by RAF KATIGBAK

As Mother Nature makes it harder and harder to leave the comfort of the embryonic sac that is your couch, it seems that local promoters and DJs are reacting by organizing some must-see events, making the decision all the more harder.

For fans of all things minimal make sure to check out France’s Phillippe Cam as he brings his hypnotic, melodic, loop-based sound to O Patro Vys this Friday, Feb. 21. Local experimental imprint Oral will be hosting the evening and other performers will include tlon, Dr. P®axil and of course the mighty Akufen (who is rumoured to be currently working on a Massive Attack remix). The whole she-bang starts at 9 p.m.

With Rotation gone and Noize recently closing up shop, fans of the minimal sound will be happy to know that there is a new record store in town catering specifically to that sound. Hub_Musiques is the latest brainchild of Mutek and FCMM organiser Alain Mongeau, Laika owner Samuel Lambert and DJ giant and Musique Risquée co-founder Vincent Lemieux. Located right next to Laika, the space boasts a wide selection of cutting-edge sounds and a clean minimal, aesthetic. The launch party is this Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Laika.

The midweek madness continues and it seems that this week, Wednesday is the new Thursday (which was, at one point, the new Friday). If you don’t already know, Flexout owns Saphir on Wednesdays and this week is no exception. After last week’s stunning Dr.Noh set, the Flexout crew ups the ante with a live performance by local breakcore act 1 Speed Bike. Y’all should know who that is already but in case you don’t, know this… 1 Speed Bike rules!

Also on Wednesday, Mitchell Akiyama’s Intr_version label “crawls out of hibernation” for a special evening of “eclectic-electro-organic” music. On the menu that night will be Akiyama himself (with Eric Craven from Hanged Up on drums), Winnipeg’s Vitamins for You and Intr_version artist Ghislain Poirier. Things get kicking ’round 9 p.m., $5 at the door. Poirer has also released two new tracks available free for download at www.oreillebionique.com/ghis/GhislainPoirier.html. The tracks, which feature the Montreal artist singing and rapping, are a fun and refreshing departure for Poirier (check out the excellent “Du Gratuit” where he raps about eating poutines “passé date” and repping his Pointe St-Charles ’hood).

Saturday’s Soulmeka at Salon Daome (141 Mont-Royal E.) continues its Tribute to Black History Month series with a special DJ set by returning resident Bettina, aka Bougie Soliterre. Also that evening, check out African vocalist Tiyi from Togo as she performs from 10:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. The cover is $5 and the party will be broadcast live worldwide on the biggest deep-house radio station on the net, netmusique.com. :

Arret de niaisé avec le puck! Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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