The Black Rabbit gang are descending on the White Isle for a summer residency with us at We Love. The idea behind the move is for all their guests to play alternative and unconventional sets in El Salon throughout the summer. Expect the likes of Shaun Reeves, Pete Herbert, Thomas Gandey (Cagedbaby), Luca C, Ali Love and a slew of other established and upcoming producers and DJs to be gracing the decks. El Salon (by day, an unassuming white lounge bar / back room, but the minute the sun starts to fade, it turns into a retro-inspired groove-tastic rave space for the Black Rabbit crew) will be swaying to the sounds of leftfield disco, analogue house and live vocals once a month starting on our opening party and ending fortuitously at our closing. In rabbiting style, expect the odd bit of 80’s party pop thrown in for good measure.
Bones and Guy, balearic bunnies
Formed in 2006, the Black Rabbit contingent of Chris Bones, Kelly Love, Justin Robertson and Guy Williams quickly gained appeal by their renowned residents Bones and Guy playing a refreshing, uplifting mishmash of musical styles. Highlights of the summer look to be Luca C and Ali Love live on the 13th of June, there’s sure to be a few unreleased licks from Chemical Brothers collaborator Ali Love’s anticipated new album. The 4th of July aptly brings Detroit native Shaun Reeves of Wolf + Lamb out to play his distinctive mix of American and Kraut House, both classic and contemporary. On Sunday the 1st of August be advised to expect the unexpected with Paradise 45, brainchild of Thomas Gandey (Cagedbaby) and Guy Williams dropping everything from italo, dub, funk and beyond. Also out that day will be disco king Pete Herbert – a constant force in dance for the past 15 years. The Rabbit’s final date, 5th September brings fellow Londoners DDD Simon Morell and Ryan Shaw, as Kelly says it’s going to be “fun, messy and Balearic all the way!”
Guy Williams has kindly provided a mix to give a taste of things to come this summer. You can download it here. Thump thump thump.
Over the past decade, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have established themselves among the planet’s most loved dance acts, storming charts and stages across the world. Through the years Groove Armada have moved through moody ambient electronica, urban riddims’ and with their latest offering, the album Black Light a sort of new-wave mesmeric pop. They find a fanbase in everyone from angst ridden youths to parochial minded adults and admiration from other musicians for their uncanny ability to create music that can live on radio and music television while still be able to get guys and girls boogieing on the dancefloor until the break of dawn.
There is an unusual blend of influences in each of their albums, spanning house (of course), big beat, reggae, disco and funk. Production wise they definitely have the knack of combining a traditional range of instrumentation with modern rhythms and technology. Their DJ sets however are most definitely rooted in house. Cato and Findlay remain two of the most passionate and knowledgeable fans of the genre you are ever likely to meet.
Although they have played in venues as diverse and remote as Romanian beaches and WW1 aircraft in Los Angeles, the duo always return to Ibiza. With a prodigal sons type vibe in the air, it’s promising to be a special season on the Terrace at We Love.. Space this year for Groove Armada as DJs and as live performers when their Black Light show rolls into the cavernous Discoteca.
Take note in your diaries ladies and gentlemen. Groove Armada will be DJing at We Love on the following dates: 20th June, 18th July and 19th of September. Expect that spectacular live show on the 15th of August.
For now we’ll leave it to Andy Cato (he’s the 6ft 8 Yorkshireman) to give us some insight to his musical history and hopes for the future. Genuinely interesting and insightful – thank you Andy.
Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?
Several. On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Chronicles by Bob Dylan, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, The Manual by Bill Drummond, The Revenge of Gaia by James Lovelock, etc.
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
My dad was a blues player so he got me playing blues on the piano as soon as I could sit up. He also rigged up a bag of nails hung over a hook in the roof so I could start playing the trombone before I was old enough to lift it.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
I was doing jazz gigs, weddings, funerals and the like from age 13 onwards. When I could get out of school, I used to spend afternoons in a studio underneath Wakefield Snooker Club, working out how it worked in exchange for releasing the tunes via the son of the club owner.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
I can’t tell you which bit of my musical life I’m drawing on when it comes to sitting down to write a song. I’m sure it’s all in there somewhere. But when you walk out to play to 50,000 people, it helps to have spent most of your life on stages, however small they were. And as far as DJing goes, there’s a big part of the sound at the moment that’s rooted in where it all started for me. The sound of Basics, Kaos, Soak and DiY parties in ‘89/’90. A lot of the old tunes are coming back up from the basement. There was also a real importance back then in working your tunes in the right order – before fx and loops could cover the gaps – and that’s stayed with me.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
It’s in an old cowshed. It’s actually the first proper studio I’ve ever had. I’ve been quite nomadic and have had studios in various cellars, bedrooms and boats up until now. It’s got some nice gear and pair of speakers I bought from Mike Oldfield that could rival the Terrace soundsystem.
Black lights
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
It’s been more lack of marketing issues for us. Until recently we were stuck on a major with Britney and NSync, with little attention coming our way. This meant we put a lot of work into the live show, the DJ sets, things we could get out there and do ourselves without hanging around waiting for answers from the label. In this way, GA has always been a DIY project. It’s meant less time for studio work over the years, but given that making a living in music is all about the gig these days, it hasn’t worked out too bad.
How would you describe your work?
A game of four halves. A lot of people only know the big singles and have no idea about all those deep and weird album tracks, the GA house sound, the amazing vibe of the live show, or the fact that Black Light (the new album) is the best music we’ve ever made. So we’ve still got a way to go.
Who were your teachers?
Studio-wise I just went for it from the off and worked it out. It takes a long time but it’s the best way to do it. DJ-wise, Sasha at Shelleys was one inspiration, and my cousin, Digs DiY the other. As a result I’ve always been sowewhere between the big breakdown and the hypnotic groove. In terms of playing instruments, it was my dad and Grimethorpe Colliery Band for the trombone, Stan who now plays with Faithless on the bass, and a woman down the road whose name I can’t remember for the piano.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
Carry my records back upstairs.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?
It would have to be the mosquito, but you can bet that there’d be an unforeseen outcome and we’d lose all our chickens or something within the year. That’s the thing with species. Once they start going, the rest follow.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
I’d repeat the 13th – 21st July, 1991 at the DiY free party, Morton Lighthouse. It doesn’t get any better.
Thanks again to Andy Cato for taking time out of his busy touring and production schedule to answer our 11 Questions, you can find the archive of everyone else who has kindly answered here. Check out the video below for a taste of Groove Armada live incase you haven’t witnessed it before. And remember, the full Black Light live show will be out in full force for We Love… Space on Sunday 15th August.
A genuine part of the We Love… family, a child of acid house and a man who’s been busy with beats since genres were but a twinkle in clubland’s eye. He is an electronic artist who defies generic boundaries ever since his days organising the now infamous raves underneath the M42 motorway in the UK. As an artist his releases and remixes have been signed to some of the world’s most established labels such as R&S, Drumcode, Rekids, Cocoon and of course his own imprint VIVa Music. As a label manager Steve has quickly given VIVa a reputation for breaking new talent and has featured music from the likes of Reboot, Audiofly, Peace Division, Livio & Roby as well as Lawler himself receiving heavy patronage by many house and techno luminaires.
Dynamic, driven and drastically obsessed with performing – Steve’s passion for electronica has seen a career spanning almost two decades, from the aforementioned illegal raves to residency at superclub Cream throughout the 90s and of course his residency at We Love… Space in Ibiza. By pushing boundaries, technically and creatively as both artist and businessman – we’re left in no doubt as to why We Love… Steve Lawler.
Steve has kindly provided a mix from a recent “after after-hours” session in a Moscow nightclub, something he rightly predicted we would personally love. He explains it thus: “On the Sunday night after two days no sleep in a very small, very strange, low lit, sleazy restaurant called ‘Ketamina’ – honestly. The decor is made for being out your mind, everyone sits on top of or under giant mushrooms… Anyway, I played there, I played very deep, trippy, slow, beautiful house music… and this mix is an hour of it…” Download it here.
No not at all, quite the opposite actually, I constantly heard the sentence ‘Get a proper job!’ I dont hear that any more.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
My first job really I suppose was playing some records on pirate radio although I never got paid, and promoting illegal party’s, they cost me money.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
The main past experience from my life that I constantly apply is atmosphere, and dare I say it, it’s not all about the music. I grew up in a time when things blew you away – not just that they would suffice. I started DJing when it wasn’t about DJs it wasn’t just about the music, it was about the party, the vibe, the sound, the lights, the friendliness, the ‘atmosphere’ and this is something that I always apply when DJing. This is why its more than just playing a selection of records, you have to play them in such a way you bring and experience.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
I have two studio spaces, one is in my basement at my house where I write and compose most of what I do and also where I generally put idea’s together. The other studio is a room at Abbot Street Studios in East London. I share this room with my engineer, this is where we finish projects most of the time.
Long arm of the Lawler
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
Unfortunately it’s a big part of a DJ’s career now, something that has been abused by certain people and used to almost even create a career, which I dont agree with. But it’s part of the game now, some for more than others. However this isnt something that we as DJ’s get massively involved in, this is what managers are for, so in answer to your question no it doesnt effect my creativity.
How would you describe your work?
Not really a question I can answer. I dont want to sit here and big my self up or put my self down. My work is my life long love and passion. My work is my life.
Who were your teachers?
No one, there are no such things in music I don’t think. I had influences like everyone else, Doors, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Scott Walker.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
It depends on the circumstance of the culprits in question. Are they scum, aggressive thieves or are they desperate people caught in a bad time with no help. I think everything in life should be judged with integrity and acted upon in the same way.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?
Lizards without a doubt, and this whole thing about they eat mosquito’s… well they don’t eat enough of them! Not in ibiza anyway.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
Without a doubt the 60’s… the birth of new.
Many thanks to the Steve for taking time out of his ridiculously busy schedule to answer our 11 Questions, you can check out our other artists who have answered here. Don’t forget to download the live mix and have a look at the video below to see Lawler an interview with Lawler at our closing party from 2009…
A crucial part of the We Love… residents team Alex Wolfenden has been entertaining the Space crowds for many years. With all his sets this past summer taking place on La Terraza his mix of house classics old and new has set the stage for many a memorable night. At his summer long Cafe Mambo residency Alex takes the chance to showcase a different side to his musical tastes with sets journeying through chill out, classic rock, ambient techno and beyond.
Having migrated south for the winter to the sunnier pastures of Australia, Alex has found time along side working on the Acid Mondays project with Garry Todd and Dan Ward to answer our 11 questions. He has also provided an exclusive mix for We Love… available for free download here
Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?
I am not a big reader but one book I did manage to read was the biography of Quincy Jones. It is a inspiration for life not just music and is a must read for anyone.
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
I was never was encouraged to work in music but I was never stopped. We used to have a piano in the house which I learnt on and when I was growing up I played different instruments from guitar, saxophone, drums but could never choose one, I even have a grade 4 in trumpet.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
My first professional gig in music was when I used to go on tour with Yousef as Moral Officer and I got flown around Europe to do it, i was just 18. While doing this I did everything from warm dj, do the visuals, and start the odd food fight or two. But realistically it was playing in the Annexe in Cream in 98/99 where I used to play the warm up set. This is where I learned my trade. It was a magical time and a place that changed my life.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
I have had so many jobs from delivering booze, bar work, even a fairground attendant. Djing around the world of the last 10 years has opened up my eyes, but the job that gave me the most important life experience was when I got payed £1 an hour for 40 hours a week in a nursing home. This job helped me get my first decks. I met so many amazing people who had some unbelievable life stories, and the funniest characters which taught me so much about real life.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
My studio is my pride and joy, I have been colleting hardware equipment for the last 9 years. I have Emu sp1200 sampler which used to be DJ Sneak’s, Emus 6400, Akai S300XL. I have a juno 9 classic synth and a Yamaha O1V digital desk I don’t want to list off all my equipment as it’s quite boring for most people and I can’t give away all my studio weapons but i have just bought a 501 Roland space echo’s which warps up anything played through it and linked up to my Vocal Harmonizer I will be making some twisted futuristic sound for my tracks this year. I lesson I have learned is it’s not what you have its what you make with what you’ve got. And as if I’m gonna tell you where it is!
The Wolfen-dos and Wolfen-donts
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
The technology available to music producers and dj’s has advanced so much over the last 40 years, as back then studio time was so precious and would cost lables thousands of pounds, needing lots of people to work them. Where as now you can make a hit record on a plane with a computer, some software and a pair of head phones. This together with the power of the web such as myspace and youtube has shaped the creativity of all up and coming artist. Even though times change marketing issues still have the same principles as you should contantly keep pushing your skills to like minded people, keep intouch with music trends past and present and it should always be about the quality of what you are making not about the quick buck.
How would you describe your work?
Like painting musically swans in space.
Who were your teachers?
From 94 to 99 I never missed a Cream in Liverpool and DJ’s like Roger Sanchez, C J Macintosh, Steve ’silk’ Hurley, Justin Roberson Green Velvet, Derrick Carter, Paul Bleasdale, Danny Rampling, and seeing the uk debut of Juniour Vasquez, and Daft Punk.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
Lock them up in a container in Liverpool docks with Celine Dion’s greatest hits on loop.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?
There’s enough of that going on without me joining in
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
1969 - 15/08/1969 in fact the 14/08/1969 i would need a day to get ready…
What better way of following We Love… Space on sundays than with Acid Mondays. Acid Mondays are Dan Ward, Garry Todd and long serving We Love… resident Alex Wolfenden. This week saw their debut release, aptly titled The First One, go out on 2020Vision. Described by 2020 as twisted excursions into percussive, sprawling, sleazy house music; we have to agree. A release from a relatively young outfit that sounds as succinct and together as some of the longest serving production teams. Being based in Ibiza over the summer months the Balearic influence is clearly visible in The First One whereas I Married A Pineapple represents a more trippy excursion into house. With 2020Vison’s reputation not just for putting out great music but also music which stands the test of time we’ll have to wait a few years to make sure that Acid Mondays have managed to maintain the level which they have reached with this first release.
The First One is available on beatport and direct from 2020Vision where you can also find an Acid Mondays podcast available for free download which alongside some of their own production features tracks from Spencer Parker, Ricardo Villalobos and may more.
A worldly man indeed – Abe Duque has been from playing organ in his father’s church and serving time with the US Marine Corp to founding record labels and a residency at New York’s infamous and notorious club-kids hangout Limelight. The first releases on his own imprint Abe Duque Records were released with no labels, no promo – just music one one side and a message from Abe scratched by hand into the vinyl on the back. Dark acid bass lines, latin percussion, house grooves and piano instrumentals characterise Abe’s live show which he has been bringing to both the Terraza and Discoteca at We Love… with a thump we are becoming accustomed to. He has released on everyone from International DJ Gigolos to Warner Bros. His new album “Don’t Be So Mean” is available from Process recordings. All album tracks have also been released on vinyl on Abe Duque recordings.
In March, Abe Duque and his longtime art partner Andy Orel will resurrect their dirty little slice of club history – the club night Abuse Industries, first in New York on March 20th, and then at a showcase at the Winter Music Conference in Miami on March 23th. It’s a throwback to the old days of club-kids, Tension Records, Kirilan, and New York at its most surreal. Andy and Abe worked together for years promoting the Limelight – and also on museum shows, runways with Helmut Lang, pages in Hustler, the early days of International DJ Gigolos, and running one-offs and short, sharp, freaky promotions at one of the most notorious clubs of all time…
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
They encouraged me to learn and venerate music. They discouraged me from working in it.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
It all came with a decision. I one day told myself I would quit my truck diriver job and live from music from then on. It wasn’t until years later that I made any money.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
I always say I am the sum of my experiences. Live and learn. Sink or swim.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
It is in a basement in New York City. It is rather small for all it’s history but sounds fucking great. I have lots of old gear. And that makes it feel like home.
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
Oh, what a question. Yes this has been a big one. It was not until I realised the importance of targeted marketing that I ever started making money on my productions. It would be sad if I did not figure out a way to market myself that was not true to my music.
Duque and cover
How would you describe your work?
I work hard. No chance to get anything out of this if I did not. Hit or miss, I need to keep on striking. Fortunately God blessed me with a little talent, which I take as far as my energy will let me.
Who were your teachers?
My father, my mother, Arthur Weinstein and the little man in my head.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
To the stocks with them! Yes, the pillory and pranger will do.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?
I am sick of unicorns.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
Depends on what I will be doing when I get there. I’ll go anywhere in time where I can be king. EMPIRE!
