RG

Don't want to overload you all with mixes, but this is one is worth it.

It's recorded by a DJ named Ciaran Hansen, he resides in Newcastle and frequently spins at the Detached parties in Leeds. Ciaran has a great selection of records and if you are a fan of DJs like Eli Verveine, Jane Fitz & Jus-Ed then this will be right up your street.

I first listened to the mix about 2 weeks ago when Ciaran sent it to me on Facebook, since then I have played it countless times and it gets better with every listen. Whether you are just up and going to work, wanting some good tunes before heading out or are in the zone at the after party, this mix works. It has a very deeep vibe, but plenty of groove, the highlight for me being Lazy Fat People - Club Silencio, which plays at around the hour mark.

Ciaran Hansen - RG4

There is no tracklist for the mix but if you put a comment on Ciaran's Soundcloud then he will sort you out with and ID.

Enjoy

* I think it's worth adding that I talk regularly with Ciaran and I would call him a friend, but this mix is here purely on merit and not because of my friendship with the DJ.

I think that electronic music really suffers with the circle-jerkin in the scene, as pointed out numerous times by the ssgs. A great example is that FACT magazine gave 'Blackest Ever Black' a massive push, and helped create lots of hype, but they didn't mention that the vice president(I think) had a major role in the label. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I will always try to keep this blog free of bias and my opinion will always be an honest one.

This is a fantastic article that explains what I'm talking about far better than I ever could, please check it out.

The Climate Of Electronic Music

Sorry!

First off.. really sorry about the lack of updates this month, I have been on holiday from work/music/life, but I am getting back into the swing of things and will be keeping you in the loop for the foreseeable future.

I guess now is a good opportunity to say thanks to everyone who made it down to Wax Works on the 6th March, it was an excellent party with great tunes from start to finish. Big thanks to Davie Barr and Andy Gilbert who both played excellent sets, towards the end of Andy's set things got a bit blurry but the place was groovin' - so thank you :)

We are working on another date for Bar Petite, I will keep you posted on that one.

Our other gig this month was at the Point4 afterparty with Simon Stokes & Animal Farm. Point4 was a brilliant night with standout sets from Mr. Copy & Bobby Wilson (there were others playing, but I only saw these 2) the crowd was fantastic and there was a really good atmosphere about the place. The same can also be said for the afterparty, which was wild. If you were there, then you know.

Thanks to everyone involved in putting on the party, it was a pleasure to be part of it.

On to some music.. There has been plenty of top quality mixes uploaded recently, probably too many, so I have whittled it down to just a few in particular that I recommend you download, set aside some time and give them your undivided attention.

Here goes...

Eric Cloutier - Dub Explorations

I don't want to go on about Eric too much just yet, all I will say is check out this mix and be in Glasgow on the 1st July. A quick description of the mix - vinyl only dub techno from the man.

Alan Backdrop - Anecumene

I first came across Alan Backdrop via mnml.nl where he posted up a mix, it was described as ambient/droning/techno (I think) - I also knew him from Discogs as he is/was selling a record I'm after for about €500, but this was the first I had heard him mix. The mix itself was exactly what I am into and I was seriously impressed by the structure of the set and some of the records that were played. Alan is not a man for tracklists though, and I can completely understand why.

As for this mix, Brian over at SCA has put up a nice article which gives you a bit of background on Alan, I recommend having a read at this before getting torn into the mix, which at just over 3 hours is a bit of a marathon for a podcast. but please, check this out.

As for a quick description, I doubt I can do better than the man himself.

"An atmospheric journey that starts slowly with ambient/drone music and fades into a frantic techno gear. It evolves constantly, scoring several moments of wonder, suspense, fear, peace, frenzy and mystery. I hope that listeners can feel strong emotions, equal or different from mine."

and last but by no means least...

Eli Verveine - Kapterka

Eli is without doubt my favourite house DJ, I haven't heard anyone else who can make their set seem so.. personal? Her sets just have such a warm, inviting vibe and every track just works - I feel like she is a dJ who could play for hours and hours and you could just get totally lost in the groove.

As for the mix, it's warm, groovin' house music that will be on heavy rotation all summer long.
At only 1 hour long, there really is no excuse not to be all over this.

Hope you enjoy.

warming up

The warm up. That all important, under appreciated set at the start of every single club night. It's an unpopular job and these days I'm surprised if I hear a warm up at all when I'm out. Perhaps that's due to the fact that it's the most difficult set to play? or maybe it's because the DJ just isn't good enough to do it...

Personally, I think the main part of the problem lies with the promoters, too often you see a party that has at least 6 different DJs playing, leaving it almost impossible for there to be any kind of musical direction throughout the night. I also think that they could choose their warm up DJs better, the job requires someone who knows how to complement the act coming on after, and who has the records to do so but it's not often what you get.. Although this is almost pointless when you are playing for 1 hour to an empty club.

So why do promoters choose to have an night with 6 DJs playing, where the night ultimately suffers rather than having 2 or 3 DJs play? Having one DJ tasked in building a good atmosphere and getting the alcohol flowing makes the headliners job a lot easier, and probably more enjoyable too, so imo if your priority is the music and having a night that flows well, as many DJs playing as possible isn't the best option.
One thing I have considered is that clubs shut at 3am in Glasgow, so this really limits a promoters options, and it is understandable when it's 1 hour sets all round, but it would be nice if they showed a little more trust in their DJs and gave them a few more hours.

Out of interest, are there any promoters who think having as many DJs playing as possible is beneficial to the night?

Now in saying this, it's not all the promoters fault, DJs are to blame too. Regularly the DJ who is on first will play a set consisting of massive tracks (turned up to 11) to try and impress his mates, which is good for those involved, but it's not going to do the DJ any favours and for anyone in the club wanting to have a few drinks and meet up with friends, it can make for some uncomfortable listening.

Maybe it's a lack of understanding and they don't get the concept of warming up, or they don't have the records to play any differently, it could just be a fuck you to the night for sticking them on first - whatever it is, I don't think that it creates a better night and won't do you any favours in the long run.

but whether you agree or disagree with me, it's no secret that all the best DJs are quality warm up DJs, so if you want to be a good DJ...