Ponda Presents

Ponda Presents...

Fri 23rd Dec, 9PM - 3AM

524 Flinders Street, Melbourne

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Lineup:

Rami Imam

Marli

Trac

Boyd Kelly

Douglas

There is a being that sits in a box. It exists far from us, floating through the dense blanket of space without rhyme or reason. The box enables all that transpires around them to pass in full view. Amidst endless time the being witnesses both the dazzling spectacle of the universe and the vast emptiness of the void. But still, it sits. It waits. It waits for something that it knows in its marrow is beyond the realm of both the void and the spectacle. But when it finally comes, it isn’t something that it sees. It is something that it hears. It is the dense vibrations that rise up from beneath and the melody that rains down from the stars. And as though it had done so for its entire existence, the being begins to move. It begins to feel. With its feet tapping and its head lifting, it rises from the box and it lands on the terrain with one, simple thought in mind. What can I create with this?

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Rami Imam: Rami Imam’s music education began at 15 discovering the electrifying power of dance music when he first attended an underage music festival. Through his teenage years, you would struggle to find a weekend where he wasn’t DJing at clubs and house parties around Melbourne. During this time he developed his producing chops, releasing with international labels Bibliotheque, Street Tracks, Upon Access, Isolabella and his own imprint Ponda. Drawing strong inspiration from his many idols — &ME, George Fitzgerald, Bicep, Frankie Knuckles, Rampa, Eric Prydz and Hans Zimmer to name a few — Rami’s work centres around the mixture of distinct genres, the end result being a unique blend of melodic ambient vibes, afro inspired beats, breakbeat and glimpses of early house music. He has a new three track EP coming out on Stereo MC's imprint Connected Records later this year. This trilogy of dance-floor ready tracks timestamps where Rami’s music is at today, but certainly not where it will be tomorrow.

Marli: Marli is part of a new breed of artist taking inspiration from the whole spectrum of electronic music. With a sound rooted in Detroit Techno and Chicago House, a Marli set harbours a warm nostalgic vibe, heavily syncopated rhythms, and rich samples oscillating effortlessly between deep house, soul, breakbeat, and UKG. She’s a regular booking at local hotspots Dr Morse, Xe54, Section 8, and a rotating resident of Saturday night’s infamous Revolver Upstairs The Late Show, having supported the likes of Detroit Swindle, Gerd Janson, Ben Rau, Ben Pearce, Big Miz, Sally C, Folamour and Loods. Her most recent main stage appearance at festivals Let Them Eat Cake NYD 2022 and Pitch Music & Arts 2022’s infamous Pitch Black stage earmarked a spot for herself as a crowd favourite. Her debut track ‘No Service’, released in 2020 on Brazilian record label Yellow Island, and the 2021 follow-up ‘Meet Me at the Corner’ released on Love Above Records, are both imbued with a class and maturity beyond her young age. Since then she has released works with Revolver Upstairs Record Label, Backpocket Slammers, and is looking forward to her debut EP ‘Mood Independent' being released on vinyl with ILIO Records in mid-2022. With her productions already gaining traction, Marli is about to shift gears in a very imposing way...

Trac: From the MCG to the dance floor. From behind the kitchen to behind the decks. Christian Petracca is a talent of many but spinning records has a been a childhood passion since first listening to a 2008 Ministry of Sound clubbers guide mixtape. Trac will explore an energetic mix of house thumpers, disco movers and genre blenders across the wider spectrum of dance music. You would normally see Trac take you on a trip out of the centre square and inside fifty but here he will take you on a musical journey, a guided sonic exploration - as a DJ and 'musicologist'.

Boyd Kelly: The Junk Man. The Funk Digger. The Groove Server. He's known by many names, but there is only one Boyd Kelly. His love of groove – ranging from filter disco to city-pop, off-the-rails funk to bumpin' house – create unforgettable dance floors that move in unique ways. Boyd began his career playing parties all throughout Melbourne, where he brought his signature soulful style to all. He also boasts considerable production chops, releasing a string of sample-based dance-floor weapons that show he has as much skill in the studio as on the decks. Boyd pushes the craft of djing beyond the dancefloor. Showing at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Boyd created Junk Store Records, a dj show using only vinyl records found in op-shops throughout Melbourne. His commitment record digging and building unique crates is unmatched. You can be sure this musical archeologist will play tracks that you've never heard before but can longer live without.

Douglas: With no boundaries on his selections, Douglas has been bringing deep groove to the clubs and bars of Melbourne for the past couple of years. With a passion for Detroit and Chicago house and inspirations spanning Moodymann, Delano Smith and 16BL, his diverse curation never fails to hit the mark. Expect to be left wanting more and feeling the energy in the early parts of the night.

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Strictly 18+

IG: @pondarecords

W: www.pondarecords.com

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Ponda acknowledges the traditional owners of the land where we live, learn and work — the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung, Boon Wurrung, Wathaurong, Taungurong and the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We honour and pay respects to Elders past and present. Australia was, and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Any patrons who have specific queries regarding the accessibility of the venue are encouraged to get in touch with us at [email protected]

No refunds. Refunds will only be permitted in the instance that the event is cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19.

Host or Publisher Ponda