CLUBS list.co.uk/clubs
JON HOPKINS Mercury-nominated producer books in some Leisure time
‘I didn’t used to find myself playing at three in the morning quite so much,’ ponders producer of the moment Jon Hopkins on the line from Prague ahead of a concert later in the evening. ‘My previous albums have been much more varied in terms of beats and tempo because they were written over years in different blocks of time,’ he explains. ‘This one was written really quickly, all in one go, and so it’s got a more consistent style, one which happens to be more danceable. So yeah, I’ve been playing a lot of clubs.’
‘Upbeat and hypnotic’ is how he chooses to describe much of last year’s Mercury- nominated Immunity album, and it’s a style that came to the fore on the much-adored first single from it, ‘Open Eye Signal’. Bassy, insistent and more than a little experimental by the end, it’s clear evidence as to why
42 THE LIST 20 Feb–20 Mar 2014
Hopkins is coming to Glasgow for a showcase night with the Leisure System crew from Berlin’s Berghain alongside the likes of Clark and Dopplereffekt. The classic early 90s sound of Berlin’s industrial spaces is strong in this record. It’s a far cry from the days when he was more well-known – as he probably still is in these parts – for 2011’s wistful, folksy Diamond Mine album alongside King Creosote.
‘It sounds a bit pretentious, but I’m never really conscious of what I’m doing musically,’ says the sometime Brian Eno collaborator. ‘I really prefer to ignore any intellectualising: I just do it and see what comes out.’ (David Pollock)
Leisure System at The Art School, Glasgow, Fri 28 Feb.
HITLIST THE BEST DANCEFLOOR ACTION
✽ Actress The Werkdiscs boss and revered producer heralds the first Huntleys & Palmers party of the year, alongside SOPHIE. The Art School, Glasgow, Fri 21 Feb.
✽ Christopher Rau A welcome chance to see the inventive deep house producer in an intimate setting. Etiket at Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Fri 21 Feb.
✽ Breach ‘Chart- friendly house’ needn’t
be a perjorative term. See preview, page 46. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Thu 20 Feb; The Arches, Glasgow, Fri 21 Feb.
✽ Pressure with Len Faki and Joris Voorn Techno heavyweight Len Faki
headlines a hefty lineup of international talent until 5am. The Arches, Glasgow, Fri 28 Feb.
✽ Leisure System with Jon Hopkins See preview, left. The Art School,
Glasgow, Fri 28 Feb.
✽ Melting Pot with Joe Claussell ‘Good music is good music no matter the
genre,’ says Clausell (pictured, top), resident of legendary New York institution Body & Soul – expect disco, funk, soul, techno and beyond. The Admiral, Glasgow, Sat 1 Mar.
✽ Ron Morelli Label head of revered New York imprint L.I.E.S. brings the sound of Brooklyn’s underground to Glasgow. La Cheetah, Glasgow, Fri 14 Mar.
✽ Wee Dub Festival The capital’s celebration of reggae-roots club sounds returns for 2014 with a guest roster featuring Nucleus Roots and Iration Steppas feat. Danman. See preview, page 43. Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 7–Sun 9 Mar.
I
L L E H C T M R E P O O C M A L L W © O T O H P
I I