Clang: Recent Episodes
Clang
Clang is the alias of italian DJ and producer Rudi Calcagnile, founder of the label Gypsy.
please send all inquiries to: rudi.calcagnile@gmail.com
Rudi Calcagnile’s story has followed a double trajectory in music: in his early years he spent several seasons in Ibiza as DJ for clubs like Blue Marlin and Savannah as well as live shows on one of the earliest electronic music radio stations of the island, Ibiza Global Radio. Coming back to Italy, he has been taking time to hone his skills in studio and releasing his first works as Bulcinim.
Clang83 moniker was introduced to the wider audience first in 2015 through the Gentlemen Cuts vol. 1, a VA compilation released on Quintessentials which included the track 'You’ve Got Me Mesmerized’. Following a two-year hiatus, the italian producer returned on Viennese label Secret Crunch (2017) setting the tone for his collaboration with the dutch legend Orlando Voorn on Housewax (2018).
After one year spent in Mallorca, he returned to Italy and launched his own imprint Gypsy. Summer 2018 marked officially his debut with EP Keep On Reaching, played by Anastasia Kristensen in her set at Boiler Room x PPF, selected by Peach in her mix for Discwoman series and also supported by a fierce cast of artists including Chrissy, Jen Ferrer, Nabihah Iqbal, Anna Wall and more. In the last few months, releases as Storyteller EP and Bootstrap/It’s An African Jungle have gained more support with the likes of Moxie, Ciel, object blue and CEM to name a few.
Rudi Calcagnile's relationship with music has always been particularly intense. “Music is my oxygen, I can't live without it” he says. The italian DJ grew up listening and recording on cassette almost every genre of music from early to late 90s: house, techno, garage, drumnbass, jungle, breaks, ambient, dub, progressive and tribal as well as broken beat, trip hop, acid jazz and funk.
Clang is a purist who aspires to build the perfect balance between house and techno, always offering quality underground music.
Clang - Ethereal Sex EP - GYPSY003
https://clang83.bandcamp.com/album/ethereal-sex-ep
a1. Meritocracy a2. Under The Sun b. Ethereal Sex
Limited 50 red transparent 12" vinyl
'Ethereal Sex’ is the 3rd release to come on already acclaimed label Gypsy, whose past releases have been supported by a fierce cast of artists in electronic music.
In this release, founder and producer Rudi Calcagnile returns under his new alias ‘Clang’, releasing three slabs of underground techno, oscillating between old school fast techno and hard house. The EP draws influence from a spectrum of adjacent styles between late 90s and early 00s techno, taking inspiration from artists like Surgeon, The Advent, Funk D’Void and Dave Angel as well as labels such as Tresor, Soma and Rotation Records.
A1 ‘Meritocracy’ kicks off the EP with a distorted funky sequence which gradually reveals a bangin' hard house track, pervaded by heavy kicks, aggressive snares and extreme sharpened hi-hats. Massive!
The sound becomes more industrial and crispy in A2 ‘Under The Sun’. The track immediately caught our attention with a mix of flattened industrial beats, gritty shakers and a funk bassline that create a tremendous tight groove which explodes in a multitude of powerful elements: dirty chord stabs, chopped vocals, snappy 808 snares, electric guitar riffs. Heater!
On the flip, like in a secret rendezvous, a gentle-syncopated kick introduces us into a higher dimension where vibrant filtered chord stabs and a vigorous bassline come together as two bodies in a whirlwind of passion...until soaring cinematic strings and punchy 909 snares proclaim a sublime state of pleasure that only a selected few would call ‘Ethereal Sex’!
GYPSY003 is a one time thing, no distribution, no repress. Don’t sleep!
🔥 Early feedbacks:
Zenker Brothers (Ilian Tape) "Thanks this sounds cool!"
Paàl (Voitax) "I do love it especially Under The Sun is a sick tune :)"
U.R. TRAX "The previews are sick. I really like the hard but groovy, classy and energetic vibe"
Mad Miran "These tracks make me want to dance in the club....! fast bam techno, but i can feeeel the vibe! my favourite track is b2"
DJ Spit "Dope :)"
DJ T.A.G. (Tresor) "Thx for your Promo. Playing Vinyl"
DJ Hyperactive "Hell yeah!!"
Cynthia Spiering "Really cool, Under The Sun sounds really nice!"
Mätäsism "Thanks, my fav is Meritocracy"
Kmyle "I like this style, is pretty fresh; great works!"
Anna Wall "Excellent comeback from Clang! Feeling the Detroit techno vibes, Under The Sun is the one for me"
Ciel "Appreciate it!"
I made this track in a moment of extreme sadness, when one of my best friends passed away. I was in Mallorca when this happened and I didn’t know immediately, only when I came back to Italy. My first reaction was to turn my feelings into music and apparently it didn’t alleviate the suffering for the big loss.
Later in the following months, I realized that this track keeps alive the memory of my dear friend Rocco and I am extremely grateful to have translated these vibrations into beautiful ambient soundscapes. So, I decided to share it with you with the aim of spreading positive vibes to you all.
This track is also dedicated to one of my most inspiring artists, Mike Huckaby, in the light of his recent passing.
Download here https://clang83.bandcamp.com/track/rocco
In Memory of Rocco Dedicated to Mike Huckaby
Written and Produced by Clang Mastered by Enrico Mantini at DDA Mastering Photography by Diego Bortone (https://www.instagram.com/diego_bortone)
"Clang83 is the alias of italian DJ and producer Rudi Calcagnile, founder of the label Gypsy. He is a purist who aspires to build the perfect balance between house and techno, always offering quality underground music."
My guest mix for DUBLAB Radio aired on September 13, 2019
Recorded with: Technics SL1210 MKII, Allen & Heath XONE23, Tascam DR05
Click on the link above to download the full set
Huge thanks to Rachel https://www.dublab.com
More info: https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/clang83/biography
Follow me: IG https://www.instagram.com/clang83_ FB http://www.facebook.com/Clang83-2112730205648278
Instagram live July 6, 2019
Setup: Technics SL-1210 MKII, Allen & Heath XONE 23, Tascam DR 05V2
Photo by Graham Andrew Rozario
Follow me: IG https://www.instagram.com/clang83_/ FB http://www.facebook.com/Clang83-2112730205648278/
In this vinyl-only mix I wanted to give my perception of techno which is a bit different from the common idea of techno nowadays. Just over 140 BPM, this mix explores different styles, from tech funk to loop techno, then progressing into pure techno.
Powerful percussive elements, funky basslines, chordish sound-effects, stabby sounds and bittersweet melodies contribute to build a kind of balance between house and techno sounds which is my imprint.
Recorded live June 29, 2019
Setup : Technics SL-1210 MKII, Allen & Heath XONE 23, Tascam DR 05V2
Photo by Mazwan Jamalluddin
If you want to know more, feel free to contact me: rudi.calcagnile@gmail.com