It's 2003, Rennie Pilgrim's Emit remix is on serious rotation and Cut and Run remixing another classic that should have been left well alone! This was when breaks were breaks and the genre moved predictably through reggae, hiphop and electro without disturbing the wider music scene.
Fast forward to 2010 and 'breaks' is dead. In its place the open casket which is 'electro', no longer the preserve of choppy drums and stabbing synths, 'electro' today encompasses elements from across the dance music spectrum with a diverse range of artists to attaching the 'electro' label to their sound.
The sound of electro in Bristol is vast, catching all the international players from Erol Alkan and Boys Noize to Toddla T and Redlight all bringing their own take on 'electro' to the table and redefining the genre as they go. It's this chicken and egg scenario that liberates the genre and allows nights like
Shit The Bed at Motion and Blowpop at
Thekla to have such a diverse sound.
Visiting producers like Sinden borrow basslines from dubstep and garage while artists from the Boyz Noise and Ed Banger imprints inflate traditional electro synths beyond recognition. Whether it's the manicness of fidget house (a la Redlight) or the choppy breakbeats of 90s old skool (Toddla T), Bristol's electro listings are bursting with influences from across dance music.
Kate Havoc (Longthrow / LET'S RIDE) We're super excited to welcome Kate Havoc to the Spa. She's the CEO of Hun HQ, armed (with a USB of turbo-charged electro edits), dangerous, and highly sexy. Host of the poppin' Baby Teeth show on Longthrow radio, and part of the LET'S RIDE crew. But wait, there's more! Kate Havoc will not only be providing her lip-gloss club sounds but the visuals too. A Hun of many talents!
Drawing major influence from the iconic sounds of the 90’s warehouse rave movement and a range of modern electronic producers including Bjaarki, Objekt, Skee Mask, Charles Murdoch, PTU and Clouds, Clarke and Morath have quickly crafted a rather unique sound. Meddling with elements of techno, house, breakbeat and electro, X CLUB.’s production is forever developing and refuses to be tied down by genre.
Opening the night is the Fashion Weak. Hailing from Bath & Cardiff The Fashion Weak are a combination of the old school new wave of synth wave with spoken word and hooky chorus's. The project developed after the lockdown electronic John MOuse album The Goat, when it became clear that the tracks were not suited to the traditional guitar band set up.
Expect to hear bumping house, jazzy techno, 2 step wobblers, brit funk, broken beat, warped disco, electro, footwork, boogie, soul, italo, ebm, 80s house, post punk, afro beat, reggae and much more. If it goes off it goes on.
Synthwave & Talkbox with a backdrop of 80's beats. It's Pretty Awesome! The music of Beckett is inspired by the movie soundtracks and lifestyles of the 1980's. It’s a clear love for the electronic palette of synthesizers, drum machines and studio electric guitars infused with Miami sunsets, L.A. Neon and the glamour of 80's fashion.