Yet another label has appeared on the Irish dance music landscape, with techno imprint HeavyReel opening its account this month. The Wexford label is run by DJs Djamel and Darren Rice, also reponsible for the debut release ‘M9’. Aside from the rolling tech-house of the original and Gobsmacked Records boss Diarmuid O’Meara’s remix, the label has pulled off a coup in securing a remix from Ireland’s premier techno producer, Donnacha Costello. The Berlin-based Dubliner serves up a dark, percussive journey on the release, due out on December 27. “We like to think of Donnacha as the king of Thinking Man’s techno,” laughs Djamel, “We’re delighted to get him on board for the first release”. Find out more at www.heavyreel.net
Galway clubbers get a chance to see a rare live performance from Automatic Tasty on December 18 at The Bierhaus. The one man operation – otherwise known as Wicklow producer Jonny Dillon – has been picking up steady acclaim for his In It For The Money EP, a five-track mix of raw Chicago, Detroit and electro style, released in the summer. The EP was the second outing for Dublin clubnight Lunar Disko’s new recording arm of the same name. The band arrive in Galway fresh from playing The Magic Waves Festival in London (along with Lunar Disko’s Barry Donovan). For more details, www.lunardisko.com
Canadian boy/girl electro duo Deadbots have ramped up the heat with a risque video to accompany their current club hit ‘Girl On Fire’. “We’re big fans of Danxzen, the Italian director” says Nina Deadbot “We thought it would be cool to get him to do the video and we love his take on the song. Yeah, it’s a bit naughty but we thought we’d give our fans a treat..” A suitable-for-work, edited version of the video can be view on the bands website www.myspace.com/deadbots
RTE Pulse presenter Will Kinsella has had one of his own productions given the thumbs up by techno legend Dave Clarke. White Noise, Clarke’s acclaimed Dutch radio show, featured Will’s ‘Monster’s Ball’. Listen back at www.weblogs.vpro.nl
Planetary Assault System, plus a DJ set from the man behind the moniker, Luke Slater, make two appearances in Ireland this month. Playing live at Twisted Pepper’s Mud clubnight tomorrow night December 03, the influential producer moves down to The Grand Hotel,Tramore, Waterford on Friday December 17 for a DJ set, at which there’s an afterparty in the hotel for overnight residents. For more info on booking, contact www.grand-hotel.ie
The Disconauts move their successful eponymous clubnight at Galway City’s The Cellar to the West End venue of Monroes this month. They follow fellow Cellar denizens 110th St, who celebrated their 12th birthday at Monroes last month. The first night starts before your Christmas dinner has even settled, on Stephens’ Day. The duo promise an exclusive Best of 2010 mix CDs to the first 100 in the door.