by RAF KATIGBAK

Looks like there are some major moves happening in Montreal's afterhours scene lately. Amidst the recent confirmation of co-founder Alain Vinet's departure from Stereo and the rumours of David Morales's uncertain future as a Saturday night resident (he has confirmed his presence there on NYE), two other residents have decided to part ways with their respective clubs. With the recent departure of DJs Pink Feria and Laflèche, it looks like Sona is getting ready for a major overhaul, as they've just announced the temporary closing of their doors for the next couple of weeks in order to complete their construction. In the meantime, 514 Productions is getting ready for their annual NYE Celebration party, which looks to be a doozy with special guests Roy Davis Jr., Felix Da Housecat and DJ Rap.

Whispers of a new downtown afterhours have turned out to be true, as DJ Angel Moraes recently confirmed the opening of his new club Gravity at 30 Ste-Catherine W. (that's right, under Dôme) on Dec. 20. Obviously the nightlife world is a-buzz with exciting prospects of a new space, a new sound and a new vibe. Full report coming soon...

If you're at all an electro fan, you'll be familiar with the infamous Dutch school of hard beats that have spawned such luminary labels as Bunker, Clone, Viewlexx and Murdercapital. Tonight, Thursday, Dec. 11, dark electro heads will certainly blow a chip as Dutch group the Novamen hit Overdose at Parking for a live set of deadly, pounding breaks (think late-'80s Miami boom), ultra-heavy bass and ripping synth lines. If you have an unhealthy obsession with the film Blade Runner, have an asymmetrical haircut and gothic lettering on your clothes, feel a kinship with the robot in that Short Circuit movie, or like to dance, you should probably check these guys out. Add to that line-up Montreal's own IDM replicant David Kristian and you've got yourself one solid night of live music, all for a measly $4! Don't forget, show starts at midnight sharp. Be there!

It seems that Parking's Playground nights are quickly becoming the place to be on Sundays. Boasting quality beats and an unpretentious atmosphere, gay and straight house heads alike are thrilling to the sounds of Patrick Dream and the Bombay Records crew. If deepness is a must, then drop on by!

In case the Montreal D&B massive didn't know, Urban Sound Resistance Crew has been holding it down every Friday over at Blue Dog for some time now. Well, this Friday, Dec. 12, catch NYC's Survival crew (Human, Tuffist and winner of jungle-DJ-name-of-the-year Bass Nacho) as they get set to invade Junglist Fridays with residents Stabba & MC Y, Corey K, RCola and Mayday. Cover is $5, $3 before midnight.

Don't forget, tonight, Thursday, Dec. 11, soul singer and downtempo darling Cheryl Sim (remember Gazelle?) joins Clayton Macdonald at O Patro Vys for some sweet soul music.

I like my beats like I like my coffee... Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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