Scotland Clubbing Highlights – June 2014

We kick off in Glasgow where Subculture plays host to one of the most captivating live sets you’re likely to see for some time. Both distinguished producers in their own right, KiNK & Neville Watson’s collaborative project has been consistently fruitful since they first teamed up for 2008’s acid stormer Inside Out. Heavily indebted to classic Chicago house, but always advancing the form in their own way, the pair have continually came up trumps with releases for the likes of Rush Hour and Snuff Trax. Known to incorporate elements of DJing from turntables into their hybrid live sets, which also utilise an armoury of drum machines and hardware, Bulgarian native Strahil Velchek and UK counterpart Watson put a lot into their work – a welcome counterpoint to boring laptop-centric live performances. This one is not to be missed (7 Jun, Sub Club, £10-12).

On the same night, Tribal Pulse has an interesting double-bill lined up as they welcome the somewhat incongruent guest pairing of Italian Lorenzo Pavan AKA Johnny Kaos and contemporary Detroit’s leading light, Kyle Hall. The former produces unambiguous, bass-heavy rolling techno with a clear focus on peak-time dancefloor situations, while the latter has amassed a back catalogue traversing deep house, techno and, latterly, more UK-styled bass music. First coming to prominence with his debut release on Omar-S’ celebrated FXHE label, Hall has quickly become recognised as a torchbearer of the kind of rich electronic soul advanced by legendary Motor City mentors such as Theo Parrish and Moodymann (7 Jun, Saint Judes, £11 adv).       

The following week, La Cheetah newcomers Ezup invite US maestro Todd Edwards to bring sunshine vibes to Max’s glorious sweatpit of a basement. Over a career spanning two decades, Edwards’ contributions to house music, particularly his upbeat vocal-driven brand of garage, have earned him many accolades. His recognisable four-to-the-floor style of production and infectious vocal reconstruction technique have made his name almost synonymous with the genre and he has been one of the most in demand remixers around for many years. Behind the decks, Edwards’ style is typically joyous so, if you’re looking for a Thursday night pick me up, you really need look no further than the one they call Todd “the God” (12 Jun, £8 adv).

Next up, we’re heading over to the Art School for the visit of Manchester-based producer Andy Stott. Advancing a style of dub-driven techno which exudes atmosphere and depth, Stott has been a stalwart of his hometown’s impeccable Modern Love outlet for around 10 years – commendable loyalty in an age rife with label-hopping and short-lived associations. Maintaining a fine balance between dancefloor-focused tracks, more cerebral fare and a smattering of experimental offerings, Andy Stott is a producer who has always ploughed his own furrow, blending elements of minimalism, acid house and abstract noise into his impressive back catalogue. The culmination of this developing sonic palette was the 2012 album Luxury Problems, a rich and accomplished release which cements Stott’s reputation as one of the most gifted underground UK producers around at the moment. This is a live set well worthy of your attendance (20 Jun, £8 adv/£9 on the door).

Moving on to Edinburgh, and the first night to float our boat comes courtesy of In Deep at Sneaky Pete’s, who have lined up a four hour set from local hero Lindsay Todd AKA House of Traps. Head honcho of Edinburgh’s celebrated Firecracker label and allied with the likes of Fudge Fingas and Linkwood, Todd has espoused a stretched out slow-mo form of deeply funky house jams which ooze with the vibe and warmth of vintage soul and disco. House of Traps DJ sets are pleasingly varied, with his staple deep house grooves complemented expertly with disco, acid and smatterings of techno. With four hours to do his thing, this set promises quite the journey (6 Jun, £5/members free).

Next up, the Karnival crew set up shop at the Liquid Rooms on 7 June. This month they welcome Glasgow’s Sub Club duo Harri & Domenic, currently celebrating 20 years of their beloved Subculture parties. James ‘Harri’ Harrigan and Domenic Cappello have been at the centre of Scotland’s underground club scene since its earliest days. Continually moving with the times, they have held their own alongside legendary guests such as Kerri Chandler and Lil’ Louis – both of whom joined them in toasting their milestone over the last month. Harri and Domenic are joined in the capital by the equally formidable pairing of Dan Monox and The Wasp AKA Dixon Avenue Basement Jams. Honing their craft over many years – not least during their stewardship of the mighty Monox club night – the duo have gained a wider audience over the past two years with the sterling DABJ label. Releasing raw, jacking house from the likes of Marquis Hawkes and Jared Wilson, Dixon Avenue Basement Jams have also recently cemented their status as gifted selectors with a fine mix for Jackmaster’s recent Essential Mix Glaswegian special. Expect tweaking acid jams and full-on percussive workouts. Also on the bill is recent Moda Black signing Theo Kottis (£6 adv/£10 on the door).

A week before Modern Love’s Andy Stott hits Glasgow, the label’s similarly prolific production duo Demdike Stare take the stage at Edinburgh’s Mash House. When Sean Canty and Pendle Coven’s Miles Whittaker come together they emit a dark, richly-layered and, at times, downright unsettling blend of abstract drones, techno thuds and some of the creepiest samples ever woven together. Their murky sound, aptly accompanied by dark album artwork and their occult-referencing production moniker, is often said to be perfectly suited to vintage horror films, conjuring images of witchcraft and macabre ancient rituals – though more danceable dub techno and bass-heavy house music nicely rounds off their sets. On a similarly abstract tip, Wolf Eyes’ Nate Young is also on hand to perform a live version of his Regression project – an immersive and ear-splitting journey through drones, white noise and wailing tones. A more sonically intense Friday 13th club experience you’re unlikely to find (13 Jun, £8-10).

Finally, we round off the month with a nod in the direction of Sneaky Pete’s for Coalition vs notsosilent, capably manned by Portsmouth-bred house producer, Leon Vynehall. Over a busy two years, Vynehall has amassed an impressive back catalogue with tracks finding their way to receptive ears via trusted labels such as AUS and Martyn’s 3024. Drawing heavily from garage with his use of skewed melodic vocals and from bass music with his diverse rhythmic range, Vynehall also has a more subdued and deeper sensibility to much of his work. His recent 7-track, Music for the Uninvited, finds him incorporating lush strings into his tracks and showing his ability to make music which will resonate beyond the dancefloor. He is joined for this one by London’s Medlar, whose debut album Sleep was released through Wolf Music last year (29 Jun, £5).        

With those only a selection of high points from an impressively packed June calendar, the traditional summer clubbing lull seems to be a thing of the past in Scotland. Long may it continue!