Death Is Not Final

Easter is over, the electric frog is not back until July and the highlight of this weekend is techno's poster boy, Richie Hawtin, playing @ Pressure, but that doesn't mean it's all bad news.. May is shaping up to be an excellent month for nights out, and hopefully it sets the tone for the rest of the summer.

On the first Friday of the Month we are playing Point 4 @ The Soundhaus with Neil Murphy & Jamie Knox of Loop. We will be taking over 'The Wee Room' for the evening, with Nomad & Tronic playing the 'Main Room' & 'Mirror Room' respectively. There's an afterparty for the night too, which will be hosted by Hotbox and will feature Mr. Copy & Turtle from Animal Farm.. After playing at the afterparty for the last Point4, I can honestly say that this will be wild and if you miss it, then you're missing out.

The Saturday isn't really up to much to be honest, Melting Pot is always going to be a good night, but apart from that it's uninspiring.

The week after has Dygas at The Admiral, Steve Rachmad at La Cheetah & Agoria at The Arches. Plenty to choose from on this night, so hopefully they are all pretty busy.

Again not much happening on Saturday, but I will be going to Loop at The Brunswick. Andy Gilbert who played at the last Wax Works party is playing, so I'm sure the tunes will be good, entry is cheap and Andy will have the vinyl out - more than enough reason to be in attendance.

I recently posted about Shackleton playing on the 20th May, and I was looking forward to this party the most out of all the ones I have mentioned, but the 20th May just got absolutely massive..

After having Kenny Larkin over to play, and playing 3 times in the one day with Ben Klock at the Electric Frog - Animal Farm have gone and booked Berghain resident Norman Nodge to play the subclub. But what looked like a nasty clash has actually turned out perfectly, as the Shackleton gig ends at 10:30pm and the subclub opens at 11pm. It's not often that you get a night of top class music starting 7pm and going on until 7am in Glasgow, this is essential.

The last weekend in May is pretty quiet Deadly Rhythm have Martyn & Braiden booked, but that's not really my cup of tea so I expect it will be a weekend of rest before Steffi in June.

A little bit of Wax Works related news if you're interested..

We recorded a mix for the 'Loopcast' recently, and it should hopefully be online within the next week or so - it's only an hour, but the tunes are excellent and it's all vinyl as always.

Not sure when the next Wax Works party will be, but we have recently teamed up with the lads from EQD to put on a couple of parties later in the year. The 1st July should be in your diary, we are hosting one of mnmlssgs favourite DJ's, Eric Cloutier - who will be spinning alll night in The Admiral.. There will also be an exclusive mix from Eric, we're hoping to have some CDs in and around Glasgow in June, give me a shout if you want one.

Also, I think we will be playing an all day party at The Halt Bar - this will either be at the end of May or the first weekend in June. I will keep you posted.

Rule 51

"Never stop using vinyl"

Mr.C's 50 rules to live by

RSD, New Mixes & Some Worthwhile Reading

So, Record Shop Day...

I went down to Rub A Dub at about 4pm and the shop was packed, there was plenty of beers going round and Stephen Brown was playing a great live set, this was followed by more beer, sets from The Blessings & Instra:Mental amongst others and a fantastic selection of house and techno records to check out, plus some exclusive RSD records.

The one criticism I do have is that it was only at 8pm, when Dan Monox went on the decks, that I saw a record being played, but apart from that it was excellent and in RAD's case, certainly proved that it is worthwhile and long may it continue.

I was surprised by a lot of the negativity towards RSD over the last few days, culminating in this feature from 'Digital DJ Tips'. What I really fail to understand is why anyone who loves music or Djing (in any form) would want to discredit RSD. Who cares if it won't save vinyl? Surely the longer that vinyl is around, the better it is for all of us? Can you imagine Glasgow without Rubadub? Berlin without Hardwax? Rotterdam without Clone?

Is there anything positive about that?

MP3s are cheaper, they are more convenient and you have almost every tune you can think of available instantly, so just be happy with what you have got. Live and let live - as a DJ, regardless of what you play, it's in your best interest to support vinyl and to support the scene, it's small, it's not in great shape and we won't always have it, so make the most of it while you can.

It wouldn't take much effort to shop at your local record shop more often, even if it's only for the latest software.

Kinda related to this is an article over at LWE from Stefan Goldmann, it's pretty long but I highly recommend reading it the whole way through as it is spot on, although slightly depressing. The future looks bleak (for most of us).

On a slightly more positive note, I think that everyone with an interest in techno should read this feature over at RA. It's a very interesting piece on the London techno club 'Lost', it's extremely well written and it makes you wish that you could have been part of it.

The description of the Mills/Basic Channel set really puts a modern 'live' set into perspective, true masters of their craft.

On the mix front, there's a couple of new ones that I think are worth sharing.

The 1st mix is from Juho Khusti, who has featured here before, with a mix for the Zombeats blog. Hypnotic techno is the order of the day, and if you're into this then please check out the Deep Space Helsinki radio show and look out for a very special mix later in the year.

Get it here.

The 2nd mix is from Yuka who is signed to Dasha Rush's label Full Panda, this is a vinyl only mix of otherworldy techno that was recorded for Nutation Records.

Get it here.

Also, for those who missed out on the vinyl release the Sandwell District album has now been released on CD and is available at all good record stores.

Lighter Nights

Just a quick update for some of the parties that I recommend checking out over the next 5 or 6 weeks.

Easter weekend is shaping up rather nicely, on Friday night you can catch Detroit's DJ/Comedian Kenny Larkin playing in the sub club for Animal Farm.

Saturday & Sunday is the Electric Frog, last year was easily one of the best parties I have been to in Glasgow so here's hoping for more of the same. I will be heading down on the Sunday, see you there.

Kicking off into May you can see us play with Loop @ Point 4 on the 6th. There will be some more details for this nearer the time, but get it in your diary because if it's anything like the last one, it will be wild.

On the 13th May La Cheetah are hosting Steve Rachmad which is where I would have been if Perlon's finest female, Margaret Dygas, wasn't playing @ The Admiral for Be Deep. I will need to hope I can catch SR another time.

Here's a great set from Margaret Dygas, recorded at Bar25's closing party.

Finally..

On the 20th May, Shackleton is playing @ the Art School. This is ESSENTIAL.
Shackleton is simply on a different level from 95% of the people making electronic music, no excuses for missing this one. Proof here, if it's needed.

Record Shop Day

This Saturday the 16th April is Record Shop Day, as good an excuse as any to spend a day listening to tunes and socialising with some like minded folk.

Check here to see if your local store is getting involved - as for the lucky ones who stay in or near Glasgow, Rub A Dub have got a top class lineup and a selection of exclusive music only available in store.

Here's the details..

Sets in store from:

Instra:Mental (Nonplus Recordings, Autonomic, Apple Pips)
Edit Select (Edit Select)
The Blessings (LuckyMe)
Koreless (Pictures Music) - Live

Exclusive releases from these artists:

Floating Points
Flying Lotus
Clark / Bibio
Spark (w/ Ramadanman Remix)
Some classic New Order

& more

The shop is open from 10am until 8pm.

Unfortunately I am working on Saturday morning but will be heading down for 4pm, anyone who wants to check it out and get a beer let me know.