Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Mood Hut’s in-house dub pop raconteur returns in live trio formation! Jack J’s evolution from boogie-down house revivalist to breezy balearic blue-eyed soulsmith neeeeeds to be witnessed in the flesh. Join the swoon with Laura Groves’ blissful shimmering sophisti-pop, sure to melt fans of: Mr Fingers, Arthur Russell, ML Buch, Kate Bush, OPN, Angel Olsen. "
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A gig held at Strange Brew on Saturday 14th December. The event starts at 19:00.
Strange Brew Presents
Jack J Band (Pender Street Steppers / Mood Hut / Canada)
Laura Groves (Bella Union / DEEK / London)
ddwy (Public Possession / Inner Totality / London)
Strange Brew presents an evening of live breezy house & dream pop from Jack J band, Laura Groves and ddwy
Best known as one half of Vancouver production / DJ duo powerhouse Pender Street Steppers and boss of the massively influential Mood Hut records, Jack J has been an important figure in the house revival of last 10+ years. His instantly recognisable sound pallet and ear for hooky, breezy & low-slung house music has recently been translated into live format, releasing the beautiful and easy-going album 'Opening the Door' on Mood Hut in 2022 to much critical acclaim. On November 1st 2024 he releases his follow-up 'Blue Desert' which further refines his knack for hook-heavy, dancefloor-friendly ear worms.
Tonight his three-piece band will play tracks from his album as well as Mood Hut classics LIVE.
Laura Groves released her much-anticipated latest album Radio Red on 11th August 2023 via Bella Union, her first full length release under her own name.
A singer all her life, Groves has spent over a decade developing a practise as an autonomous multi-instrumentalist and recording artist as well as a collaborator (Ragz Orginale, Darkstar, Sampha, Jamie Leeming), releasing EPs on DEEK Recordings and the 2020 EP “A Private Road” on Bella Union. Much of the creation of Radio Red was solitary, but a small group of people helped bring it to fruition. A meeting with mix engineer TJ Allen (Portishead, Adrien Utley) through her work in Bat for Lashes’ live band led to an important creative relationship. “Working with Tim provided me with a safe and nurturing studio environment in which to finish the record. It also means a lot to have Sampha’s voice on “D 4 N” and “Good Intention”, because we first met near the beginning of this journey and so much has happened since then - singing together again feels like coming full circle in the most positive way and a reminder that there are constants running through it all.”
ddwy, the Welsh word for two, is a duo of D.J.s and producers Inner Totality and nangi. Both residing in London with the latter having her roots in Sri Lanka. The two first came to our attention through demos they shared, that felt refreshingly different from most of the current offerings in the electronic music scene. A slightly slower pace, spiritual, organic, resting within itself, yet driving and aimed very much at the dancefloor. A compilation of tunes released on Public Possession as their debut offering titled 'Sprig Songs', which was very well received by press and the D.J. pool.
Digging a little deeper into the history of ddwy you will find out that they are doing the music thing for quite some time, check D.J. Mixes on underground household series like Sextags 'TrushMix', Pender Street Steppers 'Libra mix' or listen to their shows on NTS for proof!
This year has been their most prolific in terms of shows playing festivals and clubs across the globe both live and as D.J.s incl places like Solistice Festival, Public Records NYC, Postbar Helsinki and many more. All awhile being extremely active in the London scene hosting parties and putting on shows in different venues.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
Jack J Band (Pender Street Steppers / Mood Hut / Canada)
Laura Groves (Bella Union / DEEK / London)
ddwy (Public Possession / Inner Totality / London)
Strange Brew presents an evening of live breezy house & dream pop from Jack J band, Laura Groves and ddwy
Best known as one half of Vancouver production / DJ duo powerhouse Pender Street Steppers and boss of the massively influential Mood Hut records, Jack J has been an important figure in the house revival of last 10+ years. His instantly recognisable sound pallet and ear for hooky, breezy & low-slung house music has recently been translated into live format, releasing the beautiful and easy-going album 'Opening the Door' on Mood Hut in 2022 to much critical acclaim. On November 1st 2024 he releases his follow-up 'Blue Desert' which further refines his knack for hook-heavy, dancefloor-friendly ear worms.
Tonight his three-piece band will play tracks from his album as well as Mood Hut classics LIVE.
Laura Groves released her much-anticipated latest album Radio Red on 11th August 2023 via Bella Union, her first full length release under her own name.
A singer all her life, Groves has spent over a decade developing a practise as an autonomous multi-instrumentalist and recording artist as well as a collaborator (Ragz Orginale, Darkstar, Sampha, Jamie Leeming), releasing EPs on DEEK Recordings and the 2020 EP “A Private Road” on Bella Union. Much of the creation of Radio Red was solitary, but a small group of people helped bring it to fruition. A meeting with mix engineer TJ Allen (Portishead, Adrien Utley) through her work in Bat for Lashes’ live band led to an important creative relationship. “Working with Tim provided me with a safe and nurturing studio environment in which to finish the record. It also means a lot to have Sampha’s voice on “D 4 N” and “Good Intention”, because we first met near the beginning of this journey and so much has happened since then - singing together again feels like coming full circle in the most positive way and a reminder that there are constants running through it all.”
ddwy, the Welsh word for two, is a duo of D.J.s and producers Inner Totality and nangi. Both residing in London with the latter having her roots in Sri Lanka. The two first came to our attention through demos they shared, that felt refreshingly different from most of the current offerings in the electronic music scene. A slightly slower pace, spiritual, organic, resting within itself, yet driving and aimed very much at the dancefloor. A compilation of tunes released on Public Possession as their debut offering titled 'Sprig Songs', which was very well received by press and the D.J. pool.
Digging a little deeper into the history of ddwy you will find out that they are doing the music thing for quite some time, check D.J. Mixes on underground household series like Sextags 'TrushMix', Pender Street Steppers 'Libra mix' or listen to their shows on NTS for proof!
This year has been their most prolific in terms of shows playing festivals and clubs across the globe both live and as D.J.s incl places like Solistice Festival, Public Records NYC, Postbar Helsinki and many more. All awhile being extremely active in the London scene hosting parties and putting on shows in different venues.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
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