Watch a new documentary on DJ Slimzee, Dave Smith lectures at RBMA Tokyo, and the Japanese government begins to change ‘no-dancing’ laws.
Dave Smith at RBMA Tokyo 2014. Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits and Dave Smith Instruments is the synth designer and tech visionary whose creations include countless classic synths, the Tempest drum machine and, of course, the MIDI protocol. Watch his RBMA lecture above.
In The Studio: Surgeon. Anthony Child’s 20 year-career as Surgeon has seen record releases via techno institutions Tresor, Blueprint, Downwards and more recently Belgium’s Token. In his first studio interview he speaks to XLR8R on keeping the studio an exciting place, the art of live performance and the importance of taking on new challenges here.
Sample Magic release Mainroom Deep House. From deep and sleek to big and bold, Sample Magic‘s “essential tools for the mainroom” effortlessly straddles the line between the Ibiza underground and the charts with an essential mix of jackin’ beats, anthemic big-room bass, sleek and shiny synths, classic pianos, huge FX and more. Check it out here.
Slimzee’s Going On Terrible. Filmmaker Rollo Jackson‘s gritty, unpolished and honest portrait of cult UK grime selector and underground hero Slimzee is a neat insight into the DJ’s life and career, as well as his current renaissance. Watch above.
Novation releases LaunchSync Max for Live plugin. Struggling to synchronise controllers when using Ableton Live? Novation’s neat solution could be the answer. Check out the video above for a full explanation from Ableton Live Expert and then download the plugin here for free.
Disco kitsch: the world’s most ridiculous record covers? Soft porn, engorged limes, erect bananas – and an extra-special zebra print carpet courtesy of Kool and the Gang… From Grace Jones to Giorgio Moroder, Cerrone to Chic, find the Guardian’s favourite artworks from Disco: an Encyclopaedic Guide to the Cover Art of Disco Records here.
Trouw Exchange with Olaf Boswijk. Live from Amsterdam Dance Event 2014, Olaf Boswijk tells us how TrouwAmsterdam became one of the world’s most highly regarded clubs. He explains why, on January 3rd, 2015, at the height of its influence and popularity, TrouwAmsterdam will be shut down for good. Stream and download above, more info here.
Japan’s cabinet approves changes to no-dancing law. Japan’s cabinet approves plans to overturn the country’s 66-year-old law against late-night dancing. The archaic law has loomed over Japan’s club scene since 1948. Though only occasionally enforced, it states that dancing in public venues is illegal without a special license – and even then the licence is only allowed until midnight. Find out more here.
Sound Pellegrino announce Parisian residency ‘Bosses’. Every two months, two DJs from Sound Pellegrino‘s worldwide family will join the Parisian label’s founders Teki Latex and Orgasmic at Paris’s 2000-capacity club Showcase, built in a tunnel under historic landmark Pont Alexandre III. The first edition takes place on November 7th with Jimmy Edgar (head of Ultramajic) and DJ Haus (Unknown To The Unknown). Check out the promo video above, more info here.
Introducing KORG AudioPocket iOS app for Volca Sample. AudioPocket enables you to load your Volca Sample with custom sounds via an iOS device. Watch it in action above.
Audio Damage introduce Sequencer 1. Audio Damage announce the release of their new flagship product – a sophisticated CV/gate sequencer module with “an update roadmap for some absolutely ludicrous features”. The Sequencer 1’s feature highlights include control of virtually all non-MIDI equipment, SD card implementation for storage and extremely simple firmware updates, three tempo-synced LFOs with over 20 waveforms, up to 64 steps per pattern, and multiple modulation targets. Find it here.
Ableton Artist Rodi Kirk on Push. Two new Ableton artist videos from New Zealand producer Rodi Kirk. First, a performance at the Humboldthain club in Berlin using a Push, Space Echo and Juno-106. Second, a walkthrough of Rodi’s performance technique, using external synths and complex effect chains to recreate the sound of his studio work in a live setting with Push. Watch both above.
Rock stars really do die young. An Australian study of 13,000 rock and pop stars finds musicians die 25 years younger than average person, and suggests that the music industry should assist depressed musicians, The Telegraph reports.
“Scott Brown is really into his hardcore dance. Give him a can of Red Bull and a bit of Scooter and he’s ready to go.” The Observer investigates the pre-match musical tastes of professional footballers. Lincoln City goalkeeper David Preece asks his fellow pros to share their dressing room soundtrack here.