Festival CLUBS
DANIEL AVERY The leftfi eld techno producer guests at Wasabi Disco for a back-to-back set with Optimo’s Twitch
‘T here’s a scene emerging at the moment but no one has given it a name yet,’ explains Daniel Avery ahead of his set at Wasabi Disco. ‘It’s rooted in techno but is as inspired by Kevin Shields’ [My Bloody Valentine] psychedelic drones, Neu!’s hypnotic repetition and post-punk’s punch as it is by the usual dancefloor names.’ As you can imagine from that statement, Avery’s not an easy man to categorise.
That refusal to be pigeonholed stems from a deep love of music beyond just dance. ‘Before I knew I liked dance music I was fully into guitars,’ says Avery. ‘It was only through DJs like Andrew Weatherall, Richard Fearless and Erol Alkan – guys who publicly occupied both worlds – that I became interested in techno. Of course, New Order played a huge part along the way.’ It’s funny that Avery mentions Weatherall, Fearless and Alkan, as he’s now worked with all three. In particular, releasing music via Alkan’s Phantasy Sound label, while Weatherall very publicly praised the young DJ. ‘It felt bizarre but also amazing. He is such an inspiration, it really spurred me on to keep pushing myself.’ Weatherall even produced an exclusive track for Avery’s FabricLive
mix (‘Dry Heat’ as The Asphodells, his collaboration with Timothy J Fairplay). It should come as no surprise that Avery is also a fan of Scotland’s Optimo. He released a track on the Glasgow label in 2012 (Daniel Avery & Deadstock 33s ‘The Magnetic’) and this special festival date will be a back-to- back set with Twitch. ‘Optimo were a huge influence on me growing up and remain so today. There’s a huge difference between having no rules, and just being eclectic for the sake of it. I hear too many DJs at the moment playing “wildcard party” records, I find it cheap and totally boring. Optimo couldn’t be more different, every decision is considered. Listening to their sets is an education yet one that can smash any dancefloor.’
With the two Optimo mavericks on the decks it’s impossible to predict what you’ll hear on the night. ‘That’s the beauty of DJing,’ says Avery, ‘every time should be unique. Saying that, I’ve just finished my first album so I’m looking forward to road testing some new stuff in that room.’ (Henry Northmore)
Sneaky Pete’s, 225 1757, 17 Aug, 11pm–5am, £5.50 (£5).
For more info go to LIST.CO.UK /FESTIVAL
HITLIST THE BEST DANCEFLOOR ACTION
✽ Daddy G (Massive Attack) Bristolian DJ, Massive Attack’s Daddy G will be
testing out the soundsystem at Bar Soba with a set of hip hop, funk and dub to soundtrack the cocktail drinking going on in the bar. Bar Soba, 225 6220, 15 Aug, 9pm, free.
✽ Crazy P Nottingham’s Crazy P are in high
demand at the moment. Wedged in between dates at Croatia’s Garden Festival, DC10 in Ibiza, and Ministry of Sound, they’re stopping in to play at this New Town bar. Get down to their irresistible blend of deep house and shimmering disco at Rendez-Vous this week. 99 Hanover Street, 225 8200, 15 Aug, free.
✽ Wasabi Disco In securing man of the
moment Daniel Avery and living legend JD Twitch for a back to back marathon in a 100 capacity venue til 5am, Wasabi Disco have
also nailed one of the most anticipated club nights of the year. See interview, left. Sneaky Pete’s, 225 1757, 17 Aug, 11pm, £5.50 (£5).
✽ Edinburgh Club Collective Four of the capital’s heavyweight house parties team
up for an explosive night with some of the best residents in town. Until 5am. The Liquid Room, 225 2564, 17 Aug, 11pm £6-£10.
✽ Riton With a back catalogue that stretches
over ten years, as well as remixes for the likes of M.I.A, Scissor Sisters and Simian Mobile Disco (not to mention his work with the late, great DJ Medhi as Carte Blanche), Riton never fails to rock the party. Sneaky Pete’s, 225 1757, 21 Aug, 11pm, £5.
15–26 Aug 2013 THE LIST FESTIVAL 87