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Ian Axide

Premiere: Ian Axide Unveils “Close To Hell” EP on Black Codes Experiments

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Founded in 2000 by Spanish techno icon Cristian Varela, the now esteemed Black Codes Experiments imprint has, over the past two decades, forged itself a firm reputation as one of the most prestigious, forward-thinking labels on the international electronic music circuit. Now, as the label looks to continue this fine run of form into the new decade, Cristian’s long time label mate Ian Axide unveils his incredible new EP Close To Hell.

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COVID-19: These Artists Aren’t Letting It Keep Them Down

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With the world in a global pause due to COVID-19, these artists are showing how they’re maintaining a positive, productive outlook on life. Whether it’s diving into passion projects, spending quality time with loved ones or getting creative in the studio, they each share how they’re coping with current events.

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Black Code Experiments

Premiere: Cristian Varela, Ian Axide, Vertical Spectrum, D Func. & Milo Raad Contribute to Black Codes Experiments V/A

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This Various Artists new release on Cristian Varela‘s Black Codes Experiments features original tracks from D_Func. (Aka Alexander Kowalski) & Milo Raad, Ian Axide, Vertical Spectrum and an amazing remix by the label head himself for the legendary Japanese producer DJ Takaaki Itoh.

And the best thing is, we are premiering all four tracks on this Black Codes Experiments EP for you today!

The Serbian artist Milo Raad appears following releases on top labels such as Marco Bailey’s MATERIA, Decoy and Revolt.

D_func. aka Alexander Kowalski has an extensive career having featured on prestigious labels such as Tresor to Kanzleramt, Figure to Faut Section, and here welcomes his exciting alias for the pairs debut collaboration release.

Vertical Spectrum is from Poland and known for contributions to Oscar Mulero’s PoleGroup, Christian WĂŒnsch’s Tsunami and Abstract Division’s Dynamic Reflection to name a few.

Cristian Varela is acknowledged as one of Spain’s pioneering techno producers, and was one of the first underground Spanish DJ’s to receive international bookings when he started his career over two decades ago.

Originally gaining DJ fame for playing experimental techno sets on four vinyl turntables, many do not realise Cristian Varela is also a successful composer, having even recorded a symphonic album at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Techno is always evolving and like the genre, Cristian has moved with the times. 2018 has seen the relaunch of his “Black Codes Experiments” project, which originally started in 2003 is a return to his roots with a series of underground gigs and vinyl-only releases featuring artists such as Regis, Mark Broom, Shufflemaster, Tensal, Abstract Division, Exium and Arnaud Le Texier, amongst others.

When talking about Cristian Varela’s roots, longstanding fans of the Techno genre will need little introduction for his seminal remixes of artists such as Ben Sims and Speedy J. More than just a remix artist, Cristian Varela has released numerous solo EP’s on labels ranging from Carl Cox’s Intec to his own Pornographic Recordings.

Alongside the relaunch of Black Codes Experiments, his other imprint Pornographic Recordings will continue featuring new music from the likes of The Advent, Ken Ishii, Gary Beck, Marco Bailey, UMEK, and many more.

Premiere: Uto Karem’s Agile Recordings Celebrates 100th Release with V/A Featuring Cristian Varela, Loco & Jam, Filterheadz, Mladen Tomic and More

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Agile Recordings is the long-standing techno label run by Uto Karem who since his first release in the mid-nineties, has been a leading figure in the Italian club scene.

Celebrating the labels landmark 100th release, Uto Karem has compiled a special 14 track LP with hand-selected new tracks from Cristian Varela, Loco & Jam, Filterheadz, Mladen Tomic, and Anderson Noise plus many others including himself.

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In Interview: Cristian Varela on his New Documentary “Music, Passion & Respect”

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Techno is, at heart, passionate music, and to truly succeed in the world of techno an artist has to be passionate beyond reproach. As such, it’s no surprise Cristian Varela has enjoyed massive success across his extensive career, culminating in his recent retrospective documentary, Music, Passion & Respect.

The feature film begins with an understated chord pad and a profound quote from Varela which unequivocally explains his passion for what he does.

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Premiere: Black Codes Experiments Releases Three-Track EP Featuring Ian Axide, Arnaud Le Texier and a Regis Remix Re-Edit

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Black Codes Experiments is an underground techno event and label with a scheduled roster of artists including Abstract Division, Mark Broom, Tensal, P.E.A.R.L. and Takaaki Itoh.

The event side of the project is a series of parties in London where guests have already included Exium along with the project owners Cristian Varela and Ian Axide.

Originally started in 2003, this relaunch release of Black Codes Experiments features an original track from Arnaud Le Texier, and a newly revised version of “Experiment 5” by Cristian Varela that sees Cristian re-edit Regis’ 2004 remix.

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Cristian Varela Takes Live Performances to a New Level with VARELIVE

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VareLive Flyer

There is always something extra special about seeing an artist perform live, making music on the go right in front of an audience that doesn’t know what to expect next. No two live sets are ever the same and it’s this improvisation and the idea of fleeting sounds never to be heard again in that exact way that makes such performances unique.

We are seeing more artists than ever choosing this route and becoming innovative with the way they present their music live to an audience. And it is with this in mind that Cristian Varela is launching VARELIVE, a new project that sees the Spanish producer and DJ compact twenty-five years of experience into a one-of-a-kind, unplanned set.

Fans that will be witnessing his shows will not only be able to experience the performances sonically, but also visually. Every venue will be providing two double screens highlighting Varela’s live composition on the go, with no back ups or safety nets to fall back on. The project will see him use a wide array of live instruments including a Roland Aira TR8, Roland Aira MX1, Roland MC505, Ableton Push and Cyclone TT303.
 

There is no question that VARELIVE will take a lot out of the producer both musically and technically, putting his full experience and knowledge for the world to see. With scheduled performances at some of the biggest stages of the world’s dance music circuit, VARELIVE will be an exciting project to follow in 2016.

Connect with the Cristian Varela on Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Resident Advisor

 

Cristian Varela Releases Full Length Album on Carl Cox’s Intec Label

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Cristian Varela Vinyl

Of all the countries and dance communities around the world, one can’t argue that Spain has some of the most enthusiastic crowds out there – both on Ibiza and on the mainland. This energy stems from the high quality music, with the country’s artists playing an integral role in progressing dance culture. Among many Spanish artists, Cristian Varela is at the forefront, and his new album Max & Max further solidifies his position in both the Spanish and international scene.

“Max & Max is the fusion of different sounds, emotions and feelings from different periods of my life,” states Varela. “This mixture, and the combination of ways I’ve created my music over the last few years, has made in my opinion, a complete, dynamic and emotional album.”

Varela Album ArtMax & Max finds a fitting home on Carl Cox and Jon Rundell’s label, Intec Digital. After brief EP’s foreshadowing the release, the full length album now sees the light of day. The album starts with a percussive heavy workout on the track Caramba – a track embodying the traditional style of energetic tech house that Cristian Varela has become so known for. Max & Max swiftly transitions into dubby mainroom groovers such as Blanky and Penthouse before moving into serious techno affairs on tracks such as Alarm Waves, Human, or Ovnivon.

With this in mind, Varela has been road testing some tracks from the album on dance floors all across the globe, and has settled on some clear-cut winners.

“All the tracks are very special for me but the most powerful on the dance floors are ‘Caramba’, ‘Fascinator’, ‘Human’, ‘Destiny’, ‘Great’ and ‘Loveperc’”

The tracks on Max & Max sound great individually, which is nice from a DJ perspective, but as a complete body of work Varela accomplishes an extremely enjoyable musical journey through techno and electronic textures. These days albums are refreshing to hear from an artist, and Cristian Varela nails this release for Intec.

Max & Max is available now on Beatport

Connect with Cristian Varela: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Resident Advisor | Soundcloud | Beatport