Previews 2012

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

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)

“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

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

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)

The more we read about GPMG’s clubbing manifesto, the more we get excited. To us, Guilty Pleasures Of Mother Goose embody everything that a club night should be in this city, investing much more than a wad of cash and some big name DJ to pull in the crowds. Interactive, spontaneous, and most importantly fun, they put in a huge amount of effort to ensure the experience lives up to the hype, and after only four parties we can confirm that it most certainly does.

You wouldn’t imagine The Clyde being a popular location for boat parties, especially considering the notoriety of Glasgow’s weather, but with this being the second of Sensu’s legendary cruises this summer, it would appear that the risk of getting a bit wet doesn’t even come into the equation. Picture perfect sunset or not, dancing to quality club music while chugging past some of the city’s most impressive landmarks is a novelty which doesn’t grow old.

Described as being a new home for creative and world music outside the mainstream, the arrival of the Glad Café in Shawlands has taken us a little by surprise. Located on Pollokshaws Rd, it looks set to put Glasgow’s often overlooked South Side on the map, with an opening weekend which is crammed full with some of the hottest names in leftfield electronica, 8-bit Indie and experimental pop.

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

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

After the unfortunate demise of last weekend’s Bloc festival in which Numbers were due to take on a monumental soundclash with Swamp81, it’s perhaps a blessing that only one week later they can return to their rightful home, forget about the dissapointment and celebrate being yet another year closer to that landmark decade. Yes, tonight one of the world’s most consistently on-point and productive labels will mark nine years since they launched, and with Jackmaster, Oneman and Ben UFO set to go back to back all night long, this will undoubtedly be one of the biggest events of the summer.

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

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

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

A little over a year since his last appearance in Glasgow, one of our favourite DJs returns to make light work of the Sub Club’s legendary soundsystem. Having of course just marked its 25^th anniversary with a month of incredible parties, the celebrations continue at the subterranean venue with a number of specially planned events set to showcase some of dance music’s most prolific talent alongside future heroes who are already making waves.

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

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

There’s been no escaping the rapid rise of Russian starlet, Nina Kraviz. Over the last five years or so she’s carved a name for herself which is based on a deep understanding of the dancefloor and an unbridled passion which is apparent in everything she does. Quite rightly stating that “there should be something wrong if a DJ doesn’t dance�, her attitude towards playing records is pure, healthy and completely organic. And with regards to her opinion concerning the presence of a DJ, we couldn’t agree more – those who spend their time concentrating inanely on what they're doing while the dancefloor thrives in front of them should reassess just why they’re playing records in the first place.

There’s a subtle buzz surrounding Glasgow-based radio show and label, All Caps. Unlike most other collectives in the city, they don’t feel the need to blast Facebook with constant updates or plaster the streets with posters. Kicking things off with their first show on Subcity Radio back in December 2008, All Caps have made a name for themselves through faultless mixing and an ability to pull out forgotten classics with almost instinctive precision.

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 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

Head down, barely acknowledging the crowd, eyes fixated on the mixer like even the slightest diversion in gaze would mean sudden death. We’ve seen it time and time again, the DJ who has perhaps one of the best jobs in the world won’t even crack a smile while the sweating punters in front of him practically do gymnastics on the dancefloor. This is a party, people have come to dance and thankfully Visionquest’s Seth Troxler realises this.

So, we may still be picking up the pieces from Saint Jude’s Easter Service, but as they say, the show must go on. This weekend the decadent party den welcomes back Guilty Pleasures of Mother Goose for what is shaping up to be another wild party. Launching last month with Items & Thing’s David Benedettini, the newest addition to Glasgow’s world-renowned House & Techno scene have already made a name for themselves with a complete and refreshing attention to detail.

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

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)