Today's Track: Team Supreme

Haleek Maul X Supreme Cuts - Chrome Lips

Two months ago, a Barbados based rapper released a dark underground mixtape called Oxyconteen; and the two tracks that really got my attention from it were produced by Supreme Cuts. Obviously I was excited when I heard that these artist would team up to make a 17 track mixtape. This is not your typical hip hop mixtape. Supreme Cuts are on point when it comes to making gloomy atmospheric beats and Haleek Maul's pessimistic and morbid lyrics just fit perfectly. It might not be for everyone but I suggest you give it a listen.

Daily Dope: Walk For Me

Our buddy Oli made this unofficial music video for Tronco Traxx's classic 'Walk 4 Me' (Original Mix) that was released on Henry Street Music back in 1998. I guess you could say that this song has received renewed interest and popularity as of late after it was sampled by UK Bass heavyweights Boddika & Joy O on 'Swims' which was finally released this year after getting heavy rotation in the underground club scene.

The video features scenes out of 'Das Magische Band' a German avant-garde film from 1960 that was directed by Ferdinand Khitti a member of the Oberhausner Manifest/Movement that acted as a catalyst that sparked the New German Cinema movement of which Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Werner Herzog and Volker Schlöndorff to name a few are of its notable alumni.

The juxtaposition of factory images alongside the track provides an interesting ironic twist. A track heavily associated with the New York ballroom/drag scene in the 90's, it alludes to a very raw, unconventional celebration of anti-elegance which, in the most ironic way is supported by the raw images of factory machinery built with a solely utilitarian purpose and therefore did not coincide with the mainstream ideals of aesthetics and beauty. In many ways this is a reflection on the common perception of the drag scene; a raw, enigmatic yet fascinating sub-culture on the fringe of conventional mainstream values and ideals.

Daily Dope: Water Light Graffiti

It's Grim Up North: Parklife Festival Seen Through Hazy Eyes

In June this year, I went to the Parklife Festival to try and get most out of the massive line-up on display. Armed with my camera and my excellent memory when drunk I documented the chaos, rain and the piss-show on display. Two BIG days of partying, I somehow managed to get my thoughts down on electronic paper and it turned into an article for the latest edition of KNEON Magazine.

I thought I'd share my pictures with you and some extra ones that didn't make it to the final edition of the magazine.

Manchester's finest MC CHUNKY doing his thing at the Ben UFO b2b Pearson Sound set.


The toxic alcohol, rain and piss sludge that would keep you grounded despite all your attempts at getting illegal highs.


A cow at the Julio Bashmore set.

Here's a little preview of the article as well while I'm at it:

One (very) rainy weekend in early June, I took the 142 bus down Oxford Road to get to Platt Fields Park where thousands gathered for the Parklife festival for their dosage of too much alcohol, illegal substances (classes A to C present), rain, regret and above all quality music all day, every day. As the song by The JAMS correctly says ‘It’s Grim Up North’, I had my expectations rightly set so there were no surprises as the green fields were reduced into a cold brown sludge from all the rain, alcohol and other liquid matter.

Let me paint you a picture of the overall vibe and jump straight in. I was shovelling curry(?) down my throat after marinating my liver in a pool of beer and Jägermeister all day when I talked to three guys who were debating on whether or not to see Justice and who else they could go see, when one suggested: “Let’s just do a shit-load of Ketamine and take it from there.” So yeah, standard operating procedure really. 

Why not continue reading or check out the other Parklife pictures.

If you are around in Vienna tomorrow, KNEON Magazine will be hosting their release party where we will be playing some records as well.

Holy Other's "Held" (Or: Why you should keep your balance when the devil dances with you)

Dressing in black and worshipping the devil was something I was never into growing up. It seems like there's a point in every kid's life where they would do the exact opposite of what their parents tell them and do some ridiculous shit like make magic potions and make voodoo dolls of that one kid in class they really hate. This is something I would classify as things white kids do who don't get enough love from their parents. The closest thing I ever got to this phase was to listening to 'ghetto rap music', a genre so far removed from my peaceful surroundings that it was more like a journey into a distant land for me. And the 'ghetto rap' thing sort of stayed. That's why you still have grown-up goths that walk around in black leather jackets that reach to the floor on a 35 degree day. So, after graduating from high-school beating on these kinds of kids and then going on to get a university degree why the sudden fascination with the devil's music?

It started in 2009, when I suddenly got this strange fascination for the 'witch-house' genre. Here I was, basically a grown-man feeling crazy rebellious listening to these magnificent cries emanating from the underworld. I had the feeling as if I was doing something wrong, close to illegal and that gave me some weird kind of rush. The boy was leaving Team Jesus and was going to join the 666. Let me remind you that I never got to play satanic ritual as a child. So maybe I was just making up for lost time. But I definitely wasn't the only one. Witch-house took the web by storm. Known for having producers with undecipherable and unpronounceable names it tried to stay well beneath the radars of the mainstream. It added to the whole thrill of finding something on the internet that cannot just simply be googled. I was one of the few that was able to download limited releases and CD-R's well before the thing got any mainstream appeal. Hell, we even made a witch house compilation when this thing was starting to blow-up. Around that time Tri Angle Records was gaining some traction, but I was not imagining it to be where it is now. Never taking the genre seriously, I never thought it would leave the dark corners of the internet and make it out into the bright world. Yet the whole fascination with the devil seemed to remain steady, well into 2012 today, where Tri Angle Records is now a major player in the independent music scene. 

Tri Angle was the first to sign the underground movement's biggest artist's Balam Acab, oOoOO and Holy Other. Additionally, with the recent signings of Evian Christ and Clams Casino it is more evident to see that this sub-genre has fascinated producers coming out of different genres who have brought out their own brand of music with an acknowledgement of the dark and occult beats of the early witch-house days.

My biggest concerns at the time was, while this is good to listen to at home, this would never have any marketable appeal in the clubs. How does one even dance to this thing without having to sacrifice the person next to you? I had no idea. But earlier this year, Tri Angle records went on a UK tour to introduce its roster of artists to the public with live shows from Holy Other, The Haxan Cloak, Vessel and Evian Christ. We were lucky enough to catch the show, which in itself was a fascinating thing to watch for the social scientist among you. Unlike any other genre, this music had usually remained within peoples homes. It's not very likely that you would advertise the fact that you would listen to modern dance music that is heavily inspired by 70's/80's horror B movie soundtracks. Listening to this music live, was nothing less than challenging at times with the heavy bass literally shaking your insides and the constant drone in the background giving you a near-painful pinch in the inside of your ears. While this ain't the prettiest picture of what you want a live show to be like, it is exactly how you want to feel when you are listening to something as dark as this. If this was food, one would say that you'd need an acquired taste to enjoy. But boy, once you get it, you'll be hooked. Not to name and shame people, one of the guys I was actually with on that night lost his sense of balance and direction during the Holy Other show and fell flat on his face. Now that, is proof of a higher being my friends.

Holy Other will be releasing his latest album "Held" on Tri Angle Records next week, on 27th August 2012. Let the devil in, and listen to his album before you purchase:

Daily Dope: Fly First

Hangover Remedies 001

As a little thank you present we present you with a little mix to cure your hangovers from the crazy last night. Thank you again to all of you for coming to Pratersauna last night, we hope you had as much fun as we did.

Today's Track: Sweetspace

PRATERSAUNA GLASHAUS TAKEOVER

NEWSFLASH!! The afromullets terror-squad Party Squad is coming through with more live party action since we last shook Vienna with our Afroversary back in July. This time we are uniting with Strom Club to do bad-man tings at Pratersauna on Saturday 18th August. This time we ain't playing around. The incredible Jamie XX will be there live and in full effect and we'll be transmitting positive vibes from midnight until the last person standing leaves the club! Rumor has it that Mirakle will be heading to the party to spit bars after his performance at the VIP area in the Lady Gaga concert! You don't want to miss out on this one! That's not all, on the 1st of September we will be hosting the second floor for the Mainframe event at Arena Wien, but more info on that later!

Just to add to all the excitement, we've made another mix to see you through until Saturday!

Today's Track: Shake Weight

Captain Murphy rapping over a TNGHT's "Bugg'n". I don't think more needs to be said about this.
EDIT:

LemLem Talks To: Medlar

Friend and Vienna club scene correspondent LemLem caught up with with English producer Medlar who is affiliated with the Wolf Music, record label that deals predominantly in enriching the world in banging house tracks. Other known producers in the Wolf Music family are Greymatter and KRL who are also worth checking out. Medlar will be playing in Pratersauna this Saturday (11th August 2012) along with labelmate KRL for Praterei #30. Quite frankly, this is where you want to be in Vienna this Saturday. Now let's get acquainted with Medlar.

LL: Why the name Medlar ?
Medlar: I heard the word on Gardener's Question time on radio 4 at my dad's house last year and thought it was quite cool. apparently it's a tree/fruit and yes it is cool to listen to Gardener's Question time in the UK. It's kinda like Rinse FM. 
LL: What do you think of people who download your music without paying? 
Medlar: I don''t blame or judge people for it, it's partly a generational issue I think. It obviously provides a lot of exposure for artists. I'd encourage people to consider the labels and artists involved though, if you like them, give them some money 
LL: If you could collaborate with any musician from any era, who would it be? 
Medlar: Wow, cool question! So many options. At the moment I'd probably say one of the Chicago or Detroit house/techno pioneers from the late 80s. I'll choose Larry Heard 
LL: Why exactly larry heard over all the other legends? 
Medlar: Quite a rash answer I guess, but his Mr Fingers tracks for me are better than the vast majority of house music since. Would be fascinating to see where he was coming from at that time, what his point of reference was - if any 
LL: What's one song you've had on repeat for the last week? 
Medlar:  
LL: Top three favorite clubs in the world? Ones you played at or ones you simply like going to.

Medlar: Ones ive played at..: + Jesus Club in St Petersburg + Corsica Studios, London aaand.. erm + Stealth in Nottingham; have been the most fun to play at. 
LL: What's the craziest thing that happened to you during a gig? 
Medlar: I can only think of a couple of times when i got embarrassingly drunk and fell over/dropped records everywhere. I've stopped that now though.  
LL: If you could choose any artist to play b2b with who would it be? 
Medlar: I think it would be too intimidating to pick some people. I love playing with KRL, Greymatter and the Wolf Music guys. Kutmah would be cool though, he'd steal the show. 
LL: How excited are you about your gig in vienna and what have you heard about the club scene here? (or what you heard about Praterei) 
Medlar: I'm so hyped for Vienna, lots of people I've met through music have told me to expect lots of fun at Praterei, and it's officially my birthday party too. I know nothing about the city so looking forward to exploring a bit, any tips would be welcome! 

LL: How excited are you about meeting me!? 
Medlar: More excited than christmas of course. and i'm fully expecting an extravagant birthday cake now

editors note: Much love to LL and Medlar for taking their time to do this!

For daily LL banter, follow her on twitter.

Today's Track: Shame

Daily Dope: Olympic Sailing

Commentary by the Irish.

Today's Track: Say My Name

I've been playing this ever since it hit soundcloud. Feux and swede:art remix Destiny Child's "Say My Name".

Daily Dope: BBNG X Bugg'n

Street Knowledge: How To Make Money Selling Drugs

Do you want to have a six figure salary in a 600 billion Dollar industry? Now's your chance. For now, you'll have to watch the trailer for this upcoming documentary that will be premièring at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6th. The trailer features 50 Cent, Eminem, Russell Simmons and the real Freeway Rick Ross.