Bassian Plain ( Alex Kassian Remix ) 

B. Donald's House - Bassian Plain (Alex Kassian Remix) (snippet)

Bassian Plain

A1. Donald's House - Bassian Plain (snippet)

The Isthmus Of Kra

A2. Donald's House - The Isthmus Of Kra (snippet)

This is a mix I did in 2008 for www.vesselmusic.com. It's not a club set, but rather slow and eclectic without leaving the realm of techno/house/electronic music. Enjoy!

Nick Höppner for Vessel Music

God's Green Earth

B2. Brother Nebula - God's Green Earth (snippet)

Ice Giant

A2. Brother Nebula - Ice Giant (snippet)

The Grandeur Of Delusion

B1. Brother Nebula - The Grandeur Of Delusion (snippet)

Mach Loop

A1. Brother Nebula - Mach Loop (snippet)

This is Episode I of my four-part-residency on NTS Radio in june 2017, now available to download for a limited time - Enjoy!

Tracklisting:

Iasos - The Winds Of Olympus (Numero Group)
Alejandro Jodorovsky - Alchemical Room (ABKCO Music/Real Gone Music)
Isotope 217° - Prince Namor (Thrill Jockey)
Zawinul - Arrival In New York (Atlantic)
David Lynch & Alan R. Splet - In Heaven (Lady In The Radiator Song) (Alternative Tentacles)
Robert Curgenven  - Only The Dogs And The Fires On The Horizon (Recorded Fields Edition)
Nurse With Wound - Soliloquy For Lilith Side G (Dirter Promotions)
Einstürzende Neubauten  - Fiat Lux/Maifestspiele (Rough Trade)
Thomas Brinkamnn - Bleiweiss (Edition Mego)
Arovane & Hior Chronik - After Tomorrow (A Strangely Isolated Place)
Harold Budd & Brian Eno - A Stream With Bright Fish  Edition EG
Alva Noto - Xerrox Isola (raster-noton)
Pearson Sound - Eels (Pearson Sound)
PTU - Intact Alef (трип)
Pearson Sound - Eels (Pearson Sound)
Laurie Spiegel - Clockworks (Unseen Worlds)
Dropshadow Disease - Ping Pong (True Type) (Rather Interesting)
Oval - Pauer (Form & Function)
Yair Elazar Glotman - Agnosia (Subtext Recordings)
Earth - Like Gold And Faceted (Sub Poip)
Sunn O))) - Alice (Southern Lord)
Bohren & Der Club Of Gore - Schwarze Biene (Black Maja) (PIAS Recordings)
Brian Eno - Hannah (Generative Music)
Sam Prekop - Ghost (Thrill Jockey)
Mogwai - Mogwai Fear Satan (Surgeon Remix) (Jetset Records)

Mixes

NTS Radio Residency Episode I

This is Episode II of my four-part-residency on NTS Radio ( http://www.nts.live )in june 2017, now available to download for a limited time - Enjoy!

DJ Vadim - U.S.S.R. Reconstruction (Clatterbox Remix) (Ninja Tune)
Sensorama - Clubsnow (Ladomat)
GB Interprets Little Dragon - After The Rain (Mahasa Music)
Farben Presents James Din A4 - Lucifer Rising (Faitiche)
Nick Höppner - The Dark Segment (Ostgut Ton)
DJ Yoav B - Peace (Synchrophone Recordings)
Rekid - Lost Star (Classic Music Company)
Lawrence - Laid One (Dial)
Dubbyman feat. Jus Ed - Les Vampires Bakala (Deep Explorer)
Ion Ludwig - Slowion (Tenth Circle)
Project Sandro - Blazer (Sentrall)
B.B. Seaton - Dancing In The Moonlight (Studio One)
Tony Allen - Moyege (Mark's Disco Dub) (Honest Jon's)
Marcellus Pittman - You Want Me (Never) (7th Sign Recordings)
The Mole - Rotation (Internasjonal)
Mr. Ho & Heap - Veils Of The Beloved (ESP Institute)
Nick Höppner - From Up & Down (Ostgut Ton)
Eric Duncan - Zona De Perigo (NAAR)
Karat - Der Blaue Planet (Amiga)
Ezra - Garten Meiner Fantasie (a sexy)
Dego & Kaidi - Orbiting Uhura (Eglo Records)
Lars Bartkuhn - Massai Part II (Utopia)
Mark Barott - Cascades (Internation Feel)

NTS Radio Residency Show II

Here's the fourth and final episode of my NTS Radio residency ( http://www.nts.live ), which is available to download now for one week only.

Track listing:

01. Patla - Fingerdansen (No Hands)
02. Yello - Frautonium (Andy Weatherall's Half-Life Remix) (Blank Media)
03. Roman Flügel - Mice On Stick (Dekmantel)
04. Pletnev - St. Bones (RYOTA OPP Remix) (Les Temps Perdu)
05. Fudge Fingas - What Works (Vakula Remix) (Firecracker Remix)
06. Todd Modes - Ariadne (FIT Sound)
07. Yoshinori Hayashi - Agent Dissolving Device (Lovers Rock)
08. Sami - Planing (Future Times)
09. GB Interprets Exile - Radio Medley (Mahasa Music)
10. Javonntte - Walking In The Rain (Troubled Kids Records)
11. Primitive Trust - Power On (Skatebård Remix) (Aus Music)
12. Looky Looky - Nurse Coven Rides Again (Flamingo Boots)
13. Gian & Massi - Radiant Conveyance (Lack Rec.)
14. Peverelist - Sheer Chance Matters (Livity Sound)
15. SW. - Extended Mix (SUED)
16. Laksa - Like It's 99 (Ilian Tape)
17. Mathew Jonson - Decompression (Nathan Jonson's Rewind to 96 Mix) (Freedom Engine)
18. Thelonious Harmonious - Argwöhnischer Rhythm (Kontra Musik)
19. Lars Bartkuhn - Elysium (Full Experience) (Neroli)
20. Dauwd - Unconacious (Technocolour)

NTS Residency Show IV

It has been over five years since Nick Höppner left his position as A&R and label manager of Ostgut Ton, the Berghain inhouse label, he had not only founded, but also steered through it's most creative and influential years. In the meantime, he has honed his skills both as a DJ and a producer touring the four corners of the world and releasing two critically acclaimed albums and a row of 12“ ep's. At the back of his mind, though, he always felt an itch which he can now finally scratch as he launches his very own record label, Touch From A Distance.

For the label debut Höppner enlisted the extraordinary talents of Desert Sound Colony from London, whose first two records on his own label Holding Hands, Höppner already loved and played out. On these, Desert Sound Colony's outstanding skill at sound design, composition and arrangement were already prominent and have now culminated in his Fast Life EP for Touch From A Distance. The four tracker presents DSC at his most focussed and versatile, constantly shapeshifting between the rich, bass heavy UK heritage and Continental-European traditions of dancefloor minimalism.

Opener „Fast Life“ is as huge as it gets: an undercurrent of electro breaks and a giant bass line push the track forward while celestial melodies elegantly provide contrast and relief. Next up is „Somehow I Talk“, a minimal banger not only displaying Desert Sound Colony's tongue-in-cheek humour, but also his incredible inventiveness in the studio. Deceptively simple at first listen, the track reveals an abundance of smart arrangement ideas keeping you locked all the way. The way the vocals twist and bend here is just breathtaking.

On the flip, „Finger Flies“ ramps up the tempo and the syncopation for a bass heavy chunk of fun loving beat science, before „Glixen“ closes the ep featuring Desert Sound Colony’s friend Baby Rollen who helps to steer the track's bouncing funk into deeper realms.

Fast Life EP

Fast Life

Buy "Fast Life"

A1. Desert Sound Colony - Fast Life

Some time in 2017 Opal Sunn were playing a live set at a private house party in Berlin completely unaware they were sowing the seeds of the release you're reading about here.  Present that night was Nick Höppner's former booking agent, blown away by their performance, which has shown them very much in control of their repertoire, but also capable of captivating improvisations. When Nick approached him regarding talent for Touch From A Distance over a year later, he immediately recommended Opal Sunn.

Opal Sunn are Hiroaki Oba and Al Kassian, two expats from Japan. Al arrived in Berlin 2013 after studying in London. He also makes music as a solo artist and has released on Love On The Rocks and Utopia Records. Hiroaki is a 2010 RBMA alumni and divides his time between the German captial and Tokio. After releasing two eps on their own Planet Sundae label, they're offering their follow up on Nick Höppner's new label. Here they continue to refine their style which displays and exquisite sense of space, melody, movement and groove. Opal Sunn's music straddles the line of body music and stimulation of the mind always bringing this contrast to fruition with their tracks. 

At the heart of the energetic opener „Parallax“ lies an arpeggiated synth sequence that constantly shifts shapes and bounces off the syncopated percussion and beat marrying the technical with the organic.

„Aura“ rides an equally undeniable groove, but turns its misty-eyed gaze inwards, focussing on creating that oceanic feeling powered by emotive strings and textures.

Over on the flip side „Mirage“ folds into the haze of a sweaty dancefloor htting the sweet spot of minimalism, melodic content and physical propulsion. 

„Phantom“, the final track, drops the 4/4 in favour of an Electro beat occasionally kissed by the legendary „Think“ break. The vibe is decidedly deep and mellow rounding off an EP which oozes understated confidence and longevity.

Parallax EP

Phantom

Buy Now

B2. Opal Sunn - Phantom

Mirage

Buy now

B1. Opal Sunn - Mirage

Hailing from Brunswick, Melbourne, James and Peter Isaacs are the brotherly duo Donald’s House. They’ve been making music for around eight years.Without fail, every lunch time when making music, they’ll go to Sesame & Soul on Lygon St and order a cheese pie and Za’atar bread. James usually orders a coke zero as well.

This EP here is a collection of tracks written over a three year period. There’s a seven year age gap between the two. Pete got James into dance music by taking him to one of his parties that featured Pearson Sound and Mark Pritchard.After that, they started making music together. James is a trained Jazz guitarist, while Pete has been buying and playing records for about 15 years.

They’ve released two tracks with Sydney label Ken Oath. One on their debut sampler and one on their ambient tape. 
They previously lived in London, where they regularly attended CDR. This is where they met the dj Iona, who was the catalyst for the whole release and a mutual friend of theirs and Nick Höppner.

Taking influence from Paradise Garage styled disco, early 90s House, Italo and anything with a DMX drum kit, their take on dance dance music is as refreshing as it is familiar.You’ll often hear M1 solos, chords and stabs, juxtaposed against Phil Collins styled stadium drums, and groovy Seinfeld basslines that just beg your body to move.

Dan's Dancing

A1. Donald's House - Dan's Dancing

Early last year, @brothernebula commenced emitting life signs from a little know sector of the universe. Nick Höppner's antennas happened to pick up the signals via the Legwork label, piquing his interest to find out more about where these sounds originated…

Fast forward a light year, and Brother Nebula remains a mystery. What we do know though, is that after an extended mission into the further reaches of the local group, he’s returned to Earth on Touch From a Distance with four new samples ready for examination. The data - while not wholly empirical - is both atmospheric and dimensional in nature. 

On the A side, we start off with Double Helix - a concise dissertation on the effects of extended club use on the brain, before continuing into the interstellar disco of Infinity 2. On the flip, we glide through the electronic thermosphere with Sky Walking, before expelling all thetans with the DX funk of Going Clear.

TFAD is exhilarated to present the latest results of the unknown space b-boy's interstellar endeavours.

Sky Walking

B1. Brother Nebula - Sky Walking

Early last year, @brothernebula commenced emitting life signs from a little know sector of the universe. Nick Höppner's antennas happened to pick up the signals via the Legwork label, piquing his interest to find out more about where these sounds originated... 

Fast forward a light year, and Brother Nebula remains a mystery. What we do know though, is that after an extended mission into the further reaches of the local group, he’s returned to Earth on Touch From a Distance with four new samples ready for examination. The data - while not wholly empirical - is both atmospheric and dimensional in nature. 

On the A side, we start off with Double Helix - a concise dissertation on the effects of extended club use on the brain, before continuing into the interstellar disco of Infinity 2. On the flip, we glide through the electronic thermosphere with Sky Walking, before expelling all thetans with the DX funk of Going Clear. 

TFAD is exhilarated to present the latest results of the unknown space b-boy's interstellar endeavours.

Going Clear EP

Infinity 2

Brother Nebula - Infinity 2

After providing Touch From A Distance's inaugural release not even one year ago, the mighty @desertsoundcolony is returning to Nick Höppner's label for another round on the bouncy bounce, his bubble gun  at the ready!

It's no exaggeration to say Desert Sound Colony smashed it on all fronts in the past year: He put himself firmly on the map by pushing his own label Holding Hands with a fresh take on beloved tropes of UK club music. His number of gigs also increased dramatically and he popped his Panorama Bar cherry earlier this year at the first TFAD label night, where he unleashed a joyous assault of beats and bass whipping the crowd into a frenzy. 

His new EP for Touch From A Distance is an algamation of all the good stuff we've come to expect from the London based DJ and producer: Opener „Zenome Archetype“ is a retrofuturistic joyride across mountainous bass and funked up syncopation. „Taking It Out For A Rip“ then couples a thumping 4/4-UKG-Beat with a cheeky vocal sample, while „Walrus Rodeo“ slows down the tempo and cranks up the folly for a slice of weird dancefloor fun Desert Sound Colony does so well.  „Al Gore Rhythmic“, a collaboration with Guava, closes the EP channeling classic 2-Step and golden era HipHop vibes.

Zenome Archetype EP

Walrus Rodeo

BANDCAMP

B1 Desert Sound Colony - Walrus Rodeo

Taking It Out For A Rip

A2 Desert Sound Colony - Taking It Out For A Rip

Al Gore Rhythmic feat. Guava

Desert Sound Colony - Al Gore Rhythmic feat. Guava - Touch From A Distance

On our sixth release we are thrilled to add a new name to our roster. Cameo Blush is the project of John Dunk from London. Some might already know him as a member of Ross From Friends live.

Listening to The „Murky Waters“ EP, it is hard to believe this actually is Cameo Blush's debut release. Every track is oozing  with emotional depth, invention and a purposeful confidence. 

„Murky Waters“, all glistening arpeggios and seductive alien vocals, sounds like a hyperkinetic dollie shot through a Manga style metropolis. „Hypervisibility“  then is taking clues from masters of abstract Electronica like Isolée, Lusine and Boards Of Canada, creating an audible allegory of longing  and sensuality.  „Prophet Paradise“ on the b-side soundtracks the holodeck projection of a dayglow beach under a neon sun. And finally, „Year 2000 Problem“ resumes the futuristic Manga theme evoking images of bots passing the Turing test, overflowing with joy and falling desperately in love .

Cameo Blush is currently working on a live set which he will premiere during the Touch From A Distance takeover at this years' Field Maneuvers festival . Keep your eyes and ears peeled and remember where you heard it first!

Murky Waters EP

Year 2000 Problem

B2. Cameo Blush - Year 2000 Problem

Prophet Paradise

B1. Cameo Blush - Prophet Paradise

Hypervisibility

A2. Cameo Blush - Hypervisibility

Murky Waters

A1. Cameo Blush - Murky Waters

When talking about the sheer quality of dance music coming out of Melbourne, it’s often commented that there must be something in the water. And with their second EP on Nick Höppner’s Touch From A Distance imprint, the Melbourne based duo, @donalds_house, are doing everything they can to prove that statement right.
Continuing on with their signature 90s house meets Paradise Garage era disco sound, the Rainbow Gelato EP is a homage to their love of sweet treats, and their mother’s prowess with an ice cream machine.
Starting off the EP is Rainbow Gelato – an M1 banger that’ll get even the most discerning house head moving. Featuring an irresistibly groovy bassline, piano hooks that unite dance floors with jiggling fingers, sax solos, and an almost obnoxiously long drum break down – Rainbow Gelato is beautifully familiar in its sound pallet, yet completely original in its composition.
Slowing things down on the A2 is Cosmic Sorbet, an 80s boogie sounding track that tugs on emotional heartstrings with its sax work, Rhodes chords, arpeggiated flutes and tom rolls. Flipping over the record, you’ll find Pseudo Affogato – a more hypnotic number with lush chords, euphoric noodles and a plucky bassline. To finish off the EP, the duo goes back to the dancefloor with Piano Parfait. A punchy little weapon with dramatic chords, keyboard slides, and a horn section that’s reminiscent of a Latin big band.
By channelling their musicality and their love of the 80s tinged drums, Donald’s House has delivered another quality EP, that’s destined to get people’s hips wiggling for quite some time to come.

Rainbow Gelato

Piano Parfait

B2. Donald's House - Piano Parfait

Rainbow Gelato EP

Cosmic Sorbet

A2. Donald's House - Cosmic Sorbet

A1. Donald's House - Rainbow Gelato

@opalsunn's return to Nick Höppner's Touch From A Distance is sort of a recap of 2019 - a year that proved pretty incredible for the duo of Alex Kassian and Oba Hiroaki. Their live show took them quite literally all over the world including Tokyo, Valencia, Ho-Chi-Minh-City, Hanoi, Fusion Festival, England's beloved Field Maneuvers and last but not least: Panorama Bar in Berlin, where they performed twice in 2019  as part of the Touch From A Distance labelnights.
Their „Laika EP“ has been largely inspired by their first Panaroma-Bar-performance in january last year, which they - unassuming, yet assertive - took by storm. Eight months later their show in the Laika tent at the UK's best kept festival secret Field Maneuvers marked a second highlight in Opal Sunn's calendar. As a tribute, Opal Sunn have called the opening track to this record „Laika“.
Their second ep for Touch From A Distance is picking things up, where their debut left off, meaning Opal Sunn's sound design is as pristine as a mountain spring and their arrangements are as tight and effective as ever. Having played numerous gigs in the meantime, there seems to be a new focus, though. All four tracks feel much more centered and balanced, aiming quite effortlessly at  a heaving dancefloor.
„Laika“, the ep's lead track, sees Opal Sunn at their most effective and peak time. A long build up and a rolling 303 bassline make for a total sureshot of a track.
On „Minority State“, the duo let's their Electro inclinations run free, fusing razor sharp beats with icy melodies and abstract sound effects.
On the b-side, „Holy Mountain“ is essential Opal Sunn: Glistening arpeggios, gliding melodies and floating beats create a psychedelic atmosphere predestined to lose yourself in.
The ep ends with „Tangerine Blues“, an equally atmospheric and trance-y  track embedded in a rather broken beat, going for a more cinematic vibe.

Nick Hoeppner

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