Event Review: Sonem Sundays in New York

Event Review: Sonem Sundays in New York

24 June, 2008 | 12.02PM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog
• Written by: Amanda Connon-Unda

Sonem Sundays, a free new monthly event, started with Experimental Sunday 001 this week at Bar 13 in New York.

As a tribute to techno, the event is a daytime and early evening gathering on the new rooftop patio bar, complete with a barbeque, turntables, some peripheral seating and a view of the surrounding tall buildings in the middle of the city.

Nestled next to Union Square’s lively area, Bar 13 had hot dogs, frozen margaritas in slushy machines and a wonderful vibe.

Eric and Taimur’s set was full of minimal and melodic techno tracks, including one in particular, Aril Brikha’s Groove La Chord, that they dropped which had everyone with hands in the air dancing.

Where the rooftop has never featured a sound system before, this time, the promoters at Bar 13 thought they’d give it a chance and they are not expecting their neighbors will complain.

Coming up on other Sundays at Bar 13, aside from Sonem Sundays, there is a one-off Ghostly International hosted event, and other showcases coming up which will feature Pete Moss and Terry Lee Junior.

For Sonem Sundays, the resident DJs will be Eric Cloutier, who is the manager of the Subtrak label, and Taimur Agha of Blkmarket Membership.

In addition to both being fantastic DJs, Eric and Taimer have a few other things in common – they’re both in their mid-20s and both moved to New York from other places.

Back in 1999 Taimur moved from Abu Dhabi, and more recently Eric moved from Detroit to New York.

Amongst the sea of small techno nights happening in bars that populate New York, Sonem Sundays will try its hand at something new.

I caught up with Eric Cloutier at Sonem Sundays to learn about his latest projects.

What made you want to move to New York?

I had personally reached a plateau as an artist in Detroit and I knew New York would be far better for me, both for inspiration, and because there were close friends that I respected in New York.

Namely Derek Plaslaiko—he inspires me.

What’s happening with your record label, Subtrak?

We’re farming and researching some new artists that we’d like to get involved as well as planning an attack for a vinyl compilation of exclusive remixes of our previous releases.

You’ve always maintained a close connection with the scene and music of Detroit. What is really happening there right now?

Unemployment.

The scene is faltering because it’s hard for people to justify the five dollars a gallon in gas to drive forty-five minutes to go to a venue that might be half full and sans major talent.

No one has the money to do it right at this point in time, so it’s kind of in a weird and scary limbo.

It breaks my heart that on only one weekend a year the city is back to what it was when I started partying [that’s the DEMF weekend].

Three days a year doesn’t define a scene, especially one as important as Detroit.

What is being planned for your new monthly called “Down” starting on July 17th?

The new monthly is something I’ve had in my mind for years.

I’ve always had this spot in my heart and on my record shelves for these deeper, more soulful introspective and relaxing tracks.

So now I’m answering the compliments I get from people about this style of music and I’m giving my friends something refreshing and new to go out to.

Not everyone can listen to banging music every time they go out—sometimes they want something more relaxing and heady, at a volume that’s more conducive for conversation and in a place that just exudes relaxation.

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