Summer 2006 Column

Published: 04-09-2006
Author: Chris Sterio

First column from me since the spring, some general commentary (some people will probably disagree with it!!!) as well some Source of Gravity updates, enjoy!!!!

Digital

Surprisingly, it’s almost 2 years since we set up our digital offshoot label, Source of Gravity Digital. It has to be said there has been undoubtedly a major shift to the digital format in that time. Progressive is a genre which evolves and does tend to be music, not sales based. It also does tend to exist in its own bubble at times, whether it is in fashion or not. Therefore a format which gives low overheads for labels really does suit a modern progressive outfit. It is a global type of music, with fans from the deepest inner cities to the most barren and exposed places on earth. I’d imagine the likes of Orchid “Fading Lights” or Jay Lumen “Inner Tour” would sound pretty amazing in a log cabin overlooking the Canadian Rockies!!! These pieces of music are not commercially orientated, and digital is a format which allows for this kind of ideology. In the vinyl only days you might not have been able to purchase tracks like those mentioned above, and they would be confined to somebody’s hard drive. For me that would have been a crime. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that some of the best progressive and atmospheric music for years is being released at the moment. All you need these days it an internet connection & you can immediately buy virtually any piece of music worldwide via the likes of Beatport. That is a work of genius which puts the music industry ahead of other industries in terms of mail-order. It is also totally progressive; things have evolved, so here we are. There will still be vinyl releases, but there is now a choice. Customers, artists, labels and DJs around the globe must be glad about that.

USA Tour 2006

In recent times I’ve managed to involve more people in the everyday running of Source of Gravity, with Sean McClellan (KVK), Lee Pennington (Section 75) and Tim Mills (Unbalanced Sessions) coming onboard in various roles. In September Lee and I will be travelling to the US to play some gigs with Sean and Tim in their hometown Charlotte, NC as well as hooking with Samer of Pangea in Tampa to play a gig. There will also be some radio broadcasts in Los Angeles and New York during the tour. Charlotte, NC is lovely part of the world, full of friendly people and the home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. The Charlotte scene is developing, with some of the best local DJs nailing down residencies at venues like Tutto Mundo and the Liquid Lounge. There has also been a steady flow of top international guests to the city, with all the big names having graced Charlotte clubland’s decks over the last few years. Also launching soon is a Charlotte based record label, Aloud Recordings, the project of local DJs Joe Sweeney and Chad Bowringer. I’ll report back with all the news from the trip in my next column in October/November times.

That’s about all from me for now, please check out below for all the latest Source of Gravity info, including news on the impending launch of a digital offshoot label, Gravitation Digital. Also keep an eye on our website:

www.sourceofgravity.com

Forthcoming Source of Gravity Releases:

Source of Gravity Digital:

Sterio & McGrath – Gulfcoast – SofGDigi015 – September 2006
Orchid – Eastern Echoes – SofGDigi016 – September 2006
Davison & Anderson – SofGDigi017 – November 2006
Sterio & McGrath – Scarlett Point – SofGDigi018 – December 2006

Gravitation Digital:

Section 75 feat. Penny – Locked Heart – GravDigi001 – November 2006
Tim Mills Presents the Muse – GravDigi002 - December 2006

www.beatport.com

Chris Sterio August 2006 Chart

1. Sterio & McGrath – Gulfcoast – Source of Gravity Digital
2. Section 75 feat. Penny – Locked Heart – Gravitation Digital
3. Orchid – Eastern Echoes – Source of Gravity Digital
4. Chris Cargo - You Asked for This – Adjust
5. Jarius Miller – Dark & Light EP – Helvetica
6. Cloudz Factory feat. Kostas B – Nightstalker - Bellarine
7. Marrocco EP – Red Flux Music/Pure Substance
8. Matt Cowan – Gold Mine (Jaytech) – Only Digital
9. Chris Micali – Schiphol – Aurium
10 Sterio & McGrath – Scarlett Point – Source of Gravity Digital

www.beatport.com/chris+sterio

US Tour 2006 Dates:

9th Sept - Energy FM Source of Gravity Special
12th Sept - D.I FM, Los Angeles, Calif.
13th Sept – Tutto Mundo, Charlotte, NC
14th Sept – Unbalanced Sessions, www.scratchnspin.net, Tutto Mundo, Charlotte, NC
16th Sept – Liquid Lounge, Charlotte, NC
19th Sept – Downshift Radio, New York
22nd Sept – The Lobby, St Petersburg, FL
25th Sept – Proton Radio - Source of Gravity Show – www.protonradio.com

For the latest info: www.sourceofgravity.com