Max HeyraudA two-for-the-price-of-one Mix of the Week this week, as Hardware co-founder Brawni unveiled his new Dublin Digital Radio show, Portals, with an hour of left-field, dancefloor-adjacent sounds in the opening hour, while Plain Sailing boss Uncle Moe takes the reins for the second, following in a similarly adventurous fashion.
Portals is described as a gateway “to every corner of the globe through club music” and is a very welcome addition to DDR’s ever-growing roster of contemporary electronic shows to sink your teeth into. Unpredictable and forward-facing, the show is guided by Brawni, an artist who needs very little introduction. An accomplished producer, live act and selector, he’s most at home pushing the boat that little bit further, finding comfort in the deeper ends of the electronic ocean.
The first hour serves as the perfect introduction to a show that looks set to defy categorisation, and the inaugural edition takes its first step in exactly that direction. The journey begins with tripped-out, smoky Latin-inspired drums that lay the foundation for sweeping, ethereal pads and atmospheres reminiscent of Boards of Canada. Things don’t stay melancholic for long, though, as Brawni launches from the chill-out room straight into the main room, where the bass gets louder, moving through gnarly electro, off-kilter techno and more hard-hitting Latin grooves, this time with far more bite. Melody remains the constant throughout, making for a knee-jerking trip through his collection and a fitting introduction to his new show.
Uncle Moe picks things up on a two-step tip, with sounds adjacent to the Hessle Audio school of thought; classic Ploy and Pearson Sound come to mind. Spacey, rhythmically intricate, deep, dubby and funky, his hour sees the Belfast selector dive deep into the trenches of the UK hardcore continuum. Cascading synth lines and spine-tingling arpeggios create an overarching dreaminess that softens an otherwise hard-hitting club-focused selection. The perfect aperitif to follow Brawni’s opening hour.