vault sessions blog series
An interview with CHAMI and OPH:
THE f2F PRoject
Together with Undisclosed, we invited CHAMI and OPH for an interview about their face-to-face project. They will be performing at our collaboration on 22 June 2024 in HAL25 in Alkmaar.
How does being face-to-face with the crowd affect the vibe of your show, and what sets it apart from other gigs in terms of connecting with the audience?
The setup creates a feeling resembling more to a concert or live show. It is very interesting for the crowd to witness our interaction during the show and our non-verbal communication. We developed a particular sign language over the years to communicate and understand each other’s intentions and needs.
The setup also perfectly transcribes our synergy and our special connection, which makes it more captivating. When we face each other, we are more focused on the flow and each other. Of course, we do throw regular quick looks to the side to observe the effect of our set on the audience.
From our experience we also see that the crowd is captivated by the face to face format, and is often trying to understand what we are doing and how we manage to play with such a setup.
Lastly, as we are both constantly active on stage, instead of taking turns between mixing and waiting moments, we are always in the mix.
What sparked the idea for you both to team up for a F2F performance, and how does this format offer a unique experience compared to solo gigs?
As very long time friends (over 12 years) we started digging music and practicing playing vinyl together. Shortly after moving to Berlin 10 years ago, we started to become more serious about our respective solo careers. As newcomers with similar style and crowd, it was easier for promoters that knew us to book us back to back because they did not have two slots to offer us separately. Our b2b journey started there.
After playing many back to backs together, we often realized after our shows that there were many moments where two layered tracks were perfectly matching and creating the ideal blend. We felt frustrated by the fact that as we play strictly vinyl we had to remove one of the tracks to give the booth back to the other DJ which was killing the moment.
First we thought of adding a third turntable when the Xone96 came out, because it allows us to have two different cues for two different headphones. While trying, we noticed it was inconvenient for us to be using the same mixer. We then got inspired by the old versus from Underground Resistance, the digital double setup and the side by side vinyl only setup from Sunil Sharpe and Hector Oaks.
During covid we had time to think about our setup. The idea of facing each other made sense for us to have a constant look on the other mixer. This forced us to communicate non verbally to avoid talking to each other in the booth and rely more on our feelings and eye contact.
We got asked to do a five hour live stream from our living room, which was the perfect opportunity to try this new format. We then recorded another set, that lead to our first booking for a festival in France.
What makes this format really unique is that it offers the opportunity to layer grooves and textures and merge our sound together even though playing strictly vinyl.
The dynamic of the sets and the intensity is never lost, even if we want to play certain tracks that would sound low energy in solo sets. We create a certain continuity in the storytelling hard to achieve with only two hands and one brain.
How do you prepare for a F2F set compared to going solo or doing a more 'traditional' B2B?
When going solo it is usually just about preparing your record bag to know where all the records are and having an intention of what you want to do artistically speaking.
As we are constantly layering tracks on top of each other to keep the dynamic, we have to align on the progression of the set so that the next tracks are matching in terms of intensity or artistic direction. We don’t want to break the moment by going too hard or too different in terms of style.
During the selection, we like to play loopy tracks, with mostly bleeps or drums, that allow us to create interesting blends. They bring a solid foundation to the set. From that, we then can bring more interesting textures and explore different atmospheres to elevate the set and make the show more diverse sonically speaking.
The preparation is much more intense than a regular B2B. This show requires more precision and consistency.
The most important aspect of a successful F2F is a coherent and well prepared selection that fits and creates the expected result. The record selection is the key before the show starts.
During the show it is very important to avoid any ego feeling as we are constantly shifting the leadership. Some moments Chami has the lead and OPH follows and other moments it's the other way around. When one of us has the lead and decides the direction to give, the other can adapt and enrich the sound with additional layers. This performance is based on trust so to ensure that the synergy and the flow is maintained during the whole performance. We need to constantly trust each other no matter what is happening in the moment. Our long time friendship combined with our special relationship makes it easy for us to do so. We know each other perfectly so we are able to react in the best way possible to any of our actions.
Something that is important to understand is that the main point of this show is not about showcasing our skills. We are not constantly layering 4 tracks at the same time as it is important to let some tracks breathe during some moments and not overwhelm the audience with too much sound information. We then alternate between intense and more minimalistic moments. The goal is to make people dance and dream at the same time.
What do you think makes a successful F2F set, and how do you ensure that synergy and flow are maintained throughout the performance?
When playing F2F the first time live, we both did a fader cut on each of our mixers at the same time, which first of all made us laugh but also showed we were really connected during this live experience.
Of course we have to mention the first time we played with this project in Berghain, which is a place where we both evolved a lot musically and as persons.
A more recent moment is our 11 hours closing at Bassiani, that pushed this project a next level. This challenge taught us a lot.
Any standout moments from past F2F gigs that really stick with you?
CHAMI F2F OPH: THE INTERVIEW
CHAMI F2F OPH: THE INTERVIEW
vault sessions blog series
Back to the Warehouse
Back in 2018, Vault Sessions started their anniversary warehouse series in Elementenstraat (called Warehouse Elementenstraat back then), with the event Vault III. A concept focused on bringing cutting edge techno to the Warehouse.
Warehouse events usually were left to the big players in the game, while club events were for the smaller, more underground, promoters. So seeing a club event taking over a warehouse was not that common.
For most people, the boundary between club nights and warehouse events also exists. While club nights often are perceived as personal and intimate, where nights can be experienced as a journey, warehouse events are more focused on the production and show, and on the so-called headliner artists playing, giving you peak time energy in a shorter timespan.
Vault Sessions, being a club event by heart, is seeking to blur the boundaries between the club nights and warehouse events, bringing club-like line-ups and intimacy to a space that allows more audiovisual creativity. At Vault V, the last event at E25, feverish visuals matched the raw music played back then. Although our sound differed from what you know of us today, the aim has always been to promote forward thinking techno and help push music originating from artistic vision.
As time has passed and we have matured, we feel ready to bring Vault Sessions to the warehouse again. A space allowing us more creative freedom, while staying true to our club values. We are ready.
BACK TO THE WAREHOUSE
BACK TO THE WAREHOUSE
ABOUT VINYL
In the dynamic realm of music, where melodies weave emotions and rhythms pulse with energy, a momentous shift occurred hand in hand with the rise of vinyl records and Thomas Edison's groundbreaking phonography magic.
Journeying back to the late 1800s, when Edison orchestrated the creation of the first-ever playable sound recording on a groovy disc; this was a turning point that didn't just remix the sound scene but left a massive mark on the entertainment history playlist. It set the stage for the mesmerizing vinyl symphonies that'd become our ear candy in the years to come. Those carefully carved grooves turned the invisible into touchable, making these records the ultimate groove foundation.
And the groove train didn't stop there. In 1943, DJ Jimmy Savile threw the planet's very first live DJ dance bash. Picture this: jazz records spinning, and Savile playing musical matchmaker just like our modern-day DJs. He even rocked the twin turntables, a trick that became a DJ superstar move.
Meanwhile, across the world in the Kingston neighborhoods of Jamaica in the 1950s, things were getting wild. DJs cranked up street parties with monster sound systems, becoming the party VIPs. They owned the show, battling to drop the freshest jams on the loudest systems. And get this – they'd rhythmically chant over the music, a little technique they called "toasting." Little did they know, they were planting the seeds for an impeccable musical transformation in history.
As these sonic seeds of change began to take root, a couple of bustling metropolises – Detroit and Berlin – were gearing up for an extraordinary collaborative journey. Just as the rhythm of the past set the foundation, a new tempo was about to take over. Picture this: techno music took center stage, harmonizing seamlessly with the surge of vinyl records, resulting in an exhilarating fusion. Brace yourself, for these vibrant urban hubs were on the cusp of reshaping the musical landscape, introducing fresh beats to groove to and an entirely novel auditory encounter. It was a symphony of change that would make waves in the world of sound.
Picture Detroit as this futuristic playground back in the 80s, where techno masterminds like Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson were cooking up a musical storm. With the rise of a new technological age, they had this wild and spontaneous idea to blend machines and music, and alas, Techno was born. It's almost like the robots decided to throw a dance party, and those relentless grooves they came up with? So catchy, that people couldn't stop tapping their feet and moving their heads to the beat.
Hold up, though! Berlin wasn't about to miss out on the fun. The image that we have today about Berlin would have not been the same without the force of techno. Over in the German capital, techno spread like wildfire in underground clubs and secret warehouse spots. DJs and producers were like sonic explorers, spinning vinyl records like magical compasses that guided us on mind-blowing trips through soundscapes that felt like a ride through a cosmic roller coaster.
And guess what? Vinyl records were the superstar sidekicks in this adventure. They weren't just ordinary discs; they were like passports to a sonic wonderland. DJs stacked them on turntables, whipping up seamless transitions that had everyone on the dancefloor going absolutely ballistic.
So why all the fuss about vinyl? Well, think of it as the ultimate dancefloor delivery system. Vinyl records were like the trusty messengers, carrying those thumping techno beats straight to our eager ears. You could touch them, feel their weight, and when that needle hit the groove, bam! A symphony of beats and melodies exploded into the air.
Fast forward a bit, and yeah, we got all this digital goodness now too. But guess what? Techno and vinyl didn't vanish into thin air. Vinyl records became these treasured relics that serious music fans and DJs hunted down like treasures, keeping that analog spirit alive.
There's something special about that scratchy sound and that whole ritual of setting the needle just right. It's like a secret handshake between you and the music, making every spin a bit of an adventure. Vinyl's not just a blast from the past – it's still a big deal in the underground scene. Most labels and artists are all about those vinyl releases, keeping that old-school vibe alive and kicking, for good reason.
And today? The party's still going strong. Techno is still pumping, and vinyl records are still spinning, bringing generations together on dancefloors around the globe. So whether you're a tech-savvy robot or a human with a serious beat addiction, the techno-vinyl saga is a true timeless experience.
So there you have it, the scoop on how techno music and vinyl records joined forces to shake up the electronic music world. It's a story of beats, vinyl grooves, and a whole lot of good parties that'll keep you moving and grooving for years to come.
To appreciate this pivotal point in electronic music’s history, the All Vinyl Weekender is our way of paying an ode to the records that still keep our beloved dancefloor moving. We’ll keep dancing for as long as the vinyl spins.
ABOUT VINYL
ABOUT VINYL
vault sessions blog series
BLASHA & ALLATT
The anticipation leading up to the Meat Free Weekender can be both thrilling and a test of patience. As we count down the days between each Vault Sessions we've decided to pull back the curtain and share some 'behind the scenes' stories. Launching our inaugural blog series for Vault Sessions, we're diving into the lives and stories of Blasha & Allatt. This UK-based duo exemplifies the narrative of collaboration, shared experiences, and a mutual love for music.
"Oi oi! So many memories," Steffi (Allatt) reminisces when asked about their favourite time playing together, "but one that stands out was playing at the DBA for the MF x Vault Sessions party in March - I promise we haven’t been bribed to say this - just pure f***ing vibes!" Tasha (Blasha) mirrors this sentiment, "a memory that comes to mind is when we played at FOLD... the funniest part of the night was when we went b2b2 with Tasha & Anabel, we were all a bit cooked, ended up playing at 155bpm and couldn't figure out how we'd started playing so fast!"
When they discuss their shared quirks, it's clear that their strong bond stems from friendship and a shared love of music. Steffi playfully pokes fun at Tasha's focus on her mixing, "Tash watches me the entire time while I’m mixing! After 11 years of playing together, she’s still making sure I can beat match, I guess!" Tasha counters, "Steffi sometimes plays curveballs that throw me off track! I call it Eurodance and it really annoys her!"
Regarding their shared love for discovering music? "That's what keeps things fun for us," they agree. "We're both actively discovering music we love playing. We've always influenced and inspired each other’s musical direction, which keeps us on this shared musical journey." The most special part? They love to wind each other up, teasing, “Ahhh yeah, I’ve had this one for a few months now,” if one is playing a new record, even if they don’t own it.
But what challenges do they face as a female DJ duo? Steffi shares, "Finding a decent sports bra that offers support and comfort while you’re playing," while Tasha suggests, "We focus on our craft, and if you’re good enough you’ll stand out, regardless of your gender." They both concur that their role as promoters offers the chance to platform other talented women in the scene.
As for advice to other duos, "Remember, the common goal is to create a cohesive body of music that compliments each other. Channel your individual creativity in the way you mix, and pick the right time to drop your tracks."
When asked to assign corporate titles to each other, they jokingly propose that Tasha would serve as the Logistics Manager, given her impeccable time management, while Steffi would be a slightly less predictable assistant, thanks to her rather relaxed attitude towards flight times and itineraries. But let's face it - isn't that unpredictability part of the fun? Their yin-yang dynamic might just be the secret sauce to their electrifying sets.
We’re thrilled to hear from Blasha & Allatt about how passionate they are about their connection with Vault Sessions. "Vault Sessions feels like home. Every time we play is amazing, and you can’t help but smile when you’re behind the decks!"
So there you have it - Blasha & Allatt. Humour, dedication, unity, and talent, all coming together to form a dynamic force. This is their story. Their sound. Their success. This is Blasha & Allatt, as genuine and forthright as they come. So thank you both for your time and for all the lovely vibes you bring to Vault Sessions!
written by Seif Farag