Last Thursday at Santos Party House, Fixed brought two European electro acts from the opposite end of the spectrum: Pantha Du Prince (Germany) and Dada Life (Sweden). Pantha Du Prince delivered a well-paced live set with an extensive set-up that included two laptops, a variety of mixers, MIDI controllers, and other contraptions that we can’t even identify. Fixed residents JDH and Dave P acted as cross faders between sets, helping the audience make the transition from Pantha Du Prince’s minimalist set to Dada Life’s hard electro. Clearly having a blast behind the decks, Dada Life’s infectious energy was reciprocated by the crowd. Check out their remix of “Symphonies” by Dan Black below, one of the many highlights of the evening.
Dan Black featuring Kid Cudi – “Symphonies” (Dada Life Remix)
In spite of numerous complications that could have spelled disaster, Fixed and Trouble & Bass came out on top with yet another great party at Santos Party House. We’ll admit that the combination of acts – Dominique Young, Class Actress, Calvertron and Rico Tubbs – was a little odd, but each delivered with fantastic results.
The Trouble & Bass Crew (sans AC Slater, who is currently on tour), kicked things off and manned the decks between sets. Dominique Young was the first guest to take the stage with a sassy electro-tinged hip hop set, followed by Class Actress’ low-key breed of new-wave pop.
Then came the bass. Calvertron’s set was off to a deliciously melodic start with Doorly’s remix of “Counterpoint” by Delphic. As he progressed into heavy wobbles, the crowd lost control, moving and thrashing across the dance floor. Rico Tubbs laid the bass on thick, confirming my assessment of his “midas touch” on tracks like “Cold As Ice” by Foreigner, “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, “No Security” by Crookers, “Innocence” by Nero and “Party Up” by DMX. He was a master on the CDJs, expertly scratching and manipulating the music, and by extension, the audience.
I could go on and on about how great the party was, but the photos pretty much speak for themselves. Don’t miss Trouble & Bass on July 29, when they once again team up with Fixed and Santos Party House to bring special guests Breakage and Zombie Disco Squad, and be sure to check out our recent interview with the Trouble & Bass Crew HERE.
From the moment we set foot at our first Trouble & Bass party, we were hooked. It was their three-year anniversary blowout at Le Poisson Rouge last September, a party that was packed to capacity with a line of people outside, hoping to get in on the madness. With the help of featured guests Skream and Benga (who crowd-surfed, much to the audience’s delight), the Trouble & Bass Crew had the crowd going from start to finish. It was a truly fantastic introduction to Trouble & Bass, a night that AC Slater remembers as “the definition of a good T&B vibe”.
Luca Venezia (Drop the Lime), started throwing parties under the Trouble & Bass moniker during his college years at Bard, but it wasn’t until 2006 that he started the incarnation of Trouble & Bass that we know today. After a six month stint in Berlin, Luca returned to New York and teamed up with Vivian Host (Star Eyes), Math Head and Zack Shadetek to fill a void in the New York City music scene. “At that time, genres like bassline, dubstep, and grime weren’t really being played in New York, especially not at the same party,” Vivian says of the musical climate of the time. Luca adds, “we started as a party in basement warehouse spots in Brooklyn and eventually progressed into a band of DJs and a label.” In 2007, Patrick Rood (The Captain) was brought on board after the departure of Math Head and Zack Shadetek, and about a year later, Aaron Clevenger (AC Slater) clicked with the crew at a gig in Brooklyn, rounding out the foursome.
Luca’s vision was “to bring the energy, the fun, and dancing back into New York nightlife.” Mission accomplished. Nearly four years later, Trouble & Bass has thrown dozens of parties that have featured massive DJs and producers from around the globe, but events are just the tip of the iceberg. Trouble & Bass also consists of a record label, has a publishing deal in the works, and an upcoming clothing line that will be produced exclusively through Mishka. Put more formally by Patrick, who counts ‘label manager’ among his many roles in the crew, “Trouble & Bass is a multi faceted company that specializes in the advancement of music through the artillery of heavy bass.”
And there you have it. Trouble & Bass has several exciting projects lined up for the summer – Supra 1 recently released their first single, “Still Believe”, and next week, 77 Klash will release his long-awaited EP, Shadow of Death, produced by Drop the Lime and AC Slater. Drop the Lime’s new single, Sex Sax, is set for a June 22 release, along with a music video produced and directed by The Captain. AC Slater’s Calm Down Trilogy EP is coming out in August, and features a double pack Serato vinyl designed by Dust La Rock (Fool’s Gold).
After the jump, read our interview with the Trouble & Bass crew, CLICK HERE for a collection of our Trouble & Bass photo galleries from the past year, and for your listening pleasure, we’ve included the Trouble & Bass crew’s collective Smashcast below (subscribe/download HERE).
Smashcast 006: Trouble & Bass Crew
Don’t miss the Trouble & Bass crew tomorrow night as they take over Canal Rubber at Santos Party House with Calvertron, Rico Tubbs, Class Actress, Dominique Unique Young and JDH (Fixed). Advance tickets HERE.
Before you plan your summer escape, Trouble & Bass is bringing us one final installment of No Escape from New York before taking a little vacation of their own. Not only is this month’s party the “Heavy Bass Champions” edition with Calvertron and Rico Tubbs, Trouble & Bass is also teaming up with Santos Party House and Canal Rubber to bring a fresh summer breeze to their monthly staple.
Alex Calver – one of the UK’s most established electronic music DJs – is bringing his most recent alter ego, Calvertron, to our side of the pond. Over the past 8 years, Alex Calver has released over one hundred 12” vinyls under various aliases; Calvertron mixes electronic beats with vocals from a wide range of styles including hip hop and rock, expertly accented with bass in all the right places. Check out his Trouble & Bass Smashcast below out below or download/subscribe HERE.
Trouble & Bass Smashcast 007: Calvertron
Hailing from Finland, Rico Tubbs has been steadily cranking out party beats since he exploded on the scene in 2002. Citing James Brown, The Prodigy and Biz Markie as his biggest influences, his first single, “Flashlighter”, was inspired by the 1977 Parliament classic imbued with massive amounts of bass. Rico Tubbs often selects funk-based tracks to remix and possesses a sort of musical Midas touch – every track he touches turns into bass-heavy gold. Check out his take on Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s “Next Episode” below.
Dr. Dre – The Next Episode (Will Power & Rico Tubbs Remix)
The evening will also feature performances by Class Actress and Dominique Young Unique, along with DJ sets by Fixed’s JDH and the Trouble & Bass Crew. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the show – CLICK HERE to enter.
Come back on Wednesday for the Trouble & Bass edition of our “Behind the Decks” series, featuring interviews with Drop the Lime, The Captain, Star Eyes and AC Slater, and don’t miss the Trouble & Bass crew on July 29 when they team up with Fixed to bring us Breakage and Zombie Disco Squad. CLICK HERE for tickets & info and check in with us next month for your chance to win tickets. No Escape from New York will be back in full effect this September.
Last night, Simian Mobile Disco’s Jas Shaw took over the decks at Santos Party House for one of the best Fixed parties of the year. The party drew a sizable crowd that included Armand van Helden, Telli Federline of Ninjasonik, Alex English, and more. As always, Fixed residents JDH and Dave P held it down with solid opening and closing sets.
BPitch Control label boss, fashion designer, international DJ and recording artist Ellen Allien will be dropping by New York City this Saturday for Fixed at Santos Party House. She just released her fifth solo full-length, Dust, and continues to push the envelope of electronica as pop. This Saturday will be a special one as she takes us on a journey through outer space beats and minimalistic vocal buzzs. Fixed’s JDH & Dave P will be the supporting cast on May 29th.
We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to this once in lifetime occasion, one pair through Twitter, and one pair through our site. Enter the contest after the jump…
This Thursday, UK duo Simian Mobile Disco will return to New York City for their quarterly residency with Fixed’s JDH and Dave P. Last February’s kick-off at Le Poisson Rouge was nothing short of a rager, and we expect the same when the party moves to Santos Party House on May 27.
We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to this massive event, one pair through Twitter, and one pair through our site. Enter the contest after the jump…
On Thursday night, The Twelves, Grum and Fixed residents JDH & Dave P played to a sold-out crowd at Santos Party House for their weekly party, Canal Rubber. JDH & Dave P had the crowd in a fervor early on, ready for Grum’s synth-pop set. As The Twelves prepared to take over, Grum played one of his best-known remixes, “To Kingdom Come” by Passion Pit, The Twelves ad-libbed a few chords on one of two keyboards, which they ran through Abelton.
The Twelves (João Miguel and Luciano Oliveira) set the energy level on high and held it there throughout their set. The Brazilian duo dropped hit after hit, mashing and remixing on the fly. Highlights included “Eleanor Rigby” (The Beatles), “Hearts on Fire” (Cut Copy), “Thriller” (Michael Jackson), “Sexy Boy” (Air) and “House of Jealous Lovers” (The Rapture). They used the keyboards mainly as mixers/controllers throughout the set, but incorporated the keys during their own remixes of “Reckoner” (Radiohead), “Boyz” (M.I.A.), “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You” (The Black Kids), and “In for the Kill” (La Roux).
Next Thursday, Fixed is bringing The Twelves (a.k.a. the “Daft Punk of Brazil”) to Santos Party House for their acclaimed weekly party, Canal Rubber. Since forming in 2005, João Miguel and Luciano Oliveira have released a series of covers, original tracks and remixes, including one of my personal favorites (streamed below). Be sure to check out the duo’s recent BBC Essential Mix HERE.
The Black Kids – “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” (The Twelves Remix)
Tickets are almost sold out, but we have a pair reserved for one lucky reader. Enter the contest by filling out the form below. The contest will close on Thursday, April 29 at noon.
Tomorrow night (Thursday), Matthew Dear and Lee Curtiss will join Fixed residents JDH and Dave P as they take over the decks at Santos Party House for their weekly party, Canal Rubber. Santos resident Eli Escobar will spin downstairs.
Though his side project, Audion, has kept him busy as of late, Matthew Dear has recently gotten back to his DJ/production roots with his remix of “VCR” by The xx:
The xx – VCR (Matthew Dear Remix)
We’re giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the event. Enter the contest by filling out the form below. The contest will close tonight (Wednesday) at midnight. Winners will be notified on Thursday morning. Advance tickets available HERE.
