His relocation to Berlin 5 years ago also gave him the opportunity to express himself more regularly as a DJ, resulting in a fast expanding reputation for sending crowds into a frenzy wherever the call of duty takes him. Konrad knows it’s about living and breathing the music, it’s not just a question of turning up, spinning a few tunes and then disappearing back into the night, it’s about getting to know the people, understanding what makes the club tick and always delivering a night of memorable tracks and seamless transgressions. He quickly found himself holding down one of the much coveted residencies at the Legendary Panorama Bar as well as regular spots at dance musics epicentres; Fabric in London, Rex in Paris, Tenax in Florence, Privilege in Ibiza to name a few. After 5 years of a hectic touring schedule, Konrad relocated to Los Angeles and teamed up with fellow producer Martin Buttrich to record a yet unreleased album.

In hindsight, Vancouver’s laid back way of life was the perfect environment to patiently prepare for the whirlwind his life has now become. Free from the restraining influences of established scenes and trends, Konrad was able to develop his own individual take on dance music under the guidance of Patti Schmidt’s Brave New Waves late night radio show. Digging through the junk bins in Vancouver’s coolest record stores – Basics & Odyssey Imports – also unearthed hidden gems from artists like Tikiman and Maurizio, along with early Klang and Perlon releases that had been shamefully overlooked by the uninitiated.

Although his initial instincts had led him in a Drum and Bass direction, it wasn’t long before he began transplanting his ideas into a 4/4 context. Hooking up with Swayzak in 1998 had a large part to do with this and led to a string of releases on 240 Volts including the Busting Down The Door With A Shotgun EP and the inspired Swayzak / Headgear collaboration on In The Car Crash in 2002. During this period Konrad also relocated to London, producing both Drum and Bass for Ed Rush and Optical’s Virus Recordings, and Techno (together with March 21st) as Headgear including a remix of In A State for James Lavelle’s U.N.K.L.E. project.

On returning home, Konrad finally met up with fellow Vancouverite Mathew Jonson who was already having massive success producing on the much lauded It Is What It Is label. Together with Graham Boothby and Jesse Fisk they founded Wagon Repair.

…like dreaming darkly on a sunny day. There’s certainly a Byronesque quality to Black, a perpetual struggle between external light and inner darkness that unearths moments of beauty in the darkest corners of our collective consciousness. But fortune seems to favour the brave and it’s with this firmly in mind that he leads the crowd through the night towards another Berlin sunrise.

With Mike McSuede (Open Studios)

Doors at 10pm
Advance tickets are $12
Tickets available at Zulu, Red Cat, Beat Street, Dandelion, Neptoon and Highlife and online here: http://konrad-black.eventbrite.com/

…..

About The Waldorf
East Vancouvers Famous Waldorf is a historic 64-year-old hotel re-imagined as a creative compound where contemporary art, music, food and culture convene under one roof. Special events, unique spaces, great food and hospitality. Theres always something happening at The Waldorf.

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