Beast interviews Lee Williams...again!

The Beast was overjoyed once more to get Lee Williams our very own resident DJ and rising star back on the line up again. He supported Denis Horvat at the last gig in May this year at Lakota and has a new release ‘Afterglow’ on the Bedrock label. His own club night Terminal in Bournemouth is one of the most talked about techno and deep house nights in the UK. He’s moved to Bristol and studies music production at DBS. You’ll notice him appearing on plenty of the best known Bristol and UK line-ups – he is one to watch!

Beast and crew wanted to find out more about his new move to Bristol and his rising (and well deserved) music standing in the city…

Lee Williams at Glitch & Minotaur on 23/11

“I feel very fortunate to be getting a good few gigs in Bristol considering I haven't been here very long. I have met and played alongside some lovely and super talented people. Having my Minotaur residency is a solid base for me here in Bristol and am very happy to be involved with the brand/event. Ultimately I want to be able to spend all my time working on music and to be able to travel the world playing and producing music.”

So what else does Lee do in his spare time we ask?

“Aside the music I love going climbing, running and Thai Boxing although I am yet to join a Gym in Bristol. I also have a strong interest in photography and art. I’m currently in my second year at DBS Bristol studying a Degree in Electronic Music Production.”

Is there anything that Lee doesn’t do?! As well as an action man he's also a top bloke and all round lovely chap who would give the shirt of his own back if his friends needed it.

Beast asks Lee about the upcoming Minotaur Sound night at The Island – so much excitement and energy will be poured in this one.

“I’m really looking forward to the next Minotaur event. The last one at Lakota was off the scale. I have played many parties over the years and that was one of my most memorable.

I think that the reason Minotaur is so special is because The Beast runs it with a real love and passion. Every small detail is looked after and there is a great team of people behind the event that all contribute with their areas of specialty. This is a great basis of a night in my opinion – I can’t wait!”

Catch a little taster of Lee in the second half of this mix – it’s an excerpt played at Glitch on 23/11. The first half is DJ Tina Hart, another utter talented and all round amazing DJ who will headline our Police Cell on Saturday 25/11. They will be joined by Much Maligned, Sarah Air, Thomas and Illy Noize – let it be known that the pulsating excitement of The Beast is running at an all-time high.

Lee's latest Minotaur promo mix can also be found here - such musical goodness to be had.

See you on the dance floor x

Illy Noize and Lee Williams back in Bristol on 25/11/2017

In the space of time since Beast hosted the last epic Minotaur Sound night in May, hurricanes have raged and despots have declared war - this is nothing new to Beastie Minotaur - who some 2500 years bc lived that very existence, only back then there wasn't any techno or deep house.

Forward wind a few millennia and so the time has come to bring night no 3 to the glittery fore. In all its musical glory - back by demandus populus we are so happy to hail the return of the legendary Illy Noize from Halle to Bristol. Like a vortex we whisk him and other resident DJ's back into The Island Bristol Police Cells venue on Saturday November 25th 2017.

Tickets can be purchased here: http://hdfst.uk/E40640

The last time we were there a couple of us scuffled around to the tune of a lone tape recorder - actually no, those who were there will remember just how many molecules of brain matter were lost just dancing to Illy's set alone. The rampant vibrations of a night that shall be commended to memory forever. Even now some peeps can say 'yep, I was there'. So fear not, if you weren't there - now is your opportunity to put that right.

In the main room dishing out Techno and Deephouse to your heart's content we bring back Much Maligned (Donewrong), Lee Williams and Illy Noize and in Police Cell no 1 we welcome Thomas, Sarah Air and the sass of Tina Hart to take us on a journey of beats and treats - anything could happen in there. In Police Cell no 2 we welcome back the spunky chic and beauty of Naomi from We Creatures bringing as ever her glittery, horny entourage to shimmer and entertain. Art visuals as ever from the oceanically deep Stefan Goodchild from Triple Geek - who has a few surprises up his techie sleeves just for you.

Get your tickets on headfirst here for a guaranteed night of musical debauchery. Book the babysitter and dust off your dancing shoes. See you there you gorgeous loves xx

Beast interviews...G Rowe (again)

Back in February 2016 Minotaur Sound resident DJ G Rowe (George) was first on the bill (together with Donewrong) at the Launch Party. Take a look at his original interview here: http://minotaursound.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/g-rowe-minotaur-sound-dj-interview.html

His was a Pied Piper type role to lay down the tracks that would set the precedent for the evening ahead and bring all the Beast creatures out of their hiding places. He did such an amazing job with aplomb and glory that Beast was keen to get him back in for the May party. Beast was keen to find out what he had been up to since the Launch Party of dreams and wonderment. He asks him what other musical delights he has seen in the last year.

G Rowe with Donewrong at Minotaur Sound Launch Party

“The DirtyTalk night in November with DJ Sotofett was the best thing I’ve been to in years. So much goodness all night long!” Beast nods his horned head vigorously, DJ Sotofett is one that he has his eye on at the moment. Beast, ever in pursuit of knowledge wishes to feed his musical wisdom by asking G Rowe for advice as to how to become a DJ. He expects that G Rowe must have had to undergo Herculean feats of dextrous mastery that aimed to place him high on a pedestal in honour and glorification to the musical Gods – “Errrr no…just start? Dive straight in. I think I got a pirate version of Traktor and started pissing around trying to mix and recording my lame attempts, to play to friends. Eventually a friend was good/desperate enough to let me play at their night. Everyone gets desperate” …Beast is silent, a piece of tumbleweed drifts slowly between him and G Rowe, a toll bell rings out across the Minotaur court.

Beast shrugs off the momentary pause and asks George if he has any surprises in store for the May night – “My main surprise is that Neil (Donewrong) isn’t playing, so there will probably be some sort of equipment failure that I won’t know how to fix” – Beast is sad that Donewrong can’t play as he did at the Launch Party but he has other events planned for this year and will be ensuring that he returns to the decks to wow the crowd just as he did with G Rowe at the Launch Party.

Finally Beast wants to know if George has been up to anything else in the last year “I’ve made some flashy light content to put towards the next night (another interview will uncover who the mysterious person is behind the visuals for the May night) and also check out my Instagram for other visuals I’ve been making”. The marvels of being a multi faceted creative – Beast can’t wait to see George’s flashy light thing on Minotaur night – take a look at his Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/georgehenryrowe/

Soak G Rowe in by Techno osmosis at the next Minotaur Sound night in May together with Nautz & Toppa, Lee Williams, Denis Horvat and Kuba Drypher. Get your tickets here: http://hdfst.uk/E36511

Beast interviews...Ellis Odyssey and Ollie (Nautz & Toppa):

The time has come for Beast to interview two of his newest DJ additions to the Minotaur court. Ellis Odyssey and Ollie (one half of the DJ duo Nautz & Toppa with Tom Whitakker) both of whom will be playing B2B at the Beast’s next May 13^th night. More details and tickets about Beast’s coveted event can be found here: http://hdfst.uk/E36511.

Ellis and Ollie met at college on a music production course, friendship was forged and a DJ alliance was decreed. They have been Dj’ing B2B since and are keen to transmit a sense of euphoria and escape to all those who listen and dance to them – this DJ passion caught Beast’s attention immediately. Ellis and Ollie explain that they have practiced their Dj’ing religiously and have dedicated that same passion throughout whether in a club or in their front room whilst drinking tea.

Ellis Odyssey

Beast is forever intrigued as to what makes someone suddenly want to DJ. Ellis explains that he got into serious DJ’ing when the tax man issued Ellis with a tax rebate and he was able to afford some Pioneer CDJ 1000 mk3’s and a DJM 800 mixer – Beast is surprised that tax rebates even happen. Where Beast comes from tax payments are only made in blood. Both Ollie and Ellis have lovingly collected and produced their only music too. Ellis collects and plays on vinyl as he was brought up hearing the rich sounds that only a vinyl record can transmit. Ollie tells Beast that he dedicates his dj’ing to creating a sense of euphoria and escape with his dance crowd – he’s fascinated by creating an essential musical connection between the DJ and the Crowd and will be re-creating that with Ellis at Minotaur Sound night on May 13^th.

Ollie has played at Apex and Nightowl and supported the likes of Dante, Darius Syrossian and Sidney Charles. Catch him at upcoming Home and Nozstock Festivals this year.

Ollie and Tom (Nautz & Toppa)

Beast is happy – so many wannabe DJ’s come forth, they play for a practice session and end up not connecting with the crowd – this is just plain selfish and Beast ends up chopping off their heads in retaliation. Beast teases out the secret to becoming a DJ – not just any DJ but a DJ that people can look up to and allow them to be lead on a musical journey. Ellis and Ollie explain that they are not in a position to give any advice to those wanting to DJ - but the only thing that they can say is that you must play what moves you, to dance and enjoy – it’s what the crowd will pick up the most. Also to get out there as much as you can, go to parties, meet people and keep collecting and writing music. Beast’s furry chin starts to quiver at Ellis and Ollie’s humility before he catches himself and swiftly returns to his dark Beastly self by downing a tankard of mead and belching loudly.

Ellis Odyssey and Ollie (Nautz and Toppa) will be energising the main Techno Minotaur room playing B2B on May 13th together with Lee Williams, Kuba Drypher, G Rowe and Denis Horvat.

Tune in to Nautz & Toppa SoundCloud’s here: https://soundcloud.com/nautzandtoppa

Beast Interviews...Lee Williams

Listen to Lee William's Minotaur Sound Promo Mix Part 1.

Lee Williams

The Beast receives lots of requests from those wanting to take part in his epic nights of shadowy dancefloor legend. By Minotaur decree, DJ appeals must be accompanied by mythical feats being performed to prove said talents – many an intrepid DJ has succumbed to fingers getting chopped off - such is the wrath of the Beast when demanding musical perfection. The day that Bournemouth DJ Lee Williams came forward to speak to The Beast, goes down in Minotaur Sound history. Lee had already made his mark securing bookings at some of the biggest events in the UK as well as in Europe. Working on the same bill as Sasha, Darren Emerson, Layo & Bushwaka, Dave Angel, Billy Nasty and Nick Muir to mention a few.

He’s appeared at Ministry of Sound, Pascha, Pulse Festival and The Egg as well as runs and headlines his night Terminal in Bournemouth. Masterful at wrapping his crowd in sound to scale heady musical heights and immersing them into the kind of nights that you never want to end. To say that Lee had Beast’s attention is an understatement. Beast was keen to share the DJ love and get Minotaur Sound fans learning about the hottest DJ Jedi in the Minotaur Lair.

Lee tells Beast that he bought his first set of turntables at the age of 13 and that as his Dad was also a DJ, his interest in music goes back as far as he can remember. For years he would collect records and practice on his turntables until one day, when another DJ pulled out of an event at the last minute, a request was made for Lee to make his debut appearance. He took the night by storm and never looked back.

Beast likes Lee’s dynamism – as a seasoned DJ he asks him what makes a good DJ? “I think a good DJ is someone that is original and true to themselves – delivering something exciting and unique to the people they play to. I think it’s very obvious to see if someone has a true love and passion for music. This energy resonates in the work they do in the club or studio – music lovers will see right through you if you’re not true to that.” True that! Beast will be spreading this message far and wide to future DJ’s coming forth.

Lee is inspired by so many artists – Beast can attest to this, the size of Lee’s musical hard drive makes everyone’s eyes water. At the moment Lee is inspired by Tin Man, Daniel Avery, Stephan Bodzin and Third Son. One day very soon he would love to appear on the same bill as Recondite or Ame.

Beast is left in such a cheery mood after interviewing Lee, he asks for another tasty titbit.

Lee tells Beast that stepping in to save the night has happened to him on a few occasions. Most recently when having to play at a gay bar in Cologne where another DJ had cancelled – it meant that, end to end he played for 7 hours, then gathered up his things and flew home. What a musical hero! Beast is so impressed that he wishes he could sacrifice a Virgin in his honor. Luckily the Minotaur Minions were able to stop him in time – mostly due to a lack of Virgins in the immediate area.

Catch Lee lubricating the airwaves and energizing the Beast’s techno court with Denis Horvat, G Rowe, Ellis Odyssey and Nautz & Toppa and Kuba Drypher at the next Minotaur night on May 13^th.
Get your tickets here.

Denis Horvat and our next event Press Release.

Beast is back.

Denis Horvat

Hibernation was too much to hold him off. Minions and crew couldn't fend him off for much longer. To abate the hunger we decided to bring Denis Horvat for his Bristol debut. Denis is part of the well respected Aeon Audio and Innervisions record label and will be joining us on May 13th. He is joined by Lee Williams from Terminal, Kuba Drypher, Ellis Odyssey, Nautz and Toppa and just in case that's not enough a Drum and Bass den will be showcasing the wonderful wares of Peasoup, Kagun and Orion. Minotaur resident DJ's Donewrong and G Rowe will also be bringing in those mythical techno vibes.

Mythical Faun from We Creatures

As before, Naomi from We Creatures will bring in the glittering creature collective and Amy will mesmerise with her LED hoopla talents. Then there's beast's sexy labyrinth lair in BS5 7UZ, just you wait until you see that! For more details take a look at our official press release as below. If you would like the opportunity to get in touch for interviews, radio shows or any other media before May 13 please get in touch: catherine@minotaursound.co.uk.

Otherwise head to our event page here and ticket page here. Beast can guarantee lashings of mythical sleaze.

See you in May. Bring your horns.

Our official Press Release here.

Kieran Holden - Minotaur Sound DJ interview!

It's time for another Minotaur Sound DJ interview! This time featuring the super talented Kieran Holden.

Minotaur Sound: " So Kieran, what are your biggest musical influences?"

Kieran H: "'A Love from Outerspace' certainly re-ignited my interest in dance music, it's such a great melting pot. I think the best DJ set that I've heard in a while had to be Paramida at the Masked Ball in Flambards Amusement Park, lovely stuff in a great setting too.

Labels like Emotional Response, Optimo, Tusk Was, Throne Of Blood, Tici Taci and that's sorts of business never leave the bag.

Also hearing some of my tracks getting a play from some personal heroes like Bill Brewster / Andy Weatherall / Justin Robertson and Ewan Pearson is a massive shot in the arm. Makes you want to produce more".

Minotaur Sound: "Just wow, you had us at 'A love from Outerspace!'... So tell us a lesser known fact about yourself"

Kieran H: "Bernie, the Bassist out of The Holles taught me how to play bass when I was a kid, and I've still got his old Rickenbacker bass. Still my only bass and I love it. I let him borrow it for use in this 1975 TV special - which you can view here.

We give you Kieran Holden...Kieran is part of the Upstairs Downstairs DJ collective in Newquay. With releases on Tici Taci and Alfresco Disco and a remix for Nein Records, his production credentials are flawless. See and hear Kieran in deck action at our launch night!

Donewrong - Minotaur Sound DJ interview!

So, following on in the footsteps of last week's DJ G Rowe interview - we are now onto our second DJ chit chat. The intention is to get inside their heads - what makes them kick? What sets them apart from the rest? Donewrong will be at our Launch Night and here is what he had to say...






Donewrong: "So, biggest musical influences? (scratches chin) - ok, I haven't interviewed this candidly before, so it's good to get it off my chest - I've been into music ever since I was a kid. My parents would strap me to a pair of 1210's and beat the backs of my hands every time I made a mistake. At age 9, they sent me to a Russian Academy where I was whipped and starved until I could beatmatch only by looking at the grooves in the vinyl. A few months later, my fingers were replaced with robotic digits by Sovient KGB Surgeons to increase my fader speed. Outside of that, I am drawn to the sound of mating insects and the noise that super heated plasma makes on contact with the flesh of the guilty.






Minotaur Sound: "errrr...ok, that's quite revealing I guess, how about you tell us a lesser known fact about yourself?"






Donewrong: "I love records so much, I had my skin replaced with vinyl. It has caused some personal issues, but when I get down I scratch myself with a pin and boogie to the music it makes. Incidentally that music is FUNK".






Minotaur Sound: "Donewrong is certainly one of those elusive artsy DJ types who takes his work very seriously and we can now see why".






Here at Minotaur Central, we delved further into why Donewrong does what he does:






Donewrong: "People often ask me, "Donewrong, why did you do that? What possible good could come of it?", and my answer is always the same. I lock eyes with them and shriek at the top of my lungs, slowly lowering the volume until it is barely above a whisper, never once blinking, until they stop bothering me. This technique worked so well with Carl Cox that he dedicated his set to me that fateful night in Bali.






One sunny August, many years ago down the old Ladbroke Road, I introduced Fabio & Grooverider to Jungle music. I can't remember if they liked it or not, never heard from them again.










Another tip I've picked up over the course of my career, is that most DJ's can be sent into a ferocious panic if you replace a third of their records with Charles & Eddies smash hit 'Would I lie to you', apart from Mr. Scruff, he gets off on that jam.








Much like a wild musth elephant, my sets are frisky and threatening. Never take your eyes off me, I could be behind you in an instant, garrote in hand, leering like a gargoyle and shivering with blood lust."






...There you have it. We leave you in the safe vinyl hands of Donewrong - watch him in action on Launch Night.

Minimal -v- Melodic Techno?

What is melodic and minimal techno? To answer that question, you have to understand what Techno actually is. Just type 'Techno definition' into google and there are vast arrays and essays about it, it's meaning, it's origins and it's anatomical component parts. Best described by my youngest daughter as 'it's so repetitive!'. Where time is marked with a bass drum on each quarter note and some random squiggle of a sound (could be a clap or a hi hat or a vocal or any catchy noise) on every second eighth note. Techno hails from the use of the 'Techno Rebels' label (those who have read Alvin Toffler's 'The Third Wave' will understand this) and how true techno tends to have been generated on older analog synthesizers and those wanting to keep vinyl production alive. So that's Techno in a very small nutshell.


So, when someone asked me 'what is melodic techno?' - I typed that into google, only to be stood upon a parapet of the unknown. Curious, I decided to explore this a bit more, so as to come up with a definition that wouldn't have me reaching out for a search engine. Techno stalwarts will know about minimal techno - best heard in places like Berghain or Trouw or anywhere with stark, dimly lit concrete walls and a DJ with a gas mask on. A perfect DJ example would be Pearson Sound (and I quote as I have seen him live) - a series of interesting percussion noises, beats and misplaced sounds that kind of work well in a really surprising way. Add electro glitches, progressive drum beats and noises that would appear to been taken from a sci-fi film and you have minimal techno. I.e. there is little to no melody.


Have a listen to this for a good minimal techno DJ set example from Pearson Sound and his latest Essential Mix for the BBC. If you can quote a better example then send it over or comment below.


Melodic techno uses the underpinning structure of techno and instead of sounds and interesting noises, overlays it with...wait for it...melody! The binding together of melody makes a Techno track warmer, more intimate and sometimes uplifting. But what is melody? Stupid question, right? Wikipedia describes it as 'a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying; a tune'. Does that mean that minimal Techno could potentially be dissatisfying?! In the end it's all in the musical eye of the beholder. A lot of current DJ's and producers are able to swing between minimal and melodic, with ease. You might be up for a night of minimal techno because you're just in that mood, maybe you've had a bad day and you want to hit those techno sounds hard in some dark shady corner. On the other hand, you might be heading out with your mates, all is good in the world and the warmth of melodic techno captivates you all into a lovely bonding session of hugs and love (and that's without a single instance of MDMA ever being taken!).


Good examples of melodic techno DJ's are Maceo Plex and Worakls to name but just a few. Melodic techno at it's best could probably be best encapsulated by this Boiler Room DJ set by Maceo Plex.


Do you agree with this description? What is your take? I'm all ears.


Cathy

G Rowe - Minotaur Sound DJ interview!

So here's the first of our interviews with one of our DJ's G Rowe. George was instrumental in finding our Launch Party headline Illy Noize. He is an ex resident at Bristol's salubrious Headrush and Das Ist Nights. If you have clubbed out in Bristol, doubtless you will have been in his very safe hands.



G Rowe at a New Years gig 2015

Minotaur Sound: "Who are your biggest musical influences and why?"

George: "Hmmm...well I listen to all types of things, but in House and Techno, I'd probably say people like George Fitgerald and Scuba for stuff that's really good to dance to late at night. I also really like some funky stuff from the likes of Bicep, The Revenge and anything on Toytonics. There are loads of amazing people from Bristol like Outboxx, Jay L, Bashmore, Christophe, Behling and Simpson. Loads of stuff really"

Minotaur Sound: "Sick choices! Now tell us a lesser known fact about yourself"


George: " A lesser known fact?! Err...this guy is my Great, Great, Great Uncle or something, and was described as the 'richest man to captain England at football'. I didn't see a penny of it"

Minotaur Sound: "Haha thanks George! Can't wait to see you do your thing on 20th Feb Launch Party"





















<-- R. Cunliffe Gosling (aka as George's Great, Great, Great Uncle who didn't leave him with a penny. (c) Wikipedia.

Bring on the weirdness styling!

Have to say that here at Minotaur Sound central, we are just a tad excitement about what is about to come. We've even started a Pinterest Board to style our Launch Party night.






You can take a look at it by clicking here and check out the Berlin Techno concept. Obviously we don't want to make it a stringent style - we're talking about our fierce Techno loving Minotaur in his sound labyrinth, dark tunnels winding their way down into the bowls of an old Police Station and bringing in some of the best atmospheric music to be heard in Bristol by our DJ creatures. Hairs on the back of your neck prepare to stand up!






We will have plenty of other surprises - we're finding it hard to keep ourselves quiet, suffice to say that you will love it all.

Happy New Year from the horned beast

So 2016 starts with the resounding bang of those magnificent Westminster fireworks and here at Minotaur Sound we say Happy New Year to our lovely Minotaureans. 2016 is going to be a particularly good year for us as it's our Launch Party year and we know how much buzz you are going to get from that one event alone.


We are humbled to see how Tier 1 tickets are flying off the shelves at a much faster rate than anticipated to such an extent that we had to pour more Tier 1's into the pot over Christmas. You lovely peeps - we will deliver a party that will have you wanting to come back for more.


With love from the Minotaur Sound Team xxx

Launch Party Launches! Come hither...

Minotaur Sound launch party at The Island in Bristol. The Minotaur invites you to his sound lair to lose yourself to Berlin techno with his creatures of the night. Prepare for collaborative performances and spectacular installations from the depths of the Minotaur's Lair. This night is not to be missed.




Featuring DJ sets from:




ILLY NOIZE (Joyfriend / My Favorite Freaks)

KIERAN HOLDEN (Tici Taci / Alfresco Disco / Nein)

DONEWRONG

G ROWE




ILLY NOIZE - Flying in from Berlin / Halle we have his debut UK set. He caught our ear when a recording of his amazing set at the legendary Sisyphos club in Berlin last year was excitedly passed round and we've been dying to see him live ever since. With a string of releases under his belt this will be a DJ set to savour!
KIERAN HOLDEN - Part of the Upstairs Downstairs DJ collective in Newquay. With releases on TICI TACI and ALFRESCO DISCO and a remix for NEIN RECORDS under his belt his production credentials are flawless.
DONEWRONG & G ROWE - Bristol scene stalwarts, you've probably danced to these lads many a time so you know you're in safe hands when they're behind the decks.
We have special Minotaur exclusive mixes inbound from all DJs but for now why not buy your tickets by clicking here.

Minotaur Sound is a Go!

Minotaur Sound is a DJ promotions company like no other. Bristol based and currently on the cusp of releasing a launch night date in February 2016. Stand by for further details.