Author: Yehouda Silverman

How was 2018 for you?

Dedric Moore: 2018 was a great year musically. After four years of working on our album, Argentum Dreams, it finally came together. So many different versions of the album came and went so it was nice to settle on the song list and work the mixes into a cohesive unit. Partnering with 8D Industries was a great motivation to get things done and present the release in a professional manner.

Highlights?

Having Andrew Weatherall spin our tracks on his radio show and give the album high praise did it for me. For Delaney it was having his early inspiration/hero Laurent Garnier comment that he loved the album. Collectively, holding the vinyl in your hand and then giving it a spin always sends nervous chills down our spines.

Lowlights?

I had health issues that date back to almost two years ago. After a ruined vacation in Colorado with a crazy ride through the mountains in the back of an ambulance and the tech repeating that heart surgery is an easy procedure — but stay calm, heart was fine. I did have surgery in August and I am finally feeling normal. Delaney has been working on a couple business projects that are fantastic opportunities but he won’t be able to perform live shows with the band. He brings that magical chaos that pushes our extended sonic exploration into the atmosphere when we cut loose. He jokes that the band sounds tighter without him.

Song of the year?  

“Discogedanken” by Klaus Johann Grobe

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

First off is trying to enjoy the moment and really have some fun with music. It’s tough sometimes to keep up with the biz side of music and you forget to just enjoy playing and making music. I never want to feel like it is a job. Music is a magical thing that comes out of your imagination. Music is an aural dream that makes its way to your fingers, feet, and vocal chords and bounces out into your vision of what music is. Delaney wants to have the follow-up EP or album finished by the end of the year. I’d be thrilled for that to happen. Another facet of enjoying the music is that I’d like to play some festivals this year. With eight band members on stage it can be tough to work out logistics to actually go to a different city and perform. It’s been over three years since we played live so that is both frightening and exhilarating.

@MontaAtOdds

Image by Barry Anderson

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How was 2018 for you?

Khan (Of Finland): 2018 was a great year for me. I live in Berlin and the local techno all-stars Killekill and Metabanana.airforce invited me to curate a new 12” label for them. So I started Temple Traxx specializing in sleazy drum machine music. It is also directly connected to Temple Records, my record shop and label back [which I ran] in the ’90s out of NYC. I started with a few re-issues but also dug out some unreleased material by Bizz O.D., 4E or Jammin’ Unit and Kerosene as Izmir Acid (out 2019). I have tons of acid tracks in my archive including unreleased mixes by Air Liquide, Alec Empire, Gusgus, and endless more. I think I transferred something like 150 hours of electronic music from DAT (digital audio tape) to my computer. I guess that is enough material to keep Temple Traxx going until 2099.

Highlights?

I started a tea dance party with Eric D. Clark here in Berlin called the T, every last Sunday of the month at Paloma. It’s a house-music party with a bit of disco sprinkled in. The party starts at 3pm during the day and is over by 11pm. The promotion was only word of mouth and some business cards we handed out personally. It brought me back into DJing house and disco music, and I totally love it. People only come for the music and the amazing chill vibe. It’s a party with no zombie factor and non of that elite Berlin door bullshit. It’s 100 percent how I want a party to be like: deep!

Lowlights?

I think the lowlights of 2018 is the rise of right-wing and conservatives all over the world. I grew up in Germany with a Turkish passport. I lived in NYC on a Turkish passport until 9/11. Life changed after that date, and I left the United States. I realized how fragile a society is and how important it is to keep everybody’s rights equal. The club has always been a utopian place for me. There is no race, religion or gender in the disco lights.

Song of the year?

Childish Gambino – This Is America (and best video, too)

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Don’t get sour in this acidic environment!

@Khan(OfFinland)

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How was 2018 for you?

Christopher Coe: A special year for me. I had the honor of starting a new enterprise with Carl Cox, a live electronic music label called Awesome Soundwave, a label that Carl suggested we do in order to release my own album!

And then for MNTNS of SLNC to come out in May was the culmination of two years of work and many years of gestation! I haven’t released an album since 2009! And I am so happy and proud of this one.

To be given such an opportunity and to have the support of such a legend as Carl is deeply humbling and gratifying! Amazing year!

Highlights?

Releasing MNTNS of SLNC

Starting Awesome Soundwave

Working with Carl as engineer on his productions and releasing a bunch of remixes that he then goes and floor tests at the biggest festivals! Now that is a huge buzz!

Working on my live show with amazing visuals created by Roy Gerritsen in Amsterdam

Working to make music with a bunch of mentally and physically challenged artists in my home town in Ireland.. this was an extra special and wonderful experience. These people are just wonderful to work with, every day is a new day and there is no judgement.

Climbing mountains in Ireland.

Lowlights?

The loss of some very special people from this world and the realization that many of our leaders are not willing to do what it takes to mitigate the rise in GHG emissions and avert dangerous climate change.

Song of the year?

Jon Hopkins – Emerald Rush

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

To learn how to surf. And to continue to try to create value wherever possible in my own and other’s lives.

@ChristopherCoe