Can we hear “today” in today’s music, today?

I typically shy away from anything theoretical when it comes to music, but I’ve been listening to a fair amount of stuff that invokes a similar feeling and was made during the first half of the 80s in England. This is a place and a period that was really formative for me musically and I guess I’m picking up on the precise mood that so much of this music evokes and it’s the first time that I’ve ever immersed myself in it while also having a decent understanding of the history of the society at the time. This has ignited some curiosity in me. I wonder if anyone can pick up on this and grasp it when it’s happening and if so, what we would apprehend about today?

Would it be the sound of bankers, paedos, Anglo-American imperialism and old media juggernaut deaths? Or is it just that innovative music has always taken place in enclaves of shared understanding, and this “picture” is more a view of how those people saw it than of how everyone felt it? Probably some nuance in between. I dunno, but I’m interested to know what y’all think about it.

Bleep 43, 16 April 2010, full party details

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I’m most pleased to be returning to Bleep 43 and Corsica Studios alongside Terrence Parker and more. Full party details below:

Finnish grandeé of Minimalism Mika Vainio headlines our first party this year on Friday April 16th at Corsica Studios. Although he has retired live outings of Pan Sonic for the forseeable future, he continues to play solo and we’re very excited about witnessing his primeval explorations of analogue-generated electronic sounds. Without doubt one of the more visceral and thought-provoking artists in European music, Vainio’s pedigree is vast – he is one of the true pioneers of minimal techno, evinced by his Sakho label, and the various projects he has masterminded. Put that together with Pan Sonic and his sizeable back catalogue of abstract sound works, some of which have been recently released by Raster-Noton, and you have an idea of just how influential he has been, both to electronic dance music, and to the more cerebral end of the genre.

Joining him in Room 1 is Donato Dozzy, who will be laying down another epic journey of hypnotic techno. We were enthralled by his stately ability to brew infectious atmospheres when he made his UK debut for us last year, and it was only a matter of time before he graced the decks again. 20 years of DJing has enabled Donato to call upon a weighty collection of abstract and obscure techno records, most of which you’ve probably never heard. We have no doubt that alongside Surgeon he’s the best techno DJ in the world right now and are excited by the prospect of yet another techno odyssey from him.

Flying over from Detroit for a rare visit to the UK is Terrence Parker. Something of a veteran turntablist in the Motor City, Terrence mixes house in a unique style, and we’re looking forward to him setting Room 2 alight. Making his Bleep43 debut alongside Terrence is DJ Guy, who has built up a strong following as Europe’s finest booty DJ. Formerly one-half of the Non-Stop DJs, Guy runs his own Global Fire label, and his style encompasses electro, house, disco and funk. Supporting them is one of our regulars, Phonopsia, who returns to Bleep43 after a 2 year absence.

£12 advance tickets are available from We Got Tickets, otherwise it’s £15 on the door, or £9 with a valid NUS card.

Hope to see y’all there! Here’s the Facebook page, if that’s how you roll.

Advanced notice of next Bleep

I’m most pleased to be returning to Bleep 43, playing alongside the inimitable Terrence Parker for the fifth time, at Corsica Studios in Elephant and Castle on Friday 16th April, 2010. This is the night I’ve played at the most and the headlining DJ I’ve played with most, so it feels exceedingly comfortable. I’ll be playing an extended set as well.

If that weren’t enough, we’ve got Europe’s leading booty turntablist, another chance to see Donato Dozzy, and Mika Vanio playing live on a fantastic Funktion 1 rig. I’ll post further details as they’re released.

Bleep 43

Fri 16th April @ Corsica Studios – 10 pm – late

Room 1

Mika Vainio live
Donato Dozzy
Toby Frith

Room 2

Terrence Parker
DJ Guy
Phonopsia

online adv tix £12, £15 otd, £9 NUS

More details tba

Sorry I’ve been quiet around here lately. Blog posts go down as micro-blog posts go up, it would seem. If you haven’t already got it, I’m talking most of my nonsense over here now.