Embrace Presents Pendulum & Terravita @ The Middle East- Ticket Giveaway!

One of the first groups to ever successfully combine drum and bass with rock is returning to Boston for the first time since 2008! Pendulum has been relentlessly touring on the road, supporting their successful third LP, Immersion, released in 2010. As many know, Pendulum has helped redefine the sound of drum and bass over the past 7 years. Competing producers have sought to emulate their production style, crafting songs that are catchy and accessable to the populous.

With tracks like “Propane Nightmares” and “Witchcraft” dotting music charts around the world, Pendulum have also ensured they have the live show to back up their studio work. Whether it be a large performance like Glastonbury in front of tens of thousands of people, or a DJ set like you’re about to see at the Middle East downstairs tomorrow, you’re going to be in for a treat. And the awesome sound system at the Middle East is the icing on the cake.

I was going to post this on Friday, but work was keeping my free time at an absolute minimum. I’m pretty sure the tickets for this have sold out by now, but don’t fret. Here’s your chance to win a pair, thanks to the Embrace guys. Same drill as always: leave your name and email in the comments section. At 9 AM tomorrow (Monday), I draw a winner. Easy enough, right?

As per the course, you have some of the best drum and bass DJ/producers in New England opening. Terravita will most likely play a set of entirely original productions, while Elements founder Lenore and d.Surge will surely get things moving from the very beginning.

Show starts at 8 tomorrow! Get there early to avoid the line, it’s going to be a big one.
Middle East downstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge. 

DJ Friction Makes Debut Boston Appearance at Elements, 8.11.11

Another drum and bass legend makes his way to Boston tonight to play Elements at the Phoenix Landing (512 Mass Ave, Cambridge). DJ Friction will be reporting for duty, with three turntables to show everyone what some of the next cutting-edge tracks on his label, Shogun Audio, will sound like.

Friction, based out of the U.K., is no stranger within the genre, and therefore remains a busy man even in dubstep-dominated world in 2011. Although initially garnering credits for his production work on top shelf labels such as 31, Renegade Hardware, and True Playaz, he was equally revered for his flawless DJ skills. Often playing on 3 or even 4 turntables, Friction has been known to incorporate all sorts of mixing tricks into his sets, satisfying even the fussiest listeners. He plays across a very wide gamut of the genre as well. He is best known nowadays for his label, Shogun Audio, which has worked its way into the A-list for dnb imprints over the last five years. 

Friction - Minimix (June 2009) by DjFriction

With running Shogun and DJ-ing all over the world, it’s no wonder he only has time to only make 1 or 2 tracks of his own each year!

Also, Dynamite MC will be landing his skills on vocal duty.

Cover: $15 before 11, $20 after. Phoenix Landing, 512 Mass Ave, 10pm-2am, 19+

Drum & Bass Legend Dylan Makes First Boston Appearance in Years, 7.14.11

British-by-way-of Philadelphia producer/DJ Dylan, one of the pioneers behind some of the darkest, most abrasive drum and bass in existence, is making an appearance at the Phoenix Landing for tonight’s installment of Elements. I believe his last appearance in our neck of the woods was in 2006, and if the pattern holds water, who knows when the next time we’ll get a chance to check him out in the convenience of our own backyards.

But get this: he will be playing a vintage, old school set! In his own words:

“Hmm expect me obviously, the whole no u turn crew, dillinja, source direct, photek, Danny breaks, lemon d, j majik, blah blah…..plenty of not so obvious tracks too, a few obvious ofcourse but I want to bring out some tracks that need to be heard! So yessss gonna be a good time! Get the old heads back out!” 

Sounds good enough for me.

Phoenix Landing, 512 Mass Ave, Cambridge. 19+, 10pm-2am. Cover: $7 | Facebook event page 

Drum & Bass and Hip-Hop Producer Adam F Plays Elements, 12.16.10

Adam F is a legend in the drum and bass scene; in fact he was one of the first to branch out beyond the genre in the 1990s to work with a variety of American hip hop producers, including LL Cool J, Method Man, and Redman. His best known work, including “Circles” and “Brand New Funk”, are records that collect dust in very few a DJ’s record collection. 

He touches down at Elements tonight. (Phoenix Landing, 512 Mass Ave, Cambridge). First set in Boston in about two years if I can recall correctly. Expect to hear a variety of forthcoming music on his label, Breakbeat Kaos. He continues to be a tastemaker within the genre today…and I’m morbidly curious if he’s going to drop some dubstep? (If he doesn’t, he will be one of the FEW mainstream dnb cats not toying with it at least a little)

A couple of his lesser known tracks above: “Music In My Mind” was the very first song I ever heard from Adam F. His colors album was distributed on Astralwerks in the US, and heard clips of it while browsing their site in ‘97 by accident while trying to find out more info about U-Ziq. Mother Earth is a fantastic downtempo/ 140bpm piece he did, complete with rhodes and jazz licks, that originally came out on Goldie’s label Metalheadz in 1996. And, to cap things off, a classic Redman joint that Adam produced and wrote the beats for.

“Adam f is one of the most blazing producers out there..he’s official.” -LL COOL J

19+, 10pm-2am, Residents: Crook & Lenore, Visuals by VJ Bonk, $10 Cover.

The B Is Back! John B Plays Elements, This Thursday, 10.14.10

I’m a little bummed that this will be the SECOND time I’ll be out of town and unable to catch John B touch down at Elements, but he’ll keep the floor jumping regardless. In case you’re unaware, John recently signed local drum and bass producers Terravita to his label, Beta Recordings! Look out for tracks from them soon there, along with plenty of top quality business from Xilent and Camo/Crooked. 

In the tradition of other John B posts I’ve done here, I’m posting a mix of some of his recent work, followed by a video of Double J one of his early/lesser known/forgotten pieces from years past…strictly for the drum and bass heads!

John B Podcast 070: September 2009 ElectroTechno Studio Mix by JohnB

19+, 10pm-2am
Residents: Crook & Lenore
Visuals by VJ Bonk

New Years Rezolution Pics From Privus/The Kells 12.31.09 Uploaded!

New Years Rezolution :: Privus & The Kells :: 12.31.09

Drum & Bass Heads! Elements November/December '09 Lineup

You know the drill people! Closing in on 11 years of drum and bass music each thursday at the Phoenix Landing, Lenore and Crook have some good stuff in store to finish 2009 off on a high note.

Despite their dedication on their Hot Pink Delorean project, the Terravita guys still MAKE time to work on drum and bass, their tunes sounding better than ever before (especially that new joint Loud And Proud; can’t wait to hear that on a good system!) and are going to kill it this thursday just like always.

Xample is also one of the best jump-up producers at the moment, releasing dancefloor-based tracks left and right on Ram and Frequency. To the producers out there, I highly recommend the tutorials he made with Lomax for Computer Music Monthly this past summer, check out the youtube video below for the first part!

Oklahoma City producer Subsonik will be making his debut trip to Boston in December; he’s been well known for his fusion of trance and drum and bass music on labels such as Sudden Def, Cymbalism, and Beta. He also runs the label Subsonik Sound, have a listen to one of his own tunes on the imprint below.

DJ Fresh (of Bad Company UK fame) is also making his Elements debut! Still running the Breakbeat Kaos label and producing himself, he’s had a big hand in helping newer talent such as the Brookes Brothers and Furlonge get a bit of recognition over the course of the past year. He’s responsible for two of the biggest drum and bass releases this year: the vocal “Hypercaine” on his own imprint, along with the classic 1990s jungle-tinged Fantasia/Heavyweights 12” on Digital Soundboy. Should be a pre-holiday set!

Elements- Lineup for September

September is just around the corner, the college kids are returning to school, the beaches have emptied out yet the water is still warm…and the Phoenix Landing will surely be packed on Thursdays! Here’s the confirmed September lineup- I was wondering if producer Klute of Commercial Suicide fame was going to play out here this year, he’s played at Elements every year since I’ve lived out here, 2009 now being no exception. Oh yeah, Caustic makes his return from the left coast. He hasn’t played here since he originally moved away in 2006- another reason for celebration (bitches)!

August 27 Dip Vertigo (Bass Dynasty, Timeless, Maximum Moves)

03 Caustic ~ Welcome Home Party! (Soundbox) Boston

10 C.A.B.L.E. aka Damage Inc. (CIA, Innerground) Brazil

C.A.B.L.E. - Another Bottle mix

01 - C.A.B.L.E. - Against the Wall (Mac II)
02 - Insight - Hold On (Digital SoundBoy)
03 - Phobia & Jubei - Overdub (dub)
04 - C.A.B.L.E. - Get Off (dub)
05 - Johnny L - Harry (Mr L)
06 - Gridlock - Snap the Whip (CIA)
07 - C.A.B.L.E. - Alternative (CIA)
08 - Icicle & Nymfo - Franky Montain (Ram)
09 - Zero T - Angel Heart (CIA)
10 - Break - Submerged (Calyx & Teebee rmx) (Subtitles)
11 - Noisia - Cannonball (Vision)
>>> Verse & SP - Surrender (Crunch)
12 - S.P.Y - New Beginning (Critical)
13 - C.A.B.L.E. - Individual (Innerground)
14 - Spor - Resolute (Subtitles)
15 - Task Horizon - Diabolism (dub)
16 - Concord Dawn & Bulletproof - Datura (Cyanide)
17 - C.A.B.L.E. - Gods Basement (dub)

17 Residents: Crook & Lenore

24 Klute (Commercial Suicide) UK

 


View Phoenix Landing in a larger map 

John B @ Elements- Pics uploaded!

Better late than never!!

John B- Elements- 7.30.09 

Concord Dawn touches down at Elements this thursday, 7.2.09

Concord Dawn will be playing at Elements at the Phoenix Landing in Cambridge tomorrow night! If you're a drum and bass fan you obviously need no explanation as to who this duo is, but to those not familiar with them, they're from New Zealand and have been making music for about a decade. They released two LP's (self titled and Disturbance) in their homeland as they toured locally and slowly built a fanbase who were attracted to their unique signature sound. Strangely enough, they incorporated a good amount of heavy metal guitar licks as well as trance synths in their music, and somehow they made it work. Really well! 

In 2002 they released Morning Light, and the following year, they (along with Pendulum) proved to the entire world that there was more to drum and bass music than just the U.K. In retrospect, I think Concord Dawn was one of the groups that really opened up the doors to producers throughout the world to get noticed and spread awareness.

Concord Dawn plays elements once a year. I've seen them every installment here since 2005, and their sets are always incredible and filled with energy. Elements resident M-Doc, who moved away many years ago, is also making the trip back to visit and will be opening!

Check out some of CD's videos below. My favorite song of theirs, Say Your Words, I (strangely enough) couldn't find on youtube, so I did the honors and recorded it myself! Also, below that, check out one of their earliest tracks which you may have never heard before: Guardian Angel, from their sophomore LP. 



 

Seed Recordings presents Get Together, outdoor day party, 5.30.09

 

Nothing like a saturday rooftop party in downtown boston to kick off the summer! Seed Recordings is launching what looks like series of outdoor jams this saturday with their first installment titled "Get Together". Party starts at noon, goes till whenever, and weather's looking partly cloudy and 74 degrees. Good enough for me. If you want to go, you must email stonesbeatbones@yahoo.com to RSVP and for directions.

Lineup:

Judea Stonez

Bradford James
Craig Mitchell
Caseroc
Lenore
Brenden Wesley
Savuth 

Basstown presents Feminized II: Lenore vs. Volvox, Great Scott, 3.28

Two of Boston's best go head-to-head!
Lenore vs. Volvox

Elements drum & bass @ Phoenix Landing: March/April flyer/lineup

March 5: Redshift
March 12: Damian Silva
March 19: Crook & Lenore
March 26: Subfocus
April 2: Stereolith (aka Fantastadon!)
April 9: Edward Oberon
April 16: Ross Tiefenthaler
April 23: Total Science
April 30: Crook & Lenore 

Elements @ The Phoenix Landing, March '09 lineup

March lineup for Elements announced, flyer as well as April lineup to come shortly!

March 05 Redshift (Fluid, 413dnb, MIA) MA

March 12 Damian Silva (Soundbox Presents, Bassic) Boston



March 19 Residents: Crook & Lenore

March 26 Sub Focus (RAM Recordings) UK 

Lenore @ Church in Boston, 2.20.0

This Friday, check it out!

http://www.churchofboston.com/club.php

THE INDOBOX WITH DJ LENORE (ELEMENTS: BOSTON) & DJ TL (TIM LEFORT: BOSTON)

• -THE INDOBOX
• -DJ LENORE (ELEMENTS: BOSTON) & DJ TL (TIM LEFORT: BOSTON)

THIS WILL BE ONE NON-STOP PARTY! Music begins at 9:00 PM and runs until 1:00 AM.

Looks like this is a nice spot! Check out their http://www.churchofboston.com/events.php.