Something for the weekend…

Despite last weekend’s utter failure, It’s time to look ahead to what this weekend has in store for those of us who love our ears…

“Don’t call it a comeback”, well you can if you want, but Friday sees the return of Jumpin’ to Oath after at least a year away. The lineup includes Tokyo regulars Groove Patrol, Slick S and Sho setting the scene for Gonno to play his usual minimal influenced house until very very late in the morning (Jumpin’ is running until 8am, which should stop the usual “so where’s the after party?” silliness). Best part is the whole thing is free…

Also on Friday precussionist Johnathan Paets is celebrating his birthday at club Rooty in Shibuya, which given it’s small size should be jumping, so drop on by and feel the rhythm.

This weekend is the last official weekend of Summer and so rightfully beach parties are to the fore. Sunday in particular has an embarrassment of riches with both the East and West beaches at Enoshima getting in on the action.

Personally I think the vibe at the West Beach will suit me better with DJ Dante and the Push crew warming up for Alex from Tokyo. For those of you into the techno/minimal scene I’m sure Dave Twomey and friends on the East beach will not disappoint.

Hopefully my plans will work out better than last weekend,if I’ve missed anything please do correct me in the comments…

The Weekend Report

I think the picture sums up pretty accurately my feelings about the weekend just passed.

Though they are few and far between, there are some things more important in life than music and pretty much all of them conspired to keep me from partying hard.

Hope everyone else had a better time of it than me and stay tuned for a few special treats before the party starts again…

The Weekend Ahead

This weekend is a relatively quiet one in Tokyo but there are a couple of event which stand out to me, and should be high on your list for consideration when deciding your party plans.

Friday night see’s friend of Night Noises AronT celebrate his %&th brithday at Warehouse 702 in Azabu Juban as part of World Wide – Volume 2. Norman Doray headlines the night along with the ever lovely Cyber Japan poledancers. I can’t make the night due to a prior comitment but I’m sure everyone who makes this one will have a great time (be sure to say happy birthday to Aron if you see him.)

Tickets — ¥3,500

Satuday night has a couple of options, but the one that will have my attention is the night at Tokyo’s own super club Ageha. While a lot of eyes will be on Pete Heller and OMB in the main room, I think I’ll be found chilling by the pool outside with the crew from Phonika, especially Alex Einz and Groove Patrol, keeping things jumping until the sun comes up over the bay. Click here with full names for discount list places…

Tickets — ¥3,500 (guestlist ¥2,000)

Hit us up on the twitter bar over to the left to hear about any last minute goings on or to let me know where you think I should be headed. Remember whatever your weekend holds to keep it noisy…

*EDIT* Almost forgot, the third installment of pool party extraveganza Summer Sounds is on Sunday, apparently the last one was awesome so email Nick Clarke nickclarke100@hotmail.com for discounted entry, get your swim fins out and head on over to end the weekend with a bang…

Midweek Mix — 19/08/09

It’s hot outside so pour yourself a nice long cool drink, slip on some sandals and relax to this smmmooth summer mix from German producer MMMatthias. Highlights include the grubby remix of “Might Like You Better” and the always awesome Russ Chimes mix of “Confusion Girl”…

Download and enjoy…

MMMatthias – SuMMMer Mix (51MB right click and save)

01. Major Lazer – Cash flow (Classixx Glass Bottom Dub Mix)
02. The Bloody Beetroots – Second streets have no name
03. Holy Ghost! – I will come back (MMMegamix)
04. Killer on the dancefloor – Gringo Oba Oba (MMMatthias Remix)
05. Amanda Blank – Might like you better (Radio Krome Remix)
06. Tommy Sparks – Miracle (Grum Remix)
07. Miami Horror – Don’t be on with her (Treasure Fingers Remix)
08. The Units – High pressure days (Rory Philips Remix)
09. Fukkk Offf – Pretend
10. Bestrack – Wishmaster (Worship Remix)
11. Frankmusik – Confusion girl (Russ Chimes Remix)
12. Miami Horror – Make you mine (Cassian Remix)
13. Basement Jaxx – Raindrops (Louis La Roche Rework)
14. aUtODisco – One Basket (MMMatthias Remix)
15. Cinammon Chasers – I like watching you (Diamond Cut Remix)
16. Killa Kela – Everyday (Lifelike Remix)
17. We are the take – It’s over (Bit Funk Remix)
18. Tesla Boy – Spirit of the night (Bestrack Remix)
19. Moby – Mistake (Lifelike Remix)
20. MMMatthias – The question

End of an Era

Sadly all good things have to come to an end and on Sunday everyone’s favourite Tokyo hangout finally closed it’s doors for the very last time. Far too many big nights have ended up chilling out in what had become my second home in the city.

A lot of friends of the venue enjoyed one last night, along with food, drink and tunes. There might have even been some drawing on the walls…

Thanks to Masaya and all the Pikeys crew for all the memories and the best of luck for your new venture, a review of which is in the works…

Bumping Shoulders

This weekend saw the first Bump party come to Fai in Aoyama. I’ve been to Fai a few times and really like the venue. The atmosphere is relaxed yet classy, with friendly staff and reasonable bar prices. One thing I really like is that due to the layout, the main rom never feels empty, even if it is less than full and yet is spacious enough to hold a sizable crowd.

The upstairs bar is also nice and cozy, though for some reason was really hot, probably due to someone turning down the air conditioning. The ‘VIP’ room is more than a little spartan but is unique in being quiet enough to actually hold a conversation in, something some other venues could learn from.

Probably the only complaint would be the savage lack of toilets which is made worse by the awful location (you have to squeeze past the bar and into a corridor so narrow both bathroom doors can’t be open at one time), suffice it to say there is always a queue for both men and women…

One thing Fai does have, at least in the main room is a solid sound system, which was put to good use keeping a lively crowd shaking it well into the morning. The ample power on offer was fully used by DJs AronT with his special blend of cathcy housey tunes, Russell Malon with a hard bass driven set and Yonosuke who closed out the night with a house set which was both dancable and ambient at the same time, quite delicious…

I’m pretty sure we’ll be at the next Bump, I’ll be sure to let you know when it will be and how to go about getting discounts on entry…

Pictures including a rare self portrait are over here.

Defected in the House

I wasn’t expecting much from this night on my way in, not being the biggest fan of house music (or for that matter Air as a club venue), however I was very pleasantly surprised. I had a great time to the funky sounds in the bar and Yass playing his blend of pseudo retro house in the main room.

Pictures are available over here

Ooops

It’s fair to say the upgrade in blog software did *not* go smoothly…

I think we are back to regular functionality, I just need to find the time to re-create the layout (yes I know I should have had backups, but didn’t, deal with it).

Pitchtuner

Usually a three piece Pitchtuner have brought their rock tinged electro music to Japan from the cooler climes of Germany minus their regular drummer. Sporting a very “European” sound akin to recent Soulwax, Miki and Hannes played a 30 min set on guitars and Synthesisers to a rapt audience at Shibuya Nest.

Pitchtuner play tomorrow night in Osaka at Bears and come highly recommended.

We’re on an express Elevator to…

HELL…

Nightnoises is back with a bang at Club Hell, we didn’t arrive until a little late so missed a fair amount of our host Mr Mu$ic’s set, but what we did catch involved some outstanding bootlegs smashed together in his superb style.

The headliner of the night however was the multi talented Shokkaboy, not content with playing bass with German electro group Nachlander, he is one of Europe’s most under rated producers and remixers and as we found out on Friday one hell of a DJ.

Playing a storming set including remixes of tracks which ranged from the sublime, such as Tiga — “Sunglasses at Night”, Depeche Mode -”John the Revelator” and Zombie Nation — “Kernkraft 4000″, to the frankly ridiculous including amazing re-rubs of Madness — “Our House” and Michael Jackson — “Thriller” Shokkaboy had a small but up for it crowd dancing like mad for a the entirety of his extended set…

So yes we shook it, we shook it oh so hard…