Beats & Pieces

<URTHBOY

After months of scheming and plotting, the Alchemy crew are back. Scene presents four of Germany’s techno pioneers, including Mo’s Ferry label mainstays Dapayk & Padberg (yes, that Padberg - the one from those Victoria’s Secret catalogues you read for the articles), Marcel Knopf and Oliver Koletzki (of Stil Vor Talent fame) at Barsoma on Saturday April 10. A local cast of thousands - including YokoO, miDium, Mr Killen, Pushy Vagrants, Fergus Alexander and more - support.

UK trip hop pioneers Massive Attack are set to play their first Australian show in seven years at Brisbane Riverstage this Tuesday March 23 with support from Martina Topley-Bird. If you don’t want to wait another seven years to see the ‘Teardrop’ stars, you better get on that.

ATP Up Late continues at GoMA this Friday March 19 with beats from Astronomy Class (featuring the talents of Ozi Batla, Sir Robbo and Chasm), Unkle Ho and Dank Morass. Iconic crooner Kamahl brings the curtain down on the exhibition next Friday March 26 with Scott Spark.

If Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls weren’t able to pronounce their vowels, they would sound exactly like NZ rapper PNC. His fluid flow on hit single ‘Tonight’ has drawn comparisons to both those legends; see what all the fuss is about when he headlines Envyus - Shooters Nightclub’s VIP event for the ladies - on Tuesday March 23 with Dezastar, Juicy, Vita and MC Fortafy.

After suffering a cardiac arrest and falling into a coma last month, legendary MC Guru (of Gang Starr and Jazzamatazz fame) has reportedly awoken and announced he is “doing fine”. However, the statement came through Guru’s production partner Solar, whose credibility has been questioned by DJ Premier and members of Guru’s family. Watch this space ...

After playing to over 10,000 people on the ‘Spitshine’ tour last year and navigating his way through the summer festival season, the time for a new Urthboy headline tour - with new visuals, new dance moves and, yes, new tunes - has come. Jane Tyrell and Elgusto get in on the action when the ‘Sneakquel’ tour rolls through The Great Northern on Thursday April 29; The Step Inn on Friday April 30; and Never Land Bar on Saturday May 1.

One of Australia’s most respected MCs, Mantra - of Illzilla infamy - is preparing to drop his debut solo album. ‘Power Of The Spoken’ finds the Obese Records star “exploring the word and the language as the most effective tool for discourse”; it’s out Friday March 26.
uTurbo Records star Matt Walsh isn’t afraid to admit he’s been heavily influenced by Adam Ant and The Human League, and that’s why we love him. The London DJ will join swaggering Frenchman Noob for Kclub’s Turbo Recordings Night at The Ruby Tramp this Saturday March 20.

Uber’s Whatever Wednesdays crew have got Saint Patty’s day sorted. Likely lads Dope’n’Dusted, Habebe, Sammy Brown vs K-Time, Ill Kid, Cutloose, Danny Cool and Van Miert will paint themselves green, steal a few potatoes and load up on Guiness for their authentic St Patrick’s Day Soiree this Wednesday March 17.

The Edge - the latest addition to the State Library of Queensland - has sent out a call to arms for all FL Studio users. Videogame soundtrack producer and electronic musician Andrew Curnock is set to host a series of workshops aimed at helping intermediate to advanced users of the music program hone their production skills; the workshops will explore electronic and hip hop production, voice samples and remixing. http://edgeqld.org.au