All posts filed under: MUSIC

FILE 102 // SPENCER PARKER

Published by 5elect5

2018 was another busy year for London-born producer and DJ Spencer Parker. He is ending this year on a high note with the release of his second album “Dance Music” on Work Them Records. Founded back in 2012, the label has become the one stop shop for high energy house, techno and disco tracks – all you need in your record bag for a fueled dance floor. Supporting new talents such as P.Leone & Valya Kan as well as friends like DJ Deep, Rødhäd, ItaloJohnson and long-time partner in all crimes Radio Slave – whose label Rekids he very much considers home away from home – shows his wide network and talent for bringing people together to collaborate. For the photoshoot, we met Parker at his apartment in Berlin. Whenever we meet an artist at his / her home, we come to realize that a selection of essentials is merely a snapshot of the creative individual and not enough to paint the full picture. Parker’s home was filled with colors and fun rare items – mostly “best worst” souvenirs from every city he visits (which is …

FILE 101 // DAN CURTIN

Published by 5elect5

Cleveland-born producer and DJ Dan Curtin is one of the key figures shaping the Midwest Techno scene. He founded the label Metamorphic to mainly give new talents an outlet for their music. While continuing to support this scene and over 70 singles and 9 albums later, Curtin follows his passion for hip hop, funk and soul releases new music under one of his his many aliases such as Purveyors of Fine Funk. His refusal to lock himself into one style as well as his ability to collaborate with artists from a variety of genres has helped him to maintain his status as a legend. Currently based in Berlin, his essentials are a genuine selection of items that portray his roots and source of inspiration to keep going – “When the music stops your mind and body return to the world of the sentient but you never forget your Origins.” said the press release of his “Origins” EP which was released under his alias Planetary 25 years ago. The re-mastered reissue was just released on Metamorphic. MY ESSENTIALS 1. SUNGLASSES (MYKITA, CHECK HERE): Sunglasses. Needed when there is …

FILE 100 // MAX COOPER

Published by 5elect5

UK-based artist Max Cooper merges electronic music, visual art and science through installations, live audio-visual and immersive sound experiences. Growing up, he pursued both of his passions – music and science, earning a PhD in computational biology. His background and education seems to now influence his creative process. Cooper shares that his projects start with an abstract idea / concept first which he explores further to make them tangible as well as relatable. His label “Mesh” is an embodiment of these passions and an outlet for music which is part of wider collaborations in the arts and sciences. Following the successful multi-media “Emergence” album and tour, this year he released his third album “One Hundred Billion Sparks” with an all new and evolved 270 immersive audio-visual shows – a light field installation of countless shimmering points, hovering overhead the audience, creating 3-dimensional moving forms in sync with music. Experience the next one at Funkhaus in Berlin. MY ESSENTIALS 1. FLIGHT ESSENTIALS (A PERSONAL COLLECTION): This is my flight essentials pouch to cover the travel basics …

RBMA // VŌX

Published by 5elect5

Los Angeles-based vocalist, musician and producer Sarah Winters AKA vōx (pronounced “wokes”) makes hip-hop-influenced spectral pop. Her productions and performances have a refined look and feel. Under the veil she wears on stage, Winters is hidden but present – guiding the audience safely through the unknown sonic world. She also has a talent for giving songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “i,” the unique vōx treatment while creating lasting moments. MY ESSENTIALS 1. NOTEBOOK + PEN (MOLESKIN, BUY HERE): My music making background came about through writing poetry first, so I like to have a small notebook with me at all times for lyrical thoughts. 2. EAR PLUGS (ACS, CHECK HERE): I think it goes along with my introversion, but I tend to be very sensitive to sound. I like to carry my molded earplugs with me, mostly for going to shows, but sometimes even a plane or a train is a tad too loud for me. 3. GLOVES (DEL’HACIENDA, CHECK HERE): Wearing things that make people smile and wearing things that make me smile is key. These are satin gloves my friends from Los Angeles, Del’Hacienda, made. 4. VEIL (NO BRAND): Being veiled is a big …

RBMA // SOUL OF HEX

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Gerardo Cedillo is a producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist from Mexico. As one half of the duo named Kry-Lon, he defined the “new rave” scene in his hometown of Tijuana. As Soul of Hex, Cedillo’s solo project’ he enjoys playing and producing deep house incoorporating classic techno and jazz influences. He is the founder of the vinyl only label Vicario Musique Recordings to create an platform to share “music for the future”. His essentials are a refined collection to accompany him when he is touring around the world. MY ESSENTIALS 1. PERFORMANCE SAMPLER (ELEKTRON, BUY HERE): It’s my most essential piece of gear and I take it everywhere with me. It’s such a wonderful machine which basically can sample and manipulate any sound or song and take it to the next level, with awesome effects and also it’s a composer so… it’s been in my bag since I got it sponsored by Elektron in 2016. 2. SUNGLASSES (RAY-BAN, CHECK HERE): These shades are cool I think, I always lose them but buy them again every now and then ha! 3. GRANULAR CONVOLVOR (RBMA, READ HERE): This little silver machine was given to the participants of this …

RBMA // INDI

Published by 5elect5

Indira Force is an artist from New Zealand. Her deep relationship with music is expressed in many different ways: composing film soundtracks, dance scores and even music for political campaigns as well as producing music under “indi”. The tracks on her first solo album Precipice are performed with saxophonists, trombonists and a violin to bring Force’s dreamy and delicate but concrete vision to life. Her collection of items are surprisingly functional and practial but essential to create the “indi” sound. MY ESSENTIALS 1. LAPTOP (GIGABYTE, CHECK HERE): I actually bought this earlier this year when I moved to Berlin from NZ. It has been essential to my on-the-go media-scoring lifestyle. It is really sturdy and can run huge projects without any problems. 2. EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE (SEAGATE, CHECK NEXT PARTY HERE): This is a boring one but I cannot emphasize how important it is to back up your stuff. I lost a whole EP of music projects once because my computer died and it was devastating. Honestly if you can afford it get like 2 hard drives and back everything up twice as well as uploading to the cloud. This holds a very precious part of my life. 3. SNACK (FRECHE …

RBMA // JEANNEL

Published by 5elect5

Berlin-based Jeanne Kaiser is a singer, producer and classically-trained cellist who performs under the name Jeannel. She is known for her her dreamy, R&B-oriented pop. Her performances are versatile: playing with a full band or playing with stripped-down stage setup or doing back-up vocals – Kaiser makes sure to connect with the audience. So does her collection of essentials share the importance of relationships to her music. MY ESSENTIALS 1. YOGA (PEACEYOGA, CHECK HERE): Peaceyoga Berlin is one of my absolute essential in-order-to-stay-sane/basic-need-place to go to. The jivamukti classes are demanding, sweaty, and lead by the best teachers I know so far. Peaceyoga is like my second home here in Berlin. I go there to keep my body and soul in tune. I love this place. 2. COMPUTER (APPLE, CHECK HERE): My whole musical identity is on that computer. Whenever I go out the house wondering if I really switched off the stove, it’s the only thing I am worried about. (Besides my plants.) 3. SHIRT (TRES RASCHE, CHECK HERE): That T-shirt just makes me feel good an powerful. Besides, the label is awesome. 4. BOOTS (DR. …