Ian O'Donavon Aurora Borealis

Better late than never, I have just caught up with this incredible offering from John Digweed’s Bedrock label, from an artist called Ian O’Donavon, featuring three top tracks, the title track Aurora Borealis along with Indigo Eyes and Horizons.

Aurora Borealis is a stunning and massive track featuring beautiful haunting harmonies and pulsating electronics the single fades and rises to brilliant effect.

No wonder Aurora Borealis is getting big club plays and credit to Bedrock for recognising yet another new talent who will surely emerge further during 2010.

Both Indigo Eyes and Horizon show off Ian O’Donavon’s exciting productions, coming from different angles to the title track but achieving similar results in putting a smile on the face and getting the foot tapping!

About Ian O’Donavon

After spending much of his youth listening to various styles of music, Ian came across the world of underground electronic music. It was so refreshing and different to all the formatted songs and “cheesy” dance tracks of the time, he quickly began to immerse himself in this music and the scene itself. Influenced by artists such as Steve Rachmad, Underground Resistance, Technasia and DJs like Laurent Garnier, Jeff Mills and DJ Hell, Ian began DJing and seeking out the records that would go on to play an important part in defining his sound.

It wasn’t until he moved to Australia in 2005, that he began to create his own tracks, slowly teaching himself and developing his sound. After nearly four years living in Oz, Ian decided to return to Ireland in 2009 and focus more of his attention on making music, determined to help break the cycle of the boring, soulless “minimal” fad that had dominated house and techno in previous years.

With early support on many of his tracks from the likes of Laurent Garnier, John Digweed, Dave Clarke, Anderson Noise, Hernan Cattaneo, Psycatron and more, the future looks bright for Ian with hot releases on Hype Muzik as well as John Digweed’s Bedrock Records.

Ian O’Donovan
A1 – Aurora Borealis
B1 – Horizons
B2 – Indigo Eyes
(Bedrock) Bed90
12” Vinyl & Beatport Exclusive

For further information visit the Ian O’Donavon My Space.

Balance Series Party @ Cable, London

Looking for something special in the London this weekend?

Then look no further than the excellent Balance Series Party which takes place on this Saturday July 17th at Cable in South East London.

Featuring a four hour set from AGORIA back 2 back OXIA with additional sets from Emerson Todd (EQ/Cocoon) and Jozif (Wolf & Lamb).

In the bar, get on down with GET DOWN GOOD featuring Jimster, along with Tom Bulwer, Greg Sawyer and Jo Sayers.

CABLE is situated at Bermondsey Street Tunnel, London SE1 3JW, nearest tube station London Bridge.

Tickets £10 in advance or £13 on the door. For further information visit the Cable website.

DJ Hal

It is two years since lunar warrior DJ Hal released his last single, a long wait for sure but well worth the wait as he returns with a brand new EP of minimal electronic beats and progressive tech sounds.

Desire is the title of the DJs latest offering and features the original version of the track alongside two remixes, one from Alan Barratt and the other from Dudley Strangeways, the EP closes with Hal’s progressive-tech tune Pavlov’s Dog.

The title track, ‘Desire’, features a hypnotic one word vocal from Katy Heath (of Bent fame), that sits snugly over HAL’s intricate programming and deep percussive tech groove. HAL describes the track as an “empathy indulgence that teaches you in just one word what desire is all about”… and you can’t help but be moved by the emotion in the music, whether at home or on the dance floor.

Of the two remixes, it is newcomer Dudley Strangeways version that stands out for me, introducing his beefy percussion and bass-driven magic to great effect, creating an eerily beautiful interpretation, bristling with energy and dance floor attitude.

The closing track on the EP is another brand new composition from DJ Hal, Pavlov’s Dog. A driving progressive-tech track that has Hal saying; ….”the pulsating nature of Pavlov’s Dog sets off an automatic response in the human mind, that opens up your aural awareness paths and makes you dance.”

While the closing track  stutters to start, Pavlov’s Dog does eventually kick off into something of a foot tapper, but it also drifts in and out of aural focus and for me never really reaches Hal’s expectation.

None the less another sterling effort from DJ Hal with the title track and Dudley Strangeways remix version worthy of a listen or adding to your collection.

DJ HAL – DESIRE EP – Okyo
1. Desire (Original Remix)
2. Desire (Alan Barratt Minimal Remix)
3. Desire (Dudley Strangeways Remix)
4. Pavlov’s Dog
(Okyo, Denmark) OKYO 010
Release: 21st June 2010

Form @ Village Underground, Shoreditch, London

Saturday 19th June sees the launch of FORM at Village Underground.

Although a new kid on the musical block, this fresh young upstart brings you the kind of savvy format you’d expect from a night much older in years.

A truly bespoke night, it will concentrate on quality programming, production, ambience and and the kind of line ups you rarely see outside of festivals these days. Sound wise each event will be non genre specific.

The main bulk of the evening will revolve around the house and techno spectrum. But be prepared to hear everything from electronica, funk, hiphop, disco, mashup, ska and all that goes inbetween.

FORM has been founded by a team of industry veterans. They have been working under various roles and guises within clubland, music, radio, press, technical, production, fashion and creative for over 20 years collectively. Some have even been lured out of retirement to be involved in this exciting new project. The culmination of their experience, enthusiasm and essentially their “contacts” means they can bring you something very special indeed.

This collaboration of people realised there was something lacking on the London club scene, and a massive target audience were not being catered to. The whole of clubland has become saturated with so-called “underground” club nights at present.

In reality this format is now so common place that all they bring us is the same old crowds, the same old venues, the same old sounds and the same old experiences – all the while still claiming to be individual. These kind of events also alienate lots of people who like a good night out just by the sheer “cliquey” element attached to them.

FORM wants to shake it up and do things differently. They’d like to give you a night which is thoroughly down to earth and without pretention. The line ups are aimed at the sort of regulars who may not go out every week, but will come out of hiding for nights which strike a chord with them and those which have the premise of something a bit special.

The lineups will speak for themselves for each event, bursting with the kind of names that need no introduction.

FORM aims to give you what you’ve been holding out for… A night out with a lovely, welcoming crowd, amazing music, banging soundsystem, eye catching production, and most importantly a night that was actually, for once, worth the effort!

Opening FORM on Sat 19th June 2010 will be: X-Press 2, Jon Carter and CJ Macintosh.

X-Press 2
A phenomenal recording and DJing unit consisting of Rocky, Diesel and Ashley Beadle who first burst onto the international club scene in 1993 with Muzik Express. Expect roasting beats (a la Trance Europe Express), full on epic breakdowns and all kinds of catchy hooks. Currently signed to Skint Records (Fatboy Slim’s label) and partaking of all kinds of six-deck wizardry, expect lots of surprises and innovative collaborations.

CJ Mackintosh
The man responsible for remixing MARRS, ‘Pump Up The Volume’ together with Dave Dorrell. Originally a hip-hop DJ, CJ moved over to house music in the early 90s and scored a residency at Ministry of Sound in ‘94 where he played for seven years. Now a father of two and still pleasing mainstream clubbers as resident DJ at City Loud, Turnmills, London.

Jon Carter
A man of many guises who plays and records under the names Joe Schmoe, Monkey Mafia and Junior Cartier amongst others. Originally inspired by the 80s acid house scene he has since experimented with various musical styles including funk, dub, breakbeat and even reggae. Now best known for funky, energetic old skool house, Carter is one of the worlds most popular DJs.

Form @ Village Underground
54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ Saturday 19th June
9pm-6am

X-Press 2
CJ Macintosh
Jon Carter
Leroy Roberts
Tim Gale

£15 in Adv

Tickets from: www.clubtickets.com & www.residentadvisor.net.

For more information visit www.formlondon.com.

None But The Brave by Trafik on Global Underground

Trafik announce the release of their third album None But The Brave blazing an improbable trail through the sonic space somewhere between ethereal cinematic scores and storming DJ weapons.

None But The Brave began life when the duo – Andrew Archer and John Elliott – holed themselves up for an intensive fortnight’s studio session in the far reaches of Scotland, far from the nearest mobile signal or other worldly distractions.

The 18 months since then have turned out to be almost as intense. They’ve ripped their sound apart, rebuilt it, then taken it to bits a few more times before emerging with an album that both agree is their best work yet.

So just what forces drove this striking fusion of electronic beats, haunting vocals, dancefloor drama and widescreen moments?

The influence of regularly being asked to produce soundtracks for the likes of ‘CSI: Miami’ and Playstation games clearly plays a big part. In fact, two of the album’s tracks have already been snapped up by Hollywood execs.

Then there is the total creative freedom they enjoy being signed to Global Underground. Trafik’s relationship with the label goes back a long way, and has always been based on letting them grow as a proper band, not just as another couple of guys knocking out club fodder.

It’s also down to Andrew Archer and John Elliott’s purposeful refusal to be pigeonholed as ‘one of those prog house dance acts’, something that will surely be dispelled even further when they take to the road again this summer, particularly now they have started experimenting with a full live band setup.

The first single from the LP, ‘Paid Up In Full’, has already set the tone for Trafik in 2010, combining energetic beats, rave samples and John Elliott’s own accomplished vocals with a strong package of remixes.

From the gritty ‘Dark Times’, to the blissful ‘Favored Nations’, through the orchestral strings of ‘Ascension’ and beyond into what was traditionally indie territory, this album is the sound of Trafik exploring their musical boundaries without compromise.

None But The Brave by Trafik tracklisting:

1. Dark Times
2. Changes
3. Paid Up In Full
4. Favoured Nations
5. Precog
6. Leave Town
7. Move Around
8. Recovery Position
9. Ascension
10. The Difference
11. The Great Un-named
12. Neoteric Suite (Part 2)
13. Opus Magna
14. Light Up The Sun
15. Flashback

Trafik release 3rd album, None But The Brave on Global Underground on 28 June 2010.

Patrice Scott - secretsundaze @ sonar

secretsundaze and The Secret Agency presents secretsundaze Sonar Party 2010 at La Terrazzza and the picnic area in Poble Espanyol.

Patrice Scott (Sistrum)
The Mole (Wagon Repair)
Trus’me (Prime Numbers)
Ethyl and Flori (Quitessentials, Freerange)
Giles Smith (secretsundaze)
James Priestley (secretsundaze)

The Secret Agency (secretsundaze’s new booking agency) and secretsundaze are proud to announce details of our 3rd party at Barcelona’s amazing open air club La Terrazzza. Although this is the 3rd year secretsundaze will be representing at La Terrazzza after 2 hugely successful parties, this is the first real Sonar showcase of our new booking agency The Secret Agency.

2010’s party looks set to be the best yet with it being the first time we have utilised the picnic area just a few minutes walk from La Terrazza. This is beautiful grassy area with trees overhanging the dance area with picnic benches and seating making it the perfect way to ease into the evening as a pre cursor to moving into La Terrazzza at midnight.

Along with La Terrazzza it provides one of the only true open air parties one can experience during the Sonar festivities. La Terrazzza itself is without doubt one of the most stunning locations for a party at Sonar. The party will go on for a marathon 12 hours!

Our headliner is Patrice Scott from Detroit. Patrice’s productions on his Sistrum imprint have garnered him fans the world over and his DJ sets at the likes of Panorama bar, Fabric and indeed secretsundaze In London have furthered his appeal.

Joining Patrice we have two of our favourite artists of the moment with The Mole and Trus’me. The Mole has been a favourite appearing at secretsundaze a number of times now but usually performing live. This will be in fact his first time djing for us. Manchester’s Trus’me has shot to populartity over the last few years and his albums “Working Night’s” and “In The Red” have received huge acclaim. He has an extremely busy DJ schedule and we look forward to his debut set for secretsundaze.

Also representing The Secret Agency we have young guns Ethyl and Flori who at the tender age 23 have already released on Quintessentials, Freerange, Cecile and forthcoming on secretsundaze. They are no slouches in the djing department either! Last up our ever reliable residents Giles Smith and James Priestley will be on hand to keep the party burning long into the late hours.

secretsundaze at Sonar has become an institution attracting a great crowd of European party people and industry heads alike. This promises to be another unmissable party with it being our longest ever Sonar party (12 hours) and a double header with the party taking place across 2 sites. Batton down the hatches!

secretsundaze at Sonar
Sunday 20th June
5pm to Midnight in the picnic area, then Midnight to 5am at La Terrazzza

secretsundaze at Sonar Tickets:
5 euros concession list, 10 euros including drink
To be added to the concession list email info@secretsundaze.net

Address:
La Terrazzza, Poble D’Espanyol, Barcelona

For more information visit: www.myspace.com/secretsundaze
To book tickets visit: www.thesecretagency.net

The event has been running for two months now and has already featured the likes of Penguin Prison, Chateâu Marmont, Notorious Hi-Fi Killers and Richard Norris to name just a few.

Throughout the month of June, Colourr wiil be stepping up the pace with a dirtier bassier contingent of guests-perfectly suiting the confines of the Basement Bunker.

Kicking off proceedings on June 4th there will be live performances from Teeth!!!, Trailer Trash Traceys & Chapter Sweetheart plus DJ sets from Gold Panda, Dirty Bingo and more.

Up next on June 11th there will be a live showcase from recent addition to Big Dada – Dels – as well as up and coming Ghost Poet.

But the party will really shift itself via future garage dons Deadboy and Oneman.  Ikonika, the darling of Hyperdub joins us on June 18th, headlining before she jets off on her first North American tour. Alex Egan of Skull Juice and Astronomer fame also joins the lineup to give it some well-rounded techno and housey additions. And let’s not forget party starters Oi You! who will be given their chance to shine in the basement bunker.

There are  some very special guests yet to be announced for the Friday night party on June 25th, so make it a regular Friday night treat at The Basement, City Arts & Music Project, 70-74 City Road, London EC1Y 2BJ.

Nearest tube stations are at Old Street, Moorgate and Liverpool Street and the partying starts at 8pm and rolls on thru’ the night until 4am next day! Entrance is free, so get on down there!

Here’s what’s coming up in June...

June 4 – Colourr / Loud & Quiet “I Am V” Release Party
Live / Teeth!!! + Trailer Trash Traceys + Chapter Sweetheart
Djs / Gold Panda + Dirty Bingo + Neu Magazine + Science Is A Lie + Loud & Quiet

June 11 – Colourr / T E N
Live: Dels + Ghostpoet
Djs: Deadboy + Oneman + Lixo (Getme!) + Lego (Bricks)

June 18 -  Colourr  (11pm-4am)
Djs: Ikonika (Hyperdub) + Alex Egan (Skull Juice/Astronomer) + Oi You!

June 25 – Colourr / Special Unannounced Guests

Shifted + Dubpack + Football + DJs

SHIFTED + DUBPACK
SATURDAY 12th JUNE 2010
@ BRIXTON JAMM
261 Brixton Road
London
SW9 6LH

So the World Cup is upon us, but let’s not forget that the summer party season is getting well and truly underway. On June 12th Shifted and Dubpack are throwing a party to kick off England’s campaign and the summer in style, with an eclectic line up of DJs playing music across the board after the big game has been shown on an equally big screen.

The focus of this night is squarely on having fun, with a retro tuck shop, barbeque, Slush Puppies (alcoholic or non!) and an exhibition of live graffiti painting to keep you fed, watered and entertained.

That’s not to mention the artists on the night…

Shifted and Dubpack have pulled together a mighty impressive selection of DJs, who will be serving up a veritable smorgasbord of music and who may not necessarily be playing what you would expect. You can catch the likes of CHEFAL and TUBBY playing Jungle, WALSH (alongside a special guest on the night) playing some classic UK Garage and turntable behemoths ROSSI B & LUCA playing – well – a bit of everything.

There will also be plenty of Dubstep, Reggae, House, Hip-Hop, Hardcore and even Disco to keep you interested throughout the night. A perfect way to celebrate England’s win and if you get there in time to catch the game, it’s just £5!

This all takes place at the Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, SW9 on 12th June.

LINE UP:

ROSSI B & LUCA / CHEFAL / COTTI / WALSH B2B SPECIAL GUEST/ TUBBY / UNDERGROUND ICE / RUCKSPIN / DUBALTY / BEAT ME UP / SHINOBI / DRU / RAGGS / FRISKIE / SLUGZ & BOYSON / G MONEY / ANDY P / SYNAMATIX

Hosted by: CRAZY D / TRUEZ / IRAH / TESTA

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable night…

…Shift Happens!

TICKET INFO
Tickets £5 until 10pm, £8 thereafter

Grandmaster Flash, Hot Chip and Toddla T - Rizla Arena at Lovebox

2010 Rizla curators Grandmaster Flash, Hot Chip and Toddla T head to the legendary Rizla Arena at Lovebox.

In the 1920’s, Rizla toured the UK with a musical van hosting impromptu parties and playing tunes to the masses. As festival pioneers and arguably the originators of pop up raves, Rizla and the van grew in popularity and achieved critical acclaim in local media wherever it travelled.

Ninety years later and Rizla’s second party for 2010 sees them return to Lovebox for possibly the best inner city festival in the world. After smashing it last year, Rizla couldn’t resist taking the famous Rizla van back to one of the coolest areas in London, Victoria Park.

From 16th – 18th July the Rizla curators, Grandmaster Flash, Hot Chip and Toddla T will each be programming a day at Lovebox, and have carefully selected an outstanding line up that is sure to give the Rizla Funktion-One Sound System the workout it deserves.

On Friday we see Radio 1s In New DJs We Trust presenter Toddla T picking a heavyweight line-up that includes one of the godfathers of the UK garage sound, Todd Edwards, the Zombie Disco Squad who are residents at the notorious Panorama bar in Berlin, and Cooly G one of the freshest stars of the UK funky scene and a semi-pro footballer to boot.

Saturday sees hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash host Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, critically acclaimed hip-hop producers The Nextmen, reggae renegades the Trojan Sound System and don’t forget (your ear plugs) Hip-Hop Karaoke.

The final day of the festival will see Hot Chip taking over the reins and booking two of Chicago’s house legends, Derrick Carter and Larry Heard aka Mr. Fingers to play music all night long…say what?

Confirmed Line up of the Rizla Arena @ Lovebox Festival 2010

Friday 16th July – hosted by Toddla T

14.00 – 16.00                   Cooly G
16.00 – 17.30                  Sticky + The Heatwave ft Lady Chann
17.30 – 19.00                  Zombie Disco Squad
19.00 – 20.30                  Toddla T and MC Serocee
20.30 – 22.00                  Todd Edwards

Saturday 17th July – hosted by Grandmaster Flash

12.00 – 13.00                  Heavenly Jukebox presents HVN JBX
13.00 – 15.00                  Hip Hop Karaoke
15.00 – 16.30                  Trojan Sound system
16.30 – 18.30                  The Nextmen
18.30 – 20.30                  Jazzie B (Soul II Soul)
20.30 – 22.00                   Grandmaster Flash

Sunday 18th July – hosted by Hot Chip

12.00 – 13.30                  Peter Digital Orchestra (Eklektik – live)
13.30 – 15.30                  2 Bears
15.30 – 17.30                  Hot Chip DJs
17.30 – 19.30                  Derrick Carter
19.30 – 21.30                  Larry Heard

After Lovebox the infamous Rizla Arena will be setting sail on a paddle steamship in Glasgow and London, and launching four bespoke regional events across Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Sheffield. All events are set to be show-piece parties, building on Rizla’s already impeccable reputation as the place to go for great music and party times.

Rizla Arena Tour Dates:
RockNess: 11th – 13th June
Lovebox: 16th – 18th July
Glasgow Boat Party – Fri 6th August
London Boat Party – Fri 8th October
Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol- October – November

Check out the website for more information and updates: www.rizla.co.uk

secret cinema - welcome to my club

Having started his career back in the 1990’s Jeroen Verheij tasted success almost immediately with his first release Sonar System, an instant rave classic.

He then created the Secret Cinema persona in 1994 and released the international hit Timeless Altitude. Selling over 20,000 copies in six months, the track proved more ‘timeless’ than anyone could have imagined at the time.

In December 2009 under the guise of Secret Cinema, Gem Records was born and using his large musical knowledge to select tracks for his own DJ sets he released his first DJ compilation (GEMCD001).

The latest release on the Gem Records label is Secret Cinema’s Welcome To My Club, One CD, 20 superb tracks and one brilliant mix!

Welcome To My Club, mixed by Secret Cinema, explores the realms of Verheij’s club sound and his flavours for the coming season. The mix includes the latest release on Gem ‘Secret Cinema – Glad Chord’ (GEM003) and an exclusive preview of two tracks from the forthcoming EP ‘Haasten’ by Egbert (GEM004) one of Secret Cinema’s proteges.

The CD kicks off with vintage synth chords from Jamie Lloyd but soon twists in another direction with the sexy P-funk inspired electro beats of Big Bully.

The CD continues to pick up pace as it pounds through twenty excellent tracks, creating an exiting and energetic journey through one of the most action packed compilations around.

This superb collection marks Verheij’s twentieth year in the business, proving that he still has his finger firmly on the pulse of a constantly evolving genre.

Welcome To My Club Tracklisting:

1. Jamie Lloyd – When Good Oompa Loompa’s Turn Bad
2. Big Bully – Nightflight
3. Ahmet Sisman – Baze
4. Steve Parker – Mexhilhao (Handycraft Remix)
5. DJ Sodeyama – Realthing
6. Norm & jochen Pash – Watching You (Norman Zube Remix)
7. Andreas Saag – Jazz Lapse
8. Egbert – Yourself
9. Jewel Kid – Break My Heart (Masi & Mello Remix)
10. Christopher Benjamin – Drop Down Pass Out
11. Psycatron – Is What It Is (So It Is Remix)
12. Peter Horrevorts – Bloody Hands (Marc Marzenit Remix)
13. Cyro – Afrodisiac (Dirty Disorder Remix)
14. Tim Deluxe – When We Come To It
15. Oculus – Awake
16. Jakiro – Fountain Trip
17. Egbert – Haasten
18. Itamar Sagi – One Million Oaks
19. Secret Cinema – Glad Chord
20. Shinsuke Matsumoto – Lantern (Kuba Sojka Remix)

For more information and to listen to the album visit Gem Records.