Off The Record

One of the fastest-rising names within the Berlin scene – Nico Stojan – has locked in a Sydney show later this month. Originally a hip hop DJ, in recent years Stojan has infused jazz, soul, techno and house into his sets to form a highly unique imprint. A regular at seminal clubs such as Panorama Bar, Watergate and Katerholzig, he’s not to be missed. Catch him on Saturday January 31 at The Spice Cellar.

Motherfucking Carl Cox is returning to Sydney. Without doubt one of the biggest names on the underground circuit, Cox first made his name in the early days of hardcore rave juggling three decks at once. Since then his career has seen him headline pretty much every goddamn festival and club on the planet. Y’all won’t want to miss the deadset legend on Saturday March 7 at The Greenwood Hotel. Year-in year-out Cox never fails to deliver; highly recommended.

Genius Of Time will bring their live show back to Sydney next month. The duo has some serious hardware on hand, and the Boiler Room performance from 2013 still stands out as one of the all-time best. Friday February 13 at the Civic Hotel – put it in your diary.

Tour rumours: word on the street is that some big names will be dropping by in March. Expect visits from the one and only Dixon (who was just named Resident Advisor’s number one DJ for the second year in a row), Detroit’s Delano Smith and Frank Wiedemann of еme. Oh, and Brighton’s four finest party-starters Soft Rocks should be making a Sydney appearance early next month.

Sad news – there’s been another casualty from the lockouts. Over the break everyone’s favourite late-night dive The Flinders shut its doors unexpectedly. Taking to Facebook to announce on Thursday January 8, the venue stated: “It’s been a good run but Barry got us in the end. We know it’s sudden but please come in tonight and pour one out for your fallen homie. Thanks for all the good times. Peace, love, and picklebacks, from all of us at the Flinders.”

Some killer mixes dropped over the Christmas break. Pender Street Steppers’ offerings on both Noise In My Head and Resident Advisor are seriously on point, Melbourne duo Misty Nights have uploaded their closing set of Victoria’s Meredith Music Festival onto their SoundCloud, and the six-hour recording of Four Tet and Floating Points going back-to-back at the final ever night of London’s historic club Plastic People is every bit as epic as you’d imagine.

Best releases this week: Tiger & Woods have started the year with a bang thanks to a killer EP, Scoring Clubs (Editainment), while other highlights include Phase90’sInfinitati (Echospace [Detroit]), Neu Balance’sRubber Sole (1080p) and Population One’s Theater Of A Confused Mind (Rush Hour Recordings).