The Leeds based label 2020Vision was been running for 15 years and celebrate this feat in August. Created by Ralph Lawson and Carl Finlow, then BacktoBasics resident, the label has been going from strength to strength producing some of the most exciting British tech-house music around. (They have become known as the innovators of this style of Detroit techno influenced house). Read more
To celebrate a quarter of a century in the business, they will be releasing Stacey Pullen’s 2020Vision mix, a mixed compilation of the label’s best tracks. The celebrations also start at the club that is rooted deep in the label’s history BacktoBasics in Leeds. Ralph Lawson has agreed to have an Awdio mobile box and have 2020vision join the live network. The first event to be streamed live on Awdio.com is the 2020Vision party at BacktoBasics on Saturday night (1st August) featuring Ralph Lawson, Sebo K and Tristan Da Cunha.
The East London club Herbal has made its name for its self by providing one of the best underground clubbing experiences in the area. It has been described as one of the coolest places around and has won the prestigious Time Out ‘venue of the year award’. Here it’s all about the music, with regular drum n’ bass 'Herbal Bass' events featuring veterans of the scene such as Goldie and Nicky Blackmarket as well as developing fresh new home grown talent from newer genres such as dubstep such as Caspa and Rusko. Read more
It’s not all about B-lines though as there are plenty of house nights too. London radio DJs Bobby & Steve hold a regular soulful house night. Herbal have agreed to stream some of their parties on Awdio.com so that the rest of the world can enjoy the underground sounds of London live and direct! The first live night kicks off on Friday 31st July with The Bar Rage Summer Ball with the crew spinning D&B and UK Garage accompanied by some of the best MCs on the scene. This is the real deal.
I know what your thinking, Ibiza is full of Divas, so what’s new? Barbara Tucker isn’t just any diva she is the very definition of the word. This lady has brought her voice and her passion to house music all over the world not only live on many stages, but she has recorded vocals for Moby, Cerrone, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Steward, Deee-lite, Wyclef Jean, George Clinton for Herbie Hancock, Reel to Reel, Danny Tenaglia, Eric Morello, DJ Pierre, Lil Louis, Tommy Musto, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope Gonzalez, Terry Hunter.. Read More
David Guetta, Blaze, Junior Vasquez, Peter Luts, Rob Da Noise Temple, Mood II Swing, Walter Gibbons (late), Klemon Bennelli, Dave VenDetta, E Smooth, Marcus Fugate.. the list goes on, and on. Remember 'Every Body Dance’ , ‘I Get Lifted’ or ‘Most Precious Love’ that’s her.
This season she will be making regular appearances at her favorite spot in Ibiza Teatro Pereyra where she will quite literally set the night on fire with desire! Hear Barbara Tucker live every day this week and all season Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays live on Awdio.com
Kazantip (just say Z), the self styled republic of rave runs for a mammoth 5 weeks featuring banging dance music, summer sports and attractions, and of course thousands of bikini clad girls each more striking than the next. If Russian dolls, euro-dance and sea n’ sun is your idea of the perfect holiday, then book your tickets right now! 10 stages of music run for 22 hours a day with special guests Sven Väth, Armin Van Buuran and Paul van Dyke flying to make sure that there is no shortage of quality trance and progressive house. Read more
If you’re kicking yourself hard with your flip-flops ‘cos you can’t be there this year, don’t, Awdio is here to help. We can’t bring the dolls but we can bring the music, live from Heaven (the tent) with DJ deities mixing for your pleasure every night of the week, live and direct straight to you.
In the heat of the summer, a sweet wave of refreshment is swooshing over Awdio! Miami’s favorite, Robbie Rivera is sliding into a summer residency at the Privilege every Tuesday. This year’s show is all about heavier house grooves, brighter lights, bigger sound, and sexier nights! Read more
Guests will include Joachim Garraud, Laurent Wolf, Alex Gaudino, and many other big names in the industry! Robbie brings with him his freshest mixes from the juicy Music brand, splashed with its distinctive dirty house style. Prepare for Juicy, top notch nights, playing on Awdio every Tuesday, so you’ll get all the advantages of the evening without being blinded by the massive glitter disco balls!
The Awdio blog team wanted to get a little bit more lo-down on the Freak n Chic resident nights at the Batofar, so we met up with label founder Dan Ghenacia and asked him a few questions. A very interesting interview, that led to getting a little insight on his feelings at the moment with the label, plans he has in store for his fans, his hopes for the future (we even got a scoop about his future residency at the Showcase and new artists joining the label family!). A cool guy, and an even cooler DJ, Dan Ghenacia is, and I quote, “Happy to be freak n chic, in the end”. Read on to get the rest of this fascinating encounter! Read the interview
The Interview:
You seem to have been a major part in the Paris techno scene… why Paris?
Because I’m Parisian actually. I have my family, my friends, and I love this city. It’s not the best place actually for the music... for the electronic music, I guess, but I love to play here and I’m happy to make something happen in the city.
Why did you leave Paris for a while? What were you looking to find in England, Spain, and Ibiza?
I’ve always been based in Paris, just moving to Ibiza for the season which is like 4 months in the year. The reality is I had to move from Paris to do something of my career. Because people aren’t really into the music I play in Paris, but are much more in Ibiza, Germany, Spain, or England.
So what then brought you back to Paris to join the Batofar?
I’m from here; I want to live here, I’m happy to support my music and my local scene.
You’ve been described to be inspired by psychedelic west coast house, nu-school house, deep house, freaky-house, electro-house, techno… what is the style that you’re aiming for?
It’s deep funk and very after-hour music.
In a previous interview, you say you weren’t “cool enough” to be part of the music scene. Have you become « cool enough » now?
Yea, because I’ve made my own world!
What pushed you to start the Freak n Chic label? Your own label?
This came very naturally. We started to do some productions with some friends, and you start to send your demos to different labels but it takes a while to have an answer. And in the end everyone was making music around me so I said ‘OK, let’s start a label’... it was very easy.
What does Freak n Chic mean?
The name came from a party. I think it’s a good definition of what we do. In life, and in music.
What is your role exactly within the label?
I’m A&R for the label. I do everything for the artistic part of the label and the nights.
Who are you scouting next for the label? Any artists you have your eye on?
I’m very very happy because we are going to have LoSoul, they’re reaching the label for an EP. I don’t have too many artists from other labels or other things, a lot of our artists did their first EPs on Freak n Chic, like Dyed Soundorom, Shonky, Jamie Jones… they are all, how can I say, bankable on Beatport at the moment. So I’m really happy and proud to support them, and to have them for their first release.
And what about having women on your label?
It’s just bad luck!
For the women or for you?
For us! I had an EP with Miss Fitz actually, and I hope she’s going to make a new one for me very soon!
What are your plans with your residency at Batofar?
What I’ve been doing since a few years now is I always have seasonal parties. For example we do all summer here, and then were going to move to another club, and then we are going to move to another one. Just because Paris in quite difficult, and I don’t want people to be bored of the club or the night. So just to move and to rebuild something every time is very challenging, but very exciting. Some places are working better than others, but you can get very excited just to start something new. And you’re scared if it’s going to work or not. It’s very challenging, but it’s what we like.
So every time you feel like you’re at the beginning of you’re career?
Maybe not..! [laughs] I wish I would, but yea... [laughs]
So what are the goals for you on a personal basis? Any plans on becoming the new Guetta?
No, that’s not my goal. I’m really happy to be freak n chic, in the end!
Interviews with Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, Toshio Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive) & Toshio Matsuura (UFO)
Last week, Awdio had an amazing night out at the Wide Style party at the Bellevilloise organized by La Rafinerie featuring Gilles Peterson and some of his DJ friends from round the world. Hundreds of people turned up to see the BBC1 DJ legend in action and we can assure you they weren’t disappointed. Starting with the first act : DJ Toshio Matsuura from UFO mixing a blend of reggae, jazz, soul, house and all sorts of unusual sounds. Watch the videos
The grand Gilles was next in line and all we can say was that his set was amazing ! Japanese « Daddy » Toshio Okino succeeded with brio in keeping the party going whilst Jazzanova’s Juergen and Jazzamar offered an incredible ending to an already classic night. You’re in luck today for the new Awdio video crew was there to catch Gilles’, Toshio’s and Juergen’s impressions on the French music scene !
The Secret Garden Party festival has started! Those who haven’t heard of this festival yet are in for a treat as this is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets. Three stages will be streamed live on Awdio.com all weekend. The great Stage features acts such as Jarvis Cocker, Phoenix, The Do, Cocosuma, Noah and the Whale and White Rabbits. The Wild Things Stage represents the best of alternative Indie rock and folk with acts such as We are Enfant Terrible, We have band, Dan Black and Au Revoir Simone. For those who like more up-tempo beats the dance stage in collaboration with Ninja Tunes will knock your socks off with DJ Food, Caspa, Evil Nine, Death Set and Toddla T. All this in the comfort of your own home on Awdio.com, so you don’t have to wallow in the mud!
After a successful first year, UB Radio celebrates in style at the Bedsupperclub today, July 23rd. For the occasion, French dj Francois Dubois (aka Funk D’Void) will be helping them blow out the candles. Dj Funk d’Void is what’s hot right now, and has been for the past decade, proving so as he burns up dance floors across the world! His house, techno, soul grooves are inspired by the early Chicago sound, as is the case for Dj Benz, present tonight as well. His groovy, bumping House is jazzy and edgy, bringing together the musical influences of the 70’s and 80’s… you don’t ever know what to expect from his sets. Read More
As for DJ Mody and DJ Dear, both are very popular in Bangkok, spreading their tech house from one dancefloor to the other! There ain’t no party like a UB birthday party, cause a UB birthday party DON’T STOP!
MEG /Mêgg/ noun: Abbreviation for Montreal Electronic Groove: Canadian forward-thinking music festival created in 1998 and specialised in eclectic French-speaking acts.
This year’s 11th edition promises a load of energising beats and round-the-bend bands dispatched across various venues in town. Our very own Laïka will proudly open the festival early with quality electro DJ sets from the 27th July all the way up to the 2nd August. And did you know that our legendary café/bar/lounge has been dolled up for the occasion too? So alternative people of the world, unite, for this one is not one to miss! La Roux, Naïve New Beaters, La Riots, DJ Maus, Crystal Castles have all answered the siren’s call and so should you. Read More
The MEG is definitely the best place to go and discover local Canadian talents, French and international top-notch artists who have just emerged from the underground punk, hip-hop, jazz or pop scene but who all combine stage charisma, originality and real artistic sensitivity. Whether you’re eager to discover your next musical gem which won’t leave your Ipod for a while or you’re in the music industry and want sign up a new band, MEG will surely satiate your appetite for worthy novelty. Tune in to Awdio.com next Monday (27th July) to listen to the Grand Opening of the MEG festival at the Laïka from 6pm (local time).
