M&A #49: Grounded

Milk & Alcohol celebrates music which is deeply tied to black communities and black culture. The racist treatment of black people by police and society as a whole is more apparent now than ever, and so we believe it's important to give back to these communities. We want to tie our posts to some recommendations for places you can go to learn more about what we can do, or what you should understand, in order to actively help fight it:

• If you are financially able to, donations to bail funds helping protesters in the US can be spread using this tool: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

• Donations to UK based charities supporting POC are just as important. A range of great charities (by no means an exhaustive list) can be found on this spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15gBiGqIB5ViNtfl__jlER0qNNRkxX8R0GGuryMu2k4A/edit

• A range of resources to read, long and short, can be found in this google drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10-sqmyDKIN1FK_RKOd7Anzm4E0jlnUnz

• This tool helps you write to your MP to demand condemnation of the US response to protests, justice for Belly Mujinga and Shukri Abdi and further action to change attitudes from the top of government: https://write-for-changes.herokuapp.com/

• Something I have personally found useful, and there are many of these, is this write up from CRACK Magazine, containing more petitions, causes needing your donations, reading etc: https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/help-black-lives-matter-protests-donate-organisations/

This time is one for reflection. The virus has affected us all, but it is temporary. The injustice experienced by black and other people of colour has survived over countless generations and has shaped society in ways we must acknowledge. Here we look to focus on a love for music, and all this music comes from the creativity and hardship of black communities. The least we can all do is give back, maybe with your time, maybe with money (for example, the amount you might have spent on a night out if corona wasn't a thing) and go forward consciously elevating these voices.

The pubs open, the clubs stay closed. When the scenes of Saturday night in Soho surfaced, there was a considerable hum amongst those of us itching to get back out on the dancefloor. What is the difference between that and the regular sights of Glasto, Houghton, Gottwood? Who knows, but if anyone has a sound system and sense of adventure then I'll meet you on Old Compton Street at 5 next Saturday. 

Two people who are no strangers to setting up DIY parties in odd surroundings are the guys behind Grounded. It's the name of small party which has made its home in Pembroke Old Cellars, situated under the college bar, hidden from view of the besuited diners and stuffy college grandees. A deceptively crap set of stairs and stiff doors lead you into a hot, dark cavern. When I went to Grounded for the first time, the only lights were two red beams coming from the hat of producer George Fulham. Crouched over a set of buttons, sliders and switches, he controlled an array of at once deep and intoxicating noises. His live set felt as if it was dragging you out of your body by the leg bones, seemingly leaving quite big act to follow. Metonym (aka Maxim Clarke) showed there still was some room for extrapolation, instantly cutting through the dingy air with a breathless, high pressure techno assault, spun with the expertise of someone far beyond his years. These two are really exciting characters to follow. George is head honcho (always wanted to use that term) of abstract electronic label ANA, while Metonym has had punchy shows on Noods radio and CamFM. They've teamed up to give us this two-chapter mix, which goes some way to explaining how their styles so well complement each other. It's a dubby, bassy masterpiece, but remember to turn out the lights and turn the heating up, it's very important for the atmosphere.

How did you record the mix?

M: TTs and a mixer + laptop.

G: TTs, siren + mixer

[ED: TT = turntables]

What were you trying to do with it?
Banish weak vibes.

What’s the last song you listened to?

G: https://menscryfa.bandcamp.com/track/down-street

M: https://xvarr.bandcamp.com/track/shadows

Who is your favourite producer/performer at the moment?

G: Polido

M: CS + Kreme

What is your go-to banger?

G: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Ki-4kzwzg&t=364s

M: https://conradpack.bandcamp.com/track/the-best

What’s your musical guilty pleasure?

M: Enya

G: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAZUwvYqhpg

What’s coming up for you during/after Quarantine?

G: RECONSTRVCT w/ Raime, Tutu + Overlook in New York.

M: Monthly show on Noods radio.

Grounded Tracklist:

Verse I:

Mixman Gast & Copeland
Dennis Star Productions
Mosca
The Dub Organiser
Jonah Dan
Robert Tribulation
TNT ROOTS
Rhythm & Sound
TNT ROOTS

Verse II:

Heith
John T. Gast
Earthquake
Humble Brother
Jah Warrior
Aba Shanti
Mixman
Cotti
Mighty Prophet
Earthquake
King Alpha
TNT ROOTS