The Doll and the Kicks quartet is invading Dogstar this Friday (29th May) for what is going to be a manic after-show party. The Brighton-based band is currently supporting Morrisey during his world tour and is starting to create a buzz. But first, let’s introduce Doll (when you see her, you understand why it suits her) the energetic lead singer, Chris Woollison on drums and backing vocals, Matt Garrity on guitar and Olivier Nicholas on bass guitar and vocals. Read More



Critics have been comparing Doll’s voice to a cross between an early Blondie and Kate Bush, which definitely fits in with the band’s love for eighties music. As for their influences they list Ska, Metal, Old Rock, Progressive Post Hardcore and “girly” Grunge. Despite their newcomers’ status, the band is so prolific that they find it impossible to choose only 12 tracks for an album. Now after playing at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage and the Great Escape Festival, they’re making a stop at Dogstar to mix their own DJ set. And since you always want to be on top of your game by discovering new talents – this one being highly approved by Morrisey no less-, Awdio.com will be streaming this event live, 9pm London local time.

L’Escalier has become the place to go clubbing in the seaside town of St Malo in Brittany, France. The resident DJs mix the latest house and electro to a mixed and enthusiastic crowd, with international and local guests as a regular feature. They also hold events during the annual local music festival ‘La Route du Rock’. The party organizer Luc Donnard makes sure that L’Escalier is always pumping. Find out more…



Name: Luc DONNARD

What do you do?
Artistic Director : DJ's booking, Special Parties organization, communication...

How did you become involved at L'Escalier?
I've always loved this club, I knew it 10 years ago. I met the boss few years later and we became friends. Back in Brittany from Paris last year, he proposed me to join the team to bring some fresh air and new ideas. I hope that's what I do since I arrived.

Describe L'Escalier in in one sentence :
The love of music in a great party spirit.

What can we expect to hear there?
In the main room:
Every kind of good sounds, from soul to disco, from new wave to house... Everything but commercial and mainstream stuff(s).
In the Studio :
Especially electro: from deep house to tek house to minimal. Special guests regularly (once or twice a month). Once a month a Collector play list: back to the good and unknown old stuffs (60's, 70's, 80's)

How would you describe L'Escalier regulars?
Mixed! Straights and gays, young and less young, smiley and friendly. Only music lovers.

What’s the best thing about St Malo?
Definitely the sea! The seaside here is one of the most beautiful I know.

And the worst?
Maybe the weather... We would need a bit more of sun

If you could invite anyone (dead or alive) to come and perform, who would it be and why?
Prince! For sure. I don't need to explain why, do I?

Who's set to be hot in France in 2009?
Certainly our special guest on the 22nd of August! TBA soon.

Some advice to anyone visiting St Malo for the first time?
A coffee on the terrace of Le Cancalais café in St Servan, a walk on the ramparts of St Malo, then a glass of wine at Le Riff Magnétique bar in St Malo (intra-muros), then go to Dinard for a dinner at Le Balafon and a last drink at La Fonda before coming to L'Escalier Club of course!!

What’s the secret behind the popularity of L'Escalier?
It's now more than 23 years the club exists and organizes the best parties. His reputation based on quality music is known in the whole west of France.

Most memorable experience at the club?
Maybe the crazy night when Deadmau5 came last summer (2008) to play live during 4 hours.

A moment you would rather forget?
Some hangovers...

What are you listening to on repeat at the moment?
Todd Terje's re-edits, Scratch Massive's brand new mix "Joy", In Flagranti and Who Made Who last albums.

Your hopes and fears for the music industry for 2009?
I really hope the majors will finally realize they won't never again earn as much money as before and will decrease the price of the discs if they want to survive and also distribute the profits better for artists to let them produce good music.

What's the most exciting thing in your life right now?
Working on the next months line-up for the club: lots of surprises and great parties to come!!

Paris based minimal and electro house label Karat takes over the tastiest record dealer in town, My Electro Kitchen to showcase their new EP Karat40. The tracks are a joint effort from 2 local producers Ark and Dolibox who will be behind the decks to get the shop pumping for a minimal beats happy hour. If you can’t make it down to the shop you can always tune in live on Awdio.com (Tonight, 28th May, 8pm local time)

As part of the Futur en Seine Festival taking place in and around Paris, Awdio will be streaming the Paris Battle Party as part of a concept called Non Stop Music Planet. This event will be held at ‘Point Ephémère’ with local artists covering musical styles as diverse as Hip Hop, Breakcore, 8-Bit, Rock, Electro, Dubstep and Minimal. Discover DJ LA, Blackara, Leleprechaune, SascII, Tim Dornbusch, Subrider and Narcochill all live on Awdio.com.

Black music enthusiast and multi-skilled DJ, Vadim is at La Bellevilloise in Paris tonight for the launch of his new album, You Can’t Lurn Imaginashun. This unmissable event is one of many for Vadim, who has been almost constantly on tour solo or to play with the likes of The Roots, Pharcyde, Public Enemy or The Super Furry Animals. The restless A&R, producer, DJ, promoter, record collector, radio presenter, occasional painter and member of the One Self collective has found time to jet over to Paris for fresher croissants perhaps but to make you discover his 5th album in the first place. At his side, Lil Steezy will be playing keys and bass, whilst Sabira Jade will provide vocals and Pugs Atom will rap and mc. Read More



Although 2008 was allegedly Vadim’s worst year after being diagnosed with eye cancer, You Can’t Lurn Imaginashun succeeds in impressing connoisseurs and the man himself: “My new album is the perfect bridge between mainstream music and my own influences, Reggae, Soul, Hip-Hop, Downtempo and Electronica.” The first single, Hidden Treasure, is already out and will definitely not remain hidden for long but is a treasure for sure. That only means one thing: don’t forget to check it out live on Awdio.com from 8pm tonight!

Get The Blessing launch their incredible new album Bugs In Amber at Cargo on the 28th May. The Bristol-based quartet stunned music lovers last year with the release of their debut album All Is Yes, which picked up rave reviews in the UK and was voted by the public as the Best Album at the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards. The band subsequently played at Glastonbury and The Big Chill, and toured the UK for most of the summer, bringing their rocking, jazz inspired blend of improvisation-led riffs and rhythms to the eager masses.
After taking a well deserved break and putting in some serious studio time, Get The Blessing are
 back with Bugs In Amber and will be launching the album live at Cargo and on Awdio.com on Thur 28th May, 8pm local time. More

Stéphane Pompougnac…does this name ring any bells? Hotel Costes? Now it must be starting to make more sense as these two are never dissociated, seeing as Mr Pompougnac is the official DJ for the very exclusive and fashionable Parisian hotel.
The maestro behind the now world-famous Hotel Costes compilations didn’t start off too badly either. He mixed for famous venues such as the Café Costes, Queen, Privilège and even Les Bains-Douches until Jean-Louis Costes himself asked him in 1997 to begin a new residency at his new hotel and restaurant. Read More



More than a decade has passed, and his latest compilation, volume 11, is out and offers another round of French Lounge sounds from jazz to bossa, to international electro. Leana Horne, Waldeck, Variety Lab, Shazz and many more are featured adding a few vocals resulting in gorgeous tracks like number 13, Boa Sorte –a brilliant duet featuring Vanessa Da Mata and Ben Harper.

Stéphane’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed by celebs (perhaps because they stay at the Costes too). Cameron Diaz has booked him to mix at her restaurant and Massive Attack, Nicole Kidman and Harrisson Ford have also rubbed shoulders with him. No wonder has he become one of the most sought-after DJs spreading French style music all around the globe. The restless Pompougnac has launched his own label SPP as he is planning a new 2009 release. Awdio will be on the lookout for that one. For now you can listen to his selection of tasteful tunes live from Costes every day on Awdio.com.

Flavie Busca

Nish Nish cohorts Mitch Davis & Lee Waxman's new Record Label Electric Sheep take over Bar Rumba tonight (25th May) for a one off showcase party. The labels emphasis is on releasing quality tracks, traversing the many genres of modern electronic music.This will be evident in the line up where Manchesters Cosmic duo PulpDisco & The Outcasts share the booth with the likes of the deep tech-house of Italians Dzeta n Basile. Read More



The mysterious dub infused S_M Music will be rubbing shoulders with Nish Nish residents Ben & Smitwhilst new outfit Donewrongwill be making their presence felt along with Alex Blan. Label founders Waxman & Mitch round off the line up with Waxman debuting his live set. If you're not in London tonight you can tune in on Awdio.com.

Montreal’s annual digital arts and electronic music festival, Mutek is about to start it’s 10th edition (officially on 27th May) and Awdio.com is very proud to announce that 4 of the nocturnal events will be broadcast live from the festival venues. Listeners will be able to hear live sets and DJ sets in real time by Pilooski, Zombie Zombie, Deadbeat, Appleblim, Mathew Jonson and Dandy Jack over 4 days from 27th May to 30 May. Don’t miss out!

La Terrrazza, just outside Barclelona has become the place to be when it comes to open air parties in the region. Every weekend they open this impressive outdoor venue for the most hedonistic house parties of the summer. Tonight (Friday 22nd May) is the opening party with DJs Funk d’Void from Soma Records, Marco Boragina from Sao Paolo and Manuel Albbarran. This means that summer has official started so ‘look for the fish’ Those not lucky enough to be in Barcelona this weekend can listen to the festivities live on Awdio.com who will be streaming many of the events live from Terrrazza. Read More