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it’CHH’) NEIL LANDSTRUMM Miso at The Ivy, Glasgow, Sat 12 Jan
‘I tend to focus in on something for a while, then I go through a period of extreme laziness before I start another project,’ says Edinburgh techno polymath Neil Landstrumm. ‘I wouldn’t call myself a workaholic, but if I set myself a goal - like releasing a record on Planet Mu that's worthy of the label - I don’t stop until that goal's ticked off.’
Not workaholic then, just admirably determined. Landstrumm has been making music professionally for 13 years, but in that time he’s released records on some of the planet's finest techno labels, including Peacefrog, Tresor and now the aforementioned Planet Mu. Taking into account the fact that he enjoyed a lengthy sabbatical in New York (which ended in 2003 and led to him establishing his own Scandinavia label internationally), and that he works as a graphic designer, most of us might concur that his work ethic seems uncommonly strong.
Landstrumm's latest LP, Restaurant of Assassins, also shows that he's more forward- thinking than most techno artists, with a particularly zeitgeist- thrashing outlook. ‘There’s a healthy dose of early 905 British rave in there, but it brings that sound up to date with more modern dubstep beats,’ he says. ‘lt’s more an album that you sit and listen to, rather than just banger after bangen’
It’s this feeding from different styles which, Landstrumm says, keeps him coming back for more: ‘When I started I mixed the Chicago style with elements of jazz, and then moved on to more experimental, abstract electronica. I’ve just kept it varied, really, which is why I think I’ve been able to continue doing this for so long’. (David Pollock)
ii ci N) THE BLACK DOG
The best new nights in town. This month: Ballers Social Club
Residents Hudson Mohawke (Warp) and Rustic (Stuff Records. Wireblock. Dress ? Sweat). Guests Pavan (pictured) and Rigas D (i'logsta Danshall) guest for this Art School debut.
Music policy ‘Eclectic electronica. hyph, hip hop, nu beat. club and dubbed-Out wamp.‘
What they say According to Ballers‘ promoter, Joe Coghill, the club is ‘born from a record label and group of people called Luckyme. To describe our iriuSIc policy I would say that we play extremely intelligentlyput» together, tun club music. Our programme is eclectic, credible and groundbreaking. to narrow it down or define it further would be impossible because the residents and guests eXist Outside genres themselves. We want to appeal to Open minded indiwduals who are willing to pick up on the mu3ic we wish to push, a hedonistic danCing crowd and girls who wear yellow hoodies with zebra print tights.‘
What we say Coghill and Mohawke have already established a strong reputation for promoting high quality nights With Dblspk at Blacktriars Basement. Club reSident Rustie released several tracks on the highly acclaimed Dress 2 Sweat Vol 7 EP, while Mohawke's
l tt ' , ' h, F '4 C u er House, Studio 24 Edinburg ri Jan lmmlnem debut for Warp Records
Studio 21 Will forever be associated With techno in E dinburgls Hosting is hotly anticipated. Movrng from nights such as Sativa and Dogma through the years (and still home to the Ivy to the larger environs of .JakNi there are now two new nights gracing the decks. Kontroi takes the Art School, the impresswe in the cutting edge tJOtOllli} Hill and Patrick Walker guest. l t January). roster of artists appearing at the but Clutter House looks at the genre tron: its inception. paying tribute club over the coming months is
testament to how well-connected and ambitious the BSC gang are. while January's showcase of a little-known Scandinawan strain of mutant robotic disco.
to some of techno's greatest narnes.
formed in 1989 at the beginning of the acid house scene. The Black Dog are true pioneers of techno Now signed to Glasgow/s Sonia they're currently working on a new it!t)tlll‘:. ‘I think it's iriore upbeat and a bit darker due to bemg stuck :7: South Yorkshire .Vitl:
constant grey skies. But :t's guite optiiittstic and eirtotionalf explairs colloqwally referred to as Martin Dust one of the current llltjl’tlJUr'T) alongside Richard [Just and ‘skweee' confirms the club's Ke't Downie. leftfield credentials.
Coghill has a genuine talent for spotting ‘next big things'. plus
‘.'\."hi|e The Black Dog's ()flgll‘ét: incarnation. which featured Ed Hartley and Any Turner alongside founder Downie. :5; considered by
want. as the” classic tine up 'releasrrng Bytes. Temple of Tmmparerit Rustie and Mohawke are rapidly Bafls and erx‘rirzerst. the new 'r'teup has been even more prolit'o becoming bonafide stars of the ‘What attracted the to Black Dog was that. ever; ttt'ougfi the rice-up electronic underground. So. 2008 changes it nezer stayed the same angway' says Dust. 'Kert took a 30’. looks very promising for the
of 'rsks and never stuck wrth that sound from the Wan era We've Ballers Social Club.
tried to get away from “it's Ken"; in the iast five years ‘.'.'e've released (Colin McKean)
120 tracks. We've Just got the right mix of people, all the skills really I Glasgow, SchoolofArt, Fri 11 seem to work. We've all always been realty interested in techno Jan.
tuturistic thoughts and the m:nd set that brrngs.‘ (Henry Nortnrnorei
4-17 Jan 2008 THE LIST 31