discotech Podcast Series

Discotech Podcast 44 | Tom Craven

One from the vaults from Illusion Recordings label owner Tom Craven. The mix was recorded over 5 years ago in the days of his legendary BackToFront Parties in Manchester and when Below was going full swing. These two parties were massive inspiration to Tom's Illusion label and the vibe of the mix really reflects Below at the time, where he was an unofficial resident for 10 years playing the first and last parties and many more inbetween.

This mix still sounds fresh despite being recorded in 2011.

To quote his good friend Adam Shelton: 'I like new house music that sounds old and old house music that sounds new'

This couldn't apply anymore here!

Discotech Podcast 43 | Lee Clarke

Tahanan Label head honcho joins us for our 43rd Podcast. Catch him at Discotech this Bank Holiday.

www.discotech.info

https://soundcloud.com/tahananbeats

Discotech Podcast 41 | Moodymanc

Manchester legend steps up to the plates for our next podcast.

Moodymanc:

I've been lucky, and I still am! I've been doing nothing but music in my life since the late 80s.... I became a jazz obsessive drummer and percussionist in my early teens which sparked a love affair with Black Music which I am still exploring. I've been lucky enough to work with some of my musical heroes on both sides of the glass and on stage...and still am. I was lucky enough to have a couple of brushes with major label mainstream chart busting projects which allowed me to realize that was definitely NOT what I wanted out of music. I try to live my life as an honest artist. The records I make and play are an attempt to express things that I am excited about musically and politically. I'm not interested in following fashions, or being the next big thing. The sole purpose of what I do is to continue doing what I do, with nothing but love in my heart.... I don't always succeed but i do my best :)

House music is a home to me. For me it's all about records, and dancefloors, freedom, and expression; "us" not "me". Why the name "moodymanc"? It was a nickname given to me by the guys at 2020 vision, of course with a nod to Kenny, but also in reference to the fact I am a "manc", the name for a native of Manchester, England. It of course was the joke that nobody got... Some people hate it.... It's just a name. House music is about RECORDS... for me the name on them doesn't matter... the music and the intent will always shine through, I certainly hope it does with the ones I make, no matter what name I put them out under! If you have a problem with the name, shut your eyes.... If you still have a problem with the music....I guess I'm just not for you :)

I LOVE to DJ. I love to represent the music, records and sounds I love by rocking a PARTY! There's no pretense, I am going to do my utmost to make sure that you and I have the best night possible with music that is going to bring it on for you by the fact it is firmly rooted in SOUL, whatever the "style". I hope we get to do this together sometime.... Feel free to holla up anytime you like. If I'm not already playing, I'd much rather be :)

https://soundcloud.com/moodymanc

PEACE!

Discotech Podcast 41 | James Dexter

oving this guys production at the moment with releases on the likes of Lost My Dog Records, HOLIC TRAX and Dessous Recordings we're buzzed to have him on the series.

http://soundcloud.com/jamesdexter

Kerouac & SMILE are Mike Littler and Isaac Owen; Two northern monkeys with a mutual love of house music, beer and Greggs pasties. Back in 2007 Isaac contacted Mike on Myspace asking to remix a Kerouac track. The aforementioned remix never materialised, but what did was a friendship that eventually resulted in the Kerouac & SMILE alias.

When questioned on their general philosophy towards gigs and music production. Mike was quick to point out “We like to avoid the fuss, get in and get out leaving behind as many smiling faces and great memories as possible.”

Every artist duo work things differently and Kerouac & SMILE are no exception as Isaac explains “Musically Kerouac is into his bangers whereas, although I like a banger or two I have a love for the warm up. I've always loved getting those feet tapping, it’s a lost art and I have a lot of respect for people who try and do it properly.” Mike adding “Yeah, we just play music that we like and think other people will like. Nothing crazy, we don’t like sirens, crazy square wave sounds or never ending white noise sweeps in tracks. We call it sensible house.”

At the end of 2014 Kerouac & SMILE had their 1st release on Kumasi Music with ‘Hang Till Daybreak’ and the duo are currently working on more tracks for the dancefloor.

In early 2016, the duo are set to release "Sanity" on Electronique records.

https://soundcloud.com/kerouacandsmile

https://www.facebook.com/KerouacandSMILE

For our 39th Discotech Podcast we welcome System2.

About:

System2 was born out of a desire to produce & perform music that meant something to its creators. Our love for vinyl has led us to a new chapter, and we aim to bring something just left of centre to the industry, with our very own label behind us from the start.

We are a duo from Manchester & up until now have kept our identities on the down-low after having previously worked our way up the industry ladder under a former alias. In the past, we’ve worked for labels such as Cécille Records, Get Physical Music, PIAS and Nervous amongst others, so we’re no strangers to the house scene.

Growing up in Manchester really cemented our love for house music at an early age, as it’s what we heard when we first started going out clubbing. Manchester is a place synonymous with house music from the Hacienda days, not to mention other places like The Hangar, Holy City Zoo, North, The Old Monk and of course Sankeys.

We started running events around 2004, and within a few years we were residents at Sankeys. The city has always been a great base for our music, and a huge influence on our style.

We started producing back in 2002, doing courses at MIDI school and SSR to widen our knowledge of software and hardware alike. From setting up a basic home studio and hours of trial-and-error, over the course of the last 12 years we've been on a massive journey with our music. Experience means a lot, and nowadays you're getting some producers who are amazing but aren’t really cut out to play in clubs. There's a lot more to it than making good music then turning up at a gig and playing with your head down all night.

Everyone wants to be a DJ these days, and to those who are so inclined, you can simple get a laptop and Ableton, and proceed to sync your way through a set now. We learned on vinyl and still swear by it to this day when we play, although obviously we've moved-on with the times to an extent, using USB in the majority of our sets.

Our sound isn't pigeon-holed under any particular genre. Too many sub genres knocking around these days but we'd say house and techno! We love playing a lot of our own music in our sets, and it really does get some of the biggest reactions during our sets. It's amazing to be getting support on our new work from the likes of Steve Lawler, Dan Ghenacia, Shonky, Djebali, John Dimas, Richy Ahmed, Jamie Jones, Shaun Reeves & so many more!

Now we have signed up with VIVa MUSiC & their management, the future is looking bright for us as we look to cement our brand & name into the ever so competitive dj circuit!

https://soundcloud.com/system2-1

Discotech Podcast 38 | Rhythm&Soul

Born in Madrid and rise in Brussels as a club kid in the late 90’s, Rhythm&Soul found in Paris the inspiration to start his career. Mainly influenced by House music but also by Hip Hop, Garage or Jazz and any kind of hot and deep grooves. Vinyl lover and beat maker, exploring and pushing his taste of House music back to the future.

Co-owner of Slow Town Records, he also runs On A Mission Records with his Parisian buddy, Jef K (They also produce and play together as, The Groove Brothers). Both Vinyl Only. He also launched his own imprint, Jus Groove It, focused on his own stuff and some jams and collaborations with friends.

His music has been also released on cutting edge labels of the scene like Silver Network, (Djebali), Tsuba or Organic Music and he carried his record bag into many clubs all over Europe. His music has been remixed by some of the hottest folks on the scene like Chris Carrier, John Dimas, Nail or Djebali.

His sound goes from moody grooves and classic beats to hypnotic atmospheres and modern House swings. His Dj sets are a mixture of his classic background and new stuff. Always on a quest to define the future groove/sound of House music.

Actually, the resident DJ for Terence :Terry: & Friends a monthly party in Madrid alongside Terence :Terry:. Also at the Slow Town Club Nights. Dez Andres, Terrence Parker, Jef K or Fabio Monesi were some of the artists that played on the last events. He was resident DJ and promoter for Ground Beatz monthly parties in Madrid (2014). Boo Williams, Rio Padice, Ernie, Leonid or Damian Schwartz were some of the guests.

In 2015 he was selected to be part of the RedBull Music Academy Bass Camp in Madrid.

https://soundcloud.com/rhythmandsoul

Discotech Podcast 37 | Julien Sandre

Our next podcast is brought to you by Julien Sandre.

The exploration of the big world of "da club" music leads Julien to the House music that is perfectly in tune with his love for the Funk.

Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, the MAW, Todd Terry and Paul Johnson,David Duriez are just some of "superstars" which influence and charm will bring the young Julien to buy record players and vinyls and enter the world of djing.

After his first love for Housey stuff,his natural evolution bring it to explore also more "electronic and hypnotic" sonorities of Ricardo,Ivan Smagghe and Parisien scene leaded by Dan Ghenacia.

He founded his musical dimension in this style: a Sexy...Groovy...Hypnotic...House/Tech...

Be sure to check out his new label Blind Box also with some amazing releases in the pipeline.

https://soundcloud.com/julien-sandre

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Discotech Podcast 36 | Katal

Hailing from one of the southernmost regions of Europe, the young talent releasing under the alias Katal has found his very own way to infuse House music with his passion for kickboxing and the heat and energy of the beautiful island he lives in, and the result is a gritty and raw sound focused on the beat.

Growing up listening to old mixes by masters such as Frankie Knuckles strongly defined his approach to the electronic music world, and at the age of 14 he started experimenting with his own productions, always seeking to retain that old school feeling he fell in love with.

Despite being a newcomer on the scene, Katal’s powerful mix of dirty grooves and basslines already led to a good amount of quality releases on labels such as Roush or Sanity, and his work found a way into the sets of artists like Roger Sanchez or Richie Hawtin to name a few.

With some impressive collaborations in the pipe and of course his new upcoming EP, the future looks bright for Sicily’s Diego Catalioti, and his Katal moniker definitely will be heard a lot in the months to come.

https://soundcloud.com/katal

Discotech Podcast 35 | TIJN

Next up we bring you a very special podcast from In Haus Wax Honcho TIJN. The producer has been making waves of late with a great string of releases including a recent imprint on Overall Music.

This mix contains some great hidden gems and exclusive tracks.

Enjoy.

@tijn-uk

@in-haus-wax