DJ Gag Reflex Is Ready To BLOOM With You

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In an expanding city where communities are constantly being pushed out, nightlife has become crucial to bringing people together as a form of resistance. It is an exciting time in Seattle for the underground and tonight is no exception. BLOOM is a sonic experience that allows you to expand your petals and reach into the unknown. Created by DJ Gag Reflex [Gay Rave, TUF], this techno and Queer-oriented night has been going strong for over a year and is just beginning to blossom here at the Kremwerk + Timbre Room Complex.

Last month on November 3rd marked the launch of BLOOM in its new home in Timbre Room. When you walked into the space, you had no idea where you were. The music was vibrating like sounds from another planet. Ooey gooey bass made your blood stream turn into crimson fog. There were silhouettes among dim lighting. People or creatures from another dimension? Who knows. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling like a tear drop from a techno beast, crying at the beauty in the room that night. People were having a good time, making friends, and bonding over a shared experience of dance and catharsis. Tonight, we bloom into a new dimension once again with special guest all the way from Vancouver: Overland [Naive, Sweat Equity].

 
 
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Overland's productions are fast, infectious, and fused with an unwavering sense of social activism. 

From her base of operations in Vancouver, Canada, she’s gradually attracting the attention of international labels with original productions rooted in the sonic cultures of places like Detroit, New York, and The United Kingdom. Her DJ sets are mesmerizing, ranging from banging warehouse techno, to fast-cut acid breaks, and bass-driven industrial music.

 
 
 
 

We sat down with DJ Gag Refex to get to know a bit more about BLOOM and get a glimpse of the genius behind the party that a Queer Seattle has been yearning for. 

 
 
 
DJ Gag Reflex by Cecilia Corsano-Leopizzi

DJ Gag Reflex by Cecilia Corsano-Leopizzi

 

You've been doing BLOOM for over a year now.

What are you most excited about with the new space?

I like the Kremwerk - Timbre Room complex because there is so much possibility in that space. There are so many little nooks and corners. When I’m there I like to imagine that i’m in a techno doll house and there’s so many rooms with a different scenes happening. Its fun to pop in and out and feel the energy of each place.



What can we expect tonight with Overland?

Overland has been making her mark on an international scale. She has released tracks on Sweat Equity of NYC and has a forth coming release on the label Naive of Lisbon Portugal. Her sets are raucous and dripping with acid.  I anticipate that it’ll be quite the rager!



Nightlife can be a cathartic experience.

What's one nightlife memory where you felt a strong

sense of catharsis?

I think the strongest sense of catharsis for me was when I started engaging with queer nightlife.  I was able to finally find people who were like me and understood a lot of what I have gone through.  I think that a lot of healing and catharsis can be felt over the long term and thats why I feel invested in nightlife.  I want to create spaces where people can meet and explore and let their true freak flag out.  

In what ways can nightlife be a healing space?

Having places where people can be safe to be themselves is extremely healing. Also I believe heavy bass can be a source of great somatic healing.

 

How does one get selected to play at Bloom?

In other words, what do you look for in a DJ to curate a

night?

With Bloom I am centering my bookings around Women and Queer people. Theres a lot of huge talent that goes overlooked when bookings default to cis gender men. I want a space where people can meet and party and have a good time and I also want people to leave inspired to create the worlds where they will thrive.  I want the DJs I book to share that vision.


The world is ending in 5 minutes and you have one song

to listen to before you leave this planet. What song is

playing?

The Amen Break on loop until Time itself ruptures and disintegrates. 


What does the party of your deepest desires

look/sound/feel like? 

I think it would be fun to have a party with a strobe so bright you could see everyones skeletons.

Three must-have items for a good night out?

A comfortable sweater, at least one good friend, and gum.


What does the future of techno look like for you?

House and techno came out of a spirit of marginalized bodies creating art and libratory spaces. I see a lot of brilliant people that are carrying and cultivating that spirit now. I think the future of techno allows those spaces to flourish. 



Describe your fashion style in one sentence.

I think to most accurately and holistically describe my sentiment towards and practice of fashion in only one sentence would be as follows: I hate pants.

By Diego Suarez

 
 

Come BLOOM with us tonight on December 1st. The possibilities are endless.

10PM - 2AM

 

Sinistarr To Bring Cutting Edge Creativity To Kremfest 2018

With the second annual edition of Kremfest upon us, it’s become nearly impossible to hold focus towards anything but the eminent selection of world-class talent we’ll have rolling through the doors of The Complex on September 20-23. Sinistarr is a powerful presence on this year’s lineup, headlining the SHOOK! showcase on September 21 alongside Djrum. Though meticulously thoughtful in his approach to production, Sinistarr’s relentless creativity and innovative mindset fuse together to create the cutting edge works of art that have helped to bring him acclaim and opportunity, as well as elude confinement to a singular genre.

Sinistarr

Being that one of Kremfest's goals is to deliver attendees an immersive exhibition of art, culture, and underground sound, the opportunity to interview a producer as artistically versatile and culturally perceptive as Sinistarr came at just the right time.

How did you get your start in music?

I've been listening to all styles of music growing up, but I got into the music I love mainly from high school watching the people a few grades above me get into DJing, beat making, synths and things like that. I think that it led me to want to write music of my own and play records (vinyl at the time *wink*), and make music that represents where I came from and what I like overall.

Having lived in Detroit, how has the historically iconic musical reputation of the city and its “melting pot” characteristics played a role in your career personally?

The whole idea of Detroit in my musical journey has been to take risks musically, which is exactly what the people before me have done, and to some crazy results. One of my favorite stories is hearing about how Fabio and Grooverider used to play Carl Craig’s “Bug in the Bassbin” at 45rpm and play it next to their literally-brand-new jungle records from London in the mid 90s, and then having folks like Assault play Ray Keith “Dark Soldier” next to “Tear tha Club Up” on the radio. It’s those types of risks that not only make you stand out, but make other people that hear it think of new ways to explore something that you’ve made, and it this case across borders!

You’ve recently released on “Swinging Flavors #6” via Beat Machine Records. How do you believe this release differentiates itself from your releases in the past?

I feel I’m on a different plane with this one, but still paying attention to the things I love. I was channeling a lot of early liquid and house music that I was into in the early 2000s and wanted to make something similar to that sound, that combines the two sounds, but at 160 BPM. Hence, “55555” happened!

“5” = “ha” in Thai, so it’s actually “ha-ha-ha-ha-ha”, but my Thai friends use “5” as we use “lol/haha” in the West.

The B-side of the record features a remix of your track “55555” by Om Unit under his alter ego Philip D. Kick. What drew you to reach out to him for a remix from this alter ego?

I’ve known Om Unit/PDK for years—his PDK project is what made me initially reach out to him and after meeting IRL in Denver we’ve been friends since. The funny story is that for this release, I didn’t actually reach out to him! Beat Machine, the label that released this 7” reached out to him thinking (knowing?) it would be a good fit—and sure enough, it worked!

You’ve showcased your versatility across a variety of genres on different legendary labels such as Exit Records, Metalheadz, Hospital Records, and 20/20 LDN, over the years, what’s a genre you’d like to explore that haven’t had the opportunity to yet?

I’d love to grab some people from dancehall and reggae and place them in other styles of music. A lot of people know of those two styles of music to really run in the 80-90 bpm range, but it would be cool to hear them more at 160 or 140 BPM.

Many of your tracks defy genre-classification, giving nods to footwork, DnB, jungle, and techno. What non-electronic genres influence your creations?

Rock, hip-hop, and jazz have always been my go-to genres and probably won’t change for quite some time. There’s so much to learn from those three that I am still “connecting the dots on” if you will.

You’ve been touring all over the world recently. Has your experience with different cultures and the people you meet on the road played any significant part in your production style? If so, how?

I fully feel it’s influenced me 100%, from DJing to producing. It seems the more I travel, the more I learn about what people like. Not because I ask or anything like that, it’s literally because they play what they are into when we are hanging out. There’s no pretentiousness, no sticking to one style, it’s what they listen to on the daily; not only do I learn new music, it gives me a good idea of what I can play on the night too.

What has been your favorite city to play in over the last year?

Palestine/West Bank, without question—the opportunity to play both sides of the wall was an immense experience and really gave me a strong perspective on what really is going on in that area because I saw it with my own eyes, rather than reading the news.

Who are some up and coming artists you believe people should keep an eye out for?

Right now I can think of Anna Morgan, Bell Curve, Quentin Hiatus, Bastiengoat, Lewis James, Greazus, Doctor Jeep and Oakk as people you should check out—not only great producers and DJs but top top friends.

Any upcoming projects you’d like us to keep an eye out for?

The one I can talk about right now is the remix for Doctor Jeep for his EP coming on Etch’s Bun the Grid imprint—that should be out pretty soon. Other than that, keep watch on my socials to hear about what’s coming out next!

Kremfest 2018

While Sinistarr’s superb catalog has already served as a driving force to catch him at Kremfest, the insight we’ve gained on his influential experiences and ingenious outlook towards his craft has only furthered our appreciation. Witness the man in the flesh at Kremfest’s SHOOK! showcase on 9/21.

KREMFEST TICKETS

by Katelyn Wynecoop

Chicago Footwork and Manchester Bass at Shook!

We're bringing Chicago Footwork legend RP Boo to Kremwerk this Friday (08/17) as well as Manchester bass don Chimpo for Shook! our new series aimed at bringing forward-thinking Bass music of all kinds from across the world to our beloved Seattle basement. Shook! is about delving into the roots and exploring the outer edges of dancefloor oriented  music from Dancehall to Dubstep, Jungle, Grime, and beyond.

The launch party featured wide-ranging UK Drum n' Bass duo Ivy Lab, along with Seattle's own Homemade Weapons who has been a fixture of the acclaimed Samurai label for some time. Shook! is an opportunity to bring light to the diverse talents of Seattle, be they producers or selectors, and feature them alongside some of the most creative and hard-hitting Bass peddlers in the world.

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We had the chance to catch up with Manc maestro Chimpo before he brings the heat to Kremwerk alongside RP Boo this Friday, to chat about the resurgence of Grime, Manchester, and mushrooms...

How is the Manchester scene these days?

Best it's ever been in my time. The amount of young talent coming out is insane. There’s loads of us working together and it’s proper fun.

How has the recent popularity of grime - especially in the US - been treating you?

Dunno I still get mostly DnB based bookings out here at the moment but when I play grime people are defo receptive. Back home grime’s defo become hugely popular last few years. Last year at Boomtown I did a grime set with Spooky, Spyro, Killa P and Frisco, we played to 20,000 people. That was pretty mental.

What do you typically start with when you're putting a track together?

Just an idea. Whether it's a riff, beat, sample, I always try start with something a bit different or weird. Then the job from there is making it understandable or just making it work.

So what's next?

Dropping a single with DRS, Slay and RagoLoco at the end of the month. Then got a load more to follow. Will probably drop a compilation on the Box'n'Lock label later in the year. Then when I’ve got a bit of time I’m gonna take loads of mushrooms and make an album.

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Friday is going to be a wild one in the basement, get your tickets here.

by Zachary Croft

KREMFEST Is Back For Year Two!

KREMFEST Is Back For Year Two!

The Kremwerk + Timbre Room Complex is proud to present the second annual edition of KREMFEST, a multi-day celebration of forward-thinking electronic music and multimedia in Seattle from Thursday, September 20th to Sunday, September 23rd, 2018.