Features

With a string of top-notch releases on labels including Moon Harbour, 20/20 Vision, Repopulate Mars, Sanity and VIVa LTD to his credit, emerging UK house and techno explorer Tennan (a.k.a. George Georgiadis) elevates his game with his brand-new endeavor — the soulful, party-perfect Keep My Beat EP.  The four-tracker out now on Mar-T’s tech-house imprint Wow! Recordings shows a few more sides of the upstart’s musical personality and boasts a crafty remix by Amnesia’s CAAL.

Though Tennan made news in 2017 when he accused Mihalis Safras of sampling a part from a demo he sent him, he’s clearly focused on what’s most important — progressing as an artist, making high-quality music for the dance floor and spreading positive vibes.

We checked in with the up-and-comer and asked him to share his five tracks of the moment. Continue Reading →

In September Düsseldorf-based house and techno DJ/producer Markus Suckut presented the world with his third full-length album, Heaven Is A State Of Mind, on UK-based Rekids. A mainstay on the label since 2015, Suckut, who also helms SCKT and Pattern Research, dedicated the diverse LP to his late mother.

After decimating the dance floor at Rekids’ soiree at Amsterdam Dance Event and before his gig on November 2-4 at Techno.Deluxe Warehouse Weekender 2018  in Vienna, we caught up with the prolific mixmaster and asked him to share five of his favorite tracks of the moment. Continue Reading →

I’ve been fascinated by Moog Music since I was a child. Perhaps because it was the instrument du jour of some of the most forward-thinking musicians of the past few decades. Or maybe it was how those cool-ass sounds emanated from their otherworldly analog synthesizers.

One of the most beloved musical instrument brands in the world, the company founded by Dr. Bob Moog in 1953 continues to push the envelope when it comes to manufacturing hand-crafted synths.

Before the employee-owned company announced this month the upcoming release of its first polyphonic analog synthesizer in over 35 years — the “tri-timbral, polyphonic, analog dream-synth” Moog One — I paid a second visit to the company’s factory and store on Broadway St. in downtown Asheville, NC (see pictures of my first factory tour here). For me this is like making a pilgrimage to synth Mecca.

I should add that [rior to my visit Moog Music made global news when it declared that a 25 percent tariff on Chinese circuit boards and associated components will bring havoc to its business. While their urgent appeal for support shook the music community and Moog fans alike, everything seemed business as usual during my visit.

In the video below, I walked around Moog’s showroom and checked out its array of droolworthy gear, merchandise and assorted wares. I can’t wait to go again.

Image by Darren Ressler

This week Swedish pop phenom Robyn made true on a promise to fans and released her long-awaited new album, Honey (Konichiwa/Interscope). The album arrives eight years after she presented her seminal Body Talk to the world. Created in studios in Stockholm, London, Paris, New York and Ibiza, Robyn teamed up with Metronomy’s Joseph Mount, long-time collaborator Klas Åhlund, Adam Bainbridge (a.k.a. Kindness), Mr. Tophat and Zhala to create yet another monumental work. In honor of the release of Honey, we revisit our 2008 cover story where she spoke candidly about her musical ethos and process. Continue Reading →