Join The Future

10/10/2024

I have a few events coming up over the next six weeks related to my book, Join The Future, ahead of its forthcoming FIFTH birthday (yes, it has been that long). I'll be at Machina Bristronica in Bristol this Sunday (13.30-14.30) signing books, then on October 24th I'll be up in Leeds, in conversation with host Harry Rook at Melodie 71. To get you all in the mood for both (and my later Ibiza debut at WOM Radio Cafe in November), here's an excerpt from the book - chapter three in fact - which was recently published by UKF

Last year, for Black History Month, we had the privilege of speaking with some incredible artists about how bass music brands can step up and truly celebrate the genre’s deep roots in Black culture. One message stood out loud and clear: education is key. Brands should embrace the opportunity to ed...

25/09/2024

Having been on hiatus for a bit (erm, a few years), I thought it was about time I brought back the feature on the Join The Future website. For the first time, we go Stateside and dig into the brief NYC bleep movement, focusing on the early works of Roger Sanchez as Egotrip, DV8 and Underground Solution.

Our regular Bleepography series returns from hiatus, with Matt Anniss outlining NYC house hero Roger Sanchez’s early explorations in “deep bleep”

25/09/2024

The latest episode of on Noods Radio is here! This one, inspired by an ongoing work project, pays tribute to NYC and NJ house and garage - an hour-long mix-up with minimal chat and some suitably excellent music. Listen live via Noodsradio dot com at 15:00 BST on Wednesday 25th September, or on demand afterwards via the Noods website, Mixcloud channel and the Join The Future website. I've added a tracklist doc since I know plenty like to know this stuff :)

13/09/2024

It's officially release day! The remix Gareth Morgan and I did of Zenana's cult 80s synth jam 'Witches' is now available as a lovely, nicely mastered/remastered 12" on Rush Hour. Their 1986 seven-inch version on side A, the mid-80s style dancefloor extension/remix we did on the flip. Go forth and purchase your copy!

20/06/2024

Of late, I've been thinking about all the DJ mixes I've done over the years, so last week went back to see what was online from the last 15 years. Spoiler: it's a lot and they cover a fair amount of ground musically. I have written this for the JTF website, showcasing some (but not all) of them, with embed links so you can dive in. And, yes, it includes the previously 'mystery' ones under another alias (all is explained in the article) as well as some Bedmo Disco Records and TR13E ones:

JTF founder Matt Anniss looks back on his DJ history through 15 years of mixes, highlighting a mix of live club recordings, conceptual workouts, dystopian journeys, breathless rave mix-ups, heady a…

12/06/2024

I wrote some words about this year's edition of Watching Trees, the Ransom Note/Optimo (Espacio) micro-festival. Spoiler: it was a bit good. I also laid down a hazy, mostly horizontal mix based on what In played in the 'Espacio' tent at 9am on Sunday morning (with a few tracks switched out and others added) - you can access both via the web page below

Matt Anniss looks back on Watching Trees 2024, the second edition of Optimo and the Ransom Note’s micro-festival – and offers up a mix based on his Sunday morning DJ set

12/03/2024

Heads up: I'll be filling in for the poorly Farrell on the Devil's Work show on Swu FM tonight (Tuesday 12th March, 19:00 GMT). Good excuse to do a deep dive into the crates. Mostly house, techno, bass and related, but no doubt there will be a surprise or two. Minimal chat too, so for once you won't have to deal with me rabbiting on!

29/02/2024

Last October, I presented my first paper at an academic conference, Dance Cult's DC23. It was arguing the case for the research project I've been working on (part-time) since late 2021. I've now stuck a written and lightly expanded version of that presentation - in the shape of an article – on the Join The Future website. Yes, it makes academic references, but I promise you it's accessible and readable to non-theorists

Last year, JTF founder Matt Anniss presented a paper on rural rave culture in East Anglia, arguing that more research is needed on dance music outside of major towns and cities. Here he delivers a …

25/04/2023

Some words about the new Bleeps, Breaks + Bass compilation on Mental Groove & Musique Pour La Danse, featuring liner notes from our own Matt Anniss.

There’s a new compilation out. It’s a bit special and it features extensive liner notes from our own Matt Anniss

20/03/2023

Now available to order: our collaboration with the mighty 1 of 100 – a special edition t-shirt where £5 from every t-shirt sold will go to support the work of St Luke's - Sheffield's Hospice.

Searching for a Join The Future t-shirt? Check out our Exclusive Special Edition collaboration with Matt Anniss and his fantastic book, 'Join The Future'.

07/03/2023

Next up on the book launch tour… a very special shindig in Sheffield, hosted by Mondo Radio, and featuring a panel discussion featuring some local legends old and new (plus our own Matt Anniss)

We join forces with Steel City station Mondo Radio to put on an extra launch talk… and more!

08/02/2023

The book tour continues this Thursday, February 9th, with a date at Signature Brew on Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow, London, where author Matt Anniss will be in conversation with Guardian journalist Lanre Bakare. Last few tickets available via the link below (including in a 'ticket and book' package):

Named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the best books on British Culture, author Matt Annis talks Bleep and Bass.

02/02/2023

Tonight (Thursday February 2nd) the book tour kicks off with a date at the Friendly Records Bar in Southville, Bristol. Expect a book reading, author Matt Anniss in conversation, audience Q&A and music from the Under Heavy Manners DJs. Free tickets via the link below…
hdfst.uk/E84089

It's a great honour to welcome our friend Matt Anniss for a Q&A discussion around the publication of the expanded edition of his book Join the Future: bleep techno and the birth of British bass music, a critically acclaimed landmark text on the alternative history of UK dance music in the acid house...

20/01/2023

The new expanded and updated edition of is now available on Velocity Press. Author Matt Anniss is heading out on tour for a series of "in conversation" book launch events - full details and links to all events available here

To promote the recently published expanded and updated edition of ‘Join The Future’, author Matt Anniss is heading out on tour across the UK and Europe.

12/01/2023

To celebrate the publication of the new expanded and updated edition of Join The Future: Bleep Techno and the Birth of British Bass Music, author Matt Anniss is heading out on tour to talk about it, in conversation with various journalists and DJs. Full details to come, but here's the ticket link for the London event at Walthamstow Rock N Roll Book Club, where the Guardian's Lanre Bakare - a big fan of the book -will be acting as host

Named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the best books on British Culture, author Matt Annis talks Bleep and Bass.

23/11/2022

We're back on Noods Radio today, Wednesday 23rd November (15:00 GMT), with a brand new episode of . In this one, entitled 'Aftermath', host Matt Anniss offers a sneak preview of the previously unpublished 'Aferword' chapter that features in the soon-come expanded and updated edition of 'Join The Future: Bleep Techno and the Birth of British Bass Music'. Adding in music (including some forthcoming gems), Matt discusses ongoing efforts from journalists, researchers and historians to contest existing narratives of popular music - and hints at where his own research will go next