We’ve been big fans of KRL for a while now, from first hearing his fantastic remix of J Phlip’s Fever, to his unbelievably amazing mixtape for Corsica Studios night Tief (also another WANARB favourite). His remix of Autodeep – Gonna Make you Mine was stuck in our head for months upon end. We’ve finally managed to pin down the elusive and enigmatic man down for a chat and what better time for it, as Tief takes over Room 2 at Fabric for the bank holiday edition of regular Sunday night WetYourSelf…

KRL is a fairly enigmatic name. Does it stand for your initials or is it conscious decision to remain a bit mysterious?

Kenny Rhubarb Loggins. 

Seeing as how you used to DJ hip hop, you must have a pretty extensive collection- what’s your pride and joy?

I don’t have any crazy rare records that I’m super precious about on their own, but I love the whole collection for the memories they bring back.  It was a great time in my life, 17-21.  I remember where I bought most of them, playing them out every week to the regular crowds and listening to them in the various flats I’ve lived in.  It’s making me all nostalgic! I’m more precious about my soul records. I’m very fond of my Donny Hathaway Extension Of A Man gatefold. Its not rare, but its has memories.

How did you make the switch to DJing and producing house? It seems to be quite the move to make with even Snoop Dogg making house mixes these days!

For me, it definitely wasn’t a switch, more of a slow-grow.  I used to hate house music (or whatever I thought house was).  It started with the hip hop scene (mid ‘90s – early ‘00s hip hop for me) drying up I suppose… so I was open to new music and exploring something else.  The penny dropped when I was at a summer festival at the Rizla stage, chugging to slo mo house like the Mark E – Baby I’m Scared Edit.  That was a cross between the soul that I already loved, and a new avenue of dance music.  I came back from that weekend thinking I’d have a go at making some. Recession Beat came out of it and I never looked back.  Playing out hip hop was incredible at times, but as the scene changed, people would only dance to jiggy hi phop/r’n’b shit which was never my thing. With house music people dance. They dance all night and morning.  That’s what clubs were made for.  Dance music is a communal experience and being in control of that journey is great fun.

Womack & Womack - Baby I’m Scared Of You (Mark E edit)

I find it pretty strange how 4/4 dance music has had such a resurgence in pop music. I think a whole new generation, such as myself are discovering it – and there is a backlog of 30 years worth of music to discover!

You’ve had remixes released on Pets Recordings, Dikso and Your Mama’s Friend but your real home seems to be Wolf Music. What is it about this label that you have such an affinity with?

Wolf Music has been my home since day one. Firstly, it’s likely I wouldn’t have released any house music if my friends had not set the label up. Matt Neale called me up one afternoon explaining the idea behind the label and asked if I had any suitable tracks. The main affinity with the label is that we are all friends who believe in the same thing- putting out/making dance music that we would like to hear and play ourselves. Matt and Stu are great curators, so the quality is kept the highest.

Who is getting you most excited about house music so far this year?

I keep coming back to Axel Boman. He brings a fresh approach to each track he does and isn’t afraid to go off piste down the electronic route. Honestly though, call me blinkered, but label mates Greymatter and Medlar get better with ever track.  They each have an EP on Wolf this year, both of which are fire power. That’s exciting for me.

You recently played in Tallinn. What’s the house scene like in Estonia?

Tallin was great fun. The hospitality and warmth was incredible there. It has a small but devoted house scene, and they can party hard! I made some good friends there and hope to go back soon. Highly recommended.

You’ve played Tief quite a few times now… What makes it such a good night to keep coming back to?

The Tief crowd is always rowdy. Always packed and ready to go off. In my opinion they have the best lineups in London at the moment, for house music, and the crowds keep returning. Corsica Studios is a good venue too – I usually play Room 2, which is a fairly intimate size and has a wicked sound system that is a pleasure to play on.

WetYourSelf in Room 1 is a pretty well established Sunday night party and having Trentemøller headlining is a big boon. Do you have any tricks up your sleeve to entice clubbers into the smaller room?

I can’t wait for that one.  I’m in Room 2 and get a good crack of the whip with a three hour set, so am just looking forward getting stuck in to be honest. I’ve got lots of Wolf exclusives and new remixes to play too, so there will be lots of fresh material to air.

Is there any track you’ve really wanted to sample but haven’t been able to for legal or logistical reasons? And what is one track you’re really pleased to have sampled?

I don’t have any rules when it comes to sampling.  If I like the sound of it, it’s going in. Generally they are older tracks though, so I see it as extending their life, and hopefully exposing people to the sampled artists (if they can hunt down the original!). Sampling is a lot of fun, and whole genres have been built on it. I wont let the cat out of the bag online, but Decay was fun to make. And Machine Code. The originals are slow so there was lots of surgery needed.

And finally, what would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?

Sawn off shotgun and a Segway. Blam them shits.

KRL plays the Tief takeover in Room 2 of Fabric for WetYourSelf’s Bank Holiday Special on Sunday 3rd June with Trentemøller headlining Room 1 and KiNK (live) headlining Room 2.

Rachael Williams

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London clubnight Excuse The Mess is kicking off June with a bang, bringing Parisian Terence :Terry: to respected Shoreditch club Basing House on the 1st. Completing that line-up will be Lo*kee’s Louis Guilhem, Leftroom’s Robin Ordell and Excuse The Mess resident Nick Maleedy. They say:

“Many will remember Terence:Terry: (or one of his many monikers) from his fledgling releases on the ubercool Parisian label Freak n Chic, since then his sound has developed into a sinister but groovy blend of deep trippy tech house, releasing on the likes of 2020, Highgrade, Lowpitch, Real Tone, Robsoul and his new label La Vie En Rose which is already on its fourth release. The formation of this new label and his new band Woman (who he formed with old friend USH) has further developed his fresh and futuristic style…we can’t wait to hear it on 1st June.

After impressing us so much at our February event with Ittetsu, we decided to invite lo*kee resident Louis Guilhem back again to show us what he can do on the decks. Always unpredictable, Louis plays with a freedom and originality which is as rare and refreshing as it is entertaining. He plays under the house and techno bracket although his sound sees him take many influences often weaving between funk, cosmic disco and minimal techno. 

Completing our lineup of guests, and giving the night a real French feel, we welcome Robin Ordell down to play for the first time. As resident for the hugely successful Half Baked, Robin has played alongside many of the best DJ’s and producers in Europe learning what makes dancefloors tick along the way. Already releasing on the likes of Leftroom, Safari Numerique, Remake Musique and Serialism Records, Robin is rapidly establishing himself as a household name within the scene.

Resident Nick Maleedy will be on hand to warm up the proceedings, fueling the night with his experimental blend of deep and tech house.“

We say: check out Terence :Terry:’s Jaunt podcast…

Join the Facebook event for Excuse The Mess and buy tickets from Resident Advisor.

Rachael Williams

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After what’s seemed like weeks of cloudy weather, it was refreshing to see the sun poke his head out from the clouds the last couple of days for what’s felt like the first days of summer. My thoughts have instantly turned to festivals, as usual there’s a wealth of them to choose from over the next few months, but one that’s got us particularly excited is Farr Festival.

Taking place 27th & 28th July in Newnham, Hertfordshire in a deserted wood, this boutique festival has only been running two years but has already gained critical acclaim from party organisers and world class DJ’s alike.

The music, spread across two days and four stages, is hosted by club nights; Just Jack, Sancho Panza, Flux & Ransom Note Vs Society. With DJ’s such as Eats Everything, Miguel Campbell, Bicep, JD Twitch (Optimo), Huxley, Hannah Holland, Waifs and Strays, Terry Farley, Trevor Fung, George Fitzgerald, Alix Perez and many more providing the soundtrack to this years festival! All early bird tickets have sold out but there are still some cheap weekend tickets left at the bargainous price of £35, get them here.

We have a pair of weekend tickets to give away to one lucky reader, to be in with a chance of winning just tell us…

In which UK county is Farr Festival held?

A) Hertfordshire

B) Somerset

C) Kent

Once you’ve done that just email your answer to info@wearenotarockband.com with ‘Farr Festival Competition’ in the subject line.  Closing date for the entries is Friday 15th June 2012 @ 12pm. Winners will be picked at random and notified by email.

Knockturnal

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Mexican producer Louie Fresco burst onto the scene late last year with his Donna Summer sampling track So Good released on Art Department’s Jonny White’s label No.19 Music. The subsequently (and exquisite) remix by Russ Yallop cemented him as one to watch in 2012.

Now, as he’s set to put out the second release from his new label, Mexa Records, a joint venture with his fellow countryman Jay Blakk (of Climbers), we caught up with him to chat Latin influences, Kenny G, Twinkies and more in what might be the funniest interview we’ve ever had the pleasure of conducting…

[Editor's note: this interview took place before the death of Donna Summer. We'd like to take this moment to say big love and respect to the Queen Of Disco... you will be missed.]

Hi Louie, how are you?

I am very good, thanks for asking. I stopped with the whole “I’m so hardcore, I don’t sleep for 6 days straight” state of mind I had the last time I was over; that was hopefully just a one-time thing because I was excited and caught up with the whole UK madness. Right now I’m just taking a breather from all ‘Louie Fresco’ related stuff so I can fully focus on the label. Now, the question here is “How’ve you been, you party animal?”

Your visit to the UK was your first and you managed to cram in quite a lot of dates- what was the highlight of the trip for you?

Oh man, there were so many highlights I seriously couldn’t really choose just one, every city/gig had its perks. In Switzerland I think I had a perfect set and the people felt it; the final week was just epic, plus the final party I went to – Lo*Kee, so sick! – was definitely one of the most memorable highlights. But if I really have to choose something I would choose the surprising kindness of everyone I met and the fuckin’ amazing job my agent did, she was top notch! She earned my full loyalty.

You must be mega busy at the moment- what with also recently setting up your label MEXA Records with Jay Blakk from Climbers. How do you find the time?

Yeah, I’ve been mad busy with every MEXA Records aspect since I got back home. I’ve actually benched (put on time out) Louie Fresco… I’m still halfway through the album I’m doing for No.19 and my queue is packed with at least 10 remixes and a slew of podcasts, but one of my few rules I have is to take some time off to enjoy as much as I can; chill with my girl and closest friends, and not do anything related to music if I’m not really inspired at the moment. To me, mathematical music just doesn’t feels like a piece of music made on a very inspirational moment.

Can you tell us a bit about how the label came about?

MEXA Records started just like every project: as an idea. An idea that we had because back then Jay, myself, and many talented friends of ours didn’t have an outlet to release our music. Mexico has never been a front-runner in the electronic dance music scene, so we decided to take matters into our own hands. Thankfully I met Jonny White through my music, and Jay met Andrei Osyka [of Culprit LA], and we’ve been blessed to have their full support even before we’ve released our music on our label, but the vision as well as the mission is still the same as the beginning, if not bigger and stronger.

It’s been two years since we had that idea, and now it became a reality, and I say this very often, but we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It’s really a dream come true.

Your first release by Lee Foss, Masta Blasta, has had a great reaction. Having Lee as the debut release is fantastic! Was it planned that way or did was it just one of those amazing things that fell into place?

A bit of both, but a tad more the first one. I remember I told Jay that if were to launch a label I really wanted to sign Lee, who at the moment was a big source of inspiration for me. I admired the way he did his music and I still do; the way he and Jamie [Jones] broke so many musical rules to do what they wanted to do without giving a fuck… So I approached him a while ago, discussed some terms, and signed him to be our first release.

We were sure that move was going to help us get our label into Beatport. We honestly didn’t know it was going to have such a positive and massive response all over these known outlets such as Beatport, Ibiza Voice, Pulse Radio, and a pretty decent array of magazines and blogs.

Who’s next up on MEXA?

One of our favorite upcoming producers: Lee M Kelsall. Lee MK sent me a track called “Something” some time ago. 40 seconds into the track I knew we had to sign it. Straight house with a hint of disco, great arrangement, plus some ill and original vocals from Thabo. Add a bad boy, bassdriven remix by Cubiq; it was my mission to sign it.

I reached my good friend Matt Spurlock who’s Volta Bureau’s manager so we could have a bomb remix by them and the EP was complete.

Next up we have an EP by one of my fave producers: Matt Fear, plus a great Clinton Houlker remix, another one by my longtime buddy Delia Ros (from Mexicali as well), and a collab remix by Climbers and yours truly.

Then we have a really solid sampler, and more gnarly EPs by the likes of Ashley Wild, Corey Baker, Jakkin Rabbit & Robert Owens, SpaceByrdz, and finally the Climbers debut EP on MEXA and mine as well.

Damn, I’m inspired! I just can’t stop writing!

(you should give me some props cause I’m writing all of this on my iPhone in the middle of an afterparty I’m hosting in my house! Haha it must be a fun afterparty..)

You’re back in the UK in July for the MEXA showcase at Basing House in Shoreditch.  Are you excited to be properly bringing your sound over to London?

Extremely excited might sound a bit (for lack of a better word) extreme, but I’m really excited to bring some of our artists and most of our music to London, Barcelona (Off Sonar with our soul brothers Miguel Puente and Sishi Rosch’s label Digital Delight), Birmingham, Brighton, Ibiza, Leicester, and Australia. Not to mention many cities in South America, Mexico, and hopefully the U.S. around October.

Your own music really came to the forefront late last year with your release on No. 19 ‘So Good’. What do you think it was about the track that really struck a chord with clubbers?

I seriously think it was Russell’s fault! He took the best parts of the original, stripped it down, and turned into something special sexy won…

I mean, something special.

All jokes aside, he totally nailed with that remix and thanks to that and of course my amazing brothers and label bosses Jonny and Nitin, I think the EP did Soooo Goooood, did Soooo Goood, did Soooo Gooooood…

Sorry, I act stupid when I’m under the influence of alcohol.

How did you feel about Russ Yallop remix?

Like I previously said, he totally nailed it. This is kinda funny… The following story I’m about to tell you it’s true, and it’s the first time I tell it to somebody…

The day Russ sent me the premaster I had heard it once or twice on my PC and thought it was a bit too stripped down and simple for my taste and mood that day.

Don’t get me wrong, I really liked it, but I felt it was just a bit too stripped down. So I had it on my hard drive for a while until the day we booked Art Department to my hometown Mexicali.

Jonny White dropped Russell’s remix and the place (9,000 +++ attendees) went mental! I remember the look on Jonny’s face kinda like saying: “Here’s a little present for you, bro.” I bet my face expression was really awkward! The next day I burned Mr. Yallop’s remix on at least 3 CDs and I haven’t played the original since that warm, more like ridiculously hot summer night.

The Donna Summer sample played a big part in the track’s popularity. She was really part of the zeitgeist at the turn of the year. Who do you think is filling that role for early summer?

I honestly think that the last year’s Most Sampled Artist award goes to Ms. Janet Jackson, but I’m sure Donna Summer must be there as a runner up for sure.

I believe this year’s award goes to using original vocals. I haven’t heard many producers sample the same act, though I’ve seen a growing tendency of producers who go the extra mile and just record original vocals, a thing we’ve been encouraging some of our signed acts to do cause I really think it adds more to a track.

On your Facebook you state that you’re a fan of Kenny G. What other… surprising artists are you into?

Hahaha, you stalker! Just kidding… I tend to write a bunch of random and stupid stuff everywhere and anytime I feel like it, as you may have witnessed throughout this interview, so I better state now that I am NOT a fan Kenny G or of his mesmerizing curly hair. I liked him in that Saturday Night Live sketch, but that’s it!

But if I have to tell you and the readers about one of the most random/surprising/weirdest artists I like, I think I’m gonna be really honest and say that I’m a big fan of Climbers…

Hahaha, jokes aside, I have to say I’ve always been a fan of alternative/hardcore rock band: Deftones. There has always been something about frontman Chino Moreno’s voice and the feeling he adds to those tunes that made me an instant fan of them.

You started MEXA to showcase “the best unknown talent in Mexico”. What influence would you say your roots have on the music you make, if any?

I think my Latin roots have been a significant influence on my music. Maybe I haven’t used many trumpets, accordions, or any other famous instruments used in Mexican folk music, though I’ve been using a lot of guitars since last July. Another instrument I’ve been using since forever are congas and bongos, which are a big part of our Latin (musical) heritage.

Now that you point it out I think I’m going to add a bit more “Latin Flavor” to some of my tunes.

You’ve been making music since you were 17. What was the stuff you were producing as a teen like?

Horrible! But I think it’s safe to say that everybody’s first tunes sound very lame.

The tunes I composed playing guitar and drums still sound surprisingly good, but you have to listen to my first projects I did on a computer… They were sooo lame!

I used to do a lot of trance, psytrance, “experimental” electronica, a lot of hip hop beats, and many rock, punk, and rap covers. Trying to remake those covers helped me learn a bunch of cool stuff; just trying to emulate somebody else’s sound helps A LOT to learn some cool tricks.

And finally, what would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?

I’d steal all the Twinkies in the world. We call them “Submarinos” here in Mex…

Mexa Records latest release, Something by Lee M Kelsall is out on Monday 28th May.

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The latest release sees Justin showing off his badass sound design abilities and his knack for producing unique sounding house music. In terms of mood, both tracks differ significantly from each other; Don’t Go is an mellow track with layered bass and vocals that sound distinctly like Lykke Li and Ruff Stuff leans towards the darker side of the spectrum, and is laced with the kind of quirkiness that has brought fame to Dirtybird over the years.

What strikes me the most though, is how finely produced both of these tracks are. Not since Mr. Oizo’s ‘Lambs Anger‘ album have I been so stunned by a producers’ sound design abilities. Hats off to Mr Martin.

Don’t Go / Ruff Stuff is out now, and you and buy it here.

Justin Martin – Don’t Go

Justin Martin – Ruff Stuff

Montagano

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The man on everyone’s after-party playlist, Daniel Bortz, returns to London town this weekend as part of a much hyped showcase for his current label Suol. WANARB favourites Tief, have brought key members of the label over to coincide with the end of the Suol World Series that saw Bortz in Brazil, Fritz Kalkbrenner in China, Tricksi in Mexico and Chopstick & Johnjon in Europe. We caught up with him ahead of his set at Corsica Studios this weekend to find out about the scene in his hometown of Ausberg in Germany, how he goes about creating his tracks and what he’d save in a fire…

Hi Daniel, how are you?

Thanks I am fine.

It’s great to have you back in the UK again- late December was the first time you ever played here, right? Are you excited to be coming back?

The Basing House gig last year was the first time I played in UK and London. It was a huge party with such a great vibe. Thankfully the crowd had good taste in music. Pretty good for the London premiere! Now we’re back with nearly the entire SUOL Crew. I am really looking forward to this as it’s always nice to play with my friends from the label. I expect a night you will not forget for a long time. All the artists we’re bringing are ace.

Tief will be your second time playing in London as well. Last time you were headlining but this time you’re here as part of a Suol label showcase. Do you play quite noticeably sets when you’re playing with the rest of the label?

My sets [as part of a showcase] are very similar to when I play on single gigs. I always try my best to make the crowd happy. Sure it is a bit easier together as we all know each other very well and share the same spirit. You can expect a night full of soulful house music.

Who from the Suol family are you really digging at the moment?

All of them are great artists. They all have a different style and success with their work. But to name one out of all them I really dig the DJ Sets of Chopstick & Johnjon.

You’ve been touring as part of the Suol World Series- that must have been be pretty exciting! Do you think you lucked out getting Brazil over any other countries your label-mates are off to?

Every SUOL artist was booked for an international tour in nearly the same period. So we thought this would be a good reason to combine them to the SUOL world series. This created more awareness on the whole thing. My Brazil tour was amazing. We played 5 gigs in 4 days in one the best clubs there and had a great time. I will be back soon again.

You’re from Ausburg in Germany- what’s the dance music scene like there and in nearby Munich?

For the last 5 years I’ve run the monthly party Forza Electronca at a club called Schwarzes Schaaf. Over the years I’ve had several awesome nights with artists like Genius of Time, Chopstick & Johnjon, and Tiefschwarz. It is small scene in Augsburg but the guys there really know to party!

In Munich my favourite clubs are Bob Beaman and Rote Sonne. They always have quality bookings there. At Rote Sonne I was a resident and this last year I’ve also been trying to establish a party called From SOUL To SUOL. It happens irregularly on Thursdays. Munich people are slowly learning that the weekend can start Thursday too.

Your signature styles, like bass-driven music, slow jams, r’n’b samples and strong hip hop influences, seem to be coming to the forefront of dance music of late. Do you think this is a backlash against last year’s love of the more popular end of the spectrum of deep house or just a natural evolution?

People think too much about hype. Of course you have artists creating stuff that works and other artists then do the same. But in my opinion music grows and evolves in a natural way. Most of the tracks we hear at the moment have been there before in a different kind of way.

Your new EP, Heal The World, features you singing on a few tracks including the opener Harry. Is this something we can expect more of?

Maybe. I´ve done it before on several tracks. I guess I will do again on tracks in the future.

Tracks like Boyz 2 Men, on the other hand, showcase your talent for sampling. What’s your preference within your own work?

Hmm that’s difficult to say. There is no “one way” to produce tracks. Sometimes I really dig a sample and try to create my own version of it. Sometimes I start from scratch and play all the instruments on my own.

That track in particular samples Cocorosie. What other non-dance music influences your creative output?

The Cure, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Dr Dre and Suzanne Vega.

And finally, if you woke up and your house was on fire what would be the one thing you would rescue?

My cats.

Daniel Bortz plays Tief’s Suol Showcase at Corsica Studios on Saturday 12th May (tomorrow!) alongside Fritz Kalkbrenner (live), Tricksi (live) and Chopstick & Johnjon from 10pm – 6am.

Rachael Williams

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Berlin based label Exploited Records have been slowly stock-piling disco edits for their ongoing series Black Jukebox, with Doctor Dru teaming up with the Adana Twins for Juicy Fruit on the first release and Dutch duo Homework having previously played with Midnight Star’s Midas Touch for their track 1986 on the second release.

Black Jukebox 03 sees Doctor Dru once again dipping his toes into disco. It’s no secret that here at We Are Not A Rockband we have a soft-spot for a bit of italo disco. And Q – Voice Of Q is a certainly one of the true classics of the era (despite not actually being Italian). So you can imagine our delight with this beefed up new version, aptly named Voice Of Dru. Whilst the original is the type of track you’d place early on in your set, this you could play out late to the delight of everyone dancing.

 

After breaking the news last January that the tune about cocaine and ketamine you were all so desperately after was by Venezuelan duo Fur Coat we thought it only fair to pin them down for an in-depth chat. And what better time to do so than just before they’re due back in the UK to play Return To The Future 4 for some bank holiday weekend madness. With big-hitters like Seth Troxler and Tale Of Us also on the bill, it’s truly time for Fur Coat to cement their growing reputation here in the UK…

Hi guys- how are you?

Hey, we’re all good, we’re in the studio right now, working on some remixes, a little bit tired from the Europe Tour, but very happy about all the feedbacks and what’s happening right now.

You’ve just recently been here in the UK playing Birmingham, Manchester and London. What was the highlight of your visit?

The UK is amazing; all three gigs had their own magic. Sankeys was amazing, the vibe the people, the club, the crowd did a sit down to ¨You and I¨ and other tracks. We were blown away. Circoloco in Birmingham was a big one for the whole crew, lots of friends and a super crowded event. London was a more low-key event along with Lee Foss, we really did have a lot of fun and got to spend some time in the city to sightsee and shop. All three places were special, we can´t wait to get back for Return to the Future on May 4.

When You And I was discovered to be your track there was already so much hype surrounding it. What was it like watching that build up?

It was amazing man, we were already working on our album when You And I had all this attention. DJs first started to ask us about it when we played it but Damian Lazarus was the first to really get it out there and it all snowballed from there. Then it came out on YouTube and created a buzz around Fur Coat which was insane – we had so much nervous energy leading up to the release but we were so happy to see such a build up. It’s good to know people are digging what we do.

In the months beforehand there was so much speculation as to who the track was by. Did you want to tell everyone? Was it hard keeping it under wraps?

Yeah it was hard to keep it all under wraps, haha, but people found out at the right time. The intrigue generated more interest in the track and the artist making it more exciting when it was revealed and great for us since people were searching Fur Coat and becoming more aware of our work.

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming album?

Our upcoming album is ready and the tracks are being mastered right now. It’s on Crosstown Rebels, which is our home label, and the name of it is Mind Over Matter. People will be able to understand the whole picture, as there’s a real story to the album using diverse sounds and different vocalists. We are super-happy about the result of 8 months of work.

At the moment we are still in the process of figuring out the artwork and release date, but we can’t wait to put it out there.

Venezuela is not known as a hub of electronic dance music and deep house, so how did you guys get into it and what’s the scene there currently like? 

Venezuela was always a hub of electronic music; it was a typical stop for DJs in South American tours. The whole political situation has slowed down the progress of electronic music and there are fewer clubs nowadays. But parties are still happening a little more underground  -  Davide Squillace is playing in May and also Lee Van Dowski.  Many heavyweight DJs have visited our country – Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Dubfire, Magda, Loco Dice, Audiofly, Matthias Tanzmann, Marco Carola, Miss Kittin, Mr C… 

Israel Sunshine has been a DJ for over 14 years and Sergio Muñoz around eight or nine years. Electronic music has been there since late ‘90s. Venezuelan people travel a lot, so they know what’s happening around the world. 

So the electronic scene in Venezuela has definitely become more underground – national and international DJs can be seen playing in private house parties and some more alternative clubs. Since the early 2000´s we have been hosting parties with crowds of thousands and mixing that with more private events. Also there is a new breed of producers coming out of Venezuela that are doing some cool stuff so we think Venezuela will become more prominent in the global scene.

What influenced you musically whilst growing up, and how has that shaped the sound of what you produce today? 

Latin Music, disco Music, r’n’b, hip hop, soul, funk… a bit of everything. Growing up in a Latin country, what our parents listened to, getting into the party scene, plus, our travels. Being in a tropical country with easy access to USA and to the rest of Latin America definitely influenced us. So it’s a little bit of everything: our day to day life, the music we make, the music we’re into, our tales, our friendship, food, places we like, love for our ladies…

What’s one tune (apart from your own!) that you can’t stop playing out?

Zod- Rise Before Zod which is the new project of Damian Lazarus and James What. We’ve been playing this track out in every set, it’s so groovy, mental with spooky synths, just a great combination, futuristic!!!

You’re back in London for the next bank holiday for Return To The Future with Seth Troxler, Tale Of Us, Luca C and Bill Patrick. That is quite simply a ridiculous line-up! Who are you most excited to be sharing the bill with?

Yeah it’s an amazing lineup! We are really excited about this party, plus we really love the UK.  

We are excited to be sharing the line up with Seth Troxler, who is one of the busiest DJs right now, and one of our favorite guys who always plays refreshingly different and very eclectic sets. We already partied and played together at Get Lost Miami this year and he did a back 2 back with Damian – pulling out some classics and so many groovy underground records. 

Being in that line up is already super amazing, all the artists are doing so many great things; it’s an honour.

And finally, what would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?

We would play after-hours music, 118bpm for those raver unstoppable zombies ahahahaha!

Fur Coat play Return To The Future this Friday 4th May in a secret London location alongside Seth Troxler, Tale Of Us, Luca C and Bill Patrick.

Rachael Williams

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Support across two floors comes from WANARB’s own Matt Montagano, Red Ben (Potty Mouth Disco), Josh Caffe (Batty Bass) and SOCIETY residents. Fun starts at 9pm, entry is free as always!

THURSDAY 26TH
APRIL 2012 | 9:00PM – 2:30AM
DALSTON SUPERSTORE | 117 KINGSLAND ROAD, LONDON, E8 2BP

FREE ENTRY ARRIVE EARLY!

FULL INFO: Click here

Knockturnal

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Due for release on Pets Recordings in a few weeks is beautiful EP from Uffe, Colors Outside. Hailing from Copenhagen, the Danish Uffe Christensen is now based in Amsterdam and is set to hold a dear place in your daytime music heart.

The title track, a light-hearted, bouncy affair, heavy with summery samples, serves to bliss you out ready for the somewhat darker but no less stunning I’ll Leave Soon. Its melancholic vocals and slow build-up ensure its place as the strongest track on the release. Meanwhile the ‘Just Leave’ remix of I’ll Leave Soon comes courtesy of Pets Recordings bosses Catz N Dogz. That’s definitely a grower, so give it a chance as it seems to sit quite apart from the tone of the other tracks. It retains the vocals but darks it out further giving a midnight feeling as opposed to the twilight party sentiment of the original. Finally, closer When The Sun Rose lets you get lost in its chugging bassline, folk tinged vocals and twiddly acid noises.

It’s difficult to pin-point exactly what makes Colors Outside so captivating. Its wealth of influences, mix of genres and experimental samples definitely make it must for getting through these rain-drenched days and pretending it’s actually sunny.

It’s worth checking out the video for I’ll Leave Soon, and not just for gorgeous Polish model Kornelia Strzelecka lazing about and dancing in a envy-inducing pastoral setting…

Colors Outside by Uffe is released on Pets Recordings on 7th May 2012.

Rachael Williams

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