8 Tracks: Of Monticule Festival 2019

Hulk Hodn

Cologne’s Patrick Rüdiger, better known as Hulk Hodn, is a beatsmith churning out lethargic, laid-back rhythms. Wielding together luscious melodies, complete with hazy jazz samples, crisp percussion and a warming lo-fi feel, the German producer makes tracks that seem perfect for Monticule’s vibe. Under his Hodini moniker, Rüdiger has collaborated with Damiano von Erckhert and Glenn Astro, two of the Rhine region’s favourite musicians. His releases on Money $ex Records and Wolf Music Recordings tread the hip-hop-house tightrope, complete with dulcet basslines and quirky brass-play. However, under his Hulk Hodn it’s strictly beats. First releasing under the alias in 2009 on Melting Pot Music, Rüdiger has gone on to produce 5 albums and 3 singles. Smooth and soulful, 2018’s ‘Lost Ish’ album on Groove Attack Record Store saunters between boom-bap, broken beats and hip-hop. Check the MF Doom sample in this mellow instrumental.

Low Jack

The Brothers From Different Mothers crew are one of the more eccentric and charismatic gangs in the dance music community, complete with off-kilter music, accentric art work and wacky characters making up the roster. Phillipe Hallais, a.k.a. Low Jack, is no acception to this band of merry musicians. Often seen sporting a pair of rave shaves, the Paris-based artist reflects his colourful personality in his production, calling upon elements of an array of genres. Alongside his releases on the aforementioned French label, Hallais launched his own B-Ball Joints imprint as well as co-running Editions Gravats with Jean Carval. Having published his tripped out electronics on the likes of The Trilogy Tapes, L.I.E.S. and Bristol’s Bokeh Versions, the Honduras-born producer has clearly developed a scene-wide appreciation. And for good reason: this wonky dancehall-dub infusion packs a mighty punch, rolling along with each beat of the drum.

Manfredas

After years of spinning records on the radio in his native Lithuania, Manfredas and his record bag descended on the clubs of Vilnius and beyond. Through his own Smala clubnight and in his own performances, Manfredas has wound back the acoustic clock to focus on the bizarre delights of the 80s and 90s, as well as more modern twists of peculiar international sounds. Releasing his tunes on Les Disques De La Mort and Multi Culti, the Lithuanian producer and DJ has demonstrated unparalleled flair and technique, composing chuggy, psychoactive dance music that is impossible to compartmentalize. Having spent time working in clubs, recording studios and on the radio, it’s safe to say our man has developed an ear concerned only with party-starting frequencies and jovial tripped-out tunes. Off of his debut EP, Uumellmahaye explains Manfredas’ character far better than words could ever hope.

RSS Disco

Whilst many clubbers view Berlin as the epicentre of the German party scene, I’m sure many Hamburgers will have a thing or two to say about that. The RSS trio embody the party spirit of this Northern German city, seamlessly drifting between synthesizerdisco and acid-drenched house, threading together psychedlic techno cuts with vocal-overloaded pop gems. Their sets possess nomadic complexions, straying from the trodden path of monosyllabic repetition in favour of wild and unpredictable variety. On their own RSS Discovery imprint, the trio have released two EPs of folk rock-infused disco, editting the likes of It’s A Beautiful Day and Adriano Celentano into leftfield party-starters. Another imprint the three disc-jokeys run is Mireia, championing psychedlic electronics, tripped-out italo-disco, spontaneous house and chugging techno. This remix of Ya Tosiba’s Masin showcases the wonky frequencies you should expect to hear from Hamburg’s sonic sorcerers.

Sascha Funke

Having been in the game for over 20 years, Berlin’s Sascha Funke is a master of his craft. Born and raised in East Berlin’s Lichtenberg distric, the German producer and DJ has honed his skills since the days of his youth, a time when he would record radio sets from the other half of the city onto his double-tape-deck. In the years that have passed, Funke has released on celebrated labels such as Kompakt, Ellen Alien’s BPitch Control and the ever-freaky Multi Culti. Known for his pop-infused minimalism, his regular sets at Tresor and Maria am Ostbahnhof explore the slower-paced BPMs of new age, krautrock and techno. His latest release on Multi Culti saw the ecclectic German team up with compatriot Niklas Wandt for four cuts of percussive rhythm and purposeful funk. B-Side track Umarmung Aus Holz skips along shimmering guitar riffs, drifting synthesized chords and space-age bass pulses.

Simo Cell

Though the cliché is often overused, to say Simo Cell’s production was unique and original would be an understatement. Since his maiden 2015 release on Fragil Musique, Simon Ausel has forged his own eclectic identity through truly novel sonics. Originally hailing from Nantes, the French producer also has musical homes in Paris and Bristol, with such widespread locations filtering into his output. His Gliding and Pour Le Club EPs on Peverelist’s Livity Sound and contributions to compilation releases on Wisdom Teeth reflect clear influence from England’s South Western city, employing stylistic qualities of jungle, dubstep and the familiar leftfield techno. His output on Brothers From Different Mothers approaches dance music from a different angle, delving into slower dancehall sounds as well as icey breaks and IDM. Expect a wacky off-kilter performance, oozing with glacial tones and warped rhythms. Feel The Kouala Vybz emblematises Ausel’s individual groove with masterful sound design and undeniable energy.

Zenker Brothers

Ilian Tape’s masterminds, Dario and Marco Zenker are the driving force behind one of the most consistent labels coming out of Germany at the moment. Incorporating elements of breakbeat, house and techno in their production, the brothers’ composition never fails to amaze. Alongside releasing on their own imprint, Dario and Marco have dropped the goods on storied imprints 50Weapons, Tresor and Marcel Fenglers’ Index. The Bavarian brothers have soundtracked clubnights and festivals since the early 2000s, and founded their label in 2007. Their curation reflects their multifaceted production, pairing deep and groovy tunes alongside hell-raising speaker-shakers. Monoptahras, from the B-side of their 2017 The Schyren EP, is a true epic, illustrating the soulful yet authoritative vibe they manage to balance out on every record.

The Pilotwings

Another Brothers From Different Mothers affiliate, The Pilotwings duo of Guillaume Lespinasse and Louis De La Gorce have become one of the most exhilarating acts in the game today. Fusing elements of house and techno in their production, their maiden 2014 release on the Lyon-based label demonstrates the duo’s versatility in the studio. Sauntering between the tribal breakbeats of this debut EP, ethereal leftfield house on their 2016 LP on Macadam Mambo and Molitor 71’s spaced-out ambiance, Lespinasse and De La Gorce have a track for every mood. Such variety extends into their live sets, where the boys frequently explore off-kilter textures and novel rhythms, creating unique soundtracks that feed off of the crowd in front of them.Trance Beats illustrates exactly why you should expect a high-flying array of music that’ll be sure to have you reaching for the sky.