ARKIST NEW EP

Arkist EP

‘Fill Your Coffee’ and ‘Rendezvous’ are the two new tracks on the Apple Pips label produced by Arkist.  23 year old Adam Gazla has been producing for several years, with his new EP comes out on 7^th July.

‘Fill You Coffee’ begins with an easy and technical intro. After the 55 second build up the surprise drop hits you with a raw boogie driven undertone. The collection of deep funk bass line, in the clouds like bleeps and settling flow allows for a myriad of listening sensations. Be it aNew Yorkhidden bar or the opener to a big night, this track is both easy to sit back and listen to, or get up and dance to.

On meeting Arkist in his current living habitat ofBristol, he was keen to emphasise how he likes to play around with all genres of music.

Arkist: I made that track well over a year ago now and since then I’ve made some Disco-House, Techno, Electro and I’m still making Drum n’ Bass.

Arkist: They were (Fill Your Coffee/Rendezvous) greatly inspired by tunes made by Mount Kimbie, James Blake, SBTRKT and Joy Orbison.

While ‘Fill Your Coffee’ has the unmistakable laid back feel of a Mount Kimbie track, ‘Rendezvous’ looks to supply a slightly more up tempo approach. Arkist himself doesn’t like to get bogged down with genre. The ‘Rendezvous’ steps a little away from boogie, into a veryBristolsounding dub/house tune. The echoed male vocals, give an excellent overtone, followed by a deep pounding of bass and an interruption of keys, which come together nicely to generate an upbeat summer club tune.

Arkist first learnt his trade along other well known artists, on the music production course at Bath Spa.

With Bath Spa developing the sounds of Appleblim and Gatekeeper, do you believe it influenced the style of music you produce?

Arkist: In some ways yes, but for the most part I’d say my main influences have come from the people around me, and the music I like.

Where did you learn your music trade?

Arkist: I’ve had some great teachers since I started making music. People like Komonazmuk and Gatekeeper have really helped me to develop my own production techniques and sonic signature. I’ve also been lucky enough to live with Appleblim for the last few years and he is like a musical encyclopaedia so a great deal of inspiration has come from music that he has introduced me to.

Adam also mentioned his travels in the USand how he’d like to continue working out there with the potential of moving. He has an interesting take on where electronic music is at current in the States, but he feels it has a “short shelf life”.

So you travelled and played across theUS?

Arkist: Yeah twice, once with DJ Wedge last summer and another time on my own this past Easter.

Is it a different way of club life?

Arkist: In a lot of ways it is very different. I think the US age restrictions on Alcohol has a very profound effect on US Clublife as they hold nights for over 21s and over 18s, the latter being very strange indeed.

How do their ‘electronic/bass driven’ music taste differ?

Arkist: The wobbly chainsaw ‘brostep’ sound still seems to be the most popular over there. Comparatively, there is a small scene for more melodic and rhythmical bass music, but there are some great American producers pushing that sound.

It is clear that Arkists ambition matches his potential in terms of music. His new EP certainly doesn’t disappoint, it’s worth the long wait and for me is one of the best EP’s out this year. I am hoping to hear his tracks reverberate around the UK and the US in the coming months.

THE PORTICO QUARTET TRIO

Portico Quartet took to the stage on Saturday hosting a glimpse of their past and future music. The event was split into two, similar to an opera, a fitting tribute to the beautiful architecture of the 19th century George Corson building (The Leeds Grand Opera and theatre House). The first half included some of the usual kettle drum thumping, squeaky atmospheric saxophone and warming bass. The second was less so predictable, with Nick Mulvey (hang and percussion) seemlessly disappearing, the music took on a futuristic, more weighty Tom Yorke like album. Although it was the premiere of this new breed of music, it showed promise. I would say look out for the track named ‘untitled’ but i imagine this may have changed by the time they release their new material. Touring at a greater pace than William and Kate, be sure to check them out this summer.

NAKED APES, POLICE AND COMEDY

Leeds is full of landmarks……soon it will be home to a new Channel 4 comedy written by Brian Fillis. Naked Apes is set in Leeds and is based on the book, Blood. The series will be 6 episodes long, with each episode consisting of 6o minutes; following the day-to-day life of three paramedics. I came aware of the new comedy whilst walking home last night. when asking what had happened, presuming a murder due to the amount of ambulances and police vehicles scattered along Moorland Avenue, “comedy” was the answer that was given. On thinking that this police officer was maybe sick or deluded, his answer was followed by “Naked Apes”. With my mind rushing through possibilities of how a pack of naked apes had ripped off a man’s arm, I was reassured by the officer who after a delay, confirmed it was in fact a set for a new comedy. Anyway, with the program starring Kayvan Novak and Rhys Thomas, be assured this will be worth a watch, may even put Leeds on the map.