The Spice Cellar

AN INTIMATE AFFAIR WITH NINA KRAVIZ: SPICE BLACK IN REVIEW

The Spice Cellar — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:41:54 +0000

Posted by beatodyssey on May 14, 2013

The music started but no sound came out. Headphones tilted to one side. Nina reset the gear and began layering techno into enigmatic house. The crowd stood transfixed, as this new sound is quite different from her sexy slo-mo productions that are now a thing of the past.

Expectations were high on the 4th of May and so was the price tag. This was the launch of Spice BLACK with Nina Kraviz. A gold-class ticket price included drinks, food and transport, to create what was labeled as, “an intimate affair.”

There was much debate over whether this event was setting a precedent for the Sydney club scene. A $150 ticket price no doubt alienated some of the target audience. A lot of Nina’s hardcore fans would not have been able to attend this event. “Where do you draw the line?” was something I regularly overheard throughout the night and some people couldn’t even fathom how to enjoy the event. People were paying the same amount as they would to go see 4 or 5 of their favourite acts play at any Australian music festival such as Future Music or Stereosonic, the latter being where Nina played at last year. There was of course, the possibility that the event was overhyped and people would end up disappointed.

The two story complex in Alexandria was transformed to resemble Sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom festival. The Staff were dressed in traditional Japanese attire, a BBQ was going outside with Japanese delicacies, while cherry blossoms fought for space with neon lights along the roof. I had not seen production quality of this kind in Australia ever before. However, this is the sort of execution I expect from Spice.

The crowd was a mixed bag of Sydney’s top DJ’s, clubbing elite and scenesters. It was noticeably jarring at times. At one point I walked past a group of men staring at the booth, unbeknownst to them, a large number of partygoers had formed a dance circle around them. However, as the night marched on their analyses were cast aside. Everyone was there for the same fundamental reason, to listen to interesting music in a unique environment.

Excellent warm up sets came courtesy of Spice vixens Morgan and Gabby who went back to back for a trippy house adventure. Their brand of dark and deep music was intense and introspective. This was then followed by Nic Scali and Marc Jarvin who got the crowd moving away from the bar and straight to the dance floor with big mid-tempo techno tracks teeing things up for Nina.

As Nina got underway, the crowd began to dance erratically. The cheers rose with every single record mixed. Working off the enthusiasm of the screaming crowd, Nina went harder. Everyone was feeling the beautiful buildup of music Nina was crafting. Just when you thought she was about to bring everybody back to earth, Nina would drop something more aggressive like James Ruskin’s remix of Marcel Dettmann’s record ‘Corebox.’ I was completely bemused at how the set had become increasingly hypnotic and lifting at the same time.

The only mild moment during the set came as a sort of intermission with the Morgan Geist re-vision of Hydronaut’s ‘Deep in the Feeling.’ But no one paused weirdly; it just led the way for more frenetic fist pumping. Nina ensured people got their money’s worth. She knew people paid a lot to get there and there was not going to be any dissatisfied techno customers.

Unfortunately, as it happens too often, the party was over too soon, wrapping up at 10pm. But like everything else at this gig, Spice had it sorted. Arranging transport back to Spice where Nina kicked on for another 3 hour set. What stood out about Spice BLACK was the attention to detail. It not only certified a cool set from one of the world’s top DJs but allowed for a complete sensory experience which produced a dynamic and enriching atmosphere. Despite initial hesitations, Spice BLACK ended up being well worth the money.

Words: Dan Watts

Photos: Patrick from Hobogestapo

SOFT&SLOW 28.06 w/ OTOLOGIC (C Grade – MELB)

The Spice Cellar — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:04:11 +0000

No other DJs have been better groomed to steer Melbourne in the right direction as disheveled duo, Otologic. Whether they’re growing their own local residencies, bringing international talent to Melbourne or being called upon to warm up for such legends as DJ Harvey and Andrew Weatherall (amongst an impressive list of others), Otologic are cult figures of Melbourne’s underground. Their services have even been utilized further ashore in support of James Murphy and J.G. Wilkes at Glasgow’s famous Sub Club.

Supports:

Pink Lloyd (Softwar)
http://soundcloud.com/sof-1

DreamCATCHer (Slow Blow)
http://soundcloud.com/slow-blow

& Guests

Midnight to 6am

Pre-Sale tickets available through Resident Advisor.

Brought to you by :

RECKLESS REPUBLIC – a higher state

Thursday night (live): Jake Meadows

The Spice Cellar — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:32:40 +0000

Listen to Jakes Meadows ‘Stranger’

The Spice Cellar is thrilled to welcome back Jake Meadows performing solo this Thursday 16th May. There is so much that can be said about Jake Meadows, but he is best described as an eclectic young muso performing live with his magnificent harp. Not only is he a master musician but his passion and delivery of his art is second to none. This you can experience first hand every time he performs his music.

For more info, head HERE.

Bar & kitchen open from 16:00, serving cocktails and dreams.

(live) music from 19:00-22:00

For more info contact; info@thespicecellar.com.au or (02) 9223 5585

SOFT&SLOW 31.05 w/ GRATTS (Ensemble/22Tracks – BE)

The Spice Cellar — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:20:50 +0000

Gratts has been carrying his records to happy club and festival crowds across Belgium, Holland and Germany for years, taking pride in being one of Belgium’s best kept secrets. He got into underground dance music in the late nineties and now curates the house section for 22tracks.com with Kong, also hosting ensemble, dedicated to togetherness and deep, timeless house music. Being a member of the small but dedicated We Play House family led to Gratts teaming up with San Soda to form Het Collect-Ief Deruyter. In the last few months, Gratts made appearances at places like Tief (Corsica Studios London),Trouw (Amsterdam), Studio 80 (Amsterdam), About Blank (Berlin), Chalet Club (Berlin), Wilden Renate (Berlin), Planet Rose (Doornroosje Nijmegen), Fuse (Brussels) among other spots.

Supports:

Pink Lloyd (Softwar)
http://soundcloud.com/sof-1

DreamCATCHer (Slow Blow)
http://soundcloud.com/slow-blow

& Guests

Midnight to 6am

Free b4 midnight with Guest-List Entry, just head to this link and add yourself here.

Brought to you by :

RECKLESS REPUBLIC – a higher state

SOFT&SLOW 07.06 w/ PARKSIDE

The Spice Cellar — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:51:19 +0000

http://soundcloud.com/parksidedjs

SOFT&SLOW is very pleased to be welcoming the boys down into the cellar to show their True Emotion…

Based in Wollongong, Parkside began years ago as a regular mix session in an old weathered home by some trees and the beach. With an open door to anyone we met along the way, the booming bass of weekly jams through creaking floorboards became a standard, resulting in the danceteria (and it’s tenants) being inevitably evicted.

Not one to give up so easily, the Parkside DJs (running 6-deep) have expanded with the intention of bringing Wollongong the red hot trax that make our weekends special.

Supports:

Pink Lloyd (Softwar)
http://soundcloud.com/sof-1

DreamCATCHer (Slow Blow)
http://soundcloud.com/slow-blow

& Guests

Midnight to 6am

Free b4 midnight with Guest-List Entry, just head to this link and add yourself here.

Brought to you by :

RECKLESS REPUBLIC – a higher state

EXCLUSIVE: Incoming Softwar LIVE Show!!!

The Spice Cellar — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:58:07 +0000

Tonight we are very pleased to host the official launch for Softwar’s new EP on Modular’s club imprint ‘Mod Club’, for more info head HERE.

FREE Guest-list entry before 12, submit here.

We were lucky enough to get together with the guys ahead of tonights rendezvous…

Hey guys, first off can you tell us what you been working on?

We have been working on quite a few things of late. Our plan to have a live show by the end of the year is slowly becoming a reality but still needs a bit of work.. might be premiering that at one of the big festivals around new years so keep an ear out also we actually already signed off on our second EP for Club Mod EP which will come out in a few months and have some material that a couple of overseas labels have shown some interest in but havent signed off on that yet so will have to keep it hush hush.

We see you’re about to head off for a tour around Australia, Asia and Europe. Will this be your first time playing out of Australia?

We played in Indonesia a few weeks ago but this time in Asia we will be going to China, Malaysia and Japan is on the cards as well.

It will be our first time playing as Softwar in Europe which we are really excited about. We have a lot of mates over there so will be good to catch up and travel around a bit and play some legit underground european clubs

Give us three labels that are doing it for you right now.

Will Saul’s Aus Music is pretty much top for us at the moment.

Lets Play House never misses the mark

Wax Classic (sub label of Skylaxx)

Name 3 tracks we will be hearing at your gig at The Spice Cellar on Friday?

Eamon Harkin – Workin/Steamin

Paul Johnson – Caught Up In Your Love

Softwar – Believe

Thursday night (live): The Myall High Club

The Spice Cellar — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:39:40 +0000

Jake and Grady Meadows have been playing together for 18 years, since their first band formed in 1995.

After over a decade of playing and touring supporting some of the countries biggest bands like Midnight Oil, Richard Clapton, Billy Thorpe, The Choir Boys, Diesel and Gangajang, Jake & Grady had developed their own unique sound and approach to making music. From that point they formed The Myall High Club, a band that could deliver a unique musical experience with the soul purpose of entertaining the upper echelon of Sydney’s social scene.

The Meadow’s brothers first met Jonathan in 2008. The musical chemistry between Jake, Grady & Jonathan was remarkable from the get go and it wasn’t long before Jonathan had become an integral member of The Myall High Club.

This Thursday join Grady and Jonathon as they perform a duo set of the Myall High Club’s songs.

the.spice.cellar.lounge open from 4pm

cocktails.tapas.entertainment

(live) music from 7pm – open til late

For more info contact info@thespicecellar.com.au / 02 9223 5585

Thursday night (live): Jake Meadows

The Spice Cellar — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:08:05 +0000

Listen to Jakes Meadows ‘Stranger’

Jake’s musical arrangements and unique interpretations of some of music’s most famous and alternative songs, allows his guests to relax and enjoy the type of atmosphere that can only be created by this unique and visually spectacular instrument. Jake Meadows is a treasure in our city and The Spice Cellar is excited to share him with you. Keep an eye out for Jake performing in his original band Saloons and also The Myall High Club.

Bar & kitchen open from 16:00, serving cocktails and dreams.

(live) music from 19:00-22:00

For more info contact; info@thespicecellar.com.au or (02) 9223 5585

DJ Degustation ft. Morgan

The Spice Cellar — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:30:38 +0000

DJ DEGUSTATION every Friday from 7pm much loved and talked about – $55 per head for a 5 course hand picked selection of our food & drink menu. Taking over the soundtrack for your Degustation in May is the ever so gorgeous SPICE resident; Morgan.

All your senses will be stimulated as our DJ takes you on a musical journey along with sampling Chef, Daniel Brown’s Menu. Each course is served with a matching beverage.

For table bookings call 02 9223 5585 or email bookings@thespicecellar.com.au

Thursday night (live): The Myall High Club

The Spice Cellar — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:25:24 +0000

Jake and Grady Meadows have been playing together for 18 years, since their first band formed in 1995.

This Thursday join Grady and Jonathon as they perform a duo set of the Myall High Club’s songs.

the.spice.cellar.lounge open from 4pm

cocktails.tapas.entertainment

(live) music from 7pm – open til late

For more info contact info@thespicecellar.com.au / 02 9223 5585