Darren Ressler

Remembering New England Rave Legend Janessa-Michelle Isaacs (a.k.a. DJ Trixie)

January 22, 2020Darren Ressler 1 Comment

Janessa-Michelle Isaacs (a.k.a. DJ Trixie), a mainstay on the New England underground rave scene who spun breaks to drum ‘n’ bass, was found dead yesterday in Attleboro, MA. According to reports, Isaacs, 44, was reported missing by her boyfriend on Monday. She, was found not far from her apartment by authorities.

Earlier this month Isaacs, 44, posted a somber message on her Facebook page, writing, “It hurts like hell to be betrayed. It is even worse to spitefully abuse your partner to justify your dismissal….”

Police say Isaacs’ death does not appear suspicious and foul play is not suspected this time. An investigation is ongoing and the Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of her death.

This is a developing story. We’ll post news as soon as we have it.

Image by Danni Damage via Facebook

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Premiere: Sumsuch feat. Matty Eeles – Don’t Go

January 22, 2020Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Musician/producer Will Sumsuch, who is one-half of Mega Jawns, steps out this week with the Don’t Go EP (BBE), a two-track affair realized in collaboration with jazz vocalist and Alice Russell band member Matty Eeles.

We’re over the moon to world premiere the title track of the gorgeous and intimate downtempo collab featuring sparse guitars and a spirited vocal performance from Eeles.

Sumsuch tells us the soulful track brimming with vibes for days has been in the vault for nearly six years. He waiting for the just right moment to release it.

“This song means a huge amount to both of us, and it was recorded at a time when it looked like Matty might never sing again,” he explains.

“She’d developed polyps on her vocal chords and was waiting for a risky operation on them, and had been warned her voice might never sound the same. At the time of the recording, her vocal range and power was quite diminished, but with hindsight I think this really got her focusing on the emotion of the song: her performance on this track is simply breathtaking. As I recall, the musical side came together quickly from my guitar melody and Rhodes chords – it’s probably the warmest production I’ve achieved before or since. The whole thing just feels cozy and comforting to me, like an old friend.”

Get an exclusive first listen below and pick up the Don’t Go EP on January 24.

image by Katy Rowland

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Premiere: Tetsumasa – Izumo

January 15, 2020Darren Ressler 1 Comment

Tetsumasa is a Berlin-based experimental Japanese electronic music producer originally from Nagoya City, a place known for extravagant weddings, miso cutlets and a gaudy castle.

Possessing a sonic signature informed by a kitchen sink of genres (glitch, downtempo, dub, industrial and bass music), he’s been building a discography of forward-thinking left-of-center productions for the past few years.

This month Tetsumasa will release the On the Way EP via his SAIDAN (which means alter in Japanese) label. We’re thrilled to world premiere the bottom-heavy cut “Izumo,” a glitchy romp that takes its name from the city on Japan’s Honshu Island.

Unlike tracks in his milieu that gravitate toward grim/dystopian/apocalyptic themes, “Izumo” is refreshingly optimistic. The instrumental comes to life on a ghostly soundscape of stunning sub-bass, airy pads and helium vocals. It’s urged on by a stern kick drum that packs quite a wallop.

Get a first listen to “Izumo” below, and pick up the On the Way EP (which features a remix by Foodman) on January 23.

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Piem 5 Tracks of the Moment

January 13, 2020Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Damian Lazurus‘ Crosstown Rebels welcomes in the new decade with the third installment of the label’s much-loved Spirits compilation.

Set for worldwide release on January 24, Spirits III is an all-star 12-track compendium of exclusives forged by dance floor titans such as Martin Buttrich, Denney & James Dexter, Harry Romero and Eli & Fur. Their offerings have been in heavy rotation in Mr. Lazurus’ sets for the better part of the past year.

Prolific Barcelona-based DJ/producer Piem appears prominently, contributing the fiery “Freak Out” – a kinetic, tribal-infused tech-house soaker – to the Spirits III collection.

Ahead of the comp’s release, we connected with the Spanish sensation, who has released on labels such as Relief, Mother Recordings and Superfett, and asked him to share his five tracks of the moment. Continue Reading →