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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! |
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Convergence Preview: Interview with Phil Able, Cyberdog's "Music Department & Events Manager / Promoter"
Reported by HarderFaster
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Submitted 14-09-04 00:50
As Convergence gets ready to celebrate her 6th Birthday this Saturday, we thought we’d catch up with Cyberdog's main music man PHIL ABLE to get his opinion on clubbing, music and his fellow Djs, as they get ready to unleash their own brand of madness on Frantics little sister…
1) What is your role at Cyberdog?
My official job description is "Music Department Manager" although I add "Events Manager/Promoter”. I buy all the music that we sell and decide which of our branches stock which CD's, both internationally as well as here in the UK. Cyberdog are launching in Brazil and Germany soon which I’m really excited about. I think I may have to go and do some market research.. especially Brazil  Maybe I can persuade Eduardo to give me the grand tour...
2) Why did you decide to work at Cyberdog?
Oddly enough, I saw their ad in Metro of all places and was originally assistant manager at the Covent Garden shop. I then took over managing the brand accessories departments at the flagship store in Camden, and, when Cyberdog resident DJ Soylent (James) left, the natural progression was to fill his Swears (or "shoes") as music is my real passion.
Phil Able & Soylent
3) How long have you been DJing?
I mixed my first two tunes about 6 years ago. One was on vinyl, and the other was on a cassette ( ) I used a Carlsbro 300w powered mixer. Only after I’d done a bunch of house parties with this luxurious hi-tech set-up did I graduate to... SOUNDLABS.
4) How would you describe the music you play?
I play virtually every style of music I enjoy listening to so that means electro, house, techno, hard house, trance, progressive trance/house, psy-trance, industrial breakcore, psycore, industri-house. I really do love playing different styles and I need to, just to maintain my sanity (Ed - sanity.. Phil?) I listen to so much hard dance at work I really like to play other genres outside “the office”. Styles I’m not hearing all the time. It's my love of hard dance that drives me to play other styles so I can keep it fresh, otherwise I'd go proper potty.
Phil Able in action
5) What producers inspire you and why?
James Lawson, Ali Wilson, Banga Matt, George E, Marc Johnson and Greg Brookman are doing it for me right now. There are some serious up and coming guys who are going to get people’s attention. Colin Romeo and ADZ (Smile Records UK) have a really nice punch to their stuff. Alici (Dave Holmes / Steve Morley) always makes me listen. As far as long term fave producers go, Astrix, Infected Mushroom, Nick Sentience, Larry Lush, GMS, Dark Soho and Marco Bailey... the list goes on and on. Endless.
6) What DJs do you admire and why?
Generally, my favourite DJs aren't hard dance names at all - DJs like Coldcut, DJ Shadow, Freelance Hellraiser, Terry Toner and Herr Arter (Electronation NL) and Randall. Hard dance wise I look up to Fabry, George E, Kristian, Tony DeVit (RIP), Blu Peter, RR Fierce (RIP.), and Mark EG.
7) What was the best Cyberdog event you have been involved with and why?
Probably the first Cyberdance with Fevah @ Heaven.*Ting* and James were running the Cyberdog production side of thing then. We had the Soundshaft, and Fevah had the main room. I had to go on last after Stirling Moss and I was quite blatantly shifting gas in large amounts! But loads of the Cyberdog staff were there, as well as lots of my personal friends (some are both incidentally!) and the whole set seemed about two minutes long. The atmosphere itself was enough to take the roof off without any music. It flew past, and will always stay with me cos it was the first time I'd seen the whole Cyberdog culture thing come together; the music, the promotion, and the clothing.
8) Can you give HF a brief explanation of why each of the artists in the Cyberdog room at the 6th Birthday for Convergence were chosen and what you think they bring to the event?
I have deliberately chosen DJs to gradually turn up, peak, and then sustain the intensity of the Cyberdog room. I also chose DJs who are involved in parties that are known for their wicked atmosphere, loyal following, and general "go-to-any-lengths-to-do-the-business" approach to having real fun. Many of them have played me at their events and I have been waiting for a chance to return the favour. I was lucky to be able to include some of my best DJ buddies as well.
Moni - Cyberdog resident and Solid Kiss @ Turnmills promoter
Sound DJ, very particular about her tune selection. Great girl to have about in case there's a beer flood. Her tough but melodic 90 minutes will be the perfect warm up for...
Soylent
My predecessor @ Cyberdog and a fine DJ in the techno style (also knows his onions on the hardcore scene big-time). All-round nice guy, Soylent's delivery of hard funky techno is going to pick the pace up a bit for....
Phil Able & Dr. Duzzit b2b
EZ Duzzit promotions have been guilty of noise pollution in basements, squats, farmyards, clubs, festivals and woodlands for over 7 years now. I've had lots of fun playing for them - how could I not have Tony? I’ll always remember seeing them set up a sound system in a festival car park. The crowd went nuts and the law was forced to let em get on with it. Choice!
MishMash & De-scent
Since winning a Cyberdog DJ comp, MishMash has been using his prize of DJing at the Camden shop to the max. And just as well. He’s so versatile and consistent, he even fills in for me during my manic weekends while I deal with the sales side of things. When I'm not so busy we play real "MishMash" b2b sessions of psy-trance, hard trance / house and techno. De-scent has been supportive of me ever since I played one of my early sets @ Armageddon, Hackney, years ago. After he got me along to open for Atomic Energy I'm really glad to have the chance to get his roaring hard trance peak time sound heard by the Frantic crowd. They’re gonna love it! The quality of Atomic Energy's parties needs no introduction.
Fabry & Peace b2b
So established on the underground scene they should have national holidays named after them.  Both are Antiworld residents and both have their own highly respected, quality productions in their arsenal. Although I know their material inside out, I have to be honest and say I've only ever seen each of them play once, cos I'm always playing another room or another club at the same time. I will be so looking forward to this set 
Group 185
After they played Cyberdog for that historic Group 185 launch party, and seeing them play @ Atomic Energy, I really wanted to be sure their tune selection was as spot on as I thought - Apart from that they were the natural choice as we don't have enough stage space to accommodate Group 185 themselves so hopefully their support DJs will bash out a load of Group 185 tunes...which is nice!"
Group 185 LIVE! at Cyberdog
9) More generally, Phil, what do you think the whole Cyberdog experience will bring to Convergence?
We have the most Cyberesque, dynamic following in the Cyberdog room. Our customer base is the most extreme range of clubbers on the scene. You see as much Cyberdog clothing and accessories at specialist events such as Torture Garden and Perversion as you do at the more mainstream events such as Creamfields, Homelands, and Frantic. I intend to fill the room with the happiest most extreme looking mentalists in the building.
10) What has been your fave gig as a DJ and why?
My fave gig as a DJ was probably when I had a residency @ a club on the south coast of Turkey called Manhattans. I wasn't even that competent really, but blagged the job somehow.. It was the day the schools and colleges closed and when word got out that a DJ from England was playing, everyone and their dog turned up. It seemed like it was the first time they'd ever heard tunes like ATB - 9pm 'til I Come, Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar, Lucid - I Can't Help Myself, that kind of sound. Security had to help me out of the DJ box cos there were all these people crowded around the bottom of the steps waiting to get photos and autographs. It felt totally unjustified but I wasn't going to burst their bubble, or mine. It really looked like they were enjoying themselves like never before.
11) What has been your fave gig as a clubber and why?
Seeing Tony DeVit at either Homelands or Creamfields. Sorry! That period of my life is a big fuzzy blur. I've never seen any artist get a welcome to the stage like that and I was proud to be part of the crowd that day. I remember John Kelly, Alistair Whitehead and Dave Seaman played the same tent but TdV really did it for me that day.
12) Where would you most like to play?
I missed the chance to go and play in the Sinai desert on NYE with my mate Kane. I'd really love do a tribal vocal prog psy trance set in that setting.
13) What one thing would you most like to change about clubbing in London?
I'd like to ban specific labels before a certain time of night. I get really de-motivated hearing hoover-fest tunes at 10:30 pm. They need to select their opening DJs better. Too many parties are up at 152 bpm too soon and then the DJs wonder why the crowd looks burnt out and bored. Go figure.
14) How do you think the internet has changed clubbing?
Obviously the range of information available on the net helps everyone stay on the ball a lot, plus there's the whole soundbyte download issue which has its pros and cons. The exposure DJs / producers / promoters can get via the net is huge but I think more could be done to promote nights such as live webcams in clubs, live net radio broadcasts from clubs.
Thanks to Phil for his entertaining answers 
You can catch Phil and his lineup at Convergence.....
CONVERGENCE: The 6th Birthday
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On:
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Saturday 18th September 2004
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At:
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The Scala [map]
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From:
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22.00 - 06.00
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Cost:
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£12.50 +bf EARLY BIRD TICKETS
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Website:
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www.franticuk.com
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Ticket Info:
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Limited Early Bird tickets £12.50+bf on sale now!
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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After months of travelling around the Capital we return to our new home at The Scala! And we aren’t just returning for just any night!
6 years ago a night was born which brought together the best aspects from Hard House & Hard Trance and fused them all together to create a hybrid night which was all about that extra little something! We present to you Frantic’s sister club on her 6th Birthday: Convergence!
For the 6th Birthday Convergence has stuck to its routes and is bringing you a birthday celebration with a difference!
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Flyer:
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Other Features By HarderFaster:
HarderFaster Awards 2016 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2014 - The results are in!
Lashes, Dimples and the Brighton Music Conference
HarderFaster Awards 2013 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2012 - The results are in!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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I'll be there from December to March and will check it out for ya!!!
Very nice m8!!!Keep it goin!!! 
