The past couple of years have provided an ideal breeding ground for periods of reflection. Of rediscovery. And for the reignition of dwindling flames. Perhaps this is why the meeting of Tom Churchill and 2Sox is the perfect match at the perfect time. A collision of minds stoking a fire that has sizzled away into a 12” slab of choice cuts. Introspective and deep, yet not forgetting what a dancefloor wants.

Tom started making music in the mid-90s, inspired by the house and techno records he was buying as a teenager growing up in Cardiff. Co-founder of cult 90’s label, Headspace Recordings and sister label Emoticon; Tom and partner Raeph Powell were responsible for some faultless releases in the 00’s. More recently, Tom has been one half of The Nuclear Family; a production, label and events project launched with Laurence Hughes in 2013. Much of what Tom has put his hand to over the years has been hot in demand. Incredibly, this is his first physical, solo release under his real name since 2002. Despite the 20 year gap, Tom’s enthuse for all things deep and electronic has arguably never been stronger.

“These tracks have been heavily inspired by two things- reconnecting with my surroundings and rediscovering my record collection - both of which have been made possible by the events over the past couple of years.” Tom says. “As well as spending more time outdoors around my home on the west coast of Scotland, I recorded a lot of DJ mixes and radio shows during the first lockdown, which meant I spent a lot of time digging through older records. This reignited some creative energy that had been lying dormant for a while.

Before 2020 I’d been sporadically using a rented studio space to make music, but in that Spring I put together a basic, compact setup so I could work at home. My influences are pretty clear with these tracks - I’ve drawn on the palette of classic deep house, 90s techno and electro throughout - but while there are some retro elements and familiar sounds, I’ve tried to put my own twist on things. Being surrounded by nature and working exclusively on headphones has made for a more intimate sound, and these tracks are the most personal I’ve ever done.” 

releases May 27, 2022

Tom Churchill
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tomchurchill
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomchurchill/

2Sox
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/2soxrecs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2soxrecs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2soxrecs/

PREMIERE: Tom Churchill - Stickler For Detail (2Sox)

Buckley's Dubs #001

kicking off a little self-release series with this subby, stripped back dubstep tune accompanied by a surprisingly not too overly rinsed flowdan acapella

Free Download

Buckley - Flowdan Dub [FREE DOWNLOAD] #BD001

Lindsay Todd aka House Of Traps (Firecracker,Unthank) "Crex Edina Pt.1" mix for Berceuse Heroique

Solo radio show on Radio Magnetic - 17th September 2016

Including music from: Alice Coltrane, Kimochi Sound, Dj Sotofett, Florist, Dj Guy, Black Zone Myth Chant, Seldom Felt, Juan Atkins, Kenny Larkin, Ewan Jansen and more.

On The Wireless - Episode 6

Full video ~ http://bit.ly/2x4BcPW
Part of String Figures audiovisual album feat. concept and music by Zoë Mc Pherson, film by Alessandra Leone ~
Written, recorded, performed, and produced by Zoë Mc Pherson ~
Congas, bendir, repique, metal plate performed live by Falk Schrauwen ~
Bass saxophone performed by Sam Comerford ~
Mixed by Jérémy Michel at Lowmansland  ~ 
Mastering by Rashad Becker at Clunk studio ~
Produced by Zoë Mc Pherson ~
Thanks to the support of Flanders, state of art ~

i. Sabotage story (unknot opening)

Logtoad - Rat Full Of Coins EP Vol 1

Against Fascism Trax. 

Many small actions combined can have great power, and it is always better to try to do something than to do nothing.  I have long believed this.  It breaks my heart that AF Trax must exist, but sitting back and doing nothing is an option I simply cannot countenance.

Our current global political climate gives grave cause for concern, because when the world tips to the right, those within marginalised communities feel repressive outcomes directly & immediately.  It is easy to think “it surely isn’t so bad”?, but those people precarious in their life circumstances, marginalised in our communities and displaced across the borders of the world are already suffering the consequences - often violently - of this shift in ideology.

We live in an era where talking is endless, but where actions are harder to find.  If AF Trax reaches just one person to make them change their mind over being a supporter of the far right, motivates somebody to work against fascist thinking, informs someone or raises funds - then I will view it as having been a success.  Something solid will have been created, we will have done something.

Confusion seems to exist as to what being against fascism might look like. There are dedicated left-wing groups fighting under the Antifa banner, leading some to think that being against fascism is purely a left vs right ideological divide. But it is not. Surely the only people who aren’t against fascism… are fascists?  This is not left wing vs right wing posturing but a fight everybody, be they conservative, liberal, centrist, apolitical or any other point on the political spectrum should surely support fully.

The culture of dance music that we know and love was born out of the struggles of marginalised and vulnerable communities across the world  - and those who assert politics does not belong in dance music are shamefully ignorant of this essential history.  Dance music as a culture would not exist as we know it shorn from that history.  The dynamics of struggle and celebration has always (and will always) run deep in the DNA of Dance.

AF Trax hopes to harness a tiny fraction of this dynamic, to honour that history, to provoke dialogue that is fundamentally anti-racist, anti-sexist, non-homophobic, non transphobic, non-ageist, non ableist & to question and breakdown the class divide.  In these current political times we all need to stand up and be counted, strive to challenge and dismantle the logic of the status quo with all of our might.

The label’s message is very simple. The far right ultimately wish for the destruction of our way of life and indeed the lives of many of the people we love. The message is love. The message is solidarity. The message is No Pasaran - They shall not pass. It is a call to stand together, it is a call to stand up, it is a call to ACT.  Individually we may be powerless, but together we are strong.  

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!


** All label profits will be donated to Hope Not Hate  (https://www.hopenothate.org.uk) which campaigns to counter racism and fascism. 

Thanks to Lerato Khathi / Bring Down The Walls for permission to repurpose some of her text for the notes here. For Heather Heyer and Jo Cox.

Logtoad - Rat Full Of Coins EP Vol 1

A1)Ratchet Beat
A2)Screw Pump

B1)Drill Beat
B2)Hex Acid

Released on vinyl (and digital) on January 11th 2019. Distributed by Kompakt.

AF Trax 001 - Logtoad - Rat Full Of Coins vol 1 12" EP (sampler)

When New York City’s DJ Python (@wnkrs) is in the studio, very different worlds collide. His drums and rhythms draw on dub and reggae, his synths come from celestial ambient skies, and together they resulted in 2017’s Dulce Compañia album on Anthony Naple’s Incienso. As beautiful as it is beguiling, the music was hugely original and managed to make both a physical and cerebral impact. Since then he has made music for Moxie’s On Loop and also been installed as resident at Mister Saturday Night's New York venue Nowadays.
In brazen fashion, Python calls his Dekmantel selection ‘Best Mix of The Year Let’s be Real’ and certainly does come correct over 75 minutes. As ever he serves up the unlikely but intoxicating pairing of dub rhythms and soothing ambient. Before long he has you utterly locked in for the ride as the drums get more long legged and upright, broken and steel plated. The synths get freaky, too, with cut up vocals and tropical percussion all colouring the airwaves in ways only DJ Python can.

Dekmantel Podcast

Dekmantel Podcast 208 - DJ Python

Firecracker’s dwarf constellation Unthank thaws down from a small cryogenic suspension and delivers it’s first 12”!

Tracks from the vault from Cardiff’s DJ Guy (Other World Music/Cejero/All Caps) who’s been busy since 1992. All tracks designed to be played loud and with the dance in mind whilst taking in all sorts of melancholy, euphoria and pastoral, acid soundscapes.

• First ever 12” Unthank release!
• 6 Track EP
• Small, 85mm metallic labels suspended on 12” crystal clear vinyl
• Silkscreened artwork by House Of Traps

RIYL Dream 2 Science, Autechre, Unit Moebius, μ-Ziq etc

DJ Guy - UNTHANK012

Having issued a solid number of equally solid releases on the likes of Berceuse Heroique, Versatile, Wisdom Teeth, Peur Bleue and his own finely curated imprint, Banlieue Records, Benoit B steps up for the latest Unthank 10" instalment!

A world populated by eerie synth-pop textures, hypno-industrial oddities, electroid dynamics and hip-hop breaks gone astray. 100% retro-futuristic Bauhausian blends for the DJs and dancers out on a limb.

10" Clear vinyl with 75mm, metallic labels. Two colour screen printed sleeves with artwork by House Of Traps.

Available end of November 2019.
Distributed via Rubadub Worldwide.

Pre-order here:
https://firecrackerrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/unthank013-caution-96-high

UNTHANK013 Benoit B - Caution 9'6" High

Twitch & Wilkes' classic BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix from November 2006.

http://www.optimo.co.uk

On The Wireless - Episode 6

Dom D'Sylva

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