You have a lot of aliases on the go now, I particularly like some of the darker stuff you do as Teenage Music, Lower East Side Pipes and Forest Electrik, what’s the story behind all the different names? Are there other people involved, or is it to do with your own mindset going into each project?

“One main reason why I create aliases is so that I can have alternate platforms to express the plethora of influences that are within me. The idea behind The Lower East Side Pipes, for example was inspired from my reminiscing on the days in New York back in the mid 80’s when I was playing the role of a young moderate skin head. I used to love roaming around the lower east side during the days when it was unique and dangerous. I partied regularly at event called Punk Sunday’s hosted and held at New York’s CBGB’s. The aliases could also be attributed to my finding it difficult to listen to any one genre of music for more than a certain period. And so, I guess that could also be a reason why.”

This year has seen the remarkable revival of Ugly Music, a pivotal label first founded in the mid nineties by Felix Dickinson and Tony Lee. Based in Brighton the pair launched the label from a shop in 1995 and used the platform as an outlet to release innovative house and techno, inspired by the scenes in Detroit and Chicago, in the UK. The label became a home to many producers over a prolific two year period which saw them release music by the likes of Dj Assassin, Sir Lord Comixx, DA Rebels, Jaime Read and many more.

It was decided that 2021 was the year in which to breathe a new lease of life into the project, despite over twenty years since the last release the label has returned announcing with it new music. Perhaps the most exciting new offering from the imprint comes in the form of a reissue of Underground Evolution’s “Walk On Water”. The EP comes accompanied by a fresh take from one of house music’s most prolific innovators, Joe Claussell. He has recorded an epic live version which see’s the track transformed into an epic long form groove built for soulful, late night dances worldwide.

Alex Verdú and multi-instrumentalist Jordi Wheeler (formerly of Amen Dunes) are working on a project too. Their collaborative debut will be a musical piece for a benefit compilation supporting Sunview Luncheonette, a DIY venue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (NYC).

Finally, another name to highlight in this small but prolific scene is Sentuhlà, the personal project of Jose Guerrero (also of Betunizer & Cuello). His debut album under the Sentuhlà pseudonym ‘La Curva Paralela’ (‘The Parallel Curve’) (Abstrakce, 2020) is a compendium of mechanical repetitions, syncopated rhythms and ‘tribal’ electronics.

Compiled & edited by Tim Wilson
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