Premiere: The Reactivitz, Heerhorst, Julien Earle, and Lazar Contribute to V/A on UMEK’s 1605 V/A
Heerhorst, Julien Earle, Lazar (IT) and The Reactivitz join UMEK’s 1605 label for a four-track mixed artist EP titled Desiderati 4.1.
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UMEK Is Back On His 1605 Imprint with Two-Track “Cybernetic Implant” EP
Guest post by Jamie W
UMEK has put his stamp on electronic music as one of techno’s most influential artists, having a legacy that spans over two decades including many anthemic tracks. His new two track “Cybernetic Implant” release certainly seems to be an example of the aforementioned, as he is currently positioned No.1 in the techno sales chart on Beatport, so is in direct competition with himself to steal pole position.
With a revolving door of new music, it seems he rarely takes a break between releases, and is in constant competition with himself. Always trying to go one up on his previous tracks, in a never-ending cycle of self-improvement.
Premiere: Slovenia’s UMEK Releases Second EP In Two Months, Titled “Vibrancy”
Slovenian DJ and producer UMEK has released Vibrancy, the second EP in as many months on his own 1605 label, out 31st May.
The weighty, three-track release comes off the back of April’s 19119, and sees the veteran artist combine a tougher techno sound with more emotive, melodic elements. The EP’s title track is the clearest example of this, with a pounding kick-drum making way for a groove-laden breakdown halfway through. ‘Acid Rain’ is a heavier proposition, a full acid workout that harks back to Umek’s rave-era beginnings. Loosening somewhat, closing track ‘Constellations’ is underpinned by a steady, measured groove.
UMEK: Past, Present and Future Behind the Iron Curtain
UMEK is undeniably Slovenia’s biggest electronic music export, a literal techno legend personally responsible for kickstarting the electronic music scene in his home country by first organizing illegal raves and then becoming one of Slovenia’s most wanted export products and number one music ambassador to the whole world.
Standing at 2 meters tall, 6ft 5in for us in America, Uroš Umek is a producer, founder of his own 1605 imprint and a globe-trotting DJ. With 100+ gigs per year, UMEK visits almost every continent with each of Earth’s rotation around the sun, his gig schedule taking him from dark underground clubs in Berlin to massive techno stages at some of the biggest festivals in all corners of the globe. And on top of that, he keeps up a popular weekly radio show called Behind the Iron Curtain, which is now featured on more than 150 radio stations across the world.
More recently, UMEK teamed up with German airline Lufthansa to curate an exclusive 2 hour playlist that will be available on all their long-haul flights and has just released his latest EP, Work It Out, on his own 1605 label.
6AM had the chance to chat with Uroš and discuss his many projects, as well as life in Slovenia and the future ahead of him.
