Cable

Put a load of comedians inside a nightclub and what do you get? Echoes. Bet your glad I’m not in charge of the comedy programming then? Reality is, Cable’s Laughing Boy nights are perhaps some of the most intimate in London – a place for comedians, big and emerging, to try out new material. We’ve got that raw, underground feel, but without the connoisseur attitude that feigns a majority of audience’s away from enjoying live comedy.



A year on from Laughing Boy’s first takeover, and we’ve had the likes of Alan Carr and John Richardson both join us for secret unannounced slots – and alongside those, Marcus Brigstocke, Phil Jupitus, Kevin Bridges and Adam Hills.



This month, Laughing Boy are back – this time with an array of rising star talent. Headlining, we’ve got Stand Up For The Week regular, Josh Widdecombe, while Dublin comedian and local favourite, Rory O’Hanlon, is also along for the ride.



You come, they tell jokes, you laugh, and everything is simple for the rest of eternity.

Laughing Boy Comedy Club with Josh Widdicombe & Rory O'Hanlon
Thursday 28th February at Cable, London at Relay, London

Click here for more event info / tickets

The Butterz crew return to take over Cable this Saturday in a way that they only can, this time celebrating their massive 3rd Birthday. For those of you haven't experienced a Butterz night, every event is like a carnival and this Saturday will be pure party vibes!

Headlining is one of the most revered producers within Dubstep and Grime, Bristol boy Joker. And as it's their Birthday,the Butterz boys had to do something really special, so Joker will be performing a very rare back-to-back set with the extremely talented, Swindle. Next up is one of the most talked about producers in the scene right now, Lil Silva. The last few years have seen this London producer cement his reputation as one of the most consistent producers within Grime and Funky, and his distinctive sound sets him apart from the rest. Joining them will be the full Butterz crew including Hardrive head honcho Terror Danjah, Royal-T, Champion and of course, Elijah & Skilliam. There will also be a host of secret guests coming down to get involved with the celebrations, for those who have been to previous Butterz nights know that these will massive!

For all those of you coming down… lucky you! And for those that can't make it, fear not, as we will be streaming the action live from the main room!

Tune in here Saturday night from 12 midnight to see all the action, stream schedule below.

WFS present Butterz 3rd Birthday with Joker, Swindle & more
Saturday 23rd February at Cable, London

Click here for more event info / tickets / to view live stream

Stream Schedule:

00:15 - 01:00 - Terror Danjah
01:00 - 01:45 - Lil Silva
01:45 - 02:00 - Elijah & Skilliam + Friends
02:00 - 03:00 - Joker & Swindle
03:00 - 03:45 - Champion
03:45 - 04:30 - Royal-T & D.O.K

The crowned queen of Drum and Bass, Riya is definitely one of the most recognisable vocalists within the scene, and that's including the big hitting MCs. Over the years Riya has laid down vocals on some of the biggest and most hyped releases, showing her versatility to switch from a vulnerable, soft sound to the tough, fast paced. With huge collaborations on labels such as Metalheadz and Critical, many tracks that she has worked on are now considered classics, including Lenzman's "Open Page", Enei's "No Fear" and last years summertime roller "Piano Funk" from the mighty Total Science & S.P.Y.

Lenzman ft. Riya - Open Page



Enei ft. Riya - No Fear



Total Science & S.P.Y ft. Riya & Dåm Funk - Piano Funk



Ahead of her Live PA tonight at Liquid V alongside legends Peshay and Total Science, we sat down with Riya to find out a little more.

Cable & Planet V present Liquid V with Peshay & Total Science
Friday 15th February at Cable, London

Click here for more event info / tickets

-----------------------------------------------------------------

What are some of the hits you're most well known for?

Lenzman ft. Riya - Open Page, Total Science & SPY ft. Dam Funk & Riya - Piano Funk, Lenzman ft. Riya – How Did I Let U Go, Lenzman ft. Riya - Bittersweet Pt. 2 and Riya – Seems Like

What was your first experience of Drum & Bass music?

A Valve Soundsystem night...Slammin vinyl nights...such good memories.

What are you're feelings about performing at Liquid V, Cable?

I’m really looking forward to it as I love singing my songs live and PAs in this country are not something I get to do a lot, I’m not sure why but I think promoters are generally scared to do them, preferring the usual MC or host and DJ. This is one of my biggest frustrations as a female vocalist having worked so hard on so many tunes, that you don’t get supported or promoted on label nights. It’s a shame because it means vocalists and MCs get disheartened and go elsewhere essentially and we lose good talent which is what the scene needs to keep it fresh and current. So yes, thank you Liquid V!

How important do you feel vocalists are on a track?

It depends on the type of tune or the genre of music. But we could talk all day about that so keeping it to D&B, I like all D&B tracks but for some types of aggressive, dark techy tunes I wouldn’t want a vocal on there it’s just all about the rhythm and bass etc but for the right song generally musical D&B tunes I think they’re an essential component. However it has to be done right of course, and this is what differentiates an OK D&B tune from a top class one. A vocal hook also gets stuck in people’s minds, and if something is catchy then that’s a sure fire way to selling more songs or getting playlisted on radio as well for instance. The other thing is that lyrics tell a story. All of my songs tell a story about hard times in my life or experiences, and I write them in hope it will resonate with somebody else who is going through a similar thing because most people I know turn to music during tough times and are searching for the song that explains how they feel about things or that resonates with them and vocals are really the main way to do this...to tell the story of the track not just through the lyrics, through expression and tone too.

What are you feelings about where Drum & Bass is currently?

I guess you could run with that question in a number of ways based on my own opinions and what I hear a lot in the industry about lack of sales, egos, not being paid enough, politics, saturation of music, technology, file sharing/downloading etc but that is the same in music in general and not just specific to dnb although more apparent. Generally though there’s a lot of talented producers around and a lot of good music, some great new vocalists coming through, and it’s getting represented better (and the full spectrum of) more in media/on radio which is great but there’s some areas I feel that D&B really needs a good kick up the arse and I’m sure a lot of producers and vocalists alike feel the same. Well I know they do!

It's that time again folks! DJ Mag will announce their Top 100 clubs on the planet, and once again, it's voted by you the discerning dance floor disciple. Of course, we're in the running again and last year we climbed up the ranks and made it to a very respectable 59th. But, that was before the likes of Jeff Mills, Diplo, Eats Everything, Zeds Dead, Solomun, Maya Jane Coles, Derrick May, LTJ Bukem and David Rodigan all took to the decks. So this year, we know we can do better.

2012 was a busy one - we launched Cable TV and the Cablecast, opened our second venue, Relay and celebrated some of the biggest anniversary parties to hit the capital. With Vice celebrating their 10th birthday, and Shoom celebrating the 25th anniversary since their inception, it was a year to relinquish the past.

Cable TV 003: Shoom 25th Anniversary with Derrick May & Danny Rampling


When JME, stood, his head arched high up, his legs clambering to reach the top of the DJ booth at Butterz, we knew too well that it was to be a moment to remember. But JME was one of many – alongside that, Friction, the Scratch Pervets and Borgore all brought us into meltdown, while Krafty Kuts and DJ Yoda sent our heads spinning. We also celebrated our 3rd Anniversary with Chew The Fat! & Shogun Audio over 1 epic weekend back in May.

JME performs 96 Fuckries live from Cable's dance floor


3 Years Of Cable - Caught on Camera


From Blueprint, to Idiosynphonic, to the last ever Shogun Audio, we saw it all. We shared moments that went down in history. But now is your chance to show how much you enjoyed it. We know we deserve to be further up that list this year so if you've enjoyed a night beneath our lights and in amongst our beats - get clicking!

Voting couldn't be easier either as it's all done through Facebook. Click the DJ Mag logo below for instructions. Thanks!

Robert Babicz truly is a man who has seen and done it all. The Cologne based Pole's career has spanned over two decades and seen many changes and aliases, from the very beginnings of the Acid House scene when it first arrived on European shores, to the turn of the new millennium which brought in a new age of Minimal House, to present day, where Robert showcases his love for Techno, Minimal, Acid and all things in between. Renowned for his impeccable production skills and unique sound, his love for analogue equipment from the 70s and 80s sets him apart from the crowd, with revered names such as Martinez and Gabriel Ananda procuring his services for mastering their own productions. With releases on such labels as the legendary Kompakt, as well as Treibstoff, Audiomatique and his own imprint, Babiczstyle, he is now considered up there with the very best.

Ahead of his live performance at Nuestra Casa this Saturday at Relay alongside Tom Middleton, the Nuestra Casa boys sat down with the man himself to find out a little more.

Nuestra Casa with Robert Babicz (Live), Tom Middleton & more
Saturday 16th February at Relay, London

Click here for more event / tickets

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Artists these days take pride in working under a number of alias's. You've very much done that. What is it about the idea of an alias you love? And do you think it's important to use it as a means to differentiate style?

The alias idea was for me to have this different platforms for different styles, because the people are usually not so open minded, but i changed my view on this, and now i mostly do everything under Robert Babicz, i am independent enough to be free as an artist… just sometimes i like to play like a child under my ROB ACID name, but its really more like playing with toys, especially if i use the tb303.

2. Why do you like to be known as a live performer and never a DJ?

Because i never DJ in my hole life, I've always been a producer and live performer, but in these days its important to remind people that i am what i am. I really enjoy to have this full control on my sets, where i decide where the music goes and that every note is coming out of my own fantasy. I am not very much interested to play music from other people……. I listen to music from other at home or in the car.

3. What’s your thoughts on the split between underground club movements, and the mainstream movement sweeping the US at current?

I like when structures are changing in general, that means our music is still alive. On the other side I don't care what the people doing in the US, i just have as much fun as possible with my stuff.

4. Which audiences around the world really do it for you? Who gets you into the swing of a set best?

Ohhhh i am really in love with the full planet, there is no best place, as a gig depends on so many parameters. I always do my best everywhere…...

5. You’ve got an interest in travel photography too – do you feel it’s important to have that escape from the DJ lifestyle? Many DJs absorb it to the point of obsession.

I done this lifestyle for over 20 years now, for me there is no need in after-hours any more, I'd rather go to bed to be able to go out next day with my camera. I mean where in the world you have the opportunity to travel all around the planet and get paid for having fun. It's a waste of lifetime just to be only at the hotel and party….

6. How do you think small labels and imprints set up by DJs fit into the market for dance music?

These days of the global network, you can be as powerful as every big label, you can do everything out of your bedroom.

7. You started in a day before the internet existed, do you see the changes on how it’s affected the way you work? What are they?

Sure it changed everything, i would even say, that the internet was the main power to share this music around the planet.

8. Future plans?

My new album is on its way on Systematic Records, and also my next Babiczstyle Vol 2 compilation is coming….. and a lot of wonderful touring.