The Pondering Blonde

Excuse The Mess with Mobilee Records, South Africa Tour

EXCUSE THE MESS WITH MOBILEE RECORDS
30TH OCTOBER – VOODOO LOUNGE JOHANNESBURG

Excuse The Mess crept onto the scene in 2008 with a secret Party in an empty office space in Central London. Two sound systems, a full bar and over 100 people snuck into the off-limits area on the 9^th floor and danced until the early hours of the morning in front of windows boasting breathtaking views of the city. The mischievous tone was set from the start, with partygoers helping to clean and remove all evidence of the subversive shenanigans at the end; birthing ETM’s etho’s of an underground club night with a cheeky twist.

Early days saw ETM taking to the backrooms of some of London’s favourite nightclubs, and stole the show in the Loft at Egg on New Year’s Eve with sheer good party vibes and spirit. Excuse The Mess became ‘the little party that could’ and set the precedent in 2009 when it bust out its first warehouse party at Corsica Studio’s with 3 international acts; Mymy, Matthew Styles and Ralf Kollmann, charging the room with an illustrious array of deep house and techno.

Excuse The Mess soon had some of the best local dj’s and vj’s vying for a spot behind the decks. Joining London resident’s Nick Maleedy, Russell Caten and The Fix; Ralf Kollmann, co-owner of mobilee Records with Anja Schneider, joined the team as international resident, bringing his fresh-as-hell German techno assault to the ETM Soundscape. In 5 years mobilee Records has become one of the most watched Techno labels in Europe, their artist roster includes the wickedly talented Pan-Pot, who headlined the ETM show in June and lead the packed Alhambra Warehouse in East London into a Berlin-stomping frenzy.

500 Showcase now presents Excuse The Mess to South Africa!

Excuse The Mess residents Ralf Kollmann and Nick Maleedy are bringing the best from their boxes in London and Berlin to make South Africa part of the ETM family this October! Ralf’s presence is as intense as the full bodied-moving minimal techno he plays and is renowned for tight track selection and tighter mixing, flecked with all kinds of tasty unreleased material. Nick’s penchant for deep house, stripped down techno and tribal grooves sees him mix a sophisticated playlist, and playing  alongside some of Europe’s finest including Pan-Pot, Matthew Styles, Thomas Schumacher, Danton Eeprom and Giles Smith.

Exclusive VJ Appearance from Ben Anchor, whose 8 year career in visuals has seen him reside with the CHAIR TV VJ’s crew and perform at Manchesters infamous Warehouse Project alongside the likes of Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Goldie and Justice.

Join us for the first leg of the 3 city tour at the Excuse The Mess Masked Ball at the sacred Voodoo Lounge in Johannesburg for a no excuses deep house and techno indulgence, complimented by the best local dj’s from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

We ask you in advance to Excuse The Mess

Deeper Sounds of Coco Loco- Poolside Player Album Launch

For those of you who love ‘House music’, or submit to the weekly dancefloor call, you’re probably familiar with the name Coco Loco. If not, then know this: He is one of South Africa’s finest export House DJs, who spends his life following the beat and flying to perform in underground clubs all over South Africa and regularly plays in exotic venues around the world in cities like Istanbul, London and Mauritius.

‘Deeper Sound of Coco Loco – Poolside Playa’ is the third and last in a series of three albums Coco Loco has mixed, taking the listener on a journey of incredibly stylish and sophisticated Deep House music. Striving to distinguish his sound from that of other top DJ’s in SA, compiling albums for the dancefloor, Coco Loco reckons music lovers are listening in their cars, at house parties or at cocktail lounges and so require something different. Coco Loco has effectively executed this on his DSO trilogy. The first album in 2005, “DSO Coco Loco – Deep Trouble” was more of a cocktail party vibe. It had just enough bounce to invite the listener to tap their feet, introducing him to the South African market. On the back of its success, a year later “DSO Coco Loco – Fly by Night” came out, capturing a dirtier, edgier sound to symbolise the ‘out after 4am and up to no good’ kind of vibe. This, the final release in 2007, “DSO Coco Loco – Poolside Playa” seals off the trilogy in Coco Loco’s true ‘best for last’ style. The kind of music that James Bond really listens to… and scores with!

Coco Loco’s behind the decks experience has shown him that South Africans are searching for more than just a clubbing experience. They are looking for a culture and a touch of class with a soulful and underground sound. It was this in mind he decided to go back into the studio and record an album that represented these important elements and presenting the album a full 8 months later than expected, at what he calls ‘the right time’. “What I’m trying to do is push an underground sound, but one that anyone can get into”. It is with this kind of preparation and thought that has earned him rave reviews from South Africa’s best DJs and clubbers alike… definitely worth the wait.

Over the next few months the “Poolside Playa summer tour” will host 12 parties around SA and an additional three private pool parties for lucky winners in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. All three of his albums are still available and come highly recommended for a deep night in or out and about. If you keen to hear this guy and find out what the fuss is all about, log onto his website www.cocoloco.co.za to find where and when he will be performing in your city. With the world at his finger tips and an international future in the palm of his hand, Coco Loco’s intent on showing everyone his love for deep – or should that be- deep love for world class house music.

BPM Mag Interview with Coco Loco

In The Deep End with Coco Loco

Feeling fresh and slightly funked up after his tour of Turkey, DJ Coco Loco returns home a tanned and inspired man; ready to implode house music fans with his 3^rd and final Deeper Sounds Of album; Poolside Player. After almost a decade in the industry, Coco Loco has become iconic in the house music industry as the “Purveyor of the Deep” and even though his talents are taking him on international adventures, he plans to continue dirtying up the dance floors across South Africa with his gleaned musical genius.

BPM: Nice to have you back home! Tell us a bit about your tour to Turkey.

CocoLoco: The city of Istanbul (Turkey) is such a magical place. I’m not one for photographs but I was taking tons of pictures of the buildings, the mosques and the interesting mix of culture. I was there for 7 days and was a guest DJ at two of their top clubs. From there I went to Brixton in London and played at a club called Babalou which was situated in a crypt under a church. Only in London hey?!

BPM: What is the music scene like in Turkey?

CocoLoco: My friend, Erhan Sengenc, is like the Godfather of Deep House over there and invited me to play at some parties. I first played at a club called Blanco, which is situated on the rooftop terrace of a high building overlooking the busy nightlife of the streets below. You can see how liberal the younger Muslim generation has become and it was great for me to meet and get to know them. The second club is one of the top restaurants/bars in the world called 360. You literally have a 360 degree view of the world up there. In a nutshell Istanbul was… sexy women, sexy clubs and they liked it deep!

BPM: How would you define your style of music?

CocoLoco: I definitely like it deep! I find myself a lot deeper than most of the popular DJ’s playing the SA scene and constantly trying to introduce more people to the deep end. Whether it be Deep House or Deep funky or even slightly Progressive House, I’m game at putting anything emotional into my set.

BPM: I love the concept of your DSO albums being a trilogy of “party in-betweeners” that carry you through the weekend, what’s the story behind it?

CocoLoco: The first one, “Deep Trouble” was a pre-party kind of vibe; you know you’re going to get in trouble at a house party! The second, “Fly by Night” is for the early hours of the morning on the dance floor, after you’ve been flying around the club all night! The third, “Poolside Player” is the Sunday After-party; jamming around the pool, people getting together after a fun night out!

BPM: Sounds great! I’m craving cocktails by the pool just thinking about it! Why is the third one, “Poolside Player” the final DSO album in your name?

There are currently 14 Deeper Sound CDs available and I have mixed 3 of them. This is my last Deeper Sound because this is the breeding ground of up and coming DJs. Big names like Craig de Sousa, Lady Lea, Ryan Dent, Troydon, Pimp Squad, Vimo and Brett Jackson all started their careers of with the Deeper Sound and went on to become something special. You basically get to hear who is gona be hot way before they make it big. It is now time to let another underground DJ start his/her journey.

BPM: So when did you discover your passion for music and when did you realise you wanted to become a DJ?

CocoLoco: When I was about 7 years old I came across my dads’ collection of pop shop and Motown records, but it was only when I bought my first record that I knew I had to get into this stuff… the record was “Orchestral manures in the Dark”. Then I went to my first rave, Thermal Equinox and walked out a changed man! But it was only after a year of clubbing that I saw Viccy Edwards play and I realised I seriously wanted to do this!

BPM: So tell me about your very first gig.

CocoLoco: One Saturday morning my parents went off to play golf and as I had been practicing for about 6 months, I decided to invite all my mates round into the garage and started to mix for them. They were all jamming ‘till my folks came home and chased them away and me to my room. Haha! Whenever we get together we always speak about that day. Fond memories!

BPM: What is the most defining moment in your DJ’ing career so far?

CocoLoco: For a long time I was trying to make a name for myself in the Durban DJ hierarchy, and after being introduced to a few big players, I was given the opportunity to promote my night at the famous SKYYBAR. For the first time I was able to show off my ideas and music and on my first night there were about 500 people going mad on the dance floor. I remember looking up at God and saying “thank you!” I knew I had done something good!

BPM: What characteristic do you think sets you apart from other DJ’s?

CocoLoco: Apart from the fact that I’ve been told I’m the craziest of them all… Soon as I finish my set, I’m on the dance floor partying with the crowd. I’m always the last to leave the club!

BPM: A DJ that can dance? I thought that was a fallacy! Besides dancing, how do you like to relax after a set or when you have time off?

CocoLoco: I love graphic design and regularly buy magazines for inspiration and ideas. I would like to put my ideas onto t-shirts but just don’t get round to doing it. I also am a big fan of graffiti and would love to learn how to spray and make my own canvases for the house. I do have a few in my flat but its just beginners work. I love to read books especially biographies; I’m busy reading Anthony Keidis’ “Scar Tissue”. Otherwise, I love to sit at home on the couch with my girlfriend watching DVD’s and eating pizza. Boring but its priceless to me.

BPM: So you have a girlfriend, is it hard to date being that you’re always on the move, promoting and touring?

CocoLoco: The main problems I’ve had with girlfriends haven’t come from DJ’ing but from the usual misunderstandings in relationships, but there are girls who can handle it and there are girls who get jealous. In saying that though I have lost girlfriends due to my being so hectic and busy!

BPM: Who are your personal DJ icons?

CocoLoco: I remember first hearing Sash & John Digweed’s “Northern Exposure” album which made a huge impression on my life, as well as the THEN very underground “Deep Dish” from Washington DC. But I’d have to say that I couldn’t wait to unwrap and play any Global underground CD I got my hands on… very little these days impresses me as much as those DJs. Vinni da Vincy was my hero on the local front.

BPM: Every DJ has a dream gig. Tell me yours in detail.

CocoLoco: Well it would have to be in a comfortable and stylish club with a capacity of around 500 people. The sound system would be very clear but with huge bass (kinda like 52 on Parliament in PE). The place would be filled with an up for it crowd and all my favorite people in the world… past and present. Oh yes and my two sisters, my girlfriend and my mom rocking on the dance floor.

BPM: Where are your current gigs or residencies?

CocoLoco: I don’t believe in residencies, I like to travel every week to different cities around SA, although I regularly play at Panama Room in Durban, Sudada, Sutra, Ku De Ta & Partyhouse in JHB, 52 on Parliament in PE and Chrome & Opium in Cape Town.

BPM: So you enjoy traveling, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

CocoLoco: I like to plan about a year ahead when it comes to my compilations and parties but every year has its surprises. I’m getting a few international gigs these days so I’d like to be using my DJ talents to take me around the world to visit very exciting cities. And I’d like to bring out a CD with a rock band.

BPM: A CD with a rock band? What an awesome idea- can you elaborate?

CocoLoco: Before I got into DJing I was in various armature Rock bands and all I can remember from my teens was playing guitar and dreaming of being on stage. But now that I’m older and have a few contacts in the music biz, I want to do something interesting and get involved in Rock again. I have been a big fan of bands like System of a Down, Pearl Jam, Korn & Deftones for a long time so it would be something in the “Nu Metal” side. My favorite SA band at the moment is Diesel Whores. They are so f@*king cool and different to the rest of the pack. I’ve also always been a fan on Seether and have everything they have ever done since Saron Gas.

BPM: Who knew a house DJ could be such a rocker at heart! Lastly, what is the one track that totally speaks your language?

CocoLoco: That’s like picking your favourite child! Every year I seem to change my style a little, so I would have to say that on the deep front it is a track by local DJ Kentphonic called “We be Serious”- pure simple emotion! And on the funky side, local DJ who lives in the USA, Troydon’s track, “Its Allright” and its pretty F@*king ALLRIGHT!

The Deeper Sounds Of collection, which features Deep House mixes from S.A’s top up and coming house DJ’s is fast becoming the most popular DJ series in South Africa. The Deeper Sounds of Coco Loco 3- Poolside Player, hits all good music stores this November!