LetKolben

Buzzin around on Soundcloud is an absolute pleasure, as I stumble across many interesting artists and get to hear some very cool sounds.

Quite often I hear a track that excites me enough to want to write about it and the artist. LetKolben a Russian Techno/Minimal producer now based in Berlin, is a prime example.

LetKolben, translated from German means ‘Soldering Iron‘ which was not chosen accidentally, as it became a quality brand of his domestic minimal techno stage.

In 2006 LetKolben became completely absorbed in his music and wanted to show the world how deep and diverse Techno music can be.

LetKolben set himself a goal and began actively promoting his musical ideas with a vast musical portfolio, which gained him many followers, with the assistance of a like minded promo group “DecaDanza”. They established a project which became known as “Other Music”, where they wanted to share his particular style with the sophisticated listener, offering them an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and diversity of his style.

LetKolben later collaborated with DJ ‘Quadrakey’ and set up another project Kommunication Records. He had his music played on radio and has played at the legendary annual ‘KaZantip’ festival and from there headlined  the European ‘Unsound’ festival. Many clubs opened their doors to him, where he captured the crowds with his minimal techno sounds.

Many breakthroughs have happened since, including an EP release ‘In Bianco e Nero Arcobeleno’ on Switzerland’s ‘Darek Records’, following air play on New York’s ‘Digitally Imported’ Radio Station.

His discography is impressive and his style original. His track ‘Fifth’ immediately grabbed my attention, which is definitely unique with an interesting and surprising journey of sounds. The percussion has an awesome rhythm and the track has a deep and mysterious sequence of sounds, together with some intriguing vocals. You can download this track as a Free Release from Kommunication Records on LetKolben’s Soundcloud profile .

LetKolben - Fifth / FREE RELEASE BY Kommunikation Records by LetKolben

LetKolben informed me he has some new releases lined up for this Autumn, where no doubt his mysterious and interesting style will continue to capture the imagination of the listener. His music can be also be purchased on Beatport.

LetKolbens Sounds on Soundcloud

Buzzin Media on Soundcloud

But that is only a small part of the story, the explosion of his Gobsmacked label which is gearing up for its 70th release, the kick off and wide broadcasting of Gobsmacked’s new Podcast Series, guestings on some of the worlds top Techno shows, the dropping of his critically acclaimed Structured Noise album and more gigs than you can shake a stick at, has kept the the young man more than occupied during the past year.

But he has no plans to ease the load as we get closer t0 2011 as he already has around a dozen releases planned for the early part of the year, including a remix of one of the biggest Techno tracks of all time ‘Space DJz Ak47’.

You should also look out for his own remix release which will include almost two dozen global producers and hero’s, as well as his label Gobsmacked looking to celebrate its 100th release by the end of 2011.

Gobsmacked Sessions, the podcast series/radio broadcast show started alongside other Gobsmacked member Luke Creed has been gaining momentum with growing re-broadcasts on FM and digi stations worldwide. Not to mention, the kicking off of the new Gobsmacked Mastering service in conjunction with Neptune Studio’s Berlin and the legendary Patrick DSP.

It has been a steady journey for the Irish Techno peddler since the release of his first vinyl in 2006, and ever since his style has grabbed the attention of those that matter, his peers in the dance music industry and the club goers who make the whole thing worthwhile.

The legend has grown in those few years thanks to regular track support from Dave Clarke, Dj Rush, Cj Bolland and countless giants of electronic music, almost constant airplay across UK and European radio stations, including BBC Radio 1, White Noise, ATL Dance Show, Absolute Technoise, RTE Radio, KISS FM, NRJ Radio, DI – FM, XFM while also guest mixing and broadcasting exclusive sessions for most of these stations and many more including White Noise, Clash Music Magazine’s Series, Dr Hoffmanns Blindspot, Mastertraxx etc and bringing his intense mixing style to clubs and radios across Europe.

Live European dates have seen Diarmaid performing in all the major cities, with regular appearances in Berlin which is his current stomping ground.

As a special thank you to his fans Diarmaid O Meara is giving away a free download of the track Basswhore, which will be available from now until February 10th 2011.

Basswhore - Diarmaid O Meara ***Free Download from 19/11/10 - 10/02/11*** by diarmaidomeara

Timo Maas - Balance 017 - Release October 18th 2010

Timo Maas – Balance 017 – Release October 18th 2010

Timo Maas the DJ who dares to go where many DJ’s only consider with hesitation and nervous procrastination, is back and he is back in style! Balance 017 released by Balance Music, is without doubt a mind blowing, dance dictatorial mix of humongous exclusives and remix hits from some of the renowned such as Nicholas Jaar, Vector Lovers, Toby Tobias, Alex Dolby & Santos, Kenny Larkin and of course Timo Maas and many more.

Timo Maas is the master of musical seduction and Disc One of Balance 017 is as hypnotic as any album is going to get and is most definitely a public display of Maas’ mastery of musical magnetism and charisma. Balance 017  is Mass’ first official compilation for 9 years and is without doubt a masterpiece. The artist has diligently selected the finest collection of sounds to tantalise the listeners into a dance trance from beginning to end.

Any artists creation is an expression of themselves in the moment and Disc One reassures the mass’ that Maas is back with a Maas-ive attack of quality sounds to delight and encourage non stop dance for the dance music addicts. Maas, in my opinion, is insisting you to allow the music to penetrate you, just as it does to Timo Maas himself.  It is a powerful message to DJ/Producers that the ego is something to be ignored when creating a masterpiece…DJing should always be about the music – so leave the ego outside the studio.

“The basic rules off DJing haven’t really changed for me. Of course the technical possibilities have, but in the end, it’s all about the selection of music you play – not about the technical skills you’re having when you’re on stage” Timo Maas

Balance 017 -Disc Two is a blatant message to the public from Maas to forget about the global economy, get free of any ego restraints and imperfections, abandon those inhibitions and just get on the dance floor and feel the music. I believe the philosophy of any dance music is to allow the percussion to penetrate your soul and for you to listen intently to the intricate detail, then take sheer delight getting down to the grooves, no matter where you are, use the floor to truly feel and appreciate the music.

Timo Maas is obviously an artist who will succeed at whatever he puts his hand to and is reaping the rewards of his artistic supremacy. So dedicated to his artwork, he has built a club on his own land a Funktion One packed barn next to his farmhouse in Germany, where he consistently tests out his newest creations. This is a sign of how passionate Timo Maas is about music and also how determined he is to encourage the masses to feel his music.

“It was quite an intense process spread out over 4 months to listen, re-listen, collect and choose the music for Balance CD’s. I don’t know how many tracks I was listening to with my ‘compilation ears’ – maybe a few thousand – and thanks to my amazing production partner Santos, I was even able to fill spaces on the mix with the right tracks that we wrote in the production process just for Balance. Nearly everything exclusive was road-tested over the month before I mixed it too. I’m very happy with the result” Timo Maas

Balance 017 is without doubt another Timo Maas success and will most definitely fly off the shelves.

http://www.timomaas.com/

http://www.myspace.com/timomaas

http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/timomaas

technasia - central

Central is the first new album from Technasia in five years, it took a year in the making and is set to become one of the musical highlights of 2010.

Taking its name from the Hong Kong metro system Central is essentially a journey through the senses that at times is both refreshing and familiar, while in places downright comforting.

The ride also has its moments of austerity and darkness as any journey would and as a result Central works on an instant aural level as well as a deeper emotional level. It is very different to its contemporaries because it is designed to get under your skin.

Central takes the listener into a musical universe that whisks them from the beautiful and peaceful midnight cityscapes (Music To Watch The City Lights Late At Night) to incredible Balearic sunsets (Tu Isla) and into the stark dark bowels of underground clubland, possibly somewhere just outside Chicago (Aries).

There is indeed a melodic soul to Central that raises it above others, the album not only transcends trends as it is designed to do, but also transcends the boundaries of electronic music, making it an album that is instantly accessible even to those who do not specifically follow the electronic genre.

Technasia mainstay Charles Siegling says:

“I deliberately avoided writing a record to reflect the current scene, I wanted to do something that would last, to simply compose music the way I want to, and to reflect my different musical tastes. After a year of hard work I’m very
pleased – I have achieved everything I set out to do.”

An excellent achievement.

Technasia – Central is released on Technasia Records on May 31st.

TECHNASIA TOUR DATES:

APRIL
17 HOT HOUSE OF TECHNO @TRIANGLE, ST. VITH, BELGIUM
30 NITSA, BARCELONA, SPAIN

MAY
07 INOX ELECTRONIC FESTIVAL, TOULOUSE, FRANCE
08 DOLLYSSEUS, NICE, FRANCE
15 BETA CLUB, LA CORUNA, SPAIN
22 BCM, PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN
28 ROMY S. STUTTGART, GERMANY
29 THE STIFF KITTEN, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND, UK

For further information visit the Technasia website.

Magda - Minimal Techno DJ & Artist

Magda Chojnacka was born in Zywiec in Poland and moved in 1986, age of eleven, with her parents to Detroit in the United States. There she soon found a taste for Detroit Techno music.

Today, Magda is one of the most well respected techno DJ’s known mainly for her DJ sets and remixes as well as her brilliant 72 track 2006 mix CD She’s a Dancing Machine released on Richie Hawtin’s Berlin-based M_nus label.

Among her own releases are 48 Crack In Your Bass, Staring Contest and The Black Room, all on M_nus.  She has released remixes for the likes of Louderbach, Hearthrob, Troy Pierce and Butane.

This week Buzzin Electronic Music was fortunate enough to interview Magda ahead of Saturday’s Contakt Gig at the Brixton Academy in London.

Did living in the United States have an influence on your music tastes / interest?

Yes of course. I grew up in Detroit and that’s where most of my influences come from. It’s a dark, industrial, and difficult place to grow up but that’s what makes it special. The energy is raw and it comes through the music. i think there is a very unique sensitivity that comes from that kind of environment.

Was it always your intention to be an artist and a DJ?

Definitely not. I studied art and graphic design my whole life and that was my sole intention until I discovered this strange and wonderful Detroit subculture.

Seems like you devote more time to remixing & playing live rather than releasing your own work.  Is this something that may change?

Yes I hope so. That’s what I would like. I have some tracks coming out in the fall on Minus which I used on my mix for Fabric and I hope to get going in the studio more often.

Before techno and other genres of, what is now known as ‘dance music’, which bands or artists do you feel were most influential?

I love bands like ESG, Tones On Tail, and lots of post-punk because it has a very funky edge to it. In later years many dance compilations and remixes came out and highlighted this sound such as “disco not disco”. Also, some of the tracks by Yello, because they cross various genres. Prince has a huge influence on dance music, as well. He is really a true pioneer.

Over the past 15-20 years techno music has changed. As far as you are concerned, is there a ‘golden time’ for techno music?

Music is always changing and evolving. To me, the golden years’as a whole were in the late 1980’s / early 1990’s in Detroit and Chicago. Now I think all the different genres of dance music experience their own golden years’ at different times. They each get their time to shine because people like change. You need that to stay interested.

Do you have a favourite genre or sub-genre of music you like to play in your DJ sets and also play at home?

I have a soft spot in my heart for obscure electro/disco and at home, I listen to many different things from indie to ambient to electronica. Last night I was listening to Brian Eno’s Mistaken Memories Of Medieval Manhattan and Thom Yorke.

What is the most surprising remix request you’ve ever had?

Depeche Mode. I felt so honoured and quite surprised.

How is the forthcoming Contakt gig going to be different for you than if it were one of your own DJ nights?

Contakt is a whole different concept. You are taken out of the spotlight and become part of a collective, so you really need to think about what you can contribute for it to make sense as a whole. It’s quite exciting to improvise like that and play off each other but also difficult to contain everything enough so it doesn’t become a big chaotic mess.

What projects do you have planned for the rest of 2009 and 2010?

I’m focusing more on items and things. We have some strong releases coming up and I want to build a good momentum. The rest of my time I will be in the studio working on music. I am also working with an artist on an installation/ sound project for 2009.

Magda will join Richie Hawtin and other artists from the m_nus label on Saturday 26th September at The Brixton Academy for the Contakt Special, where a massive custom LED lighting installation will be rigged across the main stage, state-of-the-art surround sound will be especially customised to fit the Brixton Academy, and the main hall will have a full dance-floor fitted.

This ground-breaking show is back for one night only worldwide at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. It’s the only chance to catch M_nus this year in the UK and will be Richie Hawtin’s only London club show until 2010.

Visit Magda’s official MySpace page.