Content Manchester - A Review

Review of Manchester party 'Content' - for http://www.4clubbers.net/

The clubbing scene in Manchester has always been one of extremely high calibre; Take a look back at the Hacienda, Paradise Factory and the many years of Sankeys Soap to name but a few, and it’s easy to see how dedicated this city is to partying.

A gap in the market had appeared over the past couple of years however, and there seemed to be a conspicuous absence of any parties playing decent underground house and techno to an intimate and up for it crowd. Of course the now gleaming Sankeys and the booming Warehouse Project would always be high up on peoples’ agendas when it came to organising their clubbing calendars, but the intimacy, the atmosphere and the feeling of being part of something special, similar to clubbing days of old just wasn’t quite there any more.

Excellent bookings are made by the delectable Naïve Melody, El Diablo’s and Cutloose month by month with names selected to play from the deep and more eclectic end of the scale, but a niche was there for a place to visit every month for a good old stomp to excellent music with like minded people: Enter Content.

The boys at Content started the event at the Roadhouse in the City Centre last year with the mighty DJ Rolando, and have gained a loyal following in a remarkably short space of time. Their simplistic no-nonsense attitude to partying- that is; a dark room, decent sound system and high quality music seems tohave struck a chord with the regulars who keep on coming back month after month. In terms of venue, the Roadhouse fits the bill perfectly, and its low ceilings, thick red drapes and dim lighting is the perfect setting for a cosy little rave.

This month, techno legend Samuel L Session was gracing the decks. Following an impeccable warm-up by two of the four residents Eddie Leader and Dan McGlynn, the crowd appeared to be well oiled by the time SLS appeared and cheers of approval were bellowed as he took to the stage. Samuel L Session is something of an institution in the techno world. Playing records and producing for around twenty years: the man is a veteran when it comes to working the crowd. SLS locked his audience into his classic style of chunky techno from the start and kept the crowd punching the air until the lights came up at 3am, and the familiar chants of ‘one more tune’ were heard, and cruelly rejected by security.

The one thing that sticks Content head and shoulders above the rest is the atmosphere which is second to none. A few hours dancing and punters leave with that warm fuzzy feeling of a truly great night, some may even say they leave feeling Content, natch. Smiles all round, speaking to strangers, friendships formed, whoops, cheers, and dancing your arse off to a thumping soundtrack are all things that are commonplace at Content. Speaking to a group of students; they informed us that they turned up for the opening night and enjoyed it so much they hadn’t missed one since. This seems to be the general consensus for most of the attendees: people arrive to party and leave at 3am wanting more.

The lads have booked deep house maestro Chez Damier to play their party at the beginning of March, and I urge you to go and be part of it yourself. It’s the Content that counts.

Interview - Josh Wink

An interview with the legend; Josh Wink, for http://www.4clubbers.net/



Hey Josh, Happy New Year to you, I see you played the Summadayze celebrations in Australia over New Year, how was that?
Lots of fun. Great weather and great talent on this tour

How did the decision come about to remix your 2009 album 'When a Banana was just a Banana'? There are many esteemed producers that have worked on these tracks, did you have in mind who you wanted to work with and approach them or did they come and approach you?

It was mixed (haha). Artists asked me, I asked artists and artists also owed me remixes from previous swaps. But I'm happy to have such great people involved!

Your musical background within remixing and producing seems to span an extremely diverse range of music, proven in the original 'When a Banana was just a Banana' album, as well as working with artists like Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead...are there any avenues you haven't explored or anyone you would be interested in working with? Is there anything you would rule out completely?

Would love to grow and expand musically. Would love to do a project that combines the musical flavors of Air, Boards of Canada and Beck. I've been doing a lot of field recordings and I hope to do a project project in the vein of all the new Drone or Modern Classical that is coming out.

Cool name for the album by the way, I have read some theories on how you came up with the name but could you elaborate to our readers?

In a nutshell, it speaks really of the loss of innocence of music. Music was just music when I was growing up. Nobody was ridiculed or had views of 'I only listen to this one kind of music' - I grew up listening to everything! Today, so many people tend to only listen to one style of music with a strong opinion of why... I miss the innocence of how it was... Like when you were younger, 'A Banana Was Just A Banana'.

You have been around for a good few years now and have consistently evolved to make your sound 'current' when playing records. Do you ever get a wave of nostalgia when you are DJing and feel the urge to go out and play a load of records from the early nineties?

I tend to mix and keep my dj sets vary diverse and I do end up playing a lot of tracks from the 'early days'. Funny as at times people come up and ask me if they were new songs. There is a big resurgence in making new tracks sound old. There's so much good music out there. New, recent & Old.

Ovum, your thriving record label has been around for 15 years, extremely impressive! What plans do you have for the label in 2010? Any new artists you have your eye on?

1st working on the “Banana Remix and Peeled” LP. Then focusing on the spring/summer festival season, as we're planning to do Ovum tents/rooms at festivals/ clubs during the peak time of the season in celebration of 15 Years of Ovum. Amazing! We're going to release some un-released music, try and put our whole catalog online for digital appreciation and work with artists for upcoming single releases. Like: Harry Romero (joris vorn rmx), Shlomi Aber, Johannes Heil & KiNK. Good line up!

You have produced countless tracks over the years, what inspires you?

I don't feel that anything in particular directly influences me. I would say that life experiences non-directly influence my being and who I am. Food, Art exhibits, nature, books, movies, relationships, music, architecture etc… these are the facets that create who we are.

Do you think you will ever stop making music? Can you still see yourself DJing or producing in 10 or 20 years time, or would we ever see you changing career completely?

I was interviewed when I was 24, when I was 30, and again at 35 and asked the same or similar question that you asked. I am blessed to be doing the same profession for the past 20 years. I sure hope it doesn't stop. I still have incredible passion for music and travel. I can maybe see changing my career, however I can't imagine not having music still be such an important part of who I am.

You have achieved a lot over your many years as a musician. Is there anything you are still aiming for? What are your plans for 2010?

I am aiming to continue to push my boundaries and growth in my profession, be inspired and be immersed in music!

Do you think you would ever leave your home town of Philadelphia? It seems that you are taking on many transatlantic flights, would you ever consider moving to Europe?

I love the European way of life. I sure hope that it doesn't continue to follow the American motto of Living to Work, rather than Working to live. I think that the aspect of enjoying the life we have is lost a bit here. And I've noticed that it's changing slowly in Europe to the American way. However, I do love the lifestyle of Europe. Everything about it. I would love to try another city out for sure! I do love the USA and Philly. No place like it in the world. But, the world is meant to be explored! And that god I have a good passport!

You have been in the industry and been interviewed that many times, you must get bored of answering the same questions over and over... I challenge you to tell me your best joke!

Yes, lots and lots of interviews, and I don't mind. As I don't always do too many. I like the balance of being in the media and not there too. I do like jokes, however I tell them better in person with the spontaneity of a situation, which always helps!