Total girl crush (still)
January 19, 2012
The first time I clapped eyes on Nina Kraviz, I was completely bowled over (and hideously envious) of her beauty. This Siberian-born lady is one fine fox, who has brains and business sense too – like the best of us, of course.
Perhaps that’s why she’s chosen Radio Slave’s Rekids as the label to release her self-titled debut album, out on 27th February.
Nina’s portfolio already includes releases on well-respected German imprints Cocoon and Bpitch, plus she’s nailed down high-profile collaborations with the likes of Sascha Funke (cue the hook-you-in Moses, circa 2010).
From what I’ve heard of Nina’s first album, it’s certainly quite a mix. It moves from soft vocals to dimly-lit industrial beats, before swiftly switching back into sun-drenched summer tones. A four second snippet of each track makes it hard to get the full spec of the album, but it’s peaked my interest enough so that I want to hear more, particularly when it comes to her grimier selections.
If you fancy checking out Nina on tour – or want to hear the album sampler for yourself – here’s all that you need to know:
24th February – Rex Club, Paris
25th February – Studio 80, Amsterdam
1st March – EGO, Hamburg
2nd March – Robert Johnson, Frankfurt
3rd March – Bob Beaman, Munich
4th March – Panorama Bar, Berlin
12th March – Warehouse party, Rome
10th March – Tenax, Florence
16th March – Klubbers Day Festival, Madrid
17th March – Be Cool, Barcelona
30th March – D! Club, Lausanne
The Starman turns 65
January 8, 2012
He brought us King Jareth in the film Labyrinth, performed as a mime artist in the theatrical production Pierrot in Turquoise, and created the iconic Ziggy Stardust persona amongst many, many other delights - happy 65th birthday Mr. wonderful Bowie x
Tune in to BBC radio 6 from 10am today to listen to a special celebration show.
Print available at Idea Generation Gallery (with 20% off for a limited time).
The Doors – Love Street
November 17, 2011
People have told me countless times that I’m, “A bit of a hippie at heart”. The thing is, I never, ever really thought that myself.
It’s taken me over thirty years – and one moment this morning while waiting on a train, dressed in a paisley print dress; agate slice pendants looped around my neck; suede booties; a faux fur coat – with Jim Morrison’s dulcet tones seducing me to realise… “You know what? I really am I hippie at heart…and I honestly couldn’t be happier about it.”
Junior Boys – You’ll Improve Me (Caribou remix)
November 7, 2011
Thanks to the wonderful world of BBC Radio 6, today Junior Boys, and in particular, their forthcoming single, ‘You’ll Improve Me’ remixed by Caribou, pleasantly flowed through my headphones.
I had no idea who these ‘boys’ were until this morning, but I was fast to hunt them down and before I knew it, I’d bought tickets to see them at Concrete in Shoreditch next month. Impulse buy? Absolutely.
However, after my trigger fingers so happily indulged themselves, I spent the majority of the afternoon working to the soundtrack of these two Canada-based lads – at not one point was I disappointed. Actually, that’s not strictly true; the one thing that did lead to disappointment was that no matter the extend of my search, I could not find one single place to hear the Caribou mix.
It seems that until its release date of 12th December, You’ll Improve Me is on extreme lockdown. If you happen to stumble across it while trawling the world wide web, do give me a shout – it’s an ace song, and it’s going to be massive.
Update:
Listen to the track here, or here for a radio rip from Lauren Laverne’s Radio 6 show.
Ibiza closing: two days, three clubs
September 28, 2011
I’m just back from Ibiza (and thankfully, not in bits). I was out primarily for Cocoon closing at Amnesia, and as usual, was far from dissapointed – it was ace. But what about the rest? Here’s the trip’s highlights, low-lights, and all the bits in-between…
We Love closing at Space, Sunday 24th September
We got there about 1am and the party was in full swing. James Zabiela, easy to spot due to his swinging blonde locks, was in the midst of throughly ripping the dancefloor apart, and both the crowd and James loved every single minute of destruction. It was truly mind-blowing to watch.
In the Salon, and a couple of the other rooms, it was a mash-up of Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton and techno beats. The crowd was hugely multi-cultural, and strikingly friendly, too. Not expecting so much after a disappointing trip to Space two years ago, I was taken aback by just how great this finale was.
DC-10, Monday 25th September
Randomly, this was my first venture to DC-10. Matthais Tanzmann was headlining amongst DJs, and having seen him play many times, I was keen to hear what he’d be
bringing to one of Ibiza’s most notorious clubs. Notorious for the wrong reasons perhaps – while the music throughout the evening was really on-point, the cream of the crop, the club became hideously overcrowded to the point that regular bouts of aggression were spotted between clubbers and in turn, ruined what could have been an incredible vibe. Note to promoters: heed your capacity limits next year, and avoid many disgruntled and departing clubbers.
Cocoon Heroes, Monday 25th September
As I mentioned before, Amnesia is never one to let you down. They do have the title of Best Global Club to hold down after all. I’m pleased to report that Cocoon closing absolutely smashed it. The crowd were happy, friendly, and more often than not, loyal followers of the imprint’s music. Tobi Neumann threw out a surprisingly different set to the one he played in London some time back – this one was harder, faster paced, and all the better for it. Head honcho Sven, of course, played the inevitably rocking set while his infamous dancers, clad in this autumn’s fetish trend, grinded suggestively against the balcony’s slippery bars.
Until next year…
In 2012, we’ll be covering the openings. For now, we bid a very fond, farewell to Ibiza.
A song of love
September 7, 2011
Ever since I found myself singing this song to niece #1 (left looking after her for the first time…ummmm), there’s been something about it that’s stuck with me.
I love it. Simple as that.
x
x
x
x
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I’m so alone
Don’t have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen
Give him the word that I’m not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I’m so alone
Don’t have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Mister Sandman, bring us a dream
Give him a pair of eyes with a come hither gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace
Mister Sandman, someone to hold
Would be so peachy before we’re too old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mister Sandman, bring us
Please, please, please
Mister Sandman, bring us a dream
Another time, another place
September 4, 2011
Music has an incredible power to transport you. If you close your eyes, a track can (at the risk of sounding cliché and revealing my inner hippie) take you to another dimension.
I’ve always been good at daydreaming, and this little piece of harmonic beauty so swiftly transports me into reverie. It’s there that I’m greeted by an alternate somewhere, with a familiar someone, and although it’s another place and another time; it’s nothing short of bliss.
Tunes for Tuesday
August 30, 2011
Ahhhhh the long bank holiday weekend, filled with glorious sunshine-doused outdoor fun. Well, we can but dream, huh?
The reality was that the weekend was a bit of a wash-out – at least when it came to the weather. However, the 10th anniversary party of Secretsundaze on Saturday did a glorious job of lifting spirits, and had people braving the rain to dance atop a Peckham roof top right until sun down. Beautiful sunset too.
So what about the music? Few tracks from their 10th Anniversary compilation were actually played (or at least easy to recognise), though a few brilliant tunes as-old-as-time were blasted out, much to the crowd’s satisfaction. The place was packed from early evening until advertised closing time of 10.30pm (the actual party went on much beyond 3 am).
Back at work, with thankfully, less rain and a short week ahead of us, we thought we’d share a few of our favourite tracks from the compilation in case you missed hearing them on the weekend.
Goodbye Tuesday blues, hello it’s-nearly-Friday-already mode.
I Exist Because of You – Henrik Schwarz
August 20, 2011
Maybe it’s a little premature, but I’m starting to get pretty excited about my closing party extravaganza in Ibiza next month.
And, after watching Henrik Schwarz in action at the Roundhouse last night, I’ve spent the majority of the day getting reacquainted with his music. This little baby of a track has sunshine fun and frolics written all over it. Roll on Ibiza!
Two tunes for Friday
July 8, 2011
Is it really Friday again already? I’m certainly not complaining…
Here are the two tracks I’m currently crazy about, picked by Cassy, Circo Loco’s latest resident, who’s also lent her talents to mixing the latest Mix Mag CD.
Time to wind-up the week and get the party started.
Geddes and Newman produce a heartbeat baseline you can’t help but love.
Terry Francis’ Free may be a slow builder (which I’d far prefer without the vocals). However, its cymbal-smashing, simple rhythm still manages to get me bobbing along at my desk.
