BERLIN IN ENGLISH

Making a Splash

20. Apr. 2015
Lotic (c) Elias Johansson

Texan-born DJ/producer J’Kerian Morgan chose Lotic as his moniker. It’s a scientific word referring to active waters, and Lotic’s sound is currently flowing beyond Berlin’s club scene and even trickling toward the international mainstream. But there’s nothing watered down about him – in fact, his music is quite a demanding listening experience. Still, he’s seen a steady rise lately: Soon after he released his EP in March, Björk proudly unveiled Lotic’s remix for her on London’s Rinse FM. It was just one year ago that Lotic released a mixtape of his own tracks for free online. Amongst the electronic shrapnel was a sample of Björk’s howl. It seems that Björk, always with her ear to the underground, was one of its 40,000 listeners. The mixtape also lifted the a cappella from “Drunk in Love” – does this mean Beyoncé will be the next to commission a Lotic remix? (Well, maybe not, but it's likely to happen sooner than, say, Beyoncé getting a MoMA exhibition.)

https://soundcloud.com/janusberlin/lotics-damsel-in-distress

Lotic is part of JANUS, the crew of American expats who carved their own niche in 2012-13 with regular club nights. Last October, they resurfaced with a one-off event at Berghain. Lotic and company gave the soundsystem a break from its usual techno routine, importing their deranged yet danceable style, and – why the hell not? – Beyoncé on the Funktion Ones! That kind of move seems like risking Hausverbot, but Lotic has been invited back to DJ again for the second JANUS night on Friday, April 24, along with Arca (who co-produced Björk’s new album), M.E.S.H. and others.

Lotic’s new Heterocetera EP, out now via Brookyln label Tri Angle, includes five tracks of abstract rhythms, screeches and buzzing. His productions are unapologetically abrasive, mirroring his personal defiance toward the straight majority – the title comes from an essay by lesbian feminist author Audre Lorde. J’Kerian has been upfront about how his sexuality and race come into play, especially in regards to clubbing experiences, which in turn affects his creative output. With his innovative DJ sets and productions, he’s tearing a new hole in the electronic music landscape without compromise.

Joey Hansom

Dieser Text erschien auf Deutsch in der aktuellen Ausgabe der SIEGESSÄULE auf Seite 31. Hier gibt es die April-Ausgabe auch online.

Lotic, Heterocetera EP

Out now via Tri Angle Records

JANUS, Apr. 24, 23:59, Berghain

Arca, DJ Nigga Fox, Primitive Art (live), Kablam, M.E.S.H., Lotic

www.lxtic.com

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