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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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RUSSIA – Mike Devine’s 3 day Tour (24th – 27th March)
Reported by Mike Devine
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Submitted 30-03-05 23:56
Mike Devine is no stranger to life on the road and actually had to turn down playing in Russia the first time he was asked. As well as playing in South Africa, he’s played for Heat in Ibiza. His one Canadian dj mate Travis Kell plays out there quite often, and the last time he went he took Mike's demo with him to give to the promoter, Roman Pushkin. Roman liked his sound and actually asked him to play over Xmas last year. Mike was in South Africa with his girlfriend at that time, but asked them to re-schedule and they did: he played for a promotion called global club project run by Roman Pushkin who runs www.dancefloor.ru, a Russian dance music website (have a look). Here’s his story of life on the road with his record bag.
Well what can I say, Russia was such an awesome experience. These guys know how to throw a party and party for that matter. This is my Russian Expedition.
THURSDAY 24TH MARCH
I left Gatwick with Transareo Airlines on Thursday afternoon for Moscow. The flight was not that busy so I had all 3 seats to myself. I arrived in Moscow at 8pm (Moscow time, they are 3 hours ahead of the UK) to weather conditions of -5 deg Celsius (brrrrrr). The promoter picked me up and took me to his girlfriend’s flat for dinner. There we spoke of what he wanted from me and what I was to expect from my 2 sets in Russia. After a few bottles of wine and many communication problems, I was taken to my hotel (Hotel Russia in Kremlin is Western Europe’s largest hotel). Boy what a large hotel, I got lost several times.
main bar in club beluga
FRIDAY 25TH MARCH
At 09:30 I was collected by Roman (the dj/promoter) and we drove to Moscow Train station where we had to catch the 10:30 train to Minsk in Belarus. We were met by Club Zona’s head dancer (Alex) and his colleague (Igor). These 2 were already on the hard liqueur, Russian Cognac. We had a little cabin like compartment where we spent most of our time sleeping as the train ride was going to take 11 hours. We eventually arrived in Minsk at about 9pm and we were met by the Art Director of Beluga Club, Natalie. We were chauffeur driven to our hotel where we had 2 hours to kill before being collected again.
At 11:30pm the driver collected us and we made our way to Club Beluga. This is the trendiest club in Minsk where you are likely to find actors, singers, models etc. The capacity of this place is 800 and it has a casino on the 1st level, the club is on the 2nd level.
When we arrived at 12pm to a fairly busy club, we were taken to the VIP section for dinner and cocktails. After a lovely meal and a few drinks I made my way to the stage, I was on from 1am. I was introduced by the resident dj of the club and off I went. I started my set with a limited edition mix of Skylark’s “That’s More Like It”. From the start of my set I knew that it was going to be fun, the atmosphere was electrifying, the lasers and clubbers were going off and I had stage dancers.
The room was packed and everyone was having a blast. Every 15 minutes the dancers would rotate, change costumes and come back again. When I dropped Olav Bolavski’s “Water Fire Rhythm Love ep4 – African Dub” the room went absolutely crazy, they really enjoyed the bongo influenced stuff. Another tune which got the crowd going was Sebastian Ingrosso’s “Lick My Deck”. I played until 3am, and then DJ Roman Pushkin played from 3am – 5am. By this time I had finished the bottle of Johnny Walker Red I was given then from 5am to close, myself and Roman played a b2b.
At about 6am we were taken back to the hotel for a rest and shower before the train journey back to Moscow.
SATURDAY 26TH MARCH
After a great night out at Club Beluga, we departed from Minsk at 08:30. I fell asleep straight away and woke up in the afternoon. The Train got back into Moscow at 8pm. So in total, we spent almost 24 hours on a train, which is a long time in my books.
I was taken to the Hotel where I had about 5 hours to kill before being collected for my next set at Club Zona. I was a bit nervous as this was to be my biggest gig to date.
Grand scale and originality are definitely the words for the recently opened Zona Night Club. The five-story club can hold up to 5000 people at any one time.
The Zona Club is designed in a prison style. The guests are welcomed by prison guard and patrol dogs, watchtowers and barbed wire; the prison motif is continued inside with massive doors, prison bars, cells and waiters wearing prison robes. But the venue doesn't look gloomy, as prison esthetics is masterfully combined with well-known attributes of swanky night life.
There are two dance floors occupying the ground and first levels of the club. There for the first time in the history of Moscow night life such devices as dance floor with changing level, rotating bar- roundabout, transparent floor and live white rats under the glass have been used.
The Zona Club specializes in dance music. The first floor is given over to house, electronic house and disco, on the ground floor R&B reigns. Along with resident DJ (Mishakov, Shadow, XS, Taran and others) stars of modern house stage, residents of London and Amsterdam clubs, such as DJ Raymundo Rodriguez, DJ Carlos Francisco and Mark Western, regularly provide sessions at the Zona Club.
For those who would like to relax with friends in more intimate atmosphere there is a VIP chill out. At guests' disposal there are originally decorated rooms (Day, Night, Passion, Aquarium, Mirror and others). Lounge music, jazz vocal and strip-tease contribute to the relaxing atmosphere reigning there.
I was collected by Roman at 2am and driven to the club. When I arrived, the club was really busy and everyone was on something, this club is more of a drugs influenced club where as the Club in Minsk was not. I was scheduled to play from 3am, so after a few vodka’s I went on. For a bit of an introduction I used an accapella from a tune called “Pressure Cooker” on a Defected label, from that I dropped in a favourite of mine “Voodoo Juice” on Sondos. The sound in this club was unbelievable, my ears are still ringing and it's Tuesday. The clubbers were really havin it to my set, the lasers and lighting is top class and the décor is cool.
I played a tough Tribal/Progressive set at Club Zona, I was told that what I played was exactly what the club promoter was looking for. Tunes that rocked this club were “Voodoo u (dubba groove) “ by King of Cool, “Drugs” by Parris, Harris & Alpha Male, “Tribal Inc (Jesse Garcia remix)” by Steve Angello and “Tribal Attack” by Latin Players.
It was awesome to see about 1500+ people going off to the music that I was playing. There were many dancers at Club Zona, same situation, every few minutes they would rotate/ swap, change costumes etc. I really enjoyed the fire performer. I thought he was going to burn the place down as there are white sheets on the stage and he must have come really close to them.
I finished my set at 5am, and then Roman took over. He played an awesome set, he is such a cool guy and really talented. To date he has produced 4 tracks, 2 of which have been signed to a famous European Label. He plays more electro house, but I’ve never heard music like this. It has a huge bassline, loads of noises, sexy vocals etc. Have a look at his website for more information www.dancefloor.ru
I was taken on a tour of the club whilst Roman was playing. We made our way to the VIP/ chill out floor to meet the club promoter and had a drink with him and his friends. Roman finished playing at 7am Easter Sunday morning and then I was taken straight to the airport.
SUNDAY 27TH MARCH
After an awesome night at Club Zona and a very long drive, we arrived at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport. Roman made sure I was in the right check in, we then said goodbye. He said he was going to invite me back to Russia soon.
I CANT WAIT, I like the party scene there, plus the way they treat overseas guests/djs, is very professional. Before I boarded my plane back to London, I visited a few tax free stores and bought some souvenirs ie VODKA and more VODKA...
Well that’s my Russian Expedition, it’s not what I expected, it's so much better than I thought. I would go back any day.
Photos courtesy of Mike Devine.
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The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Neats on 31st Mar 2005 10:08.44
Wicked dude 
From: Stevi D on 31st Mar 2005 10:12.47
Nice work Mikey!
From: Mike Devine on 31st Mar 2005 12:31.54
apologies for the poor quality of the photo's, my camcorder doesnt have a flash when it takes pics..
From: Adamantium on 31st Mar 2005 13:16.10
Sounds Amazing, Well done Mike!
From: Less is Bat on 31st Mar 2005 13:57.00
Wkd - nice to see a different format of feature on here!
Also dem russkies love the tassled up dancer girls! I went clubbing st petersburg and me n this guy I was dancing with got moved off the stage cos the really bad dancers in tassles were on their way out!
From: Evil E on 31st Mar 2005 14:51.04
Very impressed!! Excellent work!
From: Mike Devine on 31st Mar 2005 15:08.38
more photos of my trip are in the "photos" section..
cheers Adam, Emma, Stevi, Neats..
From: Karl Schmidt on 31st Mar 2005 16:35.13
Rock on Mike... Sounds awesome budddy... got to catch up soon man...
From: nathan larkin on 31st Mar 2005 17:50.30
nice one bruva
From: Richard Launch on 31st Mar 2005 18:04.30
Top stuff Mike. Sounds like a wicked experience.
From: Banja on 1st Apr 2005 05:02.33
Hugs from Moscow!!!
You rocked!!!
From: Mike Devine on 1st Apr 2005 07:19.57
Thanks all..
Hi Banja, Moscow people rock...:-)
Glad you liked my set ;-)
Will be back..
From: kp on 1st Apr 2005 14:42.08
what an experience... can't wait to see the video!!
From: DJChewy on 1st Apr 2005 16:50.29
Good stuff Mike and top work bruv Rock 'n' Roll trip and lifestyle indeed mate   Look fwd to catching up soon! 
From: Banja on 4th Apr 2005 05:38.12
Very soon I'll be back to London!!!
From: DDK on 4th Apr 2005 15:39.49
Yetch Kemetch and thanks for bottle *hick*
From: Darz on 4th Apr 2005 16:04.41
Played Mike!!
From: Mike Devine on 5th Apr 2005 09:40.35
Yetch Kemetch, you gotta try some caviar 
From: Tania Mann on 7th Apr 2005 13:03.41
Hey Mike
How are you?
WOW - sounds amazing! x
From: Mike Devine on 7th Apr 2005 14:58.28
hey Tania, im good thanx. Its was awesome, must show you footage on camcorder. Will drop you a e-mail soon. Take care
From: ViKa on 11th Apr 2005 22:25.59
I am so happy you liked Russia(being Russian) :...And welldone! ...Club Zona is one of my favorite ones, maybe next time you will play at Fabric which is great too...!!!!
From: Mike Devine on 15th Apr 2005 14:07.03
hi Vika, russia was great, moscow is a cool place(excuse the pun ). Zona club was awesome, great vibe inside the club, nice people etc.Cant wait to go back
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