Fresh Kicks 99: Marina Trench
Marina Trench is climbing her way to the top of the Parisian DJ circuit. Fast becoming a regular both in the capital’s clubs and throughout the country, the past couple of years have seen her play alongside the likes of Chaos in the CBD, Overmono and Dan Shake in clubs like Concrete, Badaboum and beyond.
D'Julz celebrates 20th anniversary of his Bass Culture residency
D'Julz has announced a series of shows to celebrate the two decades of his renowned Bass Culture residency at Rex Club.
Originally set up by the Frenchman to bring the underground back to a Parisian scene that was becoming dominated by mainstream French touch, Bass Culture is now the longest running club residency in history.
D'Julz kicks off the anniversary run on February 18th alongside Dyed Soundorom, with four of the following nights featuring special guests, including Seth Troxler, Derrick May and Lil Louis. D'Julz will also play one all-night-long event.
THE FRENCH RENAISSANCE
It’s August 2013 and the trio of Dan Ghenacia, Dyed Soundorom and Shonky are coming to the close of an eight-hour showcase of their trademark deep, groove-laden house music at their second all-night long DC-10 party as Apollonia. The Ibiza club is at capacity, and it’s the middle of what’s already been a huge summer for the three Frenchmen, which has seen them release their first EP as a collective on their self-titled label, as well as mix the ‘fabric 70’ compilation.
JOCKEY JOURNAL: D'JULZ
Despite his history — a resident at Rex Club since '97, the boss of Bass Culture and a producer of the deep house elite in his own right — Julian Veniel (D'Julz) is rarely afforded the applause he rightly deserves. That, however, is very likely to change. With the breakthrough success of Apollonia in 2013, the French (deep) house touch has been drawn into brand new focus.
Poll Clubs 2019: REX CLUB
Location: Paris, France
Capacity: 800
The history of this now well-renowned Parisian club dates back to 1950, when the building it is housed in first held dance parties. Its current incarnation as Rex — hidden away in the basement of the Grand Rex, one of the most famous cinemas in the capital — was started in 1992 by Laurent Garnier and has arguably never been as popular as it is now.
Affordable drinks and entry prices paired with a stripped-back style inside means the focus is very much on the music, while events specifically focussed on empowering women also make stand this club apart.
Parties in the last year have seen Motor City Drum Ensemble celebrate a decade of his MCDE label, live shows from experts like Gregor Tresher, Octave One and Petar Dundov, as well as regular sets from the likes of Kerri Chandler, Ivan Smagghe and an all-night-long session from Amelie Lens. Tasteful, eclectic and on-point, these names help make Rex one of Europe’s most essential nights out.
Poll Clubs 2018: REX CLUB
Location: Paris, France
Capacity: 800
Website: rexclub.com
While the Parisian scene has blown up in the last five years or so, cementing the city as one of the world’s finest dance destinations, Rex Club has flown the flag for the French capital’s underground far longer, with the building hosting parties since the 1950s.
If walls could talk we can only imagine the stories, from Laurent Garnier’s Wake Up sessions back in the Rex's formative days, to latter day residencies from the likes of Jennifer Cardini, DJ Deep, Ivan Smagghe, Chloé, and Phil Weeks. The venue’s single dancefloor ensuring that if you were there for any of those events, you were really there, immersed in a room that ranks as one of the club scene’s best-loved, and best-equipped.
Now three decades old, don’t think for a second that Rex has become comfortable keeping things familiar, with line-ups still focussed on showcasing guests at the forefront of electronic music. Hence San Proper, Resom, and Auntie Flo playing January 2018, a month that also saw the likes of to Chez Damier, Tony Humphries, and Mike Huckaby stop by. A king amongst European night spots, this could all be summarised in three words: ‘Rex Club nous t’aimons’.