things off with the ‘Ay Que Ver’ by the super awesome Pig & Dan.
Featuring remixes from Alex Kid plus WYS!'s own Peter Pixzel and Jacob Husley the single will be available both physically and digitally from the 31st August. To mark the occasion they'll be launch the record and their label down here next weekend on Bank Holiday Sunday (flyer and details below).
They've also passed us an extra exclusive minimix teaser which features a lot of forthcoming material from the label for your enjoyment.
Future releases are due from WYS! family members with people like Miss Kittin, Alex Under, Chris Liebing, David Keno, Paul Brtschitsch, Lopazz, Martinez, Mathias Mesteno, Kanio all set to release or remix tracks.
This Sunday the duo of Bearweasel will be hitting WetYourSelf for their debut performance down here. The duo comprised of Dean Muhsin and Louisa Page spent their time growing up feasting on the likes of DJ Sneak, Stacey Pullen and Sasha and you can catch their releases on much lauded labels such as Tsuba, Classic, Soma, Brendon Moeller and 8-Bit. To mark the debut Bearweasel have put together this exclusive promo mix and who better than Dean from Bearweasel himself to sum up the mix's intentions...?
"I’m still recovering from last weekend, so I wanted to do a nice, warm, trippy mix to ease people towards the weekend and my first appearance at WYS! which I’m really excited about."
BLM & Pawas “Waiting Game” – Sudden Drop
Cally “Wake Oops” – Fear of Flying
BLM & Pawas “Waiting Game” (RNDM Rmx) – Sudden Drop
Enola “Lost in Shibuya” (Quarion Rmx) – Initial Cuts
Andre Lodeman “Dark Edge” (Dairmount & Marco Bernadi Dub) – Room With A View
Milton Jackson “Falling (Loop Mix)” – Dark Energy
Bearweasel “Styly” – Tsuba
Ahead of their set in Room Two this Friday the Ulterior Motive duo have given us the green light to pre-empt their performance with a recording of their set down here last month; a fresh insight into their take on current drum & bass.
For more info on the duo check out our Introducing feature on them we did recently here (it'll open in a new tab so you can just press play and keep the mix streaming in the background).
Parisian duo, Masomenos are masterminds of the electronic music scene. With Adrien de Maublanc in charge of the production and sound engineering and Joan Costes taking reign of DJing duties and graphic design; their creative flair can be heard mainly on their own label, ‘Welcome to Masomenos.’ Catching the eyes of high profile names such as Ricardo Villalobos, dOP and Raresh, since 2006 the pair have been particularly prolific , having just released their last full-length, ‘Costes Presente... The Third Eye’ in May of 2009. And to those who love distinctive artwork with a strong story element in their music, then make sure you check out the whacky cartoon critters on their imprints vinyl sleeves; a true collector’s item- they bring a smile to the fabric office with each release.
As we get ready for their performance in Room One this Saturday as part of the Tyrant takeover with Lee Burridge and Deepchord feat Echospace (LIVE), the funky minimal techno duo have given us a two hour long promo mix to set your tail feathers shaking and get you hyped for their upcoming longplayer entitled ‘Balloons’ which is set to blow up the underground circuit this Autumn.
With nicknames like ‘3 Deck Master’ and ‘The Human Ableton’, you know you’re in for a treat of technical wizardry when you get the chance to see Ben Sims. Someone who can truly claim to have seen things come and go and come round again in the world of techno, Ben is a DJ of legendary status who has toured the globe delivering his funk driven techno and house that is the trademark of his DJ sets. On August 28th Ben will be joining Ben Klock and Russ Gabriel in Room Two for a star studded line up that also features Carl Craig, Sebo K, Alex Celler and many more. The man has kindly found a few minutes of his time to answer questions on what life is like in the shoes of Ben Sims…
So Ben, describe your day so far…
Friday 30th July: Spent the morning going thru digital promos and sorting my records etc for this weeks gigs, started the weekend travel by flying out of London City airport to Frankfurt (i'm playing NATURE ONE tonight, then over to Holland for ROCKIT festival tommorow) and now I'm waiting for room service in a hotel. Pretty typical Friday.
You started DJing aged 10. I’m guessing that you must have a pretty huge collection of vinyl stored somewhere, how do you stay on top of all the music? Are you very methodical about collecting?
Most of my records are in storage as I can't fit them all in my apartment but i'm regularly going back and forth with bags and changing my selection at home. Hopefully sometime soon I can have them all in one place as I often buy doubles because I can't find a particular track or I just forget I already own it; I'm not as organised as I'd like to be. I'm still a vinyl junkie though and always have a wants list on me, my desire for new or rare records for my varied sets and tastes is showing no signs of fading after 25+ years.
What was your dream job as a kid?
To be a DJ or work in a record shop, preferably both.
Who were your early inspirations and what inspires you today?
I was hugely inspired by UK soul/funk legend FROGGY (R.I.P) as a kid, he was one of the biggest DJs in the country at the time, the first guy to use pitch controlled Technics for mixing and luckily, he also did the school discos at my junior school as his then wife was a teacher there. So that really gave me the bug, seeing someone that talented and respected at a young age, it definitely started my lifelong obsession with the art of mixing. After that I searched for tapes of US DJs like DJ CHESSE, CASHMONEY, RED ALERT, LATIN RASCALS, AFRICA BAMBAATAA etc and recorded mix shows off the radio at home from guys like RICHIE RICH, COLDCUT, HARDROCK SOUL MOVEMENT and anyone mixing up rap, soul, funk and disco. These days I’m inspired by many different DJs, mostly techno or house, but in general guys whose sets are individual, have their own sound, who really put their heart and soul it and don't just follow trends, people like DERRICK MAY, JEFF MILLS and THEO PARRISH are always great to hear as it's always refreshing and always more than just a couple of hours of music, you can hear history and years of dedication in their sets that is sadly lacking in many DJs.
What have you noticed that’s changed most about clubbing, club culture and techno as a genre in recent years?
Well, if you stick around long enough you tend to see things come back around, a revival of this, a new version of that, fads and phases come and go but for me techno is essentially the same as it’s always been, just a new audience embracing it.
The clubbing generation definitely seems to have changed a bit, these days it’s more about the DJ than the individual tracks played and everyone seems to want to stay up for days! Fuck that, haha…
Today is our day curating Mixloud, for their Celebration of Curation er... celebration... an initiative in aid of the site's 1st birthday which features daily mixes/shows from people like FACT, XLR8R, Bleep, Data Transmission, Serato, Drowned in Sound, Drum & Bass Arena and so many more.
"As we approach our first birthday we want to showcase some of the biggest editorial voices around, who we have been proud and honoured to have worked alongside in the last 12 months," Mixcloud state in the campaign's gumpf. "Everyday throughout August we will have an exclusive Cloudcast from our pick of the best curators and now we invite you to start scrolling down and checking out what they have come up with."
Check out Mackaveli's mix for the occasion at the link below or stream it on the widget embedded.
Maayan Nidam’s music has found fans in high places since her first release under her Miss Fitz guise, ‘Drifting On’ was released on Jay Haze’s Contexterrior imprint. The Israel born Berlin resident he’s put records out on numerous labels – including Perlon, Freak’n’Chic and Wolf + Lamb - under numerous names – including Miss Fitz and Laverne Radix – and she’s hitting Room One this Saturday alongside Craig Richards, Seth Troxler and Nicolas Jaar. Ahead of her slot she put together a podcast exclusive for the Hybrid Life website; so to bring it to you we packaged it up alongside a neat little interview...
You released your debut album last year that features a number of Cuban instrumentalists; you seemed to have travelled a lot, would you say different cultures have influenced your work?
Definitely! I pick up ideas from everywhere. The more I travel the more I notice the similarities between different cultures but also the different expressions they take. This doesn't show directly in my sound, (I wont add a Japanese gong after visiting Tokyo) but it stirs the ideas I have, so for example you could recognise it in my mix of different genres or in the subtleties of movement and buildup.
In a relatively short space of time you've amassed an impressive portfolio, with releases on Perlon, Freak n Chic and Wolf + Lamb. It must be reassuring to gain such support early on in your career?
I don't think working in the studio for over a decade would count so short of time. However, my first releases grabbed the attention of some big heads in the scene and some artists; and for them I hold much appreciation. That gave me a lot of confidence to do my own thing instead of following the charts.
How did the moniker Laverne Radix come about? How does Laverne differ from your other aliases?
Laverne was born in Detroit a few years back at the Tesh by the infamous Lee Curtis (although Seth claims credit for it as well). Laverne is simple. The tracks she makes don't take her much of anything. She gets in the studio, breaks out a kick and a snare adds some magic and boom, you got a lil' something something.
Under my own name there's independence in the music, it's more personal, not really bound to any patterns.
Tell us one thing about yourself that no one knows?
I'm a big fan of the old scienterrific series, Cosmos. I think Carl Sagan is the coolest thing to have walked this Earth (and that fake Mars). I’m also in love with David Attenborough's voice. Love going to sleep with him narrating a Planet Earth DVD in the background.
Your latest EP on Wolf and Lamb is 'Greatest Tits' - did you have anyone particularly in mind?!
‘Greatest Tits’ is a pun on greatest hits (which was the original name of the EP) and those who don't live under a rock would know that 'tits' is also slang for something lovely.
To get a bigger picture about you, which three records best describe you?
I change with the seasons so I can tell you that right now I'm feeling like heavy beats & freaky pads...
Having captured attention with his debut release on the revered R&S label - a 12" that explored vastly different beat constructions on either side, delving into the instrumental hip hop quagmire on 'Detroit Falls' on the A side whilst the flip, 'Orpheus' showcased a knowledgeable grasp on garage drum patterns and atmospherics - Arthur Cayzer, working under his Pariah guise has seen a boom in popularity of late. First mixing for the Sonic Router blog back in February of this year, he's since increased his gig schedule, mixed for Mary Anne Hobb's BBC Radio 1 Experimental show, been interviewed by FACT Magazine just last week and will be making his debut appearance down here in Farringdon on the 13th August for the Critical Sound residency in Room Three.
With a new EP on the way for R&S, called 'Safehouses' (which is due out at the end of this month) he discussed multiple asepcts of his musical career to date, including his tune making process with FACT (read the full interview here):
“My writing process is scatty to say the least. I’m the least consistent producer in terms of how often I make beats or how often I finish them. I’d say about 70% of my stuff never makes it past the 16 bar loop phase.
“For that reason, combined with the fact that I’ve only been producing for a relatively short amount of time, the only finished tunes I have are the ones already out or the ones that are forthcoming. It’s a strange feeling and, in a way, it means that occasionally I put myself under too much pressure to make music: that I constantly need to prove to myself that I can still write half decent tunes. I’m slightly envious of producers who have a bunch of really great finished tunes that they can gradually release and even though I can imagine that having a massive backlog could, at times, be frustrating it does ease the pressure.”
Himself a competent DJ, Cayzer has put together a promo mix for us in light of his upcoming appearance, blending forthcoming material from himself with brand new music from Untold & Roska, Superisk and the anthemic 'Fatherless' by Breach.
Redshape - Mucky Bones (Present)
Office Gossip - Var II (Unreleased)
Untold & Roska - Myth (Forthcoming Numbers)
Breach - Fatherless (Forthcoming PTN)
Steve Poindexter - Work That Motherfucker (Muzique Records)
Model 500 - Huesca (Forthcoming R&S)
Braiden - The Alps (Unreleased)
Pariah - The Slump (Forthcoming R&S)
Four Tet - Sing (Mosca Remix) (Domino)
Joe - Claptrap (Hessle Audio)
Unknown - Unknown (Unreleased)
Ramadanman - Work Them (Swamp 81)
Superisk - Find Your Way (Forthcoming Punchdrunk)
Big Shot - Untitled (Southside Recordings)
Aaliyah - R U That Somebody (Brenmar Windy City Mix) (Unreleased)
Drexciya - Digital Tsunami (Tresor)
Oneohtrix Point Never - A Pact Between Strangers (No Fun Productions)
As Mosca, Tom Reid has made some of the most interesting dubstep-not-dubstep over the course of this year. Following his inclusion on our turn of the year bass music compilation ‘Elevator Music Vol. 1’ with his ‘Gold Bricks... I See You’ he released his ‘Square One’ EP on the Night Slugs imprint around the same time, confounding the expectations of almost everyone with a passing interest in dubstep with the inclusion of the sprawling 10 minute duration of his track ‘Nike.’ Shifting patterns and phases like a soundtrack, even now it still keeps you riveted from the start to end of each listen, and it helps a lot that the ‘Club Edit’ of the track, rather than confining his production to a radio edit, merely compressed it down into a shortened burst of energy resulting in a proper stomping flourish.
Since then he’s remixed high profile artists like Four Tet and Foals, taking his unique horn heavy approach down fresh and interesting routes, providing some of the standout mixes of those singles. With a few bits forthcoming – including the spectacular hip hop paced jam ‘Tilt Shift’ on Manchester’s Fat City label – and an appearance in Room Three a week on Friday, we figured there was no better time to nab him for a chat. The Mighty Mos also went to town on a promo mix for us too featuring unreleased music from a plethora of hype producers...
So obviously we know you from your ‘Gold Bricks...’ tune from the ‘Elevator Music ‘compilation but what’s been going on for you since? You been busy with gigs and productions...?
Wow that feels like a proper time ago now, eh? Yeah I’m always busy with production, taking too much stuff on and still producing mad slow, but I’m working on that. I’ve had some really heavy dances and raves all over; I just came back from New York last month actually...
I remember speaking to Four Tet when we did the fabric Podcast with him, around the time of the release of ‘Elevator Music’ and given that he’s simply the type of encyclopaedic guy that knows EVERYTHING - I mentioned you and he was like “yeah – he’s doing a remix on my next single.” How does it feel to have these kinds of people watching you? I mean it’s obviously a massive complement... and you don’t seem like you feel pressured into anything...
Yeah Kieran’s very on it, in ways you don’t always think; he was making garage in 1999. It was cool for him to approach me as I know he works very independently, so yeah that felt good - fully. But a lot of stuff from that wider music scene, the major label stuff, it’s just A&Rs approaching you and you know they’ve just been on a few blogs and found your name, so I’ve turned some stuff down which I wasn’t feeling. To be honest I’m turning everything down right now cause I’m just working on OG stuff.
Your tunes seem to have a bastardized palette – and by that I mean that you put everything into it, like all styles and tempos and horns, like MAD horns. Why do you think that is? Do you think its a conscious thing or do you just make a tune and it comes out like that?
Yeah I hear you, I’m not sure why really. Some of my stuff starts out quite straight you know, like a straight house tune or straight grime or whatever but by the time I’ve listened to it a million times I start playing about and it turns into something else. I only try and work stuff in if I think it sounds good though because that’s thin ice still - putting stuff in for the sake of it or so you can call it a new genre. But you know what I’m really happy people are feeling the tunes and have been so supportive – I don’t think this kinda stuff happened too much in urban music before. Like I’ve got Marcus [Nasty] playing my Baltimore tunes, or house guys feeling the hip hop I’m doing, people are broadening their horizons and all that. People are on it right now.
Oh and the horns thing... I just don’t think there’s anything more righteous than a heavy brass section really. Look at ‘Tear Da Club Up’ by DJ Class, or all that old dub, or digidub for that matter. Or Rocky...
I mean I’m listening to ‘Nike’ and like, it’s all over the shop. You’ve got a real ear for build ups and I know from reading a few bits on you before that you take a lot of time working on perfecting tunes before you release, but ‘Nike’ (the full 10 minute version) must’ve taken an age to work out...?
That was 8 months. I mean I went toilet and did my eating and all that, but it was on and off, about 8 months. Far too long man! If you speak to Bok Bok he can probably show you all the different versions that tune went through. On the whole build up ting – speak to any producer and they’ll tell you that intros and build ups are the most fun to produce. You have more freedom because they’re not really what the tune is ‘about’. Like this T Williams remix I’m doing, although it’s kind of a funky banger kinda ting, it starts out with just some smoky Rhodes chords and brushed jazz drums and that.
The venerable RAM Records label celebrates its 18th Birthday in majestic style in Room One on the 6th August; inviting the toast of the town Chase & Status- fresh from working with the likes of Rhianna - to DJ with MC Rage alongside RAM boss man, Andy C and Soul:ution honcho Marcus Intalex. Packing out the rest of their room line up with slots from Xample & Lomax and Calyx & TeeBee, two duos whose imminent albums are set to shake the foundations of many a soundsystem upon their release and further support comes from the DC Breaks duo and the widely respected d&b hustler, Red One.
The RAM curated Room Two houses more of a mixture of genres, from the bolshy club sonics of Scratch Perverts, to the heavy drum & bass stylings of Culture Shock onto the moody halfstep of the Swamp81 signed Kryptic Minds going beyond into the realms of house, techno and more thanks to the pairing of Applepips boss man Appleblim and his militant protégé Al Tourettes.
To stand hand in hand with this announcement we've been passed an excerpt of DC Breaks' Live set from this year's Glastonbury festival that was originally broadcast on Annie Nightingale's BBC Radio 1 show:
ROOM ONE: RAM 18TH BIRTHDAY...
Andy C, Chase & Status (DJ Set) & MC Rage, Marcus Intalex, Xample & Lomax, Calyx & TeeBee, DC Breaks, Red One
MCs: GQ, IC3, FATS
Vibes. Thats what the summer brings; and we welcome them with open arms and an enamoured sense of gusto round these parts. Here's a mix from Mackaveli that just about sums it up perfectly.
1. Seuil & DOP – Glory Hole w/ MC Creed intro
2. Jamtech Foundation – Too Fast (Julio Bashmore Remix)
3. Mlle Caro, Franck Garcia – Dead Souls (Radio Slave Long Distance Kiss Mix)
4. Gongon – Cactus Banger
5. Round Table Knights – Calypso
6. Gel Abril – Spells of Yoruba
7. Hot City – Another Girl
8. DJ Deeon – Work This M.F
9. Cassie – Me & U (Brenmar Remix)
10. Gongon – I Could Be There
11. Active Mindz – Hobsons Choice (Dub Mix)
12. Deetah – Relax (Bump & Flex Remix)
13. Colours – Hold On (SE22 Remix)
14. Blazin’ Squad feat Elephant Man – Standard Flow (DnD Vocal Remix)
15. DJ EZ – Just Turn It Up
Here's our first Kill Em All radio show in conjunction with the nice chaps at Mixcloud. It's a selection of new bands and club music that represent our Kill Em All nights as well as music from artists that have influenced and informed them. Plus some ramblings from us...
Enjoy...
Kill Em All returns to fabric on Friday 3rd September for special versus event. More info imminently...
