If you’re from the US and reading this on August 12th, Happy Vinyl day to you! If none of those apply, we still have a treat for those purists and vinyl aficionados out there! Many love the warm vintage sound that vinyl has famously been known for and swear by its audio superiority. So on this day, and really everyday, 6AM wanted to bring you the top vinyls sets that you can stream with your favorite techno all-stars.
Within the techno community there is no doubt that Ellen Allien is one of the most respected djs, producers and label owners out there. Ellen is your favorite DJâs favorite DJ; the influence to many artists that we look up to today. Her widely successful label Bpitch Control has been a techno taste maker since its inception in 1999. More recently through her Bpitch imprint, Ellen has released part 4-6 of her We Are Not Alone VA- a 36 track compilation of high quality techno that you expect from the label and the artist’s she picks. From having residencies across the world to being one of Berlins biggest acts, she has cemented her presence in the techno realm and is nothing short of legend status.
If you happen to be in North America, don’t miss her shows at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, US July 23rd and Piknic Electronik Montreal in Montreal, CA on July 24th.
Just a little while back at the techno mecca festival that is Movement Detroit, 6AM had the honor to speak with the techno titan about her about the importance of music, the current state of djs and producers, and how she connect with dancers with her signature dynamic sets.
Since the dawn of techno; artists, regions, technology etc, have left their imprint on the genre creating something altogether new. Sub genres of techno have been sprouting ever since and have ranged from being quite recognizable to the source or being drastically different. One genre that has made an impact on the dance world is minimal techno.
Regal is set to release his debut album in early July.
Since starting out in 2012, youâve no doubt heard some of Madrid-based Regalâs productions. The self-proclaimed “Acid Boy” has impressive remixes and projects with Hadone, Len Faki, Ellen Allien, Nina Kraviz, Emmanuel Top and Amelie Lens. He’s also known for his shows at Berghain, Awakenings and Khidi in Tbilisi where he is a resident. This year Regal premieres his debut album.
Coachella is back this year with another massive lineup including Rage Against The Machine, Frank Ocean, Thom Yorke, Depeche Mode, Flume, Fatboy Slim, and many other amazing acts across a vast array of genres and set over two weekends. With such a lengthy lineup, hard decisions will have to be be made, so let us help you out. Here are 5 must-see DJs at Coachella 2020, with the hope that our advice helps make your weekend schedule a little easier!
There’s no other artist able to distinguish themselves quite like Ellen Allien has. No one else has been able to obtain such notoriety with the unique style that she brings. Ellen has been able to differentiate herself from the rest, making her a legend in the techno community. Ellen is your favorite DJ’s favorite DJ; the influence to many artists that we look up to today. Ellen has not only started one label, but two. Besides her widely successful label Bpitch, Ellen also launched her new label UFO. Inc. last January. From having residencies across the world to being one of Berlins biggest acts, she was able to cement her presence in the techno realm. Â
That unique style mentioned is blatantly intentional in order to make sure she distinguishes herself from the rest of the herd. She has mentioned that she wouldn’t play songs that are popular. She likes to play music that no one else is, make music no one else is, and cultivates projects that no one else is doing. She’s personally involved with everything she does, there’s nothing industry about her. From her own tracks, to the festival stages she curates, Ellen has full creative involvement. Obviously, she’s had help, but she only works with close friends that understand who she is. For example, the graphic designer for Bpitch has been the same since the beginning.Â
If you have had a chance to listen to Ellen’s sets, either live or on YouTube, you are able to tell how innovative she can be. The way she chooses her music is interesting, because she’s enthralled by weird unpredictable music. She doesn’t focus on the high points or the popularity of a track, which is common among DJs. Instead, she likes music that’s more about intensity. As long as a track is intense, obscure, and unpredictable, it’s one for the collection. Her style of innovation has led her to a very successful career that has no signs of slowing down. Â
There are a lot of interesting things about Ellen that go beyond her music. Playing around the world, Ellen shared some of her interesting experiences as well as perspectives being one of the most respected names in the techno world. Thereâs plenty to talk about, and what really captures people’s attention are Ellenâs roots in Germany.
In our interview, we take a deep dive to discuss her music, her culture, and her legacy. Â Â Â Â Read more
Taapion co-founder ShlÞmo revisits his acclaimed debut LP Mercurial Skin this September with remixes from Ellen Allien, Regis, I Hate Models & Anetha, Benjamin Damage, DJ Sodeyama, Antigone & AWB and more.
2018 was a year in which Shaun Baron-Carvais, aka ShlĂžmo, fully arrived as one of technoâs most exciting talents.ShlĂžmo marking a significant chapter in the ShlĂžmo journey and a first for the imprint, with DJ Mag naming the LP #6 in their Best Albums of 2018, whilst featuring in Tsugiâs top three albums of the year, with praise extending throughout the dance music world and beyond from the likes of Groove Magazin, TRAX and Mixmag, through to publications such as LibĂ©ration, Le Bonbon and more. The project signaled both the arrival of a highly anticipated album, but also a complete presentation of Shaunâs universe as an artist, with Tsugi noting the release as a âfirst step towards the total blossoming of a big name in electronic musicâ as they welcomed him to curate their highly coveted cover CD, showcasing his diverse, expansive palette as both a skilled producer and also a highly accomplished DJ. Having revisited the projectâs material with updates and edits throughout his own live sets, the Frenchman now welcomes an impressive cast of emerging and established names to remix the package, spanning pockets of IDM and ambient textures through to warping techno as he releases the four-part âMercurial Skin Remixesâ on Taapion this September.
I Hate Models & Anethaâs âTribal Reconstructionâ of Minotia opens the package with authority, with the French duo harnessing the originalâs ethereal textures with menacing bass licks and hefty kicks, whilst rising talent Hadoneâs interpretation sees the originalâs spellbinding lead melody backed by soaring synths and pacy drum arrangements. Kas:st and Raar keep the energy high as they offer up a commanding version of âNapalmâ, before Schackeâs âSis Remixâ of âBrotherâ fuses slick drum licks with rich strings to form an emotive cut that rounds out the first package.
Telefon Tel Avivâs âDub Remixâ sees the US talent take influences from two cuts from the album as he offers up the enchanting and serene âHadal Skinâ, Regis and Simon Shreeve combine to reveal the hypnotic and warping remix of âNapalmâ under their CUB guise, before handing over to In Aeternam Vale who accents the wandering melodies of title cut âMercurial Skinâ with laser sharp kicks and tripped out vocal snippets. Netsh completes the offering in style, highlighting the original lead melody whilst interjecting slick drums as he delicately lends his hand to âHadal Zoneâ.
Next, title track âMercurial Skinâ sees new life via Ellen Allienâs âRemix 1â as the BPitch Control boss lays down a series of acid-tinged synths patterns, whilst Reekoâs remix of âBrotherâ ups the energy and channels the trackâs intense vocals to deliver an ominous peak time offering. Benjamin Damageâs remix of âMouaisâ combines rich organic percussion and sweeping atmospherics, whilst Sodeyamaâs hypnotic version of the track offers up a spellbinding five-and-a-half minute journey through pockets of space and serenity.
Lastly, Ellen Allienâs âRemix 2â of âMercurial Skinâ welcomes eerie synths amongst bumping bass licks, whilst Yogg & Pharaoh unleash off-kilter synths and sinister tones throughout âMaaraâ. Antigone and fellow Taapion co-founder AWB lower the tempo and bring a moment of rest to the fore with their slick interpretation of âIvoryâ, working spectral sounds amongst precise drum shots, before handing over to Hadone who delivers his second remix of âMinotiaâ, this time opting for an all-out assault of high-octane drum arrangements contrasted against underlying core melodies and completing the package in style.
TPN012 â 6th September 2019
Minotia (I Hate Models & Anetha Tribal Reconstruction)
Minotia (Hadone Remix)
Napalm (Kas:st & Raar Remix)
Brother (Schakeâs Sis Remix)
TPN013 â 13th September 2019
Hadal Skin (Telefon Tel Aviv Dub Remix)
Napalm (CUB aka Regis & Simon Shreeve Remix)
Mercurial Skin (In Aeternam Vale Remix)
Hadal Zone (Netsh Remix)
TPN014 â 20th September 2019
Mercurial Skin (Ellen Allien Remix 1)
Brother (Reeko Remix)
Mouais (Benjamin Damage Remix)
Mouais (DJ Sodeyama Remix)
TPN015D â 27th September 2019 *Digital Only
Mercurial Skin (Ellen Allien Remix 2)
Maara (Yogg & Pharoah Remix)
Ivory (Antigone & AWB Remix)
Minotia (Hadone Remix 2)
ShlĂžmo’s Mercurial Skin Remixes will be released throughout September 2019 on Taapion Records
Connect with ShlÞmo: Facebook | RA | SoundCloud
Follow Taapion Records: Facebook | SoundCloud
Cover photo by Andrea Serrau
Ellen Allien‘s seventh studio album, Nost has gained positive reviews and has brought about two well-received remix EPs. But if you think there is nothing more in store, get ready to be proven wrong!
Her label BPitch Control will soon release part three of the “Nost” remixes, RMXS 3. The lineup of contributors for this release is impressive, with Alan Oldham, Eomac, Amotik, and XDB all poised to bring a whole new dimension to the music, each stepping up to the plate to deliver their own interpretations of “Queen Bee’s” original works.
Teaming up to bring you day two of the Amsterdam Dance Event are two of Berlin’s finest exports: BPitch Control label boss Ellen Allien and a venue which many would describe as the creators of the city’s club scene: Tresor. Along with RADION and Project Sugar, you’re presented with a surefire forward thinking party.
The evening will feature an impressive collaboration of artists! Micron Audio Detroit label boss DJ Stingray will be there in his trademark ski-mask; the self-dubbed ‘techno boyband’ FJAAK will be performing live; Objekt, the Berliner whose 2016 Tresor mix was described as ‘a window into the very essence of DJing’, the ‘First Lady of Detroit’, the legendary K-hand and the newly founded futura label artist, Russian DJ Inga Mauer will each make their appearance in the uncompromising concrete rooms of RADION.
This coming May 12th, BPitch Control boss Ellen Allien will release her upcoming LP Nost, her first club-ready album since 2010.
Nost is short for “nostalgia,” each track a homage to her twenty-five-plus years on dance floors all over the world. During her long career Ellen has emerged from Berlinâs fertile, post-wall era and gone on to secure an impressive list of achievements which have undoubtedly made her a consistent positive and progressive contributor to the evolution of the city’s techno scene. Her DJ sets, musical productions and her iconic label, BPitch Control have become intrinsic elements of the city’s effervescent techno culture, as well as that of the techno movement around the globe.
Throughout her career Ellen has remained an avid lover and collector of vinyl, still today choosing to play records at clubs and festivals whenever possible. Her love for vinyl has taken her to launch a series of events called Vinylism that see her perform very intimate vinyl-only sets at some of her favorite record stores around the world.
