VELOCITY PRESS – serie

In 1994, nineteen-year-old Claire books a one-way ticket to Ibiza. Here she meets Mike, the young artist and architect behind Manumission, and they begin a passionate affair. But this is not your average love story. The Motel is a vivid, firsthand chronicle of Ibiza's explosive club scene during the 1990s, seen through the eyes of one of its key protagonists. Claire's incredible, unique story takes place at the intersection of art and hedonism and at a time in the late 20th century when seismic changes in dance music and clubbing were about to change mainstream youth culture forever. Claire was there at the epicentre - curator, performer, muse and twisted ringmaster. For the first time, Claire opens the door on the wild, scandalous early Manumission years - raw, radiant, and utterly unfiltered.

At the cusp of a new millennium, British electronic music was rapidly changing. Jungle and garage had broken into the mainstream but were beginning to run out of creative gas-what fresh movement would next captivate the underground? On the outer edges of London, a small group of bass devotees had the answer. Through a new strain of sub-loaded beats that stripped jungle, rave, techno and garage for parts, this scene returned to dub roots, prizing the fundamentals of soundsystem culture: bass, space and togetherness. They called it dubstep. In Aftershock, seasoned music writer Lauren Martin charts the origins of one of the 21st century's most innovative music genres in oral history form. Through the testimonies of its architects, alongside an immersive array of photography, flyers and previously unseen scene history, Aftershock chronicles the rise of artists such as Skream, Mala, Coki, Loefah, Horsepower Productions and Rusko, as well as labels and parties including Hyperdub, Tempa, DMZ, FWD>> and Skull Disco. Together, this movement shook the British underground, exploded online and, within a decade, reshaped global music on an unprecedented scale. Told through first-hand accounts, Aftershock is a testament to how the imagination and persistence of a few can transform culture.

Egostrip Book 2 is a beautifully designed, expansive continuation of Dan Lish's visionary character illustrations that pay homage to the vibrant world of Hip Hop and beyond. This stunning collection features over 170 illustrations, paintings, and murals that capture the essence of Hip Hop's golden era through striking visual narratives. The artwork honours legendary artists and collectives such as Gangstarr, Run DMC, Wu-Tang Clan, Showbiz and AG, Boogie Down Productions, A Tribe Called Quest, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, MF DOOM, Jeru The Damja, Biggie, Lauryn Hill, LL Cool J, and many more. Each piece unveils intricate micro-narratives and detailed ink pen explorations, offering a deep dive into the history, culture, and dynamic evolution of Black Music. Celebration of Creativity: Beyond a mere visual showcase, the collection is a tribute to human creativity, capturing the spirit, passion, and innovation that have defined Hip Hop and influenced broader cultural landscapes. Dan Lish's Egostrip Book 2 is not just an art collection-it's a cultural chronicle that celebrates the enduring legacy of Hip Hop, inviting viewers to rediscover the stories and artistry behind some of the most influential figures in music history...

In 1989, six visionary graffiti artists (Rough, Part2, Stormboy, System, Tee Roc and Solo1) were invited to join a groundbreaking new collective spearheaded by Juice 126. Guided by his ambitious manifesto, the group sought to break free from the traditional constraints of graffiti, forging a bold path as a 'post graffiti supergroup'. Thus, the Ikonoklast Movement was born - a creative force that revolutionised the boundaries of graffiti art. Their innovative collaborations and solo projects redefined the genre, influencing a generation of European artists. Over 35 years later, the Ikonoklasts remain active, interconnected, and profoundly impactful. This richly illustrated book is the definitive chronicle of the group's most groundbreaking works, with a focus on their prolific output during the 1990s. In a time predating the digital age, much of their legacy went undocumented. Now, for the first time, this comprehensive volume celebrates their transformative contributions and ensures their story is no longer overlooked.

On Tour by Ralph Moore offers a candid look at the UK dance music scene through the eyes of a seasoned journalist. Covering mainly the 90s and 00s, Moore shares his experiences from the heart of the industry, working on magazines like Muzik and Mixmag. This book takes readers behind the scenes, providing a firsthand account of the rise of electronic music. Moore's journey includes interviews with renowned DJs, backstage stories from iconic clubs, and the energy of legendary festivals. His perspective sheds light on the evolution of dance music, capturing the highs and lows of a rapidly changing scene. On Tour is a must-read for anyone interested in dance music, offering an insider's view of a transformative era. With straightforward storytelling and insightful reflections, Moore brings to life the moments that defined a generation of music lovers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the scene, this book provides a unique glimpse into the world of dance music journalism and the beats that kept it alive.

Close The App, Make The Ting is a collection of ideas shared by Elijah that began in July 2021, as the Covid 19 lockdowns were ending in the UK. They started as simple notes questioning what the music and creative scenes would look like after being shut down for 18 months shared regularly on Instagram, then developed into a multimedia project that spanned visual installations, an album with grime MC Jammz, a club night and a lecture series that toured the world. The Close The App, Make The Ting book brings together the best of the ideas, and the projects they inspired. This is for anyone producing or thinking of producing creative work, that needs something outside of 'advice', these are evergreen artistic prompts that will inspire new ways of approaching being an artist in the 2020s.

The confessions of a time travelling cultural vampire wherein the alternative history of late 20th century counter culture is revealed. Sent on a holy mission at a young age the young demon Jonah Plantagenet uses his God given gifts to pillage the past. From the mists of pre-history via Roman Britain to the birth of Acid House, the arcades of Slough to the court of King John, chip shops in Manchester to biker rumbles in California this Son of a Demon God takes the words from J G Ballard's mouth, swipes the genius of Kandinsky, sucks out the minds of famous DJs, possesses Rudolf Steiner and resurrects the Beatles. Jonah Plantagenet the world's most celebrated DJ, prize winning author, feted artist and arbiter of cultural fashion. History's greatest criminal. Now he must face his judgement. Justin Robertson weaves a breathless tale infused with dark humour and a keen appreciation of the absurd. In parts very loosely autobiographical The Trial of Jonah captures the magic and wonder of art, music and word and reflects on how the creative process is really one protracted act of possession.

They say nothing good happens after midnight, but in the case of creativity, that's just not so. The night fosters a different kind of creativity: something urgent, spontaneous, carved out of necessity. Tracking the past, present and future of this complex, often contradictory dynamic. Selling The Night explores what happens when this creativity influences wider culture and converges with everything from media, advertising, design and to gaming, fashion, hospitality, alcohol, beauty, tourism and far beyond. Also, as importantly, the implications of brands taking space within dance music as sponsors and supporters. Selling The Night speaks to DJs, promoters, marketers, academics, activists, archivists, policy makers, photographers, writers and designers. It samples KFC through to Fiorucci, Absolut and Red Bull, and moves from New York disco to the modern global underground. It witnesses how ideas migrate from subculture to influence the creative industries. It goes in search of lessons in improving the value exchange between dance music and brands, seeking something more symbiotic and less parasitic. All the while, it celebrates what makes after-dark ideas so special - the unique and democratising role they play.

What is hardcore? It means many things to many people, and they're all correct. It's best described as a feeling, an attitude, a way of life. Hardcore began as an apocalyptic vision of the 'phuture' that has since come to pass, and a do it yourself rave movement that never stopped or backed down. Hardcore is revolutionary and underground - and a mass marketed phenomenon that refuses to die, because hardcore will never die. Its symbols have been tattooed onto millions of bodies, and its relics passed down through generations. This book tracks those outsider youth who banded together en masse, as a crew, to party in protest, on ecstasy, in rage and escape, as a nighttime community, more family than family, who need this hard, loud, fast/slow, aggressive, noisy (occasionally silly) kickdrum and breakbeat music to connect with people, to survive the world, and get through the week. Hardcore: Either you're in, or you're out. And if you're in, you're in all the way, diehard and dancing to the death. Dance or Die!

For a glorious ten-year period from 1995 to 2005, hip-hop music received a much-needed shot in the arm from a generation of determined and wildly creative rappers and producers. They rallied against the increasingly formulaic and shallow world of mainstream rap, as well as a music industry unwilling to listen. By releasing music on their own terms as independent artists-many adopting the mantra of being 'independent as fuck' as a mission statement-these hungry creatives reclaimed their artistic freedom and wore it as a badge of honour. Most importantly, they also made a lot of excellent hip-hop. What emerged was a vibrant underground music scene that stretched from New York to Los Angeles, with influence reaching across the world. Independent as F**: Underground Hip-hop from 1995-2005 looks back at this golden era, celebrating the most important artists, record labels, 12' records, and albums, along with the stories behind them, while also shining a light on those who have since been forgotten. Lovingly researched and curated, this book is the ultimate guide to a special time in music history, one that continues to inspire each new wave of hip-hop artists decades later.