Interviews 2012

As is often the case, new club nights are spawned from a promoter wanting to share a particular sound or showcase the artists they feel the rest of the community are missing out on. And while that may be becoming increasingly difficult in Glasgow’s thriving, but unfortunately oversaturated club scene, some five years ago there was a lot more room to breath.

INTERVIEW W/ Andrew Thomson (Label Owner)

I think everyone remembers their first Death Disco. Turning the corner to find a queue snaking its way down both sides of Midland St evoked an immediate sense of excitement which was only heightened on finally gaining entry. Walking into the great, cavernous space of The Arches you were then confronted by an overload on the senses.

RETROSPECTIVE W/ Niall Walker (Club Founder)

With today’s media accessible to everyone and anyone, finding that elusive gap in the market can be exceptionally difficult. Developing that one idea which you believe has the recipe for success takes courage and commitment, that’s why the story of EQTV is so impressive.

INTERVIEW W/ Darren Watts (Co-Owner)

‘Introducing’ Glasgow City Social Club might be a bit misleading. With six highly successful parties under their belt as well as numerous appearances at some of Glasgow’s most prolific nights, it’s likely many of you will already be aware of their reputation. Announcing themselves back in March with a party manifesto which promised ‘slick and sexy House’ with a huge serving of fun, the GCSC boys have welcomed the likes of Wildkats, Richy Ahmed, Alex Arnout and Burnski to Saint Judes intimate basement.

INTERVIEW W/ Glasgow City Social Club

“There's been a lot of debate over the years about analogue vs. digital. I've embraced and followed the changes in technology all the way from the early nineties and I can say hand on heart that an analogue mixer will kill an in-the-box mix every time.� Said with conviction and convincing confidence, Cerberus is someone who is passionate about sound; in fact his entire life is devoted to it.

INTERVIEW W/ Cerberus (Underworld studio manager)

As 2012 draws to a close we will take great pleasure in looking back over what has been a quite exceptional twelve months. But before we get into the end of year charts, we’ve still got a lot of new music to cram in and a wave of producers who have only just caught our attention. For those who might be new to Synth, our Get To Know segment is all about putting the spotlight on up and coming local producers who we think are destined to make some noise.

INTERVIEW W/ Almost

 

Thursday night at Nice N Sleazy has been home to a variety of independent and vibrant parties over the years, ranging from nosebleed Electro to straight-up party music. But the one constant has always come from a feeling of instant accessibility. How many times have you found yourself having a few pints in the bar only to find yourself dancing to any number of Glasgow’s finest DJs downstairs?

INTERVIEW W/ Masha (Shore Promoter & Resident DJ)

It’s perhaps indicative of the fast-moving times we live in, but when a producer releases his first record halfway through the year and then finds himself snapped up by the likes of Audio Culture, Teal and Hotflush by the end, you know he’s on to something special. Although choosing to stay anonymous, 23 year-old producer South London Ordnance has been firmly in the ascension since releasing his debut single ‘Sanctuary/Roofy’ back in May.

INTERVIEW W/ South London Ordnance

When you can quote Jamie Jones, Sasha and Loefah in your list of fans, then you’ve not only achieved a standard of certifiable quality, but also claimed a unique and enviable appeal. It’s perhaps regarded as common place for producers to cross the boundaries these days - the melting pot of underground club music has never been hotter, but for Alfie Granger-Howell and Nick Harriman aka Dusky, the ability to find favour with some of dance music’s biggest names while maintaining a core sound is quite astonishing.

INTERVIEW W/ Dusky

Much of the excitement from writing this blog comes from the unknown. Almost every day we are introduced to something or someone new, whether that be the first tune from an aspiring producer or an entirely fresh sound which is making its mark in the clubs. And it was when Chris Smith aka Bop Gun got in touch with us about his ‘Hyper Boogie Mix’ that we found ourselves enlightened once again.

INTERVIEW W/ Bop Gun

It would perhaps be a bit overly emphatic to describe Glasgow Underground head-honcho Kevin McKay as an unsung hero, but given his continued support and sustained enthusiasm for the city’s burgeoning and seemingly endless local talent, then you’ll soon understand why we chose to give him the spotlight. Having launched Glasgow Underground in 1997, he has strived to release only the very finest club-cuts, ranging from vocal legend, Romanthony to DJ Q and Milton Jackson.

INTERVIEW W/ Kevin McKay

The time has just gone 5am in a dark, over-crowded warehouse on Glasgow’s sprawling South Side. Sweat is dripping from the low ceiling, and the rolling bass emanating from the ridiculously large soundsystem is being provided by Fuse resident, Rossko who has made the trip up from London. Driving the dancefloor with a hypnotic blend of House and Techno, the crowd writhes in time with the music - some are heads down, locked in the zone, others climb on shoulders, fist-pumping the air.

INTERVIEW W/ James Arthur (Nomad Promoter), Ivan Kutz (Resident) and Avon Kyyd (Resident)

There is no doubt that over the last year or so promoters have really gone that extra distance in Glasgow. Be it extravagant visual experiments, complete club transformations or even parties in secret or previously unused locations, the simple DJ, soundsystem, dancefloor set up just won’t cut it anymore. Innovation is very much key to getting yourself noticed in this city, and that applies not just to promoters, but also producers, artists and anyone else trying to leave their mark.

INTERVIEW W/ Chris Stevens (Heartbeats Founder) and Guy Thomson (Documentary Director)

Spatial may describe his induction into electronic music as the ‘usual story’, but considering the success of his Infrasonics label (home to the likes of xxxy, Jamie Grind and King Thing), you wonder whether ‘raves, decks to sampler’ might be an understatement of what was undoubtedly a time of great influence.

INTERVIEW W/ Spatial

Glasgow may traditionally be known as a city of House, Techno and all things 4x4, but in 2012 it can lay claim to a wide spectrum of different sounds. Supported by a passionate and creative core of producers, promoters and fans, everything from Dubstep to Juke, Drum & Bass to Disco can be found in the many clubs and localised parties. And it’s perhaps this very open-minded attitude towards electronic music that has encouraged a growing number of ambient producers to soar skywards.

INTERVIEW W/ Solipsism

The internet is a powerful tool. An obvious opening statement perhaps, but if you consider the exposure and accessibility available to aspiring producers in 2012 compared to say, ten years ago, then it really shouldn’t be taken for granted. But with this increase in opportunity comes an increase in competition, and getting yourself noticed these days really takes something special.

INTERVIEW W/ Bodhi

“Can I get, can I get get�. In the summer of 2010 there was one record which touched every dancefloor. Instantly engaging and impossibly catchy, it bridged the gap between the all-encompassing, and some might say indistinct sound of 21^st century ‘nu-disco’ with the familiar sensibilities of classic House. Released in January via the consistently on-point Permanent Vacation, it was an instant hit, going on to top charts and even feature on daytime radio.

INTERVIEW W/ Tensnake

It’s been a considerable success story so far for Set In Motion. Taking up residence in the intimate confines of Saint Judes, they’ve already attracted an enthusiastic following who have helped make parties with the likes of Hot Since 82 and Franck Roger a slick, sweaty and vibrant affair. With Substanz resident Pat Gallacher warming the dancefloor and specially selected local talent retaining that crucial home-grown connection, they seem to be delivering that often difficult balance of satisfying their own tastes while appealing to Glasgow's discerning clubbers.

INTERVIEW W/ Nico Purman

Over the last four years Mount Heart Attack have proved exceptionally good at staying on point. Pushing trends aside and focusing on the producers and DJs who take things that little bit further, they’ve been responsible for some of Glasgow’s biggest debut performances, showcasing the type of artist who is willing to take risks, but will always bring it back to the dancefloor.

INTERVIEW W/ Ben La Desh

Pressure don’t do things by halves. Each month without fail they bring the cream of Techno to the dark, cavernous space of The Arches, making the last Friday of every month one of the biggest nights in Britain. This week of course is no exception as they bring a double-header of overwhelming proportions.

INTERVIEW W/ Gary Beck

It’s perhaps one of the world’s most recognised bars and an institution in Ibiza. Year on year it attracts thousands of people over a season, all eager to experience the stunning sunset and an atmosphere which is second to none. Attracting DJs and producers as diverse as Luciano to Tiesto, Jamie Jones to Aeroplane, Café Mambo is one of the few places that can offer that magic combination of ambience and energy every single night.

INTERVIEW W/ Pete Gooding

“Students can’t afford to see big name DJs on a weekend, so we’re trying to bridge the gap between cheaper, student alternatives and great events.� When put so matter-of-factly it almost seems simple, but as any number of promoters in Glasgow will tell you, launching your own club night (especially during the week) is tricky business. Not so for Rubix.

INTERVIEW W/ Rubix

Considering Glasgow’s thirst for partying, it’s a wonder that Drum&Bass has never fully taken off. Often overshadowed by the city’s House & Techno heritage, the genre has been confined to a number of low-key parties with a loyal but relatively small following. This however could be seen as a blessing. As other musical whims have come and gone, or taken new and undesirable directions, Glasgow’s Drum & Bass scene has been an impressive constant.

INTERVIEW W/ Symbiosis

Any club night which takes the giant step to form a label must be congratulated. Signing, promoting and releasing your favourite records under a name which started out as nothing more than a simple way for you and your mates to play-out is an indication that things have become serious, confirming that your once fledgling party has now become something so much more.

INTERVIEW W/ Bleak & Darren Quail (Animal Farm Records)

Perhaps the one thing that can dishearten an aspiring producer is the perennial struggle of getting their music signed and heard. You’re convinced that yesterday’s all-nighter has produced the most exciting slice of underground House since DJ Pierre started fiddling with his TB-303, but getting a label to listen is next to impossible. The influx of bedroom producers over recent years has made the competition fierce, something which makes Illyus Brown’s first release all the more impressive.

INTERVIEW W/ Illyus

It’s quite often the case that your first club night will either make or break you. Rally all your friends, create a buzz and you can leave satisfied that your venture into promotion has been a success. However, nine times out of ten you’ll find that even with your most valiant effort, the dancefloor can be an exceptionally hard place to fill. This was the case when ReFrame launched at The Admiral last September.

INTERVIEW W/ ReFrame (27B)

Just when you think you’ve got Glasgow all figured out, along comes someone like Konx-Om-Pax and blows your mind all over again. Shamefully we only discovered Tom Scholefield’s work this summer, and to say we’ve been mesmerised ever since would be an understatement. Master of both sight and sound, he has quickly become one of Glasgow’s most intriguing artists, making a name for himself through inimitable interpretations of the world around him.

INTERVIEW W/ Konx-Om-Pax

When it comes to deep, emotive House in 2012 there’s been one name which has crossed everyone’s lips. From Pete Tong to Joris Voorn, Visionquest to Hot Creations, Daley Padley has ignited the scene with a sound which is proving to be quite irresistible. Having been producing and DJing for over a decade, it’s perhaps no surprise that with his recent moniker as Hot Since 82 he has climbed the charts to become a one of the leading names in a new wave of genre defining talent.

INTERVIEW W/ Hot Since 82

Regular visitors to this blog will be fully aware of our quite justified excitement for Mia Dora. Over the past two years we’ve witnessed one of Glasgow’s most intriguing partnerships carve their own path into electronic music, taking a direct approach which should serve as inspiration to any aspiring artist. There have been no gimmicks, no reinterpretations and no pandering to what’s regarded as ‘hot’.

INTERVIEW W/ Mia Dora

When you talk about some of the most influential and prolific labels of the last ten years, you’ll find it difficult not to mention Hyperdub. A brief glance at their discography and you’ll notice such game-changing records as Burial’s eponymous debut, Terror Danjah ‘Undeniable’ and of course early efforts by label boss Kode9.

INTERVIEW W/ LV

Having spent over ten years living in two of the world’s most influential and vibrant cities, it’s perhaps no wonder that M_nus’ Ambivalent has become one of the label’s most dynamic and feverishly productive artists. Flying in this Saturday to headline Bigfoot’s annual Riverside Party, as well as an official launch of his first mix compilation ‘_ground’ at Saint Judes, the American born producer has become a key player in Richie Hawtin’s extended family.

INTERVIEW W/ Ambivalent

Three years, ten releases – you might almost accuse Instruments Of Rapture of being a bit sluggish. But as with most things in life, quantity doesn’t equal quality, and with each perfectly pressed vinyl from the Glasgow-based label came the knowledge that you were buying something with real longevity, a piece of music which had been laboured over and delivered with absolute passion, not rush released to fit a deadline or pushed simply to maintain consistency.

INTERVIEW W/ Graeme Clark aka The Revenge

It’s been a fairly exciting couple of weeks for Martyn Henderson aka Mash. His new single ‘Style Is The Answer’ has already sold out on vinyl, and fans of the quirky Deep House roller include everyone from Seth Troxler to Shlomi Aber, all giving glowing feedback of what is quickly becoming a summer sensation. Away from the studio, he’s also just landed the roll of House Editor at Mixmag and recently helped raise over £2000 for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation via a hugely successful night at the Sub Club.

INTERVIEW W/ Mash

When you were at school, the arrival of a guest speaker was always a particular highlight. Usually it was someone exceptionally boring, but if you were lucky it could be an enthusiastic police or fireman, on hand to teach you about the Green Cross Code or rescuing a stricken cat from a drainpipe. At Andy Jackson's school however, they went one better and got the local hardware fanatic to present some of his more impressive kit – a collection which included the likes of a Roland CR-78 and Yamaha DX7 - something which immediately resonated with Andy and would perhaps shape the path of his career.

INTERVIEW W/ JFunc

There’s something very winning about Sara-Abdel-Hamid aka Ikonika. Her refusal to be swept up by the all-encompassing ‘Bass Music’ tag has left her free to experiment with different tempos, styles and structures without feeling the need to adhere to or acknowledge current trends. Her complete devotion to her own uncompromising sound is refreshing to say the least, and while others may claim to produce with the same unrestricted freedom, we sense that Ikonika is one of the few who genuinely doesn’t take notice of what other people are doing.

INTERVIEW W/ Ikonika

Rarely does a label capture the imagination so completely than the multi-national and constantly innovating Comeme Records. Having spent some time researching the imprint for this very preview, we found ourselves whole-heartedly absorbed by a collective who channel global inspiration through one delirious dancefloor. Pinpointing their sound is impossible. Forget the clichés. Comeme Records have their own identity and will never conform, they don’t need to.

INTERVIEW W/ Matias Aguayo

There can be no mistaking the influence of Manchester’s infamous Hacienda. Opening some 30 years ago, it went down in the annals of club music history alongside Studio 54 and The Paradise Garage as being somewhere of exceptional importance. It of course had its financial trouble (something that ultimately contributed to its premature demise), but during the fifteen years it was open, Fac51 was a leading venue in the explosion of House, Acid & Rave.

INTERVIEW W/ Todd Terry

What a journey. From stage invasions at the Art School to full-scale takeovers at The Arches, Mixed Bizness has always provided that pretension free alternative which wore it’s heart on its sleeve and put the focus solely on fun. Right from the very start it provided one of the few constants in Glasgow which you could always depend upon - whether that be cutting-edge student clubbing at the aforementioned Art School, the biggest names in bass at How’s Your Party? or one of the many one-off events which enlisted some of club music’s most prolific icons - Mixed Bizness became an integral part of Glasgow’s thriving clubbing community, and for many, it also became something of an institution.

INTERVIEW W/ Profisee

The advent of such production programs as Live 8, Logic and Reason have really opened up the possibilities when it comes to making electronic music. No longer do you have to rely on great, lumbering hardware to perfect your artistry, and the option to create music is no longer confined to a studio. But some argue that the use of a laptop can have a detrimental effect on your sound, stripping it of its human identity and masking its soul. For Holobeams & Broken Machine’s Iain Foxwell however, this notion has perhaps had a positive effect - his search for tangible purity has been strengthened by technology’s overbearing influence.

INTERVIEW W/ Holobeams & Broken Machines

As club classics go, ‘Higher State Of Consciousness’ ranks up there with some of the best. Released almost twenty years ago, it employed one of the best Acid basslines ever written and not only catapulted Josh Wink into the upper realm of clubbing consciousness but also the UK charts as well. It was a landmark record and so very easily could have become his eternal calling card. But fast forward to 2012 and his legacy has become so much more.

INTERVIEW W/ Josh Wink

Dance music is a powerful thing. From bedroom DJs to world-famous producers, what started with the most humble of beginnings has now changed the lives of thousands of people, dictating careers, relationships and the very basis of their being. Some of course are happy to enjoy it from the dancefloor, but others have an insatiable need to share it, and it’s with this often all-encompassing passion that great things can happen. Predictably, it’s in the latter of these two categories that Simon Forbes, creative manager and director at Sonar FM resides.

INTERVIEW W/ Simon Forbes (Station Director)

The term ‘vibe’ gets thrown about a lot, but when we got down to our first Mungo/Chungo event last month, it was the only word which could truly describe the incredible atmosphere with any accuracy. Having teamed up earlier in the year to present parties as unified promoters, Mungo’s Hi Fi & Chungo-Bungo have really set the benchmark for what clubs can achieve in 2012. We talk a lot about the saturation in Glasgow, and how too many promoters ‘spoil the broth’, but here is a prime example of how working together can pay off massively. Why compete with each other, struggling to capture the same market, when you can both benefit as one?

INTERVIEW W/ Mungo's Hi Fi & Chungo Bungo

It’s well documented that we are quite fascinated by the evolution of Hip Hop, particularly with regards to America’s interest in Glasgow’s burgeoning visionaries, and what is seemingly both a reaction to the sour monotony of the mainstream and the natural course of a genre which is always eager to jump on what’s ‘hot’. You’ll most likely be aware of the current hype surrounding TNGHT (the super-fresh collaboration between Hudson Mohawke and Lunice), Kanye West’s growing interest in what he refers to as the ‘next level’ and Rustie’s critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Glass Swords’. It’s perhaps one of the most exciting developing stories to come out this city, and LuckyMe’s Dema is probably best placed to comment on it.

INTERVIEW W/ Dema

If you’re going to be steaming on The Clyde its best you do it in style. Calling in the Coast Guard because you’ve been swept into the North Sea on an inflatable dinghy from Asda just isn’t a good look, so it’s best you leave it to the professionals and one of the most prolific steamers in the world (and we’re not talking about Big Barry Buckfast from Sighthill). As boats come, The Waverley Paddle boat is up there with HMS Victory, The Discovery and that odd amphibious bus that ferries sightseers across the Thames.

INTERVIEW W/ Melting Pot

Considering they only uploaded their first track to Soundcloud a matter of six months ago, the imminent release of their debut EP may come as a bit of a surprise to some. But in this day and age of Youtube sensations and viral marketing, the internet has become central to the exposure and eventual success of new music. Infact it was only through a heads-up via the aforementioned Soundcloud that we discovered MermaidS, a rapidly ascending production duo born out of a series of late nights, and yes, a fair portion of Marijuana.

INTERVIEW W/ MermaidS

Nine times out of ten being ‘simply’ a DJ just won’t cut it. Ever since the advent of laptop mixing, it has become (for better or worse) a lot easier for any Tom, Dick or Harry to select a few tunes and play them in a pleasing order. While this may have opened up the art to those who previously couldn’t afford it, or indeed just couldn’t be bothered with the rigmarole of vinyl, it means that setting yourself apart as a true talent is difficult. It is perhaps all the more impressive then that Amanda Mitchell aka Floyd has risen to become one of Glasgow’s most prevalent new DJs, based purely on a love of music and skill alone.

INTERVIEW W/ Floyd

There can be few more visionary icons throughout the history of dance music than Jeff Mills. His tireless innovation and forward-thinking attitude have influenced countless peers, undeniably making a huge impact on how we perceive, understand and enjoy club music. Presenting it more as an art form than a simple method to dance, his endeavour to ensure his audience experience something more than face value has cemented his place as one of the greatest. But before this becomes a passionate tribute to one of our personal heroes, it’s perhaps best that we focus on Jeff Mills as a contemporary, rather than his extensive and ultimately significant past.

INTERVIEW W/ Jeff Mills

For some, the arrival of Sunday Circus marks the true start of summer. When the weather is finally good enough to take the party outside and the threat of trench-foot/electrocution/saturated baps is minimal, you know that things are looking up. As has been the case for the last five years, Sunday Circus has always endeavoured to bring you some of the finest names from the House music spectrum in a setting which usually challenges or at least differentiates from the norm. This Sunday sees that tradition upheld as the collective celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the biggest excuse for a Royal knees-up since Wills and Kate started sharing the price of stamps.


INTERVIEW W/ Affi Koman & Ronnie

“I've never really pinned it down to anything, a narrative is created regardless of whether I feel the need to stick to the same palette of sounds or BPM�. As an opening quote that really defines what 22 year-old Tom Marshallsay aka forward-thinking experimentalist, Dam Mantle is all about. Infact, further to that, he’s probably managed to sum up just what defines forefront electronic music in 2012. So much emphasis is put on trying to label a ‘sound’ these days that it can sometimes smother it, and in the case of Dam Mantle, this simply doesn’t apply – certainly not from his perspective anyway.

INTERVIEW W/ Dam Mantle

We have a confession to make – when pressing play on Taz Buckfaster’s Synth Presents mix for the first time we had a preconception of what it might sound like: contorted bass, epic synths and an outright filthy demeanor. While his mix might contain traces of these elements, the all-out dub-fest we were expecting was infact replaced by something altogether more exciting. Being pigeonholed is certainly a terrible thing, and it’s something Tarik Cherkaoui goes to great lengths to avoid. As you’ll hear, his mix for us gleams with a futuristic flare which immediately discounts it as being simple ‘Dubstep’. Promoting a truly diverse cross-section of the upper tempo, Taz is someone who is keen to prove that 140 doesn’t automatically mean ‘screw-face’.

INTERVIEW W/ Taz Buckfaster

There’s perhaps no point in reiterating the ‘over-saturation’ theme in Glasgow. Like it or not, it’s part of the city’s foundation. And does it matter? To some the fact that every weekend you can pick and choose between all manner of big name DJs, up coming live acts and local ‘ones to watch’ is a privilege which not many other city’s can boast. This weekend for example, you have the option of getting sweaty to the sound of Night Slugs at the Sub Club, a four hour Techno-education from Slam or skanking your heart out with Congo Natty & Tenor Fly, and that’s not to mention other appearances by X-Press 2, Auntie Flo, Arp 101 and Iration Steppas.

INTERVIEW W/ Palace

Just when the entire country was on the brink of a fairly prolific SAD epidemic and Prince Charles had managed to induce a virtual hurricane with his Royal forecast, the sun has finally decided to make an appearance and remind us all that it is infact summer. And for the 240 of you who will be gathering at Pacific Quay tomorrow night for iAM’s first ever boat party, this will come as great relief.

INTERVIEW W/ Submerse

For all the murmurings about Glasgow’s club scene being over-saturated and too competitive, sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and get on with it. If you have a large group of friends and want to put a party on for them (and anyone else who fancies popping along), then the fact that some high-ranking powerhouse is playing down the street just doesn’t matter. And that is how Midnight Cowboy - a new monthly get down at Flat 0/1 - have approached things.

INTERVIEW W/ Midnight Cowboy

Perhaps one of the greatest pleasures of this job is spotting talent early and then watching it flourish. Scrolling through Soundcloud once a week for the past two years, we have found some truly incredible music which in our eyes deserves even further exposure. To avoid sounding like self-aggrandising pricks we won’t suggest that we have by any means influenced the success of any of the producers we choose to highlight, but certainly discovering that unsigned gem and then shouting about it is one of the most satisfying aspects of Synth. And perhaps the best example of this gratifying foresight is the recently signed John Smyth aka This Is I – one to watch and definitely someone who caught our attention from the start.

INTERVIEW W/ This Is I

The Arches is packed from wall to wall. Sweat is practically dripping from the ceiling and the atmosphere is nothing short of electric. Slam have just dropped their 1993 Techno anthem, ‘Positive Education’ and the reaction is comparable to Maradona’s ‘goal of the century’. Some throw their hands in the air, others are heads-down, nailed to the floor by that acidic bassline. Tonight is special, as not only has Laurent Garnier brought his LBS show to town, but Slam are celebrating something of a landmark in their quite incredible career.

INTERVIEW W/ Slam & Dave Clarke

There’s a certain element of ‘feel-good’ that surrounds Auntie Flo. From the hyper-vibrant artwork used to promote flagship night Highlife, to the instinctive rhythm which consolidates his music, there is something truly uplifting about Brian D’Souza and his worldly vision - and we’re not talking about an over-subscribed use of the word ‘vibes’ or likening him to some type of ‘friend of the earth’. Venture down to the Sub Club during one of his events and you’ll find a localised carnival which encourages an open mind and an invitation to dance, really dance. Co-promoted with Huntleys and Palmers, Highlife has served as a launch pad for Auntie Flo, and this Saturday they bring the party to La Cheetah for the launch of his long-awaited extended release ‘Future Rhythm Machine’.

INTERVIEW W/ Auntie Flo

It’s Friday night at a secret warehouse party in Glasgow’s city centre. Through the crowds of sweaty punters we stumble across Mirrors, who with bottle of Buckfast in hand, informs us that he has just sent us yet another two demos to check out when we get home. Parting ways, we promise to have a listen later, and at 7am, in a slightly less stable state than we were earlier, the speakers go on. The two tracks are ‘Aquarius’ and ‘Things’, both gleaming with a future-funk which has become central to the Mirrors sound. Although only in their demo form, they won’t stay under wraps for long.

INTERVIEW W/ Mirrors

It’s perhaps an era which has been lost on the new generation of 'Dance'n'B' mainstream fanatics, but back in the 90’s, the sound which grew from the most organic of origins was arguably at its peak. From the backpack flavours of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest to the more explicit and hard-edged debuts from Biggie, Dre and Jay Z, this was a time when sampling was at its creative best, leaving us with classics which have stood the test of time and will no doubt resonate throughout the ages. However, for the chart-influenced youth of today who idolise the likes of Flo’Rida, Niki Minaj and dare we even mention, LMFAO, the head-nodding flow of the 90’s may seem somewhat understated, even foreign to them.

INTERVIEW W/ Bunty Beats

It’s a topic which has been argued over for some time, but like it or not, the term ‘Future Garage’ is inescapable. While some people regard it as a somewhat lazy description for that ever-growing grey area falling between traditional Garage, Dubstep and Techno, others quite adamantly maintain its place as a singular sound which perfectly embodies the nature of what is an increasingly popular movement. As you’ll read in our following interview with Future Garage pioneer and Feel Good headliner Whistla, it’s perhaps been taken too literally by some people. The "Future" part of the name really isn’t something to get hung up about; it really is just to draw a distinction between "Revivalism" and "Progression". Aptly put and with conviction by a man who knows what he’s talking about.

INTERVIEW W/ Whistla

The time has just gone 1am in Glasgow’s legendary Sub Club, the air is thick with smoke and bass is pummelling the packed dancefloor. With strobes flickering at a disorientating rate and the low ceiling coming under constant attack from a barrage of pumping fists, the scene is one of organised chaos. All of a sudden a wave of spine-tingling synths fill the room, sweating punters are bathed in a white light before a massive drop pierces the relative serenity. This is the sound of High Sheen and the dancefloor knows it. Unleashing their eponymous debut earlier this week, Glasgow’s freshest new label are ready to show their hand.

INTERVIEW W/ High Sheen

It’s December 2009 and Julian Corrie has just arrived on stage at Glasgow’s infamous King Tuts. There is no glowing Apple logo in sight; instead he is surrounded by what appears to be a precarious jumble of electronic hardware while a guitar swings haphazardly from his neck. It’s been nearly three years since he unleashed his self-released debut album by the name of ‘Rainbow Bubbles’ – an oddball collection of eccentric melodies and solarised glitch – and tonight he is debuting four new tracks which seem to go down rather well.

INTERVIEW W/ Miaoux Miaoux

Where do you start with Optimo? Was it their classic Essential Mix back in 2006, thirteen years of legendary parties or the sprawling queue which snaked its way into the horizon for the final night in 2010? For us, it was the latter. If their was any doubt of how much Glasgow truly loves their dynamic duo, then you need only regale the hordes of anxious fans lining up for that final dance. The atmosphere on the 25^th April 2010 was utterly electric, and with the Sub Club spilling over, you could sense a genuine affinity for a night which over hundreds of parties had become woven into the very fabric of the city.

INTERVIEW W/ Optimo

We’ve all been there, it’s the morning after the night before and you’ve got a hangover that you’re convinced might be life-threatening. A half eaten chips & cheese has attracted a swarm of unidentifiable jungle flies and that acrid, but oh so familiar smell would suggest you’ve pissed in the bin again. It’s a sorry state of affairs, but at least you can fester in the knowledge that you did your bit. In this world of poverty, deprivation and injustice, charities are always overjoyed to receive your donations, but talking to that weird looking guy for 45mins on Buchanan St is less than appealing. Enter Philanthrobeats and your ticket to conscious clubbing.

INTERVIEW W/ Philanthrobeats

Prepare to be shocked – it has now almost been two years since iAM injected student clubbing with a big hit of credibility. Two years since they started bringing you cutting edge beats each and every Tuesday, two years since they started showcasing some of Glasgow’s hottest local talent and two years since Wednesday morning’s officially became an out and out write-off. Looking back they’ve certainly come a long way, and when considering the initial first step they took in bringing students to the Sub Club you have to tip your hat in acknowledgment.

INTERVIEW W/ iAM

You can always tell when music is truly organic because it doesn’t sound like anything else. In 2012 with traditional genres taking new and exciting directions, our job as journalists has become infinitely more difficult. So often an artist refuses to label their sound as ultimately it becomes an extension of their personality, a manifestation of raw emotion and an aural snapshot of experience. Music is precious and unequivocally individual; we certainly wouldn’t like it if someone slapped our 140bpm solar-funk as certified ‘Dubstep’ (not that we’re making solar-funk, but now that we’ve coined it, we might just). Music is a highly personal expression and such a notion applies perfectly to Soosh.

INTERVIEW W/ Soosh

"Music really is a privilege, and I can honestly say that deep within my heart I am totally grateful for every piece of amazing music that I have been lucky enough to have been able to hear.� To some people such an all-encompassing statement could perhaps be construed as over-exaggerated enthusiasm, but when said by Rebecca Vasmant you know she means every word.

INTERVIEW W/ Rebecca Vasmant

With Rustie and Hudson Mohawke finally getting the wider recognition they undoubtedly deserve, we keep a close eye on the new wave of futurist producers who have an ear for the eccentric, indescribable and outright visionary. What undoubtedly makes the aforementioned artists so exciting is the fact they escape generalisation, and while Sega Bodega may reject being likened to anyone, there is no denying his creative drive is much the same.

INTERVIEW W/ Sega Bodega

There are few clubs in Glasgow that can boast the biggest names in club music week in week out and there are even fewer still that can claim to have achieved that in their first year. Since launching in March 2011, Chambre69 has filled what some people would describe as fairly expansive void in the clubbing landscape, providing an underground venue which offers the non-threatening accessibility of a mainstream alternative while showcasing some of the most on-point bookings going at extremely affordable prices.

INTERVIEW W/ Ross McHenry (PR and Booking Agent)

In 2012 live electronic music has reached far beyond what we ever could have imagined. From blistering pyrotechnics and retina-burning video walls to DJ sets which are enhanced through impulsive edits and the type of technology which would make C-3PO blow a gasket. The possibilities are essentially endless and that no doubt can only be a good thing – but what if your favourite producer perhaps becomes too reliant on his wizard like gadgetry?

INTERVIEW W/ Darren Quail (Promoter & Resident)

You will have been hard pressed to miss the quite astonishing rise of Thunder Disco Club over the last three years. Ever since their first party way back in the summer of 2009 at the now defunct Lite Club, they have become one of the most recognisable brands in Glasgow, bringing us on-point bookings, inspired themes and an ever-lasting lust for all things devious.

INTERVIEW W/ James Sutherland (Resident & Promoter)

There’s something intriguing about a young guy in his bedroom late at night, making music. It’s how many of the greats started out – locking themselves away for hours at an end, creating and perfecting their sound in the hope it might lead to something bigger. Following in these footsteps is Niall Morris aka Cur$es, who since the release of his home-made debut album ‘Solar Temple’ in July 2011 has been impossible to ignore as an evolving and upcoming talent.

INTERVIEW W/ Cur$es