K&D session at Roundhouse London

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Last Friday night saw a bunch of us head to the Roundhouse in Camden for dynamic Austrian duo Kruder and Dorfmeister.

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The ultra-cool bass-loving production geniuses hit the Roundhouse for their first ever London live show! Known for redefining the art of the remix as much as their originals, they showcased why they've attained their international status, coming as they do from a country with a rich history of musical innovation.

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The set they played was awesome. The visuals were the best I've seen all year (if not in the last few...) and the vibe was, well, slightly older and discerning. I could write a review, but David Taylor from the Guardian has done a much better job than I ever could...

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"There's always a concern when producers opt to swap the dark anonymity and hermit-like existence of the recording studio for the bright lights of a "live" stage. Just what are we punters to expect? Electronic music by its very nature involves little in the way of live instrumentation – and everything to the mastery of manipulating banks of coloured knobs in grey boxes. It's hardly an enticing proposition for the traditional gig-goer.

Step forward Kruder & Dorfmeister, Austrian uber-producers and the ice cool duo behind G-Stone recordings. The label's trademark bass-heavy but lush tunes are as likely to be played as background to a hip dinner party than at an underground club. And judging by the largely 30-something crowd politely exchanging small talk before the lights dimmed at the Roundhouse, dessert rather than dancing appears to be a more pressing concern to some.

But, as soon as the first dull throb of bass punches through the darkness and MC Earl Zinger bowls on to the stage, the venue is transformed into the coolest of clubs.

K&D take centre stage amid a constantly morphing, at times retina-scarring light show, that puts just about every other electronica act to shame. The breathtaking visuals provide the perfect psychedelic backdrop to a set that effortlessly blends the best of the pair's past, present and future tunes.

Kicking off with a version of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" before taking in highlights from the classic K&D Sessions album – including superb remixes of Bomb the Bass's "Bug Powder Dust" and Depeche Mode's "Useless" – the duo effortlessly engage the crowd.

Throw in a tongue-in-cheek encore of "Let it Be" – with the lyrics changed to "speaking words of wisdom – K&D", and you can't help but leave the gig with a smile on your face and a spring in your step."

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C215 in Amsterdam

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Well folks, I'm using this as a segway between my last post and my next several, which will feature the best of my recent week with Jen in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

I knew that C215 had done some work in Amsterdam, but do you think we could find it? Well, after searching long and hard, and stopping into coffee shops often for breaks, we did come across a piece or two indeed...

The next several posts will be stuff from this trip, although I'll try to pick the best of so as not to bore you (I took about 250 shots), so there was a wealth of graf there inc. some lovely pieces from artists from all over the world.

Watch this space for weekly updates...
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Whoop, whoop for the big 200...

C215 down Blackall St (click on image to enlarge)

C215 outside his solo show at Signal Gallery on Curtain Rd

earlier this year (click on image to enlarge)

Alice on electric box down Blackall St (click on image to enlarge)


Alice piece down Blackall St (click on image to enlarge)


Blackall St, E2, London (click on image to enlarge)

Blackall St (click on map to enlarge)

Well folks, It's time for a little celebration. Urban-escapades 200th post. I was very enthusiastic when I began this project, but never thought it'd become what it has. Ok - it's a hobby, a fascination, a labour of love, a passion, but there must be a significant number of you who also share my passion (over 9,500 unique visitors to this site so far), so I'm glad to be able to share it with you.

For this post I'm going to share a little London secret with you. A small Shoreditch alleyway called Blackall St. There are 2 reasons for Blackall St being my 200th post. First being: it's a great little alley way which features the creme of the street art scene in an always changing kaleidascope of talent. The second being: one of those artists - one of my favs at the moment... C215.

C215, or Christian Guemy, is an extremely talented stencil artist I've been following (and featuring) for a few years now. Christian is a 36 year old Parisian resident, but spends much of his time traveling the globe with his work, bringing joy to all that find it. His distinctive style of portraiture sets him apart from the rest - an inspiration to artist and artistic observer alike.

Rather than cut and paste the highlights of his illustrious career from a variety of sources, I thought I'd provide you with a link where you can browse a selection of interviews from the likes of Wooster Clooective, Graffiti Art Magazine, Artasty.com etc, and also check out collections of works from around the world.

Link here: http://www.flickr.com/people/C215

Thanks everyone for stopping by, and I look forward to your continued support. Please take a moment when you get a chance and look back through these archives. Kind regards, Mish.

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