The Pondering Blonde

BPM Mag: Cocoon Ibiza comes to South Africa

Last year Cocoon celebrated 10 years of wrapping clubbers in its twisted little game of deviant House and Techno at Ibiza’s clubbing powerhouse; Amnesia. Cocoon founder, and by all means; leading mad-hatter Sven Vath, took his kingdom across the monumental decade line in style with an all out wicked-carnival themed summer season on the island. There were traffic jams, all-night queues snaking around the venue- this party is the one ultimate must-do when making a trek to The White Isle. In fact; clubbers to the island notoriously plan their vacation around squeezing in two Monday nights at Cocoon!

The inside spectacle doesn’t disappoint; black sequinned dancers- beautiful girls, boys and girlyboys- on podiums and gyrating against the walls above the main floor, a 10 foot Robocop shooting lasers and pyrotechnics from within the crowd, and way up front; The Ringleader, Sven, in a black fedora casually pounding out the slickest beats from the more-then-massive sound system, to a sea of never-been-this-up-for-it clubbers.

His line-up for the season was as usual, a who’s who of Minimal Techno on Planet Earth: Ricardo Villalobos, Loco Dice, Luciano, Richie Hawtin, Nick Curly, Martin Buttrich, Mathais Kaden, Josh Wink, DJ sneak and Tiefschwartz among them. The legend of Cocoon not only lives on strong in 2010, but the brand and ultimate symbol of nightlife disturbia comes to avenge South Africa for the first time this June, with lady of the label, Dinky, headlining. The tour will bring the freshest house and techno to both Johannesburg and Cape Town and forge new ground in SA’s growing Techno-club culture.

THE LEGEND OF VATH

Sven Vath was an intrinsic part of the house scene’s development in Germany, bringing American disco and jacking Chicago house to the curious ears of Frankfurt, where he first bled his passion and initiated his meteoric rise up the electronic chain. Papa Sven fell into his role as the decidedly demonic ringleader and set about creating his platform, a Cocoon themed web, for he and his young muso friends to launch themselves. The Cocoon night in Ibiza, the original Cocoon club in his hometown and Cocoon Recordings have become a world-wide statement in electronic music hotness!

SVEN ON IBIZA: Cocoon is a feeling, it is club culture, event culture is how I see it, for more than 20 years now I was always into creating platforms or networks where people come together to create something. There is no place like Ibiza and thanks to Cocoon; Ibiza is still very interesting when it comes to music. I think with our line-ups we’ve inspired other promoters and the island to evolve music wise in a very positive way, so I guess it is more than ever the true capital of electronic dance music!

DINKYLAND

Female dj’s of the world unite! Joining the ranks of talented lady dj’s and producers, alongside Magda, Anja Schnider, Ellen Allien and Shinedoe is Dinky- and she’s not as sweet as she sounds! Dinky is her very own powerhouse- an original gadget girl, electronic composer and a leader in the second wave of greats to come out of Chile. Dinky’s early years in club culture were spent raving it up with Luciano and Ricardo Villalobos, who set her on a path of techno-laced music loving.

Dubbed ‘The Techno Princess’, she initially followed a career in contemporary dance to New York City before finding herself dj’ing around the city and landing fingers-first in music production. Dinky is now based in Berlin, dating Matthew Styles- both are signed to Crosstown Rebels and often play together- and churning out inspired artist albums and EP’s for labels like Vakant, Traum and Wagon Repair. Her own productions portray her unique ethereal essence, a delving divergence from her driving dj and live sets; but both fuse her compassion for music with soul. Here’s to ladies that love techno!

ON HOW SHE FOUND ELECTRONIC MUSIC: Modern electronic music came to me when I was only 12 years old. My sister was going out with Dandy Jack [of Perlon fame] and living in Berlin at that time. At a family dinner he gave me a CD and I got instantly hooked on this music. It seemed so futuristic for me, compared to what we had in Chile at that time. Thanks to both him and my sister, I would always receive goodies – music from Kraftwerk, DAF, and house tapes from Doctor Motte. And then later on, things like the early Plastikman CD. I was really lucky!

ON HOW SHE STARTED PRODUCING: I guess it came when I was 21 or 22, and I moved to New York. At that time it was really difficult to DJ because the police were really tough. There were no clubs, there were places shutting down, so if I was going to get into music I really wanted to produce. I asked for some advice from people; for example Dandy Jack convinced me to buy a MPC 2000. So I bought that at a very young age and I started to learn that and sampling; it’s a very basic thing!

BPM Mag: Interview with Dinky

Dinky is an electronic diamond. From humble beginnings, dancing to Techno with Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano in Chile;  penetrating New York’s underground with her esoteric essence; to discovering her production fingers, moving to Berlin and finding love with Crosstown Rebels star, Matthew Styles, Dinky is the epitome of living the dream. Joining the ranks of Anja Schneider and Magda in the female powerhouse with releases on the best electronic labels, it’s no surprise she quickly blossomed into her role as the youngest female resident for Cocoon. Ahead of her visit to South Africa in June, we visited Dinkyland to find out more!

Where did your fascination with electronic music start?

Modern electronic music came to me when I was only 12 years old. My sister was going out with Dandy Jack [of Perlon fame] and living in Berlin at that time. At a family dinner he gave me a CD and I got instantly hooked on this music. It seemed so futuristic for me, compared to what we had in Chile at that time. Thanks to both him and my sister, I would always receive goodies – music from Kraftwerk, DAF, and house tapes from Doctor Motte. And then later on, things like the early Plastikman CD. I was really lucky!

How did you get into producing?

I guess it came when I was 21 or 22, and I moved to New York. At that time it was really difficult to DJ because the police were really tough. There were no clubs, there were places shutting down, so if I was going to get into music I really wanted to produce. I asked for some advice from people; for example Dandy Jack convinced me to buy a MPC 2000. So I bought that at a very young age and I started to learn that and sampling; it’s a very basic thing!

You’ve lived in Chile, New York and now Berlin; you restlessness has prevented each from ‘claiming’ you to a certain scene or genre of music; how have all 3 influenced your character and music over the years?

I lived long enough on each country to find myself very influenced by the music of each . I was born and raised in Chile and lived there until my late teens , so I feel mostly influenced by my Chilean roots than anything. In New York I found House and some techno, so I have a big influence from that city as well , I was in body and soul every single Sunday dancing to house music. And finally in Berlin where I moved in 2003, I got very much influenced by German electronic dance music specially in Panorama Bar and Berghain where I have a residency.

You originally went to New York to study contemporary dance- have you always had an interest in dancing itself, and how did this lead you to electronic music?

I started to dance when I was around 10 years old , before that I was doing rhythmic gymnastics.  I was very flexible and musical as a child and me and my family thought it was a good idea to start with dance. Dance did not lead to electronic music at all, they didn’t have much to do with each other for me back then but I used some electronic music for choreography .

You’re first record was released on Traum, and you’ve since released on some of the best labels in electronic music- Wagon Repair, Cocoon, Crosstown Rebels- a world first for any female producer, what made you want to make music?

I studied piano when I was a little girl so I always felt like composing songs or scores , I would read music or invent my own scores in the piano when I was little so I guess it was just somehow natural for me to start making music.

As a self-confessed gadget girl- what are your favourite new toys at the moment?

My acoustic guitar! Actually, I haven’t invested much in the studio this year because I have already at the moment all I need so I’m enjoying playing classic guitar mostly.

When producing, your music has been described as a beautifully intricate and layered work of art- a very evident aural expression. Do you have a strong visual tangent that goes with the sounds you create?

Yes I do ,Im very into esoterics and art , I actually also paint and I’m quite extreme when it comes to how my house looks in terms of decoration and space. I’m very visual. I also see sound as colours , I think that has a name in psychology but I don’t remember now..

You’re also an instrumentalist- you play the piano, guitar and strings- how important is being able to play proper instruments for you to ‘compose’ quality music electronically?

I think it’s somehow good for someone to know or to have the ear to play music , to makes music in tune or out of tune on purpose. I think when you start reading and recognizing music from an early age it never goes away (unless you never had the ear) but I also think there is no rules and maybe someone who does not know anything about harmony or pitch can be more free than someone who  is subject to his or her knowledge and academic rules.

Who are some of your favourite producers at moment/ who’ve influenced you?

I really like Tensnake at the moment because I’m a huge fan of Disco music and his tracks are very different but with the disco roots.

Being resident for Sven Vath’s Cocoon party in Ibiza- some would say there are not many dj dreams bigger than that- how does it feel to have your talent recognised on this level and to become part of the Cocoon family?

I could not believe it when it happened in 2004 but I had my fears and some people were a bit… ehm… jealous.  I was also much younger so it was all quite over-whelming , a mixture of excitement and fear at the same time! Now that I finally joined the agency and I am older it feels really natural because I been in contact with them for so many years and know them well … but yes it definitely felt huge back then and I was a bit unsure of everything.

You’re first night as Cocoon, how was that? / Which has been your favourite night at Cocoon and who did you play alongside that night?

It was with Miss Kitten, it was great , really great! I did the warn up and enjoyed it very much  and even though it was around 2004, I think that was my favourite night.

Tell us a bit about the Cocoon club concept and why it has the reputation and following it has…

I guess is very modern and artistic but with a great concept of marketing as well.  Sven supports music that normally would not get exposed because it’s very underground and sometimes experimental , so he uses his popularity and brand to expose very avant-garde artists like dj’s, musicians, dancers and designers. It’s a very visual and complete experience!

Dinky tours South Africa with Ibiza’s Cocoon Night in June.

Pulse Radio Interview with Jay Haze aka Fuckpony

Jay Haze. You know; the ‘controversial and outspoken American-in-Berlin dj and producer, most famed for that interview- oh how society loves a pariah! My call to Jay one sunny September afternoon is possibly better timed than the interview he did a mere 36 hours after his entire studio went up in flames; capturing the essence of Jay Haze on a very dark day in 2008.

Sitting on a couch at Handle With Care, his record manufacturer in Berlin- ‘a good, sunny day in the city’, he had me know; Jay was in a good mood and had all the time in the world to repeat the now iconic tale about that weekend. Far from being a ‘retribution’ piece; our conversation just became ‘the one that went deep enough’ and as it turns out, there’s a very light side to being Jay Haze.

We’re only a few minutes into our phone conversation when Jay gives me his now jaded account of the day of the fire. ‘I’m walking up to my apartment and see fire trucks and police all over the place, something’s seriously burning. I’m wondering what’s going on, and as I get closer, I realise it’s my studio. They’re blasting water everywhere and I’m told I won’t be able to go inside it for a couple of days. I’m due to leave for a gig at Fabric in London in a few hours- and everything’s gone.’

‘What am I gona do, sit at home and cry about it? So I get on the plane and flew to London without my records, nothing, to do this gig. I meet up with Ricardo (Villalobos) – we’ve been friends for like 11 years- and he just knew. He was like ‘Come, let’s play.’ After my set we went to room 3 and played together. We played for hours, jamming for just hours…’ It was one of the most amazing nights of my life.’

No doubt, time has made the incident burn a whole lots less, made Jay romanticise it even, but that’s because indeed, if anyone knows, he does; everything happens for a reason. Whatever the purpose of Jay’s ‘Fire Hazardous’ day, he’s figured it out and made peace with it; he’s moved on. On the now infamous interview he did for Resident Advisor where he slagged off M-nus and their ‘boring’ parties and spoke brazenly about an abusive family life, being homeless and selling drugs, he says. ‘They caught me on a bad day, what can I say?’

Jay Haze is a man who thinks deeply and speaks off the cuff. A fire ripping through his studio is only the cherry on top of a story that defines how far he has come. All the way from a coal mining town in Philadelphia, USA, in fact. Dubbed ‘Philly’s Lost Son’ – whether affectionately or not I can’t say- but Jay’s story wins him a mentalist medal of honour,  because he hasn’t let it define him, he’s only told it like it is and persevered in reaction to it.

So, who really is Jay Haze, aka reverent producer, Fuckpony? The man behind the Turningspork and Contexterrior Record Labels- and credited with discovering the fresh talents of Troy Pierce and Samim- contrary to reputation, isn’t fussed about ‘hype’ and being a scene personality. Haze is most notably an artist. When it comes to music, Jay indulges a creative spirit and makes what he feels. ‘Some days I wake up and I want to make Hip Hop, the next day I might think of something and go, yeah, there’s a groove there- and come out with a soulful Chicago house track.’

Haze was influenced by all sorts of music growing up; ‘Prince, Bob Marley, Al Green, The Police and Talking Heads. ‘Oh, and my favourite track of all time is probably Family Affair by Sly and The Family Stone! Philadelphia has a really rich music culture. There was a real ‘live’ element in the 60’s and 70’s lots of soul, reggae- I grew up with that. In the 90’s House parties started, and it was hard for people to get at first, there’s a big black culture in Philly, and at first everyone said House was white, gay people’s music.’

An instrumentalist, Jay plays the Bass Violin and the Piano, and his tracks are renowned for long instrumental breaks and piano riffs. His ethos is ‘functional yet artful dance music’. ‘Music for me is and always has been an expression. I don’t want to be put into a box- oh he makes this or he makes that- I just make it if I feel it.’

His refreshing perspective towards music as an art form saw him release his triple album, Love and Beyond, for free on his website last year. ‘Music is about connecting people, it’s for sharing. It’s not about the money, I made this music and worked so hard on it, I wanted everyone to be able to hear it. I don’t want to worry about sales and credit cards, I don’t care about wealth. That’s something I’ve always stuck by.’

Which brings us to Jay’s humanitarian efforts; the global movement DJ’s for DRC, which rally’s dj’s, performers and even party people around the world to donate money to relief groups in the Democratic of Congo. ‘It’s a small effort really, but I believe if we come together and all offer a little bit we can have a profound impact and make big changes. The plan is to get as many dj’s and performers in the electronic music scene to donate half their fee from one gig, from September to the end of the year.’

Some of the biggest artists like Tiefschwartz, Loco Dice and Luke Solomon have done their part. ‘The situation in the DRC is one to spend a little time and reflect on, that country is affected in every way- child slavery, sexual abuse on women, starvation, water poisoning… it’s so sad!’ Jay plans to travel to DRC himself in 2010 to actively see his efforts are put to good use. ‘I’ve been homeless. A lot of people don’t understand that… But when you get out of a hole like that, and you actually get something, you want nothing more than to help other people.’

Jay’s new Fuckpony album Let the Love Flow; a really sexy melodic love affair, playing homage to his house head, is out in late October. ‘It’s not like anything I’ve done before. I played the piano and programmed the whole album with a great feeling and vibration. It was a naturally flowing album that was pure feeling and emotion.’ You’ve got to give it to the guy for being one of the most genuinely hard working guys in the business. It’s all about the bigger picture; spreading good energy and letting the love flow- nothing dark about that.

The Fabric That Binds Us

There’s only one event on everyone’s lips and hips this weekend in London. Fabric; super club to the world and holy grail to every dj on the planet, is turning 10 years old and celebrating with a massive all weekender bender- but of course! It’s incredible to believe that for a decade Fabric has fed electronic music lovers, who come flocking from around the globe, a subtle but oh so solid barrage of dark and deep dance culture from within its basement walls.

The club has remained true to its cause, keeping it soundscape- and reputation- cultured and underground, not falling prey to the sell out tactics many venue brands succumb to boost side sales for those odd off months or seasons. You can’t buy the hair iron or the clothing range but their Fabric and Fabric LIVE albums have become an iconic contribution to any clubbers music collection and continues, as when it started in 2001, to deliver sets from the best underground electronic artists.

The likes of Craig Richardson, Terry Francis and Andy C, who’ve played an intrinsic part in Fabrics heritage, have all put their name to disc, as have Carl Craig, John Tejada, Audion, Luciano and most recently Magda- her much anticipated 33 track infusion comes out in the form of Fabric 49 in November.

Richardson, Francis, Andy C and an awe inspiring line-up dominates the three night shifts which begin on Thurday 15^th with Drum and Bass from DJ Hype, Skream and Benga. Friday Night gets loud and LIVE with Simian Mobile Disco, Filthy Dukes, Dj Craze and Scratch Perverts. And Saturday rolls around the big shebang with Ricardo Villalobos, Steve Bug, Mathew Jonson, Daniel Bell, Hipp-e and Fred Everything among them. Nothing short of hey she-wow to show everyone indeed- they know how it’s done!

Needless to say, queues will be spiralling the block, so if you plan to shake it in the almost 5000-man strong celebration, best you get down early!

Little Lexi x

DC 10- Blink and You’ll miss it!

It’s incredible to believe that after an entire season of non-action, DC 10 in Ibiza is still the club everyone’s talking about. Rumours have strategically persisted all summer-long that the infamous warehouse venue was going to throw the bash of all bashes and drop one last closing party- technically an opening and closing party in one!- and in true rebellious style, earlier this week, Circo Loco announced the line-up for its one-off event.

The club was shut down and fined €300,000 by the Spanish government last year for allegedly running with only a restaurant and bar license to their name, and ordered to remain closed for one full year as punishment. Talk about whipping the clown about town! Apparently, the licensing issue is yet to be resolved but, the ban lifts exactly one day before the scheduled event on October 6^th and the Circo Loco crew are throwing caution to the wind; going full throttle and giving the party-island people what they’ve been harking on about all summer.

SO, there’s been a clamber from coast to coast as the good people have postponed their departures and several clubs and bars have extended their own closing events to be able to sufficiently milk the extra masses of people still around, as Ibiza’s annual season of mayhem traditionally ends at the end of September. The local’s more than likely welcome the extra mileage they’re getting although the weather has been turning dramatically- with torrential showers literally raining on many vacationers parades for the entire past week.

Well, lets hope October 6^th is greeted with an incredible sunrise and that legend of DC10 is restored in the nick of time. Ricardo Villalobo’s leads the pack with sound support from Circo Loco favourites, Tania Vulcano, Clive Henry, Jamie Jones, Dan Ghenacia and Matthais Tanzmann, and making his first and only Ibiza appearance this summer is Crosstown Rebels’ Damian Lazarus. It sounds like a bloody good show- and what a way to show ‘em!

Here’s to DC10 in 2010!

Little Lexi x

Villalobos Goes to War on RA

Here’s a question; does Electronic Dance Music have a common stance on global politics and current issues? At the risk of sounding like an age old hippie, yes, and it rests on the far side of ‘make love and not war’ in all instances, surely? Even if you’re dancing to Industrial Trance (yikes!) isn’t it all about celebrating life, love, peace and unity? Oh, and the fact that somehow our brains made us like Dance music and not Heavy Metal; a reason to celebrate every weekend if you ask me!

An interesting article featuring Ricardo Villalobos on the Resident Advisor website on April 1^st sparked much controversy when it casually announced Minimal Superstar DJ, Ricardo Villalobos, was booked to play to US troops in Iraq at the end of the month. Although claiming he still had ‘personal’ issues with the Bush and Chaney department; “The soldiers over there are just doing their job. And after all, at the afterhours we’re all on the same side anyway.” Villalobos was quoted as saying. The RA online forum went red hot with debate, sparking some techno-cal controversy before someone coined they were being taken for a techno soundtracked ride; Happy April Fool’s!

There must have been some ‘Lobos fanatic’s in quite a spin; having to decide whether to rationalize his quest into the midst of it all, loaded with his techno weapons of dancefloor destruction, or voice disagreement at this statement-making voyage. Forming opinions on Electronic Music and global politics in the same forum is quite a heavy one on the brain indeed, and something most dance music lovers would not have had to consider before. The humour was generally found when all was revealed (we’re a pretty liberal bunch after all) and the thought of soldiers piping Fabric 36 through their iPod’s in between missions is definitely worth a laugh!

It goes without saying the situation in Iraq is serious in its own terms, and RA certainly sets the precedent for extra-cheeky beats per minute here, but let’s keep it about the Politics of Dancing on our front. Well, that’s what I advise anyway!

Little Lexi x