Off The Record

Melbourne Music Week have locked in their full 2014 lineup and as usual there is a host of electronic talent. While many of the acts have already announced Sydney shows (Optimo, Pachanga Boys, etc) one of the biggest draw cards on the bill is seminal Detroit techno outfit Underground Resistance. Sources tell me you can expect a Sydney date to be announced mighty soon. Stay tuned.

Staying on the Victorian note: Rainbow Serpent Festival have dropped a huge second lineup, with friggin’ Sebastian Mullaert leading the charge. While you may not be familiar with his name, he’s the man behind seminal acts such as Minilogue, IMPS, Son Kite and Ooze. Expect Sydney dates for several of his nom de plumes to be revealed soon.

Already announced for both Falls Festival and Field Day, Scott Hansen aka Tycho has locked in a headline show in Sydney. Signed to Matthew Dear’s Ghostly International label, earlier this year Hansen dropped his fourth studio album Alive to mass critical acclaim. He’ll perform live on Saturday January 10 at The Hi-Fi.

Also confirmed: Detroit ghetto-tech pioneer DJ Godfather will perform a free Red Bull Music Academy show at Goodgod on Thursday October 23 (you just need to RSVP via Dash Tickets).

Tour rumours: a little birdie tells me that Jamal Moss aka Hieroglyphic Being will be returning in March while UK duo Bicep (who just dropped a killer Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1) will also be back early next year.

Feel like getting down for a good cause? Later this month Astral People will be throwing their regular fundraiser party for beyondblue. The night will be filled with back-to-back sets, with Bradley Zero going head-to-head with Jimmy Sing, Simon Caldwell locking horns with Magda Bytnerowicz, Mike Who spinning alongside Huwston and Pelvis getting down with Noise In My Head. Last year they raised over $8,000 – see if you can help them top that on Friday October 24 at Goodgod.

Best releases this week: two long-awaited full length albums have dropped this week and they’re both killer – Torn Hawk‘s Let’s Cry And Do Pushups At The Same Time (on Mexican Summer) and Andy Stott‘s Faith In Strangers (on Modern Love). Highly recommend. Other highlights include Locked Groove‘s Thesseus (on Permanent Vacation), Marquis Hawkes‘ Fifty Fathoms Deep (on Houndstooth), Austin Cesear‘s West Side (on Public Information), Jordan GCZ‘s Digitalis (on Future Times) and Shanti Celeste‘s Universal Glow (on Broadwalk).

In sadder news: Stephen Samuel Gordon, aka Hyperdub’s Spaceape, passed away on Thursday October 2 following his 5-year battle with cancer. Over the course of his career the electronic/dub vocalist had collaborated with the likes of The Bug, Martyn, Junior Boys, Jerry Dammers and Redshape, just to name a few. Rest in peace.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10

DJ Spider

Club 77

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11

Jeff Mills

Chinese Laundry

FRIDAY OCTOBER 17

Peter Van Hoesen

The Imperial Hotel

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1

Sidney Charles

Mantra Collective