The Arch w. Mano Le Tough

SATURDAY 20th June w.

Mano Le Tough [Permanent Vacation] Chymera Live [OVUM] Xavier Montrier [Minimal Kids]

Mano Le Tough_

Over the past few years, Mano Le Tough has become one of the shooting stars of the international dance music scene. His impact has been so great that Kristian Beyer of Âme claimed recently in an interview that: “Thanks to Mano Le Tough, I have no fears for the future of House”. And not just Beyer, the entire Innervisions gang including Âme and Dixon have become fervent supporters of Mano Le Tough’s warm and melodic, yet driving sound.

Who is the man behind the music that currently inspires established DJs and music fans alike around the globe?

Niall Mannion as Mano is known to his parents, is originally from Greystones, a seaside village near Dublin, Ireland. After an eclectic musical youth and a move to Berlin, Mannion first popped up on the electronic music radar in 2009 with an ep on legendary disco Viking Prins Thomas’ Internasjonal label. With his unique mixture of modern disco, atmospheric house and electronica (although musical genres like these do not quite capture the essence of Mano’s music; he prefers to describe it as “cool songs” or “Folkal House” which seem in some way more appropriate), Niall quickly gained massive interest in his music. So it was no surprise that eps on such acclaimed labels as Tensnake’s Mirau imprint, Dirt Crew recordings and Ben Watt’s Buzzin Fly followed his remarkable debut. In no time Mano also became a much sought after remixer for the likes of Aloe Blacc , Midnight Magic, Flowers and Sea Creatures and Roisin Murphy.

That Mano also knows his onions as a DJ has been proven over the years at his monthly party in Berlin called Passion Beat, which he runs with his old friend and fellow paddy “The Drifter” (with him and their friend Baikal they also set up their own label “Maeve” in 2012 ). With his ever growing reputation, he soon got heavily booked worldwide and became a regular in some of the best clubs in the world including Panorama Bar, Trouw and Robert Johnson. All of his great experiences as a musician and artist culminate now in Mano Le Tough’s first long player, “Changing Days” on Permanent Vacation. Fully aware that the album format is still the most important statement of a musician, Mano succeeds in this field with flying colors by not falling into the obvious traps of making a “dance” album with 11 songs that all seem to sound that same. Similar to his labelmate and buddy John Talabot Mano manages to expand his stylistic palette to more than “just” dance or club music. Instead he creates his own distinct sound and musical vision with bittersweet melodies and atmospheric moods that should appeal to ravers and more pop trained ears alike. On the album Mano brings to perfection what he began to explore on his last few eps, especially by using his own voice as a unique musical instrument and as a transmitter to communicate with his audience.

But let the great Irishman speak for himself: “I guess I try and make music that has an emotional resonance without being overly sentimental or schmalzy. It means a lot to me to try and connect with the listener on a deeper level and add something to their lives that’s more than a hands in the air 5am moment in a club (although there is nothing wrong with that).”

Chymera_

Producing records since 2002, releasing internationally since 2006, Irishman Chymera has carefully honed his melodic brand of techno and house over the years and found support from a wide range of DJs and fans in the process

Chymera (real name Brendan Gregoriy) hails originally from Cork, Ireland. Throughout his teenage years he was heavily immersed in various forms of guitar based music. After moving to Limerick for a year at the turn of the century to attend college he was first exposed to electronic music. Upon his subsequent move to Dublin he had thrown himself headfirst into DJing, quickly latching onto the various sounds of techno. In 2002 he made his first steps into production and over the following years progressed through electronica and electro to more dancefloor friendly techno and house.

In late 2006 and early 2007 he had his first international releases on labels Urban Torque (As I Am An Exit), Supreme Entertainment and Mezzotinto, the latter of which; "Midnight at the Aquarium", swiftly brought him to the attention of many house and techno luminaries. He followed those up with key releases on labels like Ovum, NRK and Delsin, further cementing his trademark melodic sound in the minds of DJs and music aficionados alike. "Arabesque" (Tishomingo) became one of his most popular tracks and it was also licensed to several high profile mixes (including Luciano´s Fabric 41). As a result of the success of the beatless mix of "Umbrella" (Ovum), he was voted third best chillout artist in the 2007 Beatport awards. Since then he has released on labels as diverse as Figure, Connaisseur, Komplex De Deep and Cocoon Recordings among others and proved a versatile artist whether producing deep house through to big room techno, but all with the trademark Chymera feeling.

After almost three years living in Barcelona, Chymera has relocated to Berlin in 2010 and is in high demand as a live performer and DJ with a booming live schedule which has seen him play many of the world's top clubs throughout Asia, Australia, America and all over Europe.

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