We brave the enemy territory of Derby to see a performance from Nottingham-based producer Filter Sequence...
I spent a rather splendid evening down the A52 in Derby listening to some local electronic acts from Nottingham and the surrounding area. Derby’s Dubrek Studios is the home of creativity in the city, encapsulating a music studio, art gallery, performance space and bar/restaurant. Each week there is something new to see from established local bands and their monthly open mic nights for electronic music producers.
Five of the region’s finest gathered for an evening of eclectic electronic sounds. The night opened with Nottingham-based producer Filter Sequence, whose acid-tinged dance went down well with the patrons of Dubrek. Pretty Window’s lead singer Hutch joined on vocals for a rendition of Acid Jubilee, before heading off again to ready himself for his own set.
Nottingham’s own Pretty Windows are a two-piece post punk, electronica outfit which recalls the new wave bands of the early 1980s. Guitarist Steve plays against a backdrop of electronic beats and punk aesthetics. Hutch has a kind of hippy vibe, with lyrics revolving around bees, nature, and long-lost Camden gurus. They are great!
Next up is solo act Analogue, Electronic, Whatever, a synth-fuelled extravaganza with added retro visuals. The beats are fantastic and very danceable (although the bar crowd was more of the 'stand and discuss oscillators' type). Well-worth catching an A,E,W show whenever he’s next in town.
Callum Holmes is a young producer with some great beats. His set is somewhat marred by the venue’s speakers still playing other music and the thinning crowd as the night progressed. However, Callum is very much a producer to look out for in the future.
The night closes with producer and keyboardist Steve Hardaker, who’s own brand of piano house is a fitting close to the night. Again, I could have done with at least another twenty or thirty minutes of Steve’s music, but the bar was calling time.
Dubrek put on a very enjoyable night of local talent, and I would most definitely be up for another night like it in the future. Nottingham and the East Midlands at large is a real hot bed of talent right now.
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