The Word on EDM/DANCE with Aegipan Samarawickrama
G’day g’day!
Who’s wearing one less layer on the dancefloor now that the cold is slowly abating? It’s almost hard to believe, but we’re in the final quarter of 2024, and the end-of-year shenanigans are fast approaching.
This year’s been one of the best for yours truly, made all the better by the opportunity to write these columns and keep you up to speed on the happenings round town!
I would like to thank everyone who’s given me feedback and sent me the goss on their releases and events, too. Beyond my ability to write, research, and party, that’s what makes this column possible. [Editor Angel is discovering so many fab artists through this column!!!]
Likely, by the time you read this, Dragon Dreaming will be done and dusted. I trust you all had a blast, stayed safe, and made it back home alright. I was extremely impressed with the Warm Up Party at the end of August. It was a microcosm of the festival proper, and it was evident that a lot of work went into getting it off the ground.
I’d love to see more like that in the future, especially in the downtime between the bigger doofs.
Public Service Announcements
Before I get into the proverbial meat and potatoes of this column’s now-standard fare, I’d like to make a couple of public service announcements.
First up – in the interest of harm minimisation and safety, I feel that it’s important to mention that CanTEST has detected a type of nitazene in pills purchased off the dark web. This stuff is a hundred times stronger than fentanyl, so it poses a substantial risk to the broader community. If you choose to purchase any substance and are unsure of what’s in it, please take it to CanTEST and have it tested. The last thing we need in Canberra is more overdoses and deaths when we have the means to mitigate and prevent both.
Secondly – if you’re a DJ and have yet to break out of your bedroom and onto an actual stage, it’s well worth hitting up Headz are Rolling for a chat.
These free Royal Rollerz gigs would make for an excellent opportunity to dip your toes in the water and get some recognition for your name without having to get booked for a paid gig right out of the gate.
Personally, I’d love to see some new blood on these line-ups. That’s how we keep our scene healthy and growing, and it would also provide opportunities to meet new people and network for future promotions. If you can’t get a hold of the Headz crew through Facebook for some reason, email me, and I’ll get in touch for you!
New Releases
Kazuki released his seventh EP, Flowers, on 30 September, comprising three stellar prog house tracks with techy beats, uplifting grooves, and blissful soundscapes aplenty. It’s a solid follow-up to his great Canyon/Pharos EP from early last year. Check out Kazuki‘s SoundCloud.
Since I’m writing this column well before its release, I will only have a chance to listen to this next one after publication. However, on 16 September, Argentinian psytech wizard Tetra Hydro released his EP Active Meditation on local label Soliq Records.
Everything released on Soliq is well worth checking out, but this one promises to be a real mind-bender.
Co-Lab Recordings is celebrating its 20- year milestone with a stacked VA released mid-September. Honestly, every artist on the record is worth mentioning – A-Audio, Ben Soundscape, Colette Warren, Dr Meaker, Flaco… If I listed them all, this paragraph would get biblical. Primo drum and bass is on the menu.
Harley D is one of the UK’s hardest-working drum and bass producers, and on his Alien EP from August, you’ll find six tracks of filthy, brain-tickling drum and bass. If we’re ever visited by extraterrestrials, let’s send them this one as a peace offering.
13 September saw Bristolian producer Mako release his second solo album, Oeuvre Part 2, on Metalheadz. If you’ve never heard his work, you’re in for a treat, as he’s among the most genius and dedicated drum and bass producers of our time. Much like Part 1, Oeuvre Part 2 features crisp, intricate beats and juicy wobbles that range from soulful to downright dirty. It’s clear that as a solo artist, Mako’s LPs are a labour of true love.
Taking a break from the filth and beelining it for pure bliss, Transmissions by Mineral is one for relaxing in the sun or having an outdoor sesh. It’s tranquil and never overwhelming, with heavenly breaks, twinkling melodies, and soothing atmospherics. It might be one of my favourite discoveries this year, and I hope to see some of the more notable tracks being played at parties. It’s the sound of spring!
Shindigs
There are only a few shindigs on my radar for this month. I assume that after the big one, crews will take a bit of downtime before the hectic slew of end-of- year parties just over the horizon. I know I am!
As I mentioned in the last issue, Headz are Rolling are bringing out heavy hitter Bailey on 18 October, and if you’re into drum and bass be sure not to miss it. Dude’s got decades of experience, and knowing the Headz, there’s gonna be a whole lot of raw talent filling up the supporting slots. Tix are still available via Humanitix.
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more details! I’ll also deliver the info on their traditional holiday belter, Jungle Bells, as it comes in.
Suppose you’re looking for a lovely day party followed by a (reasonably) early night. In that case, RPG Events and Escape Ferocity are bringing New Zealand’s Grouch down to a new lakeside park near the city for a solid outdoor sesh.
This one promises some good barbecue and a cheap bar, too, not to mention what’s sure to be a spectacular view to take in while we boogie. Young ‘uns are welcome during the day before it goes adults-only when night falls.
RPG gigs are limited to a maximum of 100 participants to keep it in the underground, so if you’re keen on this party, you better strike while the iron is hot – via Humanitix.
Outside EDM
As always, I will close this one out by letting you know what else I’m listening to and what’s on my radar outside of the EDM umbrella.
By the time you read this, Nordic folk trio Aftenstorm will have released their debut album on 20 September. I have a lot of love for their 2022 EP Ondt blot and the single they released in May, Farvel mitt hjem. Their sound is hypnotic, emotive, and the perfect soundtrack for walking in the woods or those nights spent under the stars.
Bristol’s doomgaze up-and-comers Sugar Horse have released a curiously-titled EP called Spit Beach. If you don’t know what doomgaze is, that’s what I’m here for.
Think slow, fuzzed-out, massively heavy metal with a multi-layered wall of sound that will overwhelm your senses and dissolve your consciousness in the gooey thickness of its riffs, topped off with beautiful melodies and haunting vocals.
If that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will. Give it a chance, and let the sound of Sugar Horse wash over you.
That’s all I’ve got for you for this issue. I’ll be back next time with more details on how the end of the year is looking. Email me if you’ve got anything worthy of space in this column, and I’ll write it up! AEGIPAN101@GMAIL.COM