Night Vision 2.06

Let's hope it's not just a fad and that winter's really going away. I know, there will be more snow, and more cold nights, but the return of RAIN planned for next week, and the imminent arrival of several high-profile nightlife legends on our horizon both promise good times.

It's time to cram your agenda with the biggest amount of parties possible, time to beg your mom for that advance Christmas gift to buy more booze, and time to wonder what the hell it is you're doing on this unknown couch at 10 PM on a Wednesday morning, caked in your own vomit and feeling like your head has been savagely ripped from your body.

But let's begin with the basics, if you please.


*News en Vrac*

Should we skip this section this week ?

We've got nothing to declare except that it's wonderful to be alive.


*22/02*

On the borders of Outremont, Brasserie Helm offers you a very interesting menu of food, home brewed beer & tech-house, with Jeff Fontaine on the decks from 8 to 11. Free for the ladies, free for the boys as well.



The Mix Thursdays keep rockin' with, this week, a pretty nice program : Bassochist, Doc Funk, Pinky 38 & techno legend Mateo Murphy will rock the decks with a special breaks set ! At Saphir, of course.

Our pick ? A good old Overdose staple @ Parking : the "prince of darkness" himself, Jordan Dare, takes over the decks and it means that you either break or dance. Or both. With the cheapest drinks in town, this one's hard to resist !


*23/02*

Stereobar offers us one more goodie : Caroussel, a monthly held by Saturnin & Vega.

It's Centre Fractal's first anniversary, and there's a good reason to celebrate : this complex has been steadily offering quality all-night events, countless raves, and memorable parties ! To mark the occasion a bunch of regular faces will rock the decks, among which Galaksy, Omni, Sarcastic & Iznogood.



Mateo Murphy again ? Yes daddy ! This time around, he'll drop some sweet electro in the Old Port, at Velvet, for another fine X-Cube organised shinding. Big up to the whole Rave Montreal crew !



If you happen to be in Ottawa - or live there - I'll be appearing at Freehouse for Jason Pelletier's Techcetera monthly. Jas Nasty opens, and madness shall begin pretty early ! No cover, so no excuse, right ?


*24/02*

If you happen to like mental parties, the I Love Neon 8th anniversary takes place at Fonderie Darling and proposes you Thomas Von Party, Jordan Dare live and a good-old extended set by Tiga.



Things continue to look good at Mile End Bar, where Panorama strengthens its place in the club with a Bender Vs Laflèche tag team.

At Centre Fractal, an all-night event we could label as a "rave" takes place. Called Sysmyk Storm, it will feature two rooms and the music of, among others, minimal queen Axel Klein and London UK's very own Serious Porn Collector.


*25/02*

Cherry Cola returns to Saphir for the Beat me Up weekly.

It's a sad moment but it's only for the best : the No Excuse weekly pulls one last punch in your face before going to sleep for good. Things are just evolving, and the crew decided that it was best to concentrate their energy on the Panorama weekly. So they're throwing a last extravaganza, featuring a duo of quality tag teams : opening will be Marinelli Vs Clifford Brown, and the main battle will feature Bender Vs Vega. Come on over for a few drinks - I know I will !


*26/02*

Freddie Wilde returns to Alizé for the "DJ d'un soir" night. Weeknight clubbing for those who slept all week-end...


*27/02*

Mightykat & Vincent Lemieux share the Academy's decks all night at Dizzy.

Maus & Nathan Burns offer up their monthly duo of tech-funk at Salon Daomé, for the Telephunk weekly.


*Next week*

UQAM takes a week off ! Students are looking to get laid ! Water Lilly comes to town to play live ! James Holden & DJ Koze stay up all night !

Until then, shake what you've got left until it pops !

A Few Great Souvenirs From Past Neons

Eight years. It's very long. Eight years is a pretty long prison conviction. In the life of a teenager, it is what takes him from a rebellious & pimple-infested high school stay to the maturity of choosing a carreer and growing up. On a local music scene, 8 years is some kind of proof that things, after all, must be good to last so long. And things are good for Mark, John & Justin. Things are, in fact, pretty fuckin' good.



This coming Saturday, at Fonderie Darling, the Neon boys are celebrating eight long years of hard work, parties & friends. Their presence on the scene has always been felt - sometimes discreetly, and sometimes massively. For the occasion, I decided to share some vague souvenirs from the past Neon parties I have attended, parties that were always impressive & unforgettable. Geez, I'm gettin' old.

Sometime in 2001, I was entering the old S.A.T. for the first time ever, excited as hell to see an unknown guy named Vitalic. Back then, the complex was located in an old bank building next to Sona, on Ste-Catherine, in front of the Spectrum. Just across the street from the "Vieille 300", in fact. We would always go there to drink cheap Labatt, and as soon as the line-up would start moving, we'd cross the street in a hurry and get in.

Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Miss Kittin & the Hacker would be in town, just in time for another I Love Neon party. The buzz was just picking up back then, but the French duo packed the S.A.T. and it was pure madness; the unisex bathrooms contained 4 or 6 stalls - I honestly can't remember - and were located in the basement, but the line-up to get to them was impossibly long and spiraled to the dancefloor. Getting a beer was equally painful, and my usual tactic of going outside to pee in the parking lot didn't work - if we left, we weren't allowed back in.



I have nice memories of the following Neon parties, but the vodka / Gurus ingested over the years tend to blur them all together. I still have a promo CD somewhere of the infamous Jori Hulkkonen (as Zyntherius) Vs Tiga tag team recorded live @ I Love Neon 3. When DMX Krew's "Seedy Films" was dropped, nothing else mattered. The Gigolo recording artists Crossover couple was also on the premises, and we all warmly remember the breath taking beauty of Vanessa Tosti.

The fourth I Love Neon, featuring FPU live, also showcased two local newcomers who, at the time, at least to me, seemed only like a fast-passing fad : Chromeo. How wrong was I. No more than a couple months after being initiated to their funky electro-pop, I was dropping the Playgroup remix of "You're so Gangsta" like crazy everywhere I played.

Do you think that the antics were limited to clubs ? Fuck no. At a St-Laurent street sale, during the summer of 2002, I had the pleasure of hearing DJ Unknown for the first time, right there on the corner of Prince-Arthur, as well as a kick-ass set by Jordan Dare.



I have fond memories of the 6th I Love Neon party because the location changed : it was held at Usine C, and it was a classic one : Ivan Smagghe & Arnaud Rebotini of Black Strobe were both DJ'ing; Tiga dropped several very damaging bombs, including Tomcraft's "Loneliness", a song I had never dared playing even though I owned the vinyl; Thomas Von Party was manipulating his infamous puppet on giant screens hanging above the dancefloor, and we even heard a performance by Evening, a short-lived electro-hip hop act comprised of the Kosa brothers and... Jordan Dare. Kosa and Dare were also opening, on Sept. 26 of 2003, at Mile End Bar, for a new monthly called Pastel that was launched with a bangin' set by Toronto's Kenny Glasgow. Too bad there were no further editions.



On December 31st of 2003, a new tradition emerged : the New Year's Eve Neons. This one, called Neon Loves NY, featured Nite Dog, DJ Unknown and Metro Area's very own Morgan Geist, who began his set with his hit 24K. Towards the end, Jordan dropped the Switch remix of Audio Bully's "Way Too Long", and that's the last thing I can remember.



Testing the limits of cool, in March of 2004 a party called "Pleasure From the Bass", riding on the buzz created by Tiga's new track, took place at Gravity. Tiga played with Ivan Smagghe all night, and it was one hell of a good time. A new wave of "secret" Neon parties emerged from then. Since I wasn't part of the TGV (Thank God I'm a VIP) crew back then I wasn't aware of every event, but I fondly remember hearing Tiga & Jesper Dahlback at Main Hall with about 200 lucky frenetic dancers for a very acidic evening. There was a sign at the door : "No guest list - even John & Justin paid to get in".

That summer, Piknic did a Turbo day where everything was perfectly put in place : the sun, Mateo Murphy's old school acid set, Jordan Dare's big bad beats, and Tiga's touch towards the end, as the sun was setting down.



The years went by but the quality level of the Neon guests always stayed the same : at the 2004 NYE party at the new S.A.T., the one we now call home, the Neon Loves Berlin party welcomed Highfish & Steve Bug. It would be in March of '05 that I would be the most impressed : on the 27th, after Headman wasn't able to come & play at the party, it was Mylo who replaced him. Even though he wasn't very tight when starting his set, his selection was top notch and things only went uphill when brothers Ali & Sebastian Schwarz started dropping their intense minimal tech-house on the unsuspecting audience. I didn't feel great that night but I couldn't leave the dancefloor as it was way too good. That night, my 928 refused to start and I had to walk home freezing my ass. Since it was parked in the bus lane of René-Lévesque, I had to pick it up before 8 AM a few hours of sleep later.



Summer came & went, and for the Labor Day week-end of '05, the Neon crew tried something new. Some kind of festival. There was a TGV party on Sept. 2nd, a Neon BBQ at Café des Éclusiers on Sept. 3rd, where M.A.N.D.Y.'s Philipp Jung, co-founder of Germany's Get Physical imprint, played some deep & groovy music - too low - during an enchanting afternoon. And on Sept. 4th, at Dôme, Vive la Fête was playing live with a Tiga extended set. Demented is all I can say. And the after-party, downstairs at Gravity, featured Mateo Murphy, Romeo Kardec & the Rapture's Matt Safer. Mental.

All of you probably know about the rest : the '05 Halloween Neon with Water Lilly, Plastique de Rêve & DJ T; The Juan MacLean & LCD Soundsystem show in November, where watching Von Party dance nearby to Tiga's "You Gonna Want Me" was as unreal as watching the song's video; the '05 NYE Neon Loves Paris with Digitalism & Alex Gopher; the monthly Voyeur launch with Tommie Sunshine where I got so blinded by booze that I couldn't see where I was going anymore...



The list goes on forever. It's been an electro fan's wet dream lately to have events like Neon's ones in a town near you, and we're pretty lucky to be in the city where it all happens. This coming 8th anniversary probably won't be the last and the next parties will be massive, if you ask me. Just don't sleep over this one.

*

It all happens at Fonderie Darling, this coming Saturday Feb. 24th, where Thomas Von Party opens, Jordan Dare plays live & Tiga finishes you off with one of his signature extended sets.

Jeff Grosse's February 2007 Chart

This Sunday, Jeff Grosse returns to Stereobar's No Excuse night to present us with his latest thumping tech-house selection.


Already having made an impression during his last two visits to No Excuse, Jeff Grosse's appearances at Stereobar are fast becoming an anticipated bi-monthly event.

As part of Diskho, Jeff has been promoting events focused on bringing avant-garde dance music artists to Montreal. Audion, John Dahlbäck, John Tejada & Trentemoller have all appeared at Diskho events in 2006, and Diskho's plans for the future are just as promising. Their next happenings will feature Booka Shade (March 17th) and Jesse Rose (May 19th). Hi-Tek, a new night at Stereo, is also in the works for 2007.


Jeff Grosse's February 2007 Chart

01. Jacob London - Nao Obrigado
02. Kane Roth - Cooling
03. Heckmann/Kauffelt - Espectaculo
04. Depeche Mode - Sinner In Me (Villalobos Conclave Mix)
05. SLG - Caffeine
06. Radioslave - Secret Base
07. Elektrochemie - Mucky Star
08. Mastiksoul - This Is Obag
09. Heckmann/Kauffelt - Stylophonics
10. Samantha James – Rise (King Kooba Fidget & Glitch Mix)

No Excuse resident DJ Bender will provide additional earth-shaking rhythms to the Sunday night eternals who will, as usual, defy the cold weather to warm up on the dance floor.

Those wishing to keep on partying will be happy to know that XL will share the decks with Robert De La… Gauthier at Stereo's Casa Royale afterhours weekly.

You can read our profile and interview with Jeff Grosse here.

Night Vision 2.05

After a week off due to stress, babies being born, dead ducks and flames the size of skyscrapers, we're back on track to tell you where it's at, yo ! We thought that the fabric of the sky was crackin', but it was just some goddamn snow falling. Never seemingly stopping.

So on your way out, grab a shovel, and don't forget everything you need to have a good time out : money for booze, guest lists, warm clothes, condoms, drugs, and fresh breath mints.


*News en vrac*

The "vrac" will lie again this week, folks. We just learned that Claude Vonstroke will be in town in June, for an event you're probably familiar with by now.

Also just picked up my copy of the Mirror weekly to learn that the Neon guys are kinda going crazy with the bookings : to celebrate their 8th anniversary in style, on top of the Feb. 24th party @ Fonderie Darling, they're also announcing the two upcoming Voyeurs (March 10th with a guest TBC, and April 14th with Tommie Sunshine); a Thomas Von Party party (!) with Digitalism live on March 22nd; Soulwax & 2manyDJs back again on April 19th; and finally LCD Soundsystem's Montreal stop during their "Sound of Silver" world tour @ Spectrum on May 9th. That's what I call BIG.



And this ain't news, but those of you who missed the crazy-ass Voyeur party last Saturday are unlucky fellas; despite the line-up extending to Club Soda, the 30 minutes wait at the coat check, the 20 minutes wait at the bar, and having to dodge dozens of horny chicks on the way to the dancefloor, that was an epic night. Jordan Dare's set began like a hurricane and ended like a flood over the sweaty dancers, and MSTRKRFT played bombs from 1:30 to 3:50, making the stage collapse at one point, and generally making everybody look really surprised that the party was this good. A classic !


*15/02*

The rage is on : Bpitch Control's star Kiki comes directly from Berlin to rock the Parking's dancefloor at Mini's Overdose. The guy can sing, he can mix, and he can produce, and on top of that he looks quite good. Germanophily !

At a new joint called Brasserie Helm, located at 273 Bernard West in Outremont, a new weekly, conducted by the fine folks at Noctambules, launches. Five guys will share the decks for the occasion : Jeff Fontaine, Arsen, FancyFhreek, Marinelli & me. It goes down from 8 to 1, it's free, and it's deliciously groovy.



At Saphir's Mix Thursdays, heavyweights will battle for the ghetto booties : Hectic, Sarcastic & Ghislain Poirier will give you your money's worth of massive beats !


*16/02*

The big bash will take place at Academy, where Mightykat's monthly Diskfunction features Perlon's protégés Junction SM, comprised of Dandy Jack & Sonja Moonear, a Chili / Swiss virtual duo. Mightykat opens, and you can expect a hectic collision of glitches & dancy beats aimed at your brain... and feet.



Over at 1445 Bishop, the Loose Joints weekly welcomes veteran and overall good guy Philgood. The flyer gets my vote for dopest of the week, y'all !



And last but not least, it's the long-awaited return of the Tistik parties ! This time around, it's going on at S.A.T., and our pals Vega & The Autist have invited the ass-kickin' minimalist Ben Parris, whose tech-house will rock the floor, and local Mossa.


*17/02*

At Mile End Bar, Panorama keeps on rockin' a formerly very "gino" room with tight packed beats and Bender's masterful mixing technique. This weeks his guest is the scratchin', tuque-wearin' Arsen.

At Théâtre Sans Fil, SUGR promises to pack some punch and kick your eyes out of their sockets, with a solid line-up and a wonderful venue. See the article just below this one for more details.

At Blizzarts, Sean Kosa officially celebrates his birthday crazy-stylee and Jordan Dare will rock out the decks. Get them drinks, and pat them on the back.



If you like to stay up late and away from Hochelaga, Stereo has something for you too : Heather & Fred Everything are teaming up to offer you the best soulful house there is ! It's gonna be a sauna in there...


*18/02*

At Saphir's Beat me Up, it's time for the Nu Ravers on the Block to shine behind the decks ! Of course, our lovely residents & hosts Mz Sunday Luv & Mary Hell will make sure you always have a drink handy ! Bleedin' ears !

It's the return of prodigal bostonese Jeff Grosse, half of DiskHo and 100% in control, at No Excuse. Bender & him will share the decks for what promises to be another BPM-filled maddening evening !


*20/02*

Dizzy @ Academy is still going strong, and welcomes Eddy Jasmin this week.

Telephunk @ Daomé will be greeted by some pretty tasty visit, as Sean Kosa & Romeo Kardec will blow the roof off the Salon. Make sure to wear your favorite viking helmet and wish the boys a happy birthday !


*Next week*

Mateo Murphy pays a visit to Velvet ! The I Love Neon parties return @ Fonderie Darling ! It's an all-out war behind the decks @ No Excuse !


Until then, keep hope alive !

Pour some SUGR on me

Ce samedi au Théâtre Sans Fil, une belle brochette de DJ's vous attend pour une aventure musicale qui vous proposera sans doute des sonorités capables de faire plaisir à toutes les oreilles : SUGR !



Plutôt que de vous proposer l'habituelle enflure hyperbolique typique aux écrits concernant le nightlife, nous avons décidé de laisser cinq des DJ's qui seront présents sur place s'exprimer en leur posant cinq questions. Ils ont aussi inclu un petit top 5 pour donner une idée de leur style respectif aux non-initiés.

Rave on !

*Sorry if you can't read french : it will still be a kick-ass party !!*


Axel Klein
(www.axelklein.com)



Axel Klein est un jeune homme qui aime bien le renouveau. Ayant commencé sa carrière en jouant du trance, il bifurqua vers le funky house & l'électro quelques temps en 2005 pour de nos jours se concentrer sur le minimal. Il peut régulièrement être entendu dans de multiples raves, tentant de son mieux d'initier les oreilles de notre belle jeunesse à ses sonorités texturées.


- Les raves sont de retour ! Comment expliquer cette soudaine reprise de leur popularité ?

Je crois sans doute que c'est grâce à un retour des promoteurs sérieux qui recherchent la qualité plutôt que de faire à tout prix de l'argent. Il y a par exemple Ravedave, qui organise plusieurs raves depuis l'année passée; il connaît des hauts et des bas, mais il se donne de tout coeur à la réussite de la fête pour les gens présents, et a toujours offert des soirées de qualité. Il y a aussi les soirées IDJ qui remportent un certain succès, et la suite de No Excuse sera sûrement une réussite assurée, comme la soirée de l'année dernière.


- Le public général semble se désintéresser progressivement de la scène électronique, et parallèlement il y a de plus en plus de DJs... Vers quoi, dans ces circonstances, s'en va 2007 ?

Il n'y a plus la magie d'antan en ce qui concerne l'occupation de DJ. L'avènement de la technologie à bas prix offre aux fans de musique la possibilité de s'acheter des CDJs, et d'ensuite aller sur Beatport ou autres pour acheter des MP3 à prix modiques. En même temps, la musique électronique n'a pas la même visibilité qu'en Europe, alors beaucoup moins de gens peuvent être touchés par la house, la techno ou l'électro. Cependant, on peut voir un clip de MSTRKRFT à Musique Plus, ce qui pourrait ouvrir les yeux à certains.


- Il y a de plus en plus de DJs qui produisent. Est-ce selon vous une étape nécessaire si l'on compte durer ?

D'après moi, c'est davantage un étape nécessaire si l'on cherche à percer au niveau international. Par exemple, mon ami Gabriel Batz ne mixe pratiquement jamais ici, mais il mixe en Amérique du Sud, à Miami, etc... Il produit sur les deux plus gros labels trance du monde. Et... ça n'est pas parce qu'on produit qu'on dure, car ça n'est pas tout le monde qui a le même talent et le temps requis pour s'impliquer dans l'apprentissage. Sur le plan local, je ne crois pas vraiment que la production soit importante, mais si vous voulez percer, elle l'est.


- En 2007, une fête comme la St-Valentin a-t-elle encore un sens pour vous ?

Elle n'a jamais eu de sens pour moi, car pouquoi acheter des cadeaux à ma copine cette journée-là quand je peux le faire n'importe quel autre jour ? Point final.


- À quoi peut s'attendre le public de SUGR de votre part ?

À de l'émotion, de l'obscurité et de l'envoûtement.

Top 5:
1 - Radio Slave - Screaming Hands [Rekids]
2 - Matt O'Brien - Serotone (Radio Slave Remix) [Rekids]
3 - Steve Bug - Dry [Poker Flat]
4 - Chelonis R. Jones - Deer In The Headlights (Radio Slave Remix) [Get Physical]
5 - Delete - Key-Wees [Safari Electronique]


Mini
(www.djmini.com)



Souvent qualifiée de "reine du nightlife de Montréal", Mini a elle aussi commencé jeune sa révolution. Depuis quelques années à la barre de l'immensément populaire soirée OVERDOSE, ayant lieu tous les jeudis au Parking, elle partage son système de son avec les plus grands noms de la planète lorsqu'ils sont de passage en ville, et viens de sortir un excellent premier album, AUDIO HYGIENE.


- Les raves sont de retour ! Comment expliquer cette soudaine reprise de leur popularité ?

Les after-hours ont repris force il y a quelques années, mais je crois que les gens ont besoin de quelque chose de frais, de changement, et les after-hours sont plutôt commerciaux... donc la demande revient pour des fêtes plus underground. Quelques espaces sont maintenant prêts à les accueillir, comme le Centre Fractal, donc ça permet aux gens d'organiser de nouveaux raves. Un bon retour aux sources !


- Le public général semble se désintéresser progressivement de la scène électronique, et parallèlement il y a de plus en plus de DJs... Vers quoi, dans ces circonstances, s'en va 2007 ?

Les courant viennent et repartent, et ces jours-ci le courant fort est l'indie, mais je suis confiante que le vent tournera, il y a de plus en plus d'excellentes compositions de la part de nos producteurs de musique electronique, et selon moi l'intérêt reviendra...


- Il y a de plus en plus de DJs qui produisent. Est-ce selon vous une étape nécessaire si l'on compte durer ?

Je crois que oui, comme tu disais plus haut, il y a de plus en plus de DJ's donc plus de compétition, ce qui veut aussi dire que les DJ's doivent se démarquer. Je crois qu'en 2007 il faut rendre ses DJ sets plus personnels, comme en jouant ses propres compositions, en incorporant du live et/ou du visuel... enfin, rendre la performance unique à chacun !


- En 2007, une fête comme la St-Valentin a-t-elle encore un sens pour vous ?

Bien sûr ! C'est le moment idéal pour mettre nos gilets roses ! ;-) La fête de l'amour, c'est juste une fois par année ! Quelle bonne occasion de demander à quelqu'un qu'on aime bien d'être notre valentin ou valentine !


- À quoi peut s'attendre le public de SUGR de votre part ?

Quelques compos originales, mais en général je pense que ca va 'rocker' ! Surtout si le public est survolté !

Top 5
1 - Phil Kieran - Skyhook 3 [Music Man]
2 - Wehbba - Mary's Army [Craft Music]
3 - Huggotron - Supertron [Confused]
4 - Jake Fairley - Sardines [Thinkfreak]
5 - Mini - Chronicles (Dancefloor Edit) [Unreleased]




Omni
(www.djomni.net)



Visage reconnaissable de la scène locale, le "DJ aux cheveux rouges" s'implique dans le milieu depuis... qu'il existe ! Anciennement spécialisé dans la hard trance, il a joué dans d'innombrables raves avant de se spécialiser dans le maximal qui "fesse dans le dash", et partage maintenant son existence entre les clubs, les... raves, et l'UQAM où il s'active à apprendre à dominer le monde.


- Les raves sont de retour ! Comment expliquer cette soudaine reprise de leur popularité ?

Ce n'est pas le premier retour des raves et les quelques dernières années n'étaient pas non plus leurs premières difficultés. La popularité des raves suit d'après moi un cycle. C'est normal que, tôt ou tard, les raves ressussitent de leurs cendres.


- Le public général semble se désintéresser progressivement de la scène électronique, et parallèlement il y a de plus en plus de DJs... Vers quoi, dans ces circonstances, s'en va 2007 ?

Avec la montée en popularité et l'attrait plutôt grand public d'événements comme le Piknic Électronik, ainsi que la quantité incroyable de soirées électro en touts genres à Montréal, j'ai de la difficulté à affirmer que le public se désintéresse de la scène. Pour ce qui est de la quantité de DJ, ce n'est pas un phénomène nouveau. Alors que tous les jeunes DJs il y a quelques années voulaient être le prochain Tiesto, ils veulent maintenant être le prochain James Holden. Il ne faut pas oublier que chaque nouveau DJ apporte généralement de nouveaux visages de son entourage dans le milieu, ce qui assure son renouvellement. C'est clair cependant que, pour un nouveau DJ en 2007, faire sa place dans le milieu à Montréal risque d'être assez difficile car il y a effectivement beaucoup de joueurs.


- Il y a de plus en plus de DJs qui produisent. Est-ce selon vous une étape nécessaire si l'on compte durer ?

Un DJ peut certainement obtenir un certain succès sur la scène locale sans produire sa propre musique. La production est plutôt une clé pour obtenir un certain rayonnement à l'extérieur de la province et du pays. La production est ce qui peut permettre à un DJ de se faire connaître à l'extérieur de chez lui et ainsi voyager et faire du DJing une avenue professionnelle plus viable. Pour moi, la production est une façon d'explorer une avenue plus créatrice et d'ajouter à mes sets des tracks
réellement exclusives.


- En 2007, une fête comme la St-Valentin a-t-elle encore un sens pour vous ?

Quand on est vraiment en amour, la St-Valentin, c'est 365 jours par année. En ce sens, la St-Valentin sera pour moi exactement comme tous les autres jours de l'année.


- À quoi peut s'attendre le public de SUGR de votre part ?

Cris, rage, effusions de sang et torture de haut-parleurs. Dans un monde musical où les sons se raccourcissent constamment, je vais continuer de porter le flambeau de l'électro Maximal, des sons gras et de la distortion gratuite. Coeurs sensibles s'abstenir.

Top 5
1 - Trashtalk - Tank Girl [Craft Music]
2 - Trentemoller - African People [Nam Nam]
3 - Boys Noize - Erole Attak [Turbo]
4 - Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (Boys Noize Remix) [Mute]
5 - Fred Ze Fred - Not A Serious Trip (Omni Remix) [Unreleased]


Wizz
(www.djwizz.com)



Wizz est un vétéran qui mixe depuis le début des années '90. Connu à Montréal comme le "maître de la trance", il couvre toutes les déclinaisons du genre dans ses sets qui ne se ressemblent jamais, et qui sont toujours impeccablement mixés. Il a déjà partagé la scène avec des mecs comme Infected Mushroom et Astral Projection, et sera le maître de cérémonie du Salon Bleu.


- Les raves sont de retour ! Comment expliquer cette soudaine reprise de leur popularité ?

J'irais pas jusqu'à dire qu'ils sont de retour, mais je pense que les
événements sont maintenant plus petits et que leur qualité est généralement plus élevée; les promoteurs visent moins gros, donnent moins l'impression d'être là pour l'argent et ça fait toute une différence dans le niveau de qualité de l'événement.


- Le public général semble se désintéresser progressivement de la scène électronique, et parallèlement il y a de plus en plus de DJs... Vers quoi, dans ces circonstances, s'en va 2007 ?

Les gens veulent maintenant sortir dans des soirées de qualité. Je crois
qu'en 2007 les gens savent ce qu'ils veulent. Tous les promoteurs qui vont avoir des soirées bien organisées avec de bon DJs vont avoir du succès.


- Il y a de plus en plus de DJs qui produisent. Est-ce selon vous une étape nécessaire si l'on compte durer ?

Je crois que la production est le prochain "step" pour plusieurs DJs - c'est une facon encore plus forte de s'exprimer musicalement, plutôt que d'être simplement DJ, à mon avis. Il ne faut pas non plus oublier que c'est la meilleure chose à faire pour les DJs qui auraient l'idée de faire carrière internationalement. Comme on le dit souvent, le feeling que ça fait de voir les gens réagir sur ta
track, c'est priceless !


- En 2007, une fête comme la St-Valentin a-t-elle encore un sens pour vous ?

Bien sûr ! Puisque je suis en couple, je prévois passer une belle soirée avec ma copine.


- À quoi peut s'attendre le public de SUGR de votre part ?

Puisque je vais faire un set avec mon ancien parter in crime G'Obrien,
on va sûrement faire comme dans le temps et se laisser aller avec le vibe de la soirée, comme on a toujours fait ! ;)

Top 5
1 - Dave 202 & Sean Tyas - Torrent
2 - JOOP - The Futur
3 - Lee Haslam - Kinetic
4 - Carl B - Optimum
5 - U2 & Greenday - The Saints Are Coming (Re-Ward remix)


X-Cube
(www.djxcube.com)



Pour X-Cube, maître de la techno, une bifurquation vers l'électro-tech était tout à fait naturelle. Partenaire de choc de Rave Montreal et résident du défunt afterhours Aria, ses sets sont chaque fois truffés de punch et de surprises. Ses coups de coeur du moment conviendront parfaitement à sa position dans le line-up : il concluera cette soirée qui s'annonce explosive !


- Les raves sont de retour ! Comment expliquer cette soudaine reprise de leur popularité ?

Ils ne sont pas de retour, ils ont toujours été là. Sauf que souvent, on y voit un bar d'alcool, afin d'accomoder tous et chacun. Les salles sont plus compliquées à trouver aussi, donc il y en a moins qu'avant, d'une certaine facon. Ce qui amène les gens à se diriger dans les clubs et afterhours.


- Le public général semble se désintéresser progressivement de la scène électronique, et parallèlement il y a de plus en plus de DJs... Vers quoi, dans ces circonstances, s'en va 2007 ?

Ils ne sont pas tous désintéressés, mais la nouvelle clientèle adulte qui est surtout attirée par la musique R n' B et hip hop. C'est donc moins évident d'avoir du renouveau, tant et aussi longtemps que ces gens découvrent ce genre de musique. La clientèle actuelle vieillit, et est donc plus sélective pour les sorties. Pourquoi plus de DJ's ? Par amour de la musique, l'envie d'être la personne qui contrôle une période de soirée attire beaucoup de gens, c'est certain, mais être DJ est un long chemin, il faut être patient et persévérant.


- Il y a de plus en plus de DJs qui produisent. Est-ce selon vous une étape nécessaire si l'on compte durer ?

D'une facon oui, et d'une autre non, car à la base, c'est très bien de savoir mixer, mais si on y rajoute la composition c'est encore mieux. Ces compositions peuvent être jouées par de grands DJ's et ammener des bookings intérressants.


- En 2007, une fête comme la St-Valentin a-t-elle encore un sens pour vous ?

Cette année, c'est différent pour moi... mais oui, car je suis un romantique. Je crois cependant davantage que nous devons prendre soin des êtres chers qui nous entourent, de les aimer tout le long de l'année et de notre vie, et ne pas se limiter à une journée pour démontrer notre amour envers eux.


- À quoi peut s'attendre le public de SUGR de votre part ?

J'ai la chance de fermer ce party, alors je me dois d'en mettre plein la vue, et en même temps finir cette nuit en beauté. Cela me permettra de voir les survivors de la soirée jusqu'à la dernière minute de la dernière track jouée. La musique que je ferai entendre sera composée de différentes saveurs d'électro et minimal tech, avec une touche sexy ou remplie d'émotion.

Top 5
1 - Rekorder - Rekorder 7.1 [Rekorder]
2 - Stephan Bodzin - Silhouette [Spiel-Zeug Schallplatten]
3 - Audion - Mouth To Mouth [Spectral Sound]
4 - Agoria - Baboul Hair Cuttin (Radio Slave Remix) [Different]
5 - Minilogue - The Leopard (Extrawelt Remix) [Traum]



Le Théâtre Sans Fil est situé au 411 Létourneux, non loin du coin Pie-IX et Notre-Dame. Facilement accessible en transport en commun, il propose de plus un vaste stationnement gratuit.

Pour un supplément d'informations, veuillez visiter le www.akarien.com !

Partying for a good Kosa

You've seen him around. You've heard him (a lot) if you go out regularly and are a sucker for quality electro-house. This man with red hair is on fire, and his special mixing touch is what I'd qualify as unique.



Over the years mister Sean Kosa became a household name, a sure way to get a party started, rockin', and going 'til the wee hours of the morning. Sean took some time to answer a few of my questions.


- Let's start at the origin : why the move from Toronto to Montreal ?

Well it was so long ago I can barely remember, but I'm pretty sure that there were four basic reasons at the time : my girlfriend was studying at mcgill, readily available beer sold in depanneurs, delivery pot, and cheap rent.


- It took you a long time to get noticed in the city you relocated to, Montreal, and even after the release of your Dog City EP on Turbo in 2002, people in town did not necessarily associate the rap-a-genius behind tracks like The Rent is Due and that red-headed guy hanging out at Blizzarts, next to the DJ booth, every Saturday. Any idea why ?

Well yeah, I really hadn't dj'd much at all in Montreal prior to that, I was a bedroom hermit pretty much and really didn't know many people either. Of course it takes a little while to build up a name in any town so it took a couple of years of me playing steadily at well-respected events for people to really get to know me. I also worked at Moog Audio for four years starting in 2003, so I met alot of people during my tenure there.



- Whatever happened to Lipstick Music ? After a few releases and kick-ass "Blow Up" parties, it seemed so promising...

Basically Lipstick was Jean Michel's project and he had an idea of doing a label with a little more pop appeal, since his other labels were very stark and techno-oriented. Unfortunately he launched the label during one of the slowest eras of vinyl sales in the last ten years, and this trend continues today. Put quite simply, there was no way to make any money, however we did release some quality music together that has been licensed by some bigger labels since then, music that I'm still proud of, and still play to this day.


- Water Lilly charted one of your tracks back in the days, and your Jasmin & Jul remix appeared on the Tiga & Ajax double CD INTHEMIX.05 released in Australia... would you say it helped your carreer on a local level ?

On a local level maybe a bit, but I'd say it helps more on an international level because it gets your name out there, and it helps with press and promotion. In Montreal my name is already pretty saturated and that comes from playing local events more than anything else.



- Do you have something new in store production-wise ? A surprise nobody expects ?

Right now I'm working on a remix for an old friend of mine, Mike Milosh, who records for an experimental label called Plug Research. We've been doing very different things in parallel for a while now, so it's nice to finally do a collab for once... It's a bit of a different sound for me, but you'll still recognise my sound.


- Who & what are your biggest influences ?

In dance music I'd have to say my three biggest influences are Richie Hawtin, Dave Clarke and Green Velvet, but there are many many others.


- You seem hyperactive : Evening, These Jackets, The Marlon Jacksons, Cutthroats Republic... would that be a direct consequence of a hidden mental disease ?

I'm quadro-polar and I don't think that my disease is so hidden, in fact it's right out there in the open. The only hidden disease that right now I'm trying to come to terms with has something to do with my bizarre obsession with late eighties figure skating videos on YouTube... does anyone have a name for this affliction ?



- How did you make friends with the Party Owl ?

I bought him for 2 dollars at a garage sale before my Piknic gig last summer. The rest, as they say, is history.


- You have quite a reputation as being a wild, out-of-control party animal. Should we believe it ?

Ummm well I've definitely had my moments in the past, and I'm sure I still will in the future, but I'm a much tamer beast now. You are more likely to catch me at the supermarket readying myself for "Battle Fennel" than carousing and wasting my precious few remaining brain cells at a local gay strip club or local pub.



- What can we expect from the F.A.M.E. launch ?

Air raid sirens, auto fellatio, twisted sinister bass, steel wool calamari, fistfights, man-love, brutally honest conversations, vodka shooters, sexual innuendo, docking, and most of all, a big bag filled with mardi gras-esque good times.

*

Sean Kosa will appear in high physical & mental form at the F.A.M.E. launch party this coming Thursday, Feb. 8th, alongside fellow local legend Romeo Kardec, ass-kicking maximalist Omni, and Mirrorballs' resident often-too-drunk noisemaker Clifford Brown, at Academy Dancehall, 4445 St-Laurent. Those of you looking for the right place to have a blast will know where to head.

Night Vision 2.04

One day late, my devious aunt would say, is better than never. Not that there wasn't anything to do yesterday, but we figured that you might pick up a weekly and find out by yourself, for a change. However, there are some dirty secrets that remain only whispered in this town, and you have to be careful to pick 'em up when they walk by.

This must be the last quiet week ever before Spring. But in the city that never sleeps, and that has many tongues fighting to be heard, it ndoesn't mean that you can quietly stay home under your plaid quilt in front of a warm fire.

Lock up your doors, start the fire alarm and pop the champagne, motherfuckers.


*News en vrac*

It's now official that Bender will be at the helm of Saturdays @ Mile Ende Bar. The new night is called PANORAMA and will feature the best tech-house, electro & minimal around. Say goodbye forever to cheesy house. The launch will take place on Feb. 10th and feature a 5 hours set from Bender, who'll celebrate his birthday in style.

After sending shockwaves through every dancer's spines last summer at Piknic Électronik, Poker Flat's big boss STEVE BUG is back in town, this time at Parking for Mini's Overdose night on March 15th. No small guest, Bug is responsible for a shitload of quality house & techy releases, including the infamous Traffic Signs series.

DiskHo have now officially announced that they'll get a regular night going at Stereo in the Spring, as part of the "Spring cleaning fever". We can't announce anybody right now, as they want their guests to remain a surprise, but rest assured that there will be big-ass names near you very soon.

Whatever happened to the I Love Neon parties ? They didn't stop counting, and in fact they've been at it for 8 years !! The big hoedown celebrating their amazing longevity one will take place on Feb. 24th at Fonderie Darling and will feature a family affair : Thomas Von Party will play alongside Tiga, and Jordan Dare will perform his first ever LIVE set !


*02/02*

Something called "Revenge" is going on @ S.A.T. with artists from Paris (Kemar, Monsieur Scott & William de Samman) playing music they label as "electraw". If you're curious about what kind of grooves these guys can turn out with, check it out, it might un-puzzle y'all !



It is also time for another Soultek session down @ Academy with Uzi & B'Ugo, with the lovely Kamaka hosting.


*03/02*

Pink Ribbon is a party whose profits will go towards breast cancer research. So why don't you give a lil' ? Help fight a harrowing disease while dancing your ass off @ Centre Fractal, with Mini, Clown, G O'Brien & Dave Fork.




*04/02*

Monsieur Scott, one of the Paris guys playing the "Revenge" party, will re-appear at Saphir for the Beat me Up night alongside my girls Mz Sunday Luv & Mary Hell.



Over at Stereobar, it's a No Excuse extravaganza that promises to be remembered : Marinelli opens, Bender does a 3 hours tribute set to Stephan Bodzin, and it's open bar for the ladies all night ! Awright now, how can you go wrong : cute DJ's, excellent music, and drunk chicks.


*06/02*



Down at Telephunk, Philgood will take over the decks and make you dance 'til the light comes on. Be original, be unpredictable, and be hung over on Wednesday morning because the 3$ gin tonics sure hit hard !


*Next week*

It's the F.A.M.E. launch redux & Sean Kosa's birthday ! Bender launches Panorama & also celebrates his birthday !! Benny Benassi hits Stereo !!! Citizens 3 takes place at l'Alizé !!!! MSTRKRFT appear at Voyeur 12 !!!!! Microzoo (and everybody, really) M Maüs !!!!!! And lots more...