The word on EDM/Dance Music with Aegipan Samarawickrama
G’day-g’day! The year is now in full swing, summer’s drawn to a close, and I, future ACT Chief Minister and Dance Floor Representative, Aegipan, am here to deliver you my monthly report on the goings-on within the Territory’s borders.
You’ll be glad to know I’ve got a smidge more hot info to throw at you this month. Yep, the gig calendar is really starting to stack up, and the new releases should start piling up by the end of the month. I’m getting better at fine-tuning my bass radar.
With this in mind, a huge shout-out goes to Kybalion Hermetics for picking up on last column’s request and compiling an absolutely awesome gig calendar for me, which I shall be diligently referring to over the next months and keep the gig guide comprehensive. You absolute legend!
Right… Let’s get stuck right into it!
Spangled Drongo
This year it looks like there’s going to be monthly Spangled Drongo events out at Acton Peninsula, and I’m not talking about birdwatching!
These are free, open, safe evening parties with a lakeside vibe for those who are looking for a regular shindig away from the clubs and major venues. Take your shoes off and have a barefoot boog in the grass kind of thing.
The next one’s happening on Saturday, 15 March – word on the line-up for these events is posted to their Facebook event page leading up to it, so direct yer eyes there as the day encroaches. And hey, as someone with an intimate understanding of what it’s like having barely a buck to their name, you can’t go wrong with free anything around these parts.
Lot 33…
Do you remember Lot 33? I don’t, because it was around when these feet preferred mosh pits to dance floors. But if you do, you’ll be stoked to know that Friction is hosting the Lot 33 Reunion Party at Hopscotch on Sunday, 9 March. [Edit – which at the time of this upload has already passed. Have a listen to the playlist below ]
Get ready for some Canberra nightlife nostalgia as a slew of local DJs rip into some classic house and electro from 1pm till the late, late hours of the night. If you’re looking for an excuse to get the old gang back together and give’r till you can give’r no more, you’re sorted with this one.
DJ Ruby
On Friday, 21 March, Wayout Events brings Malta’s DJ Ruby to Shadows Night Club in the heart of the city. DJ Ruby is a prolific veteran of the underground with a career that spans
back to when I had not yet learned to read and write. The Knowers among us are well aware of how hard-working and well-travelled this bloke is, so expect a packed crowd partying from 9pm till late. Local support acts are EENU and PEEKZ. 2nd release tickets are selling fast, get yours via Humanitix.
Krafty Kuts and Plump DJs
Not enough Friction at Hopscotch for your liking? Right off the back of their Stanton Warriors gig, they’re hosting a legendary double-header with the UK’s Krafty Kuts and Plump DJs, two names I’m sure many of you are well aware of. They’re kicking off at midday on Sunday, 29 March and partying till 7. Might be one you want to lock in tickets for early if you can… you never know. [Edit: Tickets are SOLD OUT, maybe keep your eye any waistlists etc via Moshtix or the Facebook event page ]
That’s a helluva lot going on in March alone, and there’s plenty more in the months ahead, too. Expect the intensity to ramp up as we head towards the midway point of the year, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves too quickly.
New Releases
I’ve got one new release for you right now, and here’s where I will put out the call for some album release recommendations. I don’t mind covering stuff that’s been released before each column either, so don’t be shy – and if any label bigwigs are reading this, feel free to send samplers over to aegipan101@gmail.com if you want to get a bit more attention on your artists’ releases.
You’ll likely be reading a fair bit about the space wizards at Soliq Records; whenever it’s column-writing time for you, there are always new releases and gigs from our favourite local label.
Back in January, Rodri XXX released his EP Mystic Algoritms [sic] on Soliq. It contains two tracks that drive minimalistic techno with just the right amount of glitter and groove, working their magic over the pulsating beats.
I will say it right now – someone PLEASE throw this into their mix at a gig I’m at. This is exactly the stuff I want to hear at 2am as the second wind hits and the dancefloor beckons. Seriously. Deliver that directly into my ears, and I’ll give you a big ol’ bear hug.
I had better leave it there lest the word limit best me. I’ve got a few interesting discoveries I’ll let cook for a bit. Until then, keep the good times rolling, stay hydrated, keep cool!… And take care of yourselves and each other!
[aegipan101@gmail.com]