This Friday May 5, Shouse are throwing their second curated party Openhouse 2 at The Night Cat, featuring Shouse themselves performing a special set with the full Love Tonight Choir. I’m not sure exactly what that means, whether it’s a tongue in cheek thing or an actual choir, I guess you gotta go and find out. Either way, Shouse are all class and pull off that crusiey chill-house vibe with an ease that pulls you to the dancefloor. Joining them will be Jennifer Loveless going back to back with Nite Fleit, Chiara Kickdrum and Mira Boru.
In the city, Autosea are celebrating their first birthday at Boney, with local powerhouse duo Otologic bringing the heat. It’s great to see Otologic getting around in Melbourne again, their eclectic blend of obscure disco, house and funk cuts have helped forge a unique identity and sound for the Melbourne party scene over the last decade. Rounding out the night is Acid Safari, Mr Pitiful, Luke Stein, Paul Lynch, Mitchell Gee, Kaya Kalpa, Street Cymbal, Eskapet and Josh Wain.
Also on Friday, round at Brown Alley things are getting heavy with The Operatives and Dark Riddims presenting Dark Ops, exploring all things dub, jungle and bass. Heading up the night is Manchester producer, DJ and vocalist Chimpo and riddem master J:Kenzo plus a who’s-who of fire locals: A13, C:1, JPS x Wonqi Rose, Lady Banton, Meezy, Monkee, OBQ x Millski, Pugilist x Intech and Sean Deans. Chimpo’s mischievous spirit and live shows are the stuff of legend, a welcome relief from the tough-guy act so common and cliche in the UK scene. J:Kenzo has been simmering away in the underground scene for the last decade, consistently opting to explore smokey dark dubstep sounds and rhythms over the brash loud stuff that made it to the mainstream.
On Saturday, Japanese legend Mori Ra is bringing his vast musical knowledge to Lounge for Lucid. Ra developed a love affair with Melbourne last year after meeting Chris from Left Ear Records who took him crate digging throughout the city. The friendship resulted in a Mori Ra edit of Black Pepper by Guyanese artists Yoruba Singers, out now through Left Ear Records. It’s a glorious funk infused trip through Caribbean percussion and everyone should listen to it.
Also on Saturday up at the Gasometer, Paradise are taking over for the second installment of Strangers in Paradise, featuring Chiara Kickdrum doing her live thing. Chiara’s playing everywhere all the time at the moment – living that working DJ life, but her live set doesn’t come out to play as often – well worth checking out if you can dig some dark minimal techno. Also on board are selectors Dj Kiti, Awesome Wales and the Paradise DJs.
