Originally released in 2014, Strut reissues Hardcore Traxx: Dance Mania Records 1986-1997, the ultimate retrospective of one of Chicago’s most influential and pioneering house music labels.
Rising as a raw alternative to giants like Trax and DJ International in the mid-‘80s, Dance Mania continued to represent the heartbeat of Chicago’s street-level club music throughout the ‘90s, playing a key role in the creation of the Ghetto House sound. Learn More
Francois Kevorkian is a name that needs no introduction. With a career spanning over four decades, FK has worn many hats—drummer, DJ, A&R exec, remixer, and producer—each showcasing his boundless talent. From the early days of New York’s club scene, sharing booths with pioneers like Walter Gibbons and Larry Levan, Kevorkian has been a central figure since day one. His years spent in the city’s most iconic nightspots sharpened his musical instincts, eventually landing him a role as A&R at the legendary Prelude Records in the early ‘80s. That move opened doors to collaborations with a who’s who of music royalty—The Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, Erasure, D-Train, Yazoo, The Smiths, Kraftwerk, and countless others. A true NYC original, Kevorkian remains active to this day, and the respect he commands within the industry is as strong as ever. His genre-defying DJ sets, groundbreaking remixes, and ever-curious musical ear have solidified his status as a true pioneer. Learn More
Issue Two of SEEN focuses on decolonising electronic music and features photography from Alina Akbar and writing from Iyunoluwanimi Yemi-Shodimu, Amelia Fearon, Dhruva Balram, Jessica Rogers, Jad Ghazali, Dr Zakiya Mckenzie, Sashwati Mira Sengupta and Stephanie Ewurama (aka SCAPA). Articles include a project linking Mancunian and Palestinian artists, an interview with AFRODEUTSCHE, the ethics of sampling and a reggae orchestra led by a visually impaired Jamaican. Long reads include a look at a Ghanaian festival, a thinkpiece on solidarity and protest sounds in South Asia and the diaspora and the role of social media platforms in framing beauty standards in electronic music. A review of our panel at WOMEX in October 2024 is featured too. For the launch contributors Amelia Fearon, Jessica Rogers, Sashwati Mira Sengupta and Iyunoluwanimi Yemi-Shodimu will be in conversation with the SEEN founders, exploring the themes of the latest issue. The night will feature a DJ set from Taxi Cab Industries (who also designed the issue) with the magazine on sale to the public. No tickets are required for the launch at 7:30pm. Learn More