First up, if you haven’t already, you need to jump ontoTheo Parrish’s Facebook page and read his statement following the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and the role that the dance community needs to play when confronted by racism-fuelled violence.
“How do you dance when we still swing from trees, when we still are murdered in front of our loved ones, murdered while subdued and harmless?” he asks. These are just some of the ridiculously powerful words from the Detroit luminary – I’m not going to try and summarise their importance in so few words. Just read the statement. Real talk.
One of the fastest-rising names in contemporary techno, Gunnar Haslam [pictured above], has locked in his debut Australian tour. A literal mad scientist who used to study particle physics, Haslamhas – since taking to techno back in the early ’10s with religious visits to New York’s seminal rave cave The Bunker – scored releases on the likes of L.I.E.S., Mister Saturday Night Records, Argot, Delsin and Naif. He’s already dished up one of the best mixes of 2016 with his #504 instalment for Resident Advisor, so give it a whirl before he comes to Jam Gallery on Saturday August 20.
A founder, resident DJ and curator of Berlin’s renowned techno and house events agency Grounded Theory, Henning Baer, has for the past decade been at the forefront of Germany’s electronic music zeitgeist. Also a regular at Berghain, over the course of his career he’s had releases on imprints such as Non Series, Rauh, Sonic Groove and K209, and earlier this year launched his own label Manhigh Recordings. Get schooled by one of the best in the business when he hits Zoo Project on Saturday August 20.
For those wishing to dance away the winter chill on the cheap, you’ll be stoked to hear that Bacardi is hosting a series of free gigs in Sydney next month. Featuring some top-class international talent, including London’s Steven Julien AKA FunkinEven, German head Damiano Von Erckert and Metro Area member Darshan Jesrani (alongside two of Melbourne’s finest names Edd Fisher and Otologic), the shows will be taking place every Saturday in August at Club 77 in Darlinghurst. Head to fuegorevolutions.com.au for more information and to RSVP for free entry.
Tour rumours: methinks that Apron Records and L.I.E.S. regular Greg Beato will be coming our way mighty soon.
Best releases this week: the new record from Kassem Mosse titled Chilazon (on Honest Jon’s Records) is straight-up fire. I’m also feeling Nhk Yx Koyxen’s Sparrow’s Gardens (L.I.E.S.), Legowelt’s Laundromat Of Your Mind (Bakk) and Machinedrum’sAngel Speak (Ninja Tune). Sadly I’m not really vibing on John Roberts’ new album Plum (Brunette Editions). Keep your eyes peeled on the Giegling website, too. It’s just updated the store to say that “a new release and some represses will be available” from Monday July 25 – fingers crossed that we’re going to be copping some new DJ Metatron.
Recommended:
SATURDAY JULY 23
Delano Smith @Burdekin Hotel
Subjected @Zoo Project
SUNDAY JULY 24
Pirupa @Home Nightclub
SATURDAY AUGUST 6
FunkinEven @Club 77
SATURDAY AUGUST 13
Damiano Von Erckert @Club 77
SATURDAY AUGUST 20
Return To Rio launch party: M.A.N.D.Y. @Manning Bar
Gunnar Haslam @Jam Gallery
Edd Fisher, Otologic @Club 77
SATURDAY AUGUST 27
Darshan Jesrani @Club 77
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8 – SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11
Red Bull Music Academy Weekender: Mr. Fingers, Bok Bok, Peanut Butter Wolf + more @Various venues
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11 – SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13
Return To Rio: Carl Cox, De La Soul, Eric Powell, DJ EZ + more @Del Rio, Wisemans Ferry
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2 – SUNDAY DECEMBER 4
Subsonic Music Festival: Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Josh Wink, Ben UFO + more @Riverwood Downs Mountain Valley Resort
Got any tip-offs, hate mail, praise or cat photos? Email [email protected] or contact me via carrier pigeon. Hit me on Twitter via @tysonwray.
