features Archives - Klubikon

Hard techno osvaja visoku modu i reflektira se na festivalsku scenu

Klubikon — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:56:36 +0000

Elektronički zvuk, intenzivan ritam, adrenalin, hrabrost i sloboda koja je proizašla iz techna i hard techna ne preuzimaju samo klupsku i festivalsku svjetsku scenu već i modne i lifestyle trendove.

Sudeći prema ovogodišnjim festivalima, trendovima, modnim revijama i kolekcijama nosit će se unisex provokacija inspirirana glazbom i eksperimentiranjem. U svijetu gdje je autentičnost sve rjeđa, a platforme kao što su TikTok i Instagram čine pozornice i modne piste, dizajneri često biraju estetiku i energiju hard techno scene za koju tvrde da uvelike preuzima ulogu EDM-a i postaje glavni party žanr među mladima.

Iako sam hard techno kao glazbeni pravac postoji više od 20 godina, on u ovoj godini u našoj regiji doživljava infiltraciju iz undergrounda u mainstream o čemu govori i najava prvog izdanja Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festivala koji će se održati na Zrću od 30.06. do 04.07. Nizozemski Verknipt kao najveći organizator hard techno i techno evenata te festivala u svijetu koji rasprodaje događaje za 40.000 posjetitelja u samo jednom danu, u Hrvatsku će osim nove publike ovog ljeta donijeti jedan modni izričaj kojim su inspirirane čak i velike modne kuće i poznati dizajneri.

Prada i Raf Simons

Belgijski dizajner Raf Simons poznat po svojim eksperimentalnim i avangardnim kolekcijama još je 1998. kao modele svoje tadašnje Radioactivity kolekcije predstavio članove njemačkog krautrock benda Karftwerk, a prije par godina i izjavio jednu od svojih najpoznatijih rečenica: “I’m Not So Rock and Roll. I’m More Techno.”

I u ovogodišnjoj kolekciji koju je dizajnirao za Pradu ističe se urbanost i sloboda, pa nije iznenađujuće da je nekoliko njegovih kolekcija imalo elemente inspirirane elektroničkom glazbom, uključujući hard techno i gabber. Prada kolekcija za proljeće/ljeto 2024. predlaže apsolutnu slobodu tijela, formalne siluete, ženske modele posuđene iz muške mode i obrnuto. Torbe i cipele ukrašene su korištenjem kože i re-nylona također često viđenim u varijacijama odjevnih predmeta klupske i festivalske scene.

Balenciaga i Demna Gvasalia

Kako je nekad u 90-ima Jean Paul Gaultier bio inspiriran grungeom tako je danas kreativni direktor Balenciage Demna Gvasalia u svojoj provokativnoj i suvremenoj interpretaciji mode inspiriran elementima hard techno estetike. Njegove kolekcije često su eksperimentalne i futurističke, a on ističe: “Music is a big part of my life and is an integral part of Balenciaga’s culture.”

Demna je čak stvorio Balenciaga Music glazbenu platformu kao priznanje ovoj stalnoj inspiraciji i kako bi podijelio svoje omiljene izvođače i njihov utjecaj. Kolekcije su mu često inspirirane mračnijim i hard techno zvukom, kao i klasičnim glazbenim djelima. U Balenciagi vjeruju da je moda izraz kulture, umjetnosti i glazbe koja te inspirira. Producent BFRND je mozak iza Balenciaga zvuka još od 2017., njihovog soundtracka, orginalne playliste pa čak i video igrice.

Rick Ownes

Rick Ownes, američki dizajner s adresom u Parizu koji zbog svojih high-end kolekcija i androgenog izričaja inspiriranog technom slovi za princa tame i u svojoj posljednjoj kolekciji 2024. ističe mračnu estetiku popraćenu glazbom američkog hardcore glazbenika Lil Texasa.

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Alexander Wang

Američki dizajner Alexander Wang također je poznat po svojim modernim, urbanim kreacijama. Njegove kolekcije često su dinamične i energične, reflektirajući atmosferu gradskog noćnog života i hard techno lifestylea.

Dizajneri koriste hard techno i hardcore glazbu kako bi pojačali atmosferu i teme svojih kolekcija, stvarajući osjetilno iskustvo koje nadilazi vizualne elemente mode. Osim ritma za modnu pistu brandovi se usklađuju sa subkulturom koja sadrži intenzitet i konzumira se brže, bolje i jače.

Ova fuzija glazbe i mode ne privlači samo dugogodišnje obožavatelje već i nove članove, proširujući dosege i utjecaj žanra tvoreći jednu novu generaciju i sve veću zajednicu. Zagreb, Ljubljana i Beograd već stvaraju večeri, programe i nove talente ovog žanra. Exit Festival, Sea Star, Tomorrowland, ADE i mnogi drugi veliki festivali po prvi put na svojim glavnim pozornicama najavljuju tvrđi zvuk i hard techno zvijezde. Tisuće mladih željnih plesa i zabave iz cijelog svijeta iz mračnih i zatvorenih hala sa sjevera stižu i na našu obalu u sklopu festivala Verknipt Croatia za dva tjedna.

Time je jasno da je techno fashion ujedno postao i future fashion.

Sadržaj nastao u suradnji s Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festivalom.

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Vodeća svjetska organizacija za hard techno događaje, nizozemski Verknipt, na najpopularniju party destinaciju Pag, plažu, klubove i party brodove na Zrću od 30. lipnja do 4. srpnja donosi Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festival i u Hrvatsku dovodi imena kao što su Creeds, Basswell, OGUZ, Kntrlvrlst, Carv, OMAKS, KØZLØV, DIØN, Cristobal Pesce, Franky-B, Nikolina, Xenia i druge vodeće predvodnike ovog brzorastućeg i sve popularnijeg žanra elektroničke glazbe u svijetu.

Informacije o festivalskim i dnevnim ulaznicama, paketima koji uključuju smještaj u apartmanima ili vilama s bazenom, te cijeli lineup i program možete pronaći na službenoj stranici festivala OVDJE.

Hard techno zahvatio regiju: Nova generacija rejvera preuzima scenu

Klubikon — Thu, 23 May 2024 17:55:53 +0000

Nekad potpuno underground stil, danas sve zastupljeniji žanr na festivalima i velikim partijima diljem svijeta, hard techno već je uvelike preuzeo ulogu mega popularnog EDM-a. I to ne samo u glazbenim trendovima, nego i modi, stilu i imageu kojim se mladi identificiraju.

Koliko hard techno preuzima scenu govori i dolazak najvećih svjetskih organizacija i festivala u našu regiju poput premijernog izdanja Verknipt Croatia koje će se održati od 30. lipnja do 04. srpnja na Zrću, ali i nastupa DJ-eva i producenata najavljenih na glavnim pozornicama nekih od najvećih festivala u regiji kao što je npr. Exit u Novom Sadu ili Sea Star festival u Umagu na kojem sutra nastupa Gumja. Na Exitovoj dance areni tako će po prvi put nastupiti predstavnik žanra OGUZ, dok je Verknipt za svoje prvo izdanje u Hrvatskoj najavio preko 60 izvođača. Uz poznata imena najveći nizozemski organizator predstavit će i mlade talente koji će rasti u razdoblju pred nama zajedno s brojem poklonika hard techna, industriala i drugih hardstyle i rave glazbenih pravaca.

Zagreb, Ljubljana i Beograd već stvaraju večeri, programe i nove talente ovog žanra. Luka Beograd u Hangaru redovito je protekle godine organizirala hard techno rejvove pa tako i prošli tjedan kad je njihov Music Reactions Outdoor Rave posjetilo čak 5000 ljudi, a nastupali su: AZYR, Parfait, Lúcia Lu, Dj Hyperdrive i lokalaci RAR i ACOR.
Cvetličarna u Ljubljani u travnju je predstavila Hardbeats festival i ugostila neka od imena poput 6EJOU, Carv, OGUZ i Gumja po prvi put u regiji, dok u Zagrebu klub Depo najviše koketira s hard stilovima te bukira i podržava regionalne izvođače “tvrđeg” stila.

Partiji, događanja i festivali u Europi koji su orijentirani ovom stilu glazbe bilježe rekordne posjete i rekordnu prodaju ulaznica, tako je npr. u samo 24 sata rasprodan najveći svjetski hard techno događaj ikad koji se održava ovog srpnja u amsterdamskoj Johan Cruijff Areni. 40 000 ulaznica “planulo” je za tren, kao i na posljednjem Amsterdam Dance Eventu na kojem su svi hard techno partiji rasprodani unaprijed. Ovogodišnji Tomorrowland na glavnim stagevima najavljuje tvrdi zvuk, toliko glasno da je stil već prerastao u pokret, a pokret preuzeo dominaciju.

Iako se ne radi o novom žanru glazbe, utjecaj društvenih mreža proširio je i utjecaj žanra da iz undergrounda pređe granice među publikom i rejverima, ali i da stvori novu generaciju producenata i DJ-eva koji su izrasli iz drugih žanrova. OGUZ je tako prije deset godina započeo svoju karijeru preko dirty Dutch housea i stigao sve do hardcorea, no zarazna čista energija i sirova neokaljana snaga ovog žanra doveli su ga posljednje dvije godine u sam vrh.

OMAKS, s kojim smo nedavno razgovarali, kao mladi talent ovog žanra s druge je strane uvijek miksao “hard”, često između 150 i 170 BPM-a, a sam žanr mu je najbolja platforma da ispituje i ruši granice.
Francuz KØZLØV, s kojim smo također nedavno razgovarali, otkrio nam je da je upravo na jednom techno festivalu na Zrću u Hrvatskoj shvatio da želi biti DJ i producent dok mu se u hard technu najviše sviđaju “lažni” dropovi. Ludilo koje hard techno eventi nose za sobom kroz glazbu, stil oblačenja i produkciju nezaustavljivo tutnji i bilježi rast poklonika u cijelom svijetu, pa nije ni čudo što ga već nazivaju EDM-om današnje generacije.

Kužeri sa scene vode polemike pripada li hard techno više hardstyleu nego technu, stariji će reći da ih današnji hard techno podsjeća na rave, hardcore 90-ih i gabber. Tik Tok generacija koja sve konzumira brže, jače, odmah i intenzivno; na isto to pitanje odgovorit će da je hard techno, techno nove generacije.

Iz mračnih skladišta i hala, hard techno izlazi na sunce i dolazi na našu obalu.

Vodeća svjetska organizacija za hard techno događaje, nizozemski Verknipt, na najpopularniju party destinaciju Pag, plažu, klubove i party brodove na Zrću od 30. lipnja do 4. srpnja donosi Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festival i u Hrvatsku dovodi imena kao što su Creeds, Basswell, OGUZ, Kntrlvrlst, Carv, OMAKS, KØZLØV, DIØN, Cristobal Pesce, Franky-B, Nikolina, Xenia i druge vodeće predvodnike ovog brzorastućeg i sve popularnijeg žanra elektroničke glazbe u svijetu.

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Sadržaj nastao u suradnji s Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festivalom.

KØZLØV: I fell in love with techno music right here in Croatia

Klubikon — Thu, 09 May 2024 09:53:30 +0000

French techno artist Florian Kozlowski KØZLØV who gathers millions of streams thanks to successful tracks such as “Tchernobyl” or “She Wants You To Go Harder” will perform at the first edition of the Verknipt Holiday Croatia Festival, taking place from June 30th to July 4th at Zrće Beach. On this occasion, he shared with us what he is preparing for the daytime and nighttime parties at the festival, how he is preparing, and what he expects from the summer on the Adriatic. If you didn’t know, this techno artist discovered his passion for electronic music precisely at a festival on the Croatian coast ten years ago, and as he says, everything started for him right here in Croatia.

What have you prepared for your performance on Verknipt Croatia Festival?

I’ve made some unreleased and collab tracks to play there, and because I’m playing three times in the festival, people can expect a different set for each performance.

What makes Verknipt special, why should every techno lover experience it?

When I play for Verknipt the energy is stunning, every time you find good vibes on the stage and also behind backstage. The crowd stay from the beginning until the end. It is appreciable when you play an early set.

What can someone expect from the Verknipt Croatia Festival?

I think as a raver, you can find on every stage a lot of artists, can be famous or “new” ones & interesting to discover some of them. You add with that a lot of sun and you find the perfect cocktail “Verknipt Croatia”.

Have you ever been to Croatia before or have you experienced the Croatian summer? If yes, what did you like the most? If not, do you have any expectations?

Yes, it reminds me of beautiful memories when I was there with some friends 10 years ago for Sonus Festival. We spent one week on holiday and bought tickets for this festival without knowing techno. We all fall in love with this music. Everything started from this point.

How do you prepare for a festival like this with boat parties, day parties and night parties?

For example, I’m going to put more melodies during sunset, it works definitely for this time. After that for the night ones, I’m going straight as usual aha.

How would you describe your style of mixing and producing?

For mixing I like to play without big breaks, something powerful with lot of elements from 2 or 3 tracks at the same time. For producing it depends on my mood but nowadays I like to use fake drop and work around some vocals, I really like the new way of hard techno.

Do you have any upcoming releases you can tell us about?

Yes, I’m starting my own label during MAY, with my upcoming release, the 2024 edit of the famous “TCHERNOBYL” track. After that an EP with some collab tracks in it, but you’re going to see with who, I’m really proud of this announcement.

What are your plans for this summer?

Gigs of course ahah, but spend time with my friends as well. Last year was really intense with no breaks, so this time end of August I’m going to Colombia for some holidays. And let’s see where I will be afterwards.

What are your festival essentials?

Sunglasses, suncream (white skin aha) and light clothing.

The leading global organization for hard techno events, Dutch Verknipt, brings its Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festival to Pag, the most popular party destination, including beaches, clubs, and party boats at Zrće Beach, from June 30th to July 4th. The festival will feature names such as Creeds, Basswell, Oguz, Kntrlvrlst, Carv, Omaks, Køzløv, Diøn, Cristobal Pesce, Franky-B, Nikolina, Xenia, and other prominent leaders of this rapidly growing and increasingly popular genre of electronic music worldwide.

Information about the festival and daily tickets, packages including accommodation in apartments or villas with a pool, as well as the full lineup and program, can be found on the official festival website HERE.

KØZLØV: Zaljubio sam se u techno glazbu upravo u Hrvatskoj

Klubikon — Thu, 09 May 2024 09:41:09 +0000

Francuski techno artist Florian Kozlowski KØZLØV, čija glazba broji milijune streamova zahvaljujući uspješnim stvarima poput “Tchernobyl” ili “She Wants You To Go Harder”, nastupit će na prvom izdanju festivala Verknipt Holiday Croatia, koji se održava od 30. lipnja do 4. srpnja na Zrću. Tim povodom, podijelio je s nama što priprema za dnevne i noćne zabave na festivalu, kako se priprema, te što očekuje od ljeta na Jadranu. Ako niste znali KØZLØV je svoju strast prema elektroničkoj glazbi otkrio upravo na jednom festivalu na našoj obali prije deset godina, i kako kaže, za njega je sve započelo upravo ovdje u Hrvatskoj.

Što si pripremio publici za svoj nastup na Verknipt Croatia Festivalu?

Pripremio sam nekoliko neobjavljenih i suradničkih pjesama koje ću puštati tamo, i budući da nastupam tri puta na festivalu, ljudi mogu očekivati različit set za svaki nastup.

Što čini Verknipt posebnim, zašto svaki ljubitelj techna treba to doživjeti?

Kada nastupam na Verknipt eventima, energija je impresivna, dobra vibra osjeća se na pozornici i iza scene. Publika ostaje od početka do kraja, čak i kada svirate rani set.

Što posjetitelji mogu očekivati od prvog izdanja Verknipt Croatia Festivala?

Mislim da kao ljubitelj techna možete na svakoj pozornici naći dosta zanimljivih DJ-a i umjetnika, bilo da je riječ o poznatim ili “novim” imenima, a zanimljivo je i tek otkriti neke od njih. Dodate li tome puno sunca, dobijete savršeni koktel zvan “Verknipt Croatia”.

Jeste li već bili u Hrvatskoj ili ste doživjeli hrvatsko ljeto? Ako da, što vam se najviše svidjelo? Ako ne, imate li neka očekivanja?

Da, podsjeća me na prekrasne uspomene kada sam bio tamo s nekim prijateljima prije 10 godina na Sonus Festivalu. Proveli smo tjedan dana na odmoru i kupili ulaznice za taj festival ne znajući ništa o technu. Svi smo se zaljubili u tu glazbu. Za mene je sve počelo upravo od tog trenutka.

Kako se pripremate za festival poput ovog s brodskim, dnevnim i noćnim partijima?

Na primjer, tijekom zalaska sunca svirat ću glazbu koja ima više melodije, to definitivno funkcionira u to vrijeme. Nakon toga, za noćne, idem direktno i jako kao i obično ha ha…

Kako biste opisali svoj stil miksanja i produkcije?

Za miksanje volim svirati bez velikih pauza, nešto snažno s puno elemenata iz 2 ili 3 pjesme istovremeno. Što se tiče produkcije, ovisi o mom raspoloženju, ali danas volim koristiti lažne dropove i raditi oko nekih vokala, zaista mi se sviđa novi pristup hard technu.

Imate li neka nadolazeća izdanja o kojima možete pričati?

Da, započinjem vlastitu etiketu tijekom svibnja, s mojim nadolazećim izdanjem, 2024 editom poznate pjesme “TCHERNOBYL”. Nakon toga slijedi EP s nekim suradničkim pjesmama, ali saznat ćete s kim, jako sam ponosan na tu najavu.

Kakvi su vaši planovi za ovu ljeto?

Naravno, nastupi ha ha, ali i provod s prijateljima. Prošla godina bila je jako intenzivna i bez odmora, pa sam odlučio da krajem kolovoza odem u Kolumbiju na odmor. A onda ćemo vidjeti gdje ću biti nakon toga.

Bez čega ne možete na ljetnom festivalu?

Bez sunčanih naočala, kreme za sunčanje (bijela koža haha) i lagane odjeće.

Vodeća svjetska organizacija za hard techno događaje, nizozemski Verknipt, na najpopularniju party destinaciju Pag, plažu, klubove i party brodove na Zrću od 30. lipnja do 4. srpnja donosi Verknipt Croatia Holiday Festival i u Hrvatsku dovodi imena kao što su Creeds, Basswell, Oguz, Kntrlvrlst, Carv, Omaks, Køzløv, Diøn, Cristobal Pesce, Franky-B, Nikolina, Xenia i druge vodeće predvodnike ovog brzorastućeg i sve popularnijeg žanra elektroničke glazbe u svijetu.

UMEK reveals his top 5 all-time favorite tracks from Adam Beyer’s Drumcode label

Klubikon — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:27:43 +0000

In the age of viral sensations and fast rising superstars, UMEK shines, a testament to hard graft, talent and playing the long game. Last month he made his Drumcode debut with a thrilling single ‘Footmachine’.

Despite his storied career, some might be surprised to learn it was around 20 years ago that the Slovenian star, who helms the excellent 1605 label, first sent Beyer a demo. “I first met Adam around 1998 when we played our legendary club on the coast of Slovenia, Ambasada Gavioli. A little later – approximately 20 years ago I think – I sent him a demo and I never heard back. You always beat yourself up thinking you have not done something right, which isn’t a good way to deal with rejection. Learn to take advice (if you are lucky enough to get it!) and focus on putting those emotions into your work. I promise when it does happen, it makes it all that much sweeter.”

To celebrate the release of his maiden Drumcode release, exclusively for Klubikon UMEK shares five of his favourite tracks on Adam Beyer’s famous imprint.

1. Adam Beyer & Lenk – Drumcode 01

“This is where all the story began. I still remember where I bought this vinyl record. I still have it at home. It’s, white, with silver letters, and I bought it at the Delirium shop in Munich. I played it so many times, and I thought: Wow, this sounds so fresh. It was just like rhythm section drums, it rolled and rolled and never stopped. What an amazing start for the label.”

2. Secret Cinema & Egbert – Maximaal

“I remember playing this track for so long when it was released. Probably a year or so. It has this crazy, synth-based, distorted sound. You just go crazy when you hear it, and even today I think that track sounds so fresh. And I could play it in my set – no problem at all.”

3. Maceo Plex – Conjure Dreams

“What a melodic techno track – real melodic techno, at its best. It has this amazing melody with these bassy stabs. So unique, so different. And it actually tests the time. It’s still fresh and sounds good.”

4. Enrico Sangiuliano – Moon Rocks

“What a cool thing to work with those synth voices again. Like when this came out, it was so unique, so different. Nobody was doing a style like that. And to use sounds like that in techno. Enrico really showed us something completely new there.”

5. Julian Jeweil – Mars

“This track is pretty simple. It’s not a big anthem per se. It has a few catchy things, but the functionality of this track is absolutely amazing. The brakes with the countdown, that’s absolutely amazing. And that was in my set for so, so, so many months, and I still love it to this day.”

Ramsey Neville: I always find myself drawn to dark and gritty sounds

Klubikon — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 07:42:56 +0000

New York mainstay Ramsey Neville has been making waves in the scene with his fibrous, yet atmospheric techno sound. Having released on Josh Winks’ Ovum imprint and Unity Records, he recently landed on Techno Brooklyn with a weighty three-tracker ‘Motherboard’. We sit down with him to chat about the release, the scene and future plans.

What are 3 tracks that got you into electronic music?

1. Imagination – Kalwi & Remi
2. Traffic – Tiesto
3. Stress – Justice

Your sound lies in the dark and brooding areas of underground techno. How did you first find your groove?

I’ve always been attracted to darker, heavier, and more intense sounds in music across all genres, whether it’s the style of hip-hop I listen to, electronic music, or really anything else. When I started producing my own original music I was drawn in that same direction, eventually finding my sound in the darker underground realms of techno, and I feel right at home there.

Your debut EP on Techno Brooklyn Records ‘Motherboard’ just released. What inspiration did you draw on for this record?

Super excited about the release. This record was all about channeling my love for all things science fiction. I’d recently re-watched Blade Runner right around the time I started working on these tracks and found it to be a massive source of inspiration. I always find myself drawn to dark and gritty sounds which results in the sort of futuristic and dystopian soundscapes you hear throughout this EP.

What tools did you use to create the incredible range of sonics and soundscapes in this record?

In the production process for these tracks I used Ableton Live, several different VST synths from the Arturia collection, a few field recordings that I captured around Brooklyn on a Tascam audio recorder for the background textures, and one of my favorite bits, the MK16-185 Sequencer in ‘Max for Live’. There were a lot of other plugins I used but it would probably be too many to list here!

You’ve spoken before about your love for all things science fiction and how important a role music plays within that world. Would you ever write music for film or tv?

I love the way music and soundscapes in science fiction can help bring new worlds to life and make them feel incredibly realistic. If I ever had the opportunity to create music for a sci-fi project, that would be a dream come true.

Summer is very nearly underway; what have you got in the pipeline?

I have a lot of new music in the works, some exciting releases set for later this year, and a remix for some good friends coming out later this summer. Plus a few other things in the development process which I’ll be talking more about later this year

What is your favourite club venue and why?

This is a really hard one to decide, so I’ve broken it down between a favorite smaller club and bigger club.

– Smaller club rooms: I think Flash in Washington DC or De Marktkantine in the Netherlands (which is sadly closing soon). The sound system in both venues is incredible, and lighting setups are second to none.

– Big club/venue: the Gashouder for Awakenings. It’s a one-of-a-kind space that’s the perfect room for techno.

Recently you have had releases on big labels like Black Line Recordings and now Techno Brooklyn, as well as your own Snow ‘n’ Stuff Records label. What advice would you give to young artists trying to get signed on a label?

My advice would be to take time to finish tracks that you’re happy with and don’t rush the process, but also try not to overthink/over-engineer your productions. When your tracks are finished, do some research and find labels whose sound aligns with those tracks and send them off. Try to find out who specifically at the label will be listening to the tracks, usually an A&R person, and address them by name in an email – I’ve found that this can help catch someone’s attention, especially when they are getting bombarded with emails every day. Even if it doesn’t get a response the first time, don’t get discouraged and keep sending them new music. Over time you will build relationships with various labels, and that is very important in getting your music signed consistently.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as a DJ and producer?

The biggest challenges I face are definitely time management: balancing the creative and creative aspects like djing and making music in the studio with the less-fun but necessary things like social media and marketing myself as an artist.

What is an unlikely setting that would make the perfect rave?

Having a rave on an airplane would be next-level!

Ramsey Neville [FB | IG | SC]

Idem Nevi: ‘Lost Alchemy’ helped me to get my life back on track

Klubikon — Sun, 15 May 2022 09:19:15 +0000

Toulouse-born techno live act and producer Idem Nevi is set to release his latest album ‘Lost Alchemy’ later this month. We caught up with him to discuss the new album, his Requested Soul label and more.

Your sound taps into the deep and more melancholic side of techno. How did you discover your unique voice through music?

I think this came naturally thanks to the influences and artists that have inspired me since I started producing music. I think I was attracted by the deep and melancholic side of techno straight from the beginning and I would say that Recondite have had a massive impact on my productions, as well as Woo York or more recently Kasst.

Today I’m really trying to find a balance between power and deepness by combining melancholia and heavy beats.

One of your most distinguishable qualities is that you are a live act only. How did you discover this passion?

This comes from the early influences I had with Mr Paul Kalkbrenner I guess. I’ve always loved the fact that he was only playing Live, as well as Recondite, or Woo York actually! I think what motivates me the most is to create a really unique sound to make people feel something they’re not used to: the goal is to grab them from the first track to slowly get them into your own world! When you only play live, every gig is like being naked in front of the crowd, if it doesn’t work, it means that it’s 100% you. On the one hand, when playing live you can not switch moods with someone else’s track and I think I like this challenge in some ways. On the other hand, if people appreciate it, the reward is way more intense and fulfilling.

Your debut studio album ‘Carmélites’ really turned heads in the techno scene, what is the story behind your anticipated upcoming album ‘Lost Alchemy’ and what was your composition process?

To be honest I would say that the story behind is chaos. From covid to moving to Paris to coming back to Toulouse, losing my living out of my music to get a “normal” job to be able to pay my rent, I just had a terrible time through all that shit. However I managed to create some music and It helped me to get my life back on track actually. The more the project was moving forward, the more I was getting my life back. And at the time I sent the tracks to mastering, I fully recovered from all that and now ready for new projects.

The album is being released on your Requested Soul Records imprint, what are the advantages of releasing your music on your own label?

The main advantage of releasing on your own imprint is the liberty you have to release the music you truly like without doing any concession to fit the trends or label artistic direction. For me this results in a more authentic music and experience. Moreover, having your own imprint leads to interacting with graphists, distributors, PRs, Djs …etc and I also like that part of the job.

The label, which you founded in collaboration with Hallsax, is just over two years old now – what progression do you see for it in the years to come?

Kinda hard to answer that one honestly. On the one hand, and because of the covid situation, we haven’t got the chance to see the real impact because all the scenes were almost stopped for more than a year.

On the other hand, even though the launch of the label happened during the first two weeks of French lockdown, we managed to get support from all the artists we wanted through all the releases with amazing feedback. So I would say that in the years to come we’ll release some more music and the goal is to start inviting other artists to release on the label!

In the past you’ve had some of your tracks played by some of the greats like Richie Hawtin, Marco Carola and Paco Osuna. How does it feel to have support from artists of this magnitude?

It’s totally crazy and feels unreal at first. But being supported and played by these kinds of artists just makes you feel great and gives you the motivation to continue doing what you do. I even signed a contract with Richie and Plus8 for the exploitation rights of my track DB+ (from ‘Carmelites’ album) to use in his application, I couldn’t believe it but he played it at all of his shows for a year straight!

In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception in the underground music scene?

That something underground will stay underground forever. There are always several music styles categorized as underground, but it always changes with time… and what we call underground today might be mainstream tomorrow. Best exemple is raw / industrial / rave techno. Some years ago this was the underground part of the scene, but now this is the mainstream part of the scene because this is the music that drives most people today.

I’m not complaining, just analyzing. For example Possession used to be really underground Paris raves but today, they organize massive line ups on massive venues with an entrance price going over some big festivals prices: can we still say that’s underground? I guess no.

What live gigs have you got in the pipeline for this year?

Some great stuff is in the pipeline but can’t tell too much about it yet until everything is confirmed. And also still waiting for some reprogrammation due to covid.

What is your studio set up like?

My studio setup is quite simple as I’m mainly working with Ableton Live and plug-ins. I’ve worked with mainly hardware for some time but I discovered that my workflow is better with an Ableton base with some controllers and keyboards. So actually I’m using an ableton push with an APC40 and a Launch Control XL with some keyboard controlling the plugins I use the most. I have built an ableton session where I tried to create a “studio” where all my controllers are already set up and connected to each synth.

How do you go about creating your sounds?

It really depends on my mood. But I really like to go for a blank page using my template: I like to get lost in my mind without any borders when trying to sketch ideas before going for a structural work. When I have what I call a sketch, which is most of the time a loop that inspires me after the research phase, I go for the arrangement. Then I usually don’t listen to the project for some days before going for some polishing sessions.

‘Lost Alchemy’ LP will be available after the 20th of May HERE.

Idem Nevi [SC | IG | FB]

Requested Soul Records [SC | BC | FB | WEB]

NOVA MUZIKA: Cristian Varela, Ali X, Fausto, Samuel Lupian, Hexe Culto

Klubikon — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 10:55:23 +0000

Novu muziku koju smo slušali i predstavili posljednjih dana potpisuju Ali X, Fausto, Samuel Lupain, Hexe Culto i Cristian Varela.

Ali X & Fausto – Bloodlust II (Samuel Lupian Remix)
Ali X i Fausto izbacili su EP “Bloodlust II” za meksičku platformu i audiovizualni kolektiv Controlla. Klubikon je premijerno predstavio remiks naslovne trake koji potpisuje mladi DJ i producent Samuel Lupian.

Hexe Culto – Tebano
Novoosnovani talijanski duo Hexe Culto, koji čine muzičar Francesco Rispoli aka Bharika i vizualni umjetnik Salvatore Delle Femmine, svoje prvo izdanje nazvano “Tumulto” objavio je u seriji Digital Mutant francuske etikete Tripalium Corp. Klubikon je premijerno predstavio traku “Tebano”.

Cristian Varela – Ipso Fact
Jedna od vodećih figura španjolske techno scene Cristian Varela vratio se na Induxtriall Records s novim izdanjem koje sadrži četiri originalne trake i remiks koji potpisuje šef etikete H. Paul. Klubikon je premijerno predstavio traku “Ipso Fact”.

Ako ste propustili, prošlom prilikom smo slušali i predstavili muziku koju potpisuju Terrence Dixon, AFFKT i Dark Chambers.

Najbolji i najluđi DJ za kojeg nikad niste čuli: Na drogu sam potrošio milijun funti

Klubikon — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:43:43 +0000

U svojoj videoediciji Originals, Mixmag je među ostalima predstavio i pravu underground legendu Fat Tonyja, kojega se nerijetko naziva najboljim i najluđim DJ-em za kojeg nikad niste čuli, što je istina samo za one koji nikad nisu imali sreću završiti na nekom rejvu na kojem bi satima pozitivno izluđivao rasplesane partijanere. Aktivan još od osamdesetih, Tony se u vrijeme eksplozije acid housea pozicionirao kao jedan od centralnih igrača scene na kojoj je cijeli pokret bio temeljen.

DJ-irajući na istim lajnapima s majstorima kao što su Danny Rampling, Andrew Weatherall ili Sasha, Tony je počeo hengati i sa zvijezdama poput Kate Moss, a nije se zaustavio samo na Londonu nego je svoj utjecaj širio i preko bare, u New Yorku partijajući s Dianom Ross u Paradise Garageu. Iako je najviše motiva nalazio u undergroundu, ipak su prigrlili i slavni pa je ulogu turnejskog DJ-a upražnjavao i za titane kao što su Madonna, Michael Jackson ili Prince.

Nije teško zamisliti kako takav renesansni elektronički čovjek ima brdo sjajnih priča za podijeliti s publikom, no procjena da je na drogu u životu spiskao skoro okruglih milijun funti ipak odnosi krunu. Fat Tonyja upoznajte u dvadesetominutnom dokumentarcu Mixmaga.

Pogledajte kako je izgledao kokainski kalendar za 1979.

Klubikon — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:07:30 +0000

Besraman kokainski kalendar kreiran još u sedamdesetim godinama prošlog stoljeća dokumentira put te droge od zemalja podrijetla do stolića srednjoklasnih američkih ovisnika u kućama u predgrađu.

Svaki mjesec ovog kalendara za 1979. godinu donosi različitu fotku različite faze proizvodnje, distribucije i uživanja kokaina, a svih je 12 popraćeno odgovarajućim citatima. Prvotno ga je odštampao Red Dog Productions iz San Francisca, a sadrži i kronologiju kokaina u ljudskim životima koja seže još u 900. godinu. Vrijedi podsjetiti kako je ta godina startnog objavljivanja ovoga kalendara još uvijek označavala vrijeme u kojem se kokain nije smatrao izrazito adiktivnom drogom, a negirale su se i opasne kriminalne i društvene posljedice njegova tržišta.

Malo je reći da su tadašnji stručnjaci bili u krivu. Pogledajte kako je izgledao ovaj artefakt narkopovijesti.