It seems like only yesterday when Broken & Uneven’s new clubbing series The Hydra opened its doors for the inaugural showcase with Ostgut Ton back in August. Five venues and four months later they gear up for a farewell double-header that concludes 2012’s edition with New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day parties at top-secret locations. NYE sees Border Community, Warm, Pictures Music and South invite some of their most celebrated artists for a wide-reaching NYE party and NYD’s program leaves no stone unturned with a marathon event of sorts with electric minds, Aus and Simple signing off the series with some of today’s most in-demand acts.
Kicking off things in the main room on NYE will be experimental electronica label Border Community who have built a solid reputation by hand-picking artists that constantly challenge the status quo of everything from Techno to IDM. The imprint’s founder James Holden has long been an iconic figure in leftfield circles and his seminal album The Idiots Are Winning is still regarded as classic outing almost six years after its creation. After releasing his long-awaited Steam Days album on the label this year Nathan Fake is one of Border Community’s notable success stories having had a breakthrough hit with trippy cut The Sky Was Pink. His live set on the night promises to be littered with timeless classics from his Drowning In The Sea album to contemporary gems like lead single from his new album Iceni Strings. Analogue enthusiast Luke Abbott and the ever-elusive Wesley Matsell will be joining proceedings whilst there will be a very special guest appearance from extremely versatile Parisian selector Ivan Smagghe.
Having curated some of the finest house and techno events in London over the last decade, Warm take care of room two with a range of artists that represent various aspects of electronic music. Berlin’s Detroit Techno enthusiast Redshape takes to the stage for one of his much-talked about live sets and will be delving into the contents of the his sophomore album Square on Running Back which has proven his ability to creative cohesive and enthralling long players. Warm favourite Mark E makes a much-welcomed return to the night and his expertise in House and blissed-out Disco make the perfect recipe for a party atmosphere and he’ll be digging for some his classics which have appeared on his own label Merc as well as Golf Channel, Running Back and Spectral Sound. 100% Silk’s Fort Romeau (also known for his Keyboard playing exploits as part of La Roux) will also be on hand for one of his vinyl-only sets that effortlessly drifts between traditional Chicago House and more experimental sounds of the likes of Kassem Mosse and Burial.
The third room is programmed by rising promotion outfit South and tastemaker label, Pictures Music whose discerning output has seen them work with a myriad of acts from Lapalux to Dark Sky to Rudi Zygadlo. They’ve taken a similar approach for the night and have chosen golden boy Koreless to headline with one of highly emotive live sets that touch on everything from Ambient to Garage. The colourful stylings of Dauwd and the unapologetic Techno of Bobby Champs have also been enlisted for the bash whilst South DJs will be on hand for a mix of party-fuelled offerings.
The very next day (things kick off at 6pm) will be a 12-hour showcase comprised of electric minds, Aus and Simple that ends The Hydra on a decadent high.
electric minds have been programming some of the most exciting loft parties in London over the years, having the likes of Move D, Soundstream, FCL and Prosumer as guests to play in a house party atmosphere. They’ve pulled out all the stops on this occasion with Innervisions’ own Henrik Schwarz chiming in with a live set of his dramatic House productions whilst Radio 1’s Mosca will be serving up a varied set showcasing some of his recent material from Hypercolour and Rinse. Techno’s man of the minute Shed makes a rare DJ appearance and after solid releases on 50 Weapons and Ostgut Ton as well as vinyl-only productions under the guises of Head High and WK7 expect nothing but the roughest and toughest beats from the Berghain resident. Rounding things off will be Levon Vincent, who’s recent fabric compilation CD is destined to make may end of year lists for his well-informed approach to House music whilst the prolific Permanent Vacation and Buzzin’ Fly affiliate Mano Le Tough and electric minds founder Dolan Bergin will be setting the tone in the main room.
Room two is led by Will Saul and his Aus and Simple imprints when they go head to head and showcase some of the UK’s finest House and Techno talents. Dusky have been on a steady rise as of late and their Henry 85 single on Simple displays their knack for crafting vocal Deep House that is devoid of cliché and this year’s Radio 1 Essential Mix shows their knack for sourcing tunes with a similar creativity. They’ll be joined by George Fitzgerald, the man behind one of this years’ most infectious revivalist New York House jams in the shape of Child on Aus, as well as the Techno-leaning styling’s of Midland and recent Simple signee and Glaswegian native Sei A.
electric minds Records take care of things in room three with frequent label collaborator and Retrofit head honcho Jay Shepheard leading the line. There will also be a much-welcomed appearance by D&B impresario dBridge under his new Techno guise, Velvit and another surprise guest and close friend of the label will be announced on the night.
The double-header is a fitting end to what has been an intriguing and enjoyable debut for The Hydra series and what can only be described as a pre-cursor of what’s to come for Broken & Uneven in 2013.
Monday 31st December 2012
The Hydra: Border Community NYE
Room 1: Border Community
James Holden
Nathan Fake – Live
Luke Abbott – Live
Wesley Matsell
Special Guest:
Ivan Smagghe
Room 2: Warm
Redshape – Live
Mark E
Fort Romeau
Warm DJs
Room 3: Pictures Music x South
Koreless – Live
Dauwd
Bobby Champs
South DJs
2100 – 0600
London Venue TBA
Prices £5 – £25
Tickets available from: www.brokenanduneven.com
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Tuesday 1st January 2013
The Hydra: electric minds x Aus vs Simple NYD
Room 1: electric minds
Henrik Schwarz – Live
Mosca
Shed
Levon Vincent
Mano Le Tough
Dolan Bergin
Room 2: Aus x Simple
Will Saul
Dusky
George Fitzgerald
Midland
Sei A
Room 3: electric minds Records
Jay Shepheard
dBridge presents Velvit
+ Very Special Guest
1800 – 0600
London venue TBA
Prices £5 – £20
Tickets available from: www.brokenanduneven.com