elrow Far Rowest

Spain

Amnesia

The penultimate elrow of the season and one of their most famous themes, Far Rowest, is here. Step out of the Saloon and find yourself in Old elrow, the wildest town in the West. Party the night away with carefree cowboys and the can-can dancers. But, be careful! You don’t want to end up in the Sheriff’s jailhouse!



The team behind elrow will be pulling out all the stops to make sure that their season goes out with a bang, and that means starting the celebrations a whole week early!



From 11pm to 6am, discover the Far Rowest whilst some of the biggest names in house and tech house provide the soundtrack to what will be a truly unforgettable night. elrow residents Viviana Casanova and George Privatti will be joined by Melanie Ribbe, Will Clarke, and Marco Farone in the terrace, whilst the main room, named and themed as elrow City, will host just one DJ all night long; Archie Hamilton.



elrow are famous for their top-class production, wild performances, color, confetti and, above all else, oodles of fun! You won’t find anyone in the crowd without a smile on their face, all waiting for the next confetti cannon or inflatable drop. And once that happens - wow! The crowd will roar and Amnesia Ibiza will be more alive than ever before!



If you’ve not managed to make it down to an elrow yet this season, make sure you get your tickets early!



Terrace



Tuscan born Marco Faraone was influenced by his DJ father as he grew up and truly burst onto the techno scene after securing a residency at Florence’s globally renown Tenax club. Since, he has become one of the most respected techno DJs and producers in the world.







British DJ and producer Will Clarke not only has a distinct look, but a distinct sound that caught the attention of house and techno heavyweights when he started his career. Nominated as ‘Best Newcomer’ in 2016 at the DJ Awards, he’s now firmly established himself as a techno heavyweight. His releases on Drumcode, Trick, and his All We Have Is Now imprint have pushed him to the forefront of the genre.







From model to DJ, Melanie Ribbe passionate energy are the perfect match for elrow. Nicknamed the Angel of Techno, she’s no stranger to Amnesia Ibiza.







George Privatti became an elrow resident in 2013. He started DJing at 17, when he bought his first decks, and has played at some of the most influential clubs and festivals around the world.







Viviana Casanova joined the elrow family in 2019. Born in Chile, but now residing in Spain, her passion for music shows through her vibrant sets. Her personal style has developed over the years, mixing deep tech-house sounds with funk and hip-hop influences.







Main Room | elrow City



Producer, DJ and label owner Archie Hamilton has spent over 10 years rising through the ranks of the underground house and techno scene. No stranger to the White Isle, Hamilton has played iconic parties such as Circoloco and Music On, as well as Amnesia’s opening/closing fiesta in 2019 and their opening party in 2022. His distinctive sound and impressive skills as a selector mean that he can truly control a dancefloor, pushing 90s gems one minute and brand new tracks the next.







We're pleased to welcome Will Clarke to curate our Track of The Week. A longtime friend of Gray Area, his body of work speaks for itself. Over the last two years, the veteran DJ and producer has built his label All We Have Is Now into a powerhouse techno imprint with a clearly defined sound. Clarke told Gray Area, "I'm trying to write songs that have a bit of a meaning." He continues that mission with "Dale" by Dubesque, the first release from the extended family of All We Have is Now artists.

"I have been in touch with Dubesque for just over three years now. I discovered his music and was introduced to him from Dense & Pika's label Kneaded Pains on which we shared a compilation release together. Ever since then I always play his records in my sets and we would constantly send each other records asking for feedback or pretty much fan boying over each others music," Clarke said about the Austrian producer. 

Dubesque is a decorated producer. He spent years as a touring DJ before hanging things up in 2014 to spend time with his family. He's produced under various aliases and worked behind the scenes as a ghost producer, composer, and sound designer. His music has exploded with releases on Chris Lake's Black Book, Soilardo's Sola, and Born Dirty's Way Way in recent years.

Clarke continues, "One of those records he sent me was a track called 'Dale.' To cut a long story short I started All We Have Is Now in 2020 and from the outset I always wanted to sign other artists to the label. However before I signed any artists I first wanted to work out how to actually run a label so I used my own music as a test subject. We are now two years in to All We Have Is Now and it now feels like the right time to start to building a family of artists. Dubesque told me that 'Dale' was still available so it just felt right that this was the one. So I'd like to welcome Dubesque to the All We Have Is Now family and I'd like to introduce 'Dale' as the first signed track on the label! Enjoy."

Will Clarke Curates Track of The Week: Dubesque - 'Dale'


Gray Area makes another step in its mission to “unify and strengthen the House Music community around the world,” today by partnering with Spotify for an official editorial playlist on the streaming platform. Gray Area Guest List launched with over five hours of house and techno from the forward-thinking and creative voices that are defining the myriad sounds of underground dance. 



Spotify’s Guest List playlists allow noted brands and artists to take over an official editorial playlist curating it from top to bottom precisely to match that brand’s unique footprint. And the Gray Area list is lovingly selected to reflect the future of dance music.



Included are songs from Gray Area Spotlight featured artists QRTR, LP Giobbi, Vintage Culture, and Will Clarke. Alongside bonafide legends like Ricardo Villalobos, Miss Kittin, Maya Jane Coles, Anja Schneider, Guy Gerber, Steve Bug, The Martinez Brothers, Joseph Capriati, Jamie Jones, Louie Vega, Pig & Dan, Royksopp, and Maceo Plex. 2022 GRAMMY Award nominee Black Coffee, Repopulate Mars boss Lee Foss, Drumcode front-man Adam Beyer, and Godfather of House Frankie Knuckles are also featured.


The Gray Area Guest List is a great way to get familiar with the sweeping sonic footprint of house and techno. Too often, we get stuck in our own lane, and the beauty of dance music is that it encompasses an array of shifting moods and aural textures. So take yourself on a journey through the expanse of underground dance music, turn up the volume and Let There Be More House Music.




Gray Area Takes Over Spotify's Official Guest List Playlist

Will Clarke, the bearded Britt with the pounding techno beats has completely reshaped his career over the last two years. His shift from Dirtybirdesque house to thumping techno, with a purpose, has been effortless. And the veteran DJ and producer is clearly in the most comfortable space of his career. Releases like "U Take Me Higher," "Hallelujah," and "My Church" (with MK) have proven his aptitude for crafting warehouse-ready cuts that are body rocking and emotionally reverent. 



“I'm trying to write songs that have a bit of a meaning,” Clarke told Gray Area earlier this year. 

He also revealed his dance music origin story. He was first inspired to DJ after seeing 90s icons Faithless perform when he was still quite young. Clarke began DJing as a teenager. And with such a long history, the thought occurred to us that he'd be the perfect person to tap for a playlist of classic techno cuts. His knowledge of dance music is deep, so we knew his list would be a treat. You can check out what he has to say about his favorite jams below, and listen to the playlist via Spotify.

Joey Beltram - Mentasm (1991)

“Absolute belter, I've always loved what Joey did for the techno scene way before I was even working in the genre. However, I recently met him and he’s such a lovely dude which just made it all even better. Do meet your idols, it's key."



Laurent Garnier - Crispy Bacon (1997)

“This came out in 1997, I was seven and it still sounds fucking amazing today and better than most techno tracks currently being released.  If there was an Electronic Music Hall Of Fame, Laurent would be the first person to be inducted”



Maceo Plex - Conjure Sex (2014)

“More of a modern day classic for me, this record just hits different on the dancefloor. Maceo is current day god, everything he touches is unreal."



Jeff Mills - The Bells (1996)

“Do I really need to explain why I love this record? Nope didn't think so”


MK - Burning (1992)

“Yes to all the techno snobs out there saying this isn't techno. No shit Sherlock! It's still better than any record out there and was released 20 years ago”




Bobby Peru, Paul Woolford - Erotic Discourse (Dense & Pika Remix) [2008]

“The original is fucking solid but I remember hearing this in a club once and falling in love with it. It started my love for the Dense & Pika boys who I personally think are some of the best producers around today”


Plastikman - Spastik (1993)

“So simple yet so beautiful, the first time I heard this I was a little confused but after a few listens I was sold, absolute genius record”


Burial - Archangel (2007)

“I have spent many nights in the studio listening to this whole album, it brings back so many memories of when I first started going to Ibiza and I would play his records during the sunset. Again, not quintessential techno but an absolute masterpiece.”


Green Velvet - Stalker (1996)

“I have loved this record for years, played it many times and although its 13:24 long it always amazes me how it doesnt get boring and slams every time”


DVS1 - Black Russian (2014)

“From the first time I heard this I knew it was special and to this day its one of my go to records to put me in a good mood, I love it and it works soooo well on the dancefloor”

Will Clarke Shares His Essential Classic Techno Tracks

On Saturday, October 23 Gray Area takes over Diplo’s Revolution on Sirius XM to host an eight-hour journey into the many realms of house and techno. The show pops off at 12 noon ET and thumps until 8 PM. OCHO features eight distinctive talents from the many reaches of house and techno including Luciano, Diplo, Blackchild, Tini Gessler, Vintage Culture, Will Clarke, Chelina Manuhutu, and AMÉMÉ.

OCHO marks the first time Gray Area will dive into the world of broadcasting. It exemplifies Gray Area's mission to unite the international house music community connecting the lines between its rich sub-cultures.

“Sirius XM plays an integral role in building the house music community in North America – which happens to also be Gray Area’s mission – by programming this genre of dance music on Diplo’s Revolution. We are very proud to collaborate on Ocho, a program featuring 8 hours of non-stop exclusive sets representing different sub-genres of house music played by both rising and established international artists, and look forward to other collaborative projects with our friends at Sirius XM to spread the love of house music across North America. Let there be MORE house!” says Michael Julian, founder of Seers – the dynamic venture behind Gray Area and other projects in the world of electronic music and live events.

Joey Sutera, Head of Live Entertainment adds, “We are committed to unifying house music culture around the world.”

Ocho airs on SiriusXM on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Listen here.



The Acts

Diplo

Leading the charge is global music icon, ferocious underground champion, and colorful personality Diplo. The ubiquitous and influential producer has touched every genre of music in his well-documented career. Diplo brings an expert level of curation and an encyclopedic knowledge of the culture of dance music to every set.

Luciano

Chilean-born, minimal techno kingpin Luciano has long been one of the genre’s most influential figures. His enchanting sets are informed by his Latin American heritage and always enliven the spirit.

Blackchild

Rising Italian DJ and producer Blackchild’s releases on Solid Grooves and Hot Creations have are supported by Fisher, Todd Terry, Marco Corolla, and Kenny Dope. He expertly blends the sticky funk of classic house with the low-end thump of tech house.

Tini Gessler

Relative newcomer Tini Gessler has made a sharp impact on the Spanish scene with her pumping deep tech house. She's earned vital residencies with Pacha Barcelona and Elrow. And she's flexed the legendary systems of Space and Pacha in Ibiza. Over the last year, she’s firmly asserted herself as a sought-after producer dropping records with the likes of Toolroom, Cr2, and Desert Hearts.

Vintage Culture

Vintage Culture has catapulted himself into the hearts of millions in recent years with a sound that brilliantly straddles the line between underground and mainstream. The Brazillian artist’s music has dominated dancefloors and radio with hits like “Slow Down,” “In The Dark,” and his remix with John Summit of Sofi Tukker’s “Drinkee” all streaming in the millions.



Will Clarke

Will Clarke’s move from Dirtybird Player to techno titan was a natural progression for the veteran English producer and DJ. His taste-making label All We Have Is Now bridges the gap between the nostalgia of the old-school and the intensity and weight of the new.

Chelina Manuhutu

Dutch-born Chelina Manuhutu brings with her the influence of a musical family. Her father was part of the Latin funk band Massada. Her chunky tech-house is full of stuttering percussion, brilliantly funky basslines, and the bubbling effervescence of a summer-time pool party.



AMÉMÉ 

West African-born AMÉMÉ transports his cultural heritage into all that he does. The leader of One Tribe, a global dance community, seamlessly blends compelling melody, sultry soul, and the driving rhythms of his homeland.



You can tune in to OCHO on SiriusXM here. For updates on set times, follow Gray Area on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Gray Area Partners With Diplo's Revolution for OCHO

United Kingdom

Will Clarke

Will Clarke on Tour, New York Edition

United States

Quantum Brooklyn

Skyline Orlando 2022

Orlando Amphitheater

MK Presents: Miami Music Week Pool Party 2022

The National Hotel

Will Clarke’s first breakthrough record was “Big Booty.” A hooky booty-bouncing beat signed to Worthy’s Anabatic Records in 2015. In a post EDM world, it was the perfect dose of weird and womp. As part of the rotating cast of Dirtybird players, he helped redefine tech-house. And while that music helped soundtrack thousands of nights out for a generation of clubbers, Clarke says his latest work is his most meaningful.

“I think the thing with dance music, “ he says. “Is that a lot of the time, it’s just for the club. And that’s absolutely fine. I think clubs have a real important place in our lives. But I think there’s actually more to [dance] music than just the clubs.”

His sound began to turn in 2018 with “Mercy,” a peak hour techno tune centered around an impassioned gospel vocal. You could tell that he was toying with something deeper, and more emotional than the club bangers he’d been known for.

In 2019 he marked a new era with the launch of his label All We Have Is Now. An outlet for his most personal work. His emotionally charged releases “U Take Me Higher,” “Hallelujah,” and “Place Where I Belong” prove dancefloors can be moved with purpose and intention. They are also the most heavily supported tracks of his career. His audience has fully embraced his message.

“I'm trying to write songs that have a bit of a meaning,” Clarke says. And for many of his fans that message is loud and clear. Yet he recognizes music without traditional structure doesn’t always translate deeper messages to broader audiences. "Because I'm not writing songs that have full-on lyrics. It's kind of hard to get that across to people and [that's] what I'm trying to get at and with the videos."

Filmmaker Matthew Freiheit masterfully interprets Clarke's music in emotionally reverent pieces of visual art. Clarke isn’t interested in tired tropes he says, “I didn't want to just be like, Oh, it's a rave and a dude or chick is just taking some pills. And it's just a generic dance record video.” We’ve already seen that video a hundred times he explains. “I'm not there to promote, getting high and shit like that. I'm there to like, actually give a bit of a message out.”

Will Clarke - U Take Me Higher (Official Music Video)

Buy/Stream: https://awhin.ffm.to/higher

www.allwehaveisnow.co.uk


*If you are having issues with mental health, homelessness or substance misuse please see the contact numbers below to get help:
Homeless: 0808 800 4444 (UK)
Mental Health: 116 123 (24 UK Hr Helpline) 
Substance Abuse: 0300 123 6600 (UK)


Directed by Matthew Freiheit
IG: instagram.com/bymatthewfreiheit

Actress: Melissa Greene
IG: instagram.com/mel.green13

HMUA: Ava Bambico
IG: instagram.com/avabambico_makeupartist

B Camera: Connor Haines
IG: instagram.com/connorhaines_


Will Clarke launches his new label, All We Have is Now, with a bright manifesto and a killer single to open the label’s account in 2020.

“I’ve been thinking recently about the concept of time; how seconds turn into minutes, minutes turn into hours, hours into days, and so on. Every day we are waiting for tomorrow, imagining what could be happening in the future. For me, starting a label is about being able to do what I want, when I want. I wanted to set up a label to express myself as an artist and allow other artists to do the same. For me, it’s always been about melody that really hits me, vocals that give me goose bumps, gets me emotional, and makes other emotional too. And so, I wanted to bring it right back to the roots, getting back to basics,. We will never know what the future holds, but one thing I know for sure, All We Have Is Now...”

The Bristol born, Detroit based, DJ and producer has risen to incredible heights over the last few years, having served up bona fide club gems for esteemed labels such as Truesoul, Drumcode, Relief and Kneaded Pains. His exhilarating DJ sets have graced countless clubs and festivals that have taken him and his sounds to all four corners of the globe, and now a new journey begins for Clarke as label owner & curator.

‘U Take Me Higher’ fuses together Will's signature style; heavy and pounding club beats and caustic sound design meet soulful and uplifting vocal refrains and sweeping melodies, all served up with the dancefloor firmly in mind and the shared connection between those who experience the marriage of music and dance in the moment, because, of course, at the end of the day, all we have is now....

The video for “U Take Me Higher” incredibly sets that tone. It’s a realistic portrayal of the desperate life of a drug addict is heartbreaking. While the vocal hook seems uplifting, the song’s melancholic chords are punctuated by the dark content of the video. It accurately depicts a cycle of abuse and failed attempts at rehabilitation. Something Clarke has witnessed first-hand.

“My family-run drug and alcohol rehabs. And I've always been around addiction in my life through working at the rehabs for my parents. So, I wanted to give a little bit of a message about that.”

It’s not all serious work though. His collaboration with MK, “My Church,” came with an abstract journey through the birthplace of techno. Detroit is where Clarke lives when he’s in the US, and where MK is originally from. So, it was important to both that the Detroit they know and love feature heavily in the video.

It comes with an uplifting message he says. “This sounds really cliche, but I class a club as a church, as a community. I'm not a religious person. But I'm a true believer of what religion does to a certain extent. And it just brings people together. And I think that's what clubs do in the best possible way. You can have God knows what views and no one gets judged in a club. And I think that's what's really important to me.”

His artistic vision is now wholly focused. And he feels like he’s doing his best work yet. Because he says he’s not interested in following trends or making anything generic. “I don't see the point,” he states. “If I'm kind of pulling on the emotion chords of someone, then I've done the right job. In fact, that's what I kind of set out to do.”

Clarke is as honest and vulnerable in his music as he is with his podcast. These qualities are probably why the show is so bingeable. His winding and fascinating conversations with people like Walker & Royce, Oliver Heldens, and Patrick Topping allow his guests the space to settle and share in ways they don’t have the opportunity to in any other context.

He says he wants to encourage people to communicate better. “People need to talk more. We live in this world where even our music listening [or] how we watch things, we want everything now. And if it doesn't get our attention within the first 20 seconds, then we fuckin turn off. Long conversations [are] actually what we need. Because I think long conversation can be the way that we all grow as human beings.”

Spotlight: Will Clarke

Will Clarke helped redefine tech-house with his booty-bouncing beats. But he's found new purpose in music that moves dance floors with intention and purpose. Learn more about his story and career in music in today's episode!

Read our Spotlight on Will Clarke: https://entergrayarea.com/artists/will-clarke

Connect with Will Clarke:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willclarkedj
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/djwillclarke
Twitter - https://twitter.com/djwillclarke
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/willclarkedj

Connect with Gray Area:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/entergrayarea/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/enterGrayArea
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/entergrayarea
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3nGJIfQ
Website - https://entergrayarea.com/

Gray Area's mission is to build a bigger house music community in North America by helping fans discover exciting house music artists, event brands and festivals that are new to them. 

#grayarea #housemusic #willclarke

Gray Area Interview: Will Clarke

Will Clarke’s first breakthrough record was “Big Booty.” A hooky booty-bouncing beat signed to Worthy’s Anabatic Records in 2015. In a post EDM world, it was the perfect dose of weird and womp. As part of the rotating cast of Dirtybird players, he helped redefine tech-house. And while that music helped soundtrack thousands of nights out for a generation of clubbers, Clarke says his latest work is his most meaningful.

“I think the thing with dance music, “ he says. “Is that a lot of the time, it’s just for the club. And that’s absolutely fine. I think clubs have a real important place in our lives. But I think there’s actually more to [dance] music than just the clubs.”

His sound began to turn in 2018 with “Mercy,” a peak hour techno tune centered around an impassioned gospel vocal. You could tell that he was toying with something deeper, and more emotional than the club bangers he’d been known for.

In 2019 he marked a new era with the launch of his label All We Have Is Now. An outlet for his most personal work. His emotionally charged releases “U Take Me Higher,” “Hallelujah,” and “Place Where I Belong” prove dancefloors can be moved with purpose and intention. They are also the most heavily supported tracks of his career. His audience has fully embraced his message.

“I'm trying to write songs that have a bit of a meaning,” Clarke says. And for many of his fans that message is loud and clear. Yet he recognizes music without traditional structure doesn’t always translate deeper messages to broader audiences. "Because I'm not writing songs that have full-on lyrics. It's kind of hard to get that across to people and [that's] what I'm trying to get at and with the videos."

Filmmaker Matthew Freiheit masterfully interprets Clarke's music in emotionally reverent pieces of visual art. Clarke isn’t interested in tired tropes he says, “I didn't want to just be like, Oh, it's a rave and a dude or chick is just taking some pills. And it's just a generic dance record video.” We’ve already seen that video a hundred times he explains. “I'm not there to promote, getting high and shit like that. I'm there to like, actually give a bit of a message out.”

The video for “U Take Me Higher” incredibly sets that tone. It’s a realistic portrayal of the desperate life of a drug addict is heartbreaking. While the vocal hook seems uplifting, the song’s melancholic chords are punctuated by the dark content of the video. It accurately depicts a cycle of abuse and failed attempts at rehabilitation. Something Clarke has witnessed first-hand.

“My family-run drug and alcohol rehabs. And I've always been around addiction in my life through working at the rehabs for my parents. So, I wanted to give a little bit of a message about that.”

It’s not all serious work though. His collaboration with MK, “My Church,” came with an abstract journey through the birthplace of techno. Detroit is where Clarke lives when he’s in the US, and where MK is originally from. So, it was important to both that the Detroit they know and love feature heavily in the video.

It comes with an uplifting message he says. “This sounds really cliche, but I class a club as a church, as a community. I'm not a religious person. But I'm a true believer of what religion does to a certain extent. And it just brings people together. And I think that's what clubs do in the best possible way. You can have God knows what views and no one gets judged in a club. And I think that's what's really important to me.”

His artistic vision is now wholly focused. And he feels like he’s doing his best work yet. Because he says he’s not interested in following trends or making anything generic. “I don't see the point,” he states. “If I'm kind of pulling on the emotion chords of someone, then I've done the right job. In fact, that's what I kind of set out to do.”

Clarke is as honest and vulnerable in his music as he is with his podcast. These qualities are probably why the show is so bingeable. His winding and fascinating conversations with people like Walker & Royce, Oliver Heldens, and Patrick Topping allow his guests the space to settle and share in ways they don’t have the opportunity to in any other context.

He says he wants to encourage people to communicate better. “People need to talk more. We live in this world where even our music listening [or] how we watch things, we want everything now. And if it doesn't get our attention within the first 20 seconds, then we fuckin turn off. Long conversations [are] actually what we need. Because I think long conversation can be the way that we all grow as human beings.”