rougher than rough

Slam & Gary Beck - Pressure Lights - Soma

Christian is back with a big release on his Tronic imprint. This time delivering two powerful tracks. “Day One” is a big room techno affair with a hypnotic arpeggio melody. “Turn The Lights” is slightly more clubby with a vocal sample and tb303. This EP is without a doubt one if Christian’s biggest releases in a while. Already with big support from many of the main players such as Adam Beyer, Carl Cox etc. 

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Christian Smith - Turn The Lights (Original Mix) [Tronic]

We could spend the next three paragraphs banging on about the monumental impact our first release ‘We Do What We Want’ had, but to be totally honest with you, we are tired of the track now and just want to move on to the raft of equally amazing music we have lined up for release on We Are The Brave.

However, in case you were living under a rock this summer, the key facts you should make a note of are as follows: it was the unofficial anthem for ravers from Hideout Festival to Creamfields. Annie Mac went mental for it on Radio 1. We got snapchats from school kids buzzing off the track and tweets from retailers playing it in their shops. It was even heard in KFC! And our soundcloud stream went into virtual meltdown clocking up 315K listens in under three months.

So yeah, not much to live up to… but you know what? We Are The Brave, we do what we want… and we want to get on to release number two! It’s called Friday Night Dancing. It’s by Alan Fitzpatrick. Skream is on the remix. Nuff said!

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Alan Fitzpatrick - Friday Night Dancing (Skream Remix)

We Do What We Want

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Alan Fitzpatrick - We Do What We Want

Alan Fitzpatrick’s We Are The Brave brand has well and truly landed. Their debut sold-out club shows, held over one weekend at the end of March were preceded by three barmy house parties live broadcast from the homes of fans, and a host of well received singles have now come and gone, setting the tone for followers to expect the unexpected from the label with their self styled motto of We Do What We Want. 

It is then with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders and poker face glare that We Are The Brave dish out their latest offering, ‘You Got Me’. As Fitzpatrick goes on to explain:

“Brave will always be the most natural home for my music, whether it be a familiar style to listeners or not. The whole point is that we are building an excitement around the music being released by not following a particular pattern or pandering to expectation. Hopefully I’ve made the point over the first three releases that We Are The Brave is about going with a flow and not letting preconceptions limit your experience, so its about time we released a good old Fitzpatrick rave banger, init!” 

Even the most fleeting of listens to the intro of thumping kick drums, precision crafted percussion and thunderous claps will give a strong clue that Fitzpatrick is back at the controls this time out. By the time the cut is in full throttle just after the two-minute mark then you can sense the knowing looks starting to shoot about the room as the familiar feeling grows. Luckily for anyone still unsure, all doubt is cast off at the half way point when the rave pads and breakbeats rip on from nowhere followed in hot pursuit by the "classic" Emmanuel Top "Play It Loud" you got me burning up vocal.

Some more recent converts to Alan Fitzpatrick may not be fully aware of the depth of his catalogues, never mind the 20+ years discography that Slam have behind them or indeed the history of remix collaboration between the two that goes back to 2010. However, despite the heavy dosing of hoovers and horns on their You Got Me rework, this Slam Track Series remix is all about the here and now as Glasgow’s techno kings turn in another example of the fine form they find themselves on right now.

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Alan Fitzpatrick - You Got Me (Slam Track Series Remix)

@Boxia To say this release has caused a bit of a stir would be an understatement! If you were lucky enough to find yourself at closing sets at Movement Detroit, Pressure Glasgow, Junction 2 London, Summer Story Madrid, Governors Island New York, Rebel Toronto, Awakenings Amsterdam or Glastonbury, there is no doubt you would have pulled a face when you heard 'Point of No Return' for the first time. We've lost count of the amount of fan videos, ID requests we've received on the whole EP.

The euphoric anthems have gained considerable support from techno heavyweights from across the globe. DJs, promoters and punters concur there will be no return from this point in Boxia’s auspicious career.

Interdance

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Boxia - Interdance

Point of No Return

Boxia - Point Of No Return

We Are The Brave front man Alan Fitzpatrick provides the labels next release with a typically incendiary two-tracker. Delving deep into his record collection for inspiration, the result is a brace of distinct, ear-catching cuts that tip a hat to by-gone times in rave culture and have returned big reactions from contemporary crowds all summer. 

The aptly titled “They All Called ‘Em Garys” combines droning hardcore hoovers and power piano with Fitzpatrick’s trademark heavy tech funk. While “Rhino” adopts a slung-back groove of resounding bass and tense pads overlaid with a knockout melody that bubbles away before unleashing its full chord progression through an unashamedly epic breakdown.

They All Called ‘Em Garys

Alan Fitzpatrick - They All Called' Em Garys

Skober makes a debut on We Are The Brave with a no-holds-barred, two track party starter. Renowned for his versatile but always-dynamic style, Skober tracks are characterized by big musical moments, strong builds and heavy hitting drops. He is a natural entertainer and this comes across in his music and performances and makes him a real fans favorite. Does that sound like someone else we know? We think so too! So what’s the story behind the release? Who better to ask than Alan himself?

“If I love it, then we will release it...” was Fitzpatrick’s typically succinct response when quizzed on his thoughts behind Skober’s two-track single. “I am fortunate enough to get sent a lot of unreleased music but I knew as soon as I first played these tracks from Skober that they were going to be a big part of my sets all summer and that’s about as far as the A&R thought process needs to go as far as I am concerned – if the tunes goes off on the floor then they are right for the label”.

Simplicity is the key then it seems; and it is hard to argue with that philosophy. Particularly in the context of a new record label looking to make it’s way within an ultra competitive and increasingly crowded market place. It is certainly never a bad thing to try and break things down to the essentials - what really matters - and when it comes to bring Brave, that’s what it is all about – go with your gut, follow your heart, don’t be scared to trust your feelings.

Skober - Now It's Time

Skober makes a debut on We Are The Brave with a no-holds-barred, two track party starter. Renowned for his versatile but always-dynamic style, Skober tracks are characterized by big musical moments, strong builds and heavy hitting drops. He is a natural entertainer and this comes across in his music and performances and makes him a real fans favorite. Does that sound like someone else we know? We think so too! So what’s the story behind the release? Who better to ask than Alan himself?

“If I love it, then we will release it...” was Fitzpatrick’s typically succinct response when quizzed on his thoughts behind Skober’s two-track single. “I am fortunate enough to get sent a lot of unreleased music but I knew as soon as I first played these tracks from Skober that they were going to be a big part of my sets all summer and that’s about as far as the A&R thought process needs to go as far as I am concerned – if the tunes goes of on the floor then they are right for the label”.

Simplicity is the key then it seems; and it is hard to argue with that philosophy. Particularly in the context of a new record label looking to make it’s way within an ultra competitive and increasingly crowded market place. It is certainly never a bad thing to try and break things down to the essentials - what really matters - and when it comes to bring Brave, that’s what it is all about – go with your gut, follow your heart, don’t be scared to trust your feelings.

Skober - You Will Find It

Alan Fitzpatrick’s We Are The Brave label has been busy laying down foundations for the past twelve months. The run-away commercial success of their debut single “We Do What We Want” was just the start, and have since been setting the standards.

The label boss himself makes his welcome return to the label this October, with Magnetic Dog. The original comes laced with slicing hats, crispy yet superbly deep thundering kicks and a cheeky dose of acid thrown in for good measure.

Alan wrote the original back in 2016 and waited for that special remix to finalise the package. Always a supporter of Marcus Intalex and his productions, under his Trevino moniker he delivered a masterfully deep rework, taking down the tempo and achieving a euphoric cut of the original.

Magnetic Dog

PRE ORDER

AlanFitzpatrick - Magnetic Dog

Ramiro Lopez drops the electrifying follow up to his ‘Pretending’ EP from May this year. 

For almost a decade, Spain’s Ramiro Lopez has established himself as one his country’s leading proponents of techno, with strong releases across labels that include Suara, Intec, Octopus Recordings and Bedrock. He first debuted on Drumcode in 2016 with the rousing collaborative track ‘Clap Your Hands’ that ranked among one of the label’s standout tracks for the year. With one Drumcode release already under his belt in 2017 and a new label project Odd Recordings with fellow DC cohort Arjun Vagale recently launched, he’s enjoying another strong year.

His return to the label comes in the form of ‘Being Alone’, a powerful trio of cuts, all of which featured in Adam Beyer’s Awakenings Festival Day 1 performance. The title track is a multi-layered weapon, propelled by a dizzying vocal, swirling synth effects and pin-sharp percussion that build toward a smooth classy finish. ‘Dark Science’ is an effective stomper brought to life by a bell chime hookline and undulating synth melody ensuring its peak-time prowess. ‘Der Raum’ rounds out the EP, highlighted by Lopez’s deft drum work, proceeded by a driving, euphoric climax.

Ramiro Lopez - Dark Science - Drumcode - DC181

Ramiro Lopez - Being Alone - Drumcode - DC181

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Gary Beck - Round My Place

Drumcode favourite Harvey McKay returns to the label with a darker new sound.

The Glaswegian has been a regular contributor over the years, highlighted by the memorable ‘The Illusion of Control’ EP in 2014 and his newer work with brother Ryan under the Alias moniker. Earlier this year Drumcode released the duo’s ‘Pentatonic’ EP and featured a mix on Adam Beyer’s radio, which included ‘Black Dolphin’, kickstarting the hype on the track.

Named after the infamous Russian prison, the title track is dark, tough, deeply textured brooding affair, with a menacing touch than runs through its core. McKay then brings in a huge synth line and changes up the dynamic of the track, giving it a powerful and driving feel. ‘Retox’ is a dark and twisted heavy-hitting cut, driven by aggressive drums and bassline, while a hypnotic synth line sustains a sense of tension throughout the six-minute track. Concluding the package is ‘Cover Up’, a fantastic stripped back exploration into dark atmospheric techno territory that’s tailor made for the winter warehouse raving season.

Harvey McKay - Cover Up - Drumcode - DC182

Harvey McKay - Retox - Drumcode - DC182

Harvey McKay - Black Dolphin - Drumcode - DC182

Twin Turbo 049 - Nocturnal Subsconsious

Billy Turner - Dream Come Trouw

New single Aftermath feat. Giorgia Angiuli / Limelight is out now!
Grab your copy here: https://bookashade.lnk.to/AftermathLimelight

Aftermath feat. Giorgia Angiuli

Beatport: www.beatport.com/release/stay-with-me/2158128
Vinyl: www.decks.de/track/amelie_lens-stay_with_me/cb1-i8

rougher than rough

Richard Roberts 18