M-nus, London
With much of the underground currently trading in rougher, richer sounds, the minimalist purity of the artists on Richie Hawtin’s label M-nus might be overly austere for some. However, two M-nus artists playing London this week should show that it’s more than mere 6am music. Paco Osuna’s debut long player, er, Long Play, is a slinky take on minimal, with tropical thermals straining up through the chill. He heads south to play Electric Brixton (SW2, Sat). Later, at Village Underground (EC2, Fri), is Gaiser, who pairs his nimble tracks with a live AV show that’s like the astral mushroom-munch visuals of a psytrance night with all the colour drained away.
BB
Selective Hearing, Manchester
Describing itself as a record label/homemade instrument, Lobster Theremin has gathered house and techno fans throughout 2014, who have collectively revelled in its offbeat sense of style and melody. Arguably its key artist, Berlin-based house experimentalist Palms Trax, leads the charge here with a DJ set showcasing his classic yet contemporary, most definitely bumping numbers, which are perfectly suited to Selective Hearing’s mystery warehouse environment. On a slightly more cerebral but no less atmospheric note, Trax is joined by labelmate Manse, whose crushing and uncompromising techno thus far recalls the likes of Shed and Blawan at their relentless, pumping best. Completing the lineup is founding lobster and label boss Asquith, plus Selective Hearing’s own Reflec – an increasingly formidable producer in his own right. The venue will be announced on the night to those lucky enough to have tickets and, even better, you can bring your own booze.
Secret location, Fri
JT
Dirtytalk Presents Sex Tags Mania Part 2, Bristol
The Bristolian DJ crew Dirtytalk have organised another of their free-thinking dances, taking place in a secret location, with a fittingly daft poster designed by trippy illustrator Christopher Wright. They’ve called over two highly-respected Norse DJ/producers, DJ Sotofett and Bjørn Torske, for what they’re billing as an eight-hour “sewer set”. DJ Sotofett’s Sex Tags Mania label emerged from the house music underground a couple of years ago and chimed with the UK’s taste for esoteric oddity and DIY aesthetics. The man’s own discography drifts effortlessly through dub, disco, house and techno, and his genre-sprawling, half-naked DJ sets are notorious affairs that are similarly wide-ranging. Despite keeping his shirt on, Bjørn Torske is a cult hero in his own right, with 15 years’ worth of brilliant production behind him, including albums for Smalltown Supersound and collaborations with Röyksopp.
Secret location, Sat
GT
Talaboman, London
John Talabot is the Catalan producer who in 2012 crossed over into the playlists of even the most casual of dance fans with his album Fin, where vaulted ethereality was paired with brutally simple hooks. Axel Boman joins the rich lineage of Swedes determined to make everything Balearic, even when they’re facing down a glacial fjord, producing exotica-tinged disco and house. They’ve merged to form Talaboman, and have already cropped up on Talabot’s DJ-Kicks mix. That was as you’d expect: Boman prodding Talabot in the ribs and telling him to get the daiquiris in, musically speaking. Here they play their first UK live date, supported by Bicep, while Pional also plays a live set.
Oval Space, E2, Sat
BB
Ben UFO, Dublin
There are two kinds of DJs: those who play for the dancefloor, and those who tell it a story – and few can spin a tale like Ben UFO. Since forming the Hessle Audio label with friends and producers Pangaea and Pearson Sound, all three have become DJs of choice for many with their deep, dark blends of house, dubstep and techno. During Ben UFO’s Rinse FM show you’re as likely to hear him play frantic African rhythms as jungle – and his club sets are even more unpredictable.
Twisted Pepper, Sat
LM
