Off The Record

The very gifted Suzanne Kraft is returning to Sydney. At only 23 years of age, the LA-based DJ is already as prolific as they come, releasing hit after hit under his alias Dude Energy alongside his band Pharaohs. He’s also behind collaborative studio projects Odd Numbers and Blasé. He’ll be joined by some secret internationals soon to be announced on Saturday March 7 at The Imperial Hotel. Recommended.

Those Underground Resistance lads can’t seem to get enough of Australia at the moment. After smashing with their ‘Timeline’ show last November, the dons at Picnic are bringing over another member of the legendary Detroit collective, DJ John Collins, later this month. A resident at the renowned club Cheeks all the way back in ’86, Collins is one of the biggest names to come from Motor City, and has worked as a producer, DJ, label executive, manager, promoter and booking agent. To sweeten the deal, he’ll be joined by one of Melbourne’s finest exports, Francis Inferno Orchestra. It goes down on Saturday February 21 at The Imperial Hotel. It’s gonna rule, dudes.

Calling all techno heads – the lords over at Trench have a goddamn treat for you. For the first time ever, Developer is set to hit Australian shores. The LA artist has some serious credentials. He’s the label owner of Modularz, and has released on other seminal imprints such as on Pole Group, Mote Evolver and Semantica. He’ll hit the Sly Fox Hotel on Saturday April 21 and will be joined by Gabriel Fernandes, Matt Lush and XXX.

Tour rumour: inside word is that we will finally be seeing a return from Bicep later this year. Oh, and a visit from Azizi Gibson at the end of the month is definitely on the cards. Stay tuned.

Calling all producers – in an unlikely turn of events, Converse (yeah, the shoe brand) have created a gold mine for you. They’ve just launched a library of over 10,000 high-quality audio samples available to musicians, royalty-free. They’ve also joined forces with over 20 artists including RJD2, Com Truise, Body Language, Obey City, Nitemoves and Shigeto to create new songs utilizing samples from the library. It’s legit. Head over to converse.com/samplelibrary and spy for yourself.

Best releases this week: ol’ mate Todd Terje has enlisted Justin Van Der Volgen to remix a few of his tracks and, oh my lord, the rinse of 2012’s Inspector Norse is ridiculously good. Other highlights include the compilation Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness (on Strut), Omar S‘ I Wanna Know (on FXHE), Brame & Hamo‘s Clockwerk (on Splendor & Squalour) and Samuel Kerridge’s new album Always Offended Never Ashamed (on Contort Records).

Recommended:

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13

Modeselektor

The Hi-Fi

Genius Of Time

Civic Hotel

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14

Steffi

Marrickville Bowling Club

Danny Howells

Chinese Laundry

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21