100% Magazine #1351

WED DE C 19TH 2012

ISSUE 1351 MELBOURNE’S ONLY DEDICATED CLUB MAG

KERRI CHANDLERUSA

MATHEW JONSONCAN

MIN&MALITA

AND MORE ION CONTROLLER, DANNY DAZE PLUS: BOYS NOIZE, SPACE DIMENS

WED DE C 19TH 2012

ISSUE 1351 MELBOURNE’S ONLY DEDICATED CLUB MAG

KERRI CHANDLERUSA

MATHEW JONSONCAN

MIN&MALITA

AND MORE ION CONTROLLER, DANNY DAZE PLUS: BOYS NOIZE, SPACE DIMENS

All day and night Mon 31 Dec NYE

Free entry, Free pool table, Free BBQ, No hassle, No superstar DJ’s, No inflated prices, NO FRILLS!

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THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE

THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE

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Xmas Apocalypse: Run Run Run To Plan B

Plan B Lounge is preparing for the end of the world this weekend, on Friday December 21. DJ Benefitz will be playing some hip hop gems until 1am to carry you all through to the Apocalypse. Don’t forget to dress up as you want to go out in style and they only let cool cats into heaven. Beer buckets and Sangria jugs will be all over the place to ease the pain of the imminent fiery hell.

FOR MORE UP TO DATE NEWS GO TO BEAT.COM.AU

DECEMBER

LET THEM EAT CAKE: KERRI CHANDLER [USA], THE GASLAMP KILLER [USA] + MORE Tuesday January 1, Werribee Park SUMMERDAYZE: THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS [UK], M.I.A [UK], MARK RONSON [UK] + MORE Tuesday January 1, Sidney Myer Music Bowl MARCELLUS PITTMAN [USA], PSYCHEMAGIK [UK] Tuesday January 1, The Bridge KRAFTY KUTS [UK], A-SKILLZ [UK], CAMO & KROOKED [UK] + MORE Tuesday January 1, Brown Alley ASTRIX [ISR], ANGY KORE [ITA], MIN & MAL [ITA] Tuesday January 1, Royal Melbourne Hotel SBTRKT [UK] Wednesday January 2, Billboard DE LA SOUL [USA] Thursday January 3, The Espy RUSTIE [UK], ROSKA [UK], XXXY [UK] Friday January 4, Brown Alley CHAPELIER FOU [FRA] Saturday January 5, The Toff In Town HOT CHIP [UK] Wednesday January 9, The Palace PLEASUREKRAFT [USA] Sunday January 22, Revolver Upstairs CRYSTAL CASTLES [CAN] Tuesday January 22, Billboard THE BLOODY BEETROOTS [ITA] Thursday January 24, The Palace SOUL CLAP [USA] Friday January 25, The Liberty Social WOLFGANG GARTNER [USA], PROXY [RUS], HUORATRON [FIN] Saturday January 26, Royal Melbourne Hotel RAINBOW SERPENT: GUY J [ISR], CHRISTIAN SMITH [SWE], PETER VAN HOESEN [BEL] Friday January 25 - Monday January 28, Lexton BIG DAY OUT: THE BLOODY BEETROOTS [ITA], KASKADE [USA], CRYSTAL CASTLES [CAN] + MORE Saturday January 26, Flemington Racecourse JESSIE WARE [UK] Wednesday January 30, Prince Bandroom SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA [SWE] Thursday January 31, Sidney Myer Music Bowl Friday February 1, Sidney Myer Music Bowl

UPCOMING

KENDRICK LAMAR [USA] Friday December 21, The Palace TERRENCE PARKER [USA] Friday December 21, New Guernica DJ HELL [GER] Saturday December 22, The Bottom End LAURA JONES [UK] Sunday December 23, Revolver Upstairs MARCEL WOODS [NED] Tuesday December 25, Billboard LUKE SLATER [UK] Friday December 28, Brown Alley FALLS FESTIVAL: SBTRKT [UK], COOLIO [USA] + MORE Saturday December 28 – Tuesday January 1, Lorne TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS [UK] Saturday December 29, Corner Hotel

JANUARY

ONTOUR

ABOVE & BEYOND [UK] Saturday February 2, Hisense Arena HOLY OTHER [UK] Tuesday February 5, Workers Club EL-P [USA] Wednesday February 6, Corner Hotel ULTRAMAGNETIC MCS [USA] Saturday February 9, The Espy BICEP [UK] Sunday February 10, Revolver Upstairs MACKLEMORE [USA], RYAN LEWIS [USA] Tuesday February 12, The Palace Saturday February 16, Corner Hotel BLAWAN [UK], MARCEL DETTMANN [GER] Friday February 15, Brown Alley DAMIAN LAZARUS [UK], SUBB-AN [UK], SHAUN REEVES [GER] + MORE Sunday February 17, TBA DIXON [GER], HUXLEY [UK] Friday February 22, Prince Bandroom MOODYMANN [USA] Friday March 8, Prince Bandroom GOLDEN PLAINS: MOODYMANN [USA], JULIO BASHMORE [UK] + MORE Saturday March 9 - Monday March 11, Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL: THE PRODIGY [UK], DIZZEE RASCAL [UK], BOYS NOIZE [GER] + MORE Sunday March 10, Flemington Racecourse

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REAL TALK I really hope that the world doesn’t end this Friday as I want to spending Christmas night raving around town in a Santa hat.

Tyson Wray

DJ Profile: DJ Dust Ultramagnetic MCs: Get Ready For The Beatdown

After almost 30 years in existence, hip hop legends Ultramagnetic MCs will be hitting The Espy Front Bar next February. Established way back when in the Bronx by Kool Keith, the group released their legendary debut album Critical Beatdown in 1988.

Next year they will be making their debut appearance on Australian Shores. Don’t miss them on Saturday February 9 at The Espy Front Bar.

Crosstown Rebels: 10th Anniversary Celebrations

Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in typical rebellious style, bringing their unique party concept RebelRave back to Australian shores. Established in 2003, the label’s records have consistently offered unique and twisted angles on electronic music while forming a solid crew of international talent. RebelRave has featured at some of the most respected events and parties worldwide including BPM, Sonar and WMC. DJs for Australia’s own RebelRave will include Lazarus himself, Subb-An live, Shaun Reeves, Francesca Lombardo and Brohn. With the venue TBA, set aside Sunday February 17 to get your rave on and keep an eye on the Finely Tuned website for information as it comes up.

Marcel Woods: Ravemas

Merry

Keep the festivities going all night long and dance off that Christmas lunch with Marcel Woods at Christmas Kandy, this Christmas night. Woods can claim responsibility for epic trance productions such as the official Trance Energy 2006 anthem Advanced. He will be joined by hard trance specialists S.H.O.K.K., who will be performing for the last time in Melbourne along with Nick the Kid, Mirage and DJ Brisk. The gift that keeps on giving, a special appearance by Santa ‘Kandy’ Clause is also not to be missed. Get down to Billboard The Venue on Tuesday December 25.

Where’s the strangest place you’ve woken up? I can’t sleep well at the best of times in a bed, I don’t tend to wake up in weird places Describe yourself using the title of a song. Georgia On My Mind (Ok it’s cheesy, but it’s the song I was named for).

What was the weirdest thing you believed as a child? That collecting both used and unused soaps was a good idea.

The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ? Having a little too much to drink before a gig on my birthday and managing to take the record off the wrong side twice and break the arm off my needle all in one set.

What would be the worst dance track in the world to be tortured with on re- peat?

Avicii - Levels What’s the most played record in your bag?

Currently I’m finding myself playing a lot of George Fitzgerald.

What question would you like to ask an omniscient, all-knowing being before you die?

Where are hoverboards?

If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead? Made it as a DJ might be an oversell. I always wanted to be a film director or a music journalist. Sadly I’m neither and I work in branding.

When and where is your next gig? Saturday December 29 at The Late Show at Revolver.

DJ Profile: DJ Contakt

Heavy Innit and Spacewalk: NYE Rave

It’s happening again, but this year Heavy Innit and Spacewalk team up to bring you 11 hours of dubstep, grime, drum and bass, footwork, hip hop, dancehall and future beats over two levels of audio and visual madness. With a massive lineup, including 2Fuddha, A13, Able 8, Affiks, Arctic, Baddums, B.O.O.M.A, Carmex, Elliot, Gingus Khan, Jelly Fish, Kodiak Kid, Lady Banton, Nam, One Talk, Polat, Rachel Haircut, Sizzle, Spin Fx, Chronic Sans and Big Baby Justin, it all goes down on Monday December 31 at Laundry Bar kicking off with a free BBQ from 4pm-7pm. Full Funktion-One sound on both levels and only $10 on the door. Remember limited capacity so show up early to ensure entry.

Brian Shimkovitz: Awesome Tapes From Africa

Brian Shimkovitz, the man behind the widely acclaimed blog Awesome Tapes From Africa, will be heading Down Under for the first time early next year. After researching the local hip hop movement in Ghana, Brooklyn dweller Shimkovitz is a trained ethnomusicologist who has accumulated hundreds of cassette tapes of rare African music from Zimbabwe to Ethiopia to Senegal. Bar Open will be throwing a party and changing their decor to accommodate this unique DJ, while he spins his African favourites.

He will be accompanied by local entertainment from Cumbia Cosmonauts, Broadway Sounds and Lewis Cancut. Things will kickoff at 9pm on Saturday January 12 at Bar Open. Entry is free as is access to his very special website awesometapes.com

RESPONSIBLE: Managing Editor: Ronnit Sternfein ronnit@beat.com.au Editor: Tyson Wray tyson@beat.com.au Listings: club/promoter submissions clubguide@beat.com.au - now online at beat.com.au - it’s free!

Production: Pat O’Neill art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Gill Tucker Cover Design: Pat O’Neill Advertising Senior Sales: ronnit@beat.com.au (03) 8414 9710 Taryn Stenvei taryn@beat.com.au Fashion and Beverages: Tegan Butler tegan@furstmedia.com.au Ph: 03 8414 9732 Deadlines: Editorial Friday 2PM – absolutely NO exceptions. Club photos Monday 9AM (email only clubpics@beat.com.au). Advertising artwork Monday 12PM. Photographers: Callum Linsell Contributors: Rezo Kezerashvili, Miki McLay, Shane Scott, Simon Traspier, Brian Rotide, The Knowledge, Ellen Devenney, Dan Watt, Aaron Ralston, Birdie, Liam Pieper, Simon Hampson, Chad-Michael Michaelson, Mikolai, Reuben Adams, David Edgley.

Publisher: Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond 3121 Ph 03 9428 3600 www.beat.com.au

EDITORIALDEADLINE - 2PM FRIDAYS NO EXCEPTIONS UP TO DATE

Describe yourself using the title of a song. Shed – Warped Mind What was the weirdest thing you believed as a child? That the band The Police were still together.

They were my favourite band as a boy, and when my uncle told me they had broken up years prior I cried.

The most awkward moment you’ve had as a DJ? In the early 2000s when on tour with the rapper J-Zone (Rawkus, Fat Beats, etc), his hype-man tripped and fell backwards on the DJ setup and nearly knocked the entire DJ booth over.

What would be the worst dance track in the world to be tortured with on repeat? Major Lazer – Pon De Floor What’s the most played record in your bag? Aril Brikha – Groove La Chord What question would you like to ask an omniscient, all-knowing being before you die? Will there ever be a television show better than The Wire?

If you hadn’t made it as a DJ, what job would you choose to work in instead? I made it?

When and where is your next gig?

Saturday December 29 at the Late Show at Revolver and then Friday January 4 at Espionage at Brown Alley.

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KRAFTY KUTS

“We’re just getting ourselves prepared for an onslaught of Australia at Christmas. We’re working on a new DJ set together and putting together loads of edits, kind of getting ourselves organised and prepared for such a big run of crazy dates.”

A TRIBE CALLED: FREAKSHOW Over the last decade Martin Reeves, better known as Krafty Kuts, has made a name for himself as one of the best DJs of the modern era. Since the release of his seminal 2006 album Freakshow – a collection of switched on and funked up bass driven party anthems – the Englishman has toured the world ripping up clubs and festivals alike with his unique blend of bass driven electronica.

Before making a name for himself as a solo DJ, however, he forged a lasting alliance with another of the UK’s leading turntablists Adam “A-Skillz” Mills. In order to commemorate ten years since their breakthrough release Tricka Technology, the pair have once again reunited and will be showing Australian audiences how it’s done at a string of festival and club dates this summer. I had the pleasure of speaking to Krafty Kuts on the phone after he’d spent a busy day in the studio in preparation for their Aussie adventure. “We’ve just been working on a new track which has been going really well,” enthuses Krafty Kuts. “We’re just getting ourselves prepared for an onslaught of Australia at Christmas. We’re working on a new DJ set together and putting together loads of edits, kind of getting ourselves organised and prepared for such a big run of crazy dates.”

It’s a tour that will see the pair hit Breakfest in Perth on Boxing Day, Peats Ridge Festival in NSW, New Year’s Eve at New Zealand’s Rhythm and Vines festival, Field Day in Sydney, Summerfieldayz in Adelaide and Brown Alley in Melbourne. He also adds that there’s “a cheeky little one sandwiched in somewhere which I’m not gonna say,” so be on the lookout for a secret show. As Krafty Kuts reels off this extensive itinerary to me, it’s audible in his voice that he’s excited about every date. Each show has

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something different to offer, be it the size of the crowd, the uniqueness of the venue itself or the lineup of artists with whom he and A-Skillz get to share the stage.

Wherever they play one thing is for sure: Krafty Kuts and A-Skillz will be there to get the party rocking. “Our DJ sets are basically everything thrown into the mix: drum and bass, breaks, electro, a bit of house, dubstep, hip hop but we do it in a really clever, cheeky way. We throw in a few classic rock tunes just to throw people off and make our sets really exciting, push the boundaries a little bit.” It’s all party music at the end of the day, I offer. He agrees. “Exactly! I’m not there for the chin strokers. It’s all about showing people something fresh, exciting and new but also not forgetting that people wanna get down and have a good time.”

Being a DJ who is no stranger to huge open air festival arenas as well as dark and sweaty clubs, I query whether he has a preference as to which kind of venue he likes to play. As a DJ who clearly loves to play out, it’s not surprising that he can find many reasons to enjoy both.

“Obviously playing to ten or 20 thousand people is always a bit of a buzz, without a doubt. But sometimes playing a two hour set in a club and going on a bit of a journey, you step away afterwards feeling like ‘yeah I really enjoyed that. I smashed that’. But a festival set can be over so quickly because you’re only on for an hour and it’s literally bang bang bang and you’ve got to play what the people expect, and it’s over before you’ve had time to enjoy it.

“But sometimes if you get into a groove at a festival and you allow your music to breathe, the tunes are doing the damage and you’re jumping up and down behind the decks and everyone’s going for it, then that is a really COVER STORY

good vibe.

“Like last week I was playing after the Stereophonics in front of like ten thousand people and it was such a buzz to go on after such a good act. There was a really good energy in the crowd and I dropped lots of big tracks and they were going for it. It was a good tester for me for when me and Adam (A-Skillz) come out to do our thing in Australia.”

One aspect of playing festivals that is relatively unmatched within the world of clubbing is the increasingly elaborate stage set-ups that are afforded by the increased space of playing in the open air. It was brought to my attention by a friend in the UK that Krafty Kuts had the privilege of playing on the legendary Arcadia stage at a festival this summer. The stage began life at Glastonbury but now travels the UK during festival season and has to be seen to be believed. Look it up on YouTube, it’s mind-blowing. It’s clear by his response that the experience was surely one of the highlights of his DJing career. “My god, if you saw the pictures you’d be amazed,” he exclaims in his thick London accent. “It was like something out of that Tom Cruise movie War of the Worlds! It’s fucking ridiculous. If they had anything like that in Australia people would be blown away. It’s amazing and it’s just like, I can’t explain it to you. There’s fire coming out of everywhere and crazy shit. That was special, definitely.”

So we established that here is a DJ that definitely enjoys getting behind the decks in front of a crowd, be it in a club or atop a giant mechanical fire shooting spider thing. But Krafty Kuts is no stranger to the studio either.

Earlier this year he released a follow up full-length album to Freakshow entitled Let’s Ride - choice cuts from which

fans can expect to hear this summer. Him and A-Skills also released a cheeky remix to celebrate 50 years of James Bond that enjoyed a level of success that was surprising to both DJs, racking up over a 100 000 hits on YouTube and even getting mainstream radio airplay.

From the way he talks about the studio and his releases however, it’s clear that Krafty Kuts gets his main thrills from actually playing live to a crowd. Whereas some artists their art is all about creating recorded music, (with playing live almost being a necessary evil in order to selfpromote and raise revenue), for Krafty Kuts the opposite true. He makes bangers so he can play them for a crowd.

He goes so far as to say that he probably won’t even release another album, only tracks here and there. He emphasises the point with an anecdote. “Last week I was in Dubai and I was about to play a new track that I’d just done, and I said to my manager, ‘Watch when I drop this’. The track was called Drop and it was the last track of the day and when it kicked in the place just went ballistic. It was such a good feeling so it’s kind of weird the vibe between making a track and playing it out, it’s an incredible feeling to know that people are going off to your track. It’s truly unique to be honest.”

Adam Robertshaw Krafty Kuts [UK] plays Tribe on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1, at Brown Alley alongside Camo & Krooked [AUT], A-Skillz [UK] and more.

THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE

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WEDNESDAY19TH COQ ROQ Rocking Wednesdays at Lucky Coq are rotating DJs Lady Noir, Agent 86, Kiti, Mr Thom, Joybot and guests giving you nothing but the best new wave, punk, brit pop, bong rap and hair metal. Coq Roq takes place every Wednesday from 8pm with free pool downstairs from 9pm as well as drink specials.

Roq out!

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

MIDNIGHT SOUL ENSEMBLE Whether it’s a DJ on the one’s and two’s side by side with a drummer hitting the skins while jammin’ away into the night, or soul singers gracing our humble stage performing Erykah Badu tribute songs over wonky future beats, or hip hop DJs cuttin’ up Serato records, we got the mid-week party. You know you wanna. Free entry Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne

SOUL ARMY With more flavour than a chocolate pizza, the Wednesday Soul Army throws down raw, uncut funk next to smooth soul grooves and rare blue jams. Bring that special lady because when the boys lay down the love it could be the difference between ‘we’re just friends’ to ‘let’s get it on’. PBS stalwarts Vince Peach and Miss Goldie accompany Prequel and Black Diamond Kicks weekly. Free.

Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

LAUNDRY WEDNESDAYS Deep, dark, minimal dubstep and drum and bass.

Laundry Bar, 50 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

THURSDAY20TH BIMBO THURSDAYS Tigerfunk brings with him his full band of travelling gypsies, hipsters and middle class executives, all of whom are prepared to deliver the most excitement you can have this side of the weekend.

Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

FREE RANGE FUNK Funk up your Thursday nights with Free Range Funk at the Windsor favourite Lucky Coq. Grab a couch early and enjoy one (or more) of their famous $4 pizzas from 7-11pm.

Meanwhile DJs Who, Agent 86, Lewis CanCut and special guests tempt you into the night with their eclectic bag of treats. Setting the mood early is delightful jazz, deep soul, and funk. Later it’s fruity disco, choice house, and hipster dance drops. Free entry every Thursday.

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

FUN HOUSE Celebrate Thursday night at Co. with club classics and dance floor anthems.

Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

SLOW HOUSE THURSDAYS Slow House Thursdays is just what Brunswick has been missing. Get down to the latest Thursday spot at Noise Bar, find a space with your bros and get into it as DJs Same O, David Bass and James Hurt spin bass laced tunes ‘til the early hours of the morning.

Noise Bar, 291 Albert Street, Brunswick

WONDERLUST Fate, karma, the yin and the yang, the balance between chaos and order or divine intervention? A new spiritual high has emerged from the cosmic energies of the universe and it’s called Wonderlust! As luck would have it you can come and experience the effects of this strange new phenomena every Thursday night at The Carlton!

Carlton Club, 193 Bourke Street, Melbourne

FRIDAY21ST

RETRO SEXUAL FRIDAY

TEXTILE

DJ Grandmaster Vicious spins Fitzroy’s finest mix of ‘80s and ‘90s pop, rock, new wave, hip hop, disco classics and cheese to please plus dance floor anthems from then to now.

One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy

Saturdays at Lucky Coq tick all the boxes so start your night early and stay til close! Famous $4 pizzas from 7-9pm (that’s dinner sorted) then from 9pm spread over two levels with DJs playing hip hop, funk, disco, house and electro. Rotating guests on both levels keep the tunes fresh. Free entry.

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

SATURDAY22ND EDEN SATURDAYS Smashing it every week at Melbourne’s hottest looking venue!

Top 40 dance, house and R&B 9pm-3am, then electro from 3am - 5am. DJ Ontime, DJ Ryza, Scotty Erdos and Azza M. $15/$20, free entry after 4am.

Eden, 163 Russell St, Melbourne

LOUNGE-CLUB

GET LIT Get Lit every Friday night with Mugen & D’fro slicin’ n dicin’ over jiggy beats and underground anthems. Bounce to the ounce, and get yer “drank” on! And kids remember one thang, in the wise words of Lady: this pussy be yankin! YOLO. Free entry. From 10pm.

Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Dazzling disco lights? Check. Big dance floor? Check. Stage to dance on? Check. Music all night long? Check. We got Melbourne’s finest purveyors of music. You’ll get funk, boogie, disco, house, Latin, afro, techno and much more. Lounge-Club happens every weekend from 10pm and it’s free entry.

Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne

FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS

CQ FRIDAYS The weekend starts here! Get on down for after work drinks from 5pm with DJs Marcus Knight, Mark Pellegrini, Nick Van Wilder & DJ Anferny getting your weekend started right. 5pm til 3am.

CQ, 113 Queen St, Melbourne

FIRST FLOOR FRIDAYS A journey of international music from all over the world; past, present and future rhythms incorporating afro, soul, funk, world and deep house elements!

First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

FORBIDDEN Forbidden’s venue is going to wow all those that attend through its state of the art sound and lighting system, an amazing balcony overlooking Russell and Bourke Streets and located in the heart of the city. Forbidden will feature some of the hottest DJs in Melbourne including Anyo, Rufio, Stefan C, Alex Da Kid, Galo, Timmy Edgell and Azza-M. Forbidden is the hottest place to be on a Friday night – the location has just changed. Free entry applies to everyone between 8pm – 9pm and happy hour will run for 3 hours!

Eden, 163 Russell St, Melbourne

FREEDOM PASS Fridays at Freedom with 2 premier clubs, 5 huge rooms, 10+ local and international DJs blending their unique sets across countless styles of tunes – vocal house, smooth R&B, electro and commercial top 40. Throw in a few sexy podium dancers, a world-class lights show and drink specials, the Freedom Pass is your personal ticket to a night you won’t soon forget!

Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

FRIDAY NIGHT LOFT PARTY Kitty Schmidt couldn’t find quality dance music in Fitzroy so she’s decided to open up her bedroom doors. Living above Melbourne’s stalwart lesbian/gay Libation Bar, she’s now throwing a monthly party in her boudoir. Come into her renovated upstairs loft, cocktail bar, dance floor and smoking terrace. With quirky house, deep disco and erotic electronica being spun by Marvin Roland, Mr. Pyz and Kitty Schmidt DJs. Libation, 302 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

PANORAMA Start your weekend on a good note with Panorama Fridays at Lucky Coq. DJs Matt Rad, Mr George, Tom Meagher and Phato A Mano transform the upstairs area into one hell of a house party with Hip Hop, Funk, R&B, Disco and House. Meanwhile, downstairs gives you a secluded wind down atmosphere with cult films as background visuals and quality cocktails to sip on.

Let the new coqtail list wash away a crappy week!

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

It’s house, electro, dub, anthems, disco and funk with guest DJs Genetix, B-Two and Oohee rocking til the break of day.

Doors open 10pm with $5 basics til midnight!

First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

HOMECOMING In the grand tradition of past Saturday nights at the Prince of Wales will regain it’s rightful place on the pantheon of Australian dance music playing host to the best and most exciting EDM locally, nationally and internationally. Local residents include Generik, Oskar, Swick, Tranter, M.A.F.I.A., Streetparty DJs and Clip Art, and scheduled guests The Aston Shuffle, Tonite Only, The Swiss, Luke Million, Parachute Youth, Louis La Roche, Alvin Risk and more. In addition, Homecoming has prepared a veritable roster of exciting drinks and cocktails to fuel the fun, including fresh coconut cocktails, Dr. Pepper, Electric Lemonade, Tecate, Thai-style Buckets and Bubble Cup cocktails.

Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

WAH WAH SATURDAYS Just when you thought Wah Saturdays couldn’t get any better, this week Rob Pix (Beng) kicks off a new rotating residency down Waratah place. Get down early to avoid the queue or alternatively you could come down very late for the infamous recovery kicking off at 4am!

Wah Wah Lounge, 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

WEEKEND The brain child of the creative kids at 360 Agency and Seven Nightclub. The Weekend is here to put a smile on your dial every Saturday night. We want you to join the family.

Dancing from 10pm weekly.

Seven, 52 Albert Rd, South Melbourne

SUNDAY23RD SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE The perfect Sunday soundtrack with DJs Askew, Peter Baker, Booshank, Paz, Miss Butt, Junji, Disco Harry and guests. They will be laying down disco, afro beat and deep house til 3am. For lovers of good music - South Side Hustle.

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

STAR BAR SUNDAYS The original and still the best Sunday in Melbourne.

Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne

SUNDAE SHAKE Our Signature serve. Each and every Sunday we play host to a self professed vinyl junkie caught between the golden years and boogie wonderland. A mouthful? Perhaps. Phato Amano perfectly sets the mood for an audio-adventure that redefines the dance floor weekly. Our Sunday aficionados Agent 86 and Tigerfunk stir up a full cream shake to the flavour of your liking. Forget everything you thought you knew about losing yourself to the grooves.

Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

HOT STEP Google Hot Step and you’ll get a bunch of Vietnamese game reviews and Balkanese dances on YouTube. But that’s nothing like what you can expect to find within the confines of Bimbo on a Saturday night. Developing thick and heavy but altogether groovy, enjoy an eclectic mix of fairy floss funk, doom disco and monk movement minimal every week. Free.

Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR DJ CKass will take you on a musical journey to the retro sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s, followed by Top 40.

One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy

SOUND EMPIRE Co. at Crown’s Saturday night party Sound Empire this week features mega sounds from resident DJs Tate Strauss, Miss Sarah, Nova, Johnny M, Matty G, Dean T, Joe Sofo, Marcus Knight, Dinesh, Chris Ostrom, B-Boogie and Sarah Roberts.

Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

STAR SATURDAYS Star Saturdays - smashing it every Saturday! Phil Ross, Scotty Erdos, DJ Ontime, LC, Nick James, Dane Gains, Ryan Hamill, Deja, Phil Isa, Nixon, Azza M, Scotty Nix, DJ Ryza, C Dubb, Alex-J, G-Funk, Dylisco, Achos, Az, Shaggz and guests.

Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne

TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS

MONDAY24TH IBIMBO Have you always wanted to be a DJ but been cruelly cursed with tone deafness and a general inability to version excursion? Well Bimbo Deluxe saves the day once again.. All you need is an iPhone and you’re set. Just download the free ‘remote’ application from the app store, log into the Bimbo DJ wireless network and you choose which song plays next.

Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

TUESDAY25TH BIMBO TUESDAYS Bimbo Tuesday’s have long been the discerning DJs midweek breath of fresh air. An opportunity to indulge in and parade their individual takes on music. A night where by the weird and wonderful is not frowned upon but rather celebrated. Resident selectors Matt Radovich, Andras Fox and Henry Who draw from a colorful array of sounds that warm your midweek blues. From 8pm, free.

Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy

COSMIC PIZZA NHJ and friends host every Tuesday night upstairs at Lucky Coq. Playing uneasy listening, freaked out bass jams, romantic comedy disco, tropi-jazz, soundtracks and shit you won’t hear on the other nights.

Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor

DJ Marcus Knight & DJ Xander James drop sexy house, dance and drum and bass all night from 8pm. Free entry.

Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra

AC SLATER HIGH/LOW: EXPLORING TWO SIDES OF THE CLUB SCENE Have you ever been in a situation where you are raving at a club at 7am only to realise the person beside you, who is similarly loosing their mind, is actually an old school teacher? Once you realise you can’t get a detention – ten years after leaving school – a sense of unity is achieved because a little bit of a party animal resides in us all!

That brings us to the subject of this article, the American maestro of the electro banger, DJ/producer Aaron Clevenger or as he is more commonly known in temples of ‘boom’ across the globe, AC Slater. The promotion video for Clevenger’s October release Party Animals EP shows people in very normal working situations with the dulcet tones of vocalist Nina Sky over the top, but at ever increasing time periods a red light washes the screen and the normal peeps begin raving with a menagerie of party people joining them. Clevenger explains that clip conveys exactly the message he wanted.

“It’s so crazy the dualities that some people live with.

What I wanted to capture with the clip was that you might know someone from one side but not from the other.”

Clevenger asserts that the this theme of duality is close to his heart and this promo video. “I came up with the whole concept for the clip. I had the video in my head before we ended up making it. We shot it in about a day and edited for a few weeks later and it literally came out exactly how I imagined it in my mind,” he pauses before surmising, “The whole concept is kinda getting

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a glimpse of the whole person from their day job to the inner party animal.”

AC Slater was inspired by this theme from his own experiences and one particularly memorable situation that occurred here in Australia. “This is really funny because I know a lot of DJs and a lot of DJs outside of clubbing, but somebody I really love but never really saw outside of DJing was Brondinski. However, a couple of years ago we did Parklife in Australia and there was a soccer tournament between the artists and some triple j people.

“I remember watching Brodinski play soccer, it was like an epiphany where I was like ‘I have never seen this dude outside of a club so to watch him play soccer is really weird.’ I mean it wasn’t weird at all – he was quite good – but just the juxtaposition of knowing someone from a club and then seeing them play sport was just weird.”

This theme of day/night, low/high, soft/loud also seeps into the Party Animals EP sonically with the title track Party Animals feat. Nina Sky having a one-minute intro of the vocals, piano and a light rolling kick snare before exploding into a signature AC Slater drop.

“I would always write these chill sections and then end up not using them because they weren’t ‘AC Slater enough’ but with this song I wanted to show another side to me. I have been working with Nina on and off for a while now and she just came through with the vocals on this one.”

ESSENTIALS

With the embrace of melody and one minute of a pretty standard arrangement, does this mean AC Slater may stop writing electro bangers? Clevenger explains this is unlikely with his current songwriting credo. “When I’m making music, making a song, I am definitely picturing myself playing live; I just try and put the song in that position and imagine how it is going to come off.”

Does this mean AC Slater could never become purely a studio producer?

“I could but I don’t know when that will happen. Right now I can’t see myself doing it but I can’t DJ forever. I’ve seen this Italian guy – Alexander Robotnik – and he must have been 50 something and I saw him DJing in a disco and he was just thrashing and having the time of his life so maybe I will be someone like that?”

Finally, Clevenger tackles the issue that electrobanger DJs are a dying breed because if you look at the Summadayze’s line-up it’s just him and Knife Party bringing the bangers.

“Looking at the lineup for Summadayze, it’s a really

varied lineup of artists and I am looking forward to seeing a lot of them. But like you said there aren’t many bangin’ DJs – I mean there’s Knife Party and myself.” He asserts that this may be a situation unique to Australian festivals because in LA there’s no shortage of clubs giving punters an aural lobotomy.

“Here in LA there is no shortage of banging DJs, like here at like 9pm most clubs will be playing Skrillex,” he laughs before adding, “Here in the US there is no shortage of guys producing really great party music.

You should keep an ear out for ETC!ETC and Brillz.”

Dan Watt AC Slater [USA] plays Summadayze at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1, alongside The Chemical Brothers [UK], M.I.A. [UK] and more.

THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE

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SPACE DIMENSION CONTROLLER LET THEM EAT: EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL CAKE How does a young producer establish himself in the crowded field of electronic music? Develop a unique sound, certainly. Work up an impressive and acclaimed discography, too. And how about creating a backstory in which you’re a sleazy spaceman from the future who, after a hard day of defending the remnants of humanity, likes nothing more than making music and unwinding in illegal intergalactic nightclubs? Space Dimension Controller, aka Belfast lad Jack Hamill, has done all three, and is getting ready to launch his debut full length album.

In Hamill’s dystopian future, Earth has been invaded by a race of aliens called the Pulsovians. After the invaders destroyed our Sun, extinguishing life in our solar system, the few humans able to escape made their way to the habitable world of Mikrosector-50 – located in a galaxy far, far away (Star Wars references seem unavoidable, considering Hamill shares a surname with the actor who played Luke Skywalker). Hamill’s alter ego, Mr. 8040, works as a Space Dimension Controller helping to defend this new outpost of humanity, but at night he sneaks out to produce music on ancient synthesisers.

“It just started off as something small, but grew pretty fast. I don’t really know how to explain it,” Hamill says of the sci-fi narrative he has created as a backdrop for his music. “It was all just in my head and then it was out there. I just find it a lot more fun to draw inspiration from a complete story I’ve made up instead of just sitting at a computer and seeing

what comes out.”

The 22-year-old first started dabbling in production at 16.

He emerged as Space Dimension Controller in 2009 with his debut 12”, The Love Quadrant, and attended the 2010 Red Bull Music Academy. Hamill has since released a string of EPs and singles – the most recent being his double 12”, The Pathway to Tiaquon 6, late last year – with each release delving further into the world and mythology of Mikrosector-50.

So does setting the scene in Mikrosector-50, hundreds of years in the future, free Hamill of the constraints of contemporary music? “I don’t know, maybe?” he responds when posed the question. “It means I’m able to make a tune inspired by getting off with a robotic prostitute on a distant planet or being chased by some alien through a giant sphere instead of writing a song about how nice it is when the leaves fall in autumn or sampling something about getting down, bitches dancin’ [or] bass.”

That being said, his style is a blend of the past, present and future, incorporating deep house, techno and cheesy elements of synthesiser-driven ‘80s funk into a sound he labels “galactic funk”. Hamill’s unique sound is, in part, due to his taste in vintage studio gear. The names in his sci-fi mythology were even influenced by one of the first pieces of equipment he acquired – the Technics SH-8040 Space Dimension Controller.

Hamill is currently putting the finishing touches on his debut

album, Welcome to Mikrosector-50. He had planned to have the album released by the end of this year, although he wasn’t able to meet this deadline. “It was seemingly in the bag just before summer, mastered and everything, but I’ve decided to add a little bit more,” Hamill says.

As the title suggests, the album promises to be the most expansive journey through the world of Mikrosector-50 to date. “It’s a lot different from anything I’ve released before and much more conceptual. Like my previous release on R&S [Records], it’s all meant to be listened to in one go.

There is much more Mr. 8040 on it than any of my previous releases,” he says. “It will be coming out in spring 2013 ,providing the whole 2012 thing doesn’t happen.”

If, indeed, the world doesn’t end in 2012, Hamill will be helping Melbourne punters welcome in 2013 at the Let Them Eat Cake Festival on New Year’s Day, along with the likes of Flying Lotus, Kerri Chandler and The Gaslamp Killer.

It will be his second visit to Australia, after touring earlier this year. For those who didn’t catch his set at Buffalo Club in February, he says Aussie punters can look forward to “an intergalactic time traveller disguised as a young Northern

Irish man pretending to be from a 1980s electro rap outfit talking about his seedy experiences from the future.”

That being said, Hamill has plenty of seedy experiences from 2012, which could even give Mr. 8040’s tales of intergalactic debauchery a run for their money. “The most recent highlight was playing with Bicep and Nina Kraviz at Zleep in Nottingham. It got much more out of hand than any of us could have expected. I ended up MCing, throwing cans of beer into the crowd, bottles of water, getting my top off and we got about 30 or so people dancing on the stage,” he says. “I played Berghain [in Berlin] on my birthday which was a lot of fun too; ended up passing out on top of the table backstage in a strange way and tore two discs in my neck.”

cool and attractive, a really comfortable environment for me.” Finally on Snoop Dogg, Ridha surmises, “He is such a nice guy, so cool. He’s kind of like the little child that still lives in us all. It’s great to see that and that he is having a lot of fun in music and not taking things too seriously, that’s what I think is perfect as well.”

So writing a house track with a rapper over the top was a new thing for Boys Noize but there is still that classic ‘Boys Noize’ sound on Out Of The Black, particularly the first single from the album, XTC. It features a mechanical voice stating “X-T-C, one for me,” and then at 80 seconds comes a signature ‘drop’ driving the track into a synthesised lowend dream (or nightmare).

“I wrote the song one night before I played a huge festival called Electric Daisy in the summer of 2011 and they were putting me on a stage where I was playing in front of 80,000 people and I had the vocals in my mind and I wanted to test them. My intention, originally, with XTC was just to make an intro track for my sets – something really simple and banging so I made this track and tested it out and it worked.” However, it took a little feedback from some ‘friends’ before Ridha decided to turn this intro into a track. “I was never really in love with the track until I made

some little changes and sent it over to my friends like Soulwax and Justice and both guys were giving me a different angle and a different aspect of the record, they were saying, ‘Yo, this is actually pretty weird and has all those different parts’ and that made me love the track and so it’s on the album.”

Ridha’s forthcoming appearance at Future Music Festival is not only the first time Australia will see him play tracks from Out Of The Black but it will also be the premiere of Ridha’s live set. In closing the interview Ridha sets mouths salivating with his description of his live show.

“It’s basically me playing my own music the way a band plays live like it plays in the studio. I have a lot of things to control inside this cube and there’s even another level to my live show with me controlling the visuals as well, they’re very minimal and very to the point.”

we have achieved what we wanted.” The brothers believe they need to feel some sort of emotion from their creations, if they expect fans to. “If you can’t rock out to the track, then we aren’t going to put it out. We actually get up and dance in the studio to feel how the crowd are going to feel when we play the track.”

With their unique worldwide perspective, Matt and Chris see a bright future for EDM on the typically rockdominated Australian shores. ”Events like the Big Day Out are down, and events like Stereosonic and Future Music Festival are the parties everyone wants to be at.

There will always be rock but it’s dance music’s time to shine right now. Australia is right at the front of this style of music.” The growth of dance music in this country is one Matt attributes to the broad scope of artists we are exposed to. “The good thing about Australia is we get all the European influence and the American influences.

Australia picked up on dance music as it began.” As the homegrown sound continues to evolve, the Stafford boys are excited about the new challenge that lays ahead, with the burgeoning new scene in America. “The USA is only

just catching on, but it’s really about to go crazy there.”

Looking to be at the forefront of that new movement, they are currently cooking up some fresh tracks, which will presumably push the Stafford Brothers’ sound to a new level. “We have a load of new singles coming out. Our next big single is called Hello, on Cash Money Records, and features Lil Wayne and Christina Milian.” Waiting in the wings after that will be the monumental-sounding Future Music Anthem. Clearly, if one music act embodied YOLO it would be the Stafford Brothers.

Joshua Hayes Space Dimension Controller [UK] plays alongside Flying Lotus [USA], The Gaslamp Killer [USA] and loads more at Let Them Eat Cake at Werribee Park on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1.

BOYS NOIZE X-T-C: ONE FOR ME In the lion’s den – being the best is not always the best.

You know the worst part of being regarded as the world’s pre-eminent electronic music producer? You are the world’s pre-eminent electronic music producer! What that means is that everyone in the industry wants you to remix them, from N.E.R.D., Nelly Furtado and even filmmaker David Lynch.

Well this was the situation that German producer and DJ Alex Ridha, aka Boys Noize, found himself in after the release of his second album (POWER); blocked from writing a third album by the calibre and amount of remix requests.

“After Power came out in 2009 I was just so busy making music for other people, but after two years I was ready to make my own stuff again,” explains the softly spoken German. “So I basically locked myself in the studio for a few months and just, you know, [made] what I was feeling…”

Ridha trails off. In 2007 Boys Noize released Oi Oi Oi, this was when Ridha was only 25, but the album reeked of a maturity and a sophistication which gave away to many that he had been DJing in clubs in Berlin and Hamburg since he was only 15 years of age.

As Ridha comes back to the conversation, his next statement evidences that even though it was released so early on in his career, he is still very proud of his first album.

“In 2011 there was a moment when I released a CD of all my remixes and it was the first time I realised that after so much time, I still love everything that I’ve done. So I started listening to my first album again. That helped me a lot to focus on what I was doing in the studio because I wanted to make another album again that I would listen to in five or

six years and still be amazed by it.”

His newest album, Out Of The Black, came out of the aforementioned studio time, and is his most stylistically varied album to date with this variation keynoted by guest vocalist Snoop Dogg who raps on the track Got It. “I grew up with his music so I knew him but he didn’t know me [until] I did an official remix for him in 2009, but you know it was an obvious situation where the big record label asks you,” explains Ridha, implying that even though he had remixed a Snoop track, the Dogg probably had no idea who he was. This was until Ridha joined Twitter. “So when I discovered Twitter the first thing I did was I wrote to him directly and said, ‘Hey man, did you ever check out the remix I did for you?’ and he replied straight away saying that he ‘loved it and I should send more beats and stuff.’”

Snoop Dogg, who is now releasing as Snoop Lion, is regarded by many as rap music’s most prolific ‘cross-over’ artist and this correspondent would suggest the most well known rapper in Australia. This meant that during the interview vicariousness prevailed, with Ridha more than happy to talk about flying to LA to record with Snoop.

“I’ve only seen his apartment in LA, I think he’s got a big mansion outside the city somewhere. His apartment was cool, it reminded me a little bit of an old apartment as a 16-17 year old where like all my homies hung out,” states Ridha, flecks of excitement come in to his soft voice as he recalls his time with Snoop. “It had that vibe which made it easy for me, I was expecting all this bling bling champagne kinda scene but it was basic and I thought that was really

Dan Watt Boys Noize [GER] is playing Future Music Festival on Sunday March 10 at the Flemington Racecourse alongside The Prodigy [UK], Bloc Party [UK], PSY [KOR] and many more.

STAFFORD BROTHERS SMASHIN’ THE STATES: SIBLING SPINNERS While “reality TV” for the most part comprises more fiction than reality, you get the feeling that the Stafford Brothers really do live the life of international superstar DJs. “We’re always trying to stay at the top, and climb higher internationally,” says the determined Matt Stafford, one-half of the eponymous duo, along with sibling Chris. Cited as the biggest DJs in the country, they are the new breed of rock star for a whole generation. “I have long hair and wear skinny black jeans, so that’s the beginning of a rock star,” he jokes. “Seriously though, electronic music has taken over the world, and the best way to perform it is to DJ.” It’s been a blur of flights, festivals and faces for the Gold Coast bred Matt and Chris Stafford, since first signing with Central Station Records back in 2006. So the prospect of heading out to perform a massive 40 shows in the span of 60 days is essentially as simple as breathing at this point.

“We never really come off tour so it’s pretty normal.”

Relocating to Los Angeles earlier in 2012, the Stafford Brothers have spent the last six months extensively touring their new home country, along with treks to Europe and Asia. Despite all the adventure, or maybe because of it, Stafford admits, “It’s just great to be back home in Australia.” The returning heroes will be performing a string of local dates, including a comeback at Crown Casino‘s Fusion. “Touring the world is amazing, but the Australian crowd are one of our favourites. Aussies know how to party.”

In the time since they last performed for their Aussie fans, the Staffords have been entrenching themselves in the American music industry, signing with the gargantuan Cash Money Records, home of Lil Wayne. It’s an

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opportunity not lost on them and one they are looking to take full advantage of. “Being able to connect with such a massive iconic label and now release music with them is like a dream come true.” Much like the chance they took when first deciding to enter the treacherous waters of the music world, their venture to the States is a calculated risk that has, so far, been a success. “We moved to the USA to take a chance, and it now it looks like it will all pay off.”

Much like the whirlwind journey they have been embarking on for the past six years, their recording process is one of chances and experimentation. “You never know what is going to happen in the studio. You go in with one plan and what comes out is never what you planned.” The main common thread, regardless, is the emotion they want to inspire. “We always like our music to be uplifting and full of energy as that represents how we DJ.” It’s a unique process, with both strong-willed brothers bringing their contributions to the table. Admitting that Chris takes more of a “driving” role, it’s ultimately a joint effort. “We both are often giving our opinions on the tracks, so there aren’t really disagreements, just input to get the best product we can.”

Their ability to strike a balance between commercial and progressive house, such as on the anthem Open Up Your Arms, is one that has expanded their reach to a broad cross-section of fans and surely caught the attention of the Cash Money brass. It’s a skill they have apparently refined to a point where they can choose what direction they wish to go in.

“We always just produce tracks for the dance floor, but lately have been also focusing on the radio,” Stafford reveals. “If people are having a good time to our music FEATURES

Andrew ‘Hazard’ Hickey Stafford Brothers [AUS] play Fusion at Crown Casino on Saturday December 22, Summadayze at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Tuesday January 1 alongside Knife Party [AUS], M.I.A. [UK] and then Future Music Festival on Sunday March 10 at Flemington Racecourse alongside The Prodigy [UK], Bloc Party [UK], PSY [KOR] and many more.

KERRI CHANDLER MADTECH: MAD SCIENTIST Legendary deep house producer and DJ Kerri Chandler is finally on his way to Australia for the first time. His unique selections, great musical instincts and technical prowess have set him apart from the pack. The revival of deep house has meant that a whole new generation are getting to connect with his DJing, productions and record labels. He relays his hectic schedule via email from Europe after a few failed attempts to connect on the phone.

“This week I did three parties over one weekend – Watergate in Germany, Circo Loco in Italy and Sub Club’s 25th anniversary party in Glasgow. All very amazing parties, very hard traveling to get to them all, but very worth it! The next generation in [deep house] is very exciting and it feels like there is a new wave just like when we started back in the ‘90s.”

There’s this calm sense of getting swept away with deep house. The driving, aggressive force of other house styles or techno is absent and yet there is still this relentless push forward. There is rarely a crescendo but you are drawn in by the sounds. Early on in the revival, around 2008, Terre Thaemlitz released some deep house under his DJ Sprinkles alias. On Midtown 120 Intro his voiceover aggressively questions the calm exterior of the genre.

“The contexts from which the deep house sound emerged are forgotten: sexual and gender crises, transgendered sex work, black market hormones, drug and alcohol addiction, loneliness, racism, HIV, ACT-UP, Tompkins Square Park, police brutality, queer-bashing, underpayment, unemployment and censorship—all at 120 beats per minute.”

Chandler’s childhood home, New Jersey, was a hot bed of that chaos. His experiences shaped his move towards the genre that he has become known for. Deep house became a perfect counterpoint to the external environment. “I think that different people start for different reasons,” he reflects. “I did it because it was always something I wanted to share, express, grew up with, needed, lived as a culture. I won’t knock anyone for the music they make and for their reasons. Deep house music is a very transparent music, you can tell just how someone feels in the track and you can tell why they made the track, for the love or popularity. The music speaks for itself.”

Chandler also comes from a family of jazz musicians, a genre that has heavily influenced deep house. His father was a respected DJ, and he gave Chandler a strong education in the origins of soul, disco and the New York Underground Sound. At only 13-years-old Chandler began playing records at the Rally Record Club in East Orange, having accompanied his father to gigs for years. Production came soon after and he was signed to Atlantic in 1991.

Asked whether he likes to test new productions on crowds Chandler lets us in on his approach to writing music. “I always [test crowd reactions] sonically, and arrangements are important. After all, it’s dance music and people have to dance to it. But I am also a mood-driven guy and I trust in what my heart tells me as well. I make my music from what inspires me more than anything.”

Chandler comes from a gospel background and says he prays before making each record, trying to inject his free spirit into the groove. He is known as a technical innovator and someone who is constantly trying out new technologies, hacking machines and creating modifications to hardware. “I feel there are no limits ever. When it comes to the tools you use, I live by ‘fuck it, why not?’ I personally like to have a studio around me when I play. It’s like remixing live.

Since 1988 I’ve always brought extra gear with me, along with using the traditional methods of DJing.”

That technical interest hides a more serious desire.

“One day I will go back to college and get my doctorate in physics. I am extremely interested in science. In fact, that’s what I would have been doing if my music career didn’t take over my life (in a good way). It started from my grandfather on my dad’s side of the family. He was a scientist, I used to go to his lab and I was fascinated. It looked like a movie and he got me a little lab coat and goggles, and I have been a mad scientist ever since. I build gear, lasers, holograms, program, etc. In a way my hobby became my job and my job became my hobby.

“I always ‘Chandlerise’ things. The key for me is, I try to improve any machine only if I wanted that machine to: A) Do something I wish it did, B) Had something in it that it doesn’t, C) If I can I make the machine work better for me, or D) If I can use it in another way that no one’s thought of.”

Chandler is serious about helping the next generation of musicians via his MadTech label. “So far so good.

I’m happy you like the direction of the label. The reaction has been wonderful. It’s nice to see the energy just as we had it when I started back in 1990. I started MadTech to help the next generation have an outlet to express what they feel.”

It’s a similar vision to Chandler’s other label, Madhouse. “Madhouse is very soulful and deep ,that is my personal voice in a way as a record label.

MadTech is more of my vision for the next generation and a foundation for people that I feel are very talented and just need that extra push to get there.

“James heads up the label and has a great ear for talent. I love the new crew of DJs and producers as if they were family. We all just did a party together at Boiler Room (Thefft, Voyeur, Citizen and Krystal Klear) and I was extremely happy to have so many talented people giving their best. I felt like a proud dad and I knew just what they were all capable of. I see them as the next generation taking over dance music one day.”

In the end, Chandler’s philosophy is simple, despite the technology. “I think it’s what any DJ makes of it, and it really comes down to the music. What a DJ is playing and whether it sounds good is more important.

I think you should play on what ever expresses what you want to get across, with the music that you want.”

Simon Hampson Kerri Chandler [USA] plays alongside Flying Lotus [USA], The Gaslamp Killer [USA] and loads more at Let Them Eat Cake at Werribee Park on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1.

FEATURES

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MATHEW JONSON JAZZING IT UP: SWEET SOUNDS Few artists working in dance music nowadays have the diversity of musical output that Mathew Jonson constantly lives and breathes. His work spans diverse genres from jazz to house, fusion to techno and much more. Jonson originally hails from Vancouver in Canada but now resides in Berlin. He is part of Modern Deep Left Quartet, Cobblestone Jazz and continues to put out great tunes under his own name.

Jonson’s approach to music has been shaped by his formal training in drums and percussion from a young age. He has also had periods performing clarinet and classical piano. However, it was his exposure through his father’s interest in early electronic music and instruments that drove his own interest. He has developed one of the most distinctive voices in dance music – you know a Mathew Jonson track as soon as you hear it. I reach Jonson after a long journey, but he is in good spirits.

“I’m good thanks. I just got back from a trip to Vancouver, NYC and Medellin.” The travel element of musicians’ careers is particularly challenging. When I ask about the hardest thing he has had to cope with, Jonson believes travel has been the biggest challenge for him. “Transit takes away my creativity and grounding,” he explains.

He’s still looking forward to returning to Australia – even with the long journey to get here. Jonson has toured Australia a number of times and has a great following over here. “Australians are generally quite friendly, open people,” he reflects, “and we Canadians seem to have similar ideas about beer!”

Seeing Jonson live is a true highlight. He has been

performing that way for a number of years now and doesn’t do plain DJ gigs any more. He steps up with an array of equipment on stage that gets tech heads drooling but he translates it into a techno sound that gets the crowd into a frenzy.

Many of Jonson’s track titles seem to carry meaning: Symphy For The Apocalypse, Learning to Fly. His tune, In Search of a New Planet with Oxygen, on the new Crosstown Rebels compilation, Day Zero - Sound Of The Mayan Spirit, seems to imply a strong message.

I wonder if the title was inspired by the theme of the compilation (the Mayan prediction about the end of the world) or if it was already written and just happened to fit the message? “It was already written but seemed to fit the idea so I gave it to Damian,” he explains.

Jonson agrees that dance music can convey emotions as effectively as other music but sometimes expressing a message is harder. “The title is meant to spur thoughts of support for the green movement,” he elaborates. It’s a strange contradiction that dance music is constantly dealing with – the fight between hedonism and a more thought-provoking state of affairs.

However, Jonson’s approach to making music is very much based around feelings. “It’s pretty free form. When I’m in my studio I’m not concerned with structure. The fact that I use electronic equipment and mainly analog gear does dictate a certain method though.”

He teamed up with Minilogue at this year’s MUTEK festival in Canada. The pairing was well received, and I wonder if there are any new collaborations coming

up in the future. “Me and Guy Gerber are talking about a project but it’s not solid yet. We had a good couple of days in the studio last month so it could be promising.”

Wagon Repair, Jonson’s label, has become a wellrespected outlet. He explains that the focus has changed over the years, “We only release projects directly connected with me now. Cobblestone Jazz, MDLQ, Midnight Operator etc.”

Asked what’s coming up, Jonson says, “Lots of albums!”

– many people will be hoping for new releases from all

of his projects. It all comes back to his passion for his art.

“Music is my life. I draw my energy from nature though so it goes hand in hand.”

Simon Hampson Mathew Johnson [CAN] plays alongside Flying Lotus [USA], The Gaslamp Killer [USA] and loads more at Let Them Eat Cake at Werribee Park on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1.

DANNY DAZE PUTTING THE DAZE: IN SUMMADAYZE Aside from watching Honey Boo Boo and sleeping, Miami’s Danny Daze does little else other than DJ, produce and sit on planes (“I say, ‘we get paid to travel’”). Whether it’s under his own moniker – Danny Daze – production projects Discotech and Senor Stereo, or his intriguing new project Jupiter Jazz, the 26 year old is constantly on the hunt for new sounds and inspiration from deep, tech house and disco, to the Cuban influences of his upbringing and old love Italo disco. Speaking from his studio in Barcelona, the buzz-worthy DJ tells 100% of his beginnings, new projects and upcoming trip to Australia for Summadayze.

With his almost monotone, Floridian drawl, Daze comes across as business-like when discussing his music. This focused approach is no doubt responsible for his rise to fame, which started at just 13 years old and relates a maturity and seriousness belying his 26 years.

Danny Daze, or as he was known then – Danny Gomez – started DJing at just 13 years old when his mother bought him a set of turntables. Even though he was barely out of primary school it wasn’t long until he was earning money and playing legitimate gigs. “I used to be a dancer and I would go to this place called Hot Wheels which was a skate rink. From there you’d see all the break-dancers and then the break-dancers would say, ‘Hey there’s this party, why don’t you come out?’

Then they learned that I was a DJ and someone gave me a chance. I was 14, 15 years old already bringing my vinyl to come and play after a wedding I did. The connections happened really quick and especially the fact that I was young helped me out even more. They were like, ‘Hey there’s this really young guy.’

“I used to compete in scratch DJing as well. I mean I got my ass whooped every time but when people see me DJ they know at least I know what I’m doing behind the turntables. My idols were guys from Miami like DJ Kraze – these guys were all turntablists so I pretty much came from that.”

After making a name in Miami, Daze’s big break came in 2010, when Seth Troxler passed on a copy of his now huge anthem Your Everything to Hot Creations’ heads and tech house legends Jamie Jones and Lee Foss. The Your Everything/Fall Into You release subsequently shot him into the big leagues of international DJs. “Before that I was touring just in the United States. Immediately after that, the song hadn’t even been released and I already had gigs lined up.” Having played everywhere from Berghain to Fabrik, Ibiza, Australia and everywhere in between over the past two years, his favourite gig is closer to home.

“Having played The Movement Festival in Detroit, that’s probably been the biggest thing,” he explains. “I’ve been looking at that for years. It’s just like, ‘Oh my god, these are my idols’. Being comfortable with the realisation that you’ve made it, that’s pretty cool.”

His most exciting news is his collaboration with another accomplished American techno and house producer – Maceo Plex – formerly known as Maetrik. They have named the project Jupiter Jazz.

“I think it’s going to be pretty cool, something different.

Another new, different outlet for our creativity. We’ve been working together for a while but not on that project... We’ve been DJing together quite a bit but as Jupiter Jazz we haven’t done anything yet. It’s a state of mind mostly. We go into the studio with a different state of mind.”

On top of producing, his new project with Maceo Plex and touring, Daze plans to release an EP of his own songs in January and a full-length album later in the year under the Danny Daze moniker. “I really don’t care to call it something else – it’s me,” he says defiantly. “If there’s a drum and bass track in there, who cares. That’s what I think artist albums should be. I’m sitting on like two albums right now. I’m sitting on a bunch of tracks that are dance records but they’re not huge hits because I didn’t want to just make a massive [single],

I want to make something more creative. I have [songs] that are down-tempo, a bit of drum and bass.”

When pressed on genre he refuses to be pigeon-holed.

“It’s just dance music. I hate sub-genres – they mean nothing.

Either you like it, or you don’t. Either it makes you dance or it doesn’t. Either you like to do it in a club or in an elevator.”

On top of that he has a Mario & Vidis remix on Silence music and a Jupiter Jazz remix of Switchbox in December, then the Jupiter Jazz EP around February. The good news for local devotees is that Danny Daze will be coming Down Under for Summadayze this January, which is a first for him, despite the huge gigs he’s played these past couple of years. “I haven’t done this – I’ve never done a festival tour. I’ve done quite a bit of festivals but not seven festivals in six days!”

Daze has already experienced Australia, having done a tour in February, and played at New Guernica. “New Guernica was insane. That place was really cool,” he says.

Due to his busy schedule in Australia he doesn’t think it’s likely he’ll play sideshows, but he does like to play late.

“I like to play longer sets, I wish there was after hours and stuff,” he says, to which I explain that there is a range of after hours venues in Melbourne. “I guess I wasn’t pushed in the right direction. I usually like to play more than four hours. It was fun, it was awesome. I’m looking forward to this one.”

Daze says he’s looking forward to playing alongside the calibre and style of artists at Summadayze, which reigns from Booka Shade and Erol Alkan, to M.I.A. and Kimbra.

“It’s a wide variety [of artists] and I like that, because I like to meet people from all ends of the spectrum.” And as for Australian crowds, are they different from those around the world?

“To be honest, no – party kids want to listen to good music, yes. People just warm up to you. If you’re depressed you go out and you party. If you’re happy you go out and you party. If you’re making money you go out and you party and if you’re poor you go out and you party. It’s the same everywhere. The only thing I noticed is that in different countries people pick up either quicker or slower on the music that is popular at the moment. I tend to not play the music that’s popular at the moment – I just play what I play and either you like it or you don’t.”

Rose Callaghan Danny Daze [USA] plays Summadayze at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1, alongside Kimbra [AUS], M.I.A. [UK] and more.

MIN&MAL SUPER: MARIO AND ALESSIO BROTHERS Brothers Alessio and Mario Caterino – Italians obviously – are right now, relaxing in the studio with some demos that have turned up at their door. Other than that, they are getting ready to travel Down Under for their inaugural trip. And not before time either, because for the brothers, Italy hasn’t been a huge source of inspiration for them musically, for some time.

“The scene in our country has been really pathetic for many years,” Alessio explains. “Unfortunately people do not prefer our genre. I’m not sure things are really different in other countries but here, the term ‘underground’ doesn’t exist at all! During our travels, we have noticed the large differences that exist, for example between Brazil and Italy. The mentality and way of life in the South American continent is much more advanced in contrast to the Italian peninsula.

“We do not want to underestimate Italy, but this is the reality.

The Italian person prefers following Gangnam Style rather than creating their own musical journey! Of all the clubs and festivals in which we have performed, we give first place to Brazil and Mexico for the moment. Why? Because people appreciate the music that you present. There are many other beautiful places in the world too, but for the moment we give them the podium. We recently played at the Playground Festival in Curitiba in Brazil – it was an unforgettable scene, more than 80,000 people were in attendance!”

So while their sound is essentially minimal techno, it is the

14.

kind of sound that, as Alessio describes, has grown a lot in the musical context. “We are moving between minimal and techno; right now perhaps more towards techno. In our live set we mix techno and minimal at the same time. We also try to improve our sound day after day and that means we are not necessarily always grounded in the same rhythms and sound – we work every moment and we hope to continue in this vein. Unfortunately at places like Beatport, you have a lot of amateur producers who just want some visibility abroad and it isn’t helping the music industry – so you have to make a difference with your own productions.”

Indeed, having started in the music world as teens, they have spent much time honing their craft, developing their skills in the studio, as well as putting their efforts into their label, Hand Made Music. Needless to say, twiddling knobs remains their first love and they admit to having a fair bit of work in the pipeline.

“Firstly, we have an EP for the label Minicoolboyz; the track is called The Amazing Record and consists of two tracks – in one, we partner with Minicoolboyz for an original mix for Dubfire’s label Sci+Tec. We are also doing another original mix with our good friend Andrea Roma, most likely for Toolroom Records; and another EP is to be released very soon on our label with an original mix as well an some remixes from friends.”

Thus musically, the boys are motivated – for the most part FEATURES

– by their obsessive love of the beat. “Basically, we live for this and have always dreamed of doing what we’re doing,” Alessio describes. “If we didn’t get into music, we would have gotten into architecture or some form of graphic design.”

Luckily for their fans, music was their natural course and has culminated in Min&mal.

And if nothing else, the lads are super excited about getting down to Australia for their first tour, and are hitting up Summer Beats Soundsystem at Royal Melbourne Hotel in Melbourne.

“In between trying to spend some spare time with our

friends we are also into sports. But mostly, we are interested in listening to music and are working on a really great set for our first Melbourne show. We are also really looking forward to the party, so we will see you all very soon!”

RK Min&Mal [ITA] plays Summer Beats Soundsystem on New Year’s Day, Tuesday January 1, alongside Astrix [ISR], AnGy KoRe [ITA] and heaps more at the Royal Melbourne Hotel.

XZIBIT

RIHANNA

VARIOUS

URTHBOY

UNIVERSAL HIP HOP So after a musical hiatus that has included movie roles, and filing for bankruptcy twice, Xzibit has returned to the scene with his latest album since 2006’s Full Circle.

After reaching the height of stardom in 2004-05 thanks to MTV Awards & Pimp My Ride hosting duties, Xzibit has ridden the wave of success well until Pimp My Ride was eventually cancelled and things went south for the West Coast rapper. But fast-forward to 2012 and Xzibit has produced some decent sounding work in Napalm.

The rhymes aren’t groundbreaking or challenging the likes of Kanye & Lupe Fiasco for the thrown, but it’s good West Coast style hip hop you’ll find here, he’s kept his sound simple & just made beats juicier thanks to good production. Most tracks are pretty cruisey, laced with tough rhymes from the likes of Xzibit, Game, Wiz Khalifa, E-40, David Banner, Crooked I & many other guests. Pick this one up if you like your rap gangsta.

- Seb Martinez

UNIVERSAL R&B Rihanna is one of the music world’s hardest working musicians, releasing seven albums in seven years. The achievement is no small feat and is serves to remind us not only Rihanna’s continual pulling power, but also her musical evolution. The once media shy teenage is now a sexual, explicit diva who is pushing the envelope in her genre and her new album is unapologetic (pardon the pun) of that. By now you would have heard the single Diamond, with the either you love or hate it’s chorus. Personally I feel the track is beautiful and shows off a rarely seen, raw side to Rihanna. Track Loveeeeeee Song is sonic bliss for the ears, but it is the David Guetta produced Right Now that really surprises with its infectious beat and poptastic vocals and is sure to be a future chart topper. Unapologetic may not be a diamond, but it sure is solid and has gold hits written all over this baby.

- Christopher Anderson-Peters

ARMADA MUSIC TRANCE Chapter six in the Universal Religion dynasty sees two disks from DJ Mag’s number one Armin Van Buuren. These have been the crowd jewel compilations from the man himself since beginning the series in 2004. The latest instalment captures two live recorded sets from Privilege Ibiza on two separate nights, and it definitely works. You really do feel the atmosphere within the set, with the crowd’s reaction playing hand in hand with the selection of tunes included. Disk one is in keeping with the current sound, with Trance 2.0 littering the playlist from all the big hitters including Solarstone, Aly & Fila, Protoculture, Stoneface & Terminal, with a highlight from Skytech with What’s Wrong. Mix two seems to pack more of a punch, beginning with the delectable combo of Breaks & Trance combine with Alex M.O.R.P.H.’s Eternal Flame, before jumping into Kyau & Albert’s remix of Jaytech’s Stranger, slipping into tougher tunes as the set nears the end, with Nepture Project concluding Chapter six in fine fashion.

- Kelvin Colling

ELEFANT TRAKS HIPHOP Urthboy is a musical rarity, with each and every album he takes a massive step forward and drops unquestionably his best release. The moment his voice engages you on the first track of Smokey’s Haunt you know you are in for one hell of a ride. Smokey’s Haunt sees no outside production required, Count Bounce and Hermitude steering all twelve tracks exactly where they need to go, from up-tempo grooves to down and dirty hip hop tracks. Clean Slate featuring Delta, is a straight banger, even the most ardent internet critic will feel their neck snap in appreciation, whilst lead single Naïve Bravado brings Daniel Merriweather back from seemingly from nowhere with a super tight hook. In house guests deliver, Solo is well known by now, whilst new signing Jimblah delivering some of his best verses to date and Jane Tyrrell, well she just does her thing, lifting the track with her vocal presence. One of the years best releases.

- Shane Scott

ULTRAVOX

MARKUS SCHULZ

NE-YO

JONATHAN BOULET

EMI NEW ROMANTIC It is hard to know what John Foxx would make of this album but Ultravox take us by surprise this month with their first album in twenty eight years. Right from the grandiose piano chords of the album’s opener Live, Ultravox deliver a blast of epic melodramatic electro pop anthems that speak to stadium sized audiences. The influence of the eighties refuses to fade to grey. Doing the time warp again Midge Ure and the lads recall the time when the band slipped from being a credible experimental synth pop band influenced

by Kosmische to join the brigade of trendy English New Romantic haircut bands and achieve modest commercial success. While Brilliant could be the greatest album Ultravox never released in the eighties, the sumptuous blend of synths guitars and Ure’s soaring vox are perfectly vintage.

Their influence on acts like Muse and The Killers is instantly obvious. Back in the day Ultravox didn’t achieve huge crossover chart success, perhaps they will this time.

- The Sideman

ARMADA MUSIC TRANCE Things start out well here, with Loops & Tings kicking things off strong, a track co-produced with Ferry Corsten, and probably the strongest track actually. Speaking of strong, Nothing Without Me is great, delivering sultry vocals from Ana Diaz, expect this to rock out clubs worldwide I reckon. Love Rain Down is probably the most well-known track, it’s not bad, pretty emotional, but I recommend checking out the remixes for this one, Myon & Shane 54 almost do track of the year reworking Love Rain Down. There’s a lot of vocal work on in this album, and compared to Schulz’s last release, things have definitely gone a more commercial route. But where the last album was dragged down by its minimal sounding approach Scream provides a fuller artist album experience, with an easier musical palette to take in for the casual listener, and not just Markus Schulz fans. I’ll admit Scream isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but it’s an overall improvement compared to Do You Dream?.

- Seb Martinez

UNIVERSAL R&B I am a secret Ne-Yo fan. He is Usher’s poorer cousin in looks and persona, but boy he steps it up like the man himself vocally! He has a voice to make one melt and his new effort, R.E.D (Realising Every Dream) is another, melt in your mouth, smooth LP, that will swoon even the most soulless of people. You would have heard the latest single, Let Me Love You, which has been burning up the charts, is just one of the many hits on this album. Other highlights include the sensational 80s vibe of Jealous, the Beatles-esque Alone With You, the smooth Be The One, and country ballad She Is. Ne-Yo is one smooth operator and his music speaks for itself. Whilst my fanaticism for Ne-Yo maybe closeted in fear of being whacked over the head by Usher fans for not showing the same loyalty to Usher, there is no denying I will bust a move if any of Ne-Yo’s latest tunes from R.E.D hit the dance floor.

- Christopher Anderson-Peters

UNAPOLOGETIC

NAPALM

BRILLIANT

SCREAM

DEADMAU5 CHANNEL 42

Someone got the remote....yawn.

UNIVERSAL RELIGION CHAPTER SIX

RED

BOMBS AWAY FEAT THE TWINS PARTY BASS

It’s not a bad track by any means, oh that is until the vocal kicks in, then you want to rip your face off!

YOLANDA BE COOL

SMOKEY’S HAUNT

WE KEEP THE BEAT, FOUND THE SOUND, SEE THE NEED, START THE HEART MODULAR FOLK/INDIE DANCE Opening with a ferocious cascade of drums, shakes, and screaming guitars before crashing into a full throttle chorus of vocals that are just aching for a sing-a-long, Jonathan Boulet’s debut album never takes a back step. The tracks are driven for the most part by layers of frantic acoustic instrumentation, spiced here and there with synthesised basslines, and carry all the energy of some of the most powerful electronica. Lead and already much remixed single This Song Is Called Ragged pulverises its way through xylophones and crashing cymbals, all the while imploring you to join in its almost violent decimation of what may have once been standard folk fare. The nihilistic track titles (just try Keep Away You Feral Son Of A Bitch, or Mangle Trang) seem opposed and yet perfectly in tune to the sweaty, drunken festival crowd attitude that the well constructed songs seem to embody. It’s a bold album, one that’s delivered at you rather than for you, but it is plenty of fun nonetheless.

- Danny Silver

CHIDDY BANG HAPPENING

This is an absolute little corker! No vocals, no gimmicks just straightup thumping house music folks.

This number right here only reinforces the Philly duo’s already acclaimed musical versatility. Pop, hip hop, dance all intertwined with an extra heaped tablespoon of fun. Happening is all about fun, fun & and a bit more fun thrown in for extra measure.

LAUGH A LITTLE

CIRCUS AMOUR TEN

RRR STYLIN’ SPECTRUM

DMC BUZZ CHART

ARIA TOP TEN

Renegade of a New Age/ To the Homeland LEGOWELT Uptown Psychedelia TIM HECKER & DANIEL LOPATIN Woo MAXMILLION DUNBAR Purple Fire GERRY READ Ceremony CHROMATICS White Wish SECRET CIRCUIT Kosmos BLACKBELT ANDERSEN Affection CRYSTAL CASTLES Navy (MeLo-X remix) KILO KISH Generational (Theo Parrish remix) THE INVISIBLE

Take Words in Return HENRIK SCHWARZ Soul Brother No 2 SOULPHICTION All the Riches GW EDITS Catcher’s Mitt CSC FUNK BAND Teetotal Acid MARQUIS HAWKES Coldness CLAMS CASINO Changes (Grant Remix) LOL BOYS Electric Bugalu CHICO MANN Galaxy Love DMX KREW Chevere AERA

Tuna Melt EP A-TRAK & TOMMY TRASH Beg YOUSEF The Healing JAMES ZABIELA Plush TIGA Rush DOORLY Saviour EP ANDRE SOBOTA Easier To Hide EP MAYA JANE COLES It’s Allright THE SHAPESHIFTERS Attention SCARLETT SANTANA Underground Sessions DJ WADY

The Way You Are PEKING DUK Don’t You Worry Child SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA Truffle Pig TOMMY TRASH Every Day ERIC PRYDZ Reload SEBASTIAN INGROSSO & TOMMY TRASH Before Midnight YOLANDA BE COOL Sweet Nothing CALVIN HARRIS FEAT. FLORENCE WELCH Drums KAZ JAMES Your Love KID KENOBI & JUSTIN HUNTER FEAT. JAMIE LEE WILSON Party Bass BOMBS AWAY

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THURSDAY2OTH MOTOWN THURSDAYS Kick start your weekend with Melbourne’s newest Thursday night! Motown Thursdays caters to all true music lovers. Join us on an eclectic musical journey of soul, funk and disco through to early R&B. A live Soul Band features some of Melbourne’s most talented musicians; Carmen Hendricks, Laurent Soupe, Duncan Kinell and Aaron Mendoza just to name a few. DJs keep the records spinning into the early hours; residents are Reg-e, Lee Davies, Kalepe, Dinesh, Suga, Rubz and Alwin Rafferty.

Join us around a big, shiny disco ball or two, for free entry, soulful tunes, drink specials all night and a dance floor full of friends!

Fashion Lounge, 121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

RHYTHM-AL-ISM Start the weekend early with Fusion’s Resident DJs. Music for your funkin’ soul. Special guests every week!

Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

FRIDAY21ST FAKTORY This is it. Faktory Fridays are open for business at Melbourne’s home of R&B, Khokolat Bar. Where else?

Damion De Silva, Ken Walker, Durmy, K Dee, Simon Sez, Yaths and Jacqui Dusk spinning all night long.

Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne

LIKE FRIDAYS Like Fridays at La Di Da serves up R&B and electro house across two rooms giving you a fun filled end to your week.

DJs Dinesh, Dir-X, Sef, NYD, Shaun D, Shaggz, Broz and more.

La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

LIGHT We celebrate everything that has made Light at Red Love, kicking off with our after work drinks session from 4pm.

Our DJ lineup includes each and every one of the Daddy Mack’s who have helped lead Light into our 5th running year of old school R&B. Harvey Yeah, Ripz, TMC and Stel Kar locking down that Old School Flava with guest appearances by G.A.K. & The Seminar of Funk and Nick K. It’s all happening this Friday as we celebrate 5 years of doing our do and bringing that Red Love!

Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne

THE LOOSE GOOSE The Loose Goose is focused on providing a wonderful array of cocktails and offers a great CBD location to lounge and relax in while overlooking busy Flinders Lane. A small plates menu is available to graze on whilst trying our delicious cocktails from the classics to contemporary, beer on tap and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. Every Friday evening DJ Jumps of The Cat Empire will take to the decks at the bar spinning his rare afro Latin funk vinyl collected from around the world from 6.30pm until late.

Papa Goose Cocktail Bar, 91-93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYS DJ Marcus Knight and DJ Xander James spin hip hop, R&B and house tunes all night from 8pm. Free entry and early drink specials.

Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra

THE NICE UP Tom Showtime presents The Nice Up. All flavours of hip hop, ghetto funk and reggae niceness provided. Sailor Jerry nice up the cocktails, Dos Blockos nice up the $5 beers. Fridays done proper.

George Lane Bar, 1 George Lane, St Kilda

SATURDAY22ND KHOKOLAT KOATED All new experience, same great location with a fresh koat of Khokolat. Restless Entertainment reloads your favourite Saturday night party. Damion De Silva, K Dee, Jay Sin and weekly guests playing R&B & ol’ skool sounds strictly for the urban elite.

Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne

REDLOVE SATURDAYS RedLove Saturdays is all about solid classics from the ‘80s, ‘90s and into the ‘00s! Dropping beats of retro pop, disco classics, old school funk, and certainly some of that old school R&B and house to kick! RedLove Resident DJs Phil, HB Bear and Da Gato bringing down the house every Saturday night. If you’re looking for quality service, music to rock, sumptuous drinks and just a cold hard good time; look no further!

Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne

SHAKA SATURDAY The newest R&B Superclub Shaka Saturdays grand opening is set to hit Melbourne over two massive weeks.

The northern suburbs newest, freshest club playing all of your favourite R&B, hip hop, old skool and reggae. Shaka Saturdays is showcasing Australias newest and favourite

R&B DJs, including DJ C-RAM bringing video mixing to Melbourne and special guest hip hop band Yellow Cake. Set at one of the most amazing venues Melbourne has to offer with two levels, good music, great ‘Shaka’ atmosphere and cheap drinks, we are hoping to pack it out and create a night for people to remember.

Level 2 The Club, 2 Arthurton Rd, Northcote

Party Profile: “I think I need a cup of tea.” - The Erykah Badu Tribute.

UPCOMING DE LA SOUL After the huge success of their 20th anniversary tour in 2009, venerable hip hop legends De La Soul have announced their return to Australia. Still going stronger than ever, De La Soul bring to their live shows one of the most respected canons in rap history, featuring the landmark debut 3 Feet High And Rising and De La Soul Is Dead. Don’t miss your chance to catch the iconic trio in the live setting.

Thursday January 3, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda

EL-P Touring Australia for the first time since 2009, El-P will be bringing beats from Brooklyn and promoting his critically acclaimed 2012 album Cancer For Cure when he visits early next year.

Wednesday February 6, Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond

ULTRAMAGNETIC MCS After almost 30 years in existence, hip hop legends Ultramagnetic MCs will be hitting The Espy. Established way back when in the Bronx by Kool Keith, the group released their legendary debut album Critical Beatdown in 1988. This will be their debut appearance on Australian shores.

Saturday February 9, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda

MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS Seattle hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have announced their debut Australian tour. Macklemore released his debut record, The Heist, in early October to critical and commercial acclaim, with an excellent review in popular rap publication XXL complemented by the record reaching number 1 on iTunes in the US and number 1 on the Australian iTunes Hip Hop/Rap Charts. Macklemore will be accompanied by producer Ryan Lewis, who he teamed up with in October 2010 to create the VS. Redux EP. Tuesday February 12, The Palace, 20-30 Bourke Street, Melbourne Saturday February 16, Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond

It sounds like: Sweet, soulful and sexy. After midnight. Boom, yayyerr, pump, pump, pump, pump it up! This is my jam! Yo get me some water this floor is on fire!

DJs/live acts playing: Live performances by Nai Palm, Hailey Cramer, Candice Monique, May Johnston, Arowe, Karen Morales, Eliza Hull, Stacey Gardiner, Grace Vanilau featuring Josephine Inia playing the harp and Chelsea Wilson. Mikey Chan will be joining some acts on the guitar. DJ MzRizk will spin tracks by Erykah and then set the party off with classic hip hop jams.

Three records that’ll rock the floor: The Red – Jaylib, Love Of My Life – Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Angie Stone & Bahamadia and The Light Remix – Common and Erykah Badu And one that you’d rather die than play: Such a difficult questions, I can’t pin it down to just one song that would cause my death.

Sell it to us: A group of Melbourne’s best singers interpreting Erykah Badu songs? Do you really need to be convinced? This doesn’t happen often and probably won’t happen again so I highly suggest you put it in your diary and bring everyone you know.

The bit we’ll remember in the AM: Why have we not been partying here every week?

Crowd specs: The quality music appreciators attend the Midnight Soul Ensemble.

Wallet damage: We don’t damage wallets at the Midnight Soul Ensemble. We celebrate the contents of your wallet or purse by offering free entry and cheaper drinks.

Where: The Lounge, Swanston Street, Melbourne.

When: Wednesday December 19 (Midnight Soul Ensemble will run weekly in the new year, this is where you will get your soul fix then a dope party fix).

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Mink 2 Acland St, St Kilda, 9536 1199

Alia Lvl 1, 83-87 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9486 0999

Miss Libertine 34 Franklin St, Melb, 9663 6855

Alumbra Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Espl, Docklands, 8623 9666

Misty 3-5 Hosier Ln, Melb, 9663 9202

Back Bar 67 Green St, Windsor, 9529 7899

Mockingbird Bar 129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 0000

Bar Open 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 9601

Musicland 1359A Sydney Rd, Fawkner, 9359 0006

Baroq House 9-13 Drewery Ln, Melb, 8080 5680

Neverland 32-48 Johnson St, South Melb, 9646 5544

Bendigo Hotel 125 Johnston St, Collingwood 9417 3415

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Bertha Brown 562 Flinders Street, 9629 1207

Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 0090

Big Mouth 168 Acland St, St.Kilda, 9534 4611

Night Cat 279 Flinders Ln, Melb, 9654 0444

Billboard 170 Russell St, Melb, 9639 4000

Noise Bar 291 Albert St, Brunswick, 9380 1493

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Northcote Social Club 301 High St, Northcote, 9489 3917

Birmingham Hotel Cnr Smith & Johnston St, Fitzroy

Old Bar 74 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 4155

Black Cat 252 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6230

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Blue Bar 330 Chapel St, Prahran, 9529 6499

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Builders Arms 211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy

Palais Theatre Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, 9525 3240

Cabinet Bar 11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne, 9654 0915

Papa Goose 91 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, 9663 2800

Caravan Music Club 95 Drummond St, Oakleigh

Penny Black 420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 8667

Caseys Nightclub 660A Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9810 0030

Pier Live Hotel 508 Nepean Hwy, Frankston, 9783 9800

Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets 80 Smith St, Collingwood, 9415 8876

Pony 68-70 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9662 1026

CBD Club 12-14 McKillop St, Melb, 9670 3638

Portland Hotel Cnr Lt Collins & Russell St, Melb, 9810 0064

Chaise Lounge Basement, 105 Queen St, Melb, 9670 6120

The Prague Hotel, 911 High St, Northcote, 9495 0000

Chandelier Room 91 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, 9532 2288

Pretty Please 61c Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 4484

Chelsea Heights Hotel Cnr Springvale & Wells Rd,

Prince Bandroom 29 Fitztory St, St Kilda, 9536 1168

Chelsea Heights, 9773 4453

Prince Of Wales 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9536 1168

Cherry Bar AC/DC Ln, Melb, 9639 8122

Public Bar 238 Victoria St, North Melb, 9329 6522

Chi Lounge 195 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne, 9662 2688

Railway Hotel 280 Ferrars St, South Melb, 9690 5092

Co. Lvl 3, Crown Complex, 9292 5750

Red Bennies 371 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9826 2689

Colonial Hotel (Brown Alley) Cnr King & Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 8599

Red Love Lvl 1, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 3722

Commercial Club Hotel 344 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, 9419 1522

Retreat Hotel 226 Nicholson St, Abbotsford, 9417 2693

Cookie Lvl 1, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 7660

The Retreat Hotel 280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 4090

Corner Hotel 57 Swan St, Richmond, 9427 9198

The Reverence Hotel 28 Napier St, Footscray, 03 9687 2111

Cornish Arms 163 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

Revolt Elizabeth St, Kensington, 03 9376 2115

CQ 113 Queen St, Melb, 8601 2738

Revolver Upstairs 229 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5985

Croft Institute 21 Croft Alley, Melb, 9671 4399

Rochester Castle Hotel 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9415 7555

Cruzao Arepa Bar 365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 7871

Rooftop Cider Bar, Cnr Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne, 9650 3884

Cushion 99 Fitzroy St, St.Kilda, 9534 7575

Room 680 Level 1, 680 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9818 0680

Damask 1/347 Burnswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 4578

Roxanne Parlour Lvl 3, 2 Coverlid Pl, Melb

The Drunken Poet 65 Peel Street, West Melbourne, 9348 9797

Royal Derby 446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 2321

Der Raum 438 Church St, Richmond, 9428 0055

Roal Melbourne Hotel 629 Bourke St, 9629 2400

Ding Dong Lounge Lvl 1, 18 Market Ln, Melb, 9662 1020

Ruby’s Lounge 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, 9754 7445

Dizzy’s Jazz Club 381 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 1233

Saint Hotel 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9593 8333

Double Happiness 21 Liverpool St, Melb, 9650 4488

Sandbelt Live Cnr South & Bignell Rd, Moorabbin, 9555 6899

E:55 55 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9620 3899

Scarlett Lounge 174 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 0230

East Brunswick Club 280 Lygon St, East Brunswick, 9388 2777

Seven Nightclub 52 Albert Rd, South Melb, 9690 7877

Edinburgh Castle 681 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

Spensers Live 419 Spencer St, West Melb, 9329 8821

Electric Ladyland Lvl 1, 265 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5757

Spot 133 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9388 0222

Elwood Lounge 49-51 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood, 9525 6788

Standard Hotel 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy, 9419 4793

Empress 714 Nicholson St, Nth Fitzroy, 9489 8605

Star Bar 160 Clarendon St, South Melb, 9810 0054

Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, 9534 0211

Station 59 59 Church St, Richmond, 9427 8797

Eurotrash 18 Corrs Ln, Melb, 9654 4411

Stolberg Beer Café 197 Plenty Rd, Preston, 9495 1444

Eve 334 City Rd, Southbank, 9696 7388

Strange Wolf 71 Collins Street (enter via Strachan Lane), Melb, 9662 4914

Evelyn 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 5500

Sub Lounge & Restaurant 168 Elizabeth St Melb, 0411 800 198

Ferntree Gully Hotel 1130 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully, 9758 6544

Sugar Bar (Hotel Urban) 35 Fitztroy St, St Kilda, 8530 8888

Festival Hall 300 Dudley St, West Melbourne, 9329 9699

Temperance Hotel 426 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9827 7401

First Floor 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6380

Thornbury Theatre 859 High St, Thornbury, 9484 9813

Forum Theatre 154 Flinders St, Melb, 9299 9800

Tiki Lounge 327 Swan St, Richmond, 9428 4336

The Fox Hotel 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 9416 4957

Toff In Town Lvl 2, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 8770

Fusion Lvl 3, Crown Complex, Southbank, 9292 5750

Tony Starr’s Kitten Club 267 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 2448

The Gallery Room 1/510 Flinders St, Melbourne, 9629 1350

The Tote Hotel 67 Johnson St, Collingwood, 9419 5320

Gem Bar & Dining 289 Wellingston St, Collingwood, 9419 5170

Town Hall Hotel 33 Errol St, North Melbourne, 9328 1983

George Basement, 127 Fitzroy St, 9534 8822

Trak Lounge 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak, 9826 9000

Gertrude’s Brown Couch 30 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, 9417 6420

Tramp 20 King St, Melb

Grace Darling Hotel 114 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 0055

Transport Hotel Federation Square, Melb, 9654 8808

Grandview Hotel Cnr Heidelberg Rd & Station St, Fairfield, 9489 8061

Trunk 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne, 9663 7994

Great Britain Hotel 447 Church St, Richmond, 9429 5066

Tyranny Of Distance 147 Union St, Windsor, 9525 1005

Grind N Groove 274 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville

Two of Hearts 149 Commercial Road, Prahran

Grumpy’s Green 125 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 1944

Union Hotel Brunswick 109 Union St, Brunswick, 9388 2235

Gypsy Bar 334 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 0548

Veludo 175 Acland St, St Kilda, 9534 4456

HiFi 125 Swanston St, Melb, 1300 843 4434

Victoria Hotel 380 Victoria St, Brunswick, 9388 0830

Highlander 11a Highlander Lane, Melb, 9620 2227

Wah Wah Lounge Lvl 1, 185 Lonsdale St, Melb

Hoo Haa 105 Chapel St, Windsor, 9529 6900

Wesley Anne 250 High St, Northcote, 9482 1333

Horse Bazaar 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 2329

Westernport Hotel 161 Marine Pde, San Remo, 5678 5205

Iddy Biddy 47 Blessington St, St Kilda, 9534 4484

Willow Bar 222 High Street, Northcote, 9481 1222

Jett Black 177 Greville St, Prahran

Windsor Castle 89 Albert St, Windsor, 9525 0239

John Curtin Hotel 29 Lygon St, Melb, 9663 6350

Workers Club 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 8889

Khokolat Bar 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, 039642 1142

Workshop Lvl 1, 413 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9326 4365

La Di Da 577 Lt Bourke St, Melb, 9670 7680

Yah Yah’s 99 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9419 4920

Labour In Vain 197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 5955

The Vine 59 Wellington St, Collingwood, 9417 2434

Lomond Hotel 225 Nicholson St, East Brunswick Longroom 162 Collins St, Melbourne, 9663 9226 Loop 23 Meyers Pl, Melb, 9654 0500 Lounge 243 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 2916 The Lounge Pit 386-388 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 9415 6142 Love Machine Cnr Lt Chapel & Malvern Rd, Prahran, 9533 8837

20.

VENUE DIRECTORY

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