Let’s get the crappy bit out of the way — we’re now in the midst of our fifth wave of the pandemic, thanks to Delta, Omicron and whatever other variants are floating around out there. Here in NYC, event cancellations have once again become the norm, putting clubland, and everything and everyone that revolves around it, under as much stress as it’s been since the total-lockdown days. (Most of those cancellations have been proactively voluntary, but that doesn’t lessen the economic impact.) We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating — if you are going to go out and party, please do your best to stay safe. The health of the scene, not to mention of yourself and those around you, depends on it.
And now, onwards and upwards — specifically with our cover artist, Cassian. His 2020 debut album, ‘Laps,’ is likely how many fans of melodic house first became aware of the Australia-born, LA-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist and producer, but he’s been honing his studio chops for a while now through his work with fellow Aussie acts Lastlings, Set Mo and RÜFÜS DU SOL, earning himself a Grammy nomination for his mixing work on the latter’s ‘Underwater. Megan Venzin caught up with the ascendant star to talk about his history, his music — and overcoming “tall poppy syndrome.”
Speaking of rapidly rising talents, you’ll find a feature on London’s Alewya, who’s come out of nowhere in the past couple years via hugely affecting tunes like ‘Spirit_X’ and ‘Sweating.” Blending the spiritual and the physical, she’s creating her own personal music universe. And speaking of Brits, this issue boasts our annual Best of British awards —congratulations to Joy Orbison, Little Simz, the Rhythm International label, Ben Sims and all the rest of the winners. And congratulations to each and every one of us for making it though 2021— and shed a tear for those who didn’t.
Let’s hope 2022 is the year that we finally, once and for all, turn the corner on this pandemic, and that it’s a fun and successful 12 months for all of us.
Bruce Tantum
Editor