IOM Recommends

Tommy Holohan is a young DJ and producer hailing from Rush, Dublin. A crucial figure in the new fast techno and rave scene, his heavy, warehouse-y sound seems at odds with his relatively rural upbringing, but speaks to a dream of a more exciting future, a dream Tommy finds himself living. We knew he’d have a unique and considered perspective on Ireland’s capital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Haley Fohr is an avant-garde songwriter and performer based in Chicago, Illinois. Sometimes, her sound recalls the bombast, theatre and intensity of Scott Walker but typically, hers are pop songs that remain with the listener long after they finish for their hooks as much as their atmosphere. She moved to Chicago to immerse herself in its art and music communities, and as you might expect, her outsider-turned-insider story gives her a rare, totally balanced perspective on life in the windy city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re a member of the IOM Community, chances are you’re an Optimo fan, and there are decent odds you’ve seen them at some point over their long and decorated career. JD Twitch and JG Wilkes, that’s Keith and Jonnie, borrowed their moniker from their seminal party at Glasgow’s Sub Club, Optimo (Espacio). It ran every Saturday night without fail from 1997 to 2010, and welcomed everyone from LCD Soundsystem to Ivan Smagghe, Richie Hawtin to Franz Ferdinand through its doors to perform. Optimo now enjoy their position as international club and festival fixtures spinning every genre under the sun to crowds all over the world, and they reflect this breadth of taste in the output of their label, Optimo Music. Yet, their connection to Glasgow remains an intimate one, synonymous as they are with the city’s musical identity. There’s no one we’d have rather spoken to for this episode.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruf Dug, known affectionately to the world of electronic music as Ruffy, or perhaps Simon, is a DJ based in Manchester, England. Si has always marched to the beat of his own drum, sharing his unique taste and vision with the world via a long-standing and semi-legendary NTS Radio show, his colourful Ruf Kutz imprint, and some seriously tastemaking house labels including Rhythm Section, Futureboogie and WOLF, all with an injection of great humour and an emphasis on fun. He’s not oblivious to the privilege of doing his hobby for a living. We picked his brains on all things Manchester, and even managed to fit in a tale about fixing Flying Lotus’ laptop at Red Bull Music Academy the year the two took part. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few words are as instantly synonymous with music in London as Rhythm Section. But, to categorise Bradley Zero’s hugely influential imprint as a dance music label is to downplay his vision. Since 2009, Rhythm Section International has been a record company, radio show, studio space, club night and concert series all rolled into one, dealing in groove, passion and pure joy, irrespective of genre or stylistic signifier. We’re based in London too, so we were able to record this episode with the entire Rhythm Section team in person, something that COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t made possible for other episodes in this series. Tracks used, in order, with thanks to Rhythm Section: Chaos in the CBD - Midnight in PeckhamFYI Chris - RepeaterMallard - Untitled (Breaks)Vels Trio - The Wad  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the “owner, deal maker and A&R” at Klasse Wrecks and Redseal Records”, Michael Ho’s schedule is as busy and entertaining as his extra-curricular life in Hong Kong. We talk music, skate culture, food and Hong Kong’s surprisingly abundant beaches in the latest episode of IOM Recommends.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the fifth episode of IOM Recommends, we consider somewhere a little closer to our London home. Evan Majumdar-Swift, known to the world of electronic music as 96 Back, was raised in Sheffield, and his coming-of-age memories are embedded in the Steel City’s streets. Who better, then, to take us on a guided tour for music lovers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ouissam Mokretar is a DJ based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Co-founder and resident of Club Savage, Ouissam’s tenure in Vietnam’s capital has coincided with a boom in the nation’s economy, making for a surge in the popularity of vinyl and club culture itself.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mikey Coltun, bassist and producer for the widely acclaimed Agadez-based artist Mdou Moctar, is a man in a unique position. Splitting his time between Agadez and New York City, Mikey’s a hired gun with an exceptionally informed perspective on what makes Agadez so special, so social, so friendly, and how it often puts our western egocentrism to shame.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multi-hyphenate Juba has called Berlin home for the last few years. Like many, she moved to pursue music. Like comparatively few, her interpretation of Berlin as a haven for open minds is informed by the nuances of privilege black women face in the city, and diverges from Berlin’s pre-assigned identity as a progressive place. Juba finds a lot to love about Berlin, and it intrigues and confounds her in ways that don’t occur to many of us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katerina’s Helsinki is kind of like the tourist’s common perception, and kind of completely different. The DJ, producer and record label owner lauds the city for its pace and quality of life, and is at the heart of a small, fertile electronic music community. She felt like the perfect person to introduce us to a city that consistently ranks among the world’s happiest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Dimas is a DJ, producer and record label owner formerly based in Thessaloniki, Greece. Tucked on the coast of the Aegean Sea in Greece’s north-east corner, Thessaloniki is a bustling place, second only to Athens on the list of Greece’s most populous cities. But, its residents pride themselves on a slow pace of life that they say is unavailable in the capital.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mincy is a DJ, producer, label owner and promoter based in Sydney, Australia. The trajectory of dance music in Sydney and a broader Australia runs parallel to and diverges from that of the UK in some fascinating ways, but Sydney’s battles with authority and its fight to retain a vibrant underground are entirely its own. Mincy is so involved with dance music in so many different ways, we thought she’d be well-placed to introduce us to the city. Listen to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing the premiere episode of IOM Recommends, in which Ciel takes us on an intimate, immersive guided tour of Toronto. She paints a portrait of a city in flux, where artists and the working class go to battle with gentrification on a daily basis. But, Toronto’s not without its releases - great restaurants, clubs, grassroots music crews throwing parties in staggering locations. Listen to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.