the spaces left between the beats
Nico Purman
VA Podcast 12.1 – Sziget Festival 2011 – Nico Purman DJ Set ∞
Nico Purman dj set at Sziget Festival 2011, Budapest, Hungary.
Vakant Showcase at Meduza Stage on August 12th.
Nico Purman ∞
booking: Gostimirovic music management
Born and raised in Rosario Argentina, Nico Purman has been roasting the proverbial marshmallows since he first started collecting records at 12 years old. Those days of innocence were filled with not-yet-freaky Michael Jackson, soon after tainted with the New Beat sound coming out of Belgium (with bands like Jade 4 U and Erotic Dissidents), before being completely corrupted by the fabled late 1980’s Chicago Acid House movement. Once debased, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, and The Cure quickly followed all leaving their influence on Nico.
At 17, Nico started to study percussion and played drums in local indie bands, recording in some of Buenos Aires’ biggest studios. The experience left him with the taste of live performance and a deep understanding of rhythm, syncopation, and independence that only drumming can provide. With this classical insight into time and beat, Nico transitioned to vinyl and became one of Argentina’s most respected DJ’s. Armed with an expansive collection of music, he winds his audience through long hypnotizing sets of tough mood and movement, interlaced with selected loops and samples accentuating his motivational transfer.
Nico’s original music production quickly followed, first releasing the ‘Artificial Plastico EP’ on Karmarouge (KR09) in 2004 as Artificial collaborating with friend Gustavo Sacchetti. Later Nico discharged solo and remix work for Spanish net label Sinergy Networks. Nico’s first vinyl EP came out in 2005 on France’s Modelisme Records (Model011), returning for a second Modelisme EP (Model013) in 2006. Also in 2005 Nico contributed ‘Resurgir’ to Onitor’s Stadtmusik Buenos Aires (ONITOR47). Gaining momentum, Nico then released ‘Lunatique EP’ on Crosstown Rebels (CRM036) to critical appeal, from which the title track was licensed to the Get Lost 2 compilation mixed by Jamie Jones. In 2007 Nico’s ‘Romantique EP’ came out on Japan’s Mule Electronic (MULE039). Then in 2008 Nico appeared on a mixed EP Curle Recordings (CURLE010) out of Belgium with the track ‘Miercoles’. This took Nico over the top as it was praised by people like Laurent Garnier, Troy Pierce, Bart Skills, Martin Landsky, and Loco Dice.
Since releasing the ‘Tuesday EP’ in 2008 (VA017), perhaps the most direct approach to dark loud strobo room stimulation the label has ever seen, Nico will focus primarily on Berlin based Vakant. Forward, 2008 will prove an expansive year for Nico entering a new phase with Vakant, relocation to Europe, and his influence steering the sound of modern techno becoming ever more persuasive.
VA036 Nico Purman – Visions EP ∞
The ever evolving ever inspiring Argentinean turned Berliner musical talent that we call our Nico Purman, once again honors the House of Vakant with his latest disco inspired offering to the Gods entitled Visions EP.
In such a short period of time Nico has come so far both physically and meta-musically. Within just a few releases one can easily hear him developing, maturing, and mastering his chosen art medium. From the mechanical tech funk of his Tuesday EP (VA017) and Euphrasia EP (VA025), to the space jazz masterpiece that was Rhapsodies (VA032), his first step toward disco was in fact with his contribution ‘Xpress Yourself’ to the Family Values compilation (VA034).
With Visions EP, once again Nico effortlessly transgresses whatever style he wishes and makes it his own. Taking a few pages from the book of disco as well as a touch of Chicago and a pinch of early New York house, Nico both tips his hat to those influences as well as taking things several steps further to create something completely original.
VA034 Family Values EP ∞
Mathias Kaden – Circle Pit 2010
- DeWalta – Stringer Bell
- Nico Purman – Xpress Yourself
- Alex Smoke – I-73 Night
After the digital release of the 8-track ‚Family Values’ compilation late summer this year, Vakant is ready to follow up with a ‘Family Values EP‘ on vinyl this autumn. 4 selected tracks have made it onto the black gold, even we`re loving each tune like a mother loves her umh.. eight children.
Mathias Kaden presents a 2010 edit of his first ever solo release ‚Circle Pit’ (VA004!), followed by DeWalta’s deep but yet bouncing ‚Stringer Bell’ string experience.
On the flip, this EP opens up with Nico Purman`s ‚Xpress Yourself’ which lands somewhere between Rick James and Francois K, followed by Alex Smoke`s freaky ‚I-73 Night’ which, to quote Vakant pal Tolga Fidan, is ‚A reminder of how dance music should have been if it hadn’t gone generic…its punk.`We agree.
VA034 Family Values ∞
Nico Purman – Xpress Yourself- Tolga Fidan – Linnz
- Alex Smoke – I73-Night
- DeWalta – Stringer Bell
- Robag Wruhme – Kuttenrolch 1996
- Anthony Collins – Boys S.times Cry
- Mathias Kaden – Circle Pit 2010
- Dario Zenker – Apollo 910
Tis the season for grilling, afternoon beers in the park, and the family reunion. What better way to spend a Sunday then getting into a fight with your drunk uncle over hot dogs and questionable shorts \ socked footwear combinations?
Tis also the season for Vakant the label, the mythos, the family to reunite and drop the blazing ‘Family Values’ compilation for your late summer revelry.
The unmixed compilation starts off with our distant Argentinean cousin Nico Purman. His ‘Xpress Yourself’ lands somewhere between Rick James and Francois K. Second is bro wonder Tolga Fidan who continues to impress with his ‘Linnz’ contribution. Not one to leave all the fun to the kids, Godfather Alex Smoke (VA001) gives his army of robots free rein and out the other end comes ‘I-73 Nightʼ, freaky yet reassuring like advanced techno should be. Rounding out the first half is our other prodigy DeWalta whose favorite pastime happens to be breaking subwoofers. His deep yet bouncing ʻStringer Bellʼ is sure to result in a run on replacement woofer cones.
The wise and the freaky family elder Robag Wruhme (VA002) bestows upon us ʻKuttenrolch 1996ʼ, a light and airy electro tinged piece produced solely on a Korg Trinity in 1996 while sounding just as fresh as if produced yesterday. Next up is visiting uncle by way of marriage Anthony Collins who imparts ʻBoys Sometimes Cryʼ showing his depth, musicality, and maturity. Then everyoneʼs brother Mathias Kaden presents us with a 2010 edit of his own first ever solo release, ʻCircle Pitʼ (VA004) which is as sick as the original was in 2005. Finally comes our Bavarian son Dario Zenker who puts a big red ribbon on the ʻFamily Valuesʼ package with perhaps his slickest, sexiest, and expansive track to date with ʻApollo 910ʼ.
So enjoy the Vakant familyʼs tech house fruits, partake in its freaky family love, but please try not to get burned.
VA Podcast 03 – Nico Purman’s Interstellar Discotheque ∞
A journey into sound, 105 minutes of interstellar disco, or Nico Purman`s unquestionable ability to blend Kate Bush into Moodymann and further to Bryan Ferry’s Roxy Music, and make it all sound so homogenic it makes us ask is Nico from this earth or the space. We hope you enjoy this piece of music, timeless and classic it seems to last forever.
VALT4 Nico Purman – All That Glitters Ain’t Gold ∞
Vakant is continuing its VALT series with Nico Purman after Dario Zenker’s excursion into Detroit techno some months ago.
Nico, who just moved to Berlin recently, drops a dirty disco bomb which is our soundtrack to your spring! Enjoy.
VA032 Nico Purman – Rhapsodies ∞
Nico Purman, our Argentinean (soon to be Berlin based) drumline captain and all around groove slinger is back for his third instalment on the marching band in the sky that we call our Vakant home.
Purman’s sound continues to evolve, covering truly large distances with every release. Since his robo-strobe inspired earlier Vakant works Tuesday EP (VA017) and Euphrasia EP (VA025), Nico drops 3 large-and-very-much-in-charge space jazz masterpieces that he fermented in what sounds like a mid-nineties New York house basement.
First up is ‘Why What’ where Nico sets the free-flowing rhapsodic mood that covers so much ground with one track. Starting in what sounds like Tenaglia’s beloved Chelsea, the track slowly moves uptown landing at the Blue Note where Rollins, Monk, and Roach sit in on the session.
‘ Funk Forest’ follows with more pep and less mood. Upbeat and popping percussion blend with Rhodes while a diva whispers in your ear until late seventies Hancock shows up with his synth and brings the hands way up.
‘Chamomile’ finishes the EP off in style. Moody while maintaining the jazz feel, ‘Chamomile’ peaks with futuro baritone sax and piano in unison. Smooth and steady all the way.
VA025: Nico Purman – Euphrasia EP ∞
Who said techno isn’t seasonal? Summer’s ebullience must invariably lead to winter’s depravity. Short days, collapsing economies, and assorted mavericks have set the mood for the return of Argentinean Nico Purman, our winter cycle heavy hitter, with his second EP on Vakant since last January’s Tuesday EP (VA 017).
A-side ‘Euphrasia’ is your very own space tourism trip minus the Soyuz-FG rocket and associated $25 million price tag. Are we going to make it to the International Space Station? Will we break up in the upper atmosphere? Will there be a FSB agent waiting for us in the ISS? All good questions. Nico’s got the ascension covered here, complete with drama, apprehension, and aerospace wizardry.
B1 ‘My Own Band’ provides reassured relief after finally docking with the Pirs module only to find a bunch of inebriated astronauts complete with hydroponics and atomizers. Space is indeed fun and full of love and melody.
With B2 ‘Da Roots’, Nico proves once and for all that there are indeed Africans in space, and they probably spent a considerable amount of time in Chicago. ‘Da Roots’ jacks as robustly as a solid Kazakh Steppe landing. Plump and stout, Nico’s B2 celebrates earth and space at once with feet firmly on the ground staring back up yearning for the next ride.
VA017: Nico Purman – Tuesday EP ∞
Fresh talent has joined the Vakant Berlin Boys Tec Team (VBBTT). Argentinean Nico Purman, drummer and no stranger to the world’s dark throbbing dance floor scene, brings us a release nothing short of spontaneous combustion.
A-side ´Tuesday´ takes perhaps the most direct approach to dark loud strobo room stimulation seen in some time from the perspective of deep expanding techno. Taking classic clues from no frills techno history, Nico takes things way further with a sound all his own, vast and bottomless. At once thick and enveloping, ´Tuesday´ ferries you on an outing to a submarine rave whether you remember getting on the boat or not.
B-side ´Muela Pain´, also not for those faint of heart or easily unhinged, could be easily placed in some of Kubrik’s darker cinematic moments. ´Muela Pain´ foreshadows impending doom in a way that a wall of speakers could ever hope to. It is at once dubby, clinical, heavy, and just plain freaky.
Just in time for the cold, dark indoor season, VA017 is here to happily assist in your winter downward spiral.
