Author: Bradley Martinez
Introducing the second instalment from our Frequent Players Guest Mix series, we welcome Dance System.
Hailing from London, James Connolly has moulded himself into one of the most recognisable faces in electronic and dance music. Working under different aliases such as L-Vis 1990 and Dance System, as well as co-founding the label Night Slugs, James has managed to re-shape the British club scene during their 10 years into what we know it today.
In an attempt to breath a new sense of life into the electronic/techno scene, Dance System was revived bringing with it a new sound, and seeking out new inspirations. James looked towards influences from Dance Mania and to Chicago, taking dance music back to its very core.
Before he took to the decks, we sat down with James to discuss where he gets his inspirations from and where he’ll be taking Dance System too next!
Alongside our latest guest mix for Frequent Players, James has been busy creating a remix of A-Trak ‘Work it Out’. Make sure to check it here!
Footpatrol – Taking you away from music for a moment, could you give us an insight into where you find inspiration when trying to create new music?
Dance System – Early summer last year I felt kind of lost as an artist and a bit disillusioned with the scene I was in. It’s weird when you have been in the game so long and you see the cycles of music come around over and over again. I didn’t really want to be part of that UK club music conveyor anymore and I was really uninspired. One morning I decided to pop into a record shop in my neighbourhood in Tottenham, the place only sold Dancehall and UK Street Soul & RnB. I took a punt on couple of records and found some diamonds.. Tracks on those records became the samples for the return of Dance System. Now whenever I need inspiration for new tracks I just have to go digging for records. I find inspiration and can build tracks around the smallest of loops.
FP – Where did the idea come from to move to another alias and create away from L-Vis 1990/Night Slugs?
DS – Dance System alias was born in 2014 with a release on Clone Jack For Daze series, This was a year after my Ballads EP on Night Slugs. I had always done house music as L-Vis but I felt the direction I was moving in was bit more abstract, so I wanted to make a definition between these two musical sides of me. It makes even more sense now that I moved more into vocal productions with L-Vis. House music has been my number one love since I first Started DJing in ‘98 so felt right to make an alias more specific. Funny thing, the name Dance System came to me in a dream! I was so shocked when I looked on Discogs in the morning and it hadn’t been taken… seems so obvious!
FP – We see you have a few fashion orientated clients like Prada, Nike and Opening Ceremony under your belt, can you tell us how these partnerships came about?
DS – A friend of mine put me in contact with this director Thomas Traum, he was looking for some composition and sound design for a job he was doing for Kenzo. I had never done anything like that, but I like to throw my-self into these things to push myself. I never knew how intense thirty seconds of sound design could be, but I actually really loved the process of finding the sounds to fit the images. I come from a Fine Art and Video back ground so it came quite naturally to me. Thomas Traum and I built a great working relationship over the next year working on massive campaigns for the likes of Prada, Nike, OnRunning, Cartier and from that I started picking up other clients including North Face and even KFC! They say ‘its all about who you know’ and it’s true. All of my connects in the industry have come through knowing people.
FP – Do you find there to be a big connection between fashion and music?
DS – Yeah of course! The connection is massive on so many different levels down to what people wear in the club to the music on the runways of the shows. I think the two-go hand in hand, constantly influencing and enhancing each other. I’ve made runway music for Opening Ceremony and Nasir Mazah, I love working with fashion as inspiration for music, it’s really fun to imagine the worlds these clothes live in.
FP – Is there any other type of media that you would love to have the opportunity in creating music for?
DS – I’d love to score a feature film or TV show at some point. A couple of years ago I wrote a theme for a Documentary about the plight of some Syrian refugees called ‘Diamonds Backpacks and a Match Box’. Was incredible to see how my music could elevate and emphasise the emotions within the film, would love to explore that more with some Fiction.
FP – We couldn’t not squeeze in the obligatory sneaker question in here somewhere… What is your go to when it comes to what is on your feet?
DS – At the moment I’ve been living in my all black Nike Air Monarch’s, they are so durable and comfortable and go with any outfit. I go through phases with sneakers. I basically wear one style until I’m bored and move on to the next. My last obsession was Footscape Chuckers, I bought two pairs of the rainbow ones when they came out because I loved them so much!
FP – Lastly, any shout outs, and what can the people expect from Dance System in the near future?
DS – Loads of stuff still to come this year from Dance System. My new remix for A-Track drops today then in October my third EP of the year drops on Mella Dee’s Label Warehouse Music. I also have a remix for Nina Kraviz in the works and bunch more releases bubbling. I’ll be pushing the Dance System project solidly over the next year and eventually drop the album when the time is right.
With Gyakusou traditionally being an Urban running line, Jun Takahashi has taken it out into the country to create the first trail Gyakusou x Nike range using the new and updated Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail.
The Pegasus 36 Trail has been designed not only for stability and comfort, but also for a smooth transition from trail to road running. Unlike the previous Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Turbo which featured a Zoom X sole, the Pegasus 36 Trail features a full length Zoom midsole. Not only that, the upper has been adapted to improve the durability, stability and breathability for the runners needs. The shape of the mesh upper and placement of the seals has been positioned according to a heat map of the runner’s foot and treated with a water-repellent coating to ensure their feet keep cool and dry fast. They also feature a quick tie lacing system instead of standard lacing making it more in line with the anatomy of the foot, reinforced thermo plastic seals around the toe and stretching along the side of the foot towards the heel for increased support and durability, and a visible heel counter on the back.
The Nike Gyakusou Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail also features in 2 colours red/white and the already familiar earthy yellow which has been used throughout the Gyakusou range. Both also feature a rose on the sidewalls of the shoe, which ties in the iconic Balance & Chaos ethos followed by Takahashi himself.
Available online, sizes range from UK6 – UK12, priced at £140.
adidas and YEEZY return with a new iteration of their famed 700 V2 silhouette.
Featuring a heavy-gauge canvas dressed in a subtle blue suede overlays, the ‘Hospital blue’ is a welcome new addition to the 700 V2 family. Bringing subtle hints from other colour-ways, the ‘Hospital Blue’ has a blend of the ‘Static’ and ‘Inertia’ about it.
Known for its comfort, the 700 V2 still receives adidas’ iconic BOOST technology built within its midsole making it an obvious choice for everyday wear.
This is definitely one to add to the collection.
The adidas YEEZY 700 V2 ‘Hospital Blue’ is now SOLD OUT
Going into fall, we have teamed up with well-known Parisian café Paperboy for a capsule collection.
Known for their experimental menu items Paperboy manage to fuse different influences from around the world and bring them together.
Paperboy have successfully managed to bridge connections between the Parisian culinary and streetwear scene building an almost cult like following. Paperboy have managed to create a space where people can arrive and feel instantly at home, a place where like minded individuals can come and hang out a feel a part of something.
Since the introduction to our first bricks and motor store in the heart of the Le Marais district, the collection sees two like-minded brands at the heart of their communities collaborating together, creating a unique offering to their audience.
The collection is a mash up of the instantly recognisable Paperboy ‘Running Boy’ graphic with the Footpatrol Gasmask incorporated into the mix. The Footpatrol logo has been reworked on the front to resemble our collaborators Paperboy.
To celebrate the launch of this collection, we’ll be hosting two events at both our Paris and London stores. Please come and join us for food supplied by Paperboy and drinks at the Paris store, 26th September 2019 from 7PM – 10PM and the London store, 27th September 2019 from 7PM – 10PM.
The Footpatrol x Paperboy capsule is Now Available in-store and online, sizes range from S – XL, prices range from from £30 – £60. With each in-store purchase, you will receive a free gift.
Showing no signs of slowing down, adidas and YEEZY bring us two new iterations of their iconic 350 V2 silhouette.
Both dressed in super clean colour-ways known as ‘Cloud’ and ‘Citrin’, they both stick to the traditions of using a re-engineered prime knit upper with the distinct side stripe cutting through the tones.
One of the stand out features on the 350 v2 is the inclusion of adidas’ famed BOOST technology built within its midsole making it perfect for everyday wear.
To enter for the PARIS raffle, Click Here
To enter for the LONDON raffle for the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Cloud’, Click Here
To enter for the LONDON raffle for the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Citrin’, Click Here
Rewind to 1991 and you will see the first Nike Huarache being introduced. Known for its extreme look of neoprene blended with an exoskeletal upper. This combination allowed for a snug fit that gave an almost constant hug feel which became iconic with the Huarache.
Fast forward to 2019 and we have the Nike Adapt Huarache. Using the Adapt technology, this ‘constant hug’ effect has been cemented even more. By using the latest in FitAdapt technology, this allows for this intelligent platform and the user to evolve together and create a wider array of personal preferences that fits the user’s needs depending on the environment and situation.
Sat on top of the Adapt Huaraches upper is the Adapt lacing system. Ran by a motor inside the midsole, this is controlled by the app where your preferences can be set up and saved to your personal account. The Adapt Huarache arrives in two colourways which hark back to the original’s aquatic inspirations, whose original neoprene was derived from a water ski.
To enter for the PARIS raffle, Click Here
To enter for the LONDON raffle White/Black, Click Here
To enter for the LONDON raffle Yellow/Black, Click Here
For fall, Nike has once again teamed up with Chitose Abe’s legendary Japanese fashion label Sacai to bring us three new iterations of their now iconic LDV Waffle Racer. For many, these silhouettes have become one of the most sought after ever since its debut on the runway at Paris Fashion week making the Nike x Sacai LDV Waffle Racer an instant classic.
Ever since her days as a pattern cutter at COMME des GARCONS and Junya Watanabe, Abe has become an influential mens and womenswear designer with Sacai since its introduction in 1999. Known for her technical ability, Abe has become well known for taking garments and reworking them into one new piece.
This ability is no different when it comes to her collaboration with Nike. Taking two classic silhouettes from their archives, Abe in return brings a futuristic approach to these classic shapes with a doubled-up effect. Everything down to the Swoosh has been doubled, from the sole, the laces, the swoosh and the tongue.
To enter for the PARIS raffle for all three colours, Click Here
To enter for the LONDON raffle Summit White/Wolf Grey Click here
To enter for the LONDON raffle Pine Green/Clay Orange Click here
To enter for the LONDON raffle Black/Anthracite Click here
Coming off the back of a couple releases featuring blue hues such as the WMNS ‘Blue Chill’ and Nike SB iteration of the AJ1 Low ‘UNC’, Jordan Brand return the latest ‘Obsidian’ version.
Dressed in mainly sail and obsidian, the addition of Michael Jordan’s alma mater colours of university blue is featured on the heel for an added pop.
Featuring tumbled leather throughout the upper for a signature look and the iconic ‘Wings’ logo on the ankle, this release is sure to be another hit amongst the AJ1 line.
The raffle is now closed… winners will be contacted via E-mail
Created in collaboration with Liam Gallagher, the LG SPZL is the latest exclusive release from adidas SPEZIAL.
Liam Gallagher has stayed true to his roots since his first ever pair of adidas trainers, a pair of Kicks in which he wore religiously so for the two to come together has been a natural process as Gary Aspden explains…
‘I have known Liam for over 20 years and we have always got on. He is one of the people who has worn and supported what we do with adidas Spezial since day one so this collaboration evolved organically.’ explains Gary Aspden. ‘He liked the silhouette of the Padiham SPZL on the whole but said he wanted it to look neutral and understated. This shoe became foundation for the LG SPZL.’
‘We made a few tweaks to the upper pattern along with a different tongue – as anyone who is a fan of gum soled, suede adidas trainers knows it is all about those subtle details. Liam gave comments on each sample until the final version which we held off on showing him until we presented them to him for the first time backstage at his gig in Hackney. We filmed that moment as we wanted to capture his honest reaction. Anyone who has worn the three stripes loyally for as long as he has will understand that excitement.’
The raffle is now closed… winners will be contacted via E-mail
For the second time in 2019, Nike have returned to the story of the Viotech with a second iteration of the Nike Air Max 90 Viotech 2.0.
The Viotech story began back in 2001 in Japan, during this period Nike had a co.jp initiative which allowed for consumers to access colourways that were exclusive to that specific region. During this time a pack known as the ‘Ugly Ducking’ pack was launched alongside a Nike Dunk which was became known as ‘Rainbow’. This Nike Dunk became the stand out of these launches and has since become an icon.
One of the stand out features on this Dunk that made it so popular was the dash of purple, this shade was known as Viotech. Now a more prominent feature on this AM90, the Viotech story can be carried on with the help of another of Nikes iconic silhouettes.
For this special launch, we have once again teamed up with our good friend and illustrator, Mark Ward to create another set of artworks further telling this story.
We paid a visit to Mark’s studio to sit down and discuss his story and inspirations behind his latest piece of work for us.
The Nike Air Max 90 ‘Viotech’ 2.0 is now available on Footpatrol.com
