Author: Darren Ressler

Ken Ishii Pairs Producing Techno With Brewing Craft Beer

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Ken-Ishii craft beer

Ken Ishii is one of techno’s most unassuming and talented influencers. He’s an innovator whose contribution to the genre as a DJ and producer is far-reaching.

A student of the musical curriculum taught by Detroit’s techno godfathers in the ‘80s, Ishii is an artist in flux. He’s a gifted creator with a singular sound. In a world of fleeting trends and fads, the secret of his longevity is his creative focus and diligence.

Throughout his catalog of enduring singles, EPs and full-length albums (fun fact: Ishii composed the music for the opening ceremonies to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan) issued since 1993, he’s fluidly explored a wide swath of styles — everything from funky, breakbeat-infused tracks to auspicious, ambient-bathed explorations.

Ishii closed out 2020 with “Bionic Jellyfish,” a crushing, no-nonsense single for Electropical Records. It’s tailor-made for whenever we can have raucous warehouse parties again. The enthralling release includes bristling remixes by Drunken Kong and Luca Morris & Mozzy Rekorder.

We spoke with the Tokyo-based techno titan shortly after the single’s release to discuss “Bionic Jellyfish” and his passion for brewing craft beer. Continue Reading →

New York City House Music Icon Angel Moraes Has Died

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angel-moraes

New York City DJ/producer/remixer Angel Moraes died suddenly yesterday, according to a post on his Facebook page. He was surrounded by family. The cause of death is not yet known.

Angel passed away yesterday abruptly. He passes away surrounded with the people that loved him unconditionaly. Chris,…

Posted by Angel Moraes on Sunday, February 28, 2021

The Brooklyn, NY-born Moraes rose to notoriety in the ’90s house scene. His 1993 track “Release Yourself” issued on his Hot N’ Spycy imprint earned him international attention.

Subsequent tribal-fueled tracks like “Heaven Knows,” Welcome To The Factory” (a track dedicated to Sound Factory resident Junior Vasquez) and “I Like It” cemented his status in the upper echelon of NYC house producers.

In 1998, Angel took his knowledge of creating sound systems and founded Montreal’s Stereo nightclub. In 2000, he released his acclaimed full-length album, Back From Stereo.

During his career, Angel remixed top-tier artists like Pet Shop Boys, k.d. lang, Roy Davis, Jr., Jaydee, and Funky Green Dogs.

RELATED: Read a Lost 1995 Interview With NYC House Music DJ/Producer Angel Moraes

I had the pleasure of interviewing Angel a few times. He was a soft-spoken man who was passionate about his music. He seemed to have dealt with many of life’s ups and downs in stride and there was also optimism in his voice. Angel also exuded the same positivity whenever I’d see him out at a club.

The last time I interviewed Angel was in 2017 for a year-end rewind feature. When asked about his lowlights of the year, he mused, “Dealing with what seemed to be an endless line of pieces of shit lying SOB’s.” His resolution was earnest: “The same as every year: To be a better version of myself.”

And let’s not forget that behind the decks, well, he was a demon who could turn out the most jaded dance floor.

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Premiere: Nightdrive – Feel My Acid Mind

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NIGHTDRIVE - Dubiks

As the world reflects on the unexpected breakup of Daft Punk, let’s not forget about the fresh crop of underground producers around the world who are pushing electronic music forward.

While many of them won’t get lucky enough to achieve the same mainstream success, there’s plenty of innovators creating magic in the shadows who shouldn’t be overlooked.

Rising Saint Petersburg, Russia’s Nightdrive is one such discovery.

Beginning his production career in the realm of techno back in 2015, he’s since gravitated toward house music and is bringing harder, better, faster, stronger, vibes to the genre.

Ahead of the release of the No Sleep EP on February 26 via Dubiks, we’re pleased to world premiere Nightdrive’s “Feel My Acid Mind,” a squiggly, squelchy sample-based track with pitched-down vocals, clackety drums and aerodynamic 303s.

Hit the download below and enjoy.

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Video Premiere: Phaedru & Mandy feat. Kettra – Fugazi

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Phaedru & Mandy feat. Kettra - Fugazi

Last month London-based artist Phaedru and Athenian techno producer Mandy released “Fugazi” featuring Kettra. Recorded and mixed by Endproductions Exarcheia Athens, Phaedru’s flow immediately calls to mind Mike Skinner’s seminal work as The Streets. His chatty MC style is the perfect compliment to Mandy’s swinging uptempo soundscape.

Today we’re thrilled to world premiere the music video for “Fugazi” directed by Alex Stabasopoulos.

With the challenges presented by COVID-19, artists have to be creative. In this instance, the video Stabasopoulos put together is a raw multi-camera feed of “shots depicting a masked figure – an allegory of the title character of the song.”

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.