DON'T CALL THIS A COMEBACK ...
Actually LL Cool J, probably do.
Yep, after a whirlwind few weeks, today is party day. Well night. Time for the Reliable whānau to reconnect IRL at our Disco Hoopla gig at Ink.
Just a reminder that this whole project (so far) has been about celebrating the amazing work by the large number of people who contributed to phase one of the Reliable story.
We say so far, because we're relaunching the label as Unreliable. There's much, much more to come and we want to hear from producers old and new with music to release.
It's been an emotional ride rolling out a series of videos from Reliable alumni and special guests alike sharing their favourite track from our catalogue.
We've had videos from Dick Johnson, Philippa, Rob Salmon, Jessy, Chris Reed, Simon Flower, Greg Churchill, Chelsea, Phully and today ... Jason "Rockpig" Hall - DJ legend and, alongside Joost Langeveld, half of Subware.
Subware are headlining tonight's gig, with Phully, Cuffy & Leon D (who, incidentally, played at Ink's opening night), Sandy Mill and Chris Reed completing the line-up. You can expect a couple of surprises from Subware - it's an exclusive reunion performance after all.
We've got a few advance tickets still available - https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/disco-hoopla-tickets-357983798177
In the meantime, and without further ado, enjoy Rockpig's video!
LONDONER CALLING!
Our series of videos featuring DJs and producers revealing their favourite track from the Reliable catalogue is coming to an end. But don't be too sad, because the last two are brilliant.
Here's the penultimate contribution, from the once-met-never-forgotten Chelsea.
Now living large in Queensland, Chelsea brought her big laugh and bigger love of rolling house to Auckland in 1995, intending to stay for three months while she visited family.
But with support from the likes of Roger Perry and Soane, she stuck around and became a Kiwi DJ legend - a mainstay behind the decks at Calibre and other venues embracing Aotearoa’s house music explosion.
Given that, it's not surprising her choice is Calibre '98. In the video, she explains why.
Chelsea - we miss ya mate!
We're now just two sleeps from our label relaunch party at Ink on Saturday. Advance tickets here:https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/disco-hoopla-tickets-357983798177
Thanks for all your lovely feedback on the videos so far. One more to go.
IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
We're closing in on our relaunch party on Saturday - and it's time for another DJ/producer to reveal their favourite cut from our back catalogue.
Today it's Chris Reed, who arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand from northern England just before the turn of the millennium.
With the inimitable Paul Radley, Chris contributed tracks to both Sun Valley Sounds compilations. The duo racked up a string of other releases - including EPs on Nottingham's massively influential DiY Discs and Andy Vann's Grass Green label.
Chris is playing at Saturday's celebration at Ink, alongside Subware, Cuffy & Leon D, Phully and Sandy Mill. For advance tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/disco-hoopla-tickets-357983798177?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
And remember, our back catalogue is available to stream/download at multiple sites. For more info, visit https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
TOO MUCH CHOICE!
After falling in love with Subware as a punter (she recalls hearing Disco Hoopla at an early Splore) Jessy Meffin ended up part of the band.
Her vocals are a key part of the sound of arguably Aotearoa’s biggest house group, featuring on the opening track of their album.
Jessy is the latest artist to contribute to our series of video vignettes showcasing favourite tracks from the Reliable catalogue. And she's got so many good memories she couldn't choose just one!
She'll be part of the Subware whānau performing at Ink on July 16 - we're having a party to celebrate the pioneering producers who put Reliable on the map.
Ahead of a full label relaunch, the Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the very first time. For a full list of sources, check our linktree directory: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Ngā mihi to everyone who's bought tickets for our party so far - they're selling well and available here: http://www.eventbrite.co.nz/.../disco-hoopla-tickets
WONKY SUNDAY VIBES
Kia ora koutou. Continuing our series of video vignettes from top-notch DJs and producers revealing their favourite track from the Reliable catalogue.
Today, we showcase Simon Flower - AKA Peak:Shift - who was among the very earliest adopters and champions of electronic club music production and record labels in New Zealand.
With Matt Drake he started techno label Nurture in 1997, followed by the housier South Exit imprint two years later.
Simon's always done things his way and - fittingly - his favourite Reliable track isn't one of the "hits". He's chosen W's Sold Two from the Algorhythm 2 compilation. In the video, he explains why.
If you've been following this series, you'll know the full Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the first time. You can listen or download from a myriad of sites - including all the ones listed here: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Don't forget we're having a party to celebrate. Disco Hoopla is at Ink on July 16, headlined by an exclusive reunion performance from Subware. Tickets - which are selling quite nicely thanks for asking - are available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/disco-hoopla-tickets-357983798177?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Stay tuned - heaps more goodness to come as we approach a full label relaunch, including new music.
FROM NEW ZEALAND TO NEW YORK
We’re super-stoked to welcome another very special guest to our series of video interviews in which top-notch DJs and producers reveal their favourite Reliable track.
Rob Salmon was a true innovator in the Kiwi house scene, one of the first to make his own tracks while cementing his DJ reputation as an early resident at the legendary Box club.
Hungry for more, he relocated to New York City and racked up releases on a string of respected labels, perhaps most notably Deep Dish’s Yosh*toshi, and rocked clubs and festivals around the world.
He returned for a stint in New Zealand, had a spell in Sydney and now he’s back in the US, working as musical director of a company creating bespoke playlists for big-name clients.
In his video he explains why Cuffy & Leon D’s 19c Trumpet is his favourite Reliable track.
Ahead of a full label relaunch, the Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the very first time. For a full list of sources, check our linktree directory: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Don’t forget we’re having a party to celebrate the label’s legacy (so far). Cuffy & Leon D are among the producers playing at Ink on July 16 - and you wouldn’t bet against 19c Trumpet getting a spin at some point!
Ngā mihi to everyone who's bought tickets so far - they're available here: http://www.eventbrite.co.nz/.../disco-hoopla-tickets
Stay tuned for much more from Reliable.
ONE OF THE ORIGINALS!
Mōrena. Let's start Tuesday with another instalment in our video series of top-notch DJs and producers sharing their favourite track from the Reliable catalogue.
Today it's the inimitable Phully - AKA Paul Sweetman - a huge part of the label's early days.
Already a mainstay of the infamous Normanby Rd raves, Phully provided a continuous DJ mix of the first Algorhythms compilation, released through Kog Transmissions in 1999.
He kickstarted his successful production career by contributing the opening track to its follow-up - for which he provided another continuous DJ mix, this time in tandem with Subware.
In his video he explains why Subware’s Disco Hoopla is his favourite Reliable track.
That's fitting, because Phully is part of the line-up for our knees-up of the same name to celebrate Reliable's relaunch.
Disco Hoopla, the party, is at Ink on July 16. We think it could be a very special night. Big thanks to everyone who's bought tickets so far - they're available here: www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/disco-hoopla-tickets-357983798177
Remember, the full Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the very first time. For a full list of sources, check our linktree directory: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Ngā mihi for all your support so far. We've got heaps more videos and a specially commissioned history of the label dropping very, very soon.
My Favourite Reliable Records: Philippa
HAPPY TUNESDAY!
We're continuing our video series of top-notch DJs and producers sharing their favourite track from the Reliable catalogue.
And today we welcome a very special contribution all the way from Berlin. Ja, it's Philippa!
A wildly successful and influential DJ during Aotearoa’s house music explosion, Philippa’s career has gone to the next level since she moved to Germany. She’s started her own label - in part to share Kiwi house music with Europe - and produced tracks for other top imprints.
In her clip she explains why Reactor Music’s Calibre ’98 is her favourite Reliable track - including an amazing memory of the first time she played it.
Remember, the full Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the very first time. For a full list of sources, check our linktree directory: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Thanks for all your amazing feedback and interest so far. Stay tuned for much more.
HAPPY TUNESDAY!
We're continuing our video series of top-notch DJs and producers sharing their favourite track from the Reliable catalogue.
And today we welcome a very special contribution all the way from Berlin.
Ja, it's Philippa!
A wildly successful and influential DJ during Aotearoa’s house music explosion, Philippa’s career has gone to the next level since she moved to Germany. She’s started her own label - in part to share Kiwi house music with Europe - and produced tracks for other top imprints.
In her clip she explains why Reactor Music’s Calibre ’98 is her favourite Reliable track - including an amazing memory of the first time she played it.
Remember, the full Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the very first time. For a full list of sources, check our linktree directory: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Thanks for all your amazing feedback and interest so far. Stay tuned for much more.
My Favourite Reliable Records: Dick Johnson
AS PROMISED!
Happy Monday koutou.
As part of the Reliable relaunch project we asked a dozen or so DJs and producers to tell us their favourite track from the catalogue. Most of them are connected to Reliable, but we asked some special guests too. We'll be rolling out the videos in the coming days.
We start with the one and only Dick Johnson.
Originally from northern England, Dick was a regular visitor to New Zealand in the 1990s before moving here fulltime early in the 00s.
He started DJing as a teenager at Manchester’s Hacienda club, before embarking on a stellar production career, including releases on Paper Recordings, Cream’s Olympic imprint and his own Shaboom label.
Dick became a fully-fledged member of the Reliable whanau when he contributed tracks to the two Sun Valley Sounds compilations. He explains why Subware’s Into is his favourite track from the catalogue.
Remember, the full Reliable catalogue is now available digitally for the very first time. For a full list of sources, check our linktree directory: https://linktr.ee/reliablerecordings
Tomorrow we'll share another video - and details of our relaunch party!
