had an entertaining weekend, Speedranch and V/Vm were performing at
an all-nighter in sheffield.
the phrase to use in these situations is: "it's an interesting
space". Another bleeding art/music event, but the focus this time was
definitely the music.
We got there at about 10. Found the venue purely by luck. An act
called 'the veilgudd brothers' serenaded us till about 1 with a
collection of fractured tones & noises. exceedingly good, with a lot
of live input from the pair. Its very much in the mego style, but
less sterile than Farmers Manual. I hope to hear more.
Ian ATx also span a few choices cuts. His magazine, Autotoxicity, is
due out soon. Its mighty fine, but god knows how you'll get too see a
copy, it's a non web publication. Details nearer the event.
VVm arrived later, after travelling down from the previous
nights work in Sterling, The plan had been to perform a live PA, but
a combination of exhaustion, a poor setup, and a suspected hostile
crowd led to a dj set instead.
But first, Speedranch on the decks.
The space was pretty rammed by now, and Winston (Forgemaster) Hazel
was pleasing the crowd with a seamless house mix. It seemed a shame
to spoil their fun, but Speedy was cajoled into 'clearing the room'
-the promoters words.
So, a barrage of heavy beats and cut up vocals followed. The room
largely cleared in 10 mins. Fair enough, there were two other djs to
choose from in the other spaces, but some pillock decided to air his
disgust by shouting abuse, turning lights on/off, on/off, pulling
cables out etc.
this slightly spoiled the enjoyment of the remaining few, who were
getting some distorted dark-core and loving it. it took about 20
mins to sort the sound, the top end finally arrived halfway through
jega's 'stainless steel drum', which sounded superb rising from out
of the noise.
V/Vm followed with an eighties mix inna mobile-disco-dave
style. The Kids from Fame, The Weather Girls, Lieutenant Pigeon, The
Birdie Song, Frank Sinatra and many,many more were inflicted upon a
crowd who lapped it up. I swear I saw half of Milli Vanilli vogueing
to 'It's raining men', but that may have been sleep deprivation side
effects. I also have vivid memories of a large white pitbull
roaming round, sniffing crotches. And a headless child in a romper
suit, being carried aloft on broad shoulders.
Splendid night all round.
The latest VVm release is brilliant, a different approach this time.
Rough and ready, if you will. Vertiginous.
Also picked up:
Map One: contaminated by technique - by members of this parish of
course. Theres a high standard throughout, and there's enjoyment to
be had, but its all reminiscent/derivative of the well known. Its
easily said, but I've heard aphex twin, and autechre, and they are
difficult to improve upon. So why try? Abuse me if you like, i'll
keep listening, this is just first impressions. My expectations were
too high i suppose.
Jega- type xero. Again, its good, but i wanted more. more tunes.
info: pitbull, carbon 60, Intron v,Naem. ziq001 0n planet u.
Bannlust- Digital tensions. This i like. despite the lack of tunes,
pedestrian pace, and the obvious autechre influences.