Loads of stuff doing the rounds right now so let's dip into the B365 online postbag and see what's bubbling up!



First up there's a fascinating interview with Immerse Records' very own Kidkut on a great blog called Sonic Router. Kidkut has been hard at work releasing some incredible music on Immerse for some time now, but it still feels like his label gets slept on. BIG mistake - Immerse is leaps and bounds ahead of most labels in the same age bracket. There's also an exclusive mix for download too.

READ : Sonic Router's Interview with Kidkut



Speaking of blogs B365 favourite Wascal has set up his own, a dedicated place to download his new mixes and also the odd free MP3 too. Keep an eye on this character as there's big things on the horizon for him.

CHECK : Wascal Blog



Andy Council, who we featured on this here blog not so long ago, has set up an online shop for you to purchase his goodies. Support your local artists! Get on to the site and choose from a range of prints to spruce up even the most minging of homes.

CHECK : Andy Council Online Shop



Punch Drunk has now released Gudio's insane new record, the magnificent Orchestral Lab backed up with Way You Make Me Feel. Two essential tracks right there making it an essential purchase all round.

BUY : Guido - Orchestral Lab 12"



Get yourself down to Cosies on Thursday for Rogue's night Antidote featuring a bonafide living legend in Peter D Rose of Smith & Mighty fame. Details:

Antidote is proud to present..
PETER D ROSE (More rockers/smith n mighty)
DJ ROGUE (Antidote/vertebrae/deadcalmmusic)
BEN-ONE (Vertebrae/ LIVE MPC SET)
DJ ZE (resident rocksteady specialist)
2 quid on the door.
Thursday 5th march @ Cosies wine bar, 34 portland square.



Another month, and another gigantic Sh*t the Bed line-up courtesy of The Blast. This is apparently the last one for a while, presumably to give the other promoters in Bristol a breather trying to compete - this one like the remainder before it will undoubtedly be a roadblock.



If you'd prefer some techno goodness instead then check out the Bristol debut of rising star Sven Weisemann at Tube courtesy of Underscore and Tape. Sure to be a sweatbox session.

BEST LABEL 2008 - PUNCH DRUNK

It’s been a formidable year for Peverelist’s label, and one that has seen it cement its reputation as a label truly at the forefront of bold sonic endeavour. With every release comes a different sound or style, and yet all of them are strangely cohesive when considering the imprint’s progressive attitude toward sound. A lot of Peverelist’s own musical identity is understandably inherent within the label’s programming, but there’s no clear-cut definition to what the label will release next, perhaps the hallmark of a truly great imprint.

Whether it’s the steely echoes and shuddering synths of Peverelist’s Clunk Click Every Trip, the staccato onslaught of Gemmy’s Bass Transmitter, the raw soundsystem styles of RSD’s Jah Way or the half-whispered sinister intentions of Pinch’s Dr.Carlson, the broad base of textures available on Punch Drunk has made it a buy on sight record label – without a single dip in quality for well over two years now, we look forward to what jewels they will bring to the surface in 2009.


TECTONIC

After the release of Underwater Dancehall at the tail end of 2007, Pinch’s label continued to forge an unswerving path through the increasing mediocrity becoming apparent in Dubstep. The shimmering, hypnotic melody of Peverelist’s Infinity Is Now and the vital release of 2562’s album Aerial were both incredible highlights in a year that also saw the label give us the striding crunch of Skream’s Hedd Banger as well as the urgent skittering bleeps of Pinch’s Joyride. Tectonic continues to offer up the best examples of the genre and long may it continue.


SOUL MOTIVE

Soul Motive tore onto the scene this year and set a fire directly underneath it. A collaborative effort between local DJ/Producers Forsaken and Kymatik alongside the evil genius Adam Telford, it was a truly inspired addition to an ever-growing local community of labels. Already three releases deep, the label has excelled in pushing the boundaries of music with some jaw-dropping sonic adventures committed to vinyl. The debut double A-side pitched the grandiose smackdown of Joker’s Snake Eater against the smooth rolling vibes of TRG’s Move Dis, and whilst that was still getting incredible hype Forsaken himself came correct with his collaborations with Mr Jo and Ben Blackmore in Last Saloon Swagger and Into The Sunset. Both of these encapsulated the ethos of the label with organic, emotive music that was breathtakingly original. The third split release dropped recently and again switched up expectations with the spiralling majesty of Coleco’s Campfire Funk and the ethereal beauty of Sharmaji’s Break Your Heart. Another must have label, and one that is set to take it to the next level in 2009.


IMMERSE

It feels like Immerse was slightly slept on this year, which is odd given the perennial quality of its output. Immerse is one of BUG’s favourite labels and never disappoints in providing listeners with some incredible music. The sun-dappled groove of Kuma’s Dawn Stepped Outside was beautiful, as was the Kontext double, especially the microfunk of Plumes or the sublime Falling To Weightlessness. Forsaken’s sweetboy stylings on Hypnotised were another highlight, alongside two amazing remixes by Horsepower and Ramadanman of Kuma and Kontext respectively. Immerse for BUG is all about the genuine perfection of song craft rather than any specific genre of music; all the artists featured so far have broken the mould with some awe-inspiring sounds.


URBAN SCRUMPING

Phaeleh’s label is pushing whole new spectrums of sound against the grain of the consensus. This year saw it bloom from a focal point for the producer’s own work to become home for some of the true mavericks of the local scene and beyond. From the soaring drumfunk of Gyu’s Unknowable to the imperial death march of Darkham’s The Last Ritual, Urban Scrumping proved quickly this was no label for a set sound. With the glacial majesty of Sclist’s Darkroom EP due to drop in early January, the scene is set for a fantastic 2009 for this fledgling imprint.