Night Vision 1.41

December is finally here, but where's the snow?

Well, we don't know either, but if it was already here then this week-end's guest would've melted it down in 3 seconds flat with the high-octane dance energy that's about to be unleashed on poor old Montreal.

Last Week's Wickedness

Last Thursday, Philgood did a remarkably good job at warming up Tribe Hyperclub for M.A.N.D.Y., who went on with an okay set that reached its peak with the Bodzin & Huntemann remix of Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts". Unfortunately, the "hyperclub" is nothing but hype, and is desperately inappropriate for any type of event that's supposed to involve dancing. Oh, and thanks to whoever is responsible for letting that retard on the balcony scream "GO MANDY!" at the top of his lungs for half an hour.

Friday, Pheek's album launch at Bistro SIM was a fine minimal social event. It's really too bad that a lot of people left after Pheek's performance (which was great, as usual), because there was a lot of talent still to be heard.

During the same night, Lee Coombs' visit to Stereo turned out to be exactly the breaks night Montréal needed: floaty & danceable, while still upbeat and groovin'. Thanks to the Reset: Breaks crew as well, who put the event together and kept everyone shakin' it all night.

Early Saturday morning, Max Hebert took over at the After8 day club with some freakishly efficient funky tech-house.

Saturday night, Marco G played an okay set at Aria Afterhours that packed a few electro power punches, and some less efficient tracks as well. Miguel Graça, on the other, played through his repertoire like a pro, putting together one of the best sets I've ever heard him play at the club.

The No Excuse re-launch at Stereobar on Sunday night just plainly, simply, worked. The place was full of familiar faces, reuniting the city's electro enthusiasts on the same dance floor for Bender's extended set. Again, the move to Stereobar was just the kicker that night needed!

Upstairs at Stereo, Christian Pronovost went on with a deep, brooding monster of a set.

Yeah, yeah, so we keep on extending the week-end every Monday. It's wasn't exactly full (thank you freezing rain!), but while everybody's having fun, who cares? Thanks to Leo Cruz, Yugo and Clifford for keepin' us dancin' 'til the end.

I hate to say "I told you so", but… I told you so: Maus' appearance at Salon Daome's Telephunk night on Tuesday was a pure work of art, with a solid crew of the best dancers I've seen in a long while setting the dance floor on fire for… their own personal pleasure. Missed it? Well maybe you'll listen to me next time!


News En Vrac

Well, you can officially stop wondering if Casa Royale would turn out to be just an "anniversary month" thing: Stereoheads will be happy to know that the club will remains open on Sundays. On the bill for December: Rob Brown, Jung, Just Jonathan and XL, of course!


Thursday 30/11

As usual, Mini keeps showing impeccable taste in her choice of guests for her weekly Overdose night at Parking. This week, it's Robert Babicz turn to drop by the Amherst street venue to present his own bass-heavy brand of techy minimal grooves.


Friday 01/12

With hits like "Flashdance" & "Say Hello" under their belt, Deep Dish have have become a household name in the world of... house music. It may have taken some time, but damn do they deliver!


This time, it's Sharam that will be dropping by Montréal and taking over Stereo's massive sound system for what promises to be a wild night to morning ride. Needless to say you may want to get some advance tickets... them Deep Dish guys have a tendency to pack the house wherever they play...


Saturday 02/12

The holliday edition of Electro-Chic, which also happens to be the tenth event in the series, will be taking place at La SAT. G O'Brien, Omni, OSG & FM Radio Gods will share the stage and make you dance, so get ready to boogie down to the sound of the underground.


At Stereobar, Eloi Brunelle & The Autist will turn up the volume and drop some records like the two madly efficient disc jockeys they are.

Apparently, Aria will still be open for business this week-end, and it's NOT the closing party that will be going on. Who's playing? Apparently Marco G will be there, but at this time we have been unable to find out anything else.


Sunday 03/12

That crazy red-head Sean Kosa takes over the booth at Stereobar for this week's edition of No Excuse. If we're lucky we'll also get him to take over the bar, the whole club, the Village and the town. Bender will also be around to keep the bass pumpin'.


Upstairs at Stereo, Casa Royale returns with XL & Rob Brown.


Monday 04/12

Academy welcomes the Rewind edition of Extend, which will feature a special historic electro set from Yafi and a 2003 retrospective from Clifford Brown. Bliss headlines the evening, providing us with some fresh grooves, making sure we don't get lost in time.



Tuesday 05/12

Salon Daomé (141 Mont-Royal Est) is Telephunked once more as the Microzoo gang once again takes over the decks.

Tuesdays are always Dizzy at Academy Dancehall.


Next Week

Big Bambo Land at Centre Fractal! Aria closing party! Jeff Grosse at No Excuse! Axel Klein & X-Cube at Academy! And more! All in next week's edition of Night Vision!

Until then: Keep that fried chicken crunchy, 'cause we ain't coming back home early!

Maus' November 2006 Chart

Last night a DJ saved my life with a song. It was Maus.

Her name will undoubtedly ring lots of bells to most Montreal veteran clubbers... but have you heard her lately? No? Well, while you where away, within the confines of Aria Afterhours' big room, Maus refined her own personal blend of minimal tech-house, comprised of an always eclectic, sophisticated and unexpected assortment of tracks. As the club is about to close down, Maus moves on and begins a new monthly residency at Salon Daomé for Microzoo's Telephunk night: a weekly rendez-vous for minimal & funky tech-house connoisseurs.


As you will see below, the quality of her selection remains unsurpassed.

Maus's November 2006 Chart
01. Gorge & Nick Curly - In A Mood - Plastic City
02. Abe Duque - Im Not Your Baby - Abe Duque Records
03. Don Diablo - Blow (Sébastiebn Léger rmx) - Salacious Records
04. Jesse Rose - It's So... (Will Saul rmx) - Simple Records
05. Mark & John - Pick Up The Phone - Pickadoll
06. T.P. Heckmann - Kookaburra (Gabriel Ananda rmx) - AFU Records
07. Minilogue - City Boy - Crosstown rebels
08. Audio Werner & G. Schneider - Just Wanna Get Down (Guido RMX) - Trapez
09. John Dahlback (feat. Yota) - Get Over it - Pickadoll
10. Gaiser - Egress – Minus

You can catch Maus TONIGHT at Salon Daomé (141 Mont-Royal East).

Italians do it Better - 27/11

Ce lundi, Extend vous propose un peu de changement. L'électro-house à saveur européenne de Yugo se frottera à mon électro sale et éclectique dans un match opposant mes origines inconnues à l'Italie. Il y aura des étincelles, de la sueur, un peu de sang et beaucoup d'alcool.



Lorsque viendra l'heure pour les banlieusards d'aller se coucher, le vétéran Leo Cruz s'emparera des tables tournantes. Cruz n'est plus à présenter; pionnier du son tech-house et électro, il a récemment ralenti ses activités en tant que DJ pour s'occuper de son label Saboteur, qui est entre autres la maison de DJ Champion et de Numéro#. Son expérience et sa chaleur typiquement italienne sauront charmes ces dames et plonger messieurs dans un abysse de jalousie.

Venez expérimenter vos plus récents pas de danse en notre agréable compagnie !

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This Monday, Extend proposes a changing breeze. Yugo's european-flavoured electro-house will match mine in a tag team match opposing my unknown origins with Italy. Expect some sparkles, sweat, a little bit of blood and lots of booze.



When the time comes for townies to go to bed after crossing the bridge, veteran Leo Cruz will take control of the decks. The guy needs no introduction; he's an electro & tech-house pioneer, and recently slowed down his DJ carreer to manage his label, Saboteur, known to house the multiple talents of DJ Champion & Numéro#, among others. His experience and typically italian warmth will charm the ladies and make the guys jealous.

Come exercise your most recent dance moves with us !

Clifford Brown XxX

[Flyer design by Simon Léveillé]

Bender's November 2006 Chart

In just a year, No Excuse Sundays have become one of the corner stones of Montréal's electro nightlife. First finding a home at Balroom, the night is now held at Stereobar which is a much better setting for electro than the night's original location could ever have been. Also, The No Excuse team has brought several high profile artists to town, including DJ Remo, Oliver Huntemann, Stephan Bodzin and Xenia Beliayeva.



With two solid resident DJs at the helm, namely Bender & Sean Kosa, and a solid line-up of local and international guests, things are looking bright for No Excuse.

Mirrorballs.ca is therefore proud to present its first DJ top 10 chart, contributed by No Excuse resident Bender:


Bender's November 2006 Chart

01. Rekorder - Rekorder 7.1
02. H-Man - 51 Poland Street (Extrawelt remix)
03. Rekorder - Rekorder 6.1
04. Oliver Huntemann - Fashion Show
05. Oscar - Freak Inside (Gui Boratto remix)
06. Da Fresh feat.Xenia Beliayeva - Blur Vision
07. Fairmont - Gazebo (Anthony Rother remix)
08. Rekorder - Rekorder 6.3
09. Stephan Bodzin & Marc Romboy - The Alchemist
10. Bender - Message

If you're a fan of heavy german electro, then you've got No Excuse: check out Bender's extended set this Sunday - you won't regret it.

Night Vision 1.40

It's that time of the year again: mid-November to mid-December, when you just think you might be able to take a break, start acting responsibly and save a few bucks for the Holidays.

Newsflash: Montreal ain't like that.

Last Week's Wickedness

Friday, Taste III satisfied the senses in all kinds of ways. It wasn't exactly the place to loose the pounds gained while eating that damned good chocolate, but the energy of the live electro acts made for a very good show nonetheless.

Saturday, Maus played her final set at Aria Afterhours, a tag team with her Microzoo buddy Nathan Burns, which was nothing short of fantastic. Maus said her final goodbye to the crowd with music (of course!), concluding the evening with Trentemoller's remix of Djuma Soundsystem's "Les Djinns".

No Excuse at Stereobar was quiet last Sunday night, but Casa Royale faired well upstairs.

Sean Kosa's return to Extend Mondays was a very cool thing to witness. Intimate, as usual, but nevertheless, FancyPhreek impressed, Clifford delivered, and Party Owl got wasted.

Not that many souls at Telephunk last Tuesday, although Nathan Burns delivered the funky, techy goods in ample quantity. Rock on.


News En Vrac

The 8th edition of Mutek will start on Wednesday May 30th, 2007 and end on Sunday June 3rd. A few names we heard thru the branches: Michael Mayer & Gui Boratto.

La Nuit Électronik is set for March 3rd, 2007. We also heard a little something about the line up… but for now, let's just say it looks VERY promising!

Mini will play at Stereo on December 29th for her Audio Hygiene album tour. Bender will start the night.

Happy birthday, X-Cube!


Thursday 23/11

X-Cube's Birthday Party (Pt. 1) takes place at Parking's Overdose night. Mini opens, and the birthday boy closes. A wide range of wild electro is undoubtedly on the menu, much to the expected pleasure of the X-Cubists and DJ-Minimalists who will be attending.

Stereobar's Dirty Thursdays welcome Julian Prince & one of our very favorite beat-molesters: that guy Bender. Watch out, it'll hurt in more ways than one.

Lots of stuff going on, and Mix Thursday ain't helping us keep the list short: Sarcastic. Rcola, Generic, BCs, Mister Fister & our buddy Nathan Burns will keep both rooms hot all night long.

NCV operators Dave O'Brien & Jason "Deliz" Delis take over Kafein once again and yes – you should check'em out sometime!

This month's edition of Mix Session, dubbed Chinamix, proposes an ambitious amalgamation of Chinese and digital culture. More info at mixsessions.sat.qc.ca.

M.A.N.D.Y. & Philgood will wreck havoc at Tribe Hyperclub. Teach that crowd a lesson in good taste, guys!

Saturnin deejays at Circus Afterhours.


Friday 24/11

Academy welcomes the 23rd edition of Soirée Risquée. The mythical number 23 has always been full of mystery, amazement and unexpected twists of fate, just like the music which will explode out of the club's speakers. Ernesto and Vincent Lemieux will be on decks for the evening, while Chic Miniature go on with a live set.


It's also Reset:Breaks at Stereo with none other than the UK's legendary master of breaks Lee Coombs, who will be playing alongside Melon, Poontz & Rhys Taylor.

It's X-Cube birthday (pt.2) at Velvet. Tonight, however, he gets a chance to celebrate proper as Creator will be taking over from 1 'til closing. Word.

It's MontréalBerlinNewYork at SIM Bistro (550 Beaumont), an event which doubles as Pheek's album launch. In fact, he will be playing live for the occasion. Along for this all-night minimal ride set to last 'til 07:30 AM: Butane, Tim Xavier, Baya & Kasteniede. Tickets on sale at Atom Heart for $15, or at the door for $20 (limited capacity).




Saturday 25/11

It's time to get Lazy! Well, maybe not, since you can't help but dance when you feel the vibe at Academy Dancehall's Lazy Days Session. This week, Fred Everything welcomes San Fran's Joshua, AKA DJ Iz, for some sweet groovin' dance music.

Dave O'Brien & Deliz at Blizzarts... Now, seriously, check these guys out. Really!

Well, with just two weeks left to go, Aria still offers some of the best music in town. Miguel Graca & Marco G operate the turntables from 2 to 10.


Sunday 26/11

No Excuse. DJ Bender. All-night. German Electro. Stereobar. 'Nuf said.

Saphir's Beat Me Up night wears its name well: Mary Hell & Mz Sunday Luv want some loud, harsh electro over there, and they've asked Bliss to help them out this week.

Upstairs at Stereo, XL's Casa Royale night welcomes Christian Pronovost & Luc Raymond. Montréal mainstains on a Sunday with a huge sound system… Hope you don't plan to go to work on Monday morning.


Monday 27/11

It's Monday, and it's time to Extend that week-end. Why? Because Italians do it Better! That's right, Yugo & Leo Cruz will be playing some of that loud electro music you love so much at that club you love so much: Academy Dancehall, 4445 St-Laurent.




Tuesday 28/11

MAUS is not only the best DJ in Montréal, but the best DJ in the world, which is nice since she also happens to be my favorite DJ. What is also nice is that she will be playing at Salon Daomé for this week's edition of Telephunk, alongside resident Nathan Burns. Expect some tech, some house, some tech-house, and everything in between.

FYI: If you don't show up I might just take it personally, hunt you down and smack you upside the head. Maus. Err, I mean: word.

Academy Dancehall's Dizzy night welcomes Butane… To quote my collegue Clifford Brown: "Are you fuckin' kidding ?! Butane ?! Wooooooooaaahhhh !!!".


Next Week

December rolls into town as Robert Babicz drops by Parking's Overdose night on Thursday, and Deep Dish's Sharam plays Stereo on Friday. As if that wasn't enough, Electro-Chic returns to La SAT on Saturday.

Until then: Keep the flames of hell on high!

Night Vision 1.39

Singing in the rain? How about dancing in the rain? No?

Don't despair – There are still a few DJs out there who haven't migrated south yet and who will be more than happy to get you hot & dry.

Last Week's Wickedness

Saphir's Mix Thursdays welcomed Leo Cruz & Rhys Taylor as well as Stitch & Omni - both of these tag team sets were well worth the price of admission, and it showed in the smiling faces of the drunken party people in attendance.

On Friday, our Paul Kalkbrenner event took place at Lobby Bar. John G, Clifford Brown & Thomas Von Party provided a perfect warm-up for Paul's spectacular live set... and I do mean to say SPECTACULAR: it was probably the best live set we've seen in the last year, even though Lobby Bar turned out to be a bit sucky for this kind of event.

The main event for the week-end was of course Mark Farina's visit to Stereo, which took place on Friday as well. As soon as he got behind the decks the almost comatose crowd got a serious boost of energy and a massive party got going. Solid mixing and a wicked selection of funky cuts kept people going a long, long time. At Stereobar, Just Jonathan provided a nice (and welcomed) change of pace after the never-ending funk-fest upstairs. Again, happy birthday Stereo.

Saturday, Maus played fantastic tech-house set at Aria, and she got everyone in attendance to shake it on the dance floor. Sadly, the place emptied at six, leaving Miguel Graça with an empty room. Too bad, 'cause this guy's got the skills to pay the bills.

Again, Sunday's No Excuse night couldn't have found a better home than Stereobar, and Bender's all-night set was just perfect. Check this night out if you haven't already.

Academy welcomed Robeat and Philgood for another edition of Extend. The place filled up late, as usual, but those who stayed definitely got their money's worth.

Telephunk residents Soundshaper & Nathan burns rocked Daomé on Tuesday, as they usually do, getting everyone to loose a few pounds on the dance floor along the way.


News En Vrac

Diskho's done it again: Alex & Jeff are bringing Booka Shade to town on March 17th for a live set at Musée Juste Pour Rire. Jeff Grosse himself is also slated to DJ at this next installment of Clinik. Go Diskho!

I Love Neon's new year's eve event line-up has been announced, and they're bringing back a few favorites that Montréal can never seem to get enough of. Tommie Sunshine, Boys Noize & Thomas Von Party headline the event alongside Jordan Dare & Numero.


Thursday 16/11

Jordan "The Prince of Darkness" Dare returns to Parking's Overdose night, where he has been know to repeatedly cause mass hysteria amongst a frenzied crowd. As if that wasn't enough, the NCV's Deliz, AKA Jason Delis, opens with his own very special blend of atypical dance music... and yes - it's gonna be SICK.


Friday 17/11

It's chocolate, it's electro, it's uh… weird? Well that may be, but it worked so well the first two times around that Taste was bound to have a third installment. So, once again it's time to savor the flavor of chocolate to the beat of electronic music.


On the bill this time around: Dandy Wind, Ark, The Mole, Gloomy, Les Cerveaux Lents, Mossa, Les Conques Claquent, Anatone, Motus 3F & visuals by Andrew Gene, Ounaniche & Eric Andrade. It doesn't get much better than this, so eat a light supper and come to La SAT to share in the pleasure of Taste.

Ready for a Discfunktional night? MightyKat's new monthly night Discfunktion begins with a bang at Academy Dancehall, and will feature Chicago's Bryan Jones. Drop by, have a blast!

Eresys' Extension night returns with live sets from Gyges, Kressel, Le Boucher, and appearances by DJs Christian thibault & Marcelo. These guys are likely to set the Café De Lima (6409 St-Hubert) on fire so get there early while the place is still standing.

Vega's celebrating his 30th birthday at Stereobar with his pal Saturnin.


Saturday 18/11

Wondering what Marinelli, Romeo Kardec & Sean Kosa will be doing this Saturday? Well they'll be dropping beats at La Gallerie (130 Bates, in Outremont) for an all-night party that's set to go on 'til 10am.


$6 bucks get you in, and nothing gets you out… well, unless you misbehave.

Maus & Nathan Burns will fix you up with some mad tech & house at Aria - not to be missed!


Sunday 19/11

Stereobar hosts No Excuse with guest Jason Pelletier & resident Sean Kosa. Madness, I tell ya!


Monday 20/11

It's Extend's Birds Edition, featuring Clifford Brown, Fancy Fhreek and - oh yes - RESIDENT Sean Kosa!


Fly motherfuckers, fly!


Tuesday 21/11

Nathan Burns will be at the helm of Telephunk at Salon Daomé for another evening of sweet music in a sweet place with sweet people. Sweet!

Dizzy resident Vincent Lemieux runs the show at Academy Dancehall.


Next Week

Pheek launches his album and X-Cube celebrates his birthday a bunch of times.


Until then: Keep them bodies jackin'!

The nouvelle swagger and cutthroat blogger by hook and dagger.

It's not like I know them or anything. Heck, I didn't even talk to them. Nice to have a beer for free, though, I must say. You' d imagine that out of a crowd of, let's say, 800-1000 yelping fans, more than 100 would have bothered to walk next-door to have a brew with the band when invited over the mic. I guess that's the beauty of the increasingly hype Montreal music scene: the interested and informed party has diplomatic access to whomever they so choose to approach. Musings aside, I got to have a drink at the table of the Rapture this past week, after a wonderful live showing that re-energized my faith in the NYC contingent. Perhaps I'll thank good sense they didn't play too much of the stuff from the new album, but you never know: the new cuts were better live than on the pompously produced album. I'm such a sucker for DFA.......

Speaking of which, replacement DFA posterboys, the UK's Hot Chip slayed it live on Sunday. It was an absolutely unreal testiment to the achievable latitude of modern music, crammed with all the fittings: synth, organic, genre and otherwise. The phrase "Boom Bippity" comes to the edge of my tongue. Jam band sensibilities have finally invaded indie-electronica, thank fuck. By the way, Yes, it's way crazier live (even if the sound at Sala Rossa is atrocious and DJ IpodOnRandom played another nose-dive world-beat set. Who'd o' thunk it!?).

Furthermore, get your taste of the next oscillation of that sound from Fugiya and Miyagi. For more reasons I wish I still lived in England, witness the dukeness: The Filthy Dukes.

Lets's see here, what else is British and outrageously hot right now? Fuckin' Simian Mobile Disco, that's what.

Peace, Jack Oatmon

Night Vision 1.38

The Germans came, the Germans went, and now another German is coming… and this time it's FREE. Yes, I'm taking this opportunity to plug our Paul Kalkbrenner event at Lobby Bar this Friday - but rest assured that it's not all that's going on this week.


Read on, read on, and find out where you will loose your soul this week-end, only to catch it back on the dance floor in a brief moment of lucidity that will be lost in a sea of… well… whatever your poison is.

Last Week's Wickedness

Saturday's No Excuse event at Théâtre Sans-Fil ROCKED big time! Sean Kosa dropped a solid set that got everybody in the right mood for Xenia Beliayeva's efficient live PA. The pièce de résistance was of course provided by Oliver Huntemann, which was nothing short of spectacular, and Stephan Bodzin who's truly shined this time around, injecting no less than 12 new tracks into his set. Bender picked up the ball quite nicely, making us remember that our own local DJs have nothing to envy to their european counterparts. A special mention to John Juster, who just showed up without warning with his sax to play along to "The Sky Was Pink". Definitely one of the top parties this year, so we hope you didn't miss it!

I guess the announced guests must have had pretty good excuses not to show up to the No Excuse weekly's new location at Stereobar on Sunday. Nevertheless, the usual suspects provided us with quite the massive audio damage, which is always a pleasure. Plus, Stereobar actually has a good sound system AND a real dance floor: a big plus compared to Balroom's so-so set up.

On the main, Beat Me Up went on at Saphir with our own Clifford Brown. Good set, but too bad no one showed up to hear it.

On Monday, Extend's Rock Hard edition at Academy welcomed Jordan Dare for what turned out to be a wicked set. Clifford Brown & Carlo Marinelli completed the bill with a tag-team set that left few unconvinced.

Tuesday, Telephunk's launch was a massive success, so congratulations to the Microzoo & Daome folks who have manage to provide the city with another fine weekly rendez-vous.


News En Vrac

Happy birthday to Stereo! The club is celebrating its 8th aniversary this month, which means that the club has a few surprises in store for its Stereoheads. Also, the afterhours venue is now open on Sundays for a new night called Casa Royale, which takes place right after No Excuse, now held downstairs at Stereobar.

Sadly, Loco Dice will not be in town on the 18th, but Microzoo may well still take over Aria for the night. Who knows, apart from The Shadow?


Thursday 09/11

Techno legend Marco Carola drops by Parking's Overdose night. Mini's also on the bill, so expect extra mayhem, madness and chaos.


Omni vs Stich? Yes, for real, and its going down at Saphir's Mix Thursdays. Also on the bill: KC vs Shaw One and Leo Cruz vs Rhys Taylor.

Dave O'Brien & Deliz keep pushing beats at Kafein - watch out!


Friday 10/11

Time for some more shameless self-promotion: Mirrorballs.ca proudly presents Berlin's Paul Kalkbrenner, of BPitch Control fame, LIVE at Lobby Bar (4538 Papineau, at Mont-Royal) for FREE. Limited capacity means get there early! With locals Clifford Brown vs John G & Thomas Von Party.


Deep house legend Mark Farina takes over Stereo for what promises to be an electrifying edition of Move! Max Hebert opens.


Saturday 11/11

It's The 11th day of the 11th month and it's also THE 11th – a party which will have you shake it on the dance floor all night long 'til 7am, WITH BOOZE 'til 3. What? "How can this be?", you say? Well it can be because it's the 11th – you see this mystical number is like seeing double already, so there's no problem in throwing a kick ass party in an intimate setting such as 550 Beaumont (near Querbes, which is near Parc, which is near L'Acadie metro station).


Anton A (aka Neerav), Baya, Euterke, Poison Arrow, FM Radio Gods (live) & Tenzin will keep you DANCING all night, while Euterke, Les Passagers & Defasten, Les Crazy Tapis & Clandestine will take care of the visuals.

Capacity is limited to 160 souls, so hurry and get your ticket in advance at Atom Heart or Psychonaut for $12, or contact baya@sympatico.ca to reserve a $17 spot at the door.

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Maus will be playing at Aria from 2 to 6.

Victor Calderone returns to Stereo for another edition of Evolve. Also on decks: Steve "Bear" Sas.


Sunday 12/11

For its second week at Stereobar, No Excuse will feature its resident Bender & Sean Kosa. Let's just say we trust'em... maybe not with our lives, but at least as far as burning the rubber off of our dancin' shoes.


Monday 13/11

Monday? Monday, you say? Monday is time to Extend the week-end, and doing so implies going to Academy to meet the crew of reckless, out-of-control clubbers who can't get enough... Yeah, that pretty much means us...


On the menu this week: Robeat & Philgood. Drop by for some extra electro-fun.


Tuesday 14/11

Salon Daome (141 Mont-Royal Est) opens it's doors for another deliciously unstable concoction of beats from Nathan Burns & Soundshaper. It's funky, it's minimal, it's house, it's tech, it's Telephunk: lift up the receiver, they'll make you a believer.

Oh yeah - and Dizzy got Mutek's Luci & MightyKat, who definitely know how to work the crowd at Academy. Good times in store, as always.


Next Week

Extension & Taste battle for Friday night!


Until then: Put your hands up for… Montréal!

Celebrating in Stereo

To the rest of the globe Stereo is known for its massive sound system. To us Montrealers, the club's sonic excellence is only one of the numerous reasons to visit the Sainte-Catherine street afterhours club. Yes - the sound remains unequalled in Montréal, but what gets us hooked is the Vibe, with a capital V, which can unite a crowd like no other venue's can.

It's already November which means that Stereo will be celebrating its 8th year with another month-long birthday bash, bringing in big names from all over to rock our city's soul.

Last week, clubbers had the opportunity to hear Desyn Masiello & Junior Vasquez. But Stereo, never content with "too much", keeps upping the ante and pushing the limits…

As proof, this week-end Stereo will keep on celebrating by welcoming San Francisco's house legend Mark Farina on Friday for Move!, also featuring Max Hebert, while on Saturday it will be Victor Calderone's turn to drop by for another edition of Evolve, alongside Steve "Bear" Sas.


Seriously, how can we keep up?

In truth, there is no other club that has gathered such a loyal following in Montréal. Maybe that's how we keep up – because we're all part of the big family of house music, and Stereo is definitely the house that house built.

Peace out, and happy birthday Stereo.

Check out Stereo's website for a full listing of this month's line-up.

Paul Kalkbrenner Live... and Free

Okay, I won't lie. It will be a CRAZY party. Paul Kalkbrenner for free, in an intimate setting ? You gotta be kidding me. But no, fuck no. It's for real. And it's going down.

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Paul Kalkbrenner is from Berlin, Germany.  He currently releases his productions on Ellen Allien's label, BPitch Control, his latest outing is called "Reworks", and is a collection of remixes of his own tracks by the likes of the Wighnomy Brothers, Sascha Funke, Agoria, Ellen Allien & Apparat, Joris Voorn, Alexander Kowalski, Modeselektor, and Michael Mayer.

He has released three studio albums prior to that, namely Superimpose and Zeit in 2001 and Self in 2004.  Here's what he has to say about his live sets, according to an interview he has given to Paris' Rex Club, where he will play on Nov. 23rd : "When I play live, I give everything I have.  There you go : boom !".

His only stop in Montreal (out of two appearances in North America) will take place at Lobby Bar, on Nov. 10th, where he will perform a live set.  Opening for him, Clifford Brown & JohnG will do a death match tag team, and curly angel Thomas Von Party will close the night with a bang.

Kalkbrenner begins early, around 12:30, so don't sleep on this one.  Lobby Bar also has a very limited capacity so that's one more reason why you should be there early.

Nov. 10th, Lobby Bar Lounge, 4538 Papineau, corner of Mont-Royal, next to La Tulipe.

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Paul Kalkbrenner est originaire de Berlin, en Allemagne.  Ses productions sont lancées par l'étiquette d'Ellen Allien, BPitch Control, sa dernière galette s'intitule "Reworks", et est une collection de remixes de ses propres pièces par des gens comme les Wighnomy Brothers, Sascha Funke, Agoria, Ellen Allien & Apparat, Joris Voorn, Alexander Kowalski, Modeselektor, et Michael Mayer.

Il a précédemment sorti trois albums studio, Superimpose et Zeit en 2001, et Self en 2004.  Selon une entrevue accordée au Rex Club de Paris, où il se produira le 23 novembre, ses prestations sont explosives : "Quand je joue en live, je donne tout.  Voilà, boom !".

Son seul arrêt à Montréal (parmi ses quatre seules apparitions en Amérique du Nord) sera au Lobby Bar, le 10 novembre, où il nous offrira un live.  Clifford Brown & JohnG ouvriront pour lui, avec un tag team dangereusement exécuté, et l'ange frisé (et cornu) Thomas Von Party terminera la soirée dans le chaos.

Kalkbrenner commence tôt, autour de minuit et demie, et le Lobby Bar a une capacité plutôt limitée, raisons faisant qu'on vous conseille d'arriver tôt !

10 Nov., Lobby Bar Lounge, 4538 Papineau, coin Mont-Royal, juste à côté de La Tulipe.

Night Vision 1.37

Co-written with Bruce Benson.

Interesting that things start to get real cold weather-wise, and that musically it follows... Most notably with a case of cold, hard-hitting German techno coming to our shores. The main event this week is, of course, the No Excuse showcase going down at Théâtre Sans Fil on Saturday, featuring Stephan Bodzin, Oliver Huntemann, Xenia Beliayeva and locals Bender & Sean Kosa.


To see all these names reunited on the same bill sounds like a bad case of "dreamawake", but I assure you that everything is real, and to confirm it, there's only one thing I can suggest : ATTEND.

Last Week's Wickedness

The word was on everybody's lips : Trentemoller ! The 5th floor of Musée Juste Pour Rire is a gorgeous lofty space with huge windows, and the view on Hôtel Godin was breathtaking. We got there on time for Maus' set and it was as bumping as a car with no suspension on a Montreal street. When the Danish wonderboy took the stage with his pal DJ T.O.M., the audience was ready to kill, but nobody got hurt except them ! It was maddening to hear all these anthems back to back with skinny little fists in the air, liquids flying, and the crowd frenzied awright. Mateo Murphy got the intensity level down a notch, but his set nonetheless ended the night on a bright note. Aside from minor problems at the coatcheck, we had a blast !

Lee Burridge's appearance at Stereo turned out to be a bore: even though every single song he played was good, his mixing couldn't have been more flat. He kept on going on the same beat for hours on end, pushing the limits of Stereo's soundsystem until all that was heard was a very distorded torrent of bass.

Here's the low-down on Sneaky: Silky Sins made a strong impression and threw one of the year's best party at the new HAWT place in town - Théâtre Sans-Fil, if you haven't checked it out yet, has renewed my faith in partying. Musically, everybody rocked the caserne, but Bender's still getting the extra star on his report card for his massively devastating closing set. Kudos to the after-party crew who kept us burning fat late in the day.

Sad thing that not too many people showed up for Plastique de Rêve's appearance at Extend. He didn't seem to let the lack of crowd get to him, and offered us a brilliant electro-acid set. The tag team with JohnG at the and was very enjoyable, and it closed yet another fine night at Academy.

Telephunk rocked the free world last Tuesday, with guest Christian Thibault electrifying Halloween crowd at Salon Daome. Count me in next week for the night's official launch!

Sander Kleinenberg's set last night was good, and we finally found out what Hyperclubbing is all about: it's about being hyper-packed in a hyper-hot place where drinks are hyper-expensive and coat check is hyper-costy. At least we know we won't be wasting our time checking out MANDY over there, well unless we suddenly turn into goldenboys looking for girls with price tags on their asses.


News En Vrac

Bpitch superstar Paul Kalkbrenner will also be in town on Nov. 10th, unleashing a fury of melodic sounds on an unsuspecting audience, at Lobby Bar, with some friendly locals opening : Clifford Brown, JohnG and Thomas Von Party.



Word !


Friday 03/11


Éloi Brunelle and The Autist' new night, "Groove Mechanics", debuts at Stereobar. Expect their usual skillfully blended house magic all night.



The Joyride, at Tokyo Bar, still takes place - at least we hope. Hipsters, fashionistas, the golden youth and the old wolves all have a serious rendez-vous with the night. Jordan Dare resides.

All kinds of mayhem make this city great, and that's just why Good Citizens Have to Hit the Dance Floor. Yes, it's time for something else at L'Alizé: Stalker, Snork, SeismoLogick, DocFunk, In your face & JahStyle. Party on!


Saturday 04/11

You truly have NO EXCUSE to miss No Excuse's event at Théâtre Sans Fil, as we keep saying. Kosa opens, Beliayeva does a live set, Huntemann & Bodzin play 3 hours each (in that order) and then Bender closes from 8 to... ? All the apocalyptic soundscapes you've ever dreamed of will be skillfully layered right before your very ears...

At Lobby Bar, the "Party de l'autre côté du miroir" takes place, featuring a cocktailed Clifford Brown opening for happy hour (9 to 11) and then Fancy Fhreek and Deebacc taking turns at spinning house & electro. All for free !

Don't feel like heading east to Théâtre Sans-fil? Maus & Nathan Burns will rock the house big time at Aria!


Sunday 05/11

The first official No Excuse at Stereobar rages on ! Bender & Sean Kosa get to start anew, and who knows what you can expect guest-wise ?!?!


Hot Chip are in town and if we judge from what we've seen the last time, and the fame they've started to get after that, it looks like it will be a sweet place to be ! See for yourself how small that singer really is - at La Sala Rossa.



Saphir's Beat me Up continues yet another bloody chapter : Mary Hell & Sunday Luv will be visited by scenester extraordinaire Clifford Brown, your humble servant. Expect sonic violence and sweet physical love...


Monday 06/11



Where can you get to rock out with your cock out at the beginning of a cold November week but at Academy Dancehall, where Extend proposes yet another very interesting guest : Jordan Dare ! It's the ROCK HARD edition and to celebrate the occasion we'll get drunker than drunk with all those of you who *dare* show up. Get it ?


Tuesday 07/11

Lying in wait like a tiger in Africa, Telephunk is finally ready to pounce and catch its clubbing prey, as the night's official launch party will be taking place at Salon Daome (141 Mont-Royal Est).


Starting at 7PM, everybody is invited to share a beat-augmented cocktail & sushi meal, and the party will of course keep going 'til 3 with residents Nathan Burns & Soundshaper and guests Yaz, Maus & Ernesto. The night will be hosted by Franck B, and entry will be free before 10PM. Needless to say this is the best occasion to discover one of Montréal's best kept secrets!

Not too far, at Academy, Dizzy receives Barcelona's Philip Sherburne, a dude our lovely collaborator La Gazelle has interviewed. Mightykat opens, of course !


Next Week

Paul Kalkbrenner's in town. Marco Carola plays Parking. So you can pretty much scream out loud : "TECHNO IS NOT DEAD" !


Until next week: keep revolving on your head while mumbling stuff in hebrew...

It's a writer, it's a DJ, it's Philip Sherburne!

A prolific writer, Music critic and DJ, Barcelona based Philip Sherburne is best known for his Wire Magazine column “ Critical Beats” as well as his “Month in Techno” column for the super hot website Pitchfork. Philip is also a regular contributor to print and online publications of URGE.com, XLR8R, and more. As a DJ, Philip gravitates towards slinky, hyperkinetic minimal house and techno. He's played in New York, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Austin, Montreal, Berlin, Chile and Mexico; in Barcelona he’s a regular guest at clubs like the Moog, Raum and Lolita.

I understand that you are based in Barcelona. Is that where you are from (born and raised)? How did you come to settle in Barcelona and what is its best feature - generally and for electronic music?

What should be a simple question is actually a little complicated. I'm currently based in BCN, though for the last couple of months I have been in Portland, Oregon (where I was born and raised) while my mom recovers from an injury, and I may be relocating to the US in the near future, for family and professional reasons. But yeah, I chose Barcelona largely for its techno scene -- not to mention the architecture, the beaches, the weather, and the pace of life there.

You are both a DJ and music critic/journalist. Which of these hats did you wear first? How did you get your start in each? And how long have you been DJing and writing?

I probably started doing both around the same time - '97 - but I was "established" as a writer long before I began to be as a DJ (and was a fairly proficient music critic for years while I was probably pretty crap as a DJ). I started writing about music, largely on Internet newsgroups and for webzines, because I was bored in graduate school (where I studied literature) and I was starting to get really interested in experimental and electronic music after a long period of being bored with rock. (Man, I sound like I was really bored!) I started DJing, or at least tried to, because I was buying all these weird records and it seemed like that's what you were supposed to do with them. But living in places with little club culture, I rarely actually saw people spin records, and besides that I started out on weirder genres, non-4/4 stuff, so I took a really circuitous route to actually playing house and techno. I probably started attempting to DJ seriously a few years back in San Francisco, and in the last two years, perhaps, I've become pretty pleased with it all. My hands sure don't shake like they used to.

What goes around comes around is what they say. Do you agree with the critiques, if any that you have received on your sets? What do you do with that info?

Uh oh, what critiques! Actually I haven't heard very many; I remember that a few years ago Mike Shannon mentioned that a mix CD I had done was a little too all-over-the-place for his tastes, and he was probably right. I was still learning then... am still learning now! If people dance, I'm happy. They usually seem to...

You must have had the opportunity to speak with some pretty outstanding Electronic Music figures in you career. Which conversation / interview / meeting stands out the most and why?

Oddly, I just met Kronos Quartet in the lobby of the hotel where I'm staying in Providence, and I felt like a blushing fan more than I've felt in years. I'd say that the standout recent interview was probably with Ricardo Villalobos in Berlin. In part it's because he gives so few interviews; in part because I think he's misrepresented in the media, and so to have the chance to sit down in his studio for a couple of hours and really get him talking felt pretty special. He's a really intelligent, articulate guy with an incredible musical brain; you can't say that about everyone.

Speaking in Code a film by sQuare Productions, is documentary that follows a global cast of underground electronic music writers, DJs, producers, and label heads as they survive and thrive in the digital age. What is your role in this project?

Officially, co-producer and character "co-producer" really means adviser or consultant, I'd say.

What are some of the issues discussed?

Mm.... community, aesthetics, globalization, electronic music's bizarrely bad reputation in the US, underground, overground, middleground, technology, raving, making records...

And your hopes for its reception by the public?

Obviously, I hope they love it, make the director very rich and all of us really famous--plus decide that they really do love house and techno and make dance music bigger in the US than hip-hop, rock, and country combined.

Who are some of your favorite albums for 2006?

-The Knife, "Silent Shout"

-Various, "Superlongevity 4"

-Ellen Allien & Apparat, "Orchestra of Bubbles"

-Root 70, "Heaps Dub"

What do you have coming up on both the musical and literary sides – any productions?

As for the writing, I'm always doing too much of it, and somehow never enough! And re: productions, I've been starting to make music over the last couple of years, but all of that will remain deeply secret until the day I decide that it doesn't suck, which won't be any day soon. Or maybe it will, but as I plan not to use my own name, you'll never know... :)

Tell us 3 little known facts about yourself?

-I grew up playing piano, alto sax, clarinet, alto clarinet, guitar, and synthesizers

-I dropped out of grad school--or at least took an indefinite "leave of absence" eight years ago

-I was briefly the face of Norelco electric razors

Why do you love what you do?

Getting paid to spend all my time listening to music? You gotta be kidding me!

Philip will be spinning at Academy Club , 4445 St Laurent blvd at DIZZY on Tuesday November 7th, from 10pm - 3am. Cover 6$.

Night Evasion

Hey folks !

Due to circumstances beyond our control (i.e. mid-semester hell, and a strong-ass cold) the Night Vision advice column will be posted on Friday this week. Meaning... tomorrow.

Why do something today when you can do it tomorrow ?

In the meantime, here's the lowdown for tonight :

-Plastique de Rêve & Kap Bambino are Mini's guests at Parking's Overdose. Judging by the massive and ecclectic set that Mr. Daze offered us on Monday at Academy, he'll fuckin' rock the house ! Be there or be square.



-There's been a last minute surprise announced by the Neon crew : The Rapture & The Presets being in town, they'll throw a surprise aftershow party at S.A.T. !! If you have a ticket stub from the show, it will cost you 5$, and if you don't, it's 10$. It's one of those rare last minute occasions where you're all like... err... Matt Safer ?! Jordan Dare is also on the bill and it'll probably be madness too !

-Another edition of Headz Up ! takes place at Academy Dancehall. It will feature top notch house from Don Barbarino, Michael Terzian and Miles Moore.

-Sander Kleinenberg is the first German to lay feet in this column this week. He won't be the last. He plays Myst Lounge, which is now called, if I'm not mistaken, Tribe Hyperclub.

-It's a D n B extravaganza at Saphir's Mix Thursdays : "Rinse Out", a special event, will feature the Hardsteppers, Corey K, Krinjah & Mayday. Booze-fuelled party animals be warned.

That's it folks. But that's not all !

In the "so good we can't wait til tomorrow to announce it", we're throwing a big party at Lobby Bar on Nov. 10th that will feature a Clifford Brown / JohnG tag team, Thomas Von Party and fuckin' Paul Kalkbrenner live ! That's right, the guy who just released "Reworks" on BPitch Control, Ellen Allien's label, is getting out of Berlin and touring the world, and he'll stop by Montreal to have fun with us !

Until then, keep the buns tight !