Frequency Festival Saturday: Max Dean, Skream

Max Dean

Skream

UK dubstep pioneer known for foundational tracks like 'Midnight Request Line' before transitioning to house and disco.

Joe Rolét

There’s a lot that goes into what makes Joe Rolét unique but arguably the most important factor is time. For years, the West London selector, producer and label boss has thrown hours of work into carving out a sound that’s truly his and his alone. Be that in his DJ sets, productions or management and curation of his label, all shot through an all encompassing, cosmic lens, that time spent carving out his path has led him to where he is today. His DJ sets, while traversing down a consciously crafted path, are never the same experience. Whether he’s rolling a carefully-considered 123bpm session that navigates through intricate sounds and space-age throbs or raising the stakes with a peak-time 130bpm showdown that bumps and drops with intent, his decision-making behind the decks has given countless parties its highlight moments. His vinyl-focused label, Planetary Notions, has acted as a vehicle for his intergalactic productions, affectionately-known in close-knit circles as ‘space pace’, and his own releases have all have received a wide range of support from the likes of Rhadoo, SIT, Nastia, Fred P, Sonja Moonear, Apollonia and Craig Richards. Further to that, the subbed out specialist’s records have been setting the tone on the world’s most revered soundsystems, with DC-10, Dimensions and Sunwaves all making the list. The label has released at a deliberately gradual pace since its inception, with each record gaining more attention than the last but the real area of growth has been within the extensive arsenal of unreleased productions Joe has been building over the years. During DJ sets he regularly plays his own unreleased tracks with the idea that most may not receive general release, catering to the unique sound only he can play. Requests for his unreleased material vastly outweigh those for what is readily available on the shelves and that’s the beauty of it. His most recent Infuse ‘Locked In’ mix showcases an hour made up exclusively of his own productions and the tracks that didn’t make the cut can usually be heard in person, in front of a soundsystem, the way they were designed to be absorbed; directly through your chestplate. The Planetary Notions mantra, which promotes “custom-built club-music for those that know or those seeking to discover” extends way beyond the musical compass of the imprint and in their five years of existence, the label parties of the same name, have become an industry tip, becoming some of the best, intimate parties on the circuit. Every hand-picked venue was chosen based on originality, with the party at the forefront of the decision. Ukiyo-e, a party run alongside Elijah Bailey that also became an underground staple, was put in place to focus on the vibrant, groovier side of their material. Between the two events, Joe’s wide-ranging musical spectrum is heavily demonstrated and with Rolét acting as the conductor, three things are guaranteed; Unparalleled sound, attention to detail and rhythms to make a dancefloor swing. Joe Rolét’s Rinse FM residency has acted as a vital platform for his musical offerings and has shown off his comprehensive cosmic ear, with all pockets of the minimal sound included. He’s put forward themed shows that summarise where he’s at any given month and guests have included Vlad Caia and Olga Korol, alongside trusted label-mate Elijah Bailey. With spells based in London, Leeds, Berlin and Ibiza, the sounds and influences from each highly-regarded clubbing destination manifest within the sessions, allowing Rolét’s flawlessly aggressive mixing style and sonic impact to shine through with every show. Support from Mixmag, RA, ID, Boiler Room Debuts and DJ Mag over the last five years has only cemented the fact that the time he’s put into his vision has paid off. Through coveted releases via Beeyou, Courtesy Of Balance and most recently, his hotly anticipated debut via Fuse’s Infuse label, ‘Maximum Width, which comes with a heavy-hitting remix from FUSE resident Rich NxT, Joe Rolét’s ambitious ideology is coming together. Joe Rolét’s journey through dance music has been a long-time in the making but in many respects, it’s only just begun and it’s only a matter of time before those seeking to discover, have found what they’re looking for.

Luke Dean_

Luke Dean has emerged as one to watch on the UK underground scene, infusing the spirit of 90s Chicago house with the old garage house flair. With hooking, bouncy basslines, and irresistibly catchy vocals, Luke’s sound channels the energy and groove of classic house while propelling it into the modern dancefloor. Luke’s journey into music began with a deep-rooted appreciation for the rich tapestry of electronic sounds. Inspired by luminaries of the genre, he found resonance in the works of MJ Cole, Tod Edwards & Grant Nelson. Drawing from these influences, he crafted a sonic identity that pays homage to the golden era of house music while carving out his distinctive niche. Having honed his craft in the studio and behind the decks, Luke has made his mark with numerous releases on esteemed labels such as Polydor, neXup, Belief, South, and MicroHertz. His tracks, characterized by their chunky grooves and engrossing musicality, have garnered acclaim from critics and fellow artists. Luke is a commanding performer, capturing audiences with his infectious energy and seamless mixing skills. His performances at iconic venues like Fabric London, DC10, The Warehouse Project, and After Caposile have solidified his reputation as an educated selector who knows how to work a crowd. In addition to his solo ventures, Luke has shared stages with esteemed artists such as Kerry Chandler, Chris Stussy, Locklead and many more further cementing his position within the global electronic music community. Luke’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. With a slew of shows lined up across Ibiza, Amsterdam, Italy, and the UK, he continues to charm audiences with unforgettable performances and riveting track selections. As he continues to evolve and push the boundaries of his sound, Luke Dean stands as a testament to the enduring power of house music, breathing new life into a genre steeped in tradition while charting a course all his own.

Pirate Copy