Saturday 11 April 2015

RBF + VIVID PROJECTS PRESENT: AN EVENING WITH TEST DEPT, BIRMINGHAM, MAY 28TH.





OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE PC PRESS BOOK 'TOTAL STATE MACHINE'

DJ SETS, TEST DEPT. INSTALLATIONS AND LIVE FOOTAGE OF TD ACTIONS AND CONCERTS
 
DJ SETS FROM:

TEST DEPT.
STEPHEN MALLINDER (WRANGLER/CABARET VOLTAIRE)
CODEX EUROPA
ANDY BLACK FOREST


Test Dept; the authentic industrialists, sonic material handlers, utilisers and recyclers of society’s debris have re-emerged to engage with the current cultural and political climate, exploring new ways of expression in a strategic programme of actions and releases.

The symposium at Aston University where academics, contributors to the book and other interested parties discuss the influence and impact of the group will be followed by an after party at Vivid to celebrate Test Dept’s return to the public sphere.

The return is realised in the form of the book – Total State Machine – published in April 2013 by PC-Press ; an extensive documentation of the history, work and actions of the group up until their 2014 DS30 installation at Dunstan Staiths, commissioned by AV Festival to commemorate the anniversary of The Miners’ Strike of 1984/85. The book is launched in London on April 23rd and will feature a screening of the DS30 documentary. The Birmingham event will also celebrate the release of the 12” vinyl single; Tested Product for Record Store Day and the re-release of Shoulder To Shoulder; their album with the striking South Wales Striking Miners Choir from 1984 which will be re-released on 1st May on red vinyl.

 The evening will feature DJ sets from Test Dept themselves, PC Press editor Alexei Monroe in his Codex Europa guise and the legendary Stephen Mallinder. Test Dept will line the walls with art manifestos and statements from their historical archives and show footage of live performances and actions from some of their historic performances. There will be a stall selling the book, CDs, vinyl and official Test Dept merchandise.

 
7:00PM - 11:00PM £5 ENTRY


Vivid Projects
16 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RS Birmingham, United Kingdom


Thursday 2 April 2015

Review: Mike Gervais Assailant EP



Mike Gervais
Assailant EP
Label. SYSTEM
Format. Vinyl & Digital
Cat.Number. SYSTEM002
Release Date. March 9th, 2015 (Vinyl),
March 23rd, 2015 (Digital)

This memorable new release from veteran Minneapolis techno producer and promoter Mike Gervais represents the cutting-edge of American techno. It's the second release on his System label and features two original tracks with 2 remixes. 



Assailant itself has an instant kick and an intense propulsive energy, yet is no mindless banger. The sounds are sharp and clean with morphing sounds coiling and cutting through the mix. As it progresses, drones come to the fore, creating an atmosphere that's both cold and positive.



Luis Flores' remix retains only twisted traces of the original with added Latinate percussion producing a version that's simultaneously more danceable and colder, filled with spiky detail. The Doubt remix starts with stretched, morphing tones before introducing a subtly clubby bass. The overall feeling is more abstract and minimal, with texture and atmosphere prevailing over impact.

Some producers might be overshadowed when having to follow up serious remixes of their work but in this case Gervais' own 'Stumble' outclasses even these. It's a fluent blend of elegantly arranged dark layers and acidic fragments that constantly mutate and modulate, demanding active listening rather than unthinking submission to the beat.