Closer to Darkness Tour
Closer to Darkness is an EP to be released on Likeminded on Friday the 13th of October. The EP features 5 Bass music remixes of Undertow’s sophomore album Light in the Distance, which came out on Likeminded last year. Remixes are by a handful of Australian artists who all bring something different to your speakers in their own right. Xsetra, Jilted Hoodz, Bionic, Slice and SK & Wish make up the roster for the release and most of these talented crew will be coming on the road for a few shows November/December.
November 23rd - La De Da Belconnen, ACT
November 25th – Grumpy’s, VIC
December 8th – The Valve Bar – Agincourt Hotel, NSW
Lineup consists of the following artists and will vary from state to state
Xsetra - Violation, Sixbux Recordings, Rexette and Monarch
Mark Bionic - Monarch Records
Slice - Innariddim, Monarch Reocrdings
SK
Dtechmc/Undertow (Hip hop set) - Foreign Dub/Likeminded
Extramentalist
Loaf Crew
DJ Maniak
and more TBA
Xsetra
Xsetra is a Drum & Bass producer from Sydney, Australia based in a small town on the central coast. Xsetra has been sculpting his sounds in the DnB scene for around 8 years, continuously pushing boundaries on his sound design and techniques.
A major turning point was the release of Compatible on Violation Music U.K back in 2015 turning heads with a new sound launched the series of releases on labels based in the UK such as Transmission Audio and its sister label Alchemic breaks.
Back on home soil Xsetra has delivered other releases on Australian labels including Sixbux Recordings, Rexette and the latest of releases, Ether that came out early this year in November on Sydney's up and coming label Monarch Records, with more in the bank coming out soon.
Xsetra's sound is mixture of dark layered neurotic bass lines and displaced rolling drums keeping you on your toes, heavenly pads sweeping you into the abyss of the captivating sound called Xsetra.
Xsetra's remix Soldiering brings darkness closer with pumping bass lines and rolling drums, vocals overlay the mix to bring it all together.This tune is set to smash the dance floor and is not for the faint heart'ed.
Mark Bionic
Former ice-cream van man, now making absolutely zero cash writing and DJing drum & bass. Proof of the truth behind the old phrase 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again' exists right here as after sixteen solid years and over three hundred failed projects a label actually deemed one of his tracks good enough to release.
2016 saw the release of "Soul Trader / Everyday" on Sydney's Monarch records which was quickly followed up by two collaborations with Struz in early 2017 - "Legends of the Dark Black" and "Midnight Killer" - a track that was picked up by Drum & Bass Arena for their 2017 compilation.
After taking a quick break for a nap and a cup of tea Mark then released the four track "Frontline EP", again on Monarch records, featuring the vocals of the awesome Emily Harkness (who can also be found on tracks by Royalston and Nick Bee) before getting down and dirty on a remix for D-Vide, another collaboration with Struz and a final track of his own "The Ghost in the Machine" in September this year.
With over fifteen years of experience DJing in both hemispheres you can expect a relentlessly rolling set that perfectly contrasts elements of light and darkness, old and new and reality and fiction. Also goes great with a cuppa.
Slice
Slice has been mashing up the dance since 1999 when at nineteen, with only one belt-drive turntable and a handful of records to his name, he won the UK Juice DJ competition (South East heat) and came third in the London finals. Proof of his skills and enthusiasm, this early victory gained him a residency at The Venue in Canterbury (UK) for the Drum & Bass night 'Fluid'. He's warmed up for the big boys, playing alongside Grooverider, Andy C, Bailey, Dillinja, Lemon D, Nicky Blackmarket and Jumping Jack Frost to name a few. At a time when the Drum & Bass scene was at an exhilarating peak of newfound musical diversity, Slice's passion for the music and energy behind the decks didn't go unnoticed.
As well as hosting a weekly radio show on UKCR 1350am, playing at memorable free parties in the woods, regularly being invited to play legal venues, Slice also put on his own parties alongside like-minded friends under the guise of Sentient Sound. Since his move to Sydney in 2003, along with partner-in-crime Micapam, Slice founded Inna Riddim (www.innariddim.com).
Initially set up as an online music magazine focusing on underground music, and a driving force in the local scene ever since, regularly performing at events and putting on parties. Now with the record label and music publishing arm of the business the focus, Inna Riddim boasts a catalogue of over 40 releases spanning 25 artists worldwide including Compa, Cato, Mike G, Vice Versa, Juzlo, KillaHurtZ, John Matrix, HyperColour, Ritual, ForestSound, LUPR and Letabruthaknow.
Undertow/Dtechmc
Undertow (aka DTech MC) is no stranger to the stage. On road since 1998 Began a humble career in Brisbane's rave scene before relocating to Sydney in 2001. Started mcing with the likes of Hixxy, Dougal, Brisk, Sy, Neophyte, Scott Brown in Sydney's prominent rave scene early 2000s.
Over the years been affiliated with various promoters and held down residencies at Home, 50/50, Bassdrop to name a few. As Dtechmc he’s has toured the country numerous times with live band Kobra Kai and a long list of Internationals bass music internationals;
Camo n Krooked, Sigma, Fresh, High Contrast, Ed Rush n Optical, Mickey Finn, Kenny Ken, Aphrodite, Calibre & Intallex, Klute, D Bridge, Tee Bee, Spectrasoul, Break, Fierce, Logistics, Mampi Swift, The Upbeats, SOM, Hype, Neon Light, Dirtyphonics, Danny Byrd, Brookes Brothers, Dom & Roland, Krust, Cyantific, Commix, Netsky, Ray Keith, The Prototypes, Bad Company to name a few.
Since releasing his debut Undertow LP “Minds Believing” in 2010, he’s gone on to release 2 more albums with live EDM outfit Kobra Kai. Over his career he has been a regular on the National Touring Circuit, including appearances at large festivals such as “Stereosonic”, “Creamfields” and the “Big Day Out”.
Along the way he has shared the stage with some of the best in the business, including Skrillex, Deadmau5, Caspa, Dizee Rascal, Scratch Perverts, Dr Octagon, Lyrics Born, DJ Q-Bert, Whether over Drum N Bass riddims, or Heavy Hip Hop beats, the art of connecting metaphors and syllables over crafted instrumentals is, and always will be, Undertow’s passion.
Undertow's about to drop his third album with a quick return after last years Light in the Distance and will be perrforming tracks of the new joint release "Staircases" with upcoming all round sydney Producer/MC OT.
Extramentalist
Extramentalist is a solo live-looping act, featuring multiple instruments: guitar, trombone, vocals and a wide range of samples - all mashed up to create trippy dub, hip-hop and drum'n'bass songs and soundscapes. No matter the style, everything you hear at an Extramentalist show is created on the spot, mostly from scratch. Combining beatbox, rapping, singing, layered brass and guitars, Extramentalist works with a range of FX and audio tricks to create a full-band sound from a one-man loop station.
More details and some special guests to be announced shortly!
So come down and join us for one of these dates as we will defintely be having a party! Big large lineup of a whole plethora of all things break beat!
See you in the dance!