INSIGHTS 021 // OCEANIC - Choral Feeling, Community and the Connective Power of Singing

In this episode of Awake All Hours, it’s de Casier season bby!! So we waste no time getting stuck into album reviews for returning podcast favourites - ‘Still’ by Erika de Casier, ‘GRIP’ by serpentwithfeet and ‘Orchards of a Futile Heaven’ by The Body and Dis Fig. We finish with a focus on our favourite new club-ready record picks in What’s In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring releases from Jurango, Ivy Lab, Intellagama, Polar Inertia and more!

SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-082-erika-de-casier-serpentwithfeet-the-body-dis-fig

SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours

In this episode of INSIGHTS, we are joined by Nyksan, a mastermind behind one of the most influential labels of this decade, Colombia’s TraTraTrax, alongside Verraco and DJ Lomalinda. Back in 2020, while the label was still in its infancy, we had the pleasure of interviewing Verraco to coincide with the release of his album ‘Grial’ on Insurgentes. We could never have predicted TraTraTrax’s trajectory then. In the space of just three and a half years, the label has curated an era-defining roster of artists and releases, from the likes of Nick León, DJ Babatr, Bitter Babe, Luca Duran, Doctor Jeep, Badsista and many more, putting the breadth and brilliance of Latin America’s music and culture at the centre, whilst also plotting a course via Africa and Europe. We are so excited to discuss the past, present and future of the world-beating imprint, as well his solo endeavours, with the one and only Nicolás Sánchez!

Over the course of this interview, we begin by discussing the story of TraTraTrax so far, talking about the label’s origins, writing their own story, an unwavering approach to quality, significant releases and the unknown tale behind the monumental track of 2022, ‘Xtasis’, their passionate and dedicated approach to curating remixes, bucket-list remixers and expanding with the latest in their annual compilation series 'no pare, sigue sigue 2' (don’t stop, keep moving). We also discuss TraTraTrax’s Dekmantel 2023 showcase, the label’s reaction to their reception in Europe and doing things on their own terms while giving something back to their community.

Next, we discuss what Nico is up to in his spare time between running the label, which includes working for a quantum computing company, his sprawling ambient project ‘Sacrificio’ with collaborators Juan David Figueroa, Carlos Serrano and Daniel Brusatin, creating sound installations, metaverses and, finally, TraTraTrax’s new ambient sublabel Ambie—Tón.

We conclude by discussing plans for TraTraTrax's future, including twelve new releases already on the map, another new banger orientated series and showcases and parties all over the world!

Clips of 'Aló ma' by Nyksan and Moa Pillar from the compilation 'no pare, sigue sigue 2', as well as 'Jardin privé' by Nyksan from the EP 'Sacrificio', are used at the beginning and end of this podcast.

SUPPORT NYKSAN & TRATRATRAX:

TraTraTrax Bandcamp: tratratrax.bandcamp.com
TraTraTrax Instagram: www.instagram.com/tratratrax/
Nyksan Instagram: www.instagram.com/nyksan_/
‘Sacrificio’: nyksan.bandcamp.com/album/sacrificio

SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS:

Patreon: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours
Instagram: www.instagram.com/awake.allhours/

In this episode of Awake All Hours, there are tales from the first month of club season in 2024, featuring homegrown party debuts, big eff-off soundsytems and no-holds-barred backroom voyages, with standout sets from aya, Susu Laroche, Bruce b2b Nosedrip and OKO DJ. Next, there's album reviews for Astrid Sonne, Saskia and Burial, before we finish with What's In My Bandcamp Basket, rounding up our favourite new club-ready scran from the likes of Eastern Distributor & Jörmungandr, DJ Kolt, Cartridge, AceMo, Erika and more!

SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-081-astrid-sonne-saskia-burial

We’re well and truly back for 2024 with all the usual chatter - part coherent music discourse, part utter nonsense but 100% dedicated to the music and culture we love. Following a January string of INSIGHTS interviews with the wonderful Dual Monitor and Gonubie, we humbly present to you a bog-standard, back-to-basics discussion and reviews show, featuring the new albums from Donato Dozzy, 33EMYBW and MoMA Ready. We finish with a traditional What’s In My Bandcamp Basket? which features essential loot from DJ Haram, Nat Home, ASC, Yan Cook and more!

SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-080-donato-dozzy-33emybw-moma-ready

Last Autumn, we had the absolute joy of sitting down with two of the loveliest people in dance music, Dual Monitor, in anticipation of their new EP on Hardline Sounds. Two established names in their own right and already boasting releases on N-Face, Amity, EC2A and CloudCore, the synergy of Fliss Mayo and Zebb Dempster has been taking the club and festival circuit by storm, from venues and events such as Glastonbury Festival, Meraki, Boiler Room and sharing lineups with the likes of Eliza Rose, Mall Grab, Yung Singh, Chloe Robinson, Hamdi and Pinch.

Over the course of this interview, Fliss and Zebb begin by discussing their contrasting formative experiences growing up in London and the countryside, the formation of Dual Monitor and getting their first breakthrough at Gottwood Festival. Next, they discuss their workflow and the triumphs and trials of producing as a duo, the making of their new club-ready EP 'Hardline 19' and embracing inspirations from TraTraTrax and Minor Science to Australian progressive house and techno. Finally, we discuss Fliss and Zebb's performance highlights of 2023, including their opening for Eliza Rose at Boiler Room Liverpool, tips for navigating the music industry and some of their defining tunes, edits and bootlegs of the year - Buy Music Club Below.

Clips of 'Fractal Submission' on N-Face Records and 'Switch It' on Hardline Sounds are used at the beginning and end of this podcast.

SUPPORT DUAL MONITOR:

Bandcamp: https://hardlinesounds.bandcamp.com/album/hard19
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dualmonitor?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dualmonitor_/
Buy Music Club: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-insights-029-dual-monitor

In this episode of INISIGHTS, I am joined by Naledi Holtman a.k.a Gonubie & Rare Software, a Cape Town-based DJ, interdisciplinary artist and classically trained musician and flautist, who takes her name and inspiration from the river and area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape where her mother was raised. Naledi’s album ‘Signals At Both Ears’, released in September last year, is a breathtaking and expertly-composed piece of ambient music that holds a freshness and distinct identity, whilst evoking some of genres classic works.

Over the course of this interview, Naledi begins by discussing her experience of playing at Search Festival in Cape Town and debuting her live set as Gonubie, left turns in creativity and beginning to compose ambient music. Next, we discuss the influences and themes behind ‘Signals At Both Ears’, from Nala Sinephro and Carlos Nino to Harold Budd, finding a home for the album on the New Forest’s Métron Records, exploring the theme of home through art and how sound can evoke the feeling of returning to oneself, constructing a musical world and the parallels between music and architecture. Naledi concludes by discussing the future of the Gonbuie project and highlighting key artists, collectives and parties in the South African Scene, finishing with some current favourite selections - Buy Music Club below. 

Clips of 'Nymph' and 'Crystal Pools' by Gonubie from the album 'Signals At Both Ears' on Métron Records are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. 

SUPPORT GONUBIE:

Bandcamp: https://metronrecords.bandcamp.com/album/signals-at-both-ears
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_raresoftware_/
Buy Music Club: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-insights-028-gonubie

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we look back over 2023, rounding up our favourite music of the year! We put forward what we believe to be some of the year’s essential releases, listing our top 10 tunes, top 10 EPs and top 20 albums, before finishing with our award ceremony and contributor end-of-year lists from the wonderful Ikävä Pii, Sam Cox, Maya Vika, Dual Monitor, Zak Smiff, Anjali, Pollination (Yasmine & Frond), Shryke, Alpha Fett Baby, excel dj and Calm Stiege! Buy Music Clubs containing every release covered below:

AAH's Fav Music of 2023: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-079-best-of-2023-awards-ceremony-contributor-lists

AAH Contributor's Fav Music of 2023: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-aah-contributors-favourite-music-of-2023

In this episode of INSIGHTS, I am joined by Gabriel Gifford, a fascinating artist who is a recent discovery for us on the show. His new concept mini-album ‘Hailstone King’, based on a short story of the same name and drawing on themes such as grief, masculinity, mental health, identity, and legacy really captured our imagination and saw a startling and impressive update to his sound, combining luxurious club sonics and crystalline modern pop inspired by the likes of FKA twigs and Fever Ray. 

Over the course of this interview, Gabriel begins by discussing his experience studying at BIMM in Bristol, moving to Berlin, the city's DIY scene and the impact it had on him creatively before talking in-depth about the themes, imagery, stylistic influences, sonic references and creative process on 'Hailstone King' and his new live show. To finish, Gabriel discusses  his involvement with the collective Reverse Engineering and working with Softmax on her 'Any Minute Now' EP, before highlighting some formative records and current favourite Bandcamp picks!

Clips of 'Voice from the Wind' and 'Raised by She-Wolves' are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. 

SUPPORT GABRIEL GIFFORD:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielgifford/
Bandcamp: https://gabrielgifford.bandcamp.com

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we cover three albums exploring the fringes of electronic experimentalism, going in-depth on the new Rainy Miller & Space Afrika album 'A Grisaille Wedding', as well as reviewing the self-titled debut by HUUUM on Accidental Meetings and 'tollard' by Memotone on The Trilogy Tapes. We finish, as always, with What's In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring releases from Clara!, Darama, Monnom Black and more! 

SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-078-rainy-miller-x-space-afrika-huuum-memotone

In this episode of INSIGHTS, I am joined by Sam Schaeffer who, alongside Batu, co-runs the beloved Bristol festival En Masse which just celebrated its third year proper with what felt like a landmark edition across five days and multiple venues in the city.

Over the course of this interview, Sam discusses her background in event safety and site management, En Masse's origins and the inner workings of organising such an event, reflecting on the past three edition's triumphs and challenges and running a festival pre and post-pandemic. Sam also gives insight into the power of a diverse team, the financial aspects of events-organising and the significance of getting funding, advice for aspiring promoters and plans for En Masse in 2024.

SUPPORT EN MASSE:

En Masse web: https://enmasse.dance
En Masse insta: https://www.instagram.com/enmassefest/
Sam insta: https://www.instagram.com/samschaef/
Batu insta: https://www.instagram.com/batu_timedance/