2018 Rewind

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?

J.Manuel: Way better than 2017! Lots of good music came out. Electronic music is on a good path again.

Highlights?

Putting out our second record, which is my first solo EP. This year’s highlight was just the music that came out! SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!

Lowlights?

The costs of running a label as young starters! In general, the politics nowadays…

Song of the year?

Objekt – Secret Snake (PAN)

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Bring out more releases, co-operate with interesting labels and crews to gain new, exciting experiences!

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How was 2018 for you?

Peter Gyselaers: First of all, the best summer I have had — ever! #endlesssummer Second, the busiest year I had — ever! Hustling between four jobs and doing the label was quite a challenge, but I managed!

Label wise we had so many new exciting artists like Dan Only, Sekou Babe, Times are Ruff and a very special Dub Taylor album in spring, closing with the long-awaited new Lorenz Rhode EP was the best way to end this crazy year!

Highlights?

The lovely Deep Love 2018 compilation that is always my personal highlight of the year! And preparing lots of new things for 2019. Keep your eyes out for new music by Ouer, Dampé and S3A!

Lowlights?

Luckily enough all went pretty smooth this year. If I had to think of one than maybe a wee bit too much work.

Song of the year?  

This is very hard. I think musically this has been one of the best years in a long time for electronic music. Absolutely loved this new album by Vril on Delsin Records, and song wise the live instrumental version of Detroit Swindle’s “Yes, No, Maybe” with Lorenz Rhode on keys … saw the guys a few times live this year and I am very proud to see what they have achieved!

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

More holidays!

@DirtCrew

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