Irish producer Gavin Lynch – AKA Matador – recently reached the Beatport top 10 techno charts with his official remix of Bryan Zentz’s ‘D–Clash’. He’s duly come to the notice of Berlin’s Minus Records and will release a five-track EP with the label. Get yourself an early downloadable Christmas pressie here: soundcloud.com/matador_official.

Santa would never forget about Derry, especially now DJ and producer Slaughter Brains is in town. After some time in London hosting his Matters Of The Heart parties, Slaughter Brains is back on the sleigh, supporting The Japanese Popstars December 22 at La Musique Sandinos. Keeps your eyes peeled for his next release with On The Fruit Records. It’s out mid-January. facebook.com/#!/slaughterbananas
In Cork, Lovers hit the stage December 6 at Cyprus Avenue. This trio of ladies, hailing from Portland, Oregon, specialise in “lyrically–driven electro pop”. Their first encounter with one another consisted of a tour bus explosion while they were in different bands. So it’s easy to see how their bond developed. Check their new release ‘I am the West’ at myspace.com/loverstheband.
In further Derry news, the feted InTelligence parties are making a one-off comeback. The original parties ran from ‘93–‘99, and drew huge audiences. Now founder Paul Tinney, based in America and still running successful events, has lined up a selection of DJs, bubble girls, LED robots, SCI–FI giants and fire eaters to grace his pre–Christmas Rebirth shindig. December 10, at The Nerve Centre. See nerve-centre.org.uk.
A group of DJs and producers including Tim O’Malley, Mick Verma, and Marq Walsh have set up a new house label called Vision Collective Recordings. Stuff your stockings with their next release. Mick Verma’s Dreamour EP is out December 5. See visioncollectiverecordings.com for details.
A Christmas extravaganza is going down, December 28 in Drogheda, Co. Louth, as The Joy Festival takes over Fusion Complex. Catch a farewell set by Fergie, mere hours before his move to Las Vegas. He performs alongside 40 other DJs, in four arenas, covering every genre on your wish list. For more, see facebook.com/events/236924263032346.
Springfieldcrewmassive are holding a charity electro party for Crumlin Children’s Hospital on December 17. The venue is The Good Bits near Bus Aras. For entry, bring a toy, book or selection box for donation to a deserving child on Christmas morning. See facebook.com/#!/events/272037032837349.
One half of Arveene & Misk, Irish producer extraordinaire Misk is solo on an upcoming two-track EP entitled This Is Misk. The release, out mid-December, will feature remixes by fellow Irish producer Detboi and New Zealand’s Greg Churchill. Check satanscircus.co.uk.
Ourhouse and Pod welcome Hamburg’s Stimming to Dublin for his live show December 10 at The Pod. Chatting to Hot Press, Stimming says, “They can expect a colorful live set, full of emotion, energy and different flavours. Not your typical type of house music”. Waiting for his next release? An elf has the details. There’s his new EP out on Dynamic Record after the holidays, and a third album in the works. Ho Ho Ho! soundcloud.com/stimming.