Virunga

Striving to be 2013′s most unique festival…

Launching in August 2013 in the Italian Alps, Vertigo Festival will deliver electronic dance music in an entirely unique way. As the highest altitude summer electronic music festival, Vertigo is set to be a highlight of the 2013 festival season.

Today, Vertigo Festival announces an array of top International brands and labels to the mountains, starting with Berlin based ‘Get Physical‘, showcasing M.A.N.D.Y., DJ T, Smash TV and Betoko, whilst Swiss born ‘Cadenza Records’ welcome Reboot, UNER, Michel Cleis and Andrea Oliva.

Culprit LA will also be bringing their Downtown Los Angeles rooftop vibe to the rolling mountains, with Droog, M.A.N.I.K, Inxec, Climbers and Lula Circus, whilst Manchester & Ibiza powerhouse Sankeys, have ventured outside of their familiar Club environment for the first time, adding to the equation Darius Syrossian and Enzo Siragusa, with several more top headline artists TBA.

Vertigo also welcomes one of London’s most exciting and forward thinking labels in Art Of Dark, who will be showcasing DJ W!LD, Hector and their stalwart residents Jack & I, Colin Chiddle and Charlie Dave Kent, with several exciting additions due to be announced.

Complementary to the exquisite array of label showcases, Vertigo Festival will offer a platform to some of the UK and Europe’s most exciting emergent event brands. From Virunga with it’s forward thinking emerging residents, Departure expanding on its European destinations, Solid Grooves‘ rooftop vibes, Troupe and its unique label artists, plus Malta’s leading brand Panoptic. Festival goers can expect fun-loving vibes as brands join together to assure Vertigo Festival is one of the summer’s must visit destination festivals.

Vertigo Festival brings to the fold further talent including Alex Niggemann, Daniel Bortz, Move D, Finnebassen, Chopstick & JohnJon, Hot Since 82, Flashmob, Fabio Giannelli, Jobe, Saytek live, Silky, DZeta N’ Basile, and many more acts still yet to be unveiled!

Set in a naturally stunning and bespoke environment in the heart of the Italian Alps, Vertigo Festival will embody the essential essence of a festival whilst also combining a truly breath-taking setting.

The location can be found within a secluded mountainous valley, with a capacity of around just 4,000 people, all those lucky enough to attend Vertigo Festival, will be able to indulge upon 18 hours of hand-picked music, across each of the 3 days and nights, in the most intimate of surroundings.

The festival will take place at the internationally acclaimed Ski Jumping Hotel. The venue is located at an altitude of over 1,500 meters, in the remote village of Pragelato, at the heart of Northern Italy’s Piemonte Region. Nestled between the panoramic valleys of Chisone, approximately 1 hour drive from Turin, this venue boasts Olympic heritage, having hosted the Ski Jumping, Nordic Skiing and Cross-Country Skiing at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.

Early bird tickets have already been release on general sale, and special limited weekend passes released at £69 for those looking to book with accommodation and transfers included.
Vertigo are ensuring that party goers can reach the secluded location with relative ease, by providing an extra service of transfer coaches to transports people to and from the Festival for those reaching prime locations such as Turin airport, numerous Milan airports and main train stations in both cities.

Vertigo maintains a strict music policy, showcasing only the finest cutting-edge music from its carefully selected line-up of Deep and Tech-House DJs and Producers.

Imagine blue skies, crisp mountain air, 28 degrees at Europe’s highest altitude dance music festival; welcome Vertigo.

Vertigo Festival
Ski Jumping Hotel, Pragelato, Italy
15.08.2013 – 17.08.2013
12:00 – 06:00

Vertigo | Facebook | Tickets | Event |

Virunga welcomes Ben Pearce…

Nestled deep within the heart of an undulating volcanic mountain range, at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, lies Virunga…
This sacred terrain pays homage to the distinctively endangered Mountain Guerilla. Lush with tropical forests and diverse mammal, bird, and reptile species, Virunga is a place which harnesses the combined essence and mystic spirit of eight dormant volcanoes.
This is the place where all the Guerillas meet, and under the cover of darkness with only the Luna illumination, they consort to the deep sounds of the Virunga terrain…

Serving one sole purpose, Virunga endeavours to bring together fun-loving groovers, who share a passion for underground house music, to a night of organic, unadulterated underground sounds. After the brand prematurely launched with the Mexican duo Climbers in June 2012, making their UK debut, a revamped Virunga enjoyed a sell-out launch party with Hot Creation’s Leeds based DJ/Producer Denney in early November.
Continuing to provide Guildford with a new, exciting & uncompromising monthly event, at none other than Guildford’s premier live music venue, The Boileroom, showcasing some of the finest breakthrough artists currently gracing the ever-changing underground music scene.

Ben Pearce
Hailing from the Northern pastures of Manchester, over the course of the past 18 months this Mancunian musician has enjoyed a gradual rise to the forefront of the UK’s cutting edge Underground music scene. Having initially plied his trade as a promoter for a host of Manchester’s coolest Underground parties, Ben has since taken a new direction with his illustrious career in music. Focusing his efforts on production, Ben has drawn inspiration from a variety of influences, which includes anything from Heavy Metal and Rock, to Hip Hop, Techno and Soul.
With a string of intelligent releases now under his belt, Ben’s most notable musical creation is his latest EP, “What I Might Do”, which was released in early October on Chase and Status’ label, MTA Records.
This highly anticipated title track has been supported by Solomun, David August & Danny Daze, to name but a few, and is set to be one of the hottest records of the year, having been played by some of the biggest DJs at some of the coolest parties in London, Berlin and Ibiza, throughout the summer. It is also important to note, that not only has Ben achieved worldwide recognition for his own musical endeavours, but he is also the Creative Director, Label Manager & Resident Artist at the Manchester based, forward thinking Record Label and Artist Management Agency, Purp & Soul, further assuring his credibility as an all-round musical pioneer.
Aside from headlining a string of impressive sell-out Purp & Soul showcases so far in 2011, this summer has also seen Ben close the Premier Etage at Ibiza’s legendary clubbing mecca, Space, for Carl Cox’s infamous Tuesday night residency, whilst he has also enjoyed gigs alongside the likes of industry heavyweights Seth Troxler, Kolombo and the Adana Twins.

Kolo & Dyze
A duo that has been gyrating dance-floors across London, submerging underground parties with their inspiring sound. With elements of dub, garage and down right dirtiness being injected into their deep house sets, the pair have been making a steady rise on the London circuit. Kolo & Dyze can often be found fullfilling their residency’s at either Roto or Connected, which are a solid part of London’s underground party scene. The pair are clearly making an impact with their sound and having graced the DJ booth alongside Subb-an, Danny Daze, Miguel Campbell, Waifs & Strays, Larse, Adam Shelton, Audiojack, Climbers, DJ Sneak, Richy Ahmed, Russ Yallop, Hot Since 82, Yousef, Nick Curly, Deepgroove, Inxec, Droog, and DJ W!ld.

Mali
A former music student and DJ who is rapidly achieving so much. Mali started DJing in 2009 at popular underground student nights like Naked Lunch at the Rainbow in Birmingham, which has predominantly been his hunter ground for quite some time. His DJing grew beyond the student parties, taking him to new heights in Birmingham, playing for Godskitchen, VIVa MUSiC, Cream Classics, Mixmag, Electricity, Rehab, Face, Substep, Dubmatic, 2.31, and his very own Seedy Sonics.
But eager to make his mark on the scene, Mali has continuously pushed his career to spread further than just the Birmingham music scene. And Mali has already demonstrated that, with an array of appearances in Ibiza at Ibiza Rocks, VIVa, Together Ibiza , Urban Heroes, One Night With at the legendary Space and Play 2, as well as Snowbombing (Austria), Outlook Festival (Croatia), Shambala Festival (UK) and Troupe in London.
Mali has clearly racked up a substantial amount of experience in such a short space of time and there are not many that can boast a list of DJs they have played alongside for the time he’s been spinning records. DJs like Steve Lawler, Claude Von Stroke, Art Department, Eats Everything, Justin Martin, Heidi, Martinez, Maya Jane Coles, Cassius, Simon Baker, Adam Shelton, Burnski and Darius Syrossian to name a few.

Neil Catlin
A London based DJ/Producer, following in the footsteps of a new breed of quintessential House and Techno artists taking the scene by storm. Having earned himself a residency at Connected, one of London’s leading monthly events, it is fair to say that such an accolade comes as just reward for Neil’s years of dedication towards cultivating the local underground music scene.
From Chris Stanford to Maya Jane Coles, Noir to Cadenza, Neil is an artist with meticulous understanding and appreciation for underground house music. His taste in both House and Techno is transparent throughout his intelligently crafted sets, forging Techno based sounds with rolling house rhythms.

Ian Tucker
Another of London’s prime talents who has been inspired by the DJ bug that runs through him and his brothers, Ian is an incredible craftsman on the decks where he molds the sound of his sets into a blend of Deep and Tech-House, plenty of groove and plenty of move. Ian’s talents have propelled him into some of the capital’s renowned venues like Ministry Of sound, Pacha London, SE-ONE, Plan B, Inigo and in particular Turnmills where Ian’s playing abilities were recognised by high profile promoters leading on to him playing sets in Ibiza and many more high profile London events.

VIRUNGA
The Boileroom, Guildford
22.12.2012
19:30 – 03:00

Virunga | Tickets | Facebook | RA |

Leading guerillas through Virunga…

Denney is part of the exciting new breed of electronic music talent emerging from the UK at the moment. Currently catching both the attention of his peers and dancefloors alike, with both his productions and DJ sets showcasing his own distinctive blend of acid house and techno.
Over the last four years he has held his residency at FUTURE in the north-east of England, playing with some of the biggest names in underground House music and gaining a strong following for not just his warm up sets but also for playing peak-time in between or after the guests. Alongside that his gig diary has seen him play for Pete Tong’s Wonderland, Ibiza Rocks, Manumission in Ibiza and MIKZ in Berlin in recent times. Then such high profile clubs in the UK as Shindig, Circus, Sankeys, Muzika, Ketoloco, Just Jack and he has a very strong connection to the infamous Back to Basics in Leeds, where he is a regular player.
Denney has released and remixed on labels such as Saved Records, Great Stuff, 20:20 Vision, Leftroom and Bulletdodge. His productions have gained support from Laurent Garnier, Dubfire and Jamie Jones, who has signed his music to Hot Creations.

Its evident that Denney is very much a forward thinking DJ looking to make a statement, not only from his latest promo mix for Virunga, where he will be leading the guerillas, not just from his own productions or his remixes, but also for the unprecedented support he has received from the likes of Nic Fanciulli, Bushwacka!, Ralph Lawson, James Lavelle and Yousef.

Guerilla Sounds caught up with Denney for a few words before he hits the decks and leads the night at Virunga on 02 November 2012, a night where Denney will unleash some secret weapons.

Many people recognise you for your “Ultraviolet” release on Hot Creations, but you have been involved in the music scene for some time now, even being charted as a Mixmag Future Hero in 2004. When did you first actually get involved in the music scene?
I originally started playing out when I was 16 in local clubs in the area, at the time the Sugarshack in Middlesbrough was one of the biggest clubs in the UK and I managed to start playing the backroom there weekly. From there on I started to meet people and make contacts and the whole thing just grew from there. I won the Northern Technics DJ Academy competition in Manchester when I was 19 and that led onto the Mixmag award etc. So I guess I’ve been doing this for a good twelve or thirteen years now!

You’ve received praise from industry professionals, Nic Fanciulli, Bushwacka!, Ralph Lawson, James Lavelle. Was it at this point it clicked that you were well and truly making it as a fully recognised artist or was there another moment when you realised?
To be honest its been very flattering to hear the support I’ve had from those guys as they are all people I look up to and have maximum respect for, but its only this year that I have really felt that things have started clicking into the place I want to be. “Ultraviolet” has been the main reason for that as I knew when I made that record it was different, I’m just so happy Jamie and Lee thought the same and put it out on Hot Creations!

As many will associate you with Hot Creations, you have actually released on label such as 20:20 Vision, Saved Records, VIVa MUSiC and Leftroom. Was it always your final goal to release on any of these labels and how do you find yourself fitting in with Hot Creations?
Well I have done originals on Saved and VIVa and remixes for 20:20 and Lefroom, its great to have released on these labels and I absolutely love what they put out. In regards to Hot Creations, I have been friends with Jamie, Richy, Rob and Miguel for years now due to when I used to work at Back to Basics in Leeds and we all used to party together and hang out. Rob and Miguel lived in Leeds also. I know them all on a personal level which is really nice and also they have all been great at giving me advice and pointers along the way which I am grateful for.

We can imagine that recent months have been very busy for you have played at numerous venues and parties; what has been the highlight gig for you recently?
I have two which are equal highlights but were both in the space of 24 hours. They were playing DC10 for Hot Creations Paradise party and then the afterparty at La Plage both in Ibiza. DC10 as it’s my favourite club on the planet and then La Plage was just a great fun vibe all day!

Do you have any secret weapons hidden in your box of trick that you will be dropping at the Virunga party?
I certainly do but I couldn’t possibly reveal them or it wouldn’t be secret anymore would it?!

Fair play to Denney, he has a point. For a DJ and producer who, even though he has been actively involved in the scene for sometime now, has exploded to the next level and upped his game. All that can be said is that we will certainly be looking forward to seeing him play at Virunga, and if his promo mix is anything to go by then guerillas will be swinging from the speakers.

Virunga
The Boileroom, 13 Stoke Fields, Guildford, England
20:00 – 03:00

Virunga | Facebook | Tickets | FB Event | RA | Boiler Room |

Virunga launches in Guildford…

Nestled deep within the heart of an undulating volcanic mountain range, at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, lies Virunga…
This sacred terrain pays homage to the distinctively endangered Mountain Guerilla. Lush with tropical forests and diverse mammal, bird, and reptile species, Virunga is a place which harnesses the combined essence and mystic spirit of eight dormant volcanoes. This is the place where all the guerillas meet, and under the cover of darkness with only the Luna illumination, they consort to the deep sounds of the Virunga terrain…

Continue reading “Virunga: Denney [Hot Creations]” »

Climbers hit the scene with instant success…

Consisting of two high-school friends from Mexicali, Mexico, these ambitious amigos established the Climbers and embarked upon their musical journey almost 18 months ago to the day. Boasting very different styles of music and contrasting musical influences; Jay having already been a DJ for several years and Kiko coming from a Rock band, they are certainly not your most conventional underground music duo…Yet they both seem to share one-view, one fundamental vision, “to be happy with ourselves and also the music we make, to put our thoughts, feelings and just let it go with the flow”.

One year-on, and the Climbers have already released their first EP, ‘Law of Attraction’ on Droog’s infamous Culprit LA; a record which has enjoyed being timelessly played-out by the likes of Kiki, Art Department, Droog, James Teej, My Favorite Robot, Tanner Ross, Miguel Campbell and Catz n Dogz.
They are proving that they are not just a one EP wonder, with their latest release, coming swiftly after their first success. “My Life” is the second EP in only a month, which has been released on Nervous Records and keeps in line with the distinct Climbers sound. The title track is very much the prominent piece of the EP boasting a blissfully soft vocal, a track that is going to be played all through the summer, far and wide.
Their music can be characterised by classic house percussions, overwhelming baselines, old school vocal sampling and atmospheric pads, which inevitably always pushes all of the right buttons.

Continue reading “Climbers – An Instant Breakthrough [Interview]” »

Climbers make their debut appearance…

Tickets | Facebook | RA |

Nestled deep within the heart of an undulating volcanic mountain range, at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, lies Virunga… This sacred terrain pays homage to the distinctively endangered Mountain Guerilla. Lush with tropical forests and diverse mammal, bird, and reptile species, Virunga is a place which harnesses the combined essence and mystic spirit of eight dormant volcanoes. This is the place where all the guerillas meet, and under the cover of darkness with only the Luna illumination, they consort to the deep sounds of the Virunga terrain…

Continue reading “Virunga Launch with Climbers [Culprit LA] UK debut” »

Guerilla Sounds launches their very own night of underground music….

Some of you may have seen the small hints now and then that we had something like this in the pipeline. Well we’ve finally got down to business and organised our very own “Virunga” night.

Virunga is primarily designed to push a true underground vibe of music in those places where it’s needed most. Now for anyone who doesn’t know what Virunga really is, you should know that Virunga is an area of Volcanic mountains along the borders of Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and home to the critically endangered mountain gorilla. This setting fused with core underground elements of London provides the perfect theme and objective of what the Guerilla Sounds, Virunga night is all about.

Virunga will be launched in the intimate settings on Il Bicchio, Saluzzo, Italy, which will be filled with as many friends and collaborators of Guerilla Sounds as possible. Entry is free and open to all.

Pumping out the tunes will be London bred Zilla back-to-back with local Cuneo talent, Mattia Bruno.
Zilla, a DJ who takes on a colourful spectrum of Tech-House, Minimal, Techno and Progressive sounds, is hyped for the night stating, “I feel good about playing Virunga because there’s a cool mentality to whole ethos of Virunga. When you kind of take in the idea of these volcanic forest mountains in Africa being blended with some of those London vibes, I just imagine some of the coolest music with tribal, jungle sounds and plenty of tribal instrumentals. I’ll have to dig deep in the record box for some strange deep forest style tracks”.
Mattia Bruno, being the local talent drafted in to provide the Italian take on things. He’s going to be shaking the venue with a slightly more minimal sound, which is sure to get people bouncing.

So for some fresh underground sounds blending the jungle of London and the Virunga mountains, make sure you don’t miss Virunga!

20.11.2010

Il Bicchio - VIRUNGA
Saluzzo (CN), Italy
22:00

Zilla
vs
Mattia Bruno

For more information visit Il Bicchio or Virunga on Facebook.