Resident Focus: Pre-Punk 70's
Polle Van de Gash presents a show devoted to all things pre-punk from the 70’s. Every month a themed, broad selection of groovy, funky, sublime and strange sounds. Lesser known gems from the UK and beyond as well as household names from a multitude of 70s styles, movements and genres.
Tell us a little about yourself, where you are in the world, one fun fact about yourself.
PI’m originally from Lincolnshire but I’ve been living in Aalst, in Belgium, for nearly 13 years now. Still obsessively collecting music since I started 43 years ago! If I’m not listening to something then I’m probably working on one of many production projects. Fun fact? I made my (two turnable) DJing debut in Bristol playing Cornish acid at 6pm at my work’s xmas party. I was billed as DJ Gash which is where my slightly ridiculous DJ name comes from.
How are you spending your days at the moment?
PIt’s wintertime, so I like to be as productive as possible in the studio. I release an album of edits every month via my Follytechnic Music Library label so there’s always something to work on there. Just released a new techno EP (under my Rushkeeper alias) with Ghent based DJ/producer Aether on Freddy Fresh’s EMF label so promoting that a bit and starting work on the follow up. And of course, I’m always pondering new themes and ideas for my Noods shows!
Favourite thing to hear in nature?
Pl'heure bleue/the blue hour! Before sunrise, early summer. Staring and the trees silhouetted by the blue light in the sky while a host of birds provide a glorious soundtrack.
Three artist’s you’re excited about at the minute?
PWoodleigh Research Facility. Nina Walsh doing an amazing job honouring AW. Brian Dougans has been doing some superb stuff again under the Humanoid alias - premium grade acid house never tires! I always like to check Ekoplekz stuff out. His self-released album from last year, Erazed, has been getting a lot of play. Wonderfully lo-fi kosmiche Bristol sounds.
Can you tell us about any other projects you have going on?
PI run a label and DJ with my friend Kwinten as Alosta Souls. We’re starting up our Sunday Social Club again in April so we’re organising a great line-up of local talent for that. I’ve just done a couple of remixes for the talented London based Italian producer Phiorio which will be out in April. Just starting work on remixes for the super-heavy Jonny Halifax Invocation which is promising to be a lot of fun. Also been finding time to produce dark ambient kosmische music with my good friend, Jason, who records as BaRTc for Colin Potter’s ICR label.
Best way you’re finding new music?
PAs always, via quality record shops although that’s mostly a remote process these days. Generally my problem has always been finding the time to listen thoroughly to everything I buy.
You're running a marathon but can only listen to one song on repeat, what are you listening to?
PI’d need something long. Manuel Gottsching’s E2 E4 seems like a sensible option. If it counts as one track, I’d only need about 8 listens.
Three artists which you think are criminally underrated?
What song is playing at your funeral?
PSomething absurd and wonderful, I think. Bonzo Dog Band ‘Keynsham’ perhaps.
First song you fell in love with?
PWould like to say Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer Love’ but I have to be honest! It’s actually ‘Mississippi’ by the Dutch group Pussycat from 1976. Funny how, these days, I speak Dutch and present a 70s music show. Like the Bonzo’s said in Keynsham - it’s tragic magic, there are no coincidences but sometimes the pattern is more obvious!
Head over to Pre-Punk 70's resident page have a dig through their shows, exploring all things Krautrock, Avant Garde, Jazz and all else in between.
