No Balenciaga but biblical rain for Hed Kandi Villa Della Rose Riccione, Italy

Italy Italy Italy. You beauty you! A country where when life gives you lemons you can make lemon meringue pie. We arrived at a dripping wet Bologna with ominous clouds still skulking around in the distance. Not usually an issue , except the venue was the beautiful amphitheatre-esque Villa Delle Rose in Riccione...which is outside. With the venue pretty much soaked through but high hopes it would dry out in time for the Hed Kandi event, off we went to the hotel (me rethinking my wardrobe, and Phil Faversham rethinking how much sleep he could get before we had to play). At midnight we got the call from the tour manager that another storm had decided to sit it's ass down right on the club and we were to wait for further instructions. While we sat in our hotels perfecting our hair flicks the Italians worked their magic... The result was a magnificent 2 nights in one superclub extravaganza. With the brother club Peter Pan down the road hosting legendary Sebastian Ingrosso for the night what better crowd to combine with?! So with that said the crowd herded on to Peter Pan, we headed over to join in the melee. Fueled up on pizza (how stereotypical of us) and coffee we arrived at 2am to a crazy slightly damp crowd of pretty boys and girls all with fabulous hair and fabulous tans. The thing with Italians, is a girl could walk in with no make-up, a pair of flip flops and something from Banana Republic (yes that bland!) and they'd look straight out of a magazine. They did after all invent the Vespa.

We finished to a jubilant and happy crowd at 6am when the sky had turned a pretty pink. With our new found Italian swagger we declared the night a success with rain being no match for the mighty Hed Kandi. We skipped off to find more adventures in our dreams and all lived happily ever after.

To summarise

How many times I heard the word Ciao - 73
How many girls with glorious curly manes - 24
How many metrosexual men - 682
How many requests for the Waka Waka - 1 (response "Oh behave!")
How many face licks I received (obviously the younger Italian way of saying Ciao) - 3
How many people crammed into the DJ booth at any one time - 9 (cosy!)
How many items were consumed with the words "Cip e Chop" on the wrapper - 1/2
How many hosepipes were required - 1

Cheerz - Take It (To The Limit) [Hed Kandi]



Sounds like an old Armand Van Helden record. Real feel good disco house reminiscent of the late nineties (when it was good!). Unashamedly smiley, one for the sunshine!

It goes: “Take Me To The Limit!”
Listen to it when: You’ve got the roof down!
How I found it:  We signed it to Hed Kandi!

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Azari & III - Reckless with your Love - Tensnake Remix [Permanent Vacation]

Proper future disco from Azari & III, a track with real crossover. Tensnake on the remix is the feather in the cap. The 90’s rave breakdown is genius.

It goes: "Reckless with your love..Fearless with your life!"
How I found it:  Found this on a blog and been looking forward to its official release
Listen to it when: Your on your way to a house party. Preferably In a shell suit.

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Breakbot & Irfane - Baby I'm Yours - Aeroplane Remix [Ed Banger Records]

Fantastic hook on this 80's synth-a-delic monster. Not sure if this remixed before or after Aeroplane split but either way it's tongue in cheek rollerdisco meets east london geek chic. Love it.

It goes: "Listen Baby.. Your wish is my command".
How I found it:  I found the original when putting together our Ibiza album. When I heard Aeroplane had mixed it, it went straight on the ipod.
Listen to it when: Dancing around your living room.

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Anthony & The Camp - What I Like [Warner Music]



The original version of Tensnake's Coma Cat. Produced by Jellybean Benitez of Madonna fame and with backing vocals from Jocelyn Brown and Seidah Garret.

It goes: "dum dum-de-dum dum dum .. de de de de der-de-de"
How I found it:  I knew I had heard the riff from Coma Cat before so I done some digging and found this on google. The wonders of modern technology!
Listen to it when: Your feeling nostalgic.

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Art Department - Without You [Crosstown Rebels]



Something for those with deeper sensibilities. Dark, moody, almost gothic vocals from Kenny Glasgow but with a funk-laced head nod bassline that drives this nicely.

It goes: "I just caaaan't!"
How I found it:  Was Jamie Jones’ opening record at his gig at Plastic People a few months ago. Heard it about three times at We Love @ Ministry too!
Listen to it when: Your eyes are closed and you’re nodding your head.

We continue to roll in the Summer of 2010 in North America, taking over the US's hottest summer destinations.  After a smashing performance in the East Coast's premier Summer destination, the Hampton, we find ourselves jet setting across country to the West Coast for our first event in Los Angeles for Labor day weekend. 

This Sunday, Drai's Hollywood's fabulous pool will host the world's most glamorous music and lifestyle party.  Drai's is Hollywood's newest and hottest club located in the newly built W Hollywood.  As a famous nightclub owner and film producer, one thing Victor Drai knows is entertainment and since its grand opening, Drai's Hollywood has been the essential LA hotspot, playing host to major celebrities and style-hounds alike.  The pool patio at Drai's resembles a penthouse roof garden, with rows of flat-topped cabanas perfect for lounging in the Summer Sun.

Join residents Mikey Gallagher & Frankie M on Sunday September 5th from Noon-7pm, as Hed Kandi brings the sounds of Summer to Los Angeles for the first time!