Awake All Hours

In this episode of INSIGHTS, I am joined by the singular and brilliant DJ Haram, who’s eclectic DJ and production style leaves almost no corner of the globe unturned, with influences from strains of US and UK club sounds, rap, noise, Arabic and Middle Eastern music to name a few. Highlights in her discography include 2022’s incendiary album ‘Nothing To Declare’ as 700 Bliss, her collaboration with Moor Mother, as well as her latest EP on Hyperdub, ‘Handplay’, which came out in December last year. Embarking on a series of live shows and building towards her debut solo album, I am honoured to be joined by Zubeyda Muzeyyen. Over the course of this interview, Zubeyda discusses her early years and the influence of Middle Eastern wedding music and Turkish psych on her as a multi-disciplinary artist, settling in Brooklyn following the Covid-19 pandemic, reflecting on the difficulties and enduring effect of lockdown, representing the underground on her Monday Night Raw show on The Lot Radio, her approach to production and collaborations with Billy Woods / Armand Hammer and Moor Mother as 700 Bliss, signing to Hyperdub and exploring the themes of borders and a global passport on ‘Nothing To Declare’, embracing vulnerability on her 'Handplay' EP and forthcoming debut album, concluding by highlighting some favourite music selections and future projects. Clips of ‘Handplay’ and ‘No Funeral’ by DJ Haram from the ‘Handplay’ EP on Hyperdub are used in this podcast. SUPPORT DJ HARAM: Bandcamp: https://djharam.bandcamp.com/album/handplay-ep Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djharam/ Buy Music Club: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-insights-032-dj-haram SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: Patreon: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours Instagram: www.instagram.com/awake.allhours/

Minirig foder, mean Owl City and pop curiosities with ambient side-quests is the order of the day in this episode of Awake All Hours, as we review the latest albums from big-hitters Nia Archives, Sega Bodega and Julia Holter. We conclude with a ceremonial What’s In My Bandcamp Basket, which includes fresh heat from Alix Perez, Gaffaci & Sam Interface, Emily Jeanne, Bait, Mike Parker, Cocktail Party Effect and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-084-nia-archives-sega-bodega-julia-holter SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours

Hailing from Tokyo and now residing in Bristol, in this episode of INSIGHTS, I am joined by the wonderful Saki Yamada, who’s spellbinding music brilliantly treads the sonic lineage between both cities. Here to discuss the bond between Tokyo and Bristol, production techniques and even Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Arrival’, her debut album entitled ‘es’, which came out in February, found a snug fit on the UK’s finest exporters of all things left of centre, Accidental Meetings. Over the course of this interview, Saki discusses growing up near Tokyo and moving to Bristol, comparing the rich cultures and music scenes of each city, drawing inspiration from dub and soundsystem culture on her 2023 EP ‘Depth’, the making of her debut album ‘es’, musical influences, using field recordings and synthesis to create a musical diary and the enduring inspiration and wonderment of Dennis Villeneuve’s sci-fi/human drama ‘Arrival’ and the score by Jóhann Jóhannsson. Saki concludes by highlighting some favourite music selections and future projects. Clips of ‘Biophoton’ and ‘Tack’ by Saskia from the album ‘es’ on Accidental Meetings, are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. SUPPORT SASKIA Bandcamp: https://accidentalmeetings.bandcamp.com/album/es Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saskia.n3/ Buy Music Club: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-insights-031-saskia-the-bond-between-tokyo-bristol-the-making-of-es-arrival SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: Patreon: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours Instagram: www.instagram.com/awake.allhours/

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we review a cluster of albums exploring the fringes of electronic and experimental music; more boundary pushing footwork from Jlin on 'Akoma', truly essential listening in the form of Moor Mother's staggering experimental opus 'The Great Bailout', sprawling choral, pipe organ and brass meditations from Kali Malone on 'All Life Long' and black metal/hard dance hybrids on Violent Magic Orchestra's 'DEATH RAVE'. We finish with a focus on our favourite new curiosities and club-leaning picks in What’s In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring releases from Klahrk, Valentina Magaletti, Daniel[i] and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-083-jlin-moor-mother-kali-malone-violent-magic-orchestra SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours TICKETS FOR 4TH BIRTHDAY AT AVALON CAFE : https://ra.co/events/1847480

In this episode of Awake All Hours, it’s de Casier season bby!! So we waste no time getting stuck into album reviews for returning podcast favourites - ‘Still’ by Erika de Casier, ‘GRIP’ by serpentwithfeet and ‘Orchards of a Futile Heaven’ by The Body and Dis Fig. We finish with a focus on our favourite new club-ready record picks in What’s In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring releases from Jurango, Ivy Lab, Intellagama, Polar Inertia and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-082-erika-de-casier-serpentwithfeet-the-body-dis-fig SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours

In this episode of INSIGHTS, we are joined by Nyksan, a mastermind behind one of the most influential labels of this decade, Colombia’s TraTraTrax, alongside Verraco and DJ Lomalinda. Back in 2020, while the label was still in its infancy, we had the pleasure of interviewing Verraco to coincide with the release of his album ‘Grial’ on Insurgentes. We could never have predicted TraTraTrax’s trajectory then. In the space of just three and a half years, the label has curated an era-defining roster of artists and releases, from the likes of Nick León, DJ Babatr, Bitter Babe, Luca Duran, Doctor Jeep, Badsista and many more, putting the breadth and brilliance of Latin America’s music and culture at the centre, whilst also plotting a course via Africa and Europe. We are so excited to discuss the past, present and future of the world-beating imprint, as well his solo endeavours, with the one and only Nicolás Sánchez! Over the course of this interview, we begin by discussing the story of TraTraTrax so far, talking about the label’s origins, writing their own story, an unwavering approach to quality, significant releases and the unknown tale behind the monumental track of 2022, ‘Xtasis’, their passionate and dedicated approach to curating remixes, bucket-list remixers and expanding with the latest in their annual compilation series 'no pare, sigue sigue 2' (don’t stop, keep moving). We also discuss TraTraTrax’s Dekmantel 2023 showcase, the label’s reaction to their reception in Europe and doing things on their own terms while giving something back to their community. Next, we discuss what Nico is up to in his spare time between running the label, which includes working for a quantum computing company, his sprawling ambient project ‘Sacrificio’ with collaborators Juan David Figueroa, Carlos Serrano and Daniel Brusatin, creating sound installations, metaverses and, finally, TraTraTrax’s new ambient sublabel Ambie—Tón. We conclude by discussing plans for TraTraTrax's future, including twelve new releases already on the map, another new banger orientated series and showcases and parties all over the world! Clips of 'Aló ma' by Nyksan and Moa Pillar from the compilation 'no pare, sigue sigue 2', as well as 'Jardin privé' by Nyksan from the EP 'Sacrificio', are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. SUPPORT NYKSAN & TRATRATRAX: TraTraTrax Bandcamp: tratratrax.bandcamp.com TraTraTrax Instagram: www.instagram.com/tratratrax/ Nyksan Instagram: www.instagram.com/nyksan_/ ‘Sacrificio’: nyksan.bandcamp.com/album/sacrificio SUPPORT AWAKE ALL HOURS: Patreon: www.patreon.com/awakeallhours Instagram: www.instagram.com/awake.allhours/

In this episode of Awake All Hours, there are tales from the first month of club season in 2024, featuring homegrown party debuts, big eff-off soundsytems and no-holds-barred backroom voyages, with standout sets from aya, Susu Laroche, Bruce b2b Nosedrip and OKO DJ. Next, there's album reviews for Astrid Sonne, Saskia and Burial, before we finish with What's In My Bandcamp Basket, rounding up our favourite new club-ready scran from the likes of Eastern Distributor & Jörmungandr, DJ Kolt, Cartridge, AceMo, Erika and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-081-astrid-sonne-saskia-burial

We’re well and truly back for 2024 with all the usual chatter - part coherent music discourse, part utter nonsense but 100% dedicated to the music and culture we love. Following a January string of INSIGHTS interviews with the wonderful Dual Monitor and Gonubie, we humbly present to you a bog-standard, back-to-basics discussion and reviews show, featuring the new albums from Donato Dozzy, 33EMYBW and MoMA Ready. We finish with a traditional What’s In My Bandcamp Basket? which features essential loot from DJ Haram, Nat Home, ASC, Yan Cook and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-080-donato-dozzy-33emybw-moma-ready

Last Autumn, we had the absolute joy of sitting down with two of the loveliest people in dance music, Dual Monitor, in anticipation of their new EP on Hardline Sounds. Two established names in their own right and already boasting releases on N-Face, Amity, EC2A and CloudCore, the synergy of Fliss Mayo and Zebb Dempster has been taking the club and festival circuit by storm, from venues and events such as Glastonbury Festival, Meraki, Boiler Room and sharing lineups with the likes of Eliza Rose, Mall Grab, Yung Singh, Chloe Robinson, Hamdi and Pinch. Over the course of this interview, Fliss and Zebb begin by discussing their contrasting formative experiences growing up in London and the countryside, the formation of Dual Monitor and getting their first breakthrough at Gottwood Festival. Next, they discuss their workflow and the triumphs and trials of producing as a duo, the making of their new club-ready EP 'Hardline 19' and embracing inspirations from TraTraTrax and Minor Science to Australian progressive house and techno. Finally, we discuss Fliss and Zebb's performance highlights of 2023, including their opening for Eliza Rose at Boiler Room Liverpool, tips for navigating the music industry and some of their defining tunes, edits and bootlegs of the year - Buy Music Club Below. Clips of 'Fractal Submission' on N-Face Records and 'Switch It' on Hardline Sounds are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. SUPPORT DUAL MONITOR: Bandcamp: https://hardlinesounds.bandcamp.com/album/hard19 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dualmonitor?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dualmonitor_/ Buy Music Club: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-insights-029-dual-monitor

In this episode of INISIGHTS, I am joined by Naledi Holtman a.k.a Gonubie & Rare Software, a Cape Town-based DJ, interdisciplinary artist and classically trained musician and flautist, who takes her name and inspiration from the river and area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape where her mother was raised. Naledi’s album ‘Signals At Both Ears’, released in September last year, is a breathtaking and expertly-composed piece of ambient music that holds a freshness and distinct identity, whilst evoking some of genres classic works. Over the course of this interview, Naledi begins by discussing her experience of playing at Search Festival in Cape Town and debuting her live set as Gonubie, left turns in creativity and beginning to compose ambient music. Next, we discuss the influences and themes behind ‘Signals At Both Ears’, from Nala Sinephro and Carlos Nino to Harold Budd, finding a home for the album on the New Forest’s Métron Records, exploring the theme of home through art and how sound can evoke the feeling of returning to oneself, constructing a musical world and the parallels between music and architecture. Naledi concludes by discussing the future of the Gonbuie project and highlighting key artists, collectives and parties in the South African Scene, finishing with some current favourite selections - Buy Music Club below. Clips of 'Nymph' and 'Crystal Pools' by Gonubie from the album 'Signals At Both Ears' on Métron Records are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. SUPPORT GONUBIE: Bandcamp: https://metronrecords.bandcamp.com/album/signals-at-both-ears Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_raresoftware_/ Buy Music Club: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-insights-028-gonubie

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we look back over 2023, rounding up our favourite music of the year! We put forward what we believe to be some of the year’s essential releases, listing our top 10 tunes, top 10 EPs and top 20 albums, before finishing with our award ceremony and contributor end-of-year lists from the wonderful Ikävä Pii, Sam Cox, Maya Vika, Dual Monitor, Zak Smiff, Anjali, Pollination (Yasmine & Frond), Shryke, Alpha Fett Baby, excel dj and Calm Stiege! Buy Music Clubs containing every release covered below: AAH's Fav Music of 2023: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-079-best-of-2023-awards-ceremony-contributor-lists AAH Contributor's Fav Music of 2023: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-aah-contributors-favourite-music-of-2023

In this episode of INSIGHTS, I am joined by Gabriel Gifford, a fascinating artist who is a recent discovery for us on the show. His new concept mini-album ‘Hailstone King’, based on a short story of the same name and drawing on themes such as grief, masculinity, mental health, identity, and legacy really captured our imagination and saw a startling and impressive update to his sound, combining luxurious club sonics and crystalline modern pop inspired by the likes of FKA twigs and Fever Ray. Over the course of this interview, Gabriel begins by discussing his experience studying at BIMM in Bristol, moving to Berlin, the city's DIY scene and the impact it had on him creatively before talking in-depth about the themes, imagery, stylistic influences, sonic references and creative process on 'Hailstone King' and his new live show. To finish, Gabriel discusses his involvement with the collective Reverse Engineering and working with Softmax on her 'Any Minute Now' EP, before highlighting some formative records and current favourite Bandcamp picks! Clips of 'Voice from the Wind' and 'Raised by She-Wolves' are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. SUPPORT GABRIEL GIFFORD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielgifford/ Bandcamp: https://gabrielgifford.bandcamp.com

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we cover three albums exploring the fringes of electronic experimentalism, going in-depth on the new Rainy Miller & Space Afrika album 'A Grisaille Wedding', as well as reviewing the self-titled debut by HUUUM on Accidental Meetings and 'tollard' by Memotone on The Trilogy Tapes. We finish, as always, with What's In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring releases from Clara!, Darama, Monnom Black and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-078-rainy-miller-x-space-afrika-huuum-memotone

In this episode of INSIGHTS, I am joined by Sam Schaeffer who, alongside Batu, co-runs the beloved Bristol festival En Masse which just celebrated its third year proper with what felt like a landmark edition across five days and multiple venues in the city. Over the course of this interview, Sam discusses her background in event safety and site management, En Masse's origins and the inner workings of organising such an event, reflecting on the past three edition's triumphs and challenges and running a festival pre and post-pandemic. Sam also gives insight into the power of a diverse team, the financial aspects of events-organising and the significance of getting funding, advice for aspiring promoters and plans for En Masse in 2024. SUPPORT EN MASSE: En Masse web: https://enmasse.dance En Masse insta: https://www.instagram.com/enmassefest/ Sam insta: https://www.instagram.com/samschaef/ Batu insta: https://www.instagram.com/batu_timedance/

In this episode of Awake All Hours, witness us grapple hopelessly with Roman numerals as the ineffable Actress returns with the chess and game-theory inspired 'LXXXVIII', Aisha Devi startles and entrances with ‘Death Is Home’ and Salamanda make us yearn for an existence as jam-making pond-life with 'In Parallel'. We finish with a traditional What's In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring records from DJ Manny, Alan Johnson, Neinzer, DJ Disrespect and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-077-actress-aisha-devi-salamanda

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we review 'touched by an angel' by Klein, 'Revanchist' by Evian Christ, 'Richer Sound' by Works Of Intent and 'The Fifth Dream' Azu Tiwaline, before concluding with a traditional Whats In My Bandcamp Basket, which features releases from Toumba, Versa, Alarico and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-076-klein-evian-christ-works-of-intent-azu-tiwaline

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we begin with discussions on Pulitzer Prize finalist Jlin and PC Music star Hannah Diamond, reviewing their new album’s ‘Perspective’ and ‘Perfect Picture’, before reviewing ‘Eulo Cramps’ by Call Super and ‘Parable Of The Empty Cup’ by YOKEL, D.HAM and FRANCO FRANCO. We finish, as always, with What’s In My Bandcamp Basket, which contains fun and functional big-room gear, techno chuggers that should come equipped with their own smoke machine, gleefully cheeky acid and more! SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-075-jlin-hannah-diamond-call-super-yokel-x-dhan-x-franco-franco

In this episode of Awake All Hours, we have a stacked album reviews section of boundless and thrilling acts, which sees the return of podcast faves Loraine James, yeule and Iceboy Violet as well as Gaika and Laurel Halo. We finish off with a traditional What’s In My Bandcamp Basket, featuring all the usual club-ready / adjacent loot, including a trinity of Verraco related releases, rowdy kazoos, psilocybin-induced techno journeys and that VTSS and Boys Noize banger, naturally. SUPPORT THE ARTISTS: https://www.buymusic.club/list/awakeallhours-ep-074-loraine-james-yeule-iceboy-violet-gaika-laurel-halo

In this episode of Awake All Hours, with the help of contributors and friends of the show Liv Bignold-Jordan, Jenny Tracey, Rob Ekbery and Alex Beach, we look back on the 2023 editions of Dekmantel, Body Movements, Field Day, Field Maneuvers, Draaimolen and Houghton before reviewing the new albums from Tirzah and Minor Science.

In this episode of INSIGHTS, we are joined by Angus Finlayson aka Minor Science, one of our favourite DJs and producers and someone we’ve hoped to have on the show for actual years since 2020’s best of year list topping album ’Second Language’. To coincide with the imminent and highly anticipated release of his second album entitled ‘Absent Friends Vol. III’, Angus joins us to discuss music, the creative process and perhaps even address his alleged invovlement with and reluctant mentorship of mysterious gremlin edit-masters STRIPE N CO… Over the course of this interview, Angus begins by discussing his landmark debut album ‘Second Language’, how we relate to music made during lockdown, connecting music to moments and the story, creation and concept of one of this year’s biggest club anthems ‘Workahol’. We then have an in-depth discussion on the creative process behind his new album, the ‘Absent Friends’ concept and live set and looking beyond the immediate context of the music you are making for inspiration. To conclude, Angus discusses the exponential rise in appreciation and demand for harder and faster genres of dance music and their working-class roots, Stripe N Co as a project, making music as a character and how it has impacted his production more broadly. Clips of ‘Dread the Evening and ‘Workahol’ by Minor Science are used at the beginning and end of this podcast. Bandcamp: https://minorscience.bandcamp.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minor.science/ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/minor-science?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing