Surefire welcomes AWESOME TAPES FROM AFRICA

We are delighted to add another singular artist to the Surefire roster - Awesome Tapes From Africa - a leading exponent of African music who as a DJ brings a global perspective to the dancefloor. A true ethnomusicologist, Brian Shimkovitz' started the Awesome Tapes From Africa blog in 2006 to encourage outsiders’ appreciation of the breadth of musical subcultures in Africa which he discovered whilst travelling there. Brian has played an important role in promoting access to African music outside the continent.  The blog acts as a constant source of inspiration - providing undiscovered gems which are offered on the site as free downloads. In 2011 ATFA developed into a critically acclaimed vinyl label, re-releasing records by African artists such as Bola, Dur-Dur Band, Hailu Mergia and just this week Penny Penny. The label plays an essential role in furthering Brian's mission to build an international audience for African music through touring and re-issues. Drawing on his vast African cassette archive—which includes highlife, fuji, benga, tsonga disco, soukous, hip-hop, rhumba and ethio-soul, among countless other genres—his role now combines that of educator, promoter and selector, finding him DJ across the world at festivals, clubs, museums and cultural spaces.  HIs DJ sets on twin tape decks explore deep, regional sounds using analog-anchored agility not heard/seen anywhere else.  If you have a spare afternoon - lose yourself in the extensive archive found on the blog: www.awesometapes.com Listen: Boiler Room / RBMA Radio Follow: Facebook / Twitter /  Soundcloud  Read: The Wire Portal / The Guardian interview / Electronic Beats A- Z of ATFA  Awesome Tapes From Africa is available in 2014 for festivals, clubs and gigs.  For more info and available dates contact: paul@surefireagency.com

Livity Sound and Young Echo on the Cover of the Wire

It's all about Bristol these days, with two Bristol-based collectives 'Livity Sound' and 'Young Echo' gracing the brand new front cover of top quality music magazine, the Wire. The edition will be out in shops 23rd August so this is just a sneak preview.

Now alongside many other musical greats honoured with such a position, including Theo Parrish, Jeff Mills and Prince, it is failsafe to say Livity Sound and Young Echo together are creating a hotbed of fresh young talent.

Kowton in the Guardian - Favourite Tracks

Upon hearing 'Bristol', one thinks of numerous artists that have created the city's reputation as a reliable hub for innovative and forward thinking sounds. Today, however, there is one name on everybody's lips. Kowton. His grime-infused techno is making waves and shaking dance-floors around the world, proving that Joe Cowton is one of the most exciting and prolific producers out there.

Recently interviewed by The Guardian for their Harangue The DJ series, have a read here for his current favourite tracks, festival openers and the song he'd play at his own funeral...

You can also witness Kowton for yourself this month around Germany:
Friday 23rd August - Cologne, Roxy
Saturday 24th August - Berlin, Chalet
Sunday 25th August - Hamburg, Golden Pudel Club

New Deadbeat Podcast for Goethebunker

Canadian-born Scott Monteith, better known under his moniker 'Deadbeat', is an artist as passionate about musical technology as the music he makes. This is evidenced by his latest mix recorded for Essen techno-haven Goethebunker. Recorded as a 'recovery' mix after his live-set at Nachtdigital, enabling you to bask in the ambient glory of Scott's ethereal dub-tinged techno. Enjoy.

Listen to the mix here

Catch Deadbeat in Paris Saturday 31st August on the River King boat.

Kanding Ray Announces Four Track EP

Kanding Ray whose real name is David Letellier has just announced a four track EP. Set for release on the Stroboscopic Artefacts label, the EP is titled 'Tempered Inmid'. David's is no stranger to the Stroboscopic label as this is his third release with them and its sure to excite. You can check out a brief review of the April 15th release at Juno or listen to clips of the EP on Hyponik.

Slugabed to Unveil New Live Set.

SoundCrash and Lapalux have a giant album launch party in the works. Slugabed will be providing support with his new live set. He has been working on the set since he unveiled it at the Boiler Room almost a year ago, you can check that out here. Since then he has been patiently waiting for the proper time to unleash a new and improved version, thankfully that time has come. Unfortunately the show is sold out but those of you lucky enough to have a ticket are bound to be in for a treat.

Hieroglyphic Being Announces European Tour.

Hieroglyphic Being has just announced that he will play 10 dates across Europe in March. Known as Jamal Moss by many, Hieroglyphic Being is the founder of Chicago’s Mathematics label. His last trip to Europe produced an exotic and unforgettable three hour mix for Fact. The tour features dates with Moomin, Andy Stott, and Lee Gamble among many others. Jamal is also excited to announce that he will be headlining a Mathematics Label Night in Paris and Closing down the tour with an All Night Long set in Bristol. Shows are in Germany, France and the UK with more to come.

You can keep up to date with all of Jamal's dates on Resident Advisor here.

March 15: Hieroglyphic Being at Kenzo, Frankfurt, Germany. 

March 16: Hieroglyphic Being x Steady Work at Klub_K, Heidelberg, Germany

March 17: Concrete: Hieroglyphic Being, Moomin, Jus Ed and more! at Concrete, Paris, France

March 19: Mathematics Night Live!: Hieroglyphic Being, Bon Voyage, and more! at L'Espace B, Paris France

March 22: Future Everything Festival: Hieroglyphic Being, Andy Stott(live), Lee Gamble and more! at Islington Mill, Manchester, UK

March 23: Bleed presents: Hieroglyphic Being + Holly Herndon at Basing House, London, UK

March 31:Qu Junktions and Dirtytalk present: Hieroglyphic Being (All Night Long) at TBA, Bristol, UK.

For More info on Jamal Moss and for some unreleased tracks from his Mathematics label check out this interview on Oberlin College's Radio Station WOBC.