Armand Jakobsson is the artist known as DJ Seinfeld, Rimbaudian and Birds of Sweden. Under these aliases you’ll find sweeping emotive cuts, verdant dancefloor workouts and discerning dips into jungle and breaks. Releases have come on respected labels including Meda Fury, Ectotherm, UN.T.O and Lobster Fury: the collaborative label from Lobster Theremin and Meda Fury begun for the explicit purpose of releasing his tracks.DJ Seinfeld’s beats are ultimately guided by an idea of authenticity, true to the spirit of the early house pioneers and the unabashed rawness the confines of their equipment demanded. A lot’s been made of this lo-fi fuzz, with many clamoring to declare it a scene, but he won’t be put into a box. His path is his own. A microphone picks up the tension and release of a singer: charged with emotion, the machine can’t handle it. The rough edges of his productions emit the same sensibility. Footage of his gigs or their post-show reaction exemplifies the reception he gets as a DJ. Biographies often claim a DJ regularly ‘sends crowds into rapture’ or ‘lays waste to the floor,’ but in DJ Seinfeld’s case pandemonium is the default. Mixes show his deft control of build-up and feel in the booth, while his mini series for legendary London station Rinse FM in May ‘DJ Seinfeld presents…’, was a master class in the kind of wonky left-field house he peppers his sets with. Armand began making music in Edinburgh at the suggestion of a respected friend. Time spent experimenting with sounds and exploring the possibilities contained within his laptop was cathartic relief from the grind of finishing his studies. Later returning to his hometown of Malmo, his interest in making music would intensify thanks to encouragement from his old school friends and the looming spectre of a 9-5 lifestyle. A move to Barcelona and the end of a relationship resulted in extended sessions watching the classic American sitcom and the music made to reflect that appeared under the name DJ Seinfeld. Rimbaudian already had traction and DJ Seinfeld was really intended as a side-project to exorcise emotions felt at that time. At first, tracks appeared on music-sharing groups online but he didn’t claim ownership, despite the growing buzz. When his friend Courtesy’s label Ectotherm began asking who the mysterious producer was, he began to take note. Then before long, Lobster Theremin and Media Fury followed suit.The point of no return though came one evening spent with Ableton and a few beers. The track ‘U’ was uploaded to Soundcloud, and the internet went into overdrive. Sampling Bob Geldoff’s account of his split with his wife, amid soaring chants and keys wrought in heartache, ‘U’ is almost voyeuristic in its honesty. It’s that truth, that realness, that defines what Armand’s music is about.
Brian d’Souza aka Auntie Flo is a central figure in the ‘new strand of club music fusing electronic and world influences alongside the likes of Daphni, Four Tet, Romare, Sinkane and John Wizards’ (Joe Muggs, The Wire, 2013), and with his Highlife party and label he is helping to ‘take World Music into the future’ (The Guardian, 2015).2015 saw Auntie Flo release his debut full-length album following a ‘Momentum Artist’ award by the PRSF. ‘Theory of Flo’ was recorded in his hometown of Glasgow, current base in London and also during a tour to Havana, Cuba. It was released on Huntleys + Palmers and distributed by Kompakt. It features collaborations with long time production partner and Highlife co-resident DJ Esa Williams, alongside Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes), Ghanaian singer Anbuley, Red Snapper drummer Rich Thair and Hidden Orchestra violinist Poppy Ackroyd. It was commended as one of the ‘Albums of the Year’ in various publications, including DJ Mag who awarded it ‘9/10’. Inverted Audio (2015) said it represents:‘one of the most culturally exciting developments to happen to club culture in the UK…a prosperously based groundwork of music which will pave the way to come for artists in future years.’Auntie Flo’s label Highlife launched the ‘Highlife World Series’ this year, featuring a series of collaborative releases made in different locations around the world with a new breed of local talent fusing traditional instrumentation with modern productions technique. Cuba, Kenya and Uganda were the first stops with further releases planned for 2016. Auntie Flo is also 1/3 of Autonomous Africa alongside Optimo’s JD Twitch and Midland, a label releasing new music from the African diaspora.Auntie Flo toured extensively in 2015 performing in Asia, US/Canada, Africa, Latin America and frequently in Europe and the UK. Festival appearances have included Glastonbury, T in the Park, MoMA PS1, Lovebox, Dimensions, Garden Festival, Latitude and many more. DJ appearances include Panorama Bar, Trouw, Fabric, D-Edge and former residencies at Glasgow’s Sub Club and London’s Plastic People. He has also performed two live sessions for BBC Radio 1, four Boiler Room broadcasts and released a variety of DJ mixes for the likes of Resident Advisor, BBC 6 Music and Beats in Space NYC.Other labels to release Auntie Flo’s music include Kompakt, Permanent Vacation, Innervisions/Philomena, Mule Musiq, Comeme, Multi Culti, Enchufada and more. Remixes include Chvrches, Crystal Fighters, Bosq, Red Snapper and more. Auntie Flo presents a monthly radio show on London’s Rinse FM. Guests have included Axel Boman, Gilb’r, Soul Clap and more.Auntie Flo’s debut mini album ‘Future Rhythm Machine’ (H+P 2012) introduced him as one of the ‘most truly original production talents around’ (Crack Magazine, 2012), garnered a nomination for a SAY Award (Scottish Album of the Year) and was rated as one of the best albums of 2012 (Bleep.com).Auntie Flo is founder and resident DJ at the Highlife parties that take place in Glasgow, London and Edinburgh. Highlife champions exciting artists from around the world including the likes of Rebolledo, Nicolas Jaar, Matias Aguayo, Shackleton, Actress, Awesome Tapes From Africa, Charanjit Singh, amongst many others.