08/29 :: DIRECT DRIVE LOFT PARTY :: RANDOM MOVEMENT :: NYC

Saturday :: August 29th, 2009

DIRECT DRIVE LOFT PARTY

featuring...

Random Movement
(Driven AM | Innerground | Bingo | Creative Source | Liquid V | Peer Pressure | Bassbin)

Random Movement began as two people, Jack Sheets (DJ Shapeshifter), and Mike Richards (Insert, later known as mjr). Mikes exposure to the drum & bass genre was solidified by Jack's wide variety of music, and Mikes ongoing study as a musician was pushed even further into the world of electronic music. Jack had been DJ'ing steadily for 7 years, becoming well-established in the mid-west United States. His skill, combined with Mikes musical as well as technical expertise in the IDM/Industrial/Jazz/Soul & Funk music genres seemed to form a perfect blend of production capabilities, as well as a deeply bonded friendship. After a few months of tweaking, the sound they were going for was beginning to gel, and their first demo cd eventually ended up in Dara's hands. Not even a week had passed before Breakbeat Science came knocking on their door, and the boys realized that they really had something going for them. Half a year later, after much turmoil in both their personal lives, "Stars in the Dark" was made, and quickly picked up by Rohan of Bassbin, along with several other tracks, and the ball really began rolling for the two of them.

Shortly after the songs had been picked up by Rohan, the relationship between Mike and Jack had begun to strain their friendship, and it was agreed that it would be best if Jack opted to leave the project. Mike was then left to take up the reigns of the project, which, on the creative/musical side, he had held the captains seat from the beginning. The music of Random Movement had become even more finely tuned, and singles were being picked up by labels such as Innerground, Creative Source, Liquid V, Bingo, Progress, Timeless, Zeropoint, and most recently Nu Directions. Collaborations between Mike and Focus (formerly of Basic Operations) have landed record deals with Bingo and Innerground as well. Mikes natural tendency has been to play out doing a live set, incorporating his near-25 years of musical experience into both a technical and uplifting soulful performance, jamming riffs on keys as well as sequencing his own material live. He has also managed to slide comfortably into the role as DJ, playing in various places across the states. His loose-swinging, deep and soulful vibes take most club goers onto his own personal journey of introspection and enlightenment, commanding music appreciators both new and old to turn their heads. Playing everything from classics to brand new gems, the Random Movement DJ set seems to touch all in the crowd thru out the night.

Mike is currently working on a number of releases with Innerground among many others being kept under raps for now. Random Movement Radio can be heard on Bassdrive.com every Wednesday from 5-8 CMT, and will offer a wide range of music mostly related to the Drum n' Bass genre, but don't be surprised if the program ventures out into other realms. Expect to hear new guest artists weekly as well as gear reviews, contests, recording tips, and other dialog that would interest a wider range of listeners. Random Movement collaborations will continue to hit a broader spectrum of artists such as Alix Perez, Redeyes, Atlantic Connection, Chino, and more musicians on the soulful tip. He is still sampling away from his vinyl collection, as well as writing new music daily, and hopes to have a whole host of new singles on various labels around the globe.

Sol.id
(Basswerk | Fokuz | Rubik | Bios | Sudden Def)

Many artists these days say they are doing “soulful” music, but really don’t know what that entails. Soul is not revamping the sound Calibre or MIST perfected at the turn of the century. Soul is not looping random Al Green records and proclaiming the sound of the future. Soul, as in anything else, is a feeling, and it is embedded deeply within many of the tones that emit from Sol.ID’s tracks.

Little is known about this beast from Texas. The scant facts are as follows: he is a classically trained saxophonist and percussionist, and has a great appreciation for many different styles of music. Gaining much praise from a project entitled "Autumn" (with production partner Lost Prophet), he stormed onto the scene, raking up a number of releases on Fokuz (and Fokuz LTD), including beauties like "It's Always About The Girl", "Yesterday" (a collaboration with ICR that was featured on the "Discoveries Of The Deep" LP in 2006), and "Redemption".

There's a quality that's best described as "deep" in each of their selections: while the funk and the hypnotic bass is always intact, the varying sounds throughout the tunes are what draws listeners in, whether it be a seductive bassline ("Refuge") to long-lost female vocals ("Dilated Times"), the emotion is there, etched forever within the vinyl. Now while Autumn's actual back catalogue might be smaller in comparison to many others, the accolades are vast, and have given way to tunes being snapped up left and right. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Sol.ID is already working on scores of tunes, with collaborators like Kubiks & Lomax, Amaning, Mixmaster Doc, Stunna, Zyon Base, Saburuko, Theory, Pentagon & Ethix, Cybass and Sinistarr.

The other side to Sol.ID, the side gaining much recognition as of late, would be his status as an up and coming DJ. He’s already been featured on Random Movement Radio, as well as GFM UK’s “The Liquid Soul Show”, along with recording the December 2007 podcast for Rubik Records. His recent European tour went over nicely with thousands witnessing his unique funky style. When you check a Sol.ID set, be prepared: not only will the dubs be flying by fast and furious, but you will be privy to a true Soulful treatment, from one of the leading US producers of that real Soul vibe.

Being part of the new breed of US DnB producers might seem like a daunting task, but conversing with Sol.ID, he makes it sound easy. With an easygoing demeanor and an ear for what’s right both within the production and within the mix, there’s no telling how far he can truly go. Sky’s truly the limit; just make sure you keep an ear out to how far up this shooting star is destined to travel.

Dave Shichman
(Driven AM | Direct Drive | NYC)

Representing New York City, Dave is a devoted contributor to the American Drum and Bass scene. Owner of Driven Artist Management, the premier US DnB booking agency and Driven AM Recordings, a new DnB label. Events coordinator and resident DJ for various NYC parties including ‘100% Original’ and for the past 6 years as part of the legendary NYC production team ‘Direct Drive’. Emerging producer with multiple releases out and in the works including upcoming releases on Peer Pressure Recordings and multiple releases on a Brazilian DnB label. His next release "Better Days" features Sinistarr and will be out on Driven AM Recordings September 1st. Currently collaborating with respected American DnB artists including Mixmaster Doc, Sol.ID & Dave Owen. A respected Dj, known for his fast, smooth mixing, along with his selection of unreleased and upfront tracks by American artists, his own original tunes and of course a few classics. A Dj that has performed live more than 150 times in 11 States in the past 10 years alongside some of the biggest names in DnB.

More DJ's TBA!

Location:
Direct Drive LOFT
70 N. 6th St. (btw. Wythe and Kent Ave.), TOP FLOOR
Brooklyn, NY (WILLIAMSBURG)

Subway: L train to Bedford Ave. (1st Stop in Brooklyn)
21 to enter *Bring ID*
Doors Open 10pm – 4am, $10

http://www.directdrive.net
http://www.myspace.com/DrivenAM