ELECTRO FC KAHUNA We are . . . Electric at Cabaret Voltaire, Wed 12 Oct
Not content with turning the Cab into the place to be each Wednesday night, We Are . . . Electric are turning things up a notch as they invite FC Kahuna to the free (yes free, even with guests of this stature) party. Perhaps still best known for their Machine Says Yes long player of 2003, Dan Ormondroyd and Jon Nowell started off as a DJ duo making the headlines with London’s Big Kahuna Burger, mashing together the best elements of big beat and electro. ‘We were on City Rockers releasing records so people sometimes had us pigeonholed as being electroclash,
but when people listened to the album they were often saying it came from
an acid house perspective,’ explains Ormondroyd. ‘At the same time we were influenced by the notion of acid house more than the actual music which isn’t far removed from being influenced by punk. We just liked that lively moment when it all gets a bit confusing for the listener.‘
They toured their live show with acts as diverse as the Charlatans, Dirty Vegas and Royksopp. “We’ve got no fixed abode in dance or indie rock,’ says Ormondroyd. And they take that view with their music and DJ sets, never happy to sit still and wallow in a genre. ‘When we get bored we change.’ This results in a diverse sound that smoothly jumps from techno to house to electro and beyond. (Henry Northmore)
This issue: Jackson
From its unique and somewhat odd base deep in the bowels of a Paisley curry house, Club 69 has been developing a following who regard it as one of the most forward-thinking techno establishments in the land. The next date sees them unveil a special guest that lives up to the club’s reputation: French prodigy Jackson and his Computer Band.
Who else is in this band, then?
Noone at all. It's ironic. you see? Just ’25) yea.r old Jackson i'ourgeaud and his laptop. Still. with live visuals at Club (59 by Retina Clitch and a thoroughly progressive style that mixes all the most interesting discordances of glitch and the more |llC()ll(_}l'll()llS presence of a stairiping l'i'ench house beat. it'll be a fine opportunity to see why The Wire describes him as ‘the great hope of dance music'.
What’s he done so far?
Only gone and been signed by Warp. Given his similarity to label mates like Boards of
Canada or Sguarepusher it‘s unsurprising that the serriinal electronica label has gone all gooey for him. wrth his debut album Smash set to repay some of the hype that has built
up. It's an accomplished record. pitched somewhere between the eclecticism of the Warp stable and the likes of Daft Punk. It's distinctive in that it works well as both an ambient late night listen and a volume cranked party aid. Also look out for l‘our'geaud's
mother la folk singer named l’aula Moorei contributing vocals to his breakthrough track
‘Utopia'. or try and find his remixes of the likes of M83. Air or l reetorm live to see how his influence s spreading. lDaVid Pollock) I Jackson plays SOISIHIC Vs Point One at Club (35), Paisley, Fri 7 Oct.
TECHNO HAPTIC Liquid Lounge, Glasgow, Sat 8 Oct
Belgian DJ and producer Fabrice Lig is to Detroit techno what Madonna is to pop: royalty. With releases on labels such as 7th City wrth Kevrn Saunderson, F-Commuriications and Kan/erlmat. not to mention being the first white artist to be signed to KMS. He's touring to promote his new best of album. The Story of a Monkey Pu///e. and his live sets are an energetic mix of warm techno harmonies teamed with his emotive musical style. Plus you won't find a computer or laptop anywhere on his stage ~- Just decks and his trusted Roland (303 and SH- 101.
‘For me it's really difficult to work with a laptop.' he explains. ‘I need some keyboards. some old synthesisers. I need to enioy the music. If you are not having fun on
stage. the people can see that. When I
finish my live act. I'm really hot and
tired and I like that.‘ he laughs. Lig has
appeared at some of the world's most reputable clubs. but can't wait to return to Scotland. ‘Glasgow has a special relationship with Detroit music and for me it is the best crowd with Tokyo. Yes. they're my favourite crowds. Tokyo and Glasgow.’
(Sandra Marron)
HOUSE
PROGRESSION
The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 8 Oct
They‘ve seen it. done it and bought the T—shirt. Layo and Bushwacka! have been about for a lot longer than you might think. and now they're coming up the road to celebrate Progressions fifth birthday at the Liquid Rooms. Layo Paskin and Matthew ‘Bushwacka' Benjamin came together while working the hedonistic early 903 London scene. and have spent the last 13 years doing some serious practical investigation into what makes a crowd move. The experiment has led them through countless DJ booths in this archipelago. across continents. onto the charts. behind the decks on the white island and at underground superclub. the End.
It's fitting that such a duo should command the second date of Progressions fifth birthday. They are flanked by another red hot pair. Steve Angello and Sebastian lngrosso Out of Stockholm, making their Scottish debut. Their work with Size Records has been pivotal in defining the accessible progressive electro sound that has dominated 2005 thus far. All in all, this is a birthday line—up that represents the best of the (still relevant) past. present and future of this funny old game called dance music. Regulars will be pleased to know that the Progression residents also feature heavily in the night’s proceedings. (Johnny Regan)
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