In a particularly excellent installment of Rave New World, Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty team up once more to deliver your weekly fix of electronic gig previews, tracks and mixes/releases. Get stuck in, you bunch of rascals.
GIGS
Celtronic present: Prosumer at The Glassworks, Derry
Friday, February 27
My hometown is bringing one of my personal favourite DJs to The Glassworks tonight. Prosumer (above) knows how to bring the party, so expect lots of amazing deep cuts old and new from the German. Check out his recent Fabric 79 mix for the perfect taster of exactly what the guy can do. AL
Twitch present: Apartment Records at The Bunatee, Belfast
Saturday, February 28
After a couple of nights in the Mandela, Twitch see off February with a return to the Bunatee. It’s a distinctly local affair too with Derry’s The Cyclist headlining a bill that also has Dublin’s TR One, Belfast’s The Superior Inferior and Apartment Records label boss Kenny Hanlon. A perfect showcase of exactly what kind of stuff Ireland is producing right now, show your support. AL
Abstract presents: Tom Trago & Cinnaman at Opium Rooms
Friday, February 27
Tom Trago is a master of adaptation – switching from smooth house, working with artists like Tyree Cooper and the late Romanthony, to hard-edged futuristic takes alongside Bok Bok. He’s a new album out soon, too, so see what mood he’s in when he hits Dublin tonight. Compatriot Cinnaman, long-time member of the Rush Hour crew and resident/host at the now-defunct Trouw club, also knows what he’s at, so this should be a damn good night. AH
Ryan Hemsworth with Special Guest Rejjie Snow at District 8
Saturday, February 28
Your favourite emotional trap don Ryan Hemsworth is back – and this time on a weekend. Previous midweek visits to Dublin have been exceptional if understated affairs, but this time you can cry and cry (or just party) to your heart’s content. Dublin rapper Rejjie Snow is on support. AH
TRACKS
Helena Hauff – The First Time He Thought, He Died [Werkdiscs/Ninja Tune]
Helena Hauff on Actress’ Werkdiscs seems like the most obvious partnership so I’m glad they’re back together after 2013’s excellent Actio Reactio. Hauff’s experiments in electro are the perfect fit for the label and ‘The First Time…’ is a haunting night time jam that’s on her forthcoming Lex Tertia EP. Hopefully this new release will help raise her profile even more. AL
Florian Kupfer – Restore Luv
I don’t even really know what this is or if it’s being released on anything as there’s nothing to indicate that it is. But I do know this, Florian Kupfer is brilliant and this track brings some late night warmth to go with the slightly less cold evenings we’re having here. Fingers crossed this is part of a more substantial release from Kupfer soon and even if it’s not, I’ll gladly keep this. AL
Spokes – Tragedy In The Jasmine Garden
Londoner Spokes has dropped fire on Coyote before, and has lately been slipping out some heaters on his Soundcloud. This one is an understated gem, emotional yet pristine. AH
Mariska Neerman – Atê
London-based label/club night Bleep43 is putting out just its second EP, joining together Detroit mainstay DJ Stingray with the relatively unknown Mariska Neerman. The Belgian producer has been an associate of Stingray’s for some time, and this release is set to bring her slick and classic electro sounds to a broader audience. AH
RELEASES + MIXES
Oren Ambarchi & Jim O’Rourke – Behold [Editions Mego]
The obscenely prolific Oren Ambarchi and Jim O’Rourke team up for the second time following on from 2011’s Indeed on Behold and it’s lovely. It’s a gorgeous exploration of depths of minimalism as you could expect from the pair. This is definitely one you should stick on if you find yourself staying up all night. AL
Local Artist – Mood Hut #10
The Mood Hut mixes make me weak at the knees. I’m a total sucker for their perpetually chilled out Pacific North West vibes and every one of the mixes so far has been stunning. Local Artist is on mixing duties for this one and it’s the usual collection of the Mood Hut collective’s own unique hybrid of disco, house, ambient and jazz. Very exciting stuff coming from these guys right now. AL
Plant43 – Return To The Sentient City
Speaking of classic electro, this is a magnificent release from Plant 43 (no relation to Bleep). Both energetic and terrifying, it kicks like hell. ‘Amphibious Architecture’ is a lilting journey, however, a respite from the intensity of the other tracks. AH
PURPLE TRAX – Volume 1: Future’s Felt
https://purpletrax.bandcamp.com/releases
Weird Magic, a blog/promoter/lifestyle etc from New York, is dipping its toe into label territory with Purple Trax. It features a bunch of artists, new and established, and a range of takes on house and techno. You’ve got Huerco S. mixing house classic and outsider; there’s an emotional jam from RIVAK, Far Out Far Out goes full techno stomper, while Joe Jones takes things into jazzy 3/4, and Aurora Halal keeps things as classy as she ever does. It’s dope, and it’s free. AH
