In the first weekly installment of Rave New World (Huxley would’ve approved, right?) Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty delve into very best new electronic tracks and mixes of the week, as well as unmissable upcoming nights and releases. Get diggin’.
Gigs
Twitch Present: Levon Vincent at Mandela Hall, Saturday, December 13
In Belfast all roads lead to Twitch on Saturday where, in a slight change to their usual venue in The Bunatee, they have house maestro Levon Vincent playing in the Mandela Hall. Anyone who was lucky enough to catch Belfast boys Bicep there earlier in the year will attest the Mandela Hall soundsystem is powerful and Levon, who is as deep as they come, is a certainty to blow some heads off. Support is from Twitch’s own Matt Burns and it’s probably best to get down early for this one, it’ll be a busy one. AL
Paul White, The Twisted Pepper, Friday, December 12
Paul White recently made the move from One-Handed Music to R&S, which shows the transition he’s made from relatively niche beats artist to in-demand producer. Shaker Notes came out in September and he’s in Dublin tonight to push the release. Well, nothing so cynical as that, he’ll just come along, blow your socks off, and then you’ll find yourself convinced. Just two years ago he was playing a tiny venue on Capel Street, now he’s headlining The Twisted Pepper. Support comes from local boys Mangetout and Bentley Riddims, so expect tunes for days. AH
The Building Society & Hangar present: Dimitri From Paris at Hangar, Friday, December 12
Dublin’s had two serious renovations of late, with both The Tivoli and Andrew’s Lane theatres getting complete overhauls. The latter plays host to the undisputedly smooth Dimitri From Paris. A long-standing mainstay of that particular brand of house disco through thick and thin, he’s sure to pull something out of the bag to make you groove while keeping a smile on your face. We were particularly enamoured with his tribute to the late Frankie Knuckles earlier this year, pulling together as he did such a venerable bunch of tracks and making them sound brand new. Big Dish Go and Discotekken are on support so you know it’s a big one. AH
Republik present Dixon at Crystal Night Club, Friday, December 12
Dixon is the man of the moment. Fresh from topping Resident Advisor’s DJ Poll for the second year in a row the Innervisions head is in Waterford’s Crystal Night Club tonight for RePublick. It’s no fluke he’s considered as the greatest in the world by some as there aren’t many DJs out there who can craft an atmosphere and build energy from seemingly not very much the way he can. Support on the night comes from RePublick’s own residents Warren and Kenno. AL
Tracks
Yamaneko – ‘Tugboat (Otherworld Mix)’
Yamaneko has recently won over hearts and minds with his glorious Pixel Wave Embrace album for Local Action, but he’s not done yet. This Otherworld Mix of ‘Tugboat’ sees the mysterious Londoner go darker and weirder on this already quite twisted album track. It’s taken from Coyote Kings Vol II, the second collection of heaters from this still relatively young label headed by London’s Tomas Fraser. It’s out December 22, but in the meantime enjoy this icy number, premiered by Dummy. AH
Press Charges – ‘Really, Really Real (Elll Remix)’
Press Charges is a new venture from Sunken Foal, and they’ve drafted in Cork producer Ellll to remix ‘Really Really Real’, a track from their forthcoming self-titled album. Ellll doesn’t have a release to her name yet, but she’s the go-to support act when it comes to noise and electronica in her native city and beyond. This remix is dark, heady and immersive, and it sounds just as awesome in earphones as her loud and storming club sets. AH
Gage & Kevin JZ Prodigy – ‘Bad Bitch [Crazylegs]’
I first heard this when Bloom played it at Belfast’s Menagerie which hosted the Crazylegs 6th Birthday in October and I’ve been itching for the release ever since. It demands rather than grabs your attention. Gage has already turned out possibly the biggest grime instrumental anthem of the year with ‘Telo‘ and on ‘Bad Bitch’ his production is as equally immediate. It’s the perfect match for the sheer feistiness of Philadelphia ballroom MC Kevin JZ Prodigy who rolls and growls over Gage’s explosive beat. You’ll probably need a lie down after. AL
Jack Murphy – ‘Points Zero [Don’t Be Afraid]’
After a couple of releases on Frozen Border sublabel Reference last year, “The Techno Columbo” returns at the close of the year with Points Zero. The title track off the EP on Don’t Be Afraid is a delightful Robert Hood-esque showcase of how to generate maximum dancefloor impact with minimum fuss. It’s unashamedly crafted for the late nights and darkened warehouses and will undoubtedly be found in those very situations for a while to come. AL
Releases + Mixes
Occult Orientated Crime – The Occult Orientated Crime Album [Nightwind]
It seems like Danny Wolfers, AKA Legowelt, is never not busy, and he surprised no one at all with this surprise album of ambient jams. Taking a(n unnecessary) potshot at the so-called Power Ambient, he’s termed this album under his Occult Orientated Crime alias PROFESSIONAL AMBIENT – “100% psychedelic drug music with perfectly finetuned selected frequencies to alter your state of mind”. War on journalists aside, this sounds great, noodling sci-fi explorations of sound that will probably sound terrifying on the night bus home. AH
Chicago Jim – Chicago Jim LP [Lobster Theremin]
Lobster Theremin started 2014 with just one release and has ended it established as one of the most consistent labels about. After stellar releases from Palms Trax, Route 8 and S Olbricht, Chicago Jim’s debut LP provides more of the trippy house and techno we’ve come to expect from the label. As his name would suggest these are cuts direct from the Windy City and the tracks contain a certain lushness, regardless of whether he’s offering his take on Drexciyan electro, acid or 80s Chicago house, that Larry Heard would be proud of. AL
Lafawndah – Dazed mix
This is a few weeks old but as this is a new feature I’m sure you’ll indulge me. New York-based artist Lafawndah takes a real trip in this relatively short mix, moving from spiritual bells and vocals through abstract chanting and eastern swells into straight-up club fire. We’ve got chuggy beats, reggaeton-inspired electronics, four-to-the-floor house and more. Get involved. AH
Helix – FACT Mix 474
If you don’t know Helix then get to know. The Night Slugs man has been blurring the lines (or bridging the gap, if you prefer) between American and European dance music for a few years and his mix for FACT is a prime example of this. The mix itself is quick and raw and draws from American house and bass alongside European loop techno and grime. The tracklist doesn’t give much away but you’ll find the likes of Shed sitting alongside Neana and Farley Keith, it’s a doozy. AL
