Put the date in your diary – on Thursday April 29th at the Cardiff Arts Institute on Park Place, the one-man-band-like-no-other Bass Clef will be in town. Following a late-afternoon performance in the lobby of the Cardiff Museum (part of the Artes Mundi celebrations, and quite possibly the first time live dubstep has been played in a museum), zwolf, Kruger DJs (Adam & Phoenix) and Mr Healan will be warming up the crowd from 9pm in the Arts Institute, before Bass Clef takes to the stage at around 11.00pm.

I caught up with Bass Clef – AKA Ralf Cumbers – and found him waxing lyrical about the joys of playing in Cardiff. “I think I’ve done Cardiff three times, and each one has been a cracker, especially the last Swn show (in 2009), it was one of my all time favourites!”

A visit by Bass Clef is any city’s gain – and back in 2007, when Ralf played The Point as part of Mary Anne Hobbes’ Warrior Dubz tour, Cardiff knew he was something special. “I love the Cardiff crowd”, said Ralf, “if they’re in to it they will really let you know!”

And what’s not to be into? The Bass Clef sound is visceral but sophisticated – a blend of dancehall rhythms, trombone flourishes and electronic production that never fails to blow the roof off. Most people’s introduction to him was through the stunning single ‘Cannot be Straightened’, lifted from his debut album ‘A Smile is a Curve that Straightens Most Things”. Operating in the same anthemic bass territory as Roots Manuva’s ‘Witness (1 Hope)’ or Dead Prez ‘Hip Hop’, dropping ‘Cannot Be Straightened’ is a shortcut to a skanking dance floor.

The new album – titled May the Bridges I Burn Light My Way and released earlier in the year on Blank Tapes – keeps up the pressure, although there’s a little more depth to the songs. “I had a few lovely reviews, but if one person out there gets it and loves it then brilliant” says Ralf humbly. “I’ve been gigging a load, plus writing a ton of stuff, some of which may or may not be the start of album three…I’m currently based in London and most of my music is recorded at home. But with the latest album I took my home recorded tracks to a fantastic south London studio called Snorkel, to add the stuff I can’t do at home: brass, percussion, drums. It’s something I’d like to build on, the blending of electronic and acoustic is the exciting thing for me these days.”
Bass Clef is only on his second album, but given the speed that electronic music seems to move at, it feels like he’s something of a veteran of the dubstep scene. “I guess in these accelerated times, having released records in 2006 would qualify me as the 2nd wave of old skool or something! God knows, ask someone who cares about the hardcore continuum thingy.”

It’s a refreshingly self-effacing attitude from a man who has done as much rummaging around under the engine of the dubstep-mobile as any of the more consciously cooler Hypedub crowd. While refusing to be pigeon-holed by lazy journalistic clichés is the prerogative of any underground artist, the acts that make up the prism of styles that dubstep has splintered into are sensitive about the way their music is labelled and described. It’s probably a sign of a scene filled with healthy self-confidence, but Bass Clef has a slightly different perspective: “I think I started on the outside edge of dubstep, now I’ve moved farther out and the egdes of dubstep have moved waaaay closer to the centre. I haven’t ever thought about where I stand really. I just try and make tunes I think are good and true, and then whatever anyone wants to call it is fine with me.”
Whatever we do-or-don’t call it, 2010 is a ridiculously exciting time for electronic bass music with new acts and labels popping up everywhere, and Ralf is right in the mix: “Hell yeah, there’s a ton of stuff going on. The new Mr Majeika tune on Numbers is absolutely rocking my world. ‘Because of you’ by Panagea is an amazing record. Geiom is kicking it as always. There’s a new act called Raime that will release their debut 12″ this year and it’s absolutely stunning. I’m deep in to Kenyan Benga music from the 70′s too. It’s really stripped down, but so funky.”
With such an eclectic bag of influences, its no surprise that Bass Clef is such a unique artist. What other dubstep artist could play a museum lobby and the Scala in London in the space of a week? “I think the weirdest gig I’ve done would have to be at a Cambridge May ball. I played at 4am, after a Take That tribute band, in the courtyard of a beautiful old historic college, to a lot of drunk people in tuxedos and ballgowns. Good times! Well I say a lot. There were about 7 people.”
We’ve all been there…drunk in a tuxedo that is, not playing a trombone and Theremin at 4am in the morning at a Cambridge ball. But what next for the Clef-monster? “There should be a 12″ of ‘Promises’ (single from his new album) with an absolutely beautiful Appleblim & Peverlist remix, then not one but two shows with the almighty Konono No.1, plus my first trips to Malta and Tel Aviv…and of course my return to wonderful Cardiffland!”

And wonderful Cardiffland is looking forward to his arrival…

A brief but important update from camp Bass Clef – local beatsmith & electronic poet Zwolf has been added to the lineup for the Bass Clef show on 29th April at the Cardiff Arts Institute, making the night now even more unmissable!

Sharing an anything-goes philosophy with headliner Bass Clef, but never compromising on the quality, Zwolf will play an exclusive 30 minute set before Bass Clef takes to the stage, with Kruger DJs Adam & Phoenix and Mr Healan providing the freshest beats either side and inbetween

Expect an evening of entertainment that veers artfully from soca-infused bass heavy dubstep to awestruck electronica, and just to recap for those at the back its:

Kruger presents Bass Clef + Zwolf+Kruger DJs + Mr Healan

Thursday April 29th 9pm-1am

FREE before 11pm/£2/£3

p.s. Interview with the man like Bass Clef coming soon…

Kruger presents Bass Clef + Kruger DJs + Mr Healan

Thursday April 29th 9pm-1am

FREE before 11pm/£2/£3

Once in a while an artist justifies the label ‘unique’ – and Ralf Cumbers (AKA Bassclef) is one of those artists.

Bass Clef is a one-man-band like no other: a trombone n bass aficionado who combines electronic jiggery pokery with block-rocking, dancehall influenced brass and beats. Having lurched into view with the face-mangling bassline of ‘Cannot Be Straightened’ in 2007, he has resurfaced with an album full of soca-infused bass heavy electronica for 2010, titled ‘May the Bridges I Burn Light The Way’ and released on Blank Tapes.

The new album sees the Bass Clef sound expand in all directions: rhythmically and sonically there are glorious new dimensions. From the Soca-tempered ‘Hackney Lionheart’ (the best James Bond theme there will never be), to the fuzzy, slowburning ‘Fix this Broken Love’, the music is often closer to Spiritualized than Skream. But the dancehall, dubstep rhythms are never far away – and live Bassclef veers between trombone blasts and Theremin wobbles.

Expect a tour-de-force of brass, bass, emotion and skittering beats – if you know what’s good for you, you’ll be down the front skankin…Bass Clef in the house!

TODDLA T comes to our CITY!!!

Well – what to say? Does that look like the sort of top-class deejay lineup you could see on a Thursday night in Cardiff for a fiver? No, it doesnt – but its happening in Cardiff’s club that likes to keep giving: Cardiff Arts Institute.

Along with a list of local residents that you KNOW will get the joint rocking, Toddla T and Cooly G are two of the biggest and well respected names in modern, urban dance music.

At an age when many deejays would still be tentatively doing their first gigs, Todda T is already a veteran of producing a Roots Manuva album, has remixed Hot Chip and Jack Penate, and now has a Fabric compilation to his name.

What are you waiting for? Get your tickets early, this one’s gonna be a sellout for sure…

TODDLA T
COOLY G
CHESUS & RODSKI
DON LEISURE
MONKEY MAGENTA
MR. HEALEN
SUBSTANCE

Cardiff Arts Institute // CF10 3BA

Doors open 9pm – 3am
£5 advance ticket & NUS // £7 on the door
advance tickets available @ www.ticketweb.co.uk

What's up Doc?

Doc Daneeka is a hotly tipped new producer who’s already had a track licensed to Fabric’s new CD Elevator Music, has remixed Delphic and Digital Mystikz, and is about to release his debut EP. On February 11th, Kruger Presents: Wonky Disco will be bringing Doc Daneeka to the Cardiff Arts Institute for an evening of cutting-edge sounds for the dance floor from dubstep to UK funky. Doc Daneeka epitomises the rude health of electronic music in 2010, as wave after wave of new producers give birth to mutations of house and dubstep that defy categorisation. Entry is FREE (9pm-2am),  and support on the night comes from Bigger than Barry resident Rodski as well as Maciek and Kruger deejays for good measure.

And if you needed any more motivation to catch Doc now before the rest of the world realises he’s a hot ticket, Wonky Disco caught up with the man himself and found him amped up and ready to roll for the year ahead…

Wonky Disco: The new Fabric CD Elevator Music might be the first time a lot of people hear your music. How did that come about?

Doc Daneeka: Basically, thecurbrawlers blog did a post on me back in September and Fabric contacted me quite soon after that.  It was cool to discover a lot of the other unsigned producers that i was feeling, like Julio Bashmore, Mosca and Hackman were on there too. Since then, everyone’s been getting signed – its wicked!

Wonky Disco: 2010 looks like being an exciting year for you with your first EP on the way. What else is in store?

Doc Daneeka: Yeah! Im pretty amped at the moment.  My Delphic remixes are out now on limited blue vinyl and the e.p. should be out in late Feb, early March on a yet to be disclosed subsidiary of Ramp recordings.  Apart from that I have several remixes dropping in the next month or so for Cardiff boys c.r.s.t., Warsaw’s sekta, Norrit from the U.S. and Venom and Damage’s Deeper.  Im working on the next batch of riddims too, the new stuff is sounding pretty deep, and should start appearing soon!

Wonky Disco: How would you describe your sound – is it one style in particular or lots of different influences floating about?

Doc Daneeka: Its a particular sound in a way, because its my sound.  But i wouldnt pigeon hole it to uk funky or just house.  I have been really influenced by loads of stuff, especially by jungle and broken beat and i think you can hear that in my music.  Its kinda basement house, heavy booty shaking, rhythmic music to dance to in sweaty basements. Its basically what feels right at the moment.  Im not trying to fit in.  I just make music with my gut.

Wonky Disco: Who are you most enjoying listening to at the moment, what people are exciting you in music right now?

Doc Daneeka: Right now there is so much great music being made its crazy.  Houseish-wise im really feeling what Solo and Zombie Disco Squad are doing.  Also sbtrkt, Mosca and Julio Bashmore float my boat on a regular basis.  But at the moment, every stone that I turn seems to bring great new tunes.  Its a really exciting time!

We’re certainly excited to be welcoming one of the cream of the crop of the new UK dance music producers to the Arts Institute, and his blend of styles is the perfect match for Wonky Disco: Delicious, dissolvable dance music.

Elevator music: movin on up

Heads up on a new compilation from the folks at Fabric London: Elevator Music Vol 1, which manages to pull together some of the freshest club sounds from last year and introduces new talents emerging AS I WRITE THIS SENTENCE.

Known for their house music (Saturday) and hoodies (Friday), Fabric has now gone and done the reasonable thing by putting out a document of the weird and wonderful club music that is throwing the Friday/Saturday night spilt into a spin. It captures the myriad of musical mutations that are currently baffling observers keen to put a label on the sound that Elevator Music describes simply as ’140bpm or thereabouts’, and gives a big up to the people who have provided ever-more-diverse parameters for electronic music in 2009: Untold, Starkey, Martyn and the like.

But as these hot-hands continue to light up clubs across the country, a still-newer gaggle of genre-smashers is emerging, including February’s Wonky Disco guest Doc Daneeka, and Bristol boy Julio Bashmore.

These guys take in everything from soca-infused deep house swing, to the gritty swoon of a techy roller, and package it all up with a two-step punch.  If this is setting the pace for 2010, we’re gonna be in for another vintage year. Check back soon for an interview with Doc Daneeka, before he hits the Arts Institute on Feb 11th.

Doc Daneeka: New talent alert

The world of dance music is a strange and beautiful place in 2010. Since dubstep went and imploded into a million pieces, new sounds, sub-genres and producers have started pouring out of the woodwork. February 11th sees one of the cream of the new crop of producers grace the decks at Wonky Disco.  Having had a track signed to the brand spanking new Fabric compilation (none more fresh, ear-wiggers), remixed Delphic and been bigged up by everyone from Digital Mystikz to Oneman, this guy is one to see before everyone else catches on.

But dont take our word for it – check his myspace and FACT magazine’s wholehearted endorsement of his musical muscle:

http://www.myspace.com/therealdocdaneeka

http://www.factmag.com/2010/01/22/10-producers-to-watch-in-2010-part-two/

Combining four-four basslines with a two-step state of mind, its party music for people with panache. One to watch in 2010? One to watch at Wonky Disco on Thursday 11th February to be more specific – and its completely FREE to get in.

Check back soon for an Arts Institute interview with Doc Daneeka where he reveals LOTS OF THINGS HE DOESNT TELL FACT MAGAZINE

adios

Wonky Disco

Underpass: Disorienteering album launch

Wonky Disco is kicking off the new year in style by hooking up with local electronica wizard Underpass for a party to mark the release of his first full-length album, Disorienteering. If you’ve heard his stuff before, you’ll know that Underpass (AKA Lee Marshall) embraces everything from ambient soundscapes to lip-curling breaks n bleeps. And if you haven’t heard him before – well now’s your chance to see a live set from Underpass, plus DJ C++ and Wonky Disco residents playing records until 1am. Doors are at 9pm, but don’t be fooled – these are FREE doors, that open without you having to insert any coins! Hoorah!

You can check out Underpass here:

http://www.myspace.com/lee_underpass

…or on his bi-weekly radio show here:

http://www.nsbradio.co.uk

And to celebrate such an auspicious start to 2010, here’s some words from Underpass himself:

Wonky Disco: “Electronic music has always been about contrasts – would you say your music embraces that?”

Underpass: “I think initially, there was no plan for what it was going to sound like at all.  When I first started making electronic music I was just experimenting with four track tape recorders and computer programs on the Amiga and cheap drum machines, just trying to find a way to make music without having to have a band with me.

The first stuff I released as Underpass was more of a specific kind of electro breakbeat style, and I think I thought that was the way I was going to continue.  There was a point where I had a  bunch of mellow downtempo electronica stuff I was making as well, and looked at it and thought, well, ok, I enjoy making this kind of music just as much, what do I do with it?

 I just decided that I’d keep it all under the same name.  I think it’s kind of patronizing to your audience to say, well they like one thing, but they’re not going to like this other thing.  People are welcome to pick and choose from it.”

 WD: “This is your first full length album right?”

 Underpass: “I actually recorded an album back in 2002, but due to various problems it never came out.  I’m actually quite glad about that now, hehehe. It’s very different working on electronic music than it is going into a studio and recording an album, effectively I live in my studio, and can always work on it, so each track is always an ongoing process.  

It’s not like I show up at Abbey Road on a Monday morning, like, ”crap, ok I have to write something now”!

I sat down in April of this year and just started going through everything on my hard drive. Once I’d figured out which bits I wanted to keep I pretty much spent a week on each track, pulling out all the bits I thought worked, and then writing new beats, recording new sections or re-recording parts, then brushing the whole thing up, and trying to get the production as good as I could.

Some of the tracks like ‘Zombies’, or ‘Hold Your Dreams In’ with Rhodri (from Right Hand, Left Hand), I knew absolutely had to be on there, because they’ve been knocking around for years, and have never seen a proper release for one reason or another.  And it was great working with Hannah Biscombe who has been a good friend for a long time, and we had always talked about her doing a sleeve for me, because I love her stuff”

WD: “It seems like videos and visuals are a big part of Underpass. Is that something you do yourself or do you work with other people?”

Underpass: “My music has always been very visually orientated.  Quite often a track comes from me trying to evoke the feeling of a certain situation that I remember, trying to kind of soundtrack events in my head. I watch movies and short films almost as much as I listen to music, so it was something that I always wanted to do.

 If you look at the music videos of people like Chris Cunningham, they are just so stunning and perfectly suited to the music, to the extent that you almost think the music was made to compliment the video and not the other way around, and I knew we could never do anything that special, but in terms of making something that went with the music, I felt that I really wanted to be involved filming and making the video, even if it meant that it wasn’t going to look anywhere near as polished as getting someone in to do it for me, just because I wanted it to be something that was personal, not just some shiny promo clip to shift units that ultimately had nothing to do with where my head was at, so I hooked up with the talented Steven Hamer, who I was working with at the time, and we just took cameras out and started filming, built up a huge selection of stuff, and then just started editing it over a bunch of evenings together into something that we felt showed the kind of world that we live in and the things that surround us.”

WD: “What can we expect at the album launch?”

Well, I’m going to do a bunch of stuff off the record which is only the second time any of the mellow stuff will get a live showing. I always think that live people are more interested in the danceable stuff, so this is going to be a different kind of show for me, showcasing the other side of what I do for a change. Of course, I’m planning on building the set up so we get to some dirty electro by the end of it, it just wouldn’t be an Underpass gig without some filthy bassline wrongness to end the night!

We’ll be showing the videos too, so hopefully it will be somewhere between a gig, a film showing and a visual installation if it all comes together. Fingers crossed.”

So – there you have it. Underpass at Wonky Disco on the 14^th Jan, 9-1. Delicious, dissolvable dance music.

Hey Ho Happy New Year!  We’re raring to go for 2010 at Wonky Disco, and looking forward to electronica dude Underpass launching his new album on the 14th Jan (doors 9pm, FREE ENTRY, and live visuals on the night). For now though, we thought we’d post our favourite songs of 2009 – the sort of beautiful ear-bashing you can expect if you toddle on down to our monthly Thursday night celebration of all things electronic – and invite you to do the same. So, here is the Wonky Disco top ten tracks of 2009:

1. The Invisible – London Girl (Joe Hot Chip remix)
2. Shur-I-Kan ft Alexander East – Simply Yes (Magik Tagik dub) – Lazy Days
3. Metronomy – Do the Right Thing (Wild Geese remix)
4. Hot Chip – Take it In – DFA/EMI
5. MANDY vs Booka Shade – Donut – Get Physical
6. James Blake – Air and Lack Thereof – Hemlock
7. Untold – Stop What You’re Doing (James Blake remix) – Hemlock
8. Starkey – Gutter Music VIP – Key Sound Recordings
9. Yacht – Psychic City – DFA
10. Cougar – Rhinelander – Counter Records

What are yours?

A Wonky Disco Christmas gift - a brand new mix from Dafydd Spillers!

Seeing as ’tis the season, Wonky Disco has dug deep into its crates to offer up a festive firecracker from Spillers stalwart Dafydd – yep, he’s only gone and put together a spaced-out-funked-up-bleeporama for your listening pleasure! Moving seamlessly from the scuzzy chic of Toby Tobias, to the luxury beat making of Still Going and Shit Robot, to the emo-tech of Compuphonic – this is the sound of a man who knows his onions (and where to buy them in London 24 hours a day, fool). Pour yourself a port, turn up the stereo, and have a Christmas wig-out on us yeah?

And as if that wasn’t exciting enough, Wonky Disco can proudly reveal that our next guest to grace the Arts Institute stage will be local electronica wizard Underpass – launching his debut album ‘Disorienteering’ on Thursday 14th January (http://underpass.org.uk). As well as a live set from the man himself, we’ll be welcoming Carl ‘C++’ Morris, who will no-doubt be playing you records you dont yet know you want…

An interview with Underpass is coming after Christmas, as well as an exclusive Underpass Wonky Disco mix to celebrate the album launch. Oh, and there’ll be live visuals on the night. Result!

Wonky Disco: delicious, dissolvable dance music.