If you’re going to be a DJ when you grow up then you better be a producer too. Nowadays it goes hand in hand, the duality of the role is essential for those who wish to make it to the top. One such Irish DJ who seems to have all eyes watching him is Lorcan Mak. Mentioned previously we have been keeping a close eye on this talent. Born in 1989, yes you read that correctly 1989!!! He is taking the electronic music world into the grip of his hands.

After winning the IDJ Raw Talent competition for the month of December and now a new release out we feel 2010 is the year for him… check out his wears www.myspace.com/lorcanmak you will be bumping along to this one for sure.. After a memorable event at last years final DEAF festival EARWIGGLE is back in the basement of The Underground at Kennedy’s with Michael Forshaw and DJ Mustard Gunn as the international guests on February 6th. Michael Forshaw label Chan ‘n’ Mikes has fashioned some of the craziest techno and electro of the last ten years. Some releases that springs to mind are ‘I Love Horses’, ‘Cheerleaders’ or ‘Boyzone Make Me Wanna Smoke Crack’ title which have always demonstrated his humorous approach!! Making his Irish debut on the night is Coin Operated label head DJ Mustard Gunn. Completing the lineup is Redmonk who is one of the masterminds behind the !Kaboogie collective, who have also been pushing out some vinyl by the city’s best and most depraved producers.

Nightflight presents Downtownsounds 9^th birthday to us on the 26^th February at the Button Factory with Maurice Fulton famous for his hand in the early 90’s hit house tune Crystal Waters track Gypsy Woman . Always branching out Al Keegan and his Aciitone label have secured a new residency in Cacaou club, Zurich, Switzerland…. Working outside the homeland is an absolute for promoters who feel that venues are limited and closing times restraining. We can expect releases from the following artists on the label this year too Jet project, Matador, Kid Handsome, Jon Virtue, Hans Bouffmeyhre, Sourcecode, Bubba, Robsounds and more…. However it has not stopped LAUNDRY making a return to one venue in Dublin that has been a miniature epicentre of like minded music heads and DJ’s. Every  first Friday of the month the basement of Hogan’s on Georges Street will be alive with beats crossing the turntables onto the wooden floors. Free entry so you can’t go wrong…. Doing Laundry after work on a Friday never felt so good….

Spin on down to Laundry - First Friday of every month

Sundays at the same venue will now also see www.powerfm.org have a permanent home for all its DJ’s and crew. With too many days for rest and relaxation in our current economic climate Power fm plans to put Sundays firmly on the map as a day of creative control and musical experimentation…. Keep your ears peeled for the release from the Belfast duo Jet Project -GDM010 is a collection of six tracks. Jet Project, Ross Evana & Axel Bartsch has been released on vinyl as well as featuring on the full 6 track digital release which also has cuts from Andre Crom, Daniel Mehlhart & Darlyn Vlys. Orla Feeney has a new track “Lesson Learnt” which is going to be released by Vandit – Paul Van Dyk’s label, and also a remix for Indecent Noise out in February on Spellbinding records. Orla is now also with UK agency Most Wanted so we can expect more international gigs over the coming year. RTE’ PULSE Adam Fogarty has a new night running at The Good Bits called ‘Thunderbots’. It’s a breaks, bassline, Dubstep, electro night every 3 weeks. Next one on the 19th of February with Boy 8 Bit!! Excellent!

Man in the Mirror at The Good Bits Dublin

Festivals abroad such as Sonar and Airbound are starting to kick off events early this year with small scale parties in London. The next Airbound event takes place in London on Saturday April 03 which is the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. It’s a boat party on the Thames River with a line up still to be announced, watch this space for more events from Airbound team in Berlin and Barcelona Sonar plays host to ‘A taste of Sonar’ on the 5^th & 6^th March at the Roundhouse in Camden. With Laurent Garnier and DOOM who has previously worked under various pseudonyms including MF DOOM, VIKTOR VAUGHN, DANGER DOOM (with Danger Mouse) and MADVILLAIN (with Madlib). An essential figure for those with a taste for underground hip-hop on an outlandish tip….Bands AIR and LCD Soundsystem are confirmed for the festival in the summer… bring it on!         By Claire Roche