Jens is a real house-music nerd. There is something about a 4 by 4 beat, 125 bpm and the warm, rolling house sound that he cannot live without. In this series; ‘Dancefloor maintenance’, we ask him to do a little write-up on how the programme came together and what we can expect for the coming month.
So; What’s up for January?
2018 just kicked off and if our last weekend of 2017 is an indication of how the new year will be, we’re in for a treat. I still get giggly with excitement with the blast that was our NYE party.
The start of a new year also marks new evenings, new artists, new external hostings and a new ticketing policy for our own events. From the 1st of January, the entrance fee for Canvas op de 7e will always be 7 euros. Next to it being a homage to our top floor, I want Canvas to be accessible. And with the new policy we thought we found the golden midway to being accessible but still being able to bring you quality artists. 7E op de 7e.
5th & 6th of January
The first weekend of January I invited Mino Abadier & Beumer to join us in the booth. The dreamy, drawn out & sometimes slow paced tracks with Arabic influences of Mino Abadier and African influences of Beumer are a perfect way to kick off the new year in style. The night after, Pal & Secam are taking over. These two have been killing it at Canvas for some time now, the extreme blends in genres they play have one common denominator and are all focussed on three things: dance! move! groove!
DJ SENC and Aurelius are up the 12th of January. DJ SENC – Alfredo – and I had an instant click as soon as I stepped into his citybox filled to the brim with records. It was a great pleasure to go through all the labels that have a growing presence in my own collection. All laid out & perfectly sorted. Being the head honcho of Seawolf Records, he is a walking encyclopedia for house music – with strong links to the Italian house scene from the 90s. There simply isn’t a better fit in Amsterdam than Aurelius, who has made it his life mission to explore just these sounds. It’s no surprise these two know each other well and have shared the booth on more than one occasion. Saturday the 13th marks the day where we’re being slung out of our new years haze – and are going full-force into the night with Makossa and Pascal Benjamin. The grooving, Chicago influenced style these guys are playing is a perfect kickstart to the winter season.
My biggest discovery of ADE ‘18 was Tala Drum Corps, I saw him perform in Cinetol, where he did a short set with only his own productions. It’s quite rare to hear a producer who creates truly new sounds. The strong acid influences in his sound make for a unique dancing experience, one that I can only recommend you hear live. He knows how to surprise you while he takes you by the hand on a journey that will be baffling.
Radio de Koperen Hond takes over Canvas on the 20th – with their (very) dry wit and knack for the performing arts & theatrical approach to a dance floor, they will create a new dancing experience. I’ll leave you in suspencer (pun intended) on exactly what the night will bring.
The last weekend of January, oh my, this is a weekend of house with a capital H. Probably all-caps would be more appropriate now that I think about it. Joël Hemmen and Herra played after each other during Solar Festival last year. After their sets they were both in awe of each others sets. While putting this night together I asked both Joël and Herra who they’d like to play alongside – there was an instant mutual agreement that they wanted the night together.
To close off January, we have a huge evening planned on the 27th with Stevn.Aint.Leavn and Alex Salvador. Another connection with Beste Modus, which is becoming a Canvas classic. I’m honored that we’re joined by Alex Salvador during this night. While deciding the musical direction for Canvas, I’ve been heavily influenced by the musical vision and the releases that his label Tomorrow Is Now, Kid! has been pushing for years, so it’s great to have him on board for this evening.
All in all January marks the month where I have the feeling the sound of Canvas is being solidified, the diversity within the set vision is taking shape, and I’m proud of the range of artists we have filling the booth this month. Greatly looking forward to this month and as always;
Zie je links voor.
Jens Rasmussen
