All posts filed under: ARCHIVE

FILE 87 // FRANCOIS X

Published by 5elect5

Parisian producer and DJ Francois X is one of the reasons why the French capital is having an electronic music revival. Since 2011 Dement3d, a party series he and HBT worked on together, helped defining the Techno scene by inviting guests such as Sandwell District, Planetary Assault System, Marcel Dettman, Mortiz Von Oswald and Silent Servant. With a growing following as well as a big push by friend and mentor DJ DEEP, who is known for his Deeply Rooted parties and imprint, he got into the art of producing and releasing his own music. This all sounds very organic and like an easy dream come true but Francois X had several careers before he reached this point. When he told us that he had worked as a day trader, owned a fashion label and played tennis on a professional level, we could understand why he was so humble and down-to-earth despite the big success. Calling himself a “Ninja”, he was very aware of his musical passion now turned into a full-time career as well as the industry and its evolution. Maybe his musical understanding and sensibility helped him and HBT …

FILE 85 // PIECES OF JUNO

Published by 5elect5

Oslo-based artist Juno Jensen aka Pieces of Juno just released the second part of her album series “Tacenda” on KOSO records. Meeting Juno with her bright blue hair had quite a big impact on us. Later on during the photoshoot, she admitted that it was a wig and told us how wearing it makes her transform to the “performing artist Juno”. The blue hair is part of the “Tacenda” project and if you have noticed the debut album“Kalopsia” is all about the artist with red hair (also part of her essentials). Juno is not only a very talented singer, producer and musician but also a music activist. As the founder of KOSO, she has a very strong opinion on the Norwegian music scene as well as a clear vision for all female creatives, producers and musicians in Norway. KOSO started off as a creative collective with a digital magazine, and quickly turned into a party series, a label and a platform to share music knowledge and production techniques. Juno’s performances are more than just a live show; they are experiences with elements of theater and film. Her essentials seem …

FILE 80 // ALI DEMIREL

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If you know Richie Hawtin, you are most likely familiar with Ali Demirel’s work. As the creative director, visual architect and engineer, Ali is the man behind all the visual aspects on and around the stage for Plastikman, M-nus, Enter and other collaborations with Richie Hawtin. Together they have created identities and experiences that are not only entertaining for the audience but also applies innovative and cutting-edge technology. Ali’s stage designs and live visuals have true revolutionized the music industry. It was no surprise to us that he had a degree in nuclear engineering and architecture as his work seems to always incorporate scientific imagery and structural compositions with a clever twist that makes his work speak more “art” than simply “background visuals”. His selection of essentials might be proof that it does not need much to come up with creative concepts: ideas, positive energy and comfort. The only wall between the ideas and the breakthrough is the artist him/ herself and only patience, persistence and curiosity allows for the idea to grow. 1. PENCIL (NO …

FILE 73 // TIM PARKER

Published by 5elect5

London-based Tim Parker is a professional tastemaker and a professional nerd. We remember him as the founder of the mysterious but well designed music blog “You’ll soon know ” that kept posting a diverse selection of amazing unknown tunes. From classic Hip Hop to beats to experimental electronica with cute glitchy moments. There was something for everyone, for every mood every day. His same-titled weekly radio show on NTS radio keeps that spirit alive with carefully curated guests that are determined to expand your musical horizon. Tim’s fine taste in music also shines through his own productions and DJ sets he plays around the world. As if this is not already enough of a full-time profession, we found out that he is a full-time designer and developer for Mixcloud. What has once started as small passion project to collect and share music discoveries turned into making a proper website for it and now catering to even bigger audience through an online streaming platform he helps building and designing. His essentials at first seem very straight-forwad but the stories behind them just reveal how he succesfully turned a passion into a …

FILE 67 // SUKI QUASIMODO

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1. iPAD TO VGA ADAPTOR (APPLE, BUY HERE): My best friend for spontaneous screen sharing or exhibiting simple projection mapped installations (really useful with Prspctv app By Minoru Aikawa). Lovingly MT-Taped ofcourse ^. ^ 2. WATERMELON SUGAR POSTCARD (CHECK HERE): A project I’m currently developing about personal data visualisation and analytics in the form of a Tamagotchi. Front-end developers and computer scientists, please hit me up! 3. MR DOUGH PIN (STUDIO GHIBLI, CHECK HERE): ‘Pandane to Tamago Hime’ or ‘Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess’ is an unreleased short film which premiered at the museum in 2010 and I fell in love with the story. It depicts a running away to see the world story, kind of what my life is like. 4. iPOD NANO (APPLE, CHECK HERE): Something I’ve had since 2007, it’s only got 5Gb of space so I constantly have to put in new playlists to keep it fresh. ‘:frompamm]’ is inscribed behind it just in case I lose it, then it becomes like a gift from me. Facebook Soundcloud Instagram Twitter Website

FILE 66 // AARON DAVIS

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1. PERFUME & TRAVEL CASE (BYREDO, BUY HERE): Currently using the Black Saffron perfume, but this handy little travel case can hold a number of Byredo scents. Smell is one of the most important senses we have and I feel more confident when I smell good. The travel set is awesome at home or on the go. 2. TSHIRT SERIES (ACID CAMP, BUY HERE): Running Acid Camp has been one of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on. I’ve created over a dozen different Acid Camp shirts now. I love having something to commemorate each party and the t-shirts have been a perfect addition. 3. PORTABLE CHARGER (ANKER, BUY HERE): When I’m traveling this little battery pack has been the life-saver accessory. Being able to run around a city for 24 hours or more straight you’ll, without a doubt, need charge your phone along the way. I cannot travel without it. 4. PINS (ACID CAMP, DIG DEEPER & SUFFER THE RAVE): Nothing spruces up a leather or denim jacket like a lapel pin. Especially a pin that you or your friends have made. I collaborated with my …

FILE 62 // JUAN MACLEAN

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1. LUGGAGE (UDG, BUY HERE): I have been dj’ing since around 2002, and I have always played vinyl, though it was really the only option back then. It has become a pretty big hassle at this point, both from the effort of fighting with airlines to carry them as hand baggage in the cabin and the crapshoot of whether or not the turntables will work when you show up to the venue. I also hear other DJ’s complain that they have bad backs and can’t carry them anymore. Basically, it requires effort. Personally, I keep in mind the back breaking construction jobs I had when I was younger, waking up at 5am to carry 50lb 4’ x 8’ concrete pouring forms on my shoulder. Maybe these other DJ’s have never had a job like that. I don’t particularly care what format DJ’s use, I just don’t buy that it’s too much work as an excuse to not utilize the method you would most like to use. Especially when you are getting paid a fee that is what …