NWS cast

Marc Helt - NWS Cast #032

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:25:00 +0000

Once in a while you stumble upon a person who seem to be 120% alive which kind of makes them illuminate their surroundings. Marc Helt is this of this nature, and his approach to DJ'ing is a perfect example of how to keep a deep and emotive vibe vivid. This set is his second NWS Cast and for those of you who missed out the first time we can tell you that Marc will brighten your day. :) He has played alongside the best of the best and later this April he'll be joining Juan Atkins and Margaret Dygas behind the 1's & 2's.

Apart from DJ'ing, Marc is working in a kinder garden where he is taking care of kids. He is also part of the Copenhagen Underground Posse (or CUP), a crew of creative event makers, dj's and artists serving the people of Copenhagen some real deep shit every month! CUP arranges parties in changing locations with interesting line-ups and one message: "It's all about the love".

Hit the play button via the link below and read the unedited Q&A.. real talk!!

Click HERE to listen to the Mix!

NWS: Hi Marc! You come from the city of Kolding which is known mostly for it's rock music culture. Can you tell us a bit about your days as a youngster there and how you first made contact with the DJ and club culture?

Marc: Hi guys and thanks for having me back on the podcast!

I was born and raised in Kolding, living with my mom, dad, sister and brother. In Kolding i was skating a lot. Crusin’ around all day long with my friends, listening to punk rock and smokin cigarettes. When i got a bit older it was hard for me to keep pushin it as a skater, acting like everything would settle by itself! I had to do something with my life. I started gymnasium – similar to american college – here i met my best friend Jonas Rotne, who i still spin music with today. Together we met the electronic wave coming around 2005-2006 and we we’re sold immediately. As you say at that time it was mostly rock music you heard in bars, (at least the nice ones) So when Jonas got a Dj job at the local bar ’Pitstop’, it didn’t take long before we had an evening every month.

NWS: You are playing 99% of your gigs back to back with Mikkel Ulriksen and have acclaimed quite a bit of success over the past years. What's your relationship with Mikkel and why this solo mix?

Marc: I met Mikkel shortly after moving to Copenhagen. We met at a warehouse party in the outskirts of Copenhagen. He was dj’ing with a guy called Petter. He had brought his own 12’s and two milk-boxes full of records and both guys really caught my eye. All by coincidence I was invited to a birthday party at a girls place. When I arrived I found out that Mikkel was the roommate of this girl, so i didn’t really celebrate her birthday, instead I sat down with my beer looking at all of Mikkel’s vinyl haha. I remember we talked and talked. At the time none of us had played in any clubs in Cph, but both of us had a burning wish to do so. We started sharing music and thoughts. Before long we had our first gig in Dunkel and from there it went really fast!

Mikkel and I have in some ways the same taste in music and in other ways quite different!! It’s hard to say. I have a big thing for bangin’ house music haha! Also have a big thing for vocal-house, Mikkel is not to keen with that! But, sometimes i just have to get it out – and most of the times it’s just a feeling i get. Like.. Today i’m mixing all day. Just by myself. Then i record it! I never plan out a mix, what should be in it etc. It’s a feeling i get!

NWS: I heard you are going to Bristol to play with Mikkel this easter? How did that happen and what do you expect and look forward to there?

Marc: Yes that’s true. I’m really looking forward!! We were invited by a good friend of us, David. He is making a colaboration with some clubs around Europe. The project is called ’Beats Across Boarders’, bringing Dj’s from around to Copenhagen and of course the other way around. We are going with a big crew, getting picked up in a bus when we arrive in London and then we’re going together to Bristol! I can’t wait.. Think it’ll be like all of the rudeboys from summer camp seeing each other after 10 years being apart!! I look very much forward to seeing another part of the UK, especially a city like Bristol that has such an exciting music history and so many young people, for what I’ve heard!

Easter will be fun for sure! When we come home we’re playing with Juan Atkins and we also host the basement in Culture Box where the Kill Your Telly guys invited Margaret Dygas.

NWS: You now live in Copenhagen and have played just about every club here from the famous Culture Box to festivals, private events, bars and Pakistanian Basement Strip Clubs. What's next? Where do you see you (and Mikkel) going in the future?

Marc: Hmmm.. I have my hopes and dreams for what should happen in the future. In Copenhagen so much exciting stuff is going on in the underground! A lot of talented dj’s are poppin up all the time! For the sake of Copenhagen i hope that people from outside of Denmark will have their eyes opened up to what’s going on around here.

Personally I hope to get more travel-experiences together with Mikkel. I love Berlin and Paris and playing there really was something special. We have some exciting stuff coming from our C.U.P crew and maybe that will bring something – who knows?

NWS: Finally tell us a bit about your crew C.U.P. and what that means?

Marc: It’s our crew here.. The C.U.P stands for ’Copenhagen Underground Posse’. It consist of Daniel Savi, Dee Brown, Jonas Rotne, Mikkel Ulriksen and our newest member Tsvetan. We swipe underground as well as established venues. Giving people the raw sound of house music and they seem to like it. We have some exciting stuff coming soon and I can’t wait to see what that brings along!

Saverio Celestri - NWS Cast #031

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:45:00 +0000

We like to keep a finger on the pulse of the scene not just to keep up to date with what's going on, but also to help push new talent and new crews. Saverio Celestri is definately a noticeable beat we feel will come your way in the future. He is no more than 20 years old and already shows great prospects. His sound and style is more mature than you would think. It seems to me that Saverio's musical understanding is based in emotion rather than in any form of idolization of particular currents or tendencies. He's a young gun with power, energy and a message and you gotta love that!

In 2013 Saverio moved from his home, the small city of Treviso (north of Italy). Like so many others he moved to Berlin to pursue his dream and aspire as an artist. Here he earned a residency with the Select*Elect crew, an established London party crew that recently moved to Berlin where they are throwing intimate parties and running a podcast etc.. He is releasing more and more records on significant labels such as Owen Jay's Batti Batti and Kina Music. It's safe to say that Saverio is settling as a young new artist and producer with a mature sound and we at NWS supports and respects that! We had a chat with Saverio and this is what he had to say:

LINK TO THE MIX: Saverio Celestri - NWS Cast #031

NWS: Can you describe the local scene where you had your beginning?

SC: I had the first official gig on March 16th 2008, at the Shock Club, c/o The Max, one of the most known venues in my home town. In the beginning I received big support from my friends ( RE-UP ) owner of Kina Music, and here in Berlin from the slow-life team.

NWS: Why did you move to Berlin? What do you think it has done for you to move there?

SC: I’ve decided to come here at the age of 19 because in Italy the clubbing scene was actuallly dead. Berlin is really important for my musical evolution. Here i found the chance to know the roots of the underground house/techno music.

NWS: Your mix speaks of a guy who is not just playing the new tunes coming out, but also digging. What's your funniest "crate-digging" experience?

SC: I'm always looking for new music, but from this year I will be giving more attention to the old tunes from the 90's. Back then I think music was made with bigger soul and quality.

NWS: You have a new EP coming now on the label Nothingwithx, a 3-track EP of more bumping tracks than other of your more deep productions. You seem to be a versatile producer. Would you say you have a sound?

SC: Nice question! I made those tracks like two years ago, but had some problems with the release date. Now I'm evolving my sound. My next releases will be more techno orientated but always with lots of pads and atmospheres.

NWS: What do you want to achieve with your music?

SC: Actually I don't want to be famous, I'm just doing this for passion. Music has been part of my life since the beginning, but if one day success will ring my doorbell, I will probably say: "Yes, I'm here". But I think I will always keep the underground roots.

NWS: You've been to South Africa recently, how was it to go there and play?

SC: It was a really nice tour! I played in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. I met a lot of nice people and I had a really great time playing!

NWS: Tell us about your relationship with the Select*Elect parties?

SC: I started this year to be part of the Select*Elect family and I feel a strong potential with this project! Select*Elect have already done four years of warehouse parties back in London. We are now doing a party at (Basement 8) twice a month. (The first one was amazing!) And we are planning something new and special for the upcoming summer!

Samuel Madsen - NWS Cast #30

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 17:37:00 +0000

After Jane Fitz' superb mix we are now ready with number thirty. This one is made by Samuel Madsen. His record collection is great, his mix is cool and he is such a nice guy. Can't be better!! Listen to the mix here.Enjoy...

Jane Fitz - NWS Cast #29

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:02:00 +0000

Click right >> HERE << to listen to Jane's mix!

You don't have to be a nerd or particulaly lucky or anything of that nature to have come across the name Jane Fitz in your clubbing escapades. She has played and are still playing all around the most respected venues and for a simple reason. Let me bring it to you like this: There are DJ's who should have found another way in life and there are DJ's who should have stuck with producing records. There are DJ's who are good - even great - within their narrow subgenre of dance music and DJ's who will make a musical mess with two decks. BUT finally there are also those DJ's you meet that live up to their name, DJ's who make an impact on you and can take you places with their mixes. Jane Fitz is of the last rare breed.

Jane Fitz lives in Hackney in east London. Like most people in Hackney you'll probably see her in the park, the local pub or at the market on her day off, but unlike most people her day off is Monday due to a busy schedule playing in various clubs around the world most weekends. And moreover, unlike most of the people you'll meet Jane has been lost in music since the age of 8 when she would zone out on the floor with Herb Alpert and Stevie Wonder in her fathers headphones.

She is currently promoting the Night Moves parties with her friend Jade Seatle in London. She's played alongside countless DJ's like Brothers' Vibe, Brawther, Hakim Murphy to count a few. She runs her weekly radioshow DirtySounds Sessions. Radio has in fact been a major part of her life since she as a 10 year old tuned in to pirate radio stations, up until she began mixing on various radio shows. I could go on and on speaking about her life, but I prefer to let her do the talking.

NWS: Tell us a bit about how life is in Hackney.

Jane: Yes, I live in east London, and have done for most of my life. The parks are lovely, lots of friends are nearby, the food and pubs are brilliant, and I'm 15 minutes from my parents. Over the past three years or so, where I live can be very busy at weekends, and I sometimes wish everyone would leave because it's really not that hip and also it's really driven the prices up - £4 for a pint of frankly rubbish Guinness in my local pub. Not on. Apart from that I have very little to complain about, either in my local life. Oh, except the queue at the post office, which is always way too long.

NWS: What's the difference to you between recording a podcast and playing live?

Jane: I guess the main difference between recording a podcast and playing live is that I've never worn my pyjamas while playing live. Also I take out somewhere between 60-80 records when I play out, so I have to make the best of what I've packed. While recording at home, I can pull out anything as I feel like it. To be honest though, when I make a mix at home it's usually from what happens to be on the floor that day – so new bits I've bought, promos or something I've pulled off the shelves during the week. The sound tends to be a bit different I guess – I probably thump it out a bit more and try and stir up a bit more energy when I'm playing out; unless I'm doing a warm up set, or the early morning slot (both of which are my favourites if given a choice). You don't have those kind of restrictions or responsibilities when you're at home, so it's more solitary and probably less pressured and more thoughtful because of that.

NWS: I have yet to hear you DJ live and am looking forward to the day.

Jane: You've probably never heard me live because I think i'm still pretty under the radar so I tend to only get booked to play at more underground nights, or by more switched-on promoters. I haven't released any records – which is the only way to make a name for yourself these days – and the stubborn teenager inside me says I shouldn't have to. I have a radio show on an internet radio station on a Monday night, and a couple of thousand followers on soundcloud. I co-run a small party with no advertising in London. And my music isn't exactly populist either. I just do my thing in my own way at my own pace. I would hope that means what I do retains some integrity. If I can share the music that I love with more people, via channels such as your lovely podcast, and that in turn makes a few more people happy and into it, then that's pretty cool for me. I hope you can hear me out because I put a lot of work into packing my record bag and I really try to play weird and wonderful records you don't know, because if I'm on a dancefloor, that's the sort of things I would want to hear.

NWS: I know you DJ'd since the 90's. Can you tell us about your beginning? The feeling of London scene at that time, the parties and the vibe? Educate us a little please.

Jane: I started playing records to people when I was maybe 13 or something, at friend's birthday parties. Mainly because, while most of the other girls in my class were spunking their pocket money on My Little Pony stickers, I was buying Duran Duran and Yazoo records. By the mid-late 80s I was buying a record a week and that would have been some kind of electro or soul, things like the Streetsounds Electro compilations, or records by Cameo, The Cool Notes, Timex Social Club, even some early UK acid house such as Jolly Roger's Acid Man... things I'd heard played on the pirate radio station Solar, or Radio London, or at this night I used to go to at the back of a pub in Dagenham every Monday when I was 15. By the time I played at any sort of proper party or club or pub, I guess that would have been the beginning of the 90s, I played things like Gil Scott Heron's It's Your World, Masters At Work's I Can't Get No Sleep, KRS-One's Sound Of Da Police, Tranquility Bass' Cantamilla. The feeling of London at the time? I was a student then, I used to go to things like Talkin' Loud in Brixton, or Dingwalls in Camden or The Iceni in Mayfair – I was a proper little jazz and rare groove fiend. That was a really strong scene then, we could go out to something probably every week and it wasn't dressy or hip or even that druggy, it was totally about the music. There were lots of little nights in pubs or basements locally too, things in Ilford and East Ham as well as going into Central London. And I was really discovering record shops properly – Soul Jazz had a big effect on me and my music buying, as did Rhythm and Bass in Barking. I've still got loads of flyers from those times because that was a really special time for me.
I sort of stopped being into house music around 1990 when rave and hardcore got really big. I don't think I bought a house record again until about 1995, it was probably The Horn Song or The Bomb or something like that. I didn't really get into house properly though until I moved to Hong Kong in 1996 and I started going out there. I went to New York on holiday for the first time in early 1998 – I went into a record shop and they were playing Francois K's mix of Cesaria Evora, and someone in the shop told me about Body and Soul, so I went and it totally blew my head off. I was in London after that for about a month, to have my wisdom teeth out – and I discovered Fridays R Firin. I thought that was amazing – Kenny Hawkes and Harri playing in this little basement on Oxford Street every week. I came back to HK all fired up, with a big bag of records and taught myself how to mix on my flatmate's turntables. I think I played my first house gig within about a month, at this brilliant party called Robot. That was it, I've played mainly house ever since.

NWS: So you've been playing records since the age of 13. Where would you say your "musical education" began?

Jane: My musical education started at home – via my mum and older brother. My mum used to love Stevie Wonder and Freda Payne and Herb Alpert. And my brother loved everything – one week he'd bring home a Chic album, the next week Styx, the next week, David Bowie, the next week Third World. I used to make tapes out of his records when I was really young, like 7 or 8 years old, of all those different things. I didn't know about styles then, I just loved certain songs. Then I discovered pirate radio when I was 10 and used to tape loads of stuff from there. And also Greg Edwards on Capital Radio. I guess those three things – mum, my brother's records and the radio, from a really young age – shaped what I play right now. Certain records – Earth Wind & Fire's Fantasy, Rotation by Herb Alpert and Another Star by Stevie Wonder – are probably the first records I remember really taking me off to somewhere magical in my head, and when I hear those records now I'm 8 years old again with my dad's headphones on laying on the floor zoning out. It's a feeling I still get from records now, so my history and music education is never far away really. Or maybe I've just not developed a lot since I was 8.

NWS: Can't help imagining the 8 year old Jane on the floor deep into the music. Let me ask you about your current radioshow "DirtySounds Sessions" which has been running now for quite some time. What is that about and how can we tune in?

Jane: The show has been running on an internet station called myhouseyourhouse.net every Monday between 10-midnight UK time, pretty much since the station started, so that's going to be eight years in November. The MHYH people have always been really supportive and given me the freedom to play exactly what I want – so sometimes I might do a soul show, or an old electro show or something. The name actually dates back to 1999, when I made one of my first ever mixtapes – called Dirty Sounds For Late Nights. A year later I started doing a radio show on Groovetech, which was one of the first internet radio stations, a really great professional set up, and I called it DirtySounds Sessions after that tape. A few years later the word 'dirty' started to be used by lots of trashy 'dirty funky sexy electro house' nights and it made me really hate the name. It has, for me, genuinely become a dirty word. But I've been using it for so long it feels wrong to change it. I started putting the archives up on Soundcloud about four years ago, when Soundcloud was still quite unknown, because not everyone could tune in late on a Monday night. And people just started discovering it and reposting links to the shows. Until just recently you could only post so many archives on Soundcloud so i've had to delete the mixes - but I've actually got 90 per cent of my shows recorded. I've had some really good guest mixes on too – they aren't a focus but if I hear a DJ I really like I want to showcase them. It started with just friends dropping in but now I ask more people to record mixes – because I think hearing me every week can get a bit boring. I'm just beginning to get these up as archives now too because there are so many good ones. I used to talk on the shows, but I stopped when I started posting the archives because I thought it got in the way of the music. Maybe I will again but I'd rather the music did the talking than me. I talk a load of old shit, my records are far more interesting.

NWS: What keeps you busy these days and what's in store for the future?

Jane: I'm on an enforced break from my day job at the moment – so my days are spent writing a book on the history of pirate radio, which i've been researching for about three years. I'm also in the studio with my friend Dom trying to make weird records that we both like, which I hope will finally see the light of day this year (something I say every year!). Or I'm travelling for gigs. And then the rest of my time is taken searching for records and buying records and playing records. And also filing records away, especially after the weekend, it never seems to end. I wish that was an exaggeration but anyone who knows me will be able to confirm this shameful geeky truth. I also spend rather a lot of time packaging up records I've sold on Discogs and standing in the queue at the post office, hence my earlier comment.

NWS: NWS Cast is all about vinyl, but maybe you can tell us why you buy records? (and where) ?

Jane: Why I buy my records has a simple answer – because I like them and because I really love buying records. That's it. I am constantly getting obsessions about things and then I have a need to own them. Where is a very complicated answer because I buy from so many places. I actually buy a lot from the internet because I always have. When I lived in Hong Kong, my flat mate used to order records from Juno, so I started to. That was when it was called the Dance Music Resource Pages and there were no sound clips. I did that all the time I was in HK so when I came back to London in 1999 I continued because I was in the habit. No one in the UK used Juno then so it was a great place to buy new things no one else had – which has always been a motivation. I started buying off Vinyl Underground then too. My favourite record shops in London closed down a long time ago, so I lost the habit of going – although I do try and pop in and support and buy things if I'm near and I still like to scour the secondhand shops. I was a massive basement 50p record digger in the early 00s – until I worked at the Music and Video Exchange in 2003-4 and realised that most of the staff considered anyone who bought from the bargain basements to be cheap scum. Sad but true. So now I do my 50p record buying on discogs where no one can judge me. And it's cleaner. I hear of all these younger DJs spending £60 on old Prescription records and it makes me laugh that most of my records today rarely cost me more than two or three quid, sometimes a lot less. I pity people spending that much money on records that ten years ago no one would touch – at the Music and Video Exchange in 2003 I used to regularly mark down old Boo Williams records to 50p and now they're going for £30. I think it's ridiculous – and being a cheapskate, necessity drives me to unearth new things. I say that, but I'll still regularly spend £150 in a week on brand new records as well. Oh and I've recently started buying records off bandcamp – direct from the artist, sometimes on really small runs. That's probably my current obsession – and again, just to find newer and weirder and different things.

You can catch Jane at one of her upcoming gigs or if you are lucky at the Victoria Park pavilion in Hackney having her veggie breakfast. :)

Enjoy the mix!

NWS Cast #028 - Asmus Odsat (BULK, DK)

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:16:00 +0000

CLICK HERE FOR MIXTAPE !

NWS Cast is now two and a half years old and still we are proud to present great mixtapes for you! With alot of mixtapes flourishing around, we are proud to present not only vinyl mixtapes from established and well known DJ's but also from the talent that we find in our own backyard.
We like to present them to you because these guys are simply great DJ's - they know their records, they have the skills and most of all, they are extremely nice people.

Asmus Odsat is a perfect example of this. A ph.d. student of nano science and co-running the succesfull techno club Bulk in Copenhagen, Asmus likes to break down barriers and build bridges. Most copenhageners will know Asmus for his powerful techno set's and Culture Box, but recently he has been shaking things up with old school house records. One year ago if not more we asked our friend Asmus Odsat to make a mix for us. Every once in a while we would receive a mail from him saying that he was now a little closer to finish the mix. And now after all that tension we finally get the drop - the drop of a mindblowing mixtape.

We asked Asmus a few questions about his club in Copenhagen and about the difference between vinyl DJ's and digital DJ's.

NWS: You are a longtime friend of NWS. Can you tell a little about yourself to people who might not know you?

A: Hi, my name is Asmus (not Rasmus), I'm a 28 year old music aficionado running the BULK nights with Mads Rehl. In the weekdays I'm doing a Ph.D in quantum chemistry & molecular dynamics. I like long walks at the beach and romantic candlelight suppers...

NWS: You've been struggling a bit with completing this mix. What's been your thoughts and difficulties with it?

A: Hah, "struggling a bit" is an understatement. I dunno what happened, I made the first half a year ago, then spent a lot of time deciding on the second half. Finally ended up discarding it, and recording a new second half a few weeks ago.
I always try to make something "special", which often ends up meaning "too much", instead of just recording a proper mix. -And then I get annoyed with myself :)
Knowing your limits and exercising self-restraint are not my strongest sides apparently. But it's something I really appreciate in the more accomplished DJs. -As long as it doesn't get too boring ;)

NWS: Your crew BULK is doing some of the finest Techno parties in Denmark. Why did you start BULK and where do you want to take it?

A: Thanks, we try our best! Check out www.itsbulk.dk :) Shameless plug!
Anyways, we've been consumers of techno and house events for so long that we felt like giving something back to the scene. It might sound cheesy, but I think our love for the music is so large that it's always been really hard not to preach it to the yet uninitiated. - Ask my non-techno-friends, they'll tell you… ;)
So, for me, BULK is very much about trying to get more "new" people to appreciate the music and way of going out, without compromising the music. I think there's plenty of room in the underground!

NWS: It seems that Copenhagen, but also Aarhus (the second biggest city in Denmark), are now flourishing with new crews doing parties more freely and disconnected from one single venue. Just a few years ago promoters and DJ's where more connected to a single venue. What do you think about this transition and it's ups and downs?

A: Copenhageners really like novelty, so I can understand the compulsion to try new locations every other week. For me, the person behind the decks is more important than where the decks are located, as long as the sound system is decent.
There's always been crews coming and going, but I agree that there's a lot of really good colleagues out there right now that share our dedication: Vektor, Bunkerbauer, C.U.P., etc. - Which is also why we want to work at making more people from "the outside" to discover the wonders of proper electronic music on its own premises.

NWS: You've played a lot at Culture Box and have an upcoming gig there with C.U.P.. How do you like the venue?

A: Culture Box has really meant a lot to me, and formed me quite a lot as a person. I started working there as a bar-back a year or so after they opened, and continued to do so for 3 or 4 years if I remember correctly. Culture Box is home.
I'm looking forward to playing in the new basement, haven't tried that before, but even more so, I'm looking forward to playing with the awesome C.U.P.-crew, and dusting off the house records for a change!

NWS: Your mix contains some really deep tunes and also some pretty banging old skool joints. The old skool sound has had a revival during the past 2-3 years. Where do you see dance music going in the future?

A: To space!

NWS: What's your opinion on DJ'ing digital formats compared to vinyl?

A: Heh. I started DJ'ing using Traktor, but it just… Felt wrong. I had no respect for the tracks I was playing, everything could be looped and fucked up using the (terrible) effects. I guess digital can work for some (really genius) artists like Surgeon, but he's not DJ'ing, he's doing… Something else. Something amazing, but it's not a DJ set. It's great that the technology enabling geniuses like Surgeon to do their things, but it's really sad that the same technology can be abused so terribly. - Like with all technology! ;) And the majority of my great DJ experiences has been from people playing vinyl. Physicality, focus on selection, skill, respect for the music you're playing: It all grows out of that sweet, black wax.

NWS Cast #027 - Richard Zepezauer (Nsyde, Diamonds & Pearls)

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:02:00 +0000

LISTEN TO THE MIX HERE
( https://soundcloud.com/nws-cast/nws-cast-027-richard-zepezauer )

You don't have to have released numerous EP's and get the best reviews to actually be one of the more sought after and respected DJ's. Playing at the finest clubs of Berlin, where he resides, Richard Zepezauer has earned a great amount of respect from all members of this scene we call house and techno... But that is not all! In fact, Richard is quite a connoisseur when it comes to both classical and jazz music. He knows his music history and knows what very few DJ's know, which is to actually play those records in DJ'sets.

It was a strange feeling when I received this mix from Richard. I was completely astounded by the journey I was led on, I honestly had no clue where he would take me next, but I felt that it was somewhere new, amazing and unexplored. It's been running on repeat since and I can't stress this enough... This is one of those mixes that you will probably treasure for a long time.

Richard Zepezauer is working at Diamonds & Pearls distribution in Berlin, he is running Nsyde Music and he's producing and re-interpreting music on the side. I had a talk with Richard about his music aesthetics, experiences and ideals.

NWS: How is life treating you lately?

RZ: going up and down again, just like it should.

NWS: You have played many of the respectable venues of Berlin including the renowned Panorama Bar. Is their some point in your carrier you feel as a turningpoint and why?

RZ: the real turning point was my decision a decade ago to change from my archeology digging to my much bigger obsession music. i cant say there was a turning point after that change. maybe i can point out my work for the berlin label scape. which was an inspirational time, and it sharpend my view on certain things in music life.

NWS: You are working for the vinyl distribution Diamonds & Pearls (DnP) in Berlin - a distribution that is growing fast and is known for distributing quality electronic music - where you obviously must be listening to alot of other producers' new material. Do you get inspiration from your work to perform as a DJ?

RZ: I was always a passioned record digger, and i tried not to miss any music which was worth owning and playing. It had always been a lot of work to go through all monthly releases to find the few music pearls. nowadays it takes even more time due to still rising numbers of monthly releases. In the end its more the other way around, that my DJ and Record digging experience helps me for my work for DNP. But of course its not the worst to be surrounded by so much new good music.

NWS: I know that lately you are producing tracks with your friend Daso but that you also have taken on a major project reinterpreting some classical compositions. Can you reveal more about that?

RZ: These are two fields of interest im happy to be able to follow at the moment. Indeed im in the studio together with my friend Daso and we are experimenting with ideas for new tracks. We have a lot of fun and its very interesting as we both sometimes see certain things from very differrent angles. Seems to be a fruitful konstellation for our music.

I just finished a project for the Berlin "Akademie der Künste" where i was asked to be part of a reinterpretation of the classical opera "Das Rheingold" of the controversal composer Richard Wagner for his 200 years anniversary. It was a great experience to work with a classical ensemble and experimenting as a DJ with classical material. I was working with 3 turntables, a digital delay and a roland drummachine for that. it was highly inspirational i can already say that.

NWS: We recently met in the DnP office where you spoke to me about your recent gig at the Panorama Bar with a great amount of eager and brightness in your eyes. It must have meant something special to you?

RZ: I had a wonderful time playing at the Panorama Bar due to the fact that i had the pleasure to play at my favorite musical time between 8am-11am on a sunday morning. for me its a very special time because the hearts and ears of the people start to open up for a broader range of emotions in music. Im happy that this moment was recorded by the Panorama Bar. I had biggest fun.

NWS: Your contribution to the NWS Cast series is litterally outstanding.

I don't think we've had anything quite like it in our series before.

It seems as if genres is indifferent to you here? Did you have some

kind of aesthetic vision?

RZ: I recorded this set after coming back from playing another Sun Ra special evening with Mike Huckaby in Hamburg. It was a lovely night and the people didnt want Mike and me to stop playing our Jazz from outta Space. back at home i was in still that mood and i simply played "space".

Those Sun Ra nights are always a big pleasure for mike and me as we truely believe in the outstanding highly influential work of this genius.

NWS: Why do you play vinyl?

RZ: Im not dogmatic, but personally i need a spiritual AND a physical relationship with my beloved object of lust - in this case its vinyl.

NO TRACKLIST... start digging!

NWS Cast #026 by none other than Mads Bjerregaard

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:25:00 +0000

Listen to the mix HERE

I have the pleasure to present to you one of the most loved and respected DJ's from the Danish underground scene. Mads Bjerregaard might not be know outside the boarders of Denmark, he is neither producing nor a guy who likes to promote himself. Actually when Mads promotes it seems to always be for friends parties and parties with his crew BunkerBauer. He basically needs no promotion in Copenhagen. People know! - and if they don't they will!

During the past one or two years a more raw sound has entered the Copenhagen scene influenced by - among others - the current New York underground scene i.e. Amir Alexander, Hakim Murphy and DJ Spider who all previously has been presented here on NWS Cast. But also the techno milieu of Copenhagen which is growing popular because of work by Culture Box, BunkerBauer, BULK and others is cementing the turf underneath Mads' feet. It would be easy to say that Mads stands on the boarderline between house and techno, but actually I'd rather obstain from trying to narrowing him and his visions. Instead I will just say that Mads Bjerregaard's got soul!

I had a chat with Mads about Copenhagen and the exceptional work his crew BunkerBauer does for the Copenhagen scene.

NWS: To the people following from outside Denmark, can you tell us about Mads Bjerregaard?

MADS: Haha. Hmm.. Danish guy who loves house, techno and vinyls. and dancing as well.

NWS: You are one of many "new" DJ's emerging from the Danish underground, and in your case Copenhagen. Your crew from Bunkerbauer is doing some inspiring work for many electronic music lovers in Copenhagen. Can you tell us a little about the work you do?

MADS: BunkerBauer is a little community for electronic music - mainly deeper house and techno. The overall purpose of BunkerBauer is to support the Copenhagen electronic society in any ways possible. Physically are we located in a old bunker from World War 2. First of all the bunker is a studio where people produce music. For example we have Lasse Buhl from Northern Structures producing down there. But we also use the bunker for parties every now and then. Mostly afterparties which the space, in my opinion, is perfect for. We are also having parties in other locations when we find spaces that suits the music. So far we've had a some success in all of the before mentioned things i think.

NWS: Can you tell us more about the electronic society that you like to support? How is the situation in Denmark at the moment and is there something you hope to see changed?

MADS: The way i see the society in copenhangen is that there is a whole lot of talent. Producers like Northern Structures, Undr P, Pattern Repeat, 2400 operator and yourself (Samuel Andre Madsen) are making very interesting stuff that also echoes away from Denmark. There is also great parties and bookings but it seems that the great parties often evolve when there is a big foreign booking. That is a shame because there are djs living in Copenhagen who are just as good. Then there is an issue surrounding Culture Box. It is the biggest club in copenhagen for this kind of music but they have what I would call a monopoly because they got the money for the big bookings. Culture Box is a great place but I would to see some of the money put into Culture Box going somewhere else. (...) All in all we have a great scene here compared to many other places but there is still plenty of room for development and raising new talents.

NWS: I agree on the wish for one more club or regular place to go for more great electronic music and there's definately room for it. What do you think it would take to realize this? Is it merely a question of capital?

MADS: I think the club owners and investers are having are hard time right now, and it is therefore hard for people to raise money to do something out of the ordinary. That's a problem in whole cultural environment. Then there is only the state to turn to. And their money is going to other places right now. So i think that the problem right now is mainly raising capital. The ideas and talents are here.

NWS: Speaking of talent your style is known by many as playing house music that has techno complexes vice versa. What are you looking for in a record? What's an ideal record to you?

MADS: The main thing is originality. Its hard for me precisely to point out what it is that turns me on in a record. But my favourite records are often those who open new doors for me genre-wise. For example the whole Restoration and Analogue Cops thing opened a new world to me in how you could make sounds... But i don't know... it is a hard question for me.The easy answer would be to say that the ideal record is Black Celebration by Depeche Mode. Hahaha!

NWS: Are you a Depeche Mode fan?

MADS: Of course who isn't?

NWS: Touché.

MADS: My girlfriend just bought tickets for their show in Copenhagen this summer. Christmas present. Can't wait!

NWS: You're a lucky man!
Everytime I've seen you play you've been bringing your heavy crate of vinyls. Why are you playing vinyl and not digital formats?

MADS: When i first started playing i used cd's, but once i tried vinyl it was love at first sight. First of all, i think that the warm deep sound of vinyls brings something special to a crowd. Maybe it just me. Secondly, i like the physical feeling of sound on a vinyl. It just speaks to me. Thirdly, vinyl-sets from other DJs is always the ones that gets me highest. So i dont see any reason why not to do it. I know you agree on this Sam... :)

NWS: Woooord

Anything you like to tell people before they listen?

MADS: Naa, i am just happy if people would take their time to give it a bit attention. And thanks to you for making me do this.

Tracklist:

1. Dust and Memories – Dakini9, Plan B Recordings
2. Income Tax Refund Dance – Omar S, FXHE Records
3. Philotes – Third Side, Restoration
4. Nortwest Cave, Samuel Andre Madsen, Nsyde Music
5. Housing Project - Marquis Hawkes, Dixon Avenue Basement Jams
6. Work In – Hakim Murphy, Plan B Recordings
7. The Black Rain - Amir Alexander, Argot Music
8. All For Lisa – Mr. K Alexi Shelby, Syncrophone
9. Colums- Omar S, FXHE Records
10. Family Affair – Big Strick, 7 days entertainment
11. New Stuff (Lerosa Remix) – Cristopher Rau, Never Learnt
12. Drum Trax – Chris Mitchell, Proper Trax
13. The Parkhurst – Terrence Dixon, Thema
14. Sandcastle (The Culture Box re-edit) – Mike Huckaby, Synth
15. 24 – Conforce, Clone Basement Series
16. Pulze - Mr. G, Warm Sounds
17. Wind – Innerspace Halflife, MOS Deep
18. Rise of The Machines – Jitterbug, Uzuri
19. Syncronism – Steve Tang, Emphasis Recordings
20. There is a Time – Glenn Underground, Peacefrog
21. SPN---RMX, Dowhatyoulike (Beatdown Beats), SPNRMX
22. Dont You Want My Love – Debbie Jacobs, MCA Records

Marc Helt brings NWS cast #25

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:08:00 +0000

This time we would like to present another young upcoming DJ from the underground of Denmark. He has been playing at most clubs here and even promoted, successfully, underground house music in a small Danish city where there seems to be no hope for electronic music. You have to keep an eye on this guy for sure!

We asked him a couple of questions and here is the result......

NWS: Tell us a bit about who you are

A: My name is Marc Helt. I’m 22 years old and currently living in the northwest area of Copenhagen. I work as a kindergarten teacher in innercity, when I’m not playing in the weekends. Other than that I consider myself as a chilled out guy, with fire coming out of my ass. I want something to happen all the time and hate when time is standing still (except when I’m hungover, then it’s ok).

NWS: Normally you are playing with your friend Mikkel as the act Marc & Mikkel. Please tell us about that collaboration

A: Yeah that’s true. Mikkel and I have been playing together a few years now and we’ve had so much fun! It has taken us strange places, introduced us to some cool people, even got us friends for life. Mikkel is a dear friend of mine and we have a really good understanding when we hit the decks. At the moment Mikkel is in Thailand to shoot a tv-show and I miss him alot.

NWS: How does it feel when you don't have to share the decks with anyone and you got them for yourself?

A: I haven’t really been playing so much alone, but I mean it’s fun, and it pushes me into try finding my own personal style. This style i’m in a constant search for, but even more when it’s just me playing. Sometimes it has happened in the club, that we (Mikkel and I red.) have been arguing a bit about the next track and stuff like that, and those discussions I have with myself now of course hehe.

NWS: You are often on the line-up on the infamous club dunkel in Copenhagen. What is your relationship to dunkel and how has the place effected your DJ-career?

A: Dunkel. I play there in periods! I’ve tried playing there weekend after weekend, but I also tried not playing there for a whole year. The place in itself I like a lot. It has a cool barvibe – really intimate – so on good nights it’s the bomb to play there. I have mostly played the closing hours in there, actually once I played I fell asleep in the middle of a mix with a cigarette in my mouth haha.

NWS: We did a mix a while ago from Pitstop in Kolding for the cast. Please tell us about those parties!

A: Kolding!!!! 6000 slice town is where I’m born and raised. It’s a city in the province and it doesn’t really have a lot to offer nightlife-wise, but compared to the surrounding small cities we have a club there, which is not fucked up by bad people and bad music, Pitstop that is. My friends Jonas Rotne and Johan Høy and I we startet out a Thursday club, to have something funny to do and also a base to listen to electronic music, which at the time, was quite new to us. Apparently the clubnight grew big and we startet inviting our friends from Copenhagen and put down a bit more serious line regarding to the music. Over the years we threw 10 parties. The last party we had 600 people there celebrating the good life, and we we’re SO happy. Though we decided to end while the game was still fun!

NWS: What is the difference between the parties you hosted in Kolding and the ones you play at or go to in Copenhagen?

A: I think in Copenhagen we could use some of the foolishness we had in Kolding, in the club scene at least. Instead of thinking about big bookings all the time, and a bit more about the fun and the love!! Some people can combine this of course. I dunno it’s hard to say.

NWS: I noticed that you have been playing in paris and in berlin too.. How was that? Have you something similar upcoming?

A: As I mentioned to begin with.. Spinning records has brought me a lot of cool friend relations also outside DK. Paris was at a friends house, really fucking cool place his dad build. We had food and nice people and then I also got to see a bit of paris. In Berlin it was at Statbad wedding, the same place they have ‘Boiler room’.. This place was sick!! I was there with Samuel, Mikkel and my girlfriend Stephanie and had some cool days as always in Berlin, went to panorama bar and had cheap beers!

I don’t really know what time has to offer me. A lot of friends have some cool stuff going on. I think about crews like bunker bauer and c:u:p.. Others are working on some new initiatives and I’m really looking forward to see what’s coming from it.

NWS: Last but not least. Say a few words about the mix you made for the cast.

A: When I’m playing I never really plan out a mix and the same thing I did with this one. I put on a record and then I’m mixing. Actually I’m not really comfortable around recording mixes, but I’m working on it. I just love the vibe of the people when I’m playing – that’s why I do it! This mix both has some old tunes and some brand new ones, also some friends tracks are in there J I hope you like it. Peace!

DOWNLOAD LINK

Tracklist:

1. Oskar Offermann & Moomin – B1 JoeMacdaddy / AIM001

2. Philipp Boston – B1 Serious Disco (Ricardo Esposito & Michael Nadjé Remix) / White017

3. GummiHz – A1 I wanna feel this / RI001

4. Italo Johnson – A1 / ITJ005

5. Omar S - 998 - A2 The White Castle Song / FXHE

6. Fellowship of the funk - A2 Everybody / FOTF001

7. Tomska - B2 Underground System / VP002

8. Vinalog - A1 Disco (Club Mix) / RELATIVE006

9. The Analogue Cops & Blawan - A1 Goodstuff/45 Dollars/ RST014

10. Alden Tyrell - B1 Tntus / CBS007

11. Maurizio 4 - B1 / M04

12. Fellowship of the funk - B2 Bring it on / FOTF001

Chris Cheops delivers NWS cast #024

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:51:00 +0000

After a wicked deep mix from up and coming DJ Suleiman we are now ready for the 24'th episode. Now we have one of the guys from the NWS-crew in the mix. Christoffer's mix is a collection of records he hasn't had the chance to play out. Instead he recorded a set for NWS and this is what it sounds like:

Download:

http://www.mediafire.com/?pg6w7jxd8bbs5rg

House DJ Suleiman gets deep on NWS Cast #23

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:37:00 +0000

After Amir Alexander dropped a crazy mix right here on the NWS Cast we are back with another amazing mix for your listening pleasure! We like to present and represent a broad cast of underground DJ's, famous and upcoming local talent. This time we present a rough diamond. Young upcoming french house DJ Suleiman who is a dear friend of NWS recorded this mix and I hope it will move you like it has moved us at NWS. Recently Suleiman surprised the Copenhagen house scene by delivering an insane warmup set for Jus-Ed at Dunkel for the Copenhagen Underground Posse opening party. He will be back again as support for his countryman Brawther at the C.U.P. sequal, so if you are in the city the 28th of april 2012, make sure to drop by Dunkel Bar.

NWS talked with Suleiman about his passion and about living away from home:

Q: You are from France but are currently living in Copenhagen. Why are you living here and what do feel the city offers you?

A: I am currently in an exchange program to study architecture and design at the royal danish academy. I love this city for its calm, its architecture and its space, it makes you breathe, unlike Paris

Q: In Paris you are part of the Kollektiv crew. What is Kollektiv about and what is your role there?

A: Kollektiv is a collective I founded last year. I wanted to gather all my creative friends to create and have fun together. It is constantly evolving, it is a kind of platform; we organize but also participate to several events like exhibitions, festivals or parties.

Q: You've been helping out NWS during the last couple of months with designing the new logo. Is your aesthetic ideal visually related to your favorite sounds? And can you maybe desribe to us your sound as a DJ?

A: My favorite sounds inspire me a lot in drawing or designing, even it is difficult to visually interpret music; it is more sensations. If I had to describe my favorite sound in a few words I would say dark and groovy

Q: Tell us about Paris, the scene for house and techno, its ups and downs. What do you miss about the city and what would you like to see changed?

A: I think there is a big up at the moment, a lot of collectives organize good parties, bringing vinyl and deepness back to life. On the other hand you have the classic famous clubs, but it is no longer what it use to be in the 90's. Maybe some of the public should focus more on music than names or places. I don't miss Paris that much, I love Copenhagen !

Q: I've only seen you play vinyl - never any digital formats. Why not save the money, weight and time and just play digitally?

A: I love vinyl because you can feel it, it has some kind of spirit. When you love something, money doesn't matter.

Q: Finally, is there anything you would like us to know about the mix?

A: I would like to thank NWS and Samuel Andre Madsen for all the good vibes !!! I hope people will enjoy the story ! Keep it deep !

DOWNLOAD!

Tracklist:

Floating Points - Myrtle Avenue / Eglo
Sun Glitters - Beside Me (Essày's Calm Interpretation) / Kann RSD
Norm Talley - Cosmic Waves (XDB Remix) / Pariter
Efdemin - Night Train (Fred P Reshape) / Dial
Joe Babylon - Issentec / Roundabout Sounds
Dj Ra Soul - Side Rail / So Sound
Ethyl & Huxley - 3 Feet High / Saints & Sonnets
Blakkat Ft. Mark Bell - Back 2 Me (Anthony Nicholson & Matt Cashdollar Mix) / Fi.nal.e Music USA
Delano Smith - Togetherness / Sushitec
Next Evidence - My Music / Basic Records
Ron Trent - Pop, Dip & Spin / Balance
Fresh & Low - Stay The Night / Guidance
Blaze - Moonwalk / Funky People Records
Black Jazz Consortium - New Horizon / Soul People Music

Amir Alexander on the decks - NWS Cast #022 this is!

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:55:00 +0000

It is not very often that we at NWS meet people who are totally on the same wavelength as us when it comes to music, vision and passion. Amir Alexander is such a person. in 2006 he started Vanguard Sound as a base for his music but over a decade before that he was spinning records. Passion for vinyl, production and DJ'ing runs in his veins. His parents bought him his first turntable at the age of three. When we first heard this mix we were astounded by the vibe that floated through the mix. The blend of techno, house and acid as it is mixed here takes balls but it is most of all a product of vision and feeling. It seems so straight forward, so playful and yet it is done with the thorough insight and longtime experience that only time behind the decks can give.

We asked Amir a few questions, so please enjoy 5 minuts of Q&A with this man! And keep an eye out for him in the future!!

NWS: You run the label Vanguard Sound which is currently on its third release. Tell us about the ethos behind this project?

Amir: Yes, I co-own it with my good Friend Mr. Chris Mitchell, but we are currently preparing our second release actually.
I am aware that starting your label with a record called volume 3 is bound to be confusing. LOL.
The ethos of the label is no nonsense street level high art at it's core. We stand in opposition to hype and excess by putting an emphasis on originality and quality with a rough, blue collar edge.

NWS: The name Amir Alexander has really come to the attention of DJ's and producers during the last couple of months especially because of your recent Sound of Thought Podcast. What has this attention brought with it?

Amir: It has..... oh really? Well, I guess that's a good thing. Let's see the main thing the so called attention has brought me is a few new friends on facebook and soundcloud. Some really cool everyday heads who enjoy the music we all love. People who now know that I exist. That is a good thing, and I am very grateful.
The "attention" has also brought a lot more hurry up and wait to my life. Which in essence means that not much has changed. What I mean is this.... You can't build a house with one brick. Therefore, I have to keep grinding. Some people might be checkin' for me a little bit, but I'm still hungry. Money is still tight, and I still don't have bookings, so I keep it moving like it never happened. I like to give thanks, but not get caught up in the hype.

NWS: It seems like you and other DIY people from the east US stand together and promote each other like crazy. I'm talking about the connection to Plan B, Machining Dreams, Novel Sound, Black Catalogue etc.. Tell us what it means to you to connect with other people about music.

Amir: It means everything. That's what it's really all about right? People coming together. Here in the states our music is a rare oddity, we just try to support each other I guess. There are so few of us doing it that at some point it's pretty hard not to go from fan to acquaintance. As we get to know each other, the bonds of mutual respect increase.

NWS: You've been producing since 98 and DJ'ing since 93. What is the most important to you in your musical career?

Amir: Great, yet nebulous question. The thing that is the most important is that I have anything that could even resemble a music career. It has been a dream for most of my life, so having a career at all is a great thing, but I would have to say that the people, places and things that have created so many lovely memories are most important...... yes, the people I have met along the way.

NWS: I must say that your mix for NWS probably is the most spectacular and original mix we've had so far. You told me after recording it that you really pushed yourself with this mix. How so?

Amir: Man.... Thank-You! That's a huge honor because NWS cast has hosted some amazing musicians thus far.
I always try to do more than just present tracks. I like to take two records and make something new. A third track if you will. I really wanted to take records that were old, and make them new by actually making the mixes be the feature instead of the tracks themselves. I wanted to fuck shit up so to speak. To get reckless and go balls out.
I push myself by exploring the limits of my technical ability by really allowing the records to be mixed for longer than most other DJ's. Coupled with a desire to harmoniously merge disparate sounds to create something completely new. After the actual technical hurdle, one must make it all make musical sense. I like to create entire sonic alternate universes. Little twilight zones of musical craziness.

NWS: Why do you play vinyl?

Amir: Because I am a DJ. What else would I play?
When I was three years old I received my first record player for Christmas. My parents were tired of me always fooling around with their records so they bought me my own. I grew up with records.
Records are what I love, and nothing has or ever will be able to come close to replacing them.
I play vinyl because technics 1200 mk2's are my instrument. On them, I'm working to be a great like Jimi Hendrix was on guitar. For me to play CD's is like asking Jimi to play a trombone.
I do it so that it will survive atleast one more generation, and I play vinyl because it's hard. I am attracted to things that the general masses find too difficult to attempt.
I could go on for days........

NWS: Last but not least we are proud to present this mix of yours as part of the North West Soul. I feel that we share the same ideals and purpose for this culture and I sincerely wish all the best to you and hope that you know that you too are shaping NWS into what it is.

Amir: Thank-You very much for the opportunity. I has been a pleasure. Hopefully people will enjoy my sonic experimentation.
Peace out to all of the underground heads, and Special Request to the Vanguard Crew!!!

Tracklist:

CiM - Nissan
Robert Hood - Realm One
Amir Alexander - Transcend
Chris Mitchell - Lonely Nights
Basement Jaxx - Paradise
Amir Alexander - Necessary Sanctuary (3 AM Mix)
Glenn Underground - Disco, House, Etc.
Ian Pooley - Chord Memory
Octave One - Phatima
Armando - Pleasuredome
The Original Creators - Flash Back 86
Gene Farris - Wall to Wall
Captian Star Gazer V/S Commander Mind Fuck - Allied Against Nivar the Floor Killer
Nina Cherry - Buddy X (Masters at Work 12" House Remix)
Barada - Death of a Robot pt. 1
Night On Earth - Crux
Rekleiner - The State of Things
Pepe Braddock - Deep Burnt
L.A. Williams - Lights Down Low
Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You

DOWNLOAD

Contribution #21 by Dj Aakmael

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

We've now brought in Dj Aakmael from the states for the 21'st mix on the cast. When his Headknod EP on Earthrumental Music came out it was all clear that Aakmael was the man for NWS cast. He has now made a set for us and you may enjoy this as much as we did listening to it! While listening you may read the interview:

Q: Who is Greg "Aakmael" Stewart? You come from a musical family eh'?

A: Greg Stewart is the alter ego of Dj Aakmael, kinda like Jekyll and Hyde. Greg is the one that is of the world, Aakmael is out of this world on some space sht searching for the planet he's really from. As far as Greg Stewart's family, yes I've had a few influences. My mother loves to sing, morning noon and night she was singing something. Whether is was soul, gospel, holiday classics or whatever. My father was a trombone player in his high school band, college and then in a local group for some time. Although I've never met my uncle, I learned that he too was a music scholar and teacher that taught music at Hampton University. Then it was my turn, started in 5th grade playing clarinet and moved to tenor sax. High school I played baritone horn, tuba and other brass instruments. I also wrote top 40's music for the stand band for football games.

Q: When did you start producing music?

A: Well, I've had keyboards and access to organs pretty much all my life and actually started producing music recording on cassette at a very young age. As far as professionally tho, I think around 2001 when I got a Korg Triton. I had a hip hop group called Evolution Enterprise that I did all the tracks for, and was very close to presenting the project to the world and BOOM - the problems started and the group split. At that time I was also messing with some house and soon came out with the ep on Bumpin' City Records called Unexposed Evolutionz. After that, just tryna keep it movin'.

Q: Seems like you have found your own expression and special sound with your "Deeper motions", "The Headknod EP" and "Music EP" on Uzuri. But I know you also produce some R&B and hip hop tracks. How would you describe yourself as a producer?

A: Yes I still produce hip hop, and also do work with a few local Richmond, VA artists. Headknod and Music ep's were a couple of my fav's, and that type of deep house is where I'm rooted. I love the basic, raw deep vibe, tracks that are not overproduced in my opinion. There are many producers out here in the house world that aren't even doing house, it's some kind of other stuff being dubbed as house. As a producer, I would describe myself as one with a mature ear. What I mean by mature, I'm saying that I've been listening to house and all other forms of music for so long that I know what I like, I know what would work for a dance floor and for a label. I like my music to have a very distinctive sound and feel, and I also think I would be a very good A&R for the right company :)

Q: You also have your own radioshow on the radio called WDCE in Richmond where you live. Can you tell us a about that initiative?

A: Ahhhh WDCE 90.1fm I did a show called The Housejunkies which started in 1989 and ran until just a couple of years ago. I would be bold enough to say it was one of the longest running deep house music radio shows in history, playing all music with little or no commercial interruptions. We were like XM and Sirius before the whole satellite thing got started. That show allowed me to hone my dj and mic skills, and as the years went on I started bringing special guests and expanding. One day I will share some of the classic mixes that I still have on cassette tapes!

Q: And this questions keeps coming back since we're vinyl lovers: Why vinyl?

A: I come from an era like many of us, where records and tapes were the norm of that time. I started collecting records at a very young age, all kinds of music ranging from rock to electro to classical to jazz, house, rap, rnb, etc., and it just never stopped. Now I will admit, I do use Serato these days because I feel to be a good dj one has to be adaptable. Too many clubs out there no longer have turntables. I also started using interfaces because I really didn't want to keep transporting records, as over the years I started finding pieces "missing". I felt in order for me to keep my collection safe I needed to start transferring to files. It's also difficult to guage a sound system with a digital file, analog has no issues with this. It's the nostalgia that comes with records, from the process in which they are manufactured to the art that 's applied to the label and jacket and the love of physically diggin' for new purchases. There's nothing like it that will ever compare.

Soundcloud link:

http://soundcloud.com/nws-cast/nws-cast-21-dj-aakmael

Young Danish DJ Dee Brown returns to NWS Cast

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:52:00 +0000

Daniel Bruhn aka. Dee Brown needs no introduction here on NWS Cast. He is only 16 years old and rules the 1's & 2's like an oldtimer. The last time he did a mix for us it was all deep house and most of it new productions. On this mix he shows a wider side of his taste which is also more matured. This kid age fast and in the direction of a bright future. Keep an eye on this guy!

Q: It's been a while since you made your last NWS mix. How has it been going for you since?

A: It has been going very well! I began at the gymnasium (equivalent to a US high school) this summer to follow the music program, which i've been very happy about so far. I have also started a radio/blog /mix/interview site for Dunkel Bar this January, where we i.e. release mixes and interviews from danish as well as international DJ's and producers. Among others we've had the NWS crew Samuel and Christoffer (2 Bit Crew) as well as XXXY, KiNK and Falty DL. Check www.dunkelradio.com. I also get good gigs these days and on the side I am working on an EP with my brother for his record label Studiestrasse. It actually couldn't be any better, hehe…

Q: It seems as if you've played on most clubs for electronic music in Denmark. Have you reached your goal?

A: There is a couple of places in DK here I really want to play - Culture Box, V58… apart from that the next goal must be to play in other countries.

Q: You are still very young. What do you feel is the most interesting in your life right now (not just musically)?

A: Hehe that's a tough question, but I would say that Dunkel Radio is the most exciting and inspiring that I'm doing at the moment. We get the opportunity to interview and even play alongside some of our favorite producers and DJ's (John Roberts just to name one), and also I really enjoy working together with the dunked radio crew. At times it can be hard, but it's a fun job!

Q: Are you still playing vinyl?

A: Yes, I am playing 99% vinyl when Im out! I use cd's to play own productions. Vinyl forever!

Q: You've begun to produce more music. Have you given it any thought to why you want to make music and not just DJ?

A: Actually I haven't. It just feels natural to make music apart from DJ'ing. I truly enjoy both things very much!

At last I want to thanks NWS for letting me be a part of their cast. I really feel it has brought me forward and I don't think that I would have gotten this far this fast if it had not been for the fact that the NWS crew has taken me under their wings!! Thanks!

Tracklist:

The Analogue Cops - Untitled #1
Big Strick - War Dance
Gemini - Soho
VA City 2 City - All The Time
Johannes Volk - The Power Of A Vision
Stephen Brown - Speak
The Analogue Cops - Untitled #3
Appointment - Reel To Real A2
Mondo - Work Me Baby (Rootstrax Remix)
MD2 - MD2.4.3
2562 - Wasteland (Head High Remix)
Bleak - Ekko
WK7 - Higher Power
Tripmastaz - Utilized Stock Sounds
John Heckle - Ancient Deep
Anton Zap - Clarksville

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Chicago's Hakim Murphy On The Decks! NWS Cast #019

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:09:00 +0000

While house music often by many is thought of as being something created by one intention only - to make people dance - it isn't that superficial with chicago DJ and producer Hakim Murphy. Art, emotions and well reflected aesthetics seems to be fundamental for his productions. Hakim is running two labels, Machining Dreams and Synapsis Records which both have gained respect among DJ's worldwide. With an early mentor found in Fast Eddie (a pioneer in acid house and hip house, you might remember from the acid classic from '88 entitled "Acid Thunder") his way as a DJ was paved. Tired of hearing the same tunes weekend after weekend at the clubs he started to make a difference buying and playing new records.
As a DJ he definately stands out with a well composed and thought of mix which is rough but still packed with soul. We had a chat with Hakim and since he loves promoting records he made a thorough tracklist for you as well. Check it out after the interview and mix.

Q: Why and when did you decide to become a music producer and DJ?

A: I decided to become a dj first and this was because I was a dancer. I got fed up with the music at the parties I was frequenting due to the fact that people were playing the same tunes over and over. I felt there was no reason for the djs to be playing the same few tunes in each of their sets. So I started to go the record store and buy some vinyls. At the time I was into all this Dance Mania stuff, and then I bought one table and then Fast Eddie whom I'd been dancing for sold me another deck and that's how I started playing records.

Production came a little later, because I was hanging around Fast Eddie and he was making tunes, and lots of people I knew were making music. So I got an mpc2000 and started working on tracks. After a few years of being casual about making tunes do to college, I finally decided to get serious, work on my craft and decided to go to school for music. I fell in love with the whole art form and realized I could work out my frustrations through djing and making beats. It's like one of those things, once you discover it, it's like how was I living life without these activities before.

Q: You seem to be very aware of your craft and the moods and aestetics within. Can you sum up what it is exactly you want with what you do?

A: With my music and sets, I want to portray myself, what I am feeling so people may subliminally understand me just through the music. I think I would like people to know me through this tonal communication of feelings. Each tune or set is just a moment in time in which you can see my mood for the moment it was recorded. So it's a historical document of my feelings that sometimes grooves, sometimes very minimal, but always very rhythmic.

Q: When it comes to music history the city of Chicago is central. Where do you see yourself in that history?

I see myself as a contributor to the history here. I try and collaborate with my Chicago peeps as much as possible. I feel I will have some small place in this history with the two record labels, two blogs, writing reviews, and releasing music. I think my body of work will speak for itself. I am interested in pushing Chicago and its sound forward. Only looking back for reference and homage, so we'll see where I fit in this whole history, but even if I am forgotten about years from now; I know that I stayed true to myself and did the type of music that I wanted to do.

Q: Your mix for NWS shows a pounding insisting groove with beautiful harmonies from rough basses and leads. What did you intend with the mix and where was it recorded?

A: I went to New York to play with DJ Spider and Dakini9 the weekend of January 20th. So I had an idea, I called Spider and I was like I should record a podcast for NWS at your lab in the Bronx. He was down, so we did it, but I only had time for one take because we were making music prior and had to get ready to go to the gig. In essence it was a warm up for the gig, because I wanted to practice a little before I left to play; I had to keep the wheels greased. The mix itself is some of the stuff I was going to play later that night, and I brought mostly my own tunes and lots of Chicago and Detroit music. I figured if I am going to play in NYC, no need to bring any of that underground East Coast American or European produced tunes from my collection. I figured I should play acid and jack tracks for the people. Because there is nothing worse to me than a foreign or American dj from another city that comes to Chicago and play lots of Chicago music. Everyone here has heard that hundreds maybe thousands of times. So this set reflects my Chicago sounding set for the NYC heads.

The podcast tempo is a bit slower than what I played that night, the first record is a Theo Parrish cut from Spider's collection and I thought it would set off the mix right. So I was in slow-motion mode to start and plus it's harder to keep a beat with the slower tempo as it was a great warmup for later that night.

Q: Passionate Vinyl DJ's are a main focus on the NWS Cast. Why do you play vinyl?

A: I play vinyl because I love it so. I remember the first time I got one of my tunes on vinyl I was so excited, then I remember the first four track EP that came, I was even more excited. I am always making tunes intending them to be on vinyl at some point. Now I have two many tunes in reserve and cannot possible get them all out on vinyl because I am trying to create a good music collective with my labels.

With that being said, I love the feel of playing on 1200's and picking out my vinyl pieces before I go play, it still feels good to blend some records together and each time I look at artwork on a vinyl, I can remember the feeling that a particular record gave me. Cds and files are cool, but I have no such connection like that... So I am going to play and make vinyl until it is no longer possible.

DOWNLOAD

TRACKLIST:
[00:00] Theo Parrish - Dirt Rhodes - Sound Signature - SS015
[04:55] Tevo Howard - 60660 - Beautiful Granville Records - BGR6
[07:48] Specter - Pipe Bomb - Sound Signature - SS042
[11:44] Leron Carson - China Trax - Sound Signature - SS012
[14:47] T.O.M. Project - Renaissance - Sound Signature - SSTOM1
[19:28] Chicago Skyway - London Streets (Hakim Murphy Remix) - Uruzi - Uruzi 017
[23:30] DJ Rush - 10 Inch Club Kid - Dance Mania - DM 095
[26:00] Hakim Murphy - Essential - Machining Dreams - mdreams005
[30:00] Saturn V - [Kontrol] Your Mind - Relief Records - RR2031
[34:40] Mauser - Controll - Generator Records - GEN030
[37:15] Chip E. - It's House - House Records - CHP001
[39:45] Hakim Murphy - Wiggles - Metamorphic Recordings - MET022
[42:11] Armando - Don't Take It (Thomos Edit) - Let's Pet Puppies - LPP 003
[44:34] Hakim Murphy - Alkame - Machining Dreams - mdreams001
[48:00] Hakim Murphy - Work in - Plan B Recordings - pbr023
[50:48] Hakim Murphy - The Artificial Tsunami - Machining Dreams - medreams001

Leandre DJ turns up the heat on this NWS Cast #18

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:48:00 +0000

It's been a bit more than two weeks since DJ Spider from New York dropped his tunes. Now we turn to Paris once again to see what the underground has to offer. Leandre DJ is not known to many but trust me this guy know whats up! He is running the label voulez-vous where he releases his own productions, and apart from that he is just one of the best house DJ's around! Listen to the mix and you'll know it!

Q: The mix contains 23 tracks, which all has an incredible drive. What are you looking for in a record? What makes you go "wow! I need to get this" about a record?

A: it must have the groove, as long as it's moving me it's good..we all know that house music is a feeling, well, if we feel it then the track is good...

Q: It seems the past year has been great one for the old skool deep house. Brand new labels put out oldskool sounding stuff and upcoming producers try to get that early 90's sound right on there productions. Do you have any thoughts about this "revival" of the old skool?

A: Music from back then was going straight to the point, a good basseline, a nice kick, some hi-hats & that's it...with youtube, discogs ,people have easy access to old stuff now & they realizing that the 80/90's music has that feeling we all looking for..

Q: Tell us about the mix. How was it recorded and where?

A: i recorded the mix yesterday night at home..

Q: When did you start buying records? What made you start collecting vinyls?

A: i actually started dj in 1994, but i was djing on cds...& the good music was released on vinyls so i started buying vinyls to record them onto cds so i can play them...in 2000 i just decided it was time to buy turntables & that was it...

Q: How is the scene in Paris for some proper house music?

A: that's a good question...probably La Java when MyLoveIsUnderground label is invited to play or Nouveau Casino maybe....don't go out very much anymore in Paris....

Q: You are producing some great tunes also. Can you reveal some prospects for your music in 2012?

A: well, an EP on Undertones should be released at the beginning of the year don't know when exactly....some EPS on Parker MusicWorks & probably some 7inches for some reedit on my Voulez-Vous label...

DOWNLOAD THE MIX HERE: download

DJ Spider selects vinyl for this NWS Cast #17

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:39:00 +0000

"Who is Spider?"

Well, we first heard of DJ Spider through Anton Zap when he was visiting Denmark some time ago. I remember standing on the dancefloor at the Dunkel Bar thinking: "What is this deep stomping tune?" So I asked Anton and with a smile he said: "Dj Spider out of New York." I looked to the floor and saw the Spider tune working its magic to the crowd.

Spider is from the Bronx in New York City, a city that in the 80's and 90's was on the forefront of house productions and still continues to innovate it's musical creativity, reflecting passion for dance music i.e. music you are supposed to dance to. Spider - being unknown to most people in Europe - is far from new to the game. He has been working hard for several years with his crew from New York hosting underground parties and releasing records under several monikers and collaborations on his imprint Plan B Recordings. Plan B is run by him and his good friend and also producer and DJ, Lola aka Dakini9. This guy is truly doing it himself! He is a passionate producer and DJ who is loved and supported by all the "New York artists" such as Jus-Ed, Levon Vincent, DJ Qu etc.

I (Samuel "Sapriori") played a track by Spider on one of my radio shows some months back (the track was Jungle Juice, also featured in this mix) and a friend from Aarhus and also a NWS Cast DJ, Anders Vendelbo, happened to also have a profound love for Spider and since then I have seen nothing but growing knowledge in Denmark about Spider and the Plan B crew.

I am happy to say that NWS will host more casts in the future from this crew. I had a talk with Spider about his history, the underground scene in New York, his passion and asked him to explain to us what he and his crew is about.

Q: Is there anything we should know about the mix?

A: I did this mix in my studio, here in the Bronx, New York. This is an all vinyl mix so I played on my Technics 1200MK2's & all in one take. When I record podcasts I basically play the same way that I do when I'm in the club. I usually play loud & I tend to envision a crowd of dancers in front of me who would be dancing to the beats. This keeps me in the mood & helps me stay focused on delivering my message through the music. Also, I always play a lot of tracks from myself & my peers. My crew is always sending me music that they make & we all share our songs with each other, so I have a lot of original material to present to my audience. This has helped me mold my style over the years, because I always play unreleased material in my sets.

Q: With NWS we want to promote vinyl. Why do you play vinyl?

A: I love vinyl & I have thousands of records! I grew up in the 70's, so that's all we had & I was obsessed with music & my records! 8 track cassettes were around too, but they faded quickly & then the cassette moved in it's place. All of my youth I was collecting records & cassettes, so when I began mixing house music I gravitated towards vinyl only DJ sets. I do play a few CD's now when I DJ, but only to play music that I make which I haven't pressed up yet onto vinyl, or I play other rare tunes on CD. The true art form of the DJ is physical & playing vinyl is also a very rewarding experience too. Vinyl sounds the best to me & it also lasts forever, if you take care of your records. Also, I love to be in control of the speed of the record as it spins & I enjoy digging through my records when searching for the next one to play. I remember tracks better when I see the label on the record & even the grooves on the record. I form a bond with every record that I own & they are all a part of me, so I share many feelings with each record. As well as being able to see the music by looking at the grooves on the record you can see where you are when playing a track, the break, vocals & more are all there for you to see in the grooves & it takes many years to perfect the craft. Also, it's like any other true art form in the way that you can always learn something new when you DJ with vinyl!! In this present day of DJ's, you have the choice whether to play vinyl, CD's, files off of your laptop, tape or even set up any number of musical tools & machines to play electronic music live on the spot, so there are a lot of options to choose from to create something special through your DJ set. I'm sure I'll continue to include vinyl into my sets for many years to come & I encourage new DJ's to explore the art of mixing records too.

Q: You produce, master, promote and release stuff yourself. What do you gain by doing it yourself?

A: Yes, I produce, master & engineer music as well as promote & release music on my three imprints. Dakini9 & I run Plan B Recordings together, but I run a sub label called Sublevel Sounds, which is where I release my other tracks on full length CD albums. I also have an ambient, industrial noise label called Beneath The Underground Music (BTU Music), which I also run on my own. I currently record under 5 names, DJ Spider, Kuru, Alarma!, Spider Bites & Bomb Site. I have a few other projects in the works, but I haven't released music under those monikers yet. All of my projects have a very distinct sound & I love to experiment with recording techniques, equipment, ideas & concepts. There are many things to gain by doing it on our own, but we are all in this together as a community. I have help from Lola aka Dakini9 with Plan B Recordings & we deal with our distributor directly who is just like us in the way of serving the music & the scene because we all love it & grew up around & in it! I also, like to know what's going on with the releases & I always have an opinion on the music, so we hand pick every track & idea for the releases. We put the artwork together ourselves with the artists to manifest their ideas for each release too. We have an amazing web designer who maintains our www.planbrecordingsnyc.com website & then we do all of our own promotion & networking. It is my full time job, so I basically do it every day.

Q: Tell us about your business, I get the impression you are a very busy man working all sorts of stuff?

A: Yes, my official business is SM Productions, which stands for Spider Music Productions. I live in my studio, so I run my business from my studio & I work 7 days a week. Most of my waking hours are spent dealing with music in some way or another. I produce my own music, I'm a musician & I engineer at my studio by mixing down & mastering peoples music & recording live sessions there too. Music is my life & I live it everyday. It truly is a lifestyle & a culture. I am a struggling artist who makes due with what he has. It's the same with most other full time musicians. I grew up in & around poverty, so I'm used to it. This is one of the most expensive cities to live in, so in order to maintain, you have to work your ass off & it's especially hard for us, because when trying to sell underground music is much harder than selling popular music! I love my work, so I'm happy every day & I plan to do this for the rest of my life. I also promote for other labels & parties too, so I'm out in the clubs several nights of the week networking with people in the scene & that has always given me an edge I believe.

Q: How is the scene in New York? You do some parties there right?

A: The underground scene in New York is good & it's pretty busy. I'm very grateful to be in such a busy musical environment where one can go out & hear underground electronic music almost every night. The clubs have changed over the years in some ways, but there are still lots of parties daily here. Sometimes you do have to travel into uncharted territory to get to a few of the warehouse parties, but at least there are a lot of people throwing underground parties with some cool music & good DJ's. There have been many regulations on the clubs in the last 10 years that have pushed promoters out of the night clubs & back into warehouses & lofts, but that has made some of the parties more raw again. I do still throw parties here in New York & now I have a new party that I put together with label mate Dakini9. The party is called "Moldavite" & we did one last month with our good friend Keith Worthy from Detroit (Aesthetic Audio). The next one is Friday, January 20th, 2012 & our friend & crew member Hakim Murphy will be here from Chicago. This will be his first time playing in New York & he just released an EP on Plan B Recordings called "Sampled Dreams", so we will have those for sale there too. We plan on building this party around our crew with myself & Dakini9 as the resident DJ's. We always play vinyl & we plan on incorporating some live sets in the future too. Our parties are geared towards the heads who know the art form & culture of DJ's & Dancers in the underground house & techno scene. Lastly, we always have merchandise available, so anyone who visits our party from anywhere in the world can always be sure to leave with some great music of ours to take with them.

Q: Tell us about your crew and what they mean to you?

A: My crew is based around the artists on my labels as well as the Vanguard Crew which is Myself, Amir Alexander, Chris Mitchell, Dakini9, Hakim Murphy, Miles 'Mauser' Holt & G. Marcell. Here in New York I have Dakini9, Marshallito & DJ Courage from the Plan B label, but I work with & support nearly everyone in the underground in some way or another, but my close friends who I work with & help out are all family to me. This is a community of like minded individuals who all love deep, underground, electronic dance music! They mean everything to me & I couldn't do all of this without them! Also, this culture has spread worldwide, so I have friends & artists all over the world who I communicate & work with.

I plan on doing some traveling overseas in 2012, so if anyone is interested in booking me or anyone in my crew, feel free to contact us at smproductionsnyc@gmail.com

Here are some other sites to check out too: spidermusic.bandcamp.com planbrecordings.bandcamp.com planbrecordingsnyc.com sublevelsounds.bandcamp.com btumusic.bandcamp.com vanguardsound.com machiningdreams.net DJ Spider (nyc)

A big shout out to Sapriori, Chris Cheops & the whole NWS Crew!!!

Peace, Spider
December, 2011

Tracklist:

All vinyl NWS Cast (1 hr. & 29 min.)

1 - E.M.P.B. (white label) - Hakim Murphy
2 - Jungle Juice - DJ Spider
3 - White Rhino - Amir Alexander
4 - Sound Of Thought - Rod Modell
5 - Solomn Days - Levon Vincent
6 - Wicked Priest - DJ Spider
7 - Black Ops - Amir Alexander & Dakini9
8 - I Didn't Need You - Carter Brothers
9 - Sharp Senses - Hakim Murphy
10 - Tribal Mechanism - DJ Spider
11 - Recovery Idea - Mike Huckaby S Y N T H Remix
12 - Mountain006.2 - Mountain People
13 - Storm - Jeroen Search
14 - Get Sum - DJ Qu
15 - Gesloten Cirkel - Ratsnake
16 - Dancin - Mauser
17 - Untitled (white label) - Ryan Brogan
18 - Was A Dog A Doughnut - Cat Stevens
19 - Untitled (white label) - Millie & Andrea
20 - A Diet Of Speed & Beer - Wolf Eyes

DOWNLOAD LINK: Click here!

LAAK - NWS Cast #16

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:57:00 +0000

I remember when I first stumbled upon LAAK soundsnippets on the online record store. I heard two tracks and hit the "BUY"-button - it went right in! I hadn't heard of LAAK before nor the label Austere. These guys where doing it all by themselfes.

So about the mix... a few weeks ago our local Danish DJ Anders Vendelbo made a raw house mix for us as the 15th NWS Cast, and to follow up on that, we've invited LAAK (Austere) to do a house mix. What they sent us is amazing and we are very thrilled to have the guys be a part of the NWS Cast. The mix makes us smile and dance. It's uplifting and that's just what people need during this cold and dark winter. We talked with LAAK asking them about their label and views on vinyl.

Q: Tell us about LAAK? You are two guys in the project right?

A: yeh that's right were just 2 guys and we'rejust basically doing our thing!

Q: You've had three releases on Austere and they seem to be ripped away very fast. What is Austere and why have you started your own label for your productions?

A: Austeres all about giving people good quality music in it's rawest form!! We're not into any frills!! We just want to release real music that the true deep house heads will appreciate! Kinda like how it used to be back in the day!!

Q: What inspires you to make the music you do and play the records you play?

A: We have such a vast array of musical influences which between us is very eclectic, so it's quite difficult to explain how we draw inspiration... But lets just say if it sounds good we'll play it regardless the genre of music!

Q: What are your views on Vinyl?

A: It's just crazy to think that there's dj's out there and they probably never owned vinyl! We're all for bringing back vinyl hence our releases being on vinyl only! There's nothing like the touch, feel and sound of a record :))

DOWNLOAD NWS CAST #16

NWS cast #15 is brought to you by Anders Vendelbo

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Last time we had Oskar Offerman and Edward on the decks making a great contribution for the cast. Now it is time for a new mix and this time it is all about paying a tribute to some of the great upcoming DJ's we've got in Denmark. Anders Vendelbo is surely an upcoming guy from Århus and is a good friend of ours. He has made a great deep mix even though he usually is known for his tight techno-sets. We have made an interview so you guys can get a bigger picture who Anders is!

Q: Who is Anders Vendelbo? Tell us a bit about who you are!

A: I’m 22 and from Århus, working as a chef in a small place in Århus. Besides being chef I’m in love with music and have been a DJ for 3 years

Q: Try to describe the house scene in Århus!

A: The house scene is extremely small in Århus. Though we are a couple of people who join the events every weekend to keep the scene alive. Furthermore we got some DJ’s who really manage to show their love for the music when they play!

Q: I know you normally play techno. So how was it to record this mix for NWS?

A: Yes I do! But at the time goes by I play more and more house. I had a lot of fun recording the mix. A lot of the tracks have been my favorites for a long time and therefore it was a pleasure finally creating a mix with those tracks.

Q: Do you think there are any pro’s and con’s playing techno and house?

A: No, not at all. It’s all about combining the tracks in the right way.

Q: Last but not least: What do you think about vinyl?

A: Its funnier to play with vinyl and it takes a lot more craftsmanship spinning vinyls. Vinyl gives you something to care about. My vinyls are some of the most fragile things I’ve got and I can spend a lot of time putting them into order, listening to them, feeling them etc. And you still hear the big vinyl-DJ’s fuckup sometimes and that’s important! There isn’t anything that is more boring to hear an Ableton DJ play 5 hours without making any mistakes. That just doesn’t happen on vinyl!

DJ: Anders Vendelbo

Soundcloud link: http://soundcloud.com/nws-cast/anders-vendelbo-podcast-nws

No tracklist, request track ID if needed

Edward & Oskar Offermann - NWS Cast #014

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:13:00 +0000

(left: Oskar Offermann. right: Edward)

It's been a little while since the last NWS Cast, but we are back bigtime!!!

Edward and Oskar Offermann from Berlin recorded the mix exclusively for NWS and we are proud to have them join the cast. As usual with NWS we asked them a few questions about their history, visions and the mix.... and of course it's vinyl only!

Q: So you are good friends right? How did you meet?

Yeah, we are very good friends. Basically we both come from the Frankfurt and we knew each other from there. But we weren't close until we've met again in Berlin about 7 years ago.

Q: What are the reasons the two of you got into house music?

House music !

Q: The White and Aim labels has had a good start and is now well established. In your opinion what's the reason in starting your own label and not just signing with some other label?

More flexibility with all the basic decisions. We like developing a good products from the early start until the final end. The "You said party, I said maybe" release from us on WHITE is a very good example, why we like to do it our own way.

Q: How did this mix happen? And do you want to hightlight a track or two?

We wanted to do a mix which is not characterized by great ups and downs but a warm and calm feeling which is long lasting. So every track is kind of a highlight to us. Besides the classics, Moomin's wonderfull work describes most precisely what the mix wants to say. His 12" "Heads or Tails" will be out on WHITE soon.

Q: You live in Berlin, as do thousands of other DJ's and producers. What do you like in particular in the Berlin Underground House Scene?

I don't think you can really call it "underground". It is a very huge, and variable scene. There are big big clubs which are packed weekend after weekend with thousands of people. The quality is still very good. But it doesn't feel like underground at all. Basically every grandmother is a DJ in Berlin...

Q: What are you views on vinyl? Why do you play vinyl?

Playing vinyl affects everything: the mix, the sound, your creativity, the crowd.... Its the most naturall way to express yourself as a DJ. We are very curious where the future takes us, but until now, NO digital set we've heard touched us the way vinyl can.

DOWNLOAD LINK: Click here to start downloading

Imugem Orihasam Shares Ol' Vinyl on the NWS Cast #013

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:59:00 +0000

Not many pictures can be found of Imugem Orihasam. That kind of adds to the whole presumption many people have about the Japanese being a modest and humble people. Having got to know Imugem some bit that presumption has for me become an awareness. On the north island of Japan, long away from Tokyo Imugem resides making some of the deepest tunes of electronic music coming out of Japan. He releases on Ilian Tape, Finale Sessions, Esperanza and the new Berlin label Nsyde Music This is a personality we at NWS want to meet musically. This set is much like the cassette mixtapes a lot of us made back in the day for our own - or some loved one's - listening pleasure. Your selector Imugem Orihasam says "hi!":

Q: Tell us about yourself Imugem. You are working with public

transportation right?

A: My name is Imugem Orihasam, I was born and raised in Japan.

I was making Hip Hop music in the mid 90's-2001 and I met great old music and vinyls all over the world through Hip Hop artists who sampled music like DJ Premire, Pete Rock, Main Source etc... It's things what I never heard before. Also in those days I was working for a second hand vinyl shop, in there I found some great records and met some collectors too. So this is an introduction to my music as far as I remember. Now I am working with transportation yes. That's not good. But I lessen time there and I want to spend more time making music.

Q: Japan is known among DJ's from Europe and the US, to be a place for

some really amazing parties. What's the scene like over there?

A: To be honest I don't go to parties - well, though I think it's not bad, it's not big like Europe though (some friends of mine are trying to some goods as the best).

Q: You are not a DJ you told me, but still you made this amazing mix,

which I really connect too. The music reminds me soo much of all the

cool tracks I heard when growing up. Is that what you had in mind with

this mix or is it something ells?

A: I sold lot's of vinyls for money and I know there is strong vinyl collectors in the world and I am no match for them. So songs in this mix are just what I like. Much respect to all songs and artists that's included in this mixtape.

Q: Tell us about your productions. What is your aim with your music?

A: I'm doing mainly 4/4 electronic music now, people grasp that kind of dance music. That's very nice but I don't care about danceable or not. Also I think music is not just style. I want to expand capacity as inside of myself and should challenge various things that I never did before - I don't finish in only one field, that's my aim.

Also currently I should get more and more vinyl releases ... Especially I want to do more Techno than my previous releases.

Q: What are you views on vinyl?

A: Vinyl is very good, but music is most important. That's what I think.

More of my vinyl releases coming very soon, check me out!

Thanks Samuel for all, big up to labels and all the parties concerned, big love to my wife Megumi.

DJ: Imugem Orihasam

Downloadlink: http://soundcloud.com/nws-cast/imugem-orihasam-selection-for/download

Esther Duijn gives you NWS Cast #012

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:03:00 +0000

picture: Esther in the mix!

We're back once again people!

This time Esther Duijn from the Netherlands brings you a cool mix. Many things can be said about Esther: She's talented both as a DJ and as a producer, she's beautiful and she's a vinyl enthusiast - a collector who is passionate about the analouge media. Esther Duijn first cought our attention when the D.A.D. (a collaboration between Esther, Steady Douglas and Anonym) EP from the label Exquisite Music came out in 2009. Her ability to bring soul and groove into her production and mixes is outstanding and turns everything she touches into a deep story that will keep you intrigued by it.

She recently signed with our friends from Geography Records and just released the debut EP on the label Feel Harmonic with Steady Douglas and with a remix from Anton Zap himself.

NWS is all about the personal stuff so we wanted to give the listeners and readers a chance to meet Esther in the form of a little interview:

Q: Who is Esther Duijn? Tell us a bit about yourself.

Esther: Duijn (last name sounds like "Dune").. I have been a electronic music lover since 11 years old, started playing records at 15. The way producers & dj’s created a fantasy world with these rhythmic electronic sounds inspired me to make & play the music I loves so much. I have been collecting vinyls for over a decade now. And started making music about 4 years ago. Music is my first love and it will be my last lol =)

Q: You recently signed with swedish Geography Records who are friends of NWS and only does vinyl releases. How did you meet the guys and what's the pros and cons with vinyl-only releases do you think?

Esther: I have had the privilege to play in both Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmo. I met the Geography boys through the guys who booked me in Gothenburg (Fabian, Alex, Goran etc). It was a mouth 2 mouth add actually to be honest. And Adam and Oscar listened to my sets and our Duijn & Douglas releases and they liked it.. So they booked me and one thing lead to the other. Both Steady Douglas and me are proud to be artists on this HQ deep label!!
Also you asked about vinyl only releases.. There are a couple of labels we work with that do vinyl-only and I love that. I am a vinyl dj by heart, as I mentioned before I collect vinyls myself. So when Steady and me release tracks they have to be pressed on vinyl. But as evolution is undeniable I do see the benefit of doing a digi-release next to vinyls. So I prefer myself that the vinyl is released and after a month the digi comes as well... We can't deny the new technology. Though for me personally I always play the vinyl iso the digital.

Q: You also just released a track on Feel Harmonic with Steady Douglas. I know you have worked with him for a long time but how did you come to work together?

Esther: I meet Steady Douglas 4 years ago at a local Amsterdam event called Voidd, He was involved with Voidd for many years and they asked me if I wanted to come and play for them.. He has been making music from the time you still cut tape to sample sounds and I was just working on making music myself for a little while. I asked him if he could teach me some stuff and we sat together. It turned out we had an amazing click, he liked my deep approach on music and I think he is a groovemaster pur sang.. We became very good friends in the process so Duijn & Douglas was born.

Q: About the set. It has a deep dubby vibe this one, What is it about the genre that speaks to you? and what does it say? :-)

Esther: I have always been fascinated about the deeper sounds of electronic music weather it is deephouse, deep disco dub, deep detroit techno. I like to find new ways to approach that deeper sound. Sometimes I play mixes that are purely one style but for this mix I mixed dubtechno & the deeper chicago sound in a more uptempo vibe.. for me all my sets represent what I love and I want to share my love with you... so I hope you love it too ;)

DJ: Esther Duijn

Downloadlink: http://soundcloud.com/nws-cast/esther-duijn-nws-cast-012/download

Sapriori & Chris Cheops deliver NWS Cast #011

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:24:00 +0000

pic 1: Chris Cheops

pic 2: Sapriori

So the place was Kolding, a small city in the outskirts of Denmark where some good friends of us threw a party to bring housemusic to the province. The place was crowded with highschool kids wanting to have a good time, so we, Christoffer aka Chris Cheops and I (Sapriori) wanted to give them some great partytunes. We recorded some of it and really want to share this timepocket with you. The mix serves great as a partystarter so download it and play at your warmup parties or take it with you on your iPod.

Chris and I asked each other a few questions so here we go:

***

Chris: Define your style as a DJ and as a producer furthermore how you have developed over years

Sapriori: Well, it's kind of hard at this point because I have so many urges as direct respons to my mood. When people ask me what style I am playing I am usually just saying: "What everybody ells is playing," since the term Deep House or just House is vague to people nowadays. People have a veeery defined and specific taste in house and techno which can of course be a good thing, but too often it is accompanied by a rather shut and closed attitude towards other electronic genres and sounds. Good comes in all shapes, I believe, and what I try to do with my DJ sets is the same as my productions. I respond to a mood with different sounds and grooves. I think every DJ and producer does that and if not it's just too bad - and impersonal! So with this mix me and Chris was in the party zone and we both have a love for 90's house with a twist of UK Garage, so we tried to incorporate that in the mix - it will get you in the mood, I'm telling you!!

Chris: What's your inspiration?

Sapriori: Lot's of things! Sunsets, moonlight and oddly enough silence is very moving. But also the roughness and boldness of producers like DJ Qu and Omar S. Fred P's stuff I feel connected to, because it has this melancholic beautiful atmospheric improvising spirit about it. That comes from the heart regardless of rulesets! Some inspirations from back in the day: Alan Parsons Project, Boards of Canada, Underworld, Pink Floyd, Lightnin' Hopkins, Miles Davis to name a few.

Chris: Tell us about your recent work and your new/upcoming releases

Sapriori: I have spent the last few months fooling around with minimal house and dusty tough deep house trying to expand my borders as a producer. Just released an EP on Tzinah (some tracks I did a year ago). A few releases are coming up too: one on StudieStrasse, one on Monique Musique with remixes from my friends Egal 3 and MHM 1 and one on Nsyde Music, which I am especially excited about since it's on vinyl and it will be released under my real name Samuel André Madsen, cus I have a special connection to those songs... you know: no trouble, no blues, no good music.... ha!

Sapriori: So what are you up to? Tell us about your production, DJ'ing and party Flak:

Chris: I'm still a young kid, so I'm on my last year of high school. But besides school I have always been into music. Since I were 12 years old I have been playing bass. Later on I got hooked on DJ'ing since I bought my first 1210's as a 15 year old kid. I started playing tech house but after hearing some old school DJ sets made by Sneak, Lil Louis etc. I got hooked on house from all over the world. Especially the New York, Chicago and Detroit sound inspired and still inspires me a lot. I've just started producing my own stuff that could be defined as something in between oldschool house and deep house. It is kinda hard to define my music at this point of my producing period, since I have so many ideas that should be put into context and hopefully the outcome of my ideas will be positive. I update my soundcloud nearly every week with new wips and soon I think I will put an EP together with some of my finished work. I started a club called Flak in October 2010 with two friends in Århus that puts a greater focus on underground house music. We love to bring in live acts since it gives something extra for the audience and in general for the whole club-experience. We have presented acts such as Skudge, Dana Ruh, Soundstream, And.ID, Shlomi Aber and 2400 Operator. The 6'th of May Kink will play a live-set that will be awesome (hopefully), and then we will take a summer break and maybe return even stronger to the danish club scene!

Sapriori: You live in Aarhus - a city that over the past year or two has become associated with heavier bookings and parties - what's the story and when did you become a part of the movement?

Chris: Well I think the scene in Århus has been progressing during more than five years. There has always been a house and techno scene but it was more local or national DJ's who played around Århus in more or less small places. I'm not that old yet, so I tell what I have heard through other friends from Århus. But since the last part of the 90's and in the start/mid 2000 the house and techno has been in growth with rave-parties in big warehouse buildings, heavier bookings and of course a bigger crowd. I think I became a part of the movement when I played the first time at a club called Swingerklubben (Swingerclub) in 08/09, where acts such as Wareika and the Keinemusik-crew have played. And in these days we got Flak and of course the Vektor crew who has build up a great club where they have presented Ben Klock, Tama Sumo, Nick Höppner, Deetron, Scuba and many more. The crowd still wants more and therefore I think the scene will be progressing very positive during the next couple of years, since we got some young minds that really are into good quality electronic music!

Sapriori: We have just past the Record Store Day and the discussion going on is whether or not the analog wax deserves increased attention or should fade away. Why do you prefer vinyl?

Chris: This is a hard discussion since the digitalization age is over us and sooooo many(!) people love the new way of deejaying. Personally I prefer vinyl because I love to feel and touch what I am playing, I love the sound and shortly I love everything about vinyl. I think it is fair that some people chooses to play digital, but I know that there is a market for analogue wax these days and of course it should stay. It is a special feeling that I can't describe when I get my box of 12'', and I open the box and put a new record on my technics. I've spent much money on both the vinyls themselves but also the freight and it is so satisfying to feel and listen to what you have spent almost all your salary on. It is a hobby for me and it is even more satisfying that you can share the hobby by playing the 12'' for the crowd in the club every Friday night.

Sapriori: And last but not least: Tell us about the night this mix was recorded and if there's anything in particular with the mix we should know?

Chris: Yeah, we had some fun by doing this mix and it is really my style of house. We did not talk much about how the set was going to be, only that it should be funky and housy and that deal went, in my opinion, very well. It consists of some old school records from the 90's such as a garage classic that I've been playing the last months. And my partner in crime, Sapriori, did well too by choosing his tracks carefully. The mixtape really fits into a warmup for a good clubnight with the friends, so please enjoy and feel the party mood!

DJ's: Chris Cheops & Sapriori
Recorded at a party in the province of Denmark

Tracklist:

1. Leif - So Long (feat. Donna Lea)

2. Jordan Peak - Kooch

3. The Martinez Brothers - The Causeway

4. Joss Moog - Room 27

5. DJ Sneak - Smokey Hill Street

6. Phil Weeks & Joss Moog - Over like a that track

7. 24 Hr Experience - B2

8. DJ Sneak - Che-Chez Fame

9. 24 Hr Experience - Allnighter

10. Tuff Jam - Key dub (version99)

11. CVO - Mighty Real Groove

12. Jolynn Murray - It's time to party

13. MCDE - There is a truth (feat. Stee Downes)

14. Ladzinsk - All night

15. Gemini - How Can I

16. Walt J - Divinity EP (A1)

17. Kerri v Nina - Westwind

18. Soundstream - Dance with me

19. Audio Werner - ?

20. Fries & Bridges - Just because (ghetto mix)

Downloadlink: Download

NWS Cast turns 10!!! Danish talent Dee Brown is on!

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:44:00 +0000

So let me start with saying that this is BIG!

Dee Brown aka Daniel Bruhn Jensen is probably the youngest active DJ in Copenhagen. Only 15 years old!!!!!... Which means he's not even old enough to hit the clubs, but that doesn't stop him from doing so! So when NWS got to know this kid it turned out that not only was Dee Brown an aspiring talent, but skilled too. His taste is refined and mature which you will hear yourself on this 10th episode of the NWS Cast.

After doing this mix in the north west of Copenhagen NWS had a little chat with him.

Q: Who is Daniel Bruhn Jensen apart from Dee Brown?

Like any other 15 year old I go to school, but apart from that I'm all about music. Besides DJ'ing and producing, I've been playing guitar for nearly 4 years. I was actually a little heavy metal head once, and that's (believe it or not) what inspired me to get into music. Bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden was a huge inspiration back then, but I slowly moved away from it, and I now play more alternative rock and blues like for example Radiohead, Them Crooked Vultures, Eric Clapton and Guthrie Govan.

Q: You are one of the youngest DJ's in Denmark. What is the ups and downs being a young DJ?

One of the downs if of course being young. It's hard to get into some clubs and even harder to get the connections you need to play at that club someday.
One of the ups is that I think it's easier to break through when you're young, as you probably get more attention if you play well, compared to if an adult DJ plays well.

Q: Why did you become a DJ? Where do you get your inspiration?

My brother Mads (Jazz Menson/Massimo - Studiestrasse Records) introduced me to house music in 2009 and I immediately got hooked, which resulted in Mads' giving me his 2 CDJ's and mixer in october 2009. Since then I haven't been able to go one day without spinning. Mads is without doubt my biggest source of inspiration. He has introduced me to a world that I have come to love more than pretty much anything else.

Q: What are your views on vinyl?

I got a love/hate relationship to vinyl. There's just something special about having a vinyl record compared to a CD or mp3 file on your computer. The format, the artwork and the sheer weight of the record. It's just way more "satisfying" to play vinyl compared to CDs. On the other hand I hate vinyl, because I can't resist buying new records every month, and since I don't have a job, I'm totally broke after each time I buy records haha. But it's totally worth it. I'll never stop supporting vinyl.

Q: What do you have in store for the NWS listeners with this mix?

Deeeeeep tunage! I had in mind to give the listeners something that would be great to get you grooving before hitting the town, and I'm very happy about how it turned out. Recorded it at Sapriori's place on 2x Technics 1210 mk5 and a Allen & Heath Xone 42.

Q: Rumor has it you've started to produce also?

Yes that's right. I haven't had a lot of time to produce lately because of exams coming up and stuff, but ill be putting up previews on my soundcloud asap, so stay tuned!

Q: Without a doubt you must have many exciting years ahead of you. What are you up to? What are your dreams and hopes?

I'm up to quite a lot at the moment actually. Got some gigs in the next couple months at Dunkel, Bakken and KB18. Really looking forward to them all, especially the one at KB18, as it is me and two friends who are arranging it!
I don't really got any dreams or plans for the future. I'm just going to keep on working as hard as I can and see where it takes me.

DJ: Dee Brown

Tracklist:
1. Anton Zap - 38 - Ethereal Sound
2. DJ Spider - Antikythera Mechanism - Plan B Recordings
3. RNDN - Third Hand Smoke - Laid
4. Homework - Sunday Sun - Enterbt
5. BLM & Pawas - Waiting Game - Sudden Drop
6. Anton Zap - Can't Tell You - Ethereal Sound
7. Homework - Back Fourth - Enterbt
8. John Roberts - Relate - Laid
9. Soundstream - Deeper Love - Soundstream
10. Shakarchi & Straneus - Iraq - Geography Records
11. Audio Soul Project - Call Of Grace (Milton Jackson Remix) - Fresh Meat
12. Unknown - STABLO9998_A - Stablo
13. The House Nerds - Library Session NO. 4 - House Nerds Audio
14. Soundstream - All Night - Soundstream

download from this soundcloudlink: Download

One of many reasons to play vinyl!

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:28:00 +0000

So here's an interesting interview with the founder of the popular and impecable Funktion One soundsystem. He talks about sound quality and how the digital age isn't satisfying to the human perception.
Stuff to think about!

/NWS

Meet Egal 3 on this NWS Cast #009

samuelmadsen@gmail.com (NWS cast) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:19:00 +0000

(Sorin in the back and Cezar in the front... together the best friends form Egal 3)

The past year has been a great year for the Romanian duo Egal 3 aka. Sorin (Vid) and Cezar. The usual sound hailing from the romanian producers are minimal and clean, but Egal 3 does it with a playful edge making their tracks and DJ'ing surprising and spicy. In this mix they also present some of their own productions.

Q: Who is Egal 3?

Sorin : Well Egal 3 it's me Sorin and my best friend Cezar we work together as a team
Cezar : Yes

Q: What's the status of the vinyl in the romanian clubscene these days?

Cezar : Not so big , a few people play vinyl this days
Sorin : I think it's because of the money and the costs for a vinyl
Cezar : Hard Times
Sorin : Always ( Haha )

Q: You have released some interesting new stuff on many upcoming labels like Tzinah, Esemtrax, Dot One, Flappers but also a full lenght album on Monique Musique. With this huge export of there must be some tracks you like more than others?

Sorin : Sure we love all the Egal 3 & Vid songs we put alot of love in our tracks and hard work so all are favorite
Cezar : Well my favorite is Egal 3 - Camuflaj
Sorin : And my favorite is Egal - Prefer

Q: Are you up for any big releases soon, you want NWS to know about?

Cezar : It's a secret but it's BIG
Sorin : Yes it's very very big , but for the moment we wait for our Remix Ep with remixes from Santos , Livio & Roby , Sehou

Q: You are both young. What and who inspires you?

Cezar : It's hard work it's a struggle with your self but we love what we are doing . It's a Dream ( Dreams & You ) haha
Sorin : Everything inspires me but i think nature sounds, organic sounds inspires me the most

Q: You say you used both 1210's and two cdj's. What are the CD's for?

Sorin : Cd's are only for unreleasead tracks made by us or friends so in our set we put
Sorin : A unsigned Vid track
Cezar : And a track made by Sapriori ( You )

Q: Vinyl and/or digital?

Cezar : Both because if you play on Cds , Vinyl it doesn't matter the important thing is to make the crowd feel good and have a good time and dance dance dance
Sorin : But if you are trying to keep the underground music alive we'll play vinyl my friend

DJ: Egal 3

Tracklist:

1. ?
2. St.germain - alabama blues ( todd edward dub mix )
3. Audio Werner - Easygoing
4. Loco dice - jacuzzi games
5. Frankie Foncett ( Nightlife) - Bounce
6. ?
7. Audio Werner - While
8. Sapriori - Sweet Dichotomy
9. Ricardo Villalobos - Frank Mueller Melodram
10. Vid - SimfoniaCodrului
11. Unknown Artist - Taj Mahal
12. Peace Division - Freak This
13. ?
14. Maurizio - Domina ( Maurizio Mix )

Sorin & Cezar ( Egal 3) / Monique Musique / Secouer Records / Potobolo : Good Luck with this for keepin the underground music alive and much love from Romania!

Downloadlink: http://www.mediafire.com/?lnun4vz9345z17r
(copy and paste to your browser)