London-based DJ/producer Kate Simko could be having the best year ever. Known for her groundbreaking productions for revered labels such as Ghostly International and Spectral Sound, she’s spread her artistic wings beyond electronic music in recent years by exploring the possibilities that lie in classical music and beyond. In March, she took her can-do creative ethos to the next level by presenting her new London Electronic Orchestra project at the Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, where she played beats alongside a classical orchestra (watch the amazing video of the performance here). Though she’s been spreading her wings to other genres, Simko has continued her dance floor explorations. In June she waxed a remix of Eddie Richards on his Storm label and remix of Renato Ratier (owner of D-Edge São Paulo) coming out in August on D-Edge Records. She will be playing at D-Edge and Warang with Bonobo in Brazil on July 31 and August 2. On July 23 she will make her DC-10 debut at Jamie Jones’ Paradise on July 23, debuting a new live set with Juno 106 live keys.
This weekend Simko shared a bill with Sasha and played Brooklyn’s club-of-the-moment Verboten. She filled us in on a few key moments of her trip to New York’s best borough.
1. View from Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg
I’m a pretty regular guest at Verboten, so the Wythe is my usual home base in New York. This is the view from my hotel room – perfect to get the excitement building for a big night.
2. Sasha
I started my night by stopping by Output to say hi to Jamie Jones. It’s pretty cool to stay at the Wythe and have Output and Verboten within one block. It’s great to see New York have a new home base neighborhood for dance music. Both clubs were absolutely rammed. The scene here is really going off! When I arrived at the club, Sasha was playing a great set to a packed room full of energy. Next James Teej played a live set including vocals and keyboards that was musical and energetic.
3. Me
I closed out the event and had a blast playing that room! I’m pretty sure this photo is of me singing along to Sasha’s new remix of London Grammar “Hey Now” toward the end of the night.
4. Brunch
The next day Verboten hosted a brunch during the day from noon until 8pm in the side room. I came by for some food with Rob Garza and Lauren Flax (pictured below). Rob (of Thievery Corporation) and I DJ’d there Sunday night – it was great to see him and play together again.
All in all, another killer time in New York. I’m looking forward to being back in September at Verboten where I’ll be debuting my new project, London Electronic Orchestra. Super excited for it. See you soon, New York City!
Images courtesy of Kate Simko, except Me image by Alex Bershaw for VerbotenNewYork.com.