GROOVE ARMADA, KL Tower, 16 Sept 2006

Remember how swell it was the last time GA was in Malaysia, up in Genting? Well, they’re BACK! Here’s the news:

FROM its beginnings as Found @ Thirst in 2003, the annual Heineken Music Thirst competitions have served as a platform for many a rising DJ in the clubbing industry.

Entering its fourth year, the competition is now looking at globalisation in a different perspective with Thirst Studio.

Thirst Studio is an opportunity for aspiring dance producers and now even rock bands to realise their dreams of collaborating with the world and Malaysia’s top producers to create music to meet international standards.

“In Malaysia, we have many aspiring producers and musicians who deserve an opportunity to gain international recognition,” said Yap Swee Leng, marketing manager of Heineken during the Thirst launch last week.

“Through Thirst Studio, we aim to provide these young talents with a platform to learn from the best,” she added.

The winner of Thirst Studio 06 will be flown to the selected international producer’s studio where he or she will participate in a personal music production session, before returning to perform alongside top international dance and rock artistes to an audience of more than 5,000 at the main Thirst Studio event on Sept 16 at KL Tower.

Headlining that gig will be British dance outfit Groove Armada (in the persona of the Groove Armada Soundsystem), renowned Thai electro-rock band Futon (featuring ex-Suede drummer Simon Gilbert) and Malaysia’s own internationally acclaimed Haze with DJ Gabriel.

The winner will also receive a recording deal with a local label as well as music hardware and production equipment/software.

For the Thirst Studio, the international producer will be Paul Epworth. After paying his dues at London’s legendary Air Studios, The Strongroom and Chiswick Reach, Epworth stepped forward as the in-house producer/engineer at the now defunct 93 Feet East Studios, where he honed his craft on his own debut album as main singer and songwriter in Lomax.

Groove Armada

In between writing and recording he managed to establish himself as the hottest live sound engineer around, mixing the likes of The Kills, Royksopp, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Zongamin, Liquid Liquid and The Futureheads, who later gave him his first big production job.

Since producing the majority of tracks on The Futureheads debut, Epworth has been in the studio with emerging talent such as The Rakes, White Rose Movement and Babyshambles, as well remixing the likes of U2 and Goldfrapp.

His most notable album projects are with the jaw-dropping Bloc Party debut and Geordie indie-pop saviours Maximo Park.

This year sees Epworth working with credible Brit urban acts such as Plan B and Kano, and original dance rockers The Rapture. Epworth also continues to seek out new talent for his boutique imprint Good & Evil.

Haze, meanwhile, can claim to be the first Malaysian artiste to appear in the British Singles Chart when his collaborations with New York producer Sandy Rivera, Changes, managed to reach No. 48 in Jan 2003 and Dreams hit No. 69 in July 2004.

The characteristic that sets Haze apart in the world of dance music production is his musicianship. For Haze house music is simply a platform. His work has its roots in the house scene but is not limited, giving him a huge advantage as both artiste and producer.

Haze has gained respect and admiration in the industry over the past several years and can boast working relationships with the likes of M. J. Cole, ATFC, G Club and Defected Records’ Mike Millrain. His work has been remixed by Ben Watt, Junior Jack, M. J. Cole, Chus & Ceballos and Rasmus Faber to name a few. Haze’s songs have been featured on countless best-selling dance compilations around the world.

Other selected participants will also get to take part in exclusive master class workshops with some of the region’s best producers, who will share their secrets and studio time.

The Thirst Studio competition is open to ALL Malaysians aged 18. Entry packs can be downloaded from (www.heinekenmusic.com.my) and are available at the following locations: International College of Music, School of Audio Engineering, Limkokwing University of Communication Technology, Multimedia University of Malaysia, Unimas, production studios Mad Sonic Gorillas, Groove Syndicate and Clockwork, and DJ Schools Royale, Bionics and Groove Syndicate. Call tel: 03-6203 1601 for inquiries and information only. Closing date is July 30.

I’ll see you, baby… Superstyling… there!