Mad world
With Diplo, Crookers and Boy 8-Bit heading to Scotland David Pollock enters the world of Mad Decent records
‘ look for people who are trVing different things. saVs lasper (ioggins .\'ew \oik based in in iger ol the \l id
Decent label. and who aten t afraid to be a bit experimental with their sound. But more than that eVerVone on the label is friends. there’s delinitelV an easV camaraderie. a certain shared mindset which eVerVone who comes into the .\lad Decent world shares‘.
Scottish crowds will get a chance to open a window on the Mad Decent worIdVieVV' later this month. when the .\ll) of MD Diplo comes to lidinburgh with his fellow signee BoV S-Bit. and their sometime labelniates (‘rookers plaV at the Arches in (ilasgow. Diplo — aka Thomas \VesleV Pent/. or just ‘Wes‘ to (‘roggins — founded the label back in 2006 in his
name Philadelphia. when he discoVered the music of
Bra/ilian baile funk outfit Bonde do Role and wanted to make sure it was heard further afield.
Since then Mad Decent has released an eclectic bunch of' sounds from artists based around the world.
including the raVeV computer game retroisms of'
London‘s BoV S-Bit. broad-genred partV soundtracks from ltalV's (‘rookers and the description- def'Ving work of people like South Rakkas ( rew DJ Sega and Blatlstarr. Diplo s production work remember has been integral to the turiouslV contemporarV stVle of .\l.l.;\. and. to a lesser degree. Santogold.
‘Wes spends an enormous amount of' time on the internet.‘ laughs (ioggins. ‘He blogs a lot and he‘s reallV good at repring to his emails. but he also just likes to keep his ear to the ground and reallV soak up
‘WE LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS’
“y. '? “Q“
the sounds of eVerV new citV he tours to.‘
Milan duo ('rookers are one act that Diplo met through i(‘hat and inVited to send recordings. name has been on Mad Decent recordings in the past. and tth look set to blow tip around the world later this Vear with the release of. the debut album Lots of l-‘rir'iii/V. which features guest appearances from RVe RVe. Kclis. 'l‘im Burgess. Radioclit. Marina Ribatski (ex-singer ol' Bondc do Riilc‘l and SouIVVa\.
‘lt's a real pleasure to work with Diplo.' saVs (‘rookers‘ Andrea l-‘ratlglo. aka D.l Bot. recording partner of l5rancesco Barbaglia. D.l l’hra. “\Ves is a great guV. and he does things the an theV should be done in the record industrV. He isn‘t just interested in one stVle. he goes otit of his w aV to discoVer new artists from around the world. and he will giVe Voting people with raw talent adVice on how to become better in the studio. It‘s all about making the best mtisic possible.'
That's the continuing intention for the future too. saVs (ioggins. l'pcoming on Mad Decent are a Buraka Som Sistema remix lil’. a new London-based artist called lilVis [99”. a Dominican girl from New York who raps and sings called .\lulaca. and a Philadelphian trio of brothers w ho make punk rock as l’opo. ‘There is.‘ saVs the label‘s manager. cool stuff on the hori/on'.
Crookers play Death Disco at the Arches, Glasgow, Sat 16 May; Diplo and Boy 8-Bit play Sicknote vs Sugarbeat at Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Thu 21 May.
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r “1,1, ‘11 Riddim Tuffa Sound Digital dub from Jahtari as he blends reggae and electronica into a potent bassy brew. [he ORV. Edinburgh, in 7:3 Mat:
‘ Courier of Death Label Launch Glasgow band Den Haan. ex of Optimo Music. celebrate the launch of their own label With a live set and DJs afterwards. Stereo. Glasgow. Sat 76 May.
' Fever Maggie Joy comes out of retirement to guest as Fisher 8. Prices Fever celebrates its fifth birthday. Faith, Edinburgh, Sat 76 May. 3'7 Bass Warrior Monthly reggae and soca night _, With guests Scrappy. Speca Doss and BLEE - on one massive SOLindsystem. Glasgow School ofArt. Glasgow. Fri 22 May.
13 Bass Syndicate More bass, mashed with breakbeat anct electro as the DrumAttic TWIns (pictured). formerly known as Shades of Rhythm. guest. The Bongo Club. Edinburgh, Fri 2? May '1" Relentless A one-off return for the techno night. to raise charitable funds for sometime resident Easty With the night's first-ever guest James Ruskin (BIueprint/Tresori. Sub Club. Glasgow. Fri 22 May.
Know Your Limits A heady mix of future funk. deep house. sweet soul and electro kicks as Freeform Five out in a DJ set. The Caves. Edinburgh, Sat 23 May.
/ Musika Danny Howells. Four hour set. Result. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Sat 23 May.
>3 Flasco’s Secret Location Party II A special. all-night bank holiday party in three locations. with guests Inland Knights and MC MAD Mike. Meet at the Admiral, Glasgow, Sun 24 May.
>i’ Croc Madame vs Croc Monsieur Glasgow's most off the wall club night? A bill of Japanese noise. jazz improv and live physical theatre suggests so. Flying Duck, Glasgow, Thu 28 May.
‘ 1-.9'" '.‘f:, 97.91115 LIST 35