Zone Magazine Issue 001

ESSENTIAL DANCE MUSIC ISSUE 001 DEC 2014

€4.50 Ireland

Free Digital Magazine

WWW.ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

FEATURE INTERVIEWS

MARK KAVANAGH More interviews inside....

LEGENDARY FESTIVAL Wuppertal, Germany

DIVER / CITE FESTIVAL Montreal, Canada

ALL-TIME TOP TEN CHARTS We ask our feature artists and more to share their favs

DO WE ALL NEED EAR PROTECTION? Luke Fields finds out about the damage we all face | NEWS | REVIEWS | CHARTS | INTERVIEWS | CLUBS | FASHION | REAL WORLD |

EDITORS, PUBLISHERS & HEAD OF CREATIVE Paul Newhouse & Mike Mannix FEATURE WRITERS - IRELAND & UK Paul Newhouse - paul@zone-magazine.ie Mike Mannix - mike@zone-magazine.ie Paul Sawyer - paul@kraftedmusic.com Brett Kydd - brettkydd-music@live.co.uk Jerry Coughlan - jerryradio@hotmail.com Emma Dilemma - emmadilemma2013@gmail.com Jason Dee - jasondeezone@gmail.com Luke Fields - luke.fields123@gmail.com John Steel - jonboysteele@googlemail.com CONTRIBUTORS - IRELAND & UK Ben Waa - contact@benwaa.com Conor McEvoy - conormcevoy@live.ie Fiachradh McDermott fiamcdermott@hotmail.com Keith Downey - psychonavigation@gmail.com Nathanial Mc Grath info@heavyweight-music.com Nick Hook - nick@nickhook.com Stephen Pearsons stevieandlisa06@hotmail.co.uk Tonie Walsh - toniewalsh@icloud.com PORTUGAL Dimas (D-Formation) - contact@d-formation.net SPAIN Daire Woods - dairedugganmadrid@gmail.com GERMANY Frank/Andreas D端ffel frankdueffel@googlemail.com USA [Cali] Amber Leigh Melby amberleighmelby@gmail.com [NY] Kaiulani Newhouse - kaiwild105@gmail.com AUSTRAILIA Timur Miraliyev - tstar.production@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY David White - daviidwhiite@live.ie Martin Dunne - martinsperspective@hotmail.com ADVERTISING & GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@zone-magazine.ie

WELCOME Mike

Paul

Zone magazine was born in 1994, Mike and myself, Paul, along with some friends helping out, worked on the first issue for over a year, well into 1995. Unfortunatly, due to several reasons it never got off the ground. Now, in 2014, twenty years later, Mike and myself, with a wealth of experience in the electronic music scene, and other projects, are confident enough we can now publish Zone Magazine.

We will be covering everything from: interviews, music reviews, charts, artist spotlights, news, equipment, fashion and real issues effecting us all.

This, our first issue, we have a fantastic aray of content. With feature interviews with: John Gibbons, D-Formation, Mark Kavanagh, Rocky G, Dave Seaman, and Chole Fontaine, along with some words from artists from about the globe. We also have a great article on hearing protection, which we all should take heed to. We have a great selection of artists telling us about their alltime top tens, and with DJ charts, and lots of music reviews, I am sure you will find this an interesting read. We also have some goodies to giv-a-way.

You can download the issues in PDF format, read it online www.zone-magazine.ie or buy a print copy.

We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this issue and hope you all will continue to make Zone magazine a great, and interesting publication.

If you would like to submit anything to Zone Magazine, please use the contact emails to the left. If you would like to write for Zone, please contact Mike or myself.

From Mike, all the contributors, and myself, Paul, we hope you enjoy all the content we have gathered for this issue, and if you have any comments or enquiries, please contact us.

ZONE MAGAZINE is owned and published by Paul Newhouse & Mike Mannix. Arrangement & design

by Paul Newhouse. Copyright 2014. The views expressed and opinions given in this magazine are not nessicerally shared by the publisher. No part of this magazine shall be re-published without prior agreement from its publishers.

Zone Magazine C/O Mike Mannix 28 South William Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

BUY PRINT COPY

DJ SKILLS & MUSIC TECH INTRO 8 WEEKS 2HR SESSIONS Intro to DJ technology Mixers, Turntables, wiring Health & Safety for Musicians Terminology Digital DJ equipment Understanding mixing Part 1 Setting up DJ Turntables Mixing on Vinyl decks Understanding mixing Part 2 Digital DJ Equipment setup Mixing with DJ Controllers & Software Understanding Music formats MP3, Wav and other formats Vinyl pressing process Promotion for DJs Promotion techniques, Making a Demo

Taking bookings now for 2015 Classes Weds 7.30-9.30PM Over 16 I.D. req â‚Ź100.00 per course Payable on application

Hartstown Community School Dublin 15 Tel:8209863 Email: adult_ed@eircom.net www.hartstown-cep.com

CONTENTS Feature Interviews 6. John Gibbons 12. D-Formation 19. Rocky G 34. Chloe Fontaine 38. Dave Seaman

All-time top tens 44. Emma Dilemma

59. Do we all really need hearing protection?

Hip Hop

46. Paul Newhouse

75. Fiachradh Finch McDermott

49. Paul Sawyer

EDM

50. Jerry Coughlan

69. Brett Kydd

51. Psychonavigation

Charts Artist Spotlights 16. Jason Jenings 52. Liam Keegan

Music Reviews

24. Savoy - Cork

Downtemp Chillout

32. Mono - Belfast

54. Psychonavigation

28. Nowhouse - Cork, Ireland 42. Divers/Cite Festival - Canada

57. + 58.

House-Techhouse- Techno Chillout - Bass House - Trance

31. Jonathan Nason

Club Reviews

Event & Clubnights

56. Nathan Mc Grath

45. John Gibbons

70. Mark Kavanagh

Features

Bass House

House/Techhouse / Techno 68. Nick Hook

Irish Label Spotlight 77. Irish Moss Records

Radio Station Spotlight 78. Groove City Radio, Scotland.

47. Conor Mc Evoy 52. Ben Waa

65. Legendary Festival - Germany

!"##$%&'#()"%*+,'(-#.,/& 'R \RX KDYH D SURMHFW RU FUHDWLYH LGHD \RX ZDQW GHVLJQHG IRU 3ULQW :HE RU 0HUFK"

RKDOORUDQGRPLQLF#JPDLO FRP

FEATURE INTERVIEW

If there ever was an artist flying the flag for Ireland, and spinning his way to an A-list status, it’s got to be John Gibbons. From DJ to producer and national radio presenter, John is spreading his wings at a great pace, and in recent years it seems there is only one way; up and up. John has had massive crossover success with his last three hit singles ‘All I Need’, ‘Colder’ and ‘Feelings’.

Initially rising as a DJ under the guidance of Mark Reeder of infamous Berlin label and management company MFS, with DJ appearances spanning six continents and a loyal fan-base developing globally in countries from Ireland to Brazil via Eastern Europe, the USA and everywhere in between.

6

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

" I have been very careful not to pigeonhole myself musically. "

Teaming up with “Scimon Tist”, from Cork, in 2008, to produce the track, ' Beautiful Filth' which was a hit world-wide, gaining massive international support most notably from BBC Radio 1 - before topping the Irish dance charts and crossing-over into the Irish commercial pop-charts, peaking at No. 22. The track received constant support from the international DJ A-List, was licensed to the world’s biggestselling dance-music compilation of 2008, ‘Gatecrasher Immortal’ and is widely considered to be a modern-day classic.

Since then, Gibbons has scored notable success with dozens of remixes and original projects on a myriad of international labels as well a his own hugely popular ‘Club Educate’ stamp, including the 2012 cult classic '1984'. He has remixed for acts as diverse as Professor Green, Mark Ronson, Sander van Doorn, Ferry Corsten and many more

with consistent radio support and plays from international heavy-hitters such as David Guetta, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold and countless others.

John produces and presents Ireland's biggest dance-music radio show 'POWER’ which recently replaced the iconic ‘Club Educate’ and broadcasts on Dublin-based station Spin 1038 and their sister station Spin South West. He is also the host of the ‘National Dancefloor Chart’ which broadcasts nationwide in Ireland every week and presents ‘Club Educate Global’, with the show being syndicated to over 30 radio stations around the world.

John’s weekly ‘POWER’ podcast is also massively popular, with over 150,000 weekly subscribers worldwide.

2013 was the biggest year to date for Gibbons with the massive international mainstream success of his

collaboration with Scimon Tist and X-Factor starlet Rebecca Creighton entitled ‘All I Need’ which broke into the iTunes Top 30 in Ireland and the Portuguese Airplay Top 20 as well as a debut playlisting on MTV. The follow-up ‘Colder’ featuring UK artist Skilf smashed straight into the Irish commercial pop charts on the week of release and ‘Feelings’ ft. Mark le Sal scored even greater success, with further chart positions in Ireland, Portugal, Germany and Australia prompting a sell-out November tour ‘down under’ which also incorporated SouthEast Asia. His remix of ‘Dance With Me’ by Irish band ‘Maud In Cahoots’ scored further commercial and radio success in early 2014, capping a massive 12 months for the versatile producer.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

7

Your radio shows have gained a huge following over the last few years, why do you think they have grown so much in popularity?

I’ve always had a huge passion for radio and when I began dance music broadcasting I was acutely aware of a gap in the market for a show combining the productioand presentation values of commercial radio with the underground tinged sensibilities of the music I play.

Every DJ claims to have a ‘radio show’ these days but I do not equate a monthly Ableton-mixed podcast containing a few generic brand liners and no presentation or DJ input with a living, breathing interactive radio show. The latter has a place of course and while perfectly acceptable and in the case of many A-List DJ’s wildly popular, in my opinion is a poor substitute for real radio, which is something organic, with the presenter acting as the live link between content and listener. I think my radio audience appreciates this, albeit most likely on a subconscious level and I have been very careful not to pigeonhole myself musically also, with a wide spectrum of styles catered for on my shows. I believe that in commercial radio it’s important to cater for as wide an audience as possible while remaining true to what attracts that audience in the first place, in this case the music.

While podcasting has also massively increased my global reach over the past number of years, in short I credit an awareness of the audience and musical adaptability as being the driving force behind the success of my shows to date.

Tell us more about your podcast “Alchemy Radio”?

‘Alchemy Radio’ is a side-project, which has little crossover with my music career. A podcast series of interviews with guests from outside the general mainstream, it is an agenda-less airing of alternative viewpoints which aims to question, query, provoke and jolt the minds of a sleepy majority who have been largely raised on a diet of corporate and government propagated bullshit. Available on iTunes and from www.alchemyradio.net, the show covers topics as diverse as geopolitics, the occult, economics, alternative health, astrology, cosmology, ancient history, conspiracy, and the control system and has a subscriber base of over 150,000 listeners.

What’s the plan for the future, mortouring or more production, or both?

Certainly both. I’ve a long-term view of where I see myself, am acutely aware of what it takes to achieve all that I aspire to and provided I continue to enjoy what I do while connecting with and making some people happy along the way then the journey continues. I have the power, you have the power, we have the power…

2014 will see the completion of your debut album, can we get some insight as to what to expect, and are there any collaborations?

I’ve deliberately waited for quite some time before my first artist album, as I wanted to be comfortable that it was simultaneously representative of my past musical history

while facing the direction that I intend for my immediate future.

I’ve found a balance and the album will be quite varied with a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks drawing on many differing musical influences and with several collaborations I’m rather excited about. I’ve collaborated quite a lot in the past, particularly in the early days of production when I was finding my feet musically and am more selective about those with whom I choose to work these days having gone through an horrendous time with a particularly poisonous former close collaborator which made me seriously question if this was a business I wanted to be involved with any longer. I’ve since emerged much stronger as a result of the experience, am lucky to be surrounded by many people who have an immensely positive influence on my career, people such as Fran Cosgrave, Mark Kavanagh, Chris Ronson, Joe Clarke and many others and am extremely excited about the future!

" I’ve toured Australia twice since November with the standout event to date being the superb ‘Electric Storm’ festival in Darwin. Set right on the beach with amazing sunset views over the ocean, the event was superbly promoted and executed with a huge crowd, including thousands of Irish who made me feel immediately at home. " 8

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

How did it all start, what attracted you to the electronic scene in the beginning?

I’ve always loved dance music. I’ve extremely broad musical interests and while I was never a ‘raver’ or even a regular clubber in my formative years, I was always particularly attracted to dance music and the unique reactions it seems to elicit in people. There’s something raw and untamed about the heartbeat-mimicking effect of a 4/4 kick-drum and it continues to have a hypnotic effect on me, tapping into something deep and primal in the subconscious. DJ’ing just seemed like the most natural thing in the world to me and once I played my first gig I was hooked.

Mark Reeder from MFS had a job in your career, how did he help and what did you learn from him?

Mark has undoubtedly been the biggest influence on my career to date and quite aside from music is probably the most interesting person I’ve ever met. A quietlystated and unassuming, yet utterly fascinating musical alchemist, he taught me so much about how the music business works and how to forge my own path rather than

depending upon and relying on others for everything, as so many people do today. He opened many doors for me internationally, while allowing me to walk through them myself, thus helping to equip me with the tools needed to make a long-term career in dance music.

Mark remains a close friend to this day.

You have worked closely with Scimon Tist, how did you cross paths and will you continue working together?

I was introduced to Scimon through Muzzy G, a close mutual friend and despite coming from entirely different musical backgrounds, Scimon having been involved in hip-hop for many years, we quickly discovered much common ground and decided to produce a track together. ‘Beautiful Filth’ was the result and was a huge success globally, paving the way for what was to come. We’ve been working together ever since and while we both have our own solo projects and regularly branch off in different musical directions, Scimon works full time from our shared POWER studios and is an integral part of my future plans.

" I was always particularly attracted to dance music and the unique reactions it seems to elicit in people. There’s something raw and untamed about the heartbeatmimicking effect of a 4/4 kick-drum and it continues to have a hypnotic effect on me, tapping into something deep and primal in the subconscious."

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

9

" Dance music was built on a sense of ‘community’, something that has been lost to a large degree over the past decade and I’m eager to bring that element back at my shows. "

2013 was a great, and probably the biggest year for you so far; tell us more about the projects of the year, and what it meant to you now in this stage of your career?

2013 was a huge year with four big crossover radio singles in Ireland and Europe, my second Irish pop chart success and the launch of my ‘POWER’ show at Oxegen. I also toured Australia for the first time and made my DJ debut in several new global territories. It was the first public sign of the work that has been going on behind the scenes for the past three years as I aim to transcend music and push a more holistic approach to my gigs through ‘POWER’, engaging the audience on multiple levels and tapping into the collective consciousness of today’s often disenfranchised youth.

I’ve been blown away by the reaction to date whenever and wherever we’ve tested this approach and it scratches a major creative itch for me in terms of musical performance in my field, becoming something less superficial and developing organically and in tandem with a collective mood.

Dance music was built on a sense of ‘community’, something that has been lost to a large degree over the past decade and I’m eager to bring that element back at my shows.

You have just returned from a tour in Australia, tell us all about the trip. What was the best event, and did you meet any interesting people?

10

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

I’ve toured Australia twice since November with the standout event to date being the superb ‘Electric Storm’ festival in Darwin. Set right on the beach with amazing sunset views over the ocean, the event was superbly promoted and executed with a huge crowd, including thousands of Irish who made me feel immediately at home.

While I knew there was a large Irish ex-pat population in Australia, I wasn’t quite prepared for the sheer volume everywhere I went around the country it’s quite incredible.

I met many interesting people over the course of the most recent month-long tour and while it was great to spend time and catch up with friends and other DJ’s such as Scot Project, Kid Massive and Juicy M, perhaps most notable was a ninety year-old man of Aboriginal descent with whom I spoke in Sydney for several hours, largely about his fascinating life. He spoke of how his homeland has changed over the course of his lifetime and about the horrendous, genocidal treatment his people have suffered at the hands of the Australian authorities. While many people seem to see Australia as the ‘promised land’ in terms of that which Western society seems to hold most dear, ie. money and the associated trappings, my conversation with Mandu really brought home how even the most glossy and shiny society always has a dark and detestable underbelly and it was a meeting that affected me profoundly and no doubt will stay with me for a long time to come.

2014 will see the completion of your debut album, can we get some insight as to what to expect, and are there any collaborations?

I’ve deliberately waited for quite some time before my first artist album, as I wanted to be comfortable that it was simultaneously representative of my past musical history while facing the direction that I intend for my immediate future. I’ve found a balance and the album will be quite varied with a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks drawing on many differing musical influences and with several collaborations I’m rather excited about. I’ve collaborated quite a lot in the past, particularly in the early days of production when I was finding my feet musically and am more selective about those with whom I choose to work these days having gone through an horrendous time with a particularly poisonous former close collaborator which made me seriously question if this was a business I wanted to be involved with any longer. I’ve since emerged much stronger as a result of the experience, am lucky to be surrounded by many people who have an immensely positive influence on my career, people such as Fran Cosgrave, Mark Kavanagh, Chris Ronson, Joe Clarke and many others and am extremely excited about the future!

Connect: www.djjohngibbons.com/ Words By Paul Newhouse

FEATURE INTERVIEW

If House music has been runningthrough your veins for a number of years, then this Spanish DJ/Producer and Record label owner would have crossed your path in some form. Whether it was at a venue, a release or album that you bought, or within the music press, Dimas Carbajo aka D-Formation has been at the forefront of his game for many years. Dimas is the owner and main exponent of Beatfreak Group, a business alliance which is proud to include, among many others, the first Spanish record label of underground electronic music, Beatfreak Recordings, which has

12

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

been releasing house music worldwide since 1997.

With over 25 years in his career path, both in worldwide booths and music studios in his role as a producer, D-Formation is one of the most respected electronic music artists across the world. Proof of that is his album 'Madrid' for Yoshitoshi, (Deep Dish's label), which was launched in one of the most prestigious compilation series of the industry, being the only Spanish artist tured in it so far.

When he was barely 17 years old, he was awarded the first prize at the Spanish DMC DJ championship for two consecutive times (vĂŠase

vĂ­deo) and as from that time onwards his work was indefatigable not only as a megamixer for numerous Spanish multinational music companies, but also travelling around the entire country with his DMC gigs.

When he was only 23 years, one of his ever greatest projects came about and that was founding his first record label, MD RECORDS, which revolutionized the then electronic music market and positioned itself as the best Spanish label with the best electronic music for many years.

" One of the things I feel most proud of is having been able to work my entire life in something which I really like doing "

In 2003, driven by the professional need of giving a change not only to his career, but also to his own music style, the great artistic evolution came into being and with which he continues to work these days: D-Formation.

As from that moment onwards, his rise as a DJ and producer was and continues to be unstoppable, achieving and securing the recognition and support of the great majority of the underground

industry from Tech and Progressive House to Trance itself. And all that was due to those melodic tinges, intrinsic and inherent to his tracks, which delighted and made wonders with artists such as TiĂŤsto, Armin Van Buuren, Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo or Deep Dish, which also enabled him to work for important record labels like Sony Music, Virgin Records, EMI, Beatfreak, Tusom, Toolroom, Yoshitoshi, Frequenza, Nervous, Twisted, CR2, Stereo Productions, Monique Musique or Baroque.

Numerous prizes as a DJ and as a producer granted by the industry vouch for all those years of his professional career, although it is noteworthy his #39 position in the Top 100 DJs of the prestigious DJ magazine, the highest ranking that a Spanish DJ has ever achieved.

Nowadays he com

bines his work at the studio with an almost permanent tour across the best festivals and events in the entire world such as Space, Amnesia, Privilege or Pacha in Ibiza, Ageha and Womb (Tokyo), Zouk Club (Singapore), Pacha Cielo (New York), Stereo (Montreal) Sirena (Brazil), Ministry Of Sound (London), Paradiso (Amsterdam), Queen (Paris), Pacha Sharm (Egypt), Space (Miami), Avalon (Los Angeles), Space of Sound or Fabrik (Madrid), SOS Club, Cindirella Club, Absolut Club, Feelnet Club (China), Evil Club (Seoul) or Stadium Club (Jakarta), at which he has shared the booth with as renowned artists as Marco Carola, Carl Cox and John Digweed.

After a long tour during the summer, we caught up with DFormation and asked some questions:

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

13

You’ve been around for a number of years now, tell us about your early years and how you became a DJ/ Producer? What would you say was your break?

Well, in all things there is always a start. I began my music career when I was 16 years, mainly spinning hip hop and funky music. In the following year I was already enrolling myself in the DMC DJ championship which awarded me with the first prize for two years in a row. From that moment onwards things really kicked off for me and by then I became aware that I wanted to earn my crust working in the electronic music world.

Those were indeed my early beginnings and I must say that my professional career is extensive and actually a fairly long one to tell. One of the things I feel most proud of is having been able to work my entire life in something which I really like doing. I have been through different phases all this time, but I have always been 100% devoted to music ever since I started off at such a young age.

After being in the scene for some time, how do you keep your music fresh and your enthusiasm still alive?

Keeping the enthusiasm for so many years is a rather tough issue. In this profession there are indeed many good moments and there are also times which are not as good as that.

When you produce unstoppably for so many years there are periods of time in which you really don't like anything of what you do and it seems that nothing turns out the way you really want. It is precisely then that you question yourself many things.

However, my passion for music has always been the inner force driving me to lock myself up in my studio for days on end until I get things right.

With the passage of time it dawns upon you that perseverance and the

14

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

love for what you do is what relentlessly pushes you forward in order to achieve your goals.

Tell us a bit about Beat Freak Recordings, any news that we should know about?

Beatfreak was and still is the first record label in Spain, which was founded back in 1997. Right now it finds itself going through a transition period and embracing great changes which will come into effect shortly.

Frankly speaking I cannot give away any further information on that, hahaha.

You’ve been touring a lot this year, what’s been the highlights for you?

When you're on tour you have many good anecdotes and stories to tell.

You also have the opportunity of experiencing new things to a great extent . This year I am holding on to the good memories that I keep from my tour in Argentina and with Divers/ cite Festival held in one of the cities I feel most at home and that is Montreal. Both were really awesome.

What’s the one track that you’d wish you had produced yourself and why?

I have always dedicated every effort to create my own tracks. However, I would have liked to collaborate with U2 in one of their remixes. I must confess that is my unfinished business.

What and who are your major musical influences?

As I mentioned before, my career as a DJ and producer is quite lengthy, although in this late phase as DFORMATION I have been influenced by various people. However, I must admit that those who greatly helped me and really inspired me in my early beginnings were Victor Calderone and Danny Tenaglia.

" I beleive that no artist would be what they are, if it weren't for the support of their fans. "

What releases can we expect from you in the near future?

Lastly, which track has been rocking the dancefloor the most during the last few months?

I have various projects in the making at the moment such as my LP which I am quite engrossed in, a bookshelf collection of sounds which will be launched shortly and several remixes for various artists, one of them being for Dale Middleton who will release his through EJ Underground Records.

I think that the track I have been playing the most since the end of 2013 until a few months ago is Straktrekken by Egbert. I really love it.

What do you do for fun when not on tour?

To be honest when I am not on tour you will most certainly find me working in my studio full time and enjoying the company of my son for whom I do all the things he really likes such as playing football, hahaha, and quite importantly enjoying the pleasures of day life for a change.

D-Formation’s remix of ‘Tord’ by Leeds based DJ/ Producer Dale Middleton on EJ Underground Records is out now on all leading online stores.

Connect: http://redbox-records.com/artists/d-formationportugal-exclusive-ireland-bookings-house-techhouse-techno/ Words By Paul Sawyer

Your social media pages are very active with a lot of video footage from gigs etc, do you think this is essential to gain support from your fans?

Ever since social media started I really find it an essential tool nowadays for your fans or anyone to be able to follow you or keep a track of the things you do in real time. It's also a good way to show your work to the world and get their feedback which gives you the chance to interact with your followers. I believe that no artist would be what they are if it weren't for the support of their fans.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

15

U.S.A.

FEATURE INTERVIEW

Jason, from Toronto, Ontario started his career as a dance music promoter and DJ. His events grew so popular, authorities ultimately banned him from promoting. A successful career change and unfortunate accident later, it took years to make a definitive comeback with new release called "Ravers".

'I Could Be Young Forever' a quote from RAVERS, the new release by Jason on the Hammarica label couldn't hold more truth to it. The track is a tribute to dance music culture going on strong for about three decades now.

"Ravers" is a big room house anthem and is reminiscent to some of the rave tracks from the early

16

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

nineties in a full-on 2014 package.

Big hoover sounds, Prodigy-like basslines, a host of breakbeats and a beautiful progressive, guitar laden breakdown make this a tune that pushes EDM forward without losing sight of its rich history.

Jason: “I'm really excited about this new release on Hammarica.

"Ravers" is a track that's close to my heart. It kind of reminds me of where I started from and has some of the old rave sounds in it from the 90's. Since I began producing, I've always wanted to make a track like this, with some big synths and dirty bass lines. It's a feel-good track that you just can't play once; you've gotta play it over and over. This Fall

I've been busy in the studio working on a whole bunch of new tracks.

Can’t wait to share them with you soon!”

'Chaos' – the previous release by Jason was remixed by Bassrock. The high energy EDM banger led to exclusive features on high profile blogs and media such as: Only The Beat, XL Trax, Cali Raves and Trapstyle.

Earlier this year Jason secured a radio residency with Party103.com New York City. The show dubbed 'Full Blast Radio' airs Jason's personal EDM favorites bi-weekly.

Hammarica catches up with Jason for a few words for Zone Magazine:

" The great thing about dance music right now, is that there are so many great producers. "

You're from Canada. Could you tell us a bit more about the scene there?

The Canadian EDM is growing more & more. There's an amazing Club scene, Festivals are big and more of them are popping up each year. Canadian EDM fans are die-hard, music fanatics---the best kind of crowds to play in front of.

Your sound is a little different than most big room house artists and your recent release 'Ravers' got support from Joachim Garraud and was remixed by Bassrock. Could you tell us more about your sound and the feeling you are after?

The type of music I make really depends on what mood I'm in that day. I try to make a sound that is different, but always something that I would personally dance to. I like to make music with big build-ups, emotion and high energy.

Your daughter we heard plays a big part in the music making process. Could you tell us about that?

It's really funny the connection my daughter has had with dance music, actually ever since she was in my wife's belly. Whenever my music was on, she'd punch, kick and roll around in there. We

knew that she was going to come out being an EDM fan. Whenever I make a track, she's the first test audience...and she's a tough critic!

You've been a promoter in the early start of your career. Do you ever think of restarting that?

That's a really ironic question, as I've just recently started throwing my own events again. Promoting is in my blood and I'm really excited to get back into it.

We've got some fantastic parties coming up shortly in Barrie and Waterloo (Ontario, Canada), so stay tuned for more on those soon.

What's coming up for you in the coming few months?

I've recently signed on Exclusively with PARTY103.COM (NEW YORK). My show is called "Full Blast Radio" and it airs each Wednesday at 2PM (EST). If you miss the show, you can always catch it on my Exclusive Streaming Channel, also with PARTY103.COM. Which person from dance music is your biggest inspiration?

The great thing about dance music right now, is that there are so many great producers. I get inspiration from a ton of different artists and a ton of different sounds. If I had to name my biggest inspiration, I'd probably say Hardwell.

He's an amazing producer and from a business perspective, he's building quite an empire for himself.

This year has really been a blur. The next few months are jam-packed between spending time in the studio producing, the release of many new tracks, my new weekly radio show, promoting events and playing gigs.

There are so many exciting projects in the works. I'm getting to work with some really great people.

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

Where and when can people listen to your radio shows?

CONNECT: twitter.com/djjasonjenings soundcloud.com/jason-jenings

Watch out for my new upcoming single 'Let's Go' on Hammarica.

Words & Pics By Hammarica Bookings: management@lunaticrecordings.com, Press: wilf@hammarica.com

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

17

IRELANDS ELECTRONIC LABEL

[PROGRESSIVE HOUSE] ZARIIS - ROSA E.P. ROSA / PRIZM

[TECHNO/TECH-HOUSE] DA GENERAL -THE FALL E.P. THE FALL - ORIG. + PAUL NEWHOUSE TWISTED TRIBAL MIX / JUPITER

TRANCE SAMPLER 002 VARIOUS ARTISTS 14 TRACKS + DJ MIX JOHN GIBBONS

[TECHNO/TECH-HOUSE] STEVEN LAKATOS -NICE E.P. NICE + PAUL NEWHOUSE NICE TECH MIX / PRECIOUS LIFE

[DEEP HOUSE/ACID HOUSE] DAIRE WOODS - KIDS ON ACID + PAUL SAWYER ACID MIX

[TRANCE] MARTIN SOUNDRIVER KENZO

HOUSE - TRANCE - TECHNO

Portugal - Pioneer Ambasador

FEATURE INTERVIEW

" I played at PRIDE in Lisbon for more than 30,000 people, it changed my life. "

Rocky G has been spining House & EDM since 2007 to massive crowds and events all over the golbe. She is enigmatic, fascinating and has the ability to seduce a whole crowd. Mother, DJ, Producer and a workaholic.

She is sponsored by, V-Moda & PIONEER and is a ambassador for the brand since 2010. She played her music on four continents, in more than 50 countries, and made more than 3 million people go crazy with her.

ROCKY G also played for Ministry of Sound and hosted parties for Playboy and Fashion TV and she won the “Our Favourite DJ” title from the Maxim magazine.

“I play for the girls that are in the room or on the flour because it’s the female energy that gives shape to the night”, She says.

She likes to say that she is a Mix Master. She mixes vinyl with CDs and Mp3 files so you can get drops of Pop music seasoned with latest hits with a touch of old school house, trance, progressive music, with lots of vocal notes flavoured with scratches.

ROCKY G is the perfect artist for a fantastic music night, radio set, festival or for launching a new product. In June 2014 Dirty Kiss her track reached N0.1 on Spinnin Records Talent Poll.

Rocky G is working hard, and living the dream, so Zone had a few words:

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

19

"When you play for one huge crowd it is you riding their emotions, and that is powerful but so scary. "

You're already well known for your charismatic and fearsome persona but what qualities in your opinion are key to continual success in such a highly competitive business?

First I Love what I do. I dream every day to go further and I fight a lot for what I want. Improving my work, learning about others and keep dreaming and achieving is the key.

new projects, record new sets and study the next venues, and cityies that I will visit . Since I have Kids and I work with my Husband I am the most Lucky DJ in the world world. It is a hard life, but its my passion.

Crowds are well used to hearing you play a spectrum of music genres but everyone has that one guilty pleasure. What's yours and why?

In your own words describe your day to day schedule being a Pioneer Ambassador?

Progressive and Trance, Festivals are my "Chocolate" and I am always building up my sets for that

It is a crazy life. I live in Amsterdam and if I am not playing I work with my team on all the ROCKY G projects and I prepare

There's no doubt you live quite a demanding lifestyle, but surely you have some opportunities to wind down and relax. What do you most

20

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

like to do with your spare time?

My husband will laugh now, but I love to cook and I cook very well (Portuguese food). I like to go on romantic dates with my love or out for an adventures with my kids. But staying at home on the sofa watching Entertainment or Modern Family Is heaven.

Who or what influenced you to set out as a DJ in the beginning? What influences you today in this ever changing scene?

I have always one name in the back of my mind, TIESTO and after him all the "Dutch Power", the Netherlands push EDM 100% more than other DJs, in my mind, they changed the Dance Scene.

You've played at some top class venues and events, what's been your best to date and why?

I did played at PRIDE in Lisbon for more than 30000 people it changed my life.

You've played to huge crowds. Is it still all surreal to you? Do you still get nervous and what helps you destress before you take to the stage?

It is a crazy feeling. I feel so sick before a show, it is real to be afraid as many times I have waited to play and it is hard, you want to play straight away. When you play for one huge crowd it is you riding their emotions, and that is powerful but so scary. One time I was playing at a big festival and one of the CDJs failed I had to wait 10 minutes,

making loops on one track waiting for a replacement, its not nice. Now my DJ Setup always has 4 and I travel with 2 headphones and 4 USBs.

dreams. I did tell her it is not easy but it is possible and you can teach your kids to dream more and to enjoy life. A Month later she started her music career as a singer and she is living the dream.

How important is your fan base to you?

They are my smile. They are my second family. They inspire me and they take me to the next level . I need their opinion and their critique.

What's the nicest or craziest thing a fan has ever said to you, or done for you?

One Lady in India at a festival, she was very admired with the fact I have kids and a family and I work around the world. For her when you have kids you need to give up your

And finally, what are your plans for the near future?

I am on Tour for PIONEER, and Playboy Energy Drink and I am working on my own party concept. New tracks are coming soon and next year will be the best one of my Career.

Bookings & Connect http://redbox-records.com/artists/ rocky-g-portugal-sponsored-by-pioneer-v-moda-playboy/ Words By Emma Dilemma

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

21

:LWK RYHU \HDUV· H[SHULHQFH ZKHWKHU LW·V SURJUDPPLQJ SURGXFWLRQ RU PL[LQJ \RX QHHG ² \RX·UH LQ WKH ULJKW SODFH DW $ DXGLR :H RIIHU D QXPEHU RI VSHFLDOLVHG VHUYLFHV WR VXLW WR \RXU LQGLYLGXDO QHHGV 0XVLF 3URGXFWLRQ :RUN WRJHWKHU ZLWK RXU LQ KRXVH SURJUDPPHU SURGXFHU PL[ HQJLQHHU WR IXOO\ UHDOLVH \RXU PXVLFDO SURMHFWV IURP VWDUW WR ILQLVK 0XVLF 3URGXFWLRQ 7XLWLRQ $W $ DXGLR FRXUVH FRQWHQW LV WDLORUHG WR HDFK DQG HYHU\ VWXGHQW·V YDU\LQJ QHHGV $ QXPEHU RI PXVLFLDQV DQG '-·V KDYH XVHG WKLV VHUYLFH WR KHOS WKHP UHDFK WKHLU RZQ SRWHQWLDO $GG RQ VHUYLFHV 2WKHUZLVH ZH FDQ DVVLVW \RX WR WDNH \RXU RZQ PXVLF WR WKH QH[W OHYHO (QTXLUH WRGD\ DQG ZH FDQ SXW WRJHWKHU D SDFNDJH WR VXLW \RXU WLPHIUDPH DQG EXGJHW

3 ( VSRRN\RPDQVLRQV#JPDLO FRP

ZZZ DXGLR FRP

CLUB REVIEW CORK IRELAND

In this issue of the 'Cork’s Club Re- massive platform for music lovers of view', we are going to focus on Cork all genres. You can expect all styles of City’s SAVOY Nightclub. music such as; EDM, House, Trance, Dance, Chart and also 80’s and 90s.

The Savoy, and the legendary Sir Henry’s, will always be remembered Unfortunately here in Cork we have for its legendary nights over the seen a lot of clubs close down over the years, and today SAVOY is still going last few years such as the legendary strong. It has been a fantastic year Pavilion, An Cruiscin Lan, The Audio seeing some of the biggest names in Rooms, Mangans and Cubins, yet the the business come to play at the club music scene remains strong and it’s over the last few months. Big names great that Cork still provides a solid such as Duke Dumont, Paul Van DYK, platform today. I personally have to MK, Mark Knight, Otto Knows, Green give massive credit to the manageVelvet and Bingo Players, Laurent ment at Savoy for doing a fantastic Garnier, Ferry Corsten plus many job. I myself have had the honour of more have graced the famous stage playing at the legendary nightclub to perform. over the years, and I’m sure every DJ like me that has played there will tell We will also see the return of music you that it’s always an amazing feellegend Kerri Chandler this December. ing.

The venue continues to provide some of the biggest upcoming DJ's and I have seen Artists such as Calvin HarArtists in Ireland and worldwide on a ris, One Republic, Eddie Halliwell, Lisa regular basis. Savoy Cork provides a Lashes plus dozens more perform

24

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

over the years and I can honestly say every night I have witnessed or played at has never failed to impress me. The club has a state-of-the-art sound system and easily one of the best Visual & Lights display in the country. There are also a number of VIP areas and rooms at the club which is always a fantastic feature. The foyer is also a well-known spot on route to the main stage area, with local and international DJ's playing there regularly. So for all the clubbers and music lovers around the country, and anyone thinking of visiting from far a field, it’s defiantly a thumbs up from me as it ticks all the boxes required from a clubber & music fan. It’s a club with an amazing history and no doubt it will create a lot more over the next few years.

Words By Jerry Coughlan Pics By Martin Dunne

REMIXED & MIXED IS LABEL BOSS PAUL NEWHOUSE'S FIRST REMIX ALBUM WITH A DJ MIX CONSISTING OF 15 REMIXES OF ARTIST'S SUCH AS: DAIRE WOODS, BEATZ PROJEKTED, T-STAR, STEVEN LAKATOS, HOUSE MASTER GENERALS, MR BLACK & MORE. OUT ON DIGITAL RELEASE NOW.

THE DEBUT ALBUM FROM JOSEPH FISCHER INCLUDING COLLABORATIONS WITH: GILBERT CARIZALES, SYLVI, ALEX WYZE, DESLET, GOSSELT, GLEZ, RITCH MOLLEN. LTD CD & DIGITAL SAMPLER

WWW.REDBOX-RECORDS.COM

CLUBNIGHT REVIEW CORK IRELAND

Can you guys tell us a bit about how you got started in music and where your inspiration came from?

Comac See - My introduction to music comes from family and I played studied Piano for many years in my youth. When i discovered dance music i knew it was for me immediately so off i went and bought a pair of belt drive decks and a mixer in my mid teens. I have a broad taste in music so i draw inspiration from many genres & decades. My early introduction to working on pirate radio with the likes of KISS105.5, later Radio Friendly and more recently Radio Now & Inferno Radio Ireland have made an impact too. Finally I have to mention the likes of Comet Records in Cork, Abby Discs in Dublin and all the other record stores that came and went who gladly took my confirmation money….. then pocket money….. and my later wages for 2 decades.

Steve O’C - For me it came from when i was younger. I listened to a lot of radio and was obsessed with

28

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

Steve O’C & Comac See

the Top 20 & 50 countdowns on RTE 2FM and local station 96FM. After listening to what was popular I then went to spend my pocket money on tapes in golden discs on a regular basis. It went from there to buying portable radios to carry around to play music for my friends with a bag of tapes with me and then to buying turntables from my friend because in truth I was getting more use for them than he was at one stage! I was a big 90’s dance fan and still am to this day. Ive played a lot of different styles of music through the years on a number of different radio stations and pubs and clubs but house music is where my heart is.

Where did the name “NOWHouse” come from and when did it first start.

Cormac See - I was heavily committed to Radio NOW with Steve O’C. I never had an official title but if their was a problem and Steve was busy i got the call. Steve and I ran the very successful monthly house night “Audio room sessions with Radio NOW” in The Audio Rooms

above the Classic bar south mains street cork. When the Radio NOW called it a day after 2 years and coincidentally so did the Audio Rooms both Steve and i decided to keep the gigs going so from the ashes of Radio NOW came “NOW House” Then a club night and monthly podcast and more recently radio show.

Steve O’C - Same as above really, I set up the pirate radio station Radio Now 87.8FM in Cork in May of 2011, Cormac later joined in Sept 2011 and we started running gigs for the station together around March 2012.

We took up Residency in the “Audio Rooms” in Sept 2012 and ran some very successful gigs there up until its closure. I closed the station in may 2013 to concentrate on other avenues and from there Cormac and I decided to keep the gigs going together and produce a weekly radio show on top of it and now here we are approaching 2 years of NOW House Club nights and radio shows in June 2015.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

25

" Ive played a lot of different styles of music through the years on a number of different radio stations and pubs and clubs but house music is where my heart is "

As you know the House Music is getting bigger these days, what artists impress you lately.

Cormac See - There has been no one prolific enough that really impresses me. I find it harder and harder to find exactly what I’m looking for. Everyone is a producer so the output level is sky high which makes it that much harder to get the good stuff. That and some of the mastering of tracks being put out by labels is awful. Names like Cristoph, Giom, Harvey McKay, Husky, Jay Vegas, Joey Nergo, Nhan Solo, Sidney Charles & Super Flu would be honerable mentions.

Steve O’C - There are so many good artists making music these days, so it is difficult to narrow it down. I always struggle to include all the big tunes at the end of the year. A few artists that I've been playing so far this year would be A-Lister, Claptone, Grant Nelson & Scott Diaz to name a few.

What tracks for Now House have been a massive hit this year?

C.S & S.O’C - Don’t know about massive hits. We have our recommended track of the week on the NOW House Radio Show. At the end of the year we will do our individual bests of 2014. Today in the digital age we cycle through playlists at a reckless rate.

NOW House has been a huge success to date, what can we expect in 2015 C.S & S.O’C - Not sure a huge success is the right way to put it.

We have made our own luck and put a lot of effort into the radio show and gigs. We certainly enjoy it and hope it shows. As for 2015, well more of the same. We love playing in Edison (Washington Street Cork).

The management allow us to the freedom to do our thing and it seems to be going really well. There is always musically an educated

crowd who are always up for it. We would hope to expand the scope of our weekly radio show and some big club nights are in tow.

Where can people find out more about NOW House?

Cormac See - We Play Edison Washington Street Cork twice monthly & our radio show is currently broadcast on Inferno Radio Ireland, D3EP Radio Network, REDZ FM, & NRG FM Dublin.

Steve O’C - We have the usual Facebook pages for the Radio show and club nights.

Facebook.com/nowhouseradioshow facebook.com/nowhouseclubnight Episodes are available for free download at nowhousepodcast.podomatic.com The weekly radio show is available for download on iTunes by searching “now house radio show”.

" When i discovered dance music i knew it was for me immediately so off i went and bought a pair of belt drive decks and a mixer in my mid teens " Cormac See

30

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

Jonathan Nason

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT CORK - IRELAND In this issue we will be talking about Cork’s one and only Jonathan Nason. I have been lucky enough to work with Mr Nason over the last 12 years, and his been ever present in making a big impact on the Irish hard scene.

Known for his hard style and fantastic sets around the country 2014 has been another successful year. I first got the chance to work with Jonathan back in my pirate Radio days in Cork back on X-FM 104, which later changed back to its original Klub FM a few months later.

At the time I was 15 years old, and I myself had a hungry appetite to learn from JN where he was getting all this massive tracks from as back then downloading and purchasing tracks online wasn’t really as common as it is today. You see in them days, very few DJ’s had a track and a bit of please bud can you give me a copy was a common phrase. I saw the potential Jonathan has from day 1. His Radio shows where very popular in

Cork and his knowledge of the scene was fantastic. A lot of Dj’s since then have unfortunately lost interest or just retired from the scene, but Mr Nason has kept it up all the way which has been fantastic. His had a busy few years gig wise playing at clubnights Homegrown, Digital Revolution, Nowhouse T&T, and Inferno plus money more well-known nights around the country. His sets and radio shows with Fusion Radio always deliver and his highly regarded in Cork and Ireland as one of the best in the game. I’d recommend any nights around the country looking for a quality all round Hard Trance DJ to get in touch with Mr Nason. Over the next few issues we will also focus on the legends of the Cork music scene, along with the freshest upcoming talent.

Words By Jerry Coughlan

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

31

CLUB REVIEW [BELFAST]

Club Mono, located in the city centre of Belfast, has been opporating for over a decade and after a recent makeover it has set the bar high on how an intimate club setting should look.

Complete with a Function One sound system and a rather animalistic, but very modern, caged DJ booth definitely adds to the unique and colourful look of the club.

Its’ features include three zones comprising a large bar area, a separate dance space and a secluded VIP section for anyone keen to hear themselves think.

Club Mono has played host to some of music industry’s most respected artists from this generation and last such as Lethal Bizzle, Wiley, Jordan Suckley, Fehrplay, Kissy Sellout, Lisa Lashes, Danny Rampling, Seb Fontaine and Northern Ireland’s very own, I.T.F Scratch Champion, DJ Flip and club regular Chris Cargo.

32

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

The specific night I attended was the night of Jordan Suckley’s performance which was nothing short of fantastic. Jordan rocked the Trance-head crowd, their hands in the air in front of him. I arrived at Club Mono early so I could sneak a listen at the supporting DJ’s who didn’t fail to impress by creating a steady build-up to warm up the headlining act. It was great to see the ‘Communication’ Trance event rise from the underground to make way in the city centre, which makes a change from normality once a month. If you’re looking for that uplifting feel, this night has you well and truly covered.

Website: http://www.monobelfast.co.uk/ Words By Brett Kydd

FEATURE INTERVIEW

We caught up with one on London’s hottest female DJ’s, Chloe Fontaine.

Having grown up on the dance scene as little sister to the “the Legend” Seb Fontaine, or from having worked with, seen, heard and interviewed many of the finest DJs from around the world, it should only be natural that this multi-talented girl should want to entertain behind the decks too.

This shining star was soon given the chance to host underground shows, on London’s favourite dance music stations Unknown-FM and Passion-FM, where she has built a strong following with her first class presenting skills and strong musical repertoire of house sounds from Deep House, Tribal and Latino Tech and Techno.

34

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

Already stamping her mark on the House scene with her unique style and passion, Chloe is proving why the Fontaine name is and always will be a part of the Music Industry.

For more information regarding her gigs etc, here’s her facebook page and soundcloud page links: www.facebook.com/DJChloeFontaine www.soundcloud.com/chloe-fontaine

" Programming a set for radio each week made me keep focussed on what tracks and promos were out.

It helped me get my first few gigs too. "

After growing up in a family already within the music industry, was being a part of this industry something that you always wanted?

I’d never even thought about doing music other than having sung on a few backing tracks.

Seb was so big as a DJ and my sister produces music events, they were both top of their game.

I think it’s a daunting thing to follow in their footsteps but artists in general cross over into other fields these days and it was a natural progression for me. I was also working in clubs and for record labels between jobs so I was surrounded by the music industry. My parents met in Ibiza so I think the Fontaines were destined to be involved in music!

Tell us how your early career has progressed into what it is today?

I think I had worked in every job in a club and in music before I learnt to DJ. Dancer, Promoter, Door Whore, Tour Manager, Booker! I’ve travelled the world with artists and seeing their professionalism was an valuable thing to learn and take on board.

I was actually working as a radio presenter and voice over artist around acting when people kept calling or messaging me on air to book me to DJ. After a little thought I went to DJ school to learn some skills. I then did a year of free gigs and radio to boost my profile and hone in on my DJing. My bookings then turned into residencies.

Not everyone is aware that you trained for three years at a stage school to gain an acting diploma and then went to RADA to do an MA. Tell us a bit about your recent roles as an actress?

Stage school is actually before 3yr drama school so let’s say I’ve done the Full monty! I’m looking

into another MA or PHD at the moment. I’ve begun writing a web series with a fellow actor friend of mine which seems to be getting good response. I’ve just shot a BBC drama, a couple of commercials and a pop video recently. You’ll have to keep an eye on the TV for me. In the past I’ve done more theatre but this year I’m pushing for film.

You’ve had some releases out recently on Deep Water Recordings, Motion and remixes for EJ Underground Records and Zipped Records that have proved your skill as a producer. Where did you learn this skill or was it selftaught, or both?

I wish I had the patience that a lot of people do to sit and watch tutorials and self teach. I find it really hard that way but I’m getting better. I went to Sub Bass Academy, I went to stage school with Graham who owns it and the teaching really was brilliant. I had done a few Ableton courses at local colleges but decided to do the full logic course there and take it a bit more seriously. Don’t get me wrong though I have a few peeps on speed dial and literally couldn’t do music without them!

You currently have a show on Passion Live every Friday, do you feel that being a radio presenter is an important part of progressing your career as a DJ? I learnt to DJ on radio! I was thrown on air and told to mix after only a few classes in on my course and it was the best thing I ever did. Programming a set for radio each week made me keep focussed on what tracks and promos were out. It helped me get my first few gigs too. I personally think the two go hand in hand for me.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

35

" Working at the End Nightclub I was definitely inspired by some of the minimal/techno DJs and of course Layo and Bushwacka. "

You’ve been playing a lot of gigs this year, what’s been the highlight for you?

I love festivals so it’s got to be PULSE FESTIVAL and being a West Londoner Notting Hill Carnival!

What’s the one track that you’d wish you had produced yourself and why?

Sweat (on the walls) – John Tejada. It just captures the sexy side of tech!

What and who are your major musical influences?

My brother has to be an influence because my whole history of house is due to him! I grew up loving old school Hip Hop and that seems to be creeping into a lot of my sets and productions. I used to go and see a lot of hip hop and acid Jazz artists in concert. Most of the Chicago House Legends. Working

36

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

at the End Nightclub I was definitely inspired by some of the minimal/techno DJs and of course Layo and Bushwacka.

What releases can we expect from you in the near future?

I’ve gone a bit deeper on my next EP. Deep tech with some old Skool vibes which is slightly more to my own DJ style.

What do you do for fun when not on dj’ing/producing or acting?

I love the Theatre I could go every night of the week. I love to explore whats on in London. I live in such a great city full of culture, I don’t get to see half the exhibitions I want to. I also like to rest my ears and listen to nature. I try and go for walks in the park on a Sunday. I'm not very Rock n Roll these days.

In a male dominated world of dj’s, it’s great to see so many female dj’s and producers headlining so many gigs throughout 2014. What would be your perfect top 10 all-female line-up?

Gosh so many good females out there and I love so many different styles! Sam Divine, Anja Schneider, Anek, DJ Anna, Magda, Maya Jane Coles, Joyce Muniz, Nicole Moudaber, Nuria Ghia, La Fleur.

Which track has been rocking the dancefloor the most this year?

Edge of Space - Philip Bader Worth noting that Chloe’s remix of Dale Middleton’s ‘Tord’ alongside Dave Seaman, D-Formation and Lee Williams is out on all stores on EJ Underground Records.

Words By Paul Sawyer

FEATURE INTERVIEW

In the music industry there are a number of household names that have been at the forefront of the underground scene and Dave Seaman is one of those names that has gained the respect of all his peers.

We caught up with Dave after a tour in Canada and Mexico where he stamped his mark across the pond in his unmistakable gentlemanly fashion.

It’s not like Dave had much of a choice really. That is if you believe in what Malcolm Gladwell says in Outliers, when he examines the success of a few key people in a generation; concluding that they were born at the right time, and in the right place. In the late 1970s something was happening to the profession of playing records for a

38

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

living. A group of predominantly gay, black and Hispanic kids were subverting what was left of D.I.S.C.O’s freedom principle in Manhattan’s loft apartments.

Cue the abrupt sound of a needle scratching across a record as we cut across the Atlantic Ocean to the city of Leeds, northern England a few years later. It’s hardly a hotbed of gay Latino abandon, but it is here that we find a young Dave Seaman playing records.

Dave is a mobile DJ playing at one of those bread & butter staples of 80s DMC DJs: weddings, bar mitzvahs and birthday parties.

Whilst cueing up the first of six million kick drums, he is longing for a bigger dancefloor, one that’d not been invented yet, one filled with an ecstatic experience that had yet to be shared. He arrives home and

enters a competition that ran in a black & white glorified newsletter called Mixmag; first prize a trip to the New Music Seminar in New York. He won. One year later, he was editor of Mixmag.

But this isn’t an Acid House fairytale, and having a hand shaping Mixmag into the devout clubbers bible it became wasn’t enough for Dave. Ask one question to any right- minded young journalist in the 90s and they’d have given you the same answer: I’d rather be a DJ. But that wasn’t enough for Dave either. Beat by beat, twelve inch by twelve inch, within a year Dave went from djing alongside Sasha and Laurent Garnier at midland’s wunder-rave Shellys to remixing Michael Jackson: it was one white glove a go- go.

What got Dave that far wasn’t the blind ambition of me, me, me; it was an ear for melody and an untold passion for music. And it was in the studio – alongside Brothers in Rhythm partner Steve Anderson – that his ear for melody found its natural home. One of their first forays into recording gave birth to a record that good times found impossible to ignore; ‘Such a Good Feeling’ set the charts and dancefloors on fire. This crossover appeal, welding pop sensibilities to underground credentials without the dilution of either, ensured the duo entertained a cast of music’s finest over the coming years.

A staggering ninety releases bare Dave’s name in their credits. Brothers In Rhythm remixed the great and the good.

Then the great and the good asked them to produce and write for them too. U2, New Order, David Bowie – and Kylie, Take That and Pet Shop Boys respectively. And then Dave gave it all up.

No he didn’t. He started a record label. I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did this guy ever sit down during the nineties?’ or perhaps ‘Why didn’t he turn his other ‘non-DJ’ hand to smashing a tyrannical dictatorship?’ The answer is Fun; it’s fun to run a label, even if you do elect to call it Stress Records. Under Dave’s stewardship the label quickly became a byword for quality; Danny Tenaglia, Groove Armada’s Andy Cato, Sasha and John Digweed all added their names to a glorious release schedule. Stress put records in the charts and on to the soundtracks of cult movies: Trainspotting’s nightclub scene wouldn’t have been the same without Bedrock’s ‘For What You Dream Of’. In fact, without Stress Records to soundtrack the weekends, much of the days UK club scene would have had a 12inch-sized hole in it too. Dave superseded Stress

Records with a another imprint called Audio Therapy which ran for over a decade until last year and itself was no stranger to some of the most respected names in electronic music. From Timo Mass to Robert Babicz, Pig & Dan to Funkagenda, they all played their part in the Therapy story. 2013 though has seen Dave launch a brand new label by the name of Selador Recordings. No doubt his 3rd venture in the record label business will be just as remarkable.

But being a record exec is only ever going to be something to fill the winter weekdays; DJing is Dave’s first love and his longest lasting. It is his ability to shake, rattle and roll a crowd into a triumphant mass of up-stretched arms that’s catapulted him around the world.

He’s played in seventy countries, countless fields and a selection of the world’s finest nightclubs over the last fifteen years. From Creamfields to Glastonbury, the Arctic Circle to the Arabian deserts: Dave is walking proof of dance music’s global ability to unify and excite. His twenty-five plus excellent mix compilations for the likes of Renaissance, Back To Mine, Radio 1 Essential Mix and Global Underground will help pass the time until he’s back in your hemisphere once again.

So, is it about talent or luck? Do you believe in all those right-time, rightplace Gladwellisms? I’m not sure either, but like the music Dave’s been playing for years; it sounds extraordinary doesn’t it?

Most recently he’s remixed for Leeds up and coming dj/producer Dale Middleton on the EJ Underground imprint and wow, what a remix this proved to be. Gaining over 4000 plays on soundcloud in a matter of days, proof that this guy has a huge following across the globe.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

39

After being in the scene for some time, how do you keep your music fresh and your enthusiasm still alive?

The music really takes care of itself.

There's literally thousands of new tracks being released every week so it's not hard to continually keep your record box fresh, or USB stick as it is these days.

And accordingly, the enthusiasm to keep playing naturally follows that. It's one of the great things about the electronic music scene that things are continuously evolving so you never get chance to get bored. Just having a few new hot tracks ready to pay for the weekend still gives me the same buzz as it did 20+ years ago. If that ever leaves me then it will be time to hang up my headphones but I can't ever imagine that happening to be honest.

Tell us a bit about Selador Recordings, any news that we should know about?

Selador is a new label I set up with my long time friend Steve Parry last year and we couldn't be happier with the progress we've made. We've just released EPs by Robert Babicz & Affkt with my new single featuring remixes by Cristoph, Joeski, Raxon & Marc Marzenit up next. So as you can see, we're already an outlet for a lot of the scene's top producers which is no mean feat after only 18 months in business. We've got stacks more exciting releases lined up too plus we'll be starting to do more of our own Selador parties in 2015. It really is going better than we could ever have hoped.

You’ve been touring a lot this year, what’s been the highlights for you?

Burning Man was the stand out this year for me. It was my first time and it really blew me away. It's like nothing else I've ever been to and was very inspiring. Like a rave on the set of a Star Wars meets Mad Max movie all curated by Salvador Dali. Just bonkers. I can't wait for next year.

obsessions. Then that turned into New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League and that whole synthesiser movement in the early 80s. Then I got into breakdancing so the original electro scene that came with that and that was what really introduced me to dance music. By the time house music arrived in 1986 I was already into DJing in a big way and tyne rest as they say is history.

What releases can we expect from you in the near future?

As mentioned before my next single will be coming on Selador in December. It's called 'Justified Replacement Of Lulu'.

Then after that I've got more releases coming on Sudbeat, Sullivan Room and Tulipa early in 2015. I've done quite a bit studio wise this year and that's something I plan to continue with.

What do you do for fun when not on tour?

What and who are your major musical influences?

Family, films and football kind of take care of any free time I have. Although as a Leeds United fan I'm not sure you could call that fun!

Oh God, where to start? First of all I really got into the mod revival at the end of the 70s so The Jam and the whole 2 Tone scene were my first real

Your social media pages are very active with info on gigs etc, do you think this is essential to gain support from your fans?

40

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

Definitely, we're in a new era of artist/fan relations. There is a direct rapport there that can do things that would've seemed impossible only a few years ago. I did the first ever crowd funded DJmix compilation last year through my online media platforms. An album for the fans funded directly by the fans. That's a hell of a development to be able to do something like that without the need for any kind of record company middle man. And of course, when it comes to gigs, it's the easiest way to let people know you're coming to their area.

I just hope not too many more platforms spring up as I'll end up spending all day just keeping my social media up to date!

Lastly, which track has been rocking the dancefloor the most recently?

I love Laurent Garnier's 'Enchanted' on Hyper colour. He's managed to make a tracks that sounds old school and new school at the same time. Also Josh Wink's remix of Raw District is amazing too. Two big big tunes for me over the last couple of months.

Words By Paul Sawyer

DJ DIARY PART 001

First of all I would like to introduce myself to the people who do not know me.

My name is Dimas Carbajo AKA D-FORMATION. Seeing that this is the first issue and my first contribution to Zone Magazine, which is a pleasure for me,i would like to summarize very briefly what my latest gig was like as it happened in one of the cities which makes me feel at home every single time I step on it, and that is Montreal, Canada.

It is a multicultural city, buzzing with people from all over the planet, full of energy and with a breathtaking nightlife. It is a city that never goes unnoticed by any DJ feeling fortunate enough to be visiting. In fact, since 2006 when my first gig took place there, I always wish for my next visit. Its nightclubs really make you see and feel the reason why you are DJ, particularly Stereo Montreal at which I was a resident DJ for many years.

We can also witness and enjoy incredible festivals like Bal in Blanc, Iglo Fest, this one being rather unusual because it is held at the end of January out in the open air and with temperatures as low as 20

42

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

DIVE R MON S / CITE TREA FE S TIVA L, CA L NAD A.

or 25° C, which defies common sense. We also have Black & Blue festival (at the Montreal Olympic stadium) at which I have been lucky enough to be performing for three consecutive years and last but not least Divers/Cite which happened to be my latest gig in Montreal.

Places to see in Montreal:

Divers/Cite may be considered the gay week in Montreal with numerous musical and cultural events for seven days in a row. It attracts not only people from Canada, but also from all North America and it culminates in a great event on the weekend with DJs of the likes of Victor Calderone, DJ vibe, Chus & Ceballos, Joubin and myself. The venue at the old harbor of Montreal offers a really incredible setting for this festival.

Montreal’s Gay Village (Le Village)

Therefore and to conclude if you ever have the opportunity of visiting this amazing city, do not hesitate or question it for a second, simply get yourself a flight ticket and off you escape to Montreal where you will find all you are looking for.

Greetings to everybody and I will get back to you with another little story in the forthcoming issue of Zone Magazine.

Aux Vivres

Hotels: Le Vignoble @ Gouverneur Hotel Place Dupuis, Hilton Bonaventure, Embassy Suites Hangouts: Priape

Bota Bota Spa Clock Tower Beach (Plage de l’Horloge) Mural Festival Espace pour la Vie / Jardin Botanique Food: Lola Rosa ChuChai

APOLLO Restaurant Les Éclusiers par APOLLO Helena Restaurant Les 400 Coups, Olive + Gourmando Saloon

T LO P TIM T E E N

L A

It is without question that there has been a plentiful amount of inspirational female artists to grace the club scene over the past two decades. Most of which have had series of original productions and collaborations that will undoubtedly go down in history. However, as difficult as it was for me to narrow them down into a top ten.

I here pronounce the tracks, collaborations and remixes within the Hard House, Hard Trance, Hard Dance and Hardcore block which are in my opinion the ones that have made the hugest and most influential impacts on the dance scene, from when they were released and into this present day.

44

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

1/ Lisa Lashes – What can you do for me? (TidyTrax) (2003)

6/ Anne Savage, Red Hed & Vinylgroover – The Pod (Traffic) (2006)

2/ Rachel Auburn – Bass Keeps Pumpin’ (Rachel Auburn Records) (2000)

7/ Lisa Pin, Elvira & Modelle – Up – Another Jam (Nukleuz) (2001)

3/ Anne Savage – Hellraiser (Tidy Trax) (2003)

8/ Amber D + James Lawson – Attack Warning (Tidy) (2006)

4/ Dirt Devils – The Drill (Lisa Pinup remix) (Nu Life) (2002)

9/ Dana + Promo – Ladies First (The Third Movement) (2002)

5/ Kym Ayres ft. Technikal – More & More (Tidy) (2006)

10/ Lisa Lashes, Kidd Kaos & Alex Kidd – Nu Religion (Kiddfectious) (2011)

ALL-TIME TOP TEN

When selecting my all-time top time I've used only one criterion - the effect the tune has had on me over a sustained period of time.

I'm not overly concerned about intricate production techniques, advanced dynamics or who produced the track. What matters most to me when it comes to music is the reaction that the song or track elicits, be it emotional or sometimes even physical - in my opinion music is about feeling, even above and beyond hearing.

All of the tracks in my list have had a lasting effect of some sort on me and continue to do so every time I listen.

1/ Three Drives - Greece 2000 (Massive Drive Recordings) (1997) 2/ CJ Bolland - The Prophet (FFRR) (1997) 3/ Corvin Dalek - Young People (Flesh) (2005) 4/ John Gibbons & Scimon Tist Beautiful Filth (Tekelec Recordings) (2008)

6/ BT - Flaming June (Perfecto) (1997) 7/ Prodigy - Voodoo People (XL Recording) (1994) 8/ Mr. Spring - Coffeetable Olympics (Spring Recordings) (1999) 9/ Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (RoulĂŠ) (1998)

10/ Killahurtz - West On 27th 5/ Hi-Gate - Caned & Unable (B² (Hooj) (2000) (Byte Blue)) (2000)

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

45

E M I T L AL N E T P TO

Its a very difficult job to come up with a top ten all-time track list when you have been in the dance scene since 1990, so I have picked out a selection of tracks that have more memories to me in my time on the dance floor and behind the decks.

1/ The Hypnotist - The House is Mine/ Pioneers Of A Warped Groove (Rising High)(1991)

From the illegal raves of the UK, and the dark grubby basments and warehouses of Berlin, and from the first dance clubs of Dublin, and beyond, I have chosen some tracks that take me back to those times. I am sure you will agree, there are some gems here. I have picked out some House, Techno and Trance, as I have played these styles for many years, and each one is special to me.

4/ Flipped out - Basstab/Love Bomb (Ark Recordings)(1992)

I hope you enjoy listening to them, for the first time if your new to the scene, and if you remember them, I hope they bring back some memories also.

46

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

2/ Beltram - Energy Flas (Transmat) (1990) 3/ Ramirez - La Musika Tremenda (R&S)(1991)

5/ Rising High C. – Fever Called Love (Hardfloor Remix)(1993)

6/ Gat Decor - Passion (Effective) (1992) 7/ Jam & Spoon - Follow Me (Epic) (1993) 8/ Beat foundation - Foundations (White Label)(1996) 9/ Paul Van Dyk - Beautiful Place (Deviant)(1996) 10/ BT - Remember (Sasha Remix) (Perfecto)(1998)

HOUSE/TECHHOUSE REVIEWS Zone Magazine Top Tune

Effy – Distant Sounds [Infinite Machine] Rating: 10/10

There must be something in the air in Newbridge, this is the second release reviewed in this issue from Newbridge natives. Effy are an Irish duo. Their debut EP came out last April on Discos Dead and this release. The standout track on this release is definitely Move.

Slugging along somewhere between techno, garage and tech-house, the jacking beats are perfectly complemented by the sexy female vocals. The dark bass stabs that intermitently clang in and out here really give this track an industrial warehouse vibe and consequently take this track from a well produced club track to a certified dance floor destroyer. Bourbon Switch is a quirky techno track that rolls along with a strangely Zone Magazine Recommended Tune

Kaily & Blandy – Back To 92 (Lapsus Music) Rating: 9/10

Daire Woods – Kids On Acid [Redbox Records]

If you have any interest in the house scene in Dublin or Ireland in general, you have heard of Kaily without a doubt. Known to the taxman as Jonathan Kiely, his name is on the flyer beside your favourite headliner 9 times out of 10. His last release (“Up In Smoke”) with long time friend and UK producer Blandy has done incredibly well at the time of writing, with the A Lister remix at the top of the Traxsource tech house charts.

This latest release from Kaily & Blandy is out on the imprint of legendary Italian duo Supernova, Lapsus Music. There are 2 mixes of Back To 92 on the EP, the first is the Warehouse Mix which combines a bouncy

CONOR MC EVOY [IRL] comforting industrial vibe before breaking down into a really bizarre section of irregular beats reminiscent of Aphex Twin or something from the IDM scene. The vocals in this really add atmosphere, especially at the build before the tune kicks back in with the rolling warehouse vibes and skippy percussion. This track would work equally well in the cavernous room of the Berghain as it would at an outdoor rave or festival stage in the summer. The remixes of Move and Bourbon Switch are polar opposites in that the Troy Gunner remix of Move takes things down to scarily slow half time and the Hound Scales mix of Bourbon Switch contains some insane time signatures at a tempo that feels like hardcore or jungle. house bassline with some euphoric 80's style synth lines and rolling FX. The classic M1 house pianos, where the track presumably gets its name, come in during the breakdown and build up the atmosphere. Before the track kicks back in with the pianos going to the fullest.The Def mix is a much more stripped back and minimal affair, with a deeper, pulsating bassline and dark warped vocals moving around the stereo field. The same piano line features here but the overall feel of the track is much darker. How Long is a dark house groover which feels perfect for a closing track in a long set. A hypnotic vocal features prominently in this, and complements the main melody perfectly.

Madrid based Irish producer Daire Woods effortlessly fuses upfront dance floor orientated tracks with soulful and deep melodies. He takes his inspiration from his experiences living in the Spanish capital and his sound reflects these influences. Originally from Newbridge, Co. Kildare but living in Madrid where he is a regular on the clubbing circuit. Kids on Acid was originally released back in March on the Redbox Records Miami Winter Music conference compilation, but this re-release package contains 2 smashing remixes from Krafted Music Group head honcho Paul Sawyer and Louk alongside the original. The original mix is a blissful swirl of percussion and expertly programmed synths from beginning to end. The track manages to switch it up

after every phase without detracting from the sheer effectiveness of the low end or ever getting boring. The Paul Sawyer 'Acid Mix' remix keeps enough of the vibe from the original to be classed as a remix, but adds enough new content to completely switch up the vibe here. Most notably the rolling techno percussion and the squelching acid lines with interweaves at times with the originals leads and pads. Paul Sawyer has turned the original into a main room monster, which has enough power and weight behind it to move crowds in Awakenings. Finally the Louk remix uses the original bassline and synths along broken beat 808 patterns, and the result is a very chilled, urban sounding mix.

It’s not often a producer’s debut release will be picked up by Defected Records or their sister label DFTD, but London duo Pyrocight have done exactly that with Elementary EP. With early support from heavy weights such as Joris Voorn and Tocadisco, it is clear that these guys are going places. The title track Elementary infuses techy house beats with a jagged and catchy main synth line. The soulful vocals and the bubbling top end synths really ground this tune and the result is a solid club number. The brief breaks in the rhythm serve to make the tunes all the sweeter when it slams back in at points.

Give Me Some is pushed along by a strong plucky chord

progression and a driving and tech beat which provide a solid base for the track. The vocals really give this tune an oldschool house vibe and the rolling snares really help tie the whole thing together. Bring It Back is the housiest offering on this release by far. The sampled voice is very Chicago in it’s heyday and the percussion and bassline rely heavily on modern house aesthetic.

The layered bass sounds really give this track an edge and it’s sure to be destroying dancefloors all around the world.

Toolroom records have been undergoing something of a change of late. They are “going back to [their] roots” and “refocusing on credible house music”. As one of the most popular brands in electronic music this is huge news and they have narrowed their roster down to a smaller group of core artists particularly up and comers Weiss and Adrian Hour but also with firm favourites Prok & Fitch and Rene Amnesz at the center of things. White Label 01is evidence of this changeRebound by Prok and Fitch is a driving and energetic tech-house masterpiece which would be perfectly at home in the sets of Umek or Carl Cox. So High by Canadian veteran tech-house producer Mario Ochoa is a real journey into the exciting modern sounds in the tech house scene. Slamming 909

drums, swirling synths, mid-range brass and the allimportant high hat really make this the stand out track on this release. Picture this in the sets of DJs like Sidney Charles or even Low Steppa. Fabulous by Mateus B & Drunky Daniels is a garage influenced modern deep house offering with chopped up vocals over a bouncy disco bassline. Got This Feeling by Dean J Marriot (better known as D.Ramirez) is a step in a new direction for the veteran producer, or more acurately, old direction as this track sounds like the old funky house tracks which came out on Hed Kandi in the noughties.

Rating: 9/10

Pyrocight – Elementary EP (DFTD) Rating: 8/10

Toolroom White Label (Toolroom Records) Rating: 7/10

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

47

E M I T L N AL E T P TO

My all time top 10 include tracks that have given me the best memories over the years whilst DJ'ing.

Whether it be a small club or a festival with thousands of people going mad to the tune; every time I dropped these, just seeing people's reactions and the atmosphere that was created, is something that will never be forgotten.

I hope you all enjoy theses as much as I did and still do, and for those who will descover them, enjoy!

1. Deep Dish - Flashdance (Positiva)(2004)

6. Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl (Astalwerks)(1999)

2. Binary Finary - 1998 (Positiva)(1998)

7. Faithless - Insomnia (Cheeky) (1995)

3. Age of Love - Age of Love (Jam & Spoon Remix) (React) (1992)

8. Deadmau5 feat. Kaskade - I Remember (Cinnamon Flava) (2009)

4. Grace - Not Over Yet (Perfrcto)(1993)

9. Goldie - Inner City Life (FFRR) (1995)

5. Radio Slave, Danton Eeprom - Grindhouse (Dubfire Remix) (Rekids)(2008)

10. X-Press 2 - London Xpress (Junior Boy's Own)(1993)

Paul Sawyer ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

49

ALL-TIME TOP TEN

I have been extremely lucky to have a great career since day 1 when it comes to Radio and DJ'ing, starting at the age of 15 with my days on Kiss FM, to Radio Now and the original Klub FM, to having the honour of playing alongside some of the biggest DJ's in the world all over Ireland and of course this year having the opportunity to play in Ibiza again for Cream, it quite easy for me to say, there's been so much inspiration from music over the Years. I have also been to events and festivals all over Europe such as Trance Energy in Holland and many big nights in Ibiza as a fan and music lover. I have chosen these 10 tracks because each one has individually inspired me, and I tend to feature this tracks on my Afterhours FM Radio Showa from time to time to let people no also how good they still are. This are my top 10 songs, I hope you get a chance to check them out on YouTube or online.

50

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

1. John O Callaghan & Kearney Exactly (Discover)(2006)

6. Reflekt - Need to feel loved

2. Paul Van Dyk – Crush

7. Three Drives – Greece 2000 (Massive Drive)(1997)

3. Cosmic Gate – Barra (Black Hole)(2010)

8. Aly & Fila – My Mind Is With You

4. Veracocha - Carte Blanche (Deal)(2006)

9. Paul Van Dyk – For An Angel

5. Deleruim – Silence (DJ Tiesto Remix) (SPV)(2000)

10. Tiesto - Traffic

ALL-TIME TOP TEN

Starting off my all-time top ten is an album that throws up more hidden sounds on every new listen. Nothing comes close and never will. Following on no.2 has Incredible melodies throughout this long player. Richard D is in at No.3 his greatest achievement IMHO! Brian is at no.4 for your next trip to space you'll need to put this in your rocket! In at no.5 is Mixmaster Morris sourcing 100's of samples and making one gorgeous Ambient sound.

Moving into the second half of my selection we have a special time for Ambient music and this is the best compilation to relive this golden era in at no.6. Next we have an album with a massive influence on Psychonavigation's vision of what is quality Ambient music. At no.8 my favourite CD to come out on late Pete Namlook's Fax record label. At no.9 we have an amazing production from the German duo. Lasr but no means least we have whats makes a good Dance music album, which is; bags full of emotion combined with quality beats. This album has it all.

I hope you enjoy my picks, over and over.

1. The Black Dog - Bytes [Warp] (1993)

6. Artificial Intelligence Volume 2 [Warp] (1994)

2. Global Communication - 76:14 [Dedicated] (1994)

7.The Future Sound Of London Lifeforms [Virgin] (1994)

3. Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume 2 [Warp] (1994)

8. Spacetime Continum - Sea Biscuit [Fax] (1994)

4. Brian Eno - Apollo [EG] (2005)

9. Alter Ego - Decoding The Hacker Myth [Klang] (1996)

5. The Irresistible Force - Global Chillage [Rising High] (1994)

10. Opik - Opik [Concrete] (1994)

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

51

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT [UK]

England. He is known for his house, deep house and

When I first met Liam Keegan we were at the WMC in Miami a few years back, he was sick as a dog and was still mixing like a champ. I finally caught up with him in Hollywood and really got to known this down to earth Englishman. Liam was born and raised in Birkenhead,

52

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

commercial productions and remixes. His musical inspirations come from the likes of Paul Oakenfold and Frankie Knuckles. You can consistently hear his tracks topping the charts on the Remix Top 30 countdown hosted by the world famous Sean Hollywood Hamilton of KTU radio station in New York City.

You can pretty much find his work on most major record labels as well as indie labels such as Tazmania, Carillo, 3 beat and Neon to name a few. Currently he’s working on projects with Cobra Starship, Icona pop and Rixton. These are soon to be released on Interscope and Warner record labels so stay tuned.

He is managed by RP360 Music otherwise known as DJ Riddler world renowned producer and voted #1 radio mix DJ. He does tour from time to time, but this family man is hard at work as a full-time producer and remixer. If you’re lucky you may catch him as a guest DJ appearing with major headliners. In his spare time you can find him running, working out at the gym and playing soccer.

When asked what advice he has for up and coming producers he said, “Master your own sounds and try and be as unique as possible keep going because this game is all about patience and persistence.”

CONNECT: http://www.liamkeegan.co.uk/ Words Kaiulani Newhouse

TECHNO / TECHOUSE REVIEWS Zone Magazine Top Tune

Danique, Distorted Beauty – Scream [Percep-tion] Rating 10/10

Whilst this has been available since August, there is nothing that can remove this track from the box at the moment, well two versions of it anyway which we’ll talk a little about here.

First up is the Original mix. It starts off with a familiar warmth to its movement and bass line, built upon with a very simple string pad up to the breakdown which doesn’t really appear to be going anywhere until everything is stripped away leaving goosebumps at that point alone, then… the vocal drops. If you didn’t have those goosebumps before, you will now. This is eyes closed, head down, get drawn in to its warmth, heaven. Overall the track itself doesn’t do so much, it’s just constructed so well that the music is a perfect focus for that amazing vocal. This is maybe my Zone mag top tune of the month… maybe Next up is the Gabriel Ananda remix. Now, I have a Zone Magazine Recommended Tune A lovely two tracker from Patrick Chardronnet originally released back in 2012 on Boxer Recordings, Karma (rereleased on play my track recordings in November) and Shanti both feature nicely on this release with “Karma” getting work over in what’s called “Epic Mix”. In all honesty, for the extra minute and a half, the original mix gets it for me. Wonderfully produced electronic/techno, Karma really has that same something as James Holden’s “A break in the clouds”. Similar monophonic synths delay and change timing over a regularly

BEN WAA [UK]

slight DJ crush on Mr Ananda for his purely amazing and consistent music, and he delivers without disappointment here. In contrast to the original version, Ananda strikes for a more uplifting feeling overall. It lso harks back to how progressive house used to be in its emotion conveyed. The track sounds so simply done, but the layers of bass set against simple sounding chord stabs is so intricate and balanced so well it’s a masterclass in production, and dare I say it remixing too. The vocal is the same but the uplifting feeling in this mix somehow brings the same uplifting feeling out of the vocal too. I’m in love with this track, THIS is my Zone mag top Tune for this month.

I don’t really want to touch too much on the other mixes as quite frankly they don’t belong alongside these two versions in my opinion. There’s nothing wrong as such with any of them, they are far too over shadowed by the original and Ananda’s superb efforts. structured rhythm. The synth work on this is lovely, and they’re what really make this an end of set/end of night track. It’s heavy, it’s epic, it’s deep and it’s wonderful in every way that this sort of music should be. Zone mag recommended tune indeed!

Shanti, is equally as nice, it just isn’t as epic with its almost cheeky bouncy bass line, it’s a dance floor mover for sure, and certainly has that insistent nature about it that makes you have to be on the dance floor. Great stuff from Patrick Chardronnet!

Patrick Chardronnet – Karma Rating: 9/10

I have to say, whenever I see a release from cadenza I get a little bit excited, adding in Davide Squillace to that well…

Goiânia is the title track of this three track EP, and what a great track it is too. Starting off with a low and deep groove that is soon layered with organic percussion and warm synth brass stabs that give the track instant dance floor appeal. The track develops along its deep theme intensifying the groove with a lovely vibrato synth pad and digital bass stabs that all lead to not an epic breakdown by any means, but one that allows the track

to breathe before pushing that dance floor button once again.

Also on the release are “Unit 9” a deep rolling techno number that is a strong contender to be the top track of this release and possibly is. “Blossom” is a stripped back deep-house/minimalistic track full of swooshing stereo FX and deep tone bass hits. All three tracks are firmly in my box right now, and will be for a while to come.

Him_Self_Her have their first release with Suara in single form, with two remixes included.

Don’t fail me now feat. Calder is predominantly a vocal only track, it’s the sort of track you would create an epic breakdown with or start a set off with. To be honest whilst I like the overall feel of the track, and especially the vocal, I can’t help but feel that the original should just end when it eventually gets to the beats. They’re a bit boring and the track just seems like it’s had drums thrown around it to well… give it some drums. This mix – 6/10 for the lovely vocal intro of 4mins.

The version I really love though and gets the 8/10 is the remix that Dubspeeka delivers, and boy does he deliver!

Starting off with a very techno drive and deepness with

echoes of the vocal spraying into our ears building the tension just beautifully, before the track is pushed along a bit more with industrial sounding reverbed horns and a haunting pad line leading us deeper to the breakdown where the vocal hits, and it sounds so much better with this backing, brilliant in fact. The whole sound of the remix will appeal to techno, progressive, tribal, deep house heads and more. It has that something about it you just can’t place in a genre. This is a winner in my book. 8/10

Davide Squillace - Goiânia (Cadenza97) Rating: 8/10

Him_Self_Her feat. Calder Don't Fail Me Now [Suara ]

Him_Self_Her feat. Calder - Don't Fail Me Now is out on Suara soon.

Rating: 8/10

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

53

DOWNTEMPO - CHILLOUT

Psychonavigation A Trip Through The World Of Ambient / Downtempo Music

Shit & Cheap Deaf & Dumb [Acroplane Recordings] Rating: 7/10

Craig Armstrong It’s Nearly tomorrow Rating: 7/10

54

Neil Landstrumm takes a break from his usual Acid Techno excursions and journey’s into some Electro / Dubstep with his long term partner in crime Mat Consume. The title track 'Rat Crew' is an electro jaunt complete with a big dose of bleep that could have easily been released on Warp back in the 90's. Their choice of samples used keep the track interesting throughout. My only criticism is that's its way too short for my liking but hey, good things come in small packages. The finest cut on the EP kicks off the B side. A wonderful Dubstep tune with a groovy reggae underbelly and once again like the A side, the samples the two boys choose work perfectly throughout.

Some people may find the band’s cover version of Frankie Goes To Hollywood “Relax” humorous perhaps but that's where it ends unfortunately. To my ears the track is rather boring with no real direction and should have been left on the cutting room floor. Overall though, another quality release from the Irish label that always delivers an interesting trip into electronica.

Craig Armstrong's new album, "It's Nearly Tomorrow" sees the celebrated Scottish orchestral composer effortlessly fuse his gift for classical composition, with dark ambient electronica and downtempo trip hop beats.

Armstrong, whose achievements include an Ivor Novello and a Bafta for his work on Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a Grammy from the score of the movie Ray, collaborations with U2 and Madonna not to mention an O.B.E. Needless to say the release of a new studio album is always met with high expectations. Thankfully overall the album does not disappoint.

atmospheric with a shivering string melody and a baseline that bubbles up as if rising from beneath the ground. On “Desole”, the hip hop beat is juxtaposed with grandiose orchestral arrangements which helps to knock some rough edges into its classical structure.

Meanwhile the crackling underbelly, deep piano chords and lurking synths of "Sing" have a pace and urgency suitable for the score of a slick Hollywood thriller.

Opener 'Outside' reintroduces us to Armstrong's signature, melancholy, orchestral strings and emotional piano. The mood however slowly creeps towards the sinister with the mystical tale of loneliness’ that is “Dust” Jerry Burns’ fragile vocals add to the song’s sense of sadness. Emotions are displayed here in all their dramatic, gut wrenching glory with stories of lost love as the album's prevailing thread. However, while the acoustic sensibility of gentle ballad "Strange Kind of Love" and the obviously Bowie inspired "Crash" featuring Suede's Brett Anderson, make the project accessible to a wider audience, it is the abstract moments here that are the most intriguing. The creepy, industrial production on “15 Summers” is morosely

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

By Keith Downey

The album is not without fault, however. "All Around Love" featuring Paul Buchanan is dripping with gooey sentimentality and surprising clichés. Elsewhere not even John Grant’s eerie deep bass vocals and Jerry Burns’ celestial harmonies on "Powder" can keep it from sounding overly theatrical and melodramatic. Yet for all its slight missteps, Armstrong's range of eclectic influences and complex instrumentation should give this project a wide appeal and keep fans of his previous work satisfied.

By Karen Lawler

DOWNTEMPO - CHILLOUT

Psychonavigation

A Trip Through The World Of Ambient / Downtempo Music

American electronic musician John Beltran tries his hand at compiling a selection of Ambient nuggets for the ever excellent Delsin label.

With John at the controls you’re guaranteed a top notch selection of Electronic music and YES there's much to admire across the cd's 18 tracks.

Various - John Beltran Presents : Music For Machines [Delsin Records] Rating: 8/10

Muted E.P: Special Place Rating: 6/10

Broken into two parts, Part 1 follows the similar path of String-Piano compositions with the highlight being John Beltran's very own 'Music For Machines,' a sublime piece of electronica that could have easily fitted neatly on his epic solo album 'Ten Days Of Blue'. The slo-mo House groove of Dennis Clifford's 'Nineteen Eighty Seven' who's slide guitar ala KLF creates a lilting flow to the track and is another standout.The second part of the compilation begins with the first vocal sample to be heard thus far - an Ambient poem is whispered in a Scottish accent with a haunting background made up of found sounds from an unexplored world. Finally after waiting patiently, we are presented with a long overdue more rhythmic piece by Greg Chin. The utterly delightful 'Dashboard Angels' (which I had to double check wasn't John

Icelandic producer Bjarni Rafn Kjartansson who thankfully makes music under the much less tongue -twisting moniker of Muted, has been an integral part of his local hip hop scene for a while now. He has also become a popular producer among his native MC's and lyricists too.

Residing in a small town on the east coast of Iceland, Muted used the isolation of the harsh Icelandic winters to work on his craft. The time spent has yielded some interesting results on this 5 track EP entitled "Special Place". The 5 track E.P tag is a misleading one as it is in fact 3 mixes of the title track plus two others.

Opener Special Place (radio Edit) encompasses a down-tempo, lo-fi, hip hop beat with abstract electronica, smokey strings and delicate vocal

by Samaris. "This is the only place where I feel completely free, alone with my thoughts, quietness indeed" she tells us sweetly on the hook, lending the track a beautiful humanity.

The Ruxpin produced version meanwhile retains the original integrity of the vocal but adds dub element and a baseline slightly reminiscent of Massive Attack's "Teardrop". The drifting melody should be appreciated by chill out lovers. The tempo is taken up a couple of notches for M-Band's re-imaging of the tune.

This drum and bass stomper has a tribal, hyp-

Beltran himself) displays all the characteristics of Beltran's early recordings for Peacefrog and R&S. Lush strings that build up so nicely it really would make for good driving music!

Mick Chillage's sublime contribution sounds like an out take from FAXology, his album for the legendary Fax label. Dark Biosphere-esque melodies combined with Mick's own unique keyboard playing make this another highlight.

The album closes with another stunning Ambient track from A2B2C2 'Stereometry' whose well placed guitar lick over shimmering ambience closes the disc.

Overall a great collection from Mr Beltran and essential listening for fans of the Pop Ambient compilations on Kompakt.

By Keith Downey

notic quality to it, with many unexpected twists and turns. Even the frantic piano thrills, winding clocks and xylophone taps build to create what becomes an electrifying groove. On "Lava" Meanwhile, rain sounds fall over a deep house beat and a quirky melody made from what can only be described as a sonic pogo stick. As the said pogo stick bounces away you may still be left wondering whether this idea was better in theory than in practice. Closing track “Dreamworld” is unfortunately a bit of a let-down. Although well produced, the constant repetition of the same hip hop beat eventually seems unimaginative and drawn out, like a prelude to something else that we never actually get to hear.

While Muted doesn't break new musical ground, this E.P has its own interesting, even well defined moments and is worth a listen.

Muted may not be able to transport you to a dream world, but there are some special places in the music if you listen closely.

By Karen Lawler

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

55

BASS HOUSE REVIEWS

NATHAN MC GRATH

Zone Magazine Top Tune:

Crown Duels - Forever (Taiki Nulight Remix) [Saucy Records]

My Zone Mag Top Tune for the month is presented to us by one of the top producers in bass music, Taiki Nulight. “Just a kid chasing his dream”, Taiki Nulight hails from London and is no stranger at all the bass music scene. This remix of Crown Duels’ track Forever opens up with some vocal samples from the original track, interesting funky rhythms and melodic percussion. The track breaks down and slowly introduces some terrifying sounding highpassed garage wobbles and absolutely smashes out of nowhere with a dangerously big impact.

There are some pretty standard four to the floor

beats and nice syncopated percussion but the sound design featured in the basslines here is like none ever heard before in UK bass music and opens the door for a lot of potential development within the genre, a description of their nature is simply out of scope. The detail of production in percussion, atmosphere and wobble synthesis in this track is just phenomenal. Taiki Nulight is doing some serious innovation with this track, an absolute must have for any fan of bass music, expect big things from Taiki Nulight in the future. Overall, one of the sickest bass music tracks I have ever heard, hands down.

Rating: 10/10

Zone Magazine Recommended

Ninjury – Ghostbusters Theme [WoNKed Records / The GentleMen’s Club] Rating: 8/10

Stanton Warriors – Beat Goes On [Punks Music] Rating 9/10

56

During the production of this track ,Ninjury were a bass music duo hailing from Manchester.

After their next release “Fat Lady” they will be reduced to a solo project. Ninjury’s Ghostbusters Theme is an absolute banger and a prime example of the dark, foreboding capabilities of UK Bass music. Opening up with nice, funky percussion the track quickly progresses with vocal samples from The Ghostbusters Movie along with some extremely creepy atmospheric pads and ambient percussive plucks setting the dark, scary feel for the track. Breaking it down, Ninjury introduce more spacey effects and vocal samples before absolutely rip roaring into a seriously heavy combination of dub beats and

Stanton Warriors are an English production duo from West Country. They were actually the first to introduce myself into the world of bass music and this track in particular was one of the first of theirs that I had the pleasure of listening to, so it goes without saying that have a particular soft spot for this track. It has been around awhile so I was absolutely chuffed to see that it was finally being released on the 17th of October under Punks Music. The track itself starts out with a very unconventional sample, a funky a Capella with a very old school vinyl quality to it.

Huge kick drums and scratch like skipping bring us to the first impact of the song. A strongly groovy, minimalistic dub-style beat underneath quite distinctly unique sound design. The melodies are repetitive but unbelievably catchy

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

disgusting garage wobbles. Leaving no time to adjust the beats evolve into a solid four to the floor and introduce a huge dark melodic rhythm with a murky garage style donk before advancing further into another dirty rhythm developed from the original impact. The eerie atmospheric plucks and erratic effects through the drop greatly emphasise the dangerous feel to this track. Another breakdown introduces a more chilled out yet still menacing atmosphere afore an enlarging build up brings us back to the previously experienced garage donks and developing into the outro of the song. This track is huge and addictive with serious weight about it and to add icing to the cake… It’s a free download!

with intermittent breaks featuring formant wobbles, layered melodic synths and progressive changes in the percussion complimenting the infectious beats that you just cannot help but dance to. We are now brought back to the musical sample heard in the intro with developments in the percussion keeping it interesting before being reintroduced to that first impact. This unique style has come to be expected from Stanton Warriors and cannot be found anywhere else! The remainder of The Bones EP is just as huge as this track and each track features Stanton Warriors characteristic style but is still quite distinctive and innovative in their own way.

DJ CHARTS

NOV / DEC 2015

Amber Leigh Melby [USA] [Trance]

DJ Nik C [AUS] [House & Techno]

1. Solicitude - Menno De Jong, Adam Ellis [In Trance We Trust]

1. Mark Fanciulli - The Abyss [Inmotion Music]

2. Sucka Punch (Philip Estevez Remix) - The Squatters, Philip Estevez [Rotate Records]

3. Floorplan - Phobia (Re-Plant) [M Plant]

2. Pig & Dan - Mamasita [Elevate]

3. Tribal Wave - Gordon Coutts [Fraction Records]

4. Dosem - Cuts or Cats [Suara Records]

4. Daywalker - Robbie Van Doe [Mental Asylum Records]

5. Monika Kruse - Summer Drops (Nicole Moudaber Remix) [Terminal M]

5. The Saw - John O’Callaghan [Subculture]

6. Deep City Groove - Look Ahead [Witty Tunes]

6. Oinika - Geon [Acida Records]

7. Sidney Charles - Warehouse Anthem [Moda Black]

7. The Hunted (Blazer Remix) - Future Funk Squad [Audio Science Productions]

8. Deep City Groove - Turn It Up [Witty Tunes]

8. Forza - Perfect Kombo [Selecta Breaks Records] 9. Architekt - Tempo Giusto [Echelon]

9. Paul Ritch - Inside Me [Drumcode] 10. Underworld - Dark & Long (Christian Smith Hypnotica Dub) [Tronic]

10. Jakarta Dream (Sequ3l remix) - 21 Street, Sequ3l [Freegrant Music]

Ben Waa [UK] [House / Techno] Brett Kydd [N.Ireland] [EDM] 1. Sick Individuals & Ariyan – Olympia [Doorn Records] 2. Hardwell vs. Dannic vs. Deorro – Losing My Religion (Brett Kydd Mashup) [PROMO] 3. OneRepublic vs. David Gravell - Megatron Runs Out (Brett Kydd Mashup) [PROMO] 4. Stonebridge Feat. Therese - Put Em High (Atilla Cetin Nitec Remix) [HK Records]

1. Danique, Distorted Beauty – Scream (Gabriel Ananda Remix) [PERCEP-TION] 2. Daniel Klose – Hafenklang [Traum Schallplatten] 3. Fink, Quantum Entanglement – Need You [Vakant] 4. Ricoshei – Perfect Like You [Pampa] 5. Olafur Arnalds - Only The Winds (Ryan Davis' A Letter From Far Away Variation) [Anjunadeep]

5. Pep & Rash - Fatality (Quintino Edit) [Spinnin']

6. Downtown Party Network - Space Me Out feat. Egle Sirvydyte (Mario Basanov Remix) [Silence Music]

6. Jordan Suckley - Contaminated [Damaged Records]

7. Pawas – Meringue [Tulipa Recordings]

7. Galantis - Runaway (U&I) (Kaskade Remix) [Big Beat Records]

8. David Durango – Broken Element (Lake People Remix) [The Exquisite Pain Recordings]

8. Deadmau5 - The Reward is Cheese (Nom De Strip Remix) [Rising Music]

9. PHCK – Deaf [Gibbon Records]

9. Fedde Le Grande - Rockin' N Rollin' (The Deep End Remix) [PROMO]

10. Petar Dundov, Gregor Tresher – Flux [Bedrock Records]

10. Deadmau5 - Maths (Botnek Remix) [Mau5trap]

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

57

DJ CHARTS

NOV / DEC 2015

Nathan Mc Grath [Ireland] [Bassline House]

Psychonavigation [Ireland] [Ambient / Chillout]

1. Crown Duels - Forever (Taiki Nulight Remix) [Saucy Records] 2. The Beat Goes On – Stanton Warriors [Punks Music] 3. Cowabunga – Ninjury [Ninjutsu Music] 4. Crown Duels – Forever (Pelikann Remix [Saucy Records] 5. Sly One – Warm Red (VIP Mix) [Unsigned / Free Download] 6. Ten Ven & Ripley Vs. Zebra Katz – 1 Bad Bitch (Cause & Effect Remix) [MTA Records]

1. Autumn Of Communion 4 [Carpe Sonum] 2. Vladislav Delay - Visa [Rippatti] 3. Thomas Koner - Tiento De Las Nieves [Denovali] 4. John Beltran Presents Music For Machines [Delsin] 5. 5 years De:Tuned [De:tuned] 6. DMX Krew / 100 Tears [Fundamental] 7. Ultramarine / Passwords [Real Sound]

7. Spray – Badger (Original Mix) [Unsigned]

8. Loscil – Sea Island [Kranky]

8. Danger – Primateria (VIP Mix) [HeavyWeight Records]

9. Tosca – Have Some Fun [K7]

9. Zed Bias – Shizam ft. Stylo G & Scruffizzer (My Nu Leng Remix) [Black Butter Records] 10. Skapes – Make Me Feel [Punks Music]

10. Andy Stott - Faith In Strangers [Modern Love]

Nick Hook [U.K.] [House / Tech House / Techno]

D-Formation [Portugal] [House / Tech House / Techno]

1. DJ Dan & DJ PP 'Dance, Come On' [Instereo Recordings]

1. D-Formation – Twenty4hrs [Oto Music]

2. Sonikross featuring Sara K - 'She's In The House' (Nick Hook & Martin Sharp Remix) [Jeepers!]

2. Reelow – Red Panther [Serkal]

3. Mike Vale - 'Can't Fight The Feeling' [Hotfingers]

3. Benny Rodrigues – Mster French [Voyage Direct]

4. Mat Playford - 'Ison' [Black Rock]

4. Dapayk, Padberg – Layers (Rampa Remix) [Mo’s Ferry]

5. Siwell - 'I Need It' [Sphera Records]

5. Redshape – Leaves [Running Back] 6. Pirupa – Wise [Saved Records] 7. LosBikini – Bacon Cheddar (Serious Beat Remix [Unclosed] 8. Dale Middleton – Tord – D-Formation Remix – EJ Underground 9. Guy Mantzur – Survivors Guilt [Lost & Found] 10. Marc Antona – Brush Rush [Dissonant]

58

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

6. Gala - 'The Beautiful' (Hoxton Whores Dub) [Matriachy Records] 7. Mark Knight & Discoworker - The Diary of a Studio 54 DJ [Toolroom] 8. Groove Phenomenon - Africa Tribe (Absolut Groovers Remix) [Work Records] 9. Reload - 'And It's You' [Conkrete Digital Music] 10. Pippi Ciez & Emma Jai - 'Angels Whisper' [Bloxbox Records]

DO WE ALL REALLY NEED HEARING PROTECTION? Hearing loss is the last thing on anybody’s mind as they’re out at a club or a party and investing in hearing protection is mostly at the bottom of anybody’s to do list. For one, I’ve never heard anybody’s mother declaring “don’t forget your earplugs!!!!” as her beloved exits to go out on the town for the night.

We’ve all experienced that nasty ringing sound in our ears after being out all night in a really loud club or at a concert, but as with most things we don’t usually do something about it until it’s too late. Hearing loss and tinnitus are real problems.

For people who have a real passion for music it can be devastating to end up with your hearing impaired and all the more reason to be extra careful with their hearing.

Tinnitus is a condition where a constant ringing, whooshing or a high-pitched whining sound can heard in your ears.

I don’t mean the temrary ringing you get after a night out, Tinnitus doesn’t go away it’s permanent. Both tinnitus

and hearing impairment (where sounds become muffled and distorted) are caused by exposure to loud sounds of any kind. Hearing damage occurs within the inner ear. There are tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electric impulses to be sent to the brain which can easily be damaged or destroyed by loud noise. Short exposure to extremely loud or elongated exposure to moderately loud sounds are as equally dangerous to these cells.

So let’s get down to it, how loud is too loud? Here are the facts according to NIOSH and CDC where the exposure time associated with each dB level is the amount of time you can be exposed to a certain level of noise before your ears are damaged; Reference image on left.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

59

“He was always obsessed with flip-flops,” says friend Devin Creighton. “Anyone who went by his house saw his closet full of the bleedin’ things. So what he did was glue these flip-flop tops onto a couple of massive speakers and slide his feet in there. He felt the beat through his entire body.”

But what does this actually mean to a DJ, party goer, festival head or just your average music lover? Well an mp3 player at full volume is a whopping 110 dB! Concerts, discos & clubs can range anywhere between 100 dB and 120 dB, so mix this every weekend with your casual music listening every day during the week and your ears are already What can actually be done about this? The damaged.

obvious solution is to wear hearing protection, but how will this affect the experience of the listener? Most average hearing protection will indeed pro tect your ears, but they are not designed with quality of sound in mind and

60

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

will most likely alter the natural frequency response of your hearing, greatly diminishing your experience of the music.

Alpine Hearing Protection are here to talk about their solution to this problem, read

What solution do you provide that solves the issue of standard hearing protection affecting the experience of music for the listener?

We provide special earplugs with a filter: Alpine PartyPlug earplugs. These have many advantages to standard earplugs.

Will the Party Plug affect the quality or the frequency response of music in any way?

The PartyPlug will give you 100% music quality thanks to the special music filter.

The high quality AlpineAcousticFilters in the PartyPlug earplugs tone down the volume of the music to a safe level. It is as if the volume button is turned down.

The music experience and music quality remain perfect.

How does the Party Plug achieve

attenuation of sound without altering it’s natural quality?

This is possible thanks to the earplugs’ special acoustic filters. The Conical filter with venturi bore and the shape and diameter of the audio channel determine the degree of attenuation. But of course we can’t exactly explain the he secret behind its success.

How does the Party Plug perform over time? For example, at a nightclub dishing out 110dB of volume, what kind of exposure times are safe while using the Party Plug?

It’s always hard to say this exactly. The PartyPlug has a SNR of 17. So in a club dishing out 110 dB you will have 93 dB at your ears(110-17=93). Please note that this is a oversimplified average because an earplug attenuates different

at high level sounds and low level sounds. To be sure download the “MusicSafeCheck app” on your iPhone.

This app will show you the amount of decibel and will tell you if you should wear your earplugs or not.

While wearing uncomfortable earphones for a long time the outer ear can also get painful, will this happen after wearing Party Plugs for an extended period of time?

No, it won’t. PartyPlug hearing protectors are made of the special, soft and flexible AlpineThermoShape material. This material takes on the shape of the air, giving the earplugs a perfect fit in the hearing canal, allowing them to stay put in the air, making them feel extremely comfortable. The earplugs can therefor effortlessly be worn all evening and night.

" I didn't want a deaf DJ on the label. I didn't want the company to be touched with the deaf stamp. Well, business is tough and sometimes you have to make awkward decisions and I've made harder decisions than dropping the deaf DJ".

Jack Stoddart:

62

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

"The first time I heard "Hear No Evil", I was like "whatever". But Max told me Frankie's story and the penny dropped.

People love a good tragedy. People love handicaps, frankly. It gets them emotional. I'll get on that deaf train with a wheelchair ramp, no problem. Firstclass ticket, please".

Jack Stoddart

While wearing uncomfortable earphones for a long time the outer ear can also get painful, will this happen after wearing Party Plugs for an extended period of time?

No, it won’t. PartyPlug hearing protectors are made of the special, soft and flexible AlpineThermoShape material.

This material takes on the shape of the air, giving the earplugs a perfect fit in the hearing canal, allowing them to stay put in the air, making them feel extremely comfortable. The earplugs can therefor effortlessly be worn all evening and night.

People already need to shout directly into other people’s ears in order to be heard at a club or a concert, will this be worse while wearing Party Plugs?

No, it will even be better! Thanks to the special Alpine AcousticFilters you will still hear your friends talk. Even better than without earplugs!

Most people don’t want to walk around with ugly looking ear protection or anything that will drag attention to the fact that they are wearing ear protection, how noticeable are the Party Plugs while in use?

Because the filters in the earplugs are transparent, the earplugs are hardly visible in the ear. And if you think the earplugs stick out to far you can easily shorten them a little bit. Furthermore you can choose your favourite colour out of white, silver grey and black for the earplug.

Where can extra information be found on Party Plugs?

You can find more information at www.alpinehearingprotection.com Where can they be bought? www.redbox-records.com

With standard hearing protection, it can feel like that the ears are clogged, external pressure can be felt around the ear and sometimes itching due to allergic reactions to the material used can be experienced. Will this also be the case with the Party Plugs?

No, it won’t. The special filters in the PartyPlug earplugs are an open system and therefor prevent you from feeling disconnected. AlpineThermoShape, the material of the earplugs, is hypoallergenic, preventing itch in or around your ear.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

63

:LWK RYHU \HDUV· H[SHULHQFH ZKHWKHU LW·V SURJUDPPLQJ SURGXFWLRQ RU PL[LQJ \RX QHHG ² \RX·UH LQ WKH ULJKW SODFH DW $ DXGLR :H RIIHU D QXPEHU RI VSHFLDOLVHG VHUYLFHV WR VXLW WR \RXU LQGLYLGXDO QHHGV 0XVLF 3URGXFWLRQ :RUN WRJHWKHU ZLWK RXU LQ KRXVH SURJUDPPHU SURGXFHU PL[ HQJLQHHU WR IXOO\ UHDOLVH \RXU PXVLFDO SURMHFWV IURP VWDUW WR ILQLVK 0XVLF 3URGXFWLRQ 7XLWLRQ $W $ DXGLR FRXUVH FRQWHQW LV WDLORUHG WR HDFK DQG HYHU\ VWXGHQW·V YDU\LQJ QHHGV $ QXPEHU RI PXVLFLDQV DQG '-·V KDYH XVHG WKLV VHUYLFH WR KHOS WKHP UHDFK WKHLU RZQ SRWHQWLDO $GG RQ VHUYLFHV 2WKHUZLVH ZH FDQ DVVLVW \RX WR WDNH \RXU RZQ PXVLF WR WKH QH[W OHYHO (QTXLUH WRGD\ DQG ZH FDQ SXW WRJHWKHU D SDFNDJH WR VXLW \RXU WLPHIUDPH DQG EXGJHW

3 ( VSRRN\RPDQVLRQV#JPDLO FRP

ZZZ DXGLR FRP

GERMAN REPORT FROM WUPPERTAL LEGENDARY FESTIVAL

Hi folks, before we start with our actual activity as reporters of the German scene we want to give a brief introduction of ourselves: My name is Frank Dueffel and my good brother is Andreas. We both live in Wesseling, near Cologne. We have both been into the dance scene fo some time, so will be covering many styles to include; Trance, Techno, House, chillout and classics.

As from now we will report about what's going on in the German dance scene. we will report about huge dance events, smaller underground club parties and anything in-between. We will have interviews with DJs, promoters and dazzling personalities from the scene, we will also report about the currents Ins and Outs and will also introduce some of our favorite tracks at the moment.

We hop you enjoy our reports, and please fee free to contact us with any news from Germany you think should get a mention.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

65

At the beginning of November we eagerly travelled from Cologne to Wuppertal (distance about 44 miles) with the LEGENDARY party bus to the well known and popular BUTAN Club where a huge trance event called LEGENDARY festival took place. A second party bus transfered more trance fans from South Germany to the club. The Organisation team of the LEGENDARY festival was constituted of four different trance promoters of local trance events, that joined forces to create this big event: -Heavens Gate (Herne) -Save Our Souls (Cologne) -Trance Mission (Ludwigsburg) -Spirit Of The 90th (Wiesbaden)

Each crew had their own dancefloor inside the club: Heavens Gate got the main floor of the club. Here you could listen to the sound of DJs like Solarstone, Woody van Eyden, Mark Sixma, Roger Shah and of Cologn´s hometown boy TEKNO (awesome set, my friend). Fat and driving basslines combined with crystal clear melodies made the trance fans dance like they never danced before. All sets of the main floor were broadcasted on Afterhours.FM (and can all be found on Soundcloud to listen again). Additionally to mention is the impressive light show on this floor including a multi colour lazer show.

The second and a little bit smaller floor was hosted by the Save Our Souls team from Cologne and

always full of dancing trance freaks.

Apart from the well known Dennis Sheperd, Estiva and Extravaganza SL mainly the Save Our Souls resident DJs MCO, Iloco and Phil Morris performed their progressive oriented DJ sets. The moderntrance sound called the shots.

The Trance Mission crew hosted the third floor which is located directly beside the mainfloor from which you have an impressive view on the stage and the dancefloor of the main room through a huge glass window. "Are you afraid of 138" was the slogan of this floor and DJs like Darren Porter and Patrick van Budde burst to the dancefloor with their energetic and euphoric uplifting trance sets.

Last but not least the Spirit of the 90th team hosted the smallest room in the basement of the club. Beyond classic trance tunes from the early nineties also the three winners of a DJ contest that took place a few weeks before the event got the opportunity to play a 60 minutes set. Congrats to the contest winners Refr3sh, DJ T.H. and Daniel van Vaith.

countries like the

Nick Tyrez brought back some oldschool feeling when he played hisclassic trance set completely with vinyl on MK2 turntables.

Links: www.legendary-festival.com www.facebook.com/legendary.festival

The crowd of the event was really awesome (age range between 18 and 60). They came from all parts of Germany to celebrate the sound they love. And even people from other

Netherlands, Belgium and even Ireland have been recognized.

The bottom line is that the first LEGENDARY Festival at BUTAN Club in Wuppertal was a really nice and professional planned and executed event.

We definitely got our rocks off.

In the next edition you can expect reports about the following events: Alex Di Stefano at Affenkaefig (Cologne) & Above & Beyond at Live Music Hall (Cologne)

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

67

HOUSE REVIEWS

NICK HOOK [UK]

ZONE MAG TOP TUNE

DJ DAN & DJ PP 'Dance, Come On' [Instereo Recordings]

New on the excellent Los Angeles label, Instereo Recordings, is a collaboration between US producer DJ Dan and top Uruguayan producer DJ PP entitled 'Dance, Come On'.

This seriously funky disco house tune is a perfectly produced and structured piece of dance music that could even get your granny dancing around her zimmer-frame.

The track has two big vocal hooks, a catchy disco vocal sample that instructs you to 'dance, come on, get your back up off the wall', and a ZONE MAG RECOMMENDED TUNE Mat Playford has been releasing quality electronic dance music for many years on some of the best UK labels such as Skint, Southern Fried, Saved and Hard Times. His album 'Too Big To Fail', recently released on Brighton label Black Rock, showed off his eclectic style and received critical acclaim from industry peers.

MAT PLAYFORD - 'ISON' [Black Rock]

Mat's debut single for Black Rock is the slice of sublime piano house music entitled 'Ison'. The track starts and finishes with a 303 acid bass line that continues throughout the whole track.

deep male vocal repeating 'got a shake it, pump it, move it…'. Along with the crowd sounds and siren samples this track certainly has some cheesy moments, but the combination of the pumping tech house groove, disco bass-line, funky guitars and filtered loops give it all the elements to deliver the command of its title.

This is certainly a top release from a label that consistently delivers.

Rating: 9/10

When I first heard the track I certainly wasn't expecting it to morph into the glorious soundscape of piano house that follows. The killer piano riff filters in after 32 bars and continues until the last 32 bars and in between is the outstanding piano solo which goes on just long enough. The track ends very neatly, exactly as it began with the 303 acid line.

I highly recommend this fantastic track perfect as a mood changer or end of night tune.

Rating: 9/10

I've been a fan of Mike Vale's productions since his exceptional remix of Prok & Fitch's 'Symphony', on Stealth, a few years back, a track which I played out at many clubs over a long period, and it always did the biz. Since then Mike has produced plenty of impressive recordings for top labels such as Toolroom, 1605 and Great Stuff, and his new single on Hotfingers is certainly up there with his best work.

pumping tech house rhythm and a repeating vocal hook that pronounces 'I can't…, you can't… and we can't fight the feeling'. It builds up to a very effective piano breakdown and kicks back in with a rocking percussive groove.

It all works extremely well, a guaranteed dance floor smash produced by a master of the genre.

'Can't Fight The Feeling' grooves along with a

Rating: 9/10

I must admit I've only discovered the work of Italian producer Luigi Poggiani aka Siwell quite recently, even though he has a discography that goes back quite a few years. I've quickly become a fan though because some of his recent tunes have been quite exceptional house music productions.

Brown, UMEK, Luigi Rocca and Lizzie Curious.

Another impressive release from Mike Vale and Hotfingers - highly recommended.

MIKE VALE - 'Can't Fight The Feeling' [Hotfingers]

Siwell's latest single is on his own label Sphera Records, which has been putting out some great releases from top artists such as Peter SIWELL - 'I Need It' [Sphera Records]

68

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

'I Need It' is a stomping funky tech house tune with filtered disco samples, big bass line and rocking percussive groove. This monster track has a sensational production and is a guaranteed floor filler. What more can you say? Buy it, play it, enjoy!

9/10

EDM REVIEWS

BRETT KYDD [N.I.]

ZONE MAGAZINE TOP TUNE Lurgan lads, Ryann Lyness & Brendy Cavanagh, make up ‘The Deep End’ duo. With releases already signed to ‘Tackle Records’ & ‘Porky Records’ they released their remix of Fedde Le Grande’s floor destroying record, Rockin’ N’ Rollin’, as a free download from their official Soundcloud page. If you like the modern creation of what house music has warped into, similar to Oliver Helden’s signature sound, you’re going to love this chunky, beefed up version of an already great track!

The Deep End - Rockin’ N’ Rollin Rating: 10/10

Listen/Free Download: https://soundcloud.com/thedeependmusic/fedde-le-grand-rockinn-rollin-the-deep-end-future-remix ZONE MAGAZINE RECOMMENDED TUNE With tracks signed to Spinnin’ Records, Diffused, Vicious Recordings and Tiesto’s ‘Magik Muzik’ label, playing the main room of Cream Amnesia, Ibiza and playing at Creamfields festival twice are a list of achievements by 19 year old Northern Irish lad named Junior J (AKA Jay Hamilton). When ‘Scotland's Brightest Young Talent' and our very own Junior J collaborate, it can only mean there's great music coming your way. ‘Thinking About Me’ is an uplifting and high energy progressive house track with Rebecca's dynamic vocals truly matching the euphoric sound of the young Northern Irish producer. This track won't have you standing still on the floor!

Junior J featuring Rebecca Shearing – Thinking About Me [Black Hole Recordings] Rating: 8/10 Producing from his home studio in Cookstown, currently unsigned producer ‘Gareth McA’ has been DJ’ing & producing for close to 6 years now and has released his own take on the 3-way collaboration from Doorn, Garrix & DVBBS as a free download! It is loaded with big room ‘hands in the air’ synths that leave the hairs on the back of your neck standing upward! In my opinion, it is his best work yet.

Sander V. Doorn / Martin Garrix & DVBBS Ft. Aleesia – Gold Skies (Gareth McA Remix) Rating: 7/10 Passionate deep house producers ‘Deep Audio’ hail from Belfast. Both have been playing the underground scene for a number of years and have recently taken their music to new heights signing their latest track to KP Recordings. Their track, Animal, is complete with soft vocals [from uncredited vocalist], clean slicing percussion and a deep, yet driving, bass line that backs up the solid kick pattern! Animal will be hitting the Beatport charts on 9th January, take note!

Deep Audio – Animal – [KP Recordings] Rating: 7/10

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

69

MARK KAVANAGH FEATURE INTERVIEW There are a handful of people in the lexicon of Irish clubbing that truly have left their mark.

They haven't had "careers", moreso "legacies".

There's Billy Murray, founder of Abbey Discs need we say more? There's the late Jim Kenny, arguably Ireland's first real club DJ and the first to mix two records together. And there's the man who we'll be talking to today; since the early 90s he has shone like a big lovable, grinning beacon sitting central in everything that has been Irish Dance.

Red Records. Sound Crowd. Remix fanzine. Muzik magazine and Hot Press contributor. Babydoll Records. A heavy hand in naming an entire international sub genre - "Hard House", the producer of Ireland's biggest selling track of that genre - "Bad Boy" - which would shift an incredible 20,000 copies in a pre digital music era. The presenter of Ireland's most influential clubbing radio show - Remix on DLR FM - which is responsible for creating more Irish club DJs per square transmitting airwave bar none. I recently discovered one of the shows in my PC "vaults" from 1993 and it still jumps out of the speakers like something that aired last week. The music is organic, vibrant and, even at its toughest, Mark's choices always had a big dose of soul dancing around the heart of it with its hands in the air.

So that makes him our Pete Tong right?

Well he's that and a good bit more. He's as friendly as Carl Cox. As pioneering and prolific as Paul Oakenfold. As authoritative as the late Frankie Knuckles. As hard working as Sven Vath.

As focussed as Sasha. As groundbreaking as Derrick May. He's all of those things combined and more. And he's ours! If Billy Murray is the Godfather of the Irish clubbing scene then Mark is it's Consigliere.

Its safe to say he's helped shape an entire Irish industry and help many aspiring DJs along his journey. Myself included.

70

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

When I was just a mere pup in the business Mark gave me one of my breakthrough gigs; supporting The Sound Crowd in the Olympic Ballroom on a freezing January 1st in 1994. The turnout wasn't at capacity - it was the night after New Years Eve after all - and I was on first. But I'll never forget using Technics SL1200s for the first time (upto then it had been Citronic belt driven antiques!) and getting to warm up for not just the greatest Irish Dance act of all time, but one of history's best electronic groups full stop.

After my set he was full of praise and encouragement; the latter being one of the most important things a novice DJ will ever need. It was the night Sound Crowd premièred "Sixth Season" to some dedicated clubbers, another Irish clubbing milestone in Mark's career given the success it had, and it was the night he went from being "a great Irish DJ" in my mind to being a bit of a hero.

Fast forward 19 years and Mark is still very much a central cog in the Irish Dance industry. No mean feat given how tough a scene it can be to survive in. Not only has he done that but he's managed to pivot full time into one of his original passions of journalism, working his way upto the position of Chief Sub Editor and Senior Assistant Editor of the Irish Daily Star, whilst still dusting off his

headphones for the occasional special guest appearance in clubs all over the country.

Like Mark, Im lucky enough to have experienced three life cycles of Dance culture in Ireland so far.

In the early 90s my friends and I would swap tapes, mixed by DJs in clubs we were too young to get into like Sides DC. These amazing groundbreaking things were coming out of the speakers, like Beltram's "Energy Flash", React II Rhythm's "Intoxication" and "Rainbows In The Sky" by the Hypnotist. It was labelled "Rave" by the media and grown ups but to us it was just "f**king amazing!"

In the late 90s Ireland and the UK hit its second Dance cycle, spurned on by the new Ferry Corsten sound and massive clubs like the Temple Theatre. Mainstream media revealed its best (and cheesiest) playing card when Sky One commissioned "Ibiza Uncovered". A whole new generation of clubbers wanted to get their tops off and go mental, Manumission had midgets peeling potatoes in random corners of the club and Corporate Clubbing was born. Brands like Cream and Ministry Of Sound led the way.

of club culture in Ireland ... and isnt it amazing how strong the scene is again? Every weekend every clubber is catered for, with major acts and DJs making regular appearances and its a testament to certain promoters in the city who love this industry as much as Mark and I do.

For this entire heady 20+ year magical mystery tour he has been the driver of the bus, the captain of the ship, the one leading the way for all others to follow, to learn from and sometimes look at and say: "I want to be like him. I want to be a DJ". He has grabbed Irish club culture by the scruff of the neck, shook it around and drank in the ambrosia of everything 909, 808 and 303.

When I was asked to do this interview with Mark I thought Id rest the Sound Crowd stuff on this occasion. That story has been told, and any parts of it that haven't surfaced yet will surely be part of the one Mark will want to write himself one day. There's definitely a book in there somewhere amongst such a rich tapestry of experience.

This time I wanted to know about what has influenced the man who has influenced so many:

Apart from the brief "Hed Kandi" phase that peaked around 2004 I think this is the third real great cycle

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

71

Thanks for taking the time to do this Mark, I know how crazy your schedule must be. Id like to begin with your DJing influences. It is widely known how much Tony De Vit shaped a new sound and changed the game for you. But who else has help form the DJ you became?

Tim Hannigan was a huge influence, particularly in the first half of the 90s. We had pretty similar

tastes in music and got each other's tastes. From him I learned about things such as song structures, arrangements, the four-bar rule, production techniques, synthesisers, computers. To this day I have never seen anyone with faster keyboard skills.

A holiday I took in 1988 to the Canary Islands on which Johnny

72

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

Moy was a fellow reveller was hugely influential. After two weeks of dancing until 6am to balearic beats and early house in UK-run clubs on Gran Canaria, Johnny went off to London and immersed himself in the emerging acid house culture and I came home and started buying and listening to loads of early house and techno and playing what I could at commercial discos around the city.

international DJs did you look up to in your early years?

Hardfloor, New Order, Arthur Baker, Kraftwerk, Chic, Afrika Bambaataa, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Moby, N-Joi, Rollo, Public Image Limited, Depeche Mode, Human League and others too many to mention helped shaped my sound.

Paddy Dooley in Galway, Colm Carty, Buddy in Limerick, Iain MacReady, Mark Dixon and Stephen Mulhall.

That's interesting that Tim was such an influence. What Irish and

There were so many Irish DJs who played important roles in the early development of the club scene in Ireland. Among them were Liam Fitz, Martin McCann, Fish Go Deep, Nailer in Waterford, Tommy at Sex Kitchen Galway, David Hales, Niall Comiskey, David Holmes, Warren K, Francois, Johnny Moy, Billy Scurry,

In the early years, international DJs I looked up were the likes of Justin Robertson, Billy Nasty, Darren Emerson and Andrew Weatherall.

Who was it gave you a break in the business?

Timmy and I made our own luck with Red Records, we didn't get a lucky break as such. As a DJ, Liam Ryan who owned the Olympic offered me a residency at the Ballroom in 1991 to replace the original multi-DJ line-ups because one week all of the other DJs who used to play there had gone off to a

And I would be one of those agreeing wholehearidly with those that mentioned DLR! Which early Irish nightclubs did you go to before you were standing behind the decks yourself?

Tamangos, McGonagles, Sides DC and Sir Henrys.

A nice variety of venues there.

Which of them stands out as the

Everything was different before the rave scene revolutionised Irish nightlife. DJs had not been respected, and clubbers had not been respected. There were only a few exceptions to this...

You were one half of a group that made some of the most amazingly melodic music Ive ever heard - of any genre! For me, "Think About It Please" will never be topped for me as the best Irish Dance track of all time. Sound Crowd influenced a generation to go and themselves make music. But what have been your musical influences over the years?

I think every record that turns your head and makes you go 'wow' influences you in some way. What I find heartwarming and exciting is that after all of these years I am still excited by new music, by sounds or styles I have never heard before, by infectious songs and by the strangely beautiful and beautifully strange.

Nicely put. Its, perhaps, the hardest questions a DJ can be asked but lets give it a shot; What are the three Dance tracks that have influenced you above all others?

The Age of Love: The Age of Love Rollo Goes Mystic: Love Love Love (Here I Come) Hardfloor: Acperience II What are the top three non Dance ones?

New Order: Blue Monday Massive Attack: Unfinished Sympathy Grandmaster Flash: The Message

big party elsewhere and I got to play for nearly four hours and held the floor. The residency lasted two and a half years and was huge — we had more than 1,200 people in every week for about 18 months of that run.

But I think most people would agree that the radio show I hosted on DLR during the same period was far more important in establishing me both as a DJ and as a 'commentator' on clubbing (for want of a better expression).

I'd love to know what journalists have influenced you over the years and you must have a voracious appetite for reading given your day job. That said; who would be the top three journalists who have shaped your own style?

most influential for you?

Sides DC was in my opinion the most important club in Ireland in that era. Liam Fitz and Martin McCann were heroes who every aspiring DJ including me looked up to.

Sides DC seems to be a common influence for many back then. Apart from the music - how do the Irish clubs of the late 80s and early 90s differ from today's?

Ireland is blessed with many great journalists so I would have lots of heroes currently working in Irish print media, way too many to laud here ... I am not sure that any of them would have shaped my own style.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

73

The three that I believe maybe did would be: Paul Morley James Hamilton (RIPRecord Mirror Jocks magazine journalist. I had the great privilege of meeting once at an Irish DJ convention organised by the late Tamangos DJ Jim Kenny).

Alan Jones (another great Record Mirror, Jocks and DJ magazine journalist) And if you could only bring three books with you to a dessert island, what would they be?

Something by Will Self, Paul Morley's Words and Music, and one of Peter Murphy's. It would make more sense and take up less space to bring an iPad Air 2 with a Kindle app loaded with dozens of great books. And I could fill it with music too.

Your Ipad option sounds much more practical. Finally Mark, tell us a little

bit about any future projects you have coming up. I believe there's the matter of another Red Records Christmas party on the horizon?

Next year there will only be one Red celebration party, and I have been approached about co-promoting a massive all-night event next New Year's Eve but that is a long way off.

On December 27 this year I am teaming up with UFO resident Francois at the Button Factory and even at this early stage it is looking like an advance sellout which is fantastic.

We will have more lasers than ever before and joining us at a Red event for the first time is Sides DC legend Liam Dollard, one of the most important Irish DJs ever.

Next year's new years eve event sounds intriguing and best of luck with this year's Button Factory gig.

Many thanks Mark, it was a pleasure - we'll let you get back to work!

Words By Jason Dee

MARK KAVANAGH

HIP HOP REVIEWS

Fiachradh Finch McDermott

tranquil. The bass and voices in the background have depth, kudos on the production.

If words could describe just how great this album is, I am yet to discover them.

Lethal Dialect (hereby called LD) has grown so much in three albums, it is simply astonishing. The emotional content in 1988 is something else. The artwork itself is plain and simple. Nothing too deep; let the music speak for itself.

With 'Lethal Dialect X JackKnifeJ' written above, less is more.

Kicking straight into a phenomenal introduction to the album, School Dayz Are Over is the perfect beginning. The synths are deeply peaceful, and really flow. That automated snare is a big difference to what LD's music usually consists of, which marks a new artist.

'LD50 is the artefact' is a strange way to approach it, but the lyrics are very personal, if that would be the correct word. Talking more to himself than the listener, it is a much different style indeed. The rhythms and flow keep building up, dropping; setting the perfect groove. A step away from traditional hiphop, Lethal Dialect has found his own style. It's so far apart from Irish hip-hop that it would be hard to place it, aside from the accent. With an outro of over a minute long, this is one phenomenal introduction to an album.

At this point, 13 'Til Infinity would be well known among us Irish hip-hop heads, but nonetheless its placement on the album is perfect. The harmonious intro, coupled with the sound of rain, is

In the same light as previous, Headstrong (ft. Jess Kav) would be known at this stage too. A fade in with alluring chords, the ambient crashes in the back are glorious. One would feel that flow is sacrificed to give more power to the statements being made, and while this isn't a bad thing, it surely is a different light being shed on LD. The momentum of the groove is kept going with the brassy samples brought in, and there's a certain air of sentimentality about the song.

Another one with Jess Kav, 26 Laws is a simple beat, but effective. Smashing through Still A Darkhorse, which at this stage is a common feature throughout LD’s albums, and bouncing through a comical interlude, LD is showcasing his diversity across tracks, and JackKnifeJ is truly the perfect match here.

Back to the game face, Set You Free has a marvellous vocal intro. A very slow beat, consisting of a few trap hats, the kick is quite suppressed. The synths, again, keep swirling in the background, and although a common feature throughout the album at this point, the production of said synths is exceptional.

Moving away from this laid-back atmosphere, Beast-Mode, with 4Real, is a lot harder. The only other rapper featured on a track, it can't but sound individual. The brass samples in the back are strange; they sound like they should be the main riff, not bouncing around in the back. Still, variance is always appreciated.

The last feature from Jess Kav, Energy, suits her well again. The chord progressions are very nice, and the hollow snare with a bit of delay sounds big. It's peaceful, but with a sort of underlying feeling of anxiety. The unsettling atmosphere can be disconcerting at times, but this only adds to the track. Jess Kav's vocals are exemplary, only adding to the emotional content, and this emotional experience leads into the last song on the album, featuring Damien Dempsey, a big name in the game.

Synths and (presumably) chimes open up the track, as does a scrappy beat.

Dempsey sounds unusual, his unique style contrasting with LD's. The chimes really have a magnificent resolving chord progression. Around 7 minutes the track ends, falling into total silence.

The track is dead silent for about a minute, then the bonus fades in. Some soft synths, a sick drum groove and a funky bassline is a peculiar way to finish the album. The bass, being layered with a very high frequency synth, or heavily filtered guitar, is a perfect example of the diversity of JackKnifeJ's production skills. The whole album up to this point seems perfect, ie: each song follows the next perfectly. Brave is the closer, it resolves the album; completes it. We don't expect any more. This hidden track changes all that, it skews this fact entirely. It ends the album on a different note, and we need something more after it. Fade out. Fin. Sicker than sick and doper than dope, the album exceeds any expectations at all. To see LD grow over three albums in such a way, and to find his own style, with JackKnifeJ, is just astonishing.

Perfection doesn't describe the album.

On his way to great things, it's a proud moment for him for sure.

A step ahead of the rest in the Irish scene, LD truly is going places. The scene lacks definition, something that comes naturally to LD. The album is an immense piece of work, and sentimentality prevails throughout.

Working with one producer can be a bit limiting in the sense that artistic abilities are restricted, but at the same time, as shown here, there's a contrast. LD and JKJ bring out the best in each other's styles. Excellence at its finest, for a tenner, you're essentially buying the lads a box of fags. You can part with that, I'm sure.

Bandcamp link: http:// lethaldialect.bandcamp.com/

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

75

HIP HOP REVIEWS

Buggsy – Time Is Ticking

Fiachradh Finch McDermott

Buggsy truly is back with this slammer.

Hailed as the biggest head in the Bristol scene at the moment, one can understand why. With fast lyrics flowing through the sound system, he's making a statement and being on the receiving end is a blessing. A step away from the rest of the scene, his style has taken a new turn. Instead of the traditional reggae we would be more used to hearing, he's veering towards – dare I say it – trap, and it's blissful.

A beautifully peaceful introduction to the track sets the record straight, and immediately one can see the diversity in Buggsy's style. The sonic space is incredible here, credit to Drog. The hollow click keeps the beat, then the track drops into trap. A strange direction, but Buggsy has more

than enough talent to rap over the beat. His speed is still unrivalled here, and the flow is incredible. For those of you with bad soundsystems I sympathise, but that bass is subsonic frequencies and has the potential to sterilize you. Production is something else; the bass is perfect. Buggsy keeps it real, with the iconic 'Agagagag' featured. In a word; perfect. One needs no more proof that Buggsy is getting better and better; he's on the way up. This track simply exemplifies the fact that he has the potential to rival the big names in the business.

Other recommended tracks: Skitz Ft Buggsy – Born Inna System, Ft Eva Lazarus - No Time To Waste.

Another unique release from another U.K. Heavyweight, iNDEX has changed considerably since the Scribble The Pen days. Losing the old-school grooves for this new track, Chro sets it apart from iNDEX's other releases. It is in no way a disappointing feature, and one only needs to listen to see he still retains his usual characteristics. With more references to weed than your local farmer shop's top quality herbicide, you can see iNDEX still has it. That characteristic flow is still present, although the music is a lot brighter than before, and has much more of an optimistic feel. The random choppy intro

sets the mood, and a long clappy snare keeps the groove. Frequent slow build-ups make sure we stay interested, and a relaxing guitar is perfect. There's a very new ambient quality to the music, something that one might say is unexpected, especially in contrast to earlier releases. Very different, and much more unique, change is always appreciated. On a bonus note, he looks a bit high in the video.

The title track of Fliptrix's slamming new album, it promises a great release. Another artist who has taken a new direction with their music, this track is a lot more electronic than previous features. In no way a bad thing, as change is always excellent, Fliptrix's release is all produced by Molotov. The video for this track is a pleasure, with a better light show than a Pendulum gig. The production is incredible, with numerous synths, strings, chimes; everything combined for the

perfect mix. The flow is remarkable, and it really showcases how far Fliptrix has come, and the ability of Molotov. The slow repetitive qualities of the track are trance-like, and induce the listener into a different state of consciousness, almost. Polyhymnia, the album, is out now on High Focus records.

Other recommended tracks: Paradise, War To Your Door, Wylin' Out.

Other recommended tracks: Scribble The Pen, Appreciation.

iNDEX – S.A.G.E.

Fliptrix – Polyhymnia

76

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

IRISH LABEL SPOTLIGHT

www.irishmossrecords.com Irish Moss Records now on their 29th release, where founded in 2011 by Dublin based D.J/Production duo Barry O Brien and Jason Rymer aka 'Dirty Dubsters' set out with a very simple ethos. To find the hottest Reggae and Bass artists on the scene and deliver top quality recordings, blending the classic Sound System culture with modern day bass music.

The independent label has won great support worldwide releasing tracks from Top Cat, Burro Banton, Turbulence, General Levy, Tenor Fly, Mystro, M.A.D (Superstylin, Groove Armada) to name just a HANDFUL of the top class, and world renowned performers associated with the label. They also host the biggest all day RubaDublin Reggae Festivals 3 times a year firmly cementing themselves as the pre-

mier Irish Reggae label!

Back in 2011, the roster was launched with Dirty Dubsters, who in essence brought attention to the newly founded Irish Moss Records with a string of anthemic releases, delivering a powerful LIVE show at venues & Festivals across the continent.

Over the past three years, the growth has been unprecedented, with remix credits from DJ Vadim, Zion Train, Wrongtom, Marcus Visionary & Kenny Ken, furthering the well-respected discography.

Irish Moss’s latest release drops in December with new Russian Mystro, DonSteppa Style with ‘See the World’ a monster 18 track LP, with Steppa inflicting bass heavy riddims laced with messages of positivity - nothing but good vibes from this one!

CONNECT: Dawn Kelly: press@irishmossrecords.com

By Moggi

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

77

RADIO STATION SPOTLIGHT SCOTLAND [UK] Groove City Radio Interview with Iain Boney Clark Hi Iain, thank you for taking time out to speak with The Zone.

As key figures at Glasgow's Groove City Radio can you introduce us to the station please. How and where can it be heard and what can new listeners expect on tuning in?

We are an internet radio station based in the heart of Glasgow with a host of primarily local and surrounding area presenters who have their own Club Nights, Record Labels or just well known names on the circuit bringing a very eclectic mix of music. You can hear us on our own site,www.groovecityradio.com or you can hear us through the www.tunein.comas well. And if you miss a show you can always listen back to our archive, again through our own site or Soundcloud.

Regarding background and development we understand this in one of the most audacious radio projects of it's type in Scotland. Did yourselves and the team when envisaging the concept feel there was enough of an appetite now for a station of this nature given the recent boom in dance musics popularity via crossover artists such as Disclosure, MK and Gorgon City?

We don’t think its audacious but more for the love of music. There has been and will be more stations popping up all the time, it goes back decades with pirate stations who set pop up FM sites and tried to be one step ahead of the authorities before having to move and set up in new areas. Now with the internet anyone can do it. The difference with a lot of sites is the effort that is put in. We are trying to be a bit different from the other stations who kind of pigeon hole themselves, either soul, house or em that type of thing. We have a broad range of styles from, Northern

78

ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE

Soul, Hip Hop, Afro Beats Latin, Jazz, African Rhythms, House, Trance and EDM to name a few so there is something for everyone, we also have an alternative show which caters for the indie listeners as well, playing ska, punk, reggae and all that was 70’s 80’s 90’s. Some of our biggest shows on the station are the EDM type ones but we want to give our listeners something a bit different. We could easily have every single show playing the big anthems and have a shit load of listeners but thats what makes us different from the rest I believe.

The house sound is just one element of Groove City's output however, with a multitude of musical styles ranging from trance and EDM to Reggae and Trap all being represented to. Is this reflective of Glasgow's offerings gig and club wise? If so it certainly is an appealing mix for any Global listeners planning a weekend city break?

As we said in the previous question we have diverse genres on the station which covers the majority of people. We have a vision that we want all styles of music on groove City Radio including daytime stuff, buts thats way down the line at the moment. As everyone knows Glasgow has always been the capital of Scotland when it comes to music, it has been, and always will be the centre of the music scene and I mean all types of music. So yes Glasgow does offer everyone something.

way that a traditionally more sterile station environment can't offer?

Yes you’re correct, GCR is situated in a Bar in the Centre of Glasgow, the Bar is called Bar Groove which obviously ties in with the station.

We are the only radio station in Britain to broadcast from a bar. Our studio is built in the middle of the station so when the punters come in they can see through the glass into the studio and watch everything that is going on. They sometimes get the chance to be part of some of the shows, primarily on a Saturday night when the town is jumping. A great bit of marketing for both the Bar and the station. We sometimes do all dayers in the bar, we have two rooms where we can have two different styles of music. We can broadcast these live events as well or just keep the normal schedule, we can switch between both.

Stepping out of the studio the station also boasts an impressive list of outside broadcasts. Can you guys tell us a little about these?

Any particular highlights? comes to music, it has been, and always will be the centre of the music scene and I mean all types of music. So yes Glasgow does offer everyone something.

What's interesting with the studio itself is that we believe it to be located within a busy bar, we guess that may provide it's challenges but also positives in that the atmosphere can translate on air in a

For a station in it’s infancy we can boast of some great events. We have a great relationship with Streetrave and Colours who are the biggest promoters in Scotland and have been for many, many years and attract the biggest DJ’s in the world to Scotland. So they have kindly let us broadcast some of their events. We have also broadcast Barraloadasoul which was a Northern Soul all dayer from the world famous Barrowlands right here

in Glasgow. These are just a couple but we have done more and intend to do lot more next year. We plan to broadcast local clubs to the masses where that will not only give the clubs a boost but also get GCR more and more listeners.

Moving forward and into 2015 are there any projects that listeners should keep both an eye and an ear out for? If so, what's the best method to stay up to date with what's happening at the station?

2015 we will hopefully go from strength to strength. Our DJ’s that are part of the station are hard working and are obviously an integral part of the station. We have some incredible DJ’s with some fantastic talent… bare in mind that a lot of these DJ’s were never involved with radio before but have held down shows for sometime now and their listeners are growing. I’m not going to mention any shows here as that would be unfair as all our shows are equal but the best way to find out about the shows is to tune in. At the moment we have a few things in the pipeline that are awaiting confirmation, so the best way to keep up to date with Groove City Radio is to keep www.groovecityradio.com in you bookmarks on your web browser.

Words By John Steel.

ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC

79