Independent UK Dance Label Toolroom Knights, returns with the impressive double line up of Tocadisco and DJ/Producer Chris Lake so we caught up with the pair as they embarked on their busy worldwide tour.

How did the Toolroom Knights CD come about?
Tocadisco: It was a simple request if I would be interested to mix the CD. It took around one year though until we could arrange everybody’s schedule.

Over your CD you move through a wide range of house styles, and its not until later on in the mix where we are exposed to the big room Chris Lake sound that people perhaps know you best for
Chris Lake: Crossing genres in my DJ sets I feel is one of the signatures to my sound, and something I’ve always felt is important to separate me from other DJs on the circuit. I like so many styles of dance music that I find it difficult to feature everything I like into two hours.

Was it your intention to cover such as diverse range of sounds?
T: I wanted to represent the styles that I play when I DJ. I play everything from 300 person nightclub to 50.000 people festivals. I love to work with different styles. You can also see this in my productions and remixes. Its always different then the one before. I dont like to repeat my self.

Are there any records in there that people wouldn’t expect to hear?
C : Well it depends what people expect from me. People who follow my work closely will be aware that I’ve made all sort of stuff over the years, and there are definitely projects and music out there that nobody knows is me. I love expressing myself through music, and my expressions are not tied to one sound or genre.
T: I think in general the people have a picture that is just reduced on some hit records that I have made. It happens a lot that I talk to people and tell them what I have done and who I have remixed and they are very surprised. I love electronic music in all it different styles. You can also hear that in my two albums that I did. Very versatile.

How’s the first half of the year been for you guys?
C: This first six months of 2010 has been extremely full on for me. I’ve been writing new music like crazy and doing a few remixes along the way. Now this summer is time to get a lot of this music out there for people to hear. As well as completing my Toolroom mix compilation I’ve been working on a debut Chris Lake and Marco Lys album which I’m super excited about. I’ve been doing my monthly podcast, collaborating with various people like Michael woods, Deadmau5, Lys, Nelski, Nightriders, Funkagenda etc. It’s always good to vibe with other people and have fun with your music.
T: Its getting more busy and crazier every year. I always think ok that s it this is the top you cant go only down from here and then there is another amazing opportunity. I’m building my companies now. I was very lucky when I met my wife. She understands my passion for music and starts to get more and more involved in the business side. For me that’s a present from heaven. I was always hoping for someone like Natasha. We already lunched our party “TOCACABANA” which goes hand in hand with the TOCACABANA RADIO SHOW” which is broadcast on several radio stations around the world. My wife is also the boss of our booking agency “MORUMBI BOOKING” She will exclusively book me now worldwide from September on.

Your busying touring heavily Chris, what’s the sound of Chris Lake people will hear and is there any where in the world that your really enjoying spinning at the moment?
C: Always expect to hear a variety of styles from me in my sets, as I like so much of it. I always try to keep things varied and individual. As for where I’m enjoying playing, I’ve loved the USA for the past few years now. It’s really come a long way and some of the clubs and events out there are amazing. I’ll be in Brazil again though for the world cup finals. I hope it’s England against Brazil, and we manage to give them a public spanking on the pitch!

Roman your super busy with gigs, what about you?
T : My “sound” is very versatile. I don’t like to play the same records every night. I m interested in all kinds of music and styles and I try to combine them into “my sound”. I’m so lucky that I get all this great music upfront from the labels. This is like a dream! I have hundreds of emails every month with only the freshest dance music of the moment. I play underground and I also like to play hits sometimes. Everything that I think is right to play at the moment and place.

Tocadisco do you have certain goals with you head into the studio or are you records the outcome of a more organic process.
T: I never think like this. I go into my studio and start with a beat. How it ends I don’t know. It’s like a journey. It can be bumpy or a smooth ride. Always depending on the vibe I have at the moment. I consider myself very lucky that the people like my music.

Tell me a little about the exclusives on the album and how did you both approach producing a track specifically for a compilation mix?
C: Well the track I wrote for the album is called “Amiga” It’s more of a visit back to my older sound, as it’s quite progressive in style and approach, but with a 2010 twist. I got my wife to do a few little bits of chanting for fun, and I liked it so much that i left it on the record. It feels like a Good end of night record also as it’s quite euphoric. I’ve also put my next single called minimal life on there, which I made with Nelski, a fantastic new artist from the UK who also sings. I’ve got some wicked remixes of that track in by filthy rich and DJ pp since I mixed the album which are really really good too.
T: I remixed the track “Stoppover” by Mark Knight and Dirty South. I know both the guys and we always bump into each other on festivals. I liked the track. It s different and I had a lot of fun to remix it.

During the writing process did you have a definite place and arrangement to where you would be slotting it in?
C: I didn’t no. I just wrote the track and hoped and prayed it would work . It did thankfully, I think..
T: I imagined myself playing the terrace of SPACE, Ibiza that I was playing this year for the first time. I had a lot of fun.

How do you feel about the resurgence of a very original house sound in 2010, and are there any artists around at the moment that are really catching you attention?
C: I love the fact that house is back. It always does, and for me, it’s a very good thing. House is mostly about positive vibes, and the slightly negative side about the sound of 2009 was that some of it was quite negative. This I felt transmitted to the dance floor in a bad way. House alleys makes me feel good. As for exciting producers, I’m loving artists like DJ pp, Funkerman, Siwell, Lys, Imbernon, Coyu etc. Loads of great music out there right now.
T: I think there are many new talents out there. And I have the feeling that at the moment there are so many good tracks out and a lot of different new evolutions. Institubes “Sound Pelligrino” label from France is doing great stuff at the moment. Very different.

Tocadisco what’s coming up for you for the rest of the year?
T: Huge summer for me touring and I’m also at alot of festivals. I will also do some more of my party TOCACABANA. A lot of remixes on my label and for some of my friends too.

When we got there DJ Subb-An was rocking the crowd with his minimal synergies and progressive electro beats. This was only complimented by the Cellar Door’s sleek and ambient interior – quite a welcome yet unexpected contrast from the Courtyard upstairs. Within half an hour of his set, the sound system had warmed up and I could see why the Rainbow team are already describing it “as hot as Hades”.

Clubbers danced to their favourite Below resident and the atmosphere was sublime. Dj Julietta was up next, a seasoned pro who learned the art of techno in her home territory of Germany at events such as the Berlin love parade.  Julietta had great presence on the decks and just a casual look now and again ensured she worked the crowd into hysteria (I’m her new biggest fan).  At that point in the night, the venue did get Uber hot, so much so that whenever you went to cool off in the “smokers cage” outside, no sooner had you walked back in were you melting again. This isn’t a problem for me, but some people looked like they were suffering as a result. Low ceiling basement clubs are notorious for being a little on the Dr Faustus side i.e. red hot but luckily Cellar Door has got a thumping and crystal clear sound system and the décor is clean enough to still make you feel right at home.  Legendary DJ Matthias Tanzmann, also from Germany, a veteran of deep electro house brought a new dimension to tinnitus with his Earth shattering baselines and minimal escapades. By the end of the night there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t complaining about how much their feet hurt, which leads me to think that this is without doubt Birmingham’s new hotspot, and definitely one to watch for the rest of the summer.

-Alex Evans

Guests are invited to reserve their complimentary place at these exclusive evenings, which include: Two complimentary classic Smirnoff Black vodka cocktails from the bar, light snacks that will be served throughout the evening and top tips from the professionals. The dress code is modern, smart yet casual.

Three experts have come together to provide their top tips for the Modern Gentleman. These will include:

• Classic cocktail making –Smirnoff Black’s own top mixologist gives tips on how to make great tasting drinks.

• Essential style tips – Ted Baker’s style expert Stuart Roberts gives tips on how to perfect a dapper smart-casual look with an individual edge. A range of the latest looks from Ted Baker will be showcased and £200 worth of Ted Baker vouchers will be there for the winning.

• Boutique Barbers – Top-class barber Paul dos Reis (Head Barber, Sharps) gives tips for perfect grooming routine. In the calming surrounds of his barbershop booth you will receive a personalised session including a first class shave.

Tickets to this exclusive event are totally free – people can apply for tickets by visiting www.moderngentlemanmasterclasses.co.uk

The Smirnoff Black Modern Gentleman Masteclasses will take place on June 8^th – 9^th from 7-10pm at:

Cloud 23

303 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ

Places are limited and subject to availability. Must be aged 18 or over.

Boutique Barbers sessions and Ted Baker style consultations are subject to availability.

Visit www.moderngentlemanmasterclasses.co.uk for more info.

On receiving the award Cream CEO James Barton said: “We are thrilled and overwhelmed to win this prestigious award particularly when we were up against such world class festivals like Glastonbury and V.   It highlights how far we’ve come over the last 12 years, and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

This year the ‘Festival Of The Year’ category was opened up to the public for the first time with the shortlist assessed by a panel of judges who were looking out for excellent performance in everything from innovation, creativity and quality of service.  This is the second award scooped by the dance festival in the last 6 months, having won ‘Best Dance Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards in November and follows the success of their sell out show last Summer which attracted a record breaking 60,000 people.

Creamfields will return to Daresbury in Cheshire on August Bank Holiday weekend with performances from the likes of Tiësto, David Guetta, Leftfield, Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, Paul van Dyk, Eric Prydz and Ferry Corsten to name a few.

With masses of back combing and crimping, Tom styled a collection of outrageous hair styles, both males and females to match their equally extreme make up and costumes.

Tom said, “Federation is legendary for its themed party nights and so when they wanted fabulous hair they came to HOB Salons. It’s not what we usually have requested in the salon but it was great fun and is adding to our session portfolio.”

The event, which took place at Mission nightclub, attracted a flamboyant crowd modelling a selection of creative Easter bonnets and mad hats, to fit in with the dress code.

With convincingly crazy hair and costumes, the night turned a children’s tale into a surreal reality.

Federation has a whole string of events coming up, to find out more just visit.clubfederation.com/events/

Find out what Club Geek Chic is planning next @ www.clubgeekchic.co.uk

Tickets are £26.50 and includes guaranteed entry to the Haçienda Club Night afterwards. Tickets are available from www.factorymanchester.com right now

Redeveloped, recrafted and entirely redesigned for the start of a new decade, Factory Records infamous central Manchester offices, now The Factory, the city’s premier live music and rock and roll venue marks this coming Easter Sunday, April 4th with a very special event that sees FAC 51 The Haçienda take over The Factory for the first of its Bank Holiday Sunday events, bringing along one of its most famous lead singers performing live and a width of supreme DJ talents.

In an exclusive and special one-off gig, limited to some 400 tickets, Mancunian legend and survivor, Shaun Ryder is to perform a selection of his hits from his seminal groups, Happy Mondays, and Black Grape alongside debuting some of his new solo material. A full live band has been convened to back Shaun at the gig and he is expected to deliver an extraordinary and unique set for those lucky enough to get tickets for this once in a lifetime show.

All tickets for Shaun’s exclusive, intimate peformance for some 400 fans on the ground floor include admission to The Hacienda club aftershow following “The Very Best Of SWR” with an array of guest DJ’s supplied for another very special event after Shaun’s concert.

From 11pm at The Factory, the entire three floors of the club are thrown over to The Haçienda and with full décor, exquisite lighting and the production values that characterise Haçienda events, The Factory is set to see a classic FAC 51 party to christen its first time at the club.

With capacity expanded after the gig across three floors, a further 600 tickets will be made available for The Haçienda Club event which will see The Haçienda and Factory faithful admitted into the club from 11pm for a feast of musical and hedonistic excess which features some of the star DJ names which made the original club so legendary in the first place alongside some newer friends.

In the top floor boardroom, now completely restored to its former glories, balearic honchos Justin Robertson and Jon Carter team up in a Djing double header which will see all manner of influences thrown into their eclectic and thought provoking sets.

On the middle floor, the aftershow will be entirely taken over by the formidable dubstep Djing team of Murkage Cartell vs Jay “Backchat” Fontaine.

Meanwhile, the bassment gig floor is turned over to original Haçienda Hot resident and “the don of acid house” Jon Dasilva who will be playing to support Shaun’s performance and also later in the event. Renowned as one of the most inspirational and imaginative DJ’s since his debut at The Haçienda in the late 80’s, John’s muscular beats and tastemaking style make him one of the best DJ practitioners around.

Jon is joined downstairs by 808 State DJ’s, who put together sets that mixes up oldschool classics and the best modern techno in an individualistic style that always remains undoubtedly 808.

The FAC 51 The Haçienda event is just one of the upcoming live and club events taking place at The Factory over coming months. Fully confirmed listings for events are below.

The Factory Live Schedule – March To May 2010 – Gigs 8pm to 10.30pm

March 2010

Fri 12th March Factory Live with Naymedici + Support

Sat 13th March Factory Live with Death By Audio + The Rennos

Sat 20th March Factory Live with Sound Marshal + The Carletons

Fri 26th March Factory Live With Disco Nasties + Seeing Hester

Sat 27th March Factory Live With Crafty Simian + Elmo Logic

April 2010

Fri 2nd April Factory Live – Bands TBA

Sat 3rd April Factory Live wth Dead Sea Colour + The Stands

Sun 4th April Haçienda Live with SWR – The Very Best Of Shaun William Ryder

Fri 9th April Factory Live with The Christophers + The Kill Van Kulls

Sat 10th April The Detachments

Sun 18th April The Pipettes

Fri 23rd April Kid British with Charlotte O Connor + The Kings

Sat 24th April Factory Live with The Ray Summers + Dead Celebs

Tues 27th April Hudson Mowhawke + Special Guests

Fri 30th April Factory Live – Bands TBA

May 2010

Thurs 6th May Beardyman Live with special guests

Sat 8th May The Sisters Of Transistors + Humanizer

Sun 9th May Band of Skulls Live with special guests

Fri 14th May Northside

Fri 28th May Slow Club Live with special guests

Mon 31st May Dot To Dot Festival

June 2010

Sat 12th June Chameleons Vox (feat Mark Burgess & John Lever) + special guests

For announcements of future live dates, check www.factorymanchester.com

The Factory Club Agenda – 10.30pm to 3am (weeknights) / 4am (weekends)

Mon FACT Tues Missionary

Weds Fuel Thurs Dyslexic

Fri Bulletproof Sat Stonelove / Haçienda Presents

- ENDS -

THE FACTORY, 112 – 118 PRINCESS STREET, MANCHESTER. ENGLAND. M1 7EN.

T: 0161 27 27 251

www.factorymanchester.com

Factory 251 is co-owned by Hook / Tokyo Industries and has been redesigned by Ben Kelly,

the original designer of Fac 51 The Haçienda and Dry 201. All sound systems have been designed

& commissioned personally by Tony Andrews at Funktion One.

To book tickets call 0113 243 5555

As if we need an excuse to party! 69 magazine and hob salons Leeds have joined forces with legendary club Kissdafunk to offer Leeds’ party people an exclusive Pamper Party on Saturday 27th February.

For just £20.00 hob salons will ensure your hair and nails are perfect for your night of fun, keeping you looking good from the official pre-party at Fibre (one of 69′s fave venues – EVER!), to dancing through the night at Kissdafunk. And there’s no need to feel guilty as all the proceeds from the Pamper Party go to charidee.

From 6 – 8pm, hob salons will be open exclusively to Kissdafunk party-goers to cleanse, blow-dry and style hair (curling, straightening and up dos) and offer express manicures. All guests will also receive a glass of fizz to get them in the party spirit and the Kissdafunk DJs may even pop in for a quick hello!

As you can imagine, demand is going to be high and appointments limited, so get your friends together and your skates on.  Appointments are limited, so get your friends together and reserve your places now.

And as you indulge in a little pampering you can give yourself a pat on the back knowing that your hard earned cash will be helping the Yorkshire Charities Group – a joint venture between six Yorkshire based registered charities: BTCV; Epilepsy Action; NSPCC; St Gemma’s Hospice; St Anne’s Community Care and Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields. For more information please visit www.yorkshirecharities.co.uk.

And don’t forget if you need your hair coloured or cut in advance of your big night out book your appointment now. Hob salons is currently offering a whopping 50% off the gorgeous new Wella SP Alchemy treatments. Revive stressed out, weather damaged locks with your very own, personally prescribed treatments, designed to combat any hair problem — just £7.50 instead of the normal £15.00

Keep in touch with what’s happening at hob salons at www.hobsalons.com and join the Facebook group.

For the latest news from Kissdafunk visits www.kissdafunk.com or visit the Facebook group.

*appointments must be paid for in advance

hob salons, 12 Duncan Street, Leeds, LS1 6DL

T: 0113 243 5555 / F: 0113 243 2299 / W: www.hobsalons.com

In the course of the 50 tales that make up this reading, Simon Morrison has had a gun held to his head by multiple murder and celebrity gangster Dave Courtney; gone raving in Ibiza with Judith Chalmers; found himself trapped in a gimp bar in Leipzig; sung happy birthday to Kylie Minogue; been deported from Russia; travelled from white heights of the Alps to the lowest of low-slung gutters in Brazil and Kuala Lumpur, and still picked himself up in time to have a cup of tea with Take That – leading Howard Donald to remark: “getting the band back together was really something but nothing could come close to having a cup of tea in Stockport with Simon”.

Collected together for the first time, these 50 beats and pieces have been grouped thematically, and musically, into happy-hour bars, covering travel, celebrity, music, pop culture, politics and the varied wonders of inebriation… with the somewhat wonky results illustrated in full colour within the centre pages. Why? Well, as Simon once graffitied onto the walls of Zouk, Singapore:

Because life is a disco…

…And then there’s always the after party.

Leicester based Formation Records, headed by one of the forefathers of Drum & Bass, DJ SS, is now 20 years old (the label is, he’s a lot older).  But from their initial bindings and buildings of jungle and old school scene, a plan some would state Leroy “SS” Small, Grooverider, Fabio and Doc Scott, amongst others, had masterminded a cunning plan for global domination where each would go on to blanket the world with the now gospel junglist sound.

Some would take to the airwaves, others would battle the rave circuit, but Leroy “SS” Small and friend “Edris” went another route, one for which a De Lorean would be required, several Christmas movie slots and the production team from 24 Hour Party People. So, skip two decades on and I’ll tell you why Leicester’s hot to trot in Hollywood…or maybe Miami perhaps.

Breaking new artists and paving the way for international stardom is a speciality at Formation Records. From acting as studio location for Twisted Individual, the infamous creator of the “wobble” sound that’s now sonically adored across the worldwide Dubstep and D’n’B community; collaborating with local talent like Rob Sparx, (whose recording career spans from releasing tracks through Armin Van Buuren and now a label owner himself); to the phenomenon that is Nero (an act originally signed straight from Leicester’s own DMU and Oxford University), they are now the remix artists behind some of the world’s biggest acts such as Drake, Lil Wayne, M-Tag, Kanye, Calvin Harris, The Streets, Dizzie Rascal and, you guessed it, Beyonce, with the amazing stepping stones paved by none other than Leroy and his family team.

The Formation team have set up camp in 8000 capacity bomb shelters, Siberian wastelands and have played hosts for serious rave ups. Judging by the UK petrol prices it’s probably easier to get to Estonia than it is London these days. So, whether you like your raving post apocalyptic, or you’re the moody glamour puss that still wants to “crank it” like “back in the day”, this Leicester based brand has and will accommodate the masses for 20 years…and counting.

A brand originally launched and managed abroad by the Formation Crew, WODNB – World of Drum & Bass – alongside touring artists such as Simon Bassline Smith & Influx UK. Billing the D’n’B masters such as Chase & Status, Sub Focus, Nero and many other future heroes, all under one roof would explain why every time I’ve met someone from the (former) eastern block, they seem to be mad about dubstep and drum and bass!

So walk tall, be proud and Leicesterfarian! Students, cheese and crisps aren’t the only things to be indicative of Leicester…if there’s a banging drum and bass tune on the radio, and your Nan is telling you to turn that racket down, or you have your local DJ hammering out the coolest dubstep remix of a crap pop song that’s made it more than listenable, chances are it’s got roots in Leicester. Happy Birthday Formation – here’s to the next twenty!

Formation Records is @ 38 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FB.  Facebook.com/Formationrecords

By Andy Leavy