Breakbakery cooks up a storm with new beats

Home > Culture > Features

print dictionary print

Breakbakery cooks up a storm with new beats

Over the past few weekends, the afficionados of electronic music who usually fill Club M2, have been missing in action. Where did they all go?
In the party district of Hongdae, northwest of Seoul, Club M.I. ― the venue that originated the techno party scene back in the mid-’90s ― has returned with a new concept and a new name, Club Via. The reopening of the legendary club two months ago was much overdue and it is great news for those who have missed the underground music scene. Club M.I. used be the hallmark of progressive electronic techno, but the new Club Via caters to a new generation of party animals who prefer “more danceable house music, or new jazz, down-tempo, in a warmer, more approachable atmosphere,” says DJ Kuma. Club Via’s resident DJs, who also include Air Mix, Byeol and Gon.
In years gone by, the award-winning DJ Kuma was among the small crowd who used to fill up the tiny club, which can cater to 200. That was the heyday of techno music, and it is where Kuma developed his taste for great dance music and vibe.
In 2003, he and his fellow DJs, Tak, Crazie and Michelle, formed Breakbakery, but the group’s name was mostly known only to industry professionals, until recently. Having built a reputation from performing small-time gigs around the country, Breakbakery has now settled down as a group of 10, consisting of six DJs (Kuma, Tak, Crazie, Conan, Miryo, Gon), a team of two VJs (called “The Maze”) and two MCs (So Nick and Gold Tea). One of the original members, Michelle, has now dropped out. With their personnel stabilized, they are now becoming increasingly visible on the mainstream party scene, while collaborating with guest DJs.
Breakbakery now boasts a resume full of gigs at trendy events for Nike, Guess, Vogue Girl, L’Oreal and more. In October, 2006, they performed live during the Pusan International Film Festival and participated in the first Korea branch of Sonar Sound, the world-renown music festival that originated in Barcelona, Spain.
For the next few months Breakbakery will be performing its regular gig, titled “Breakbakery Night Club Session” twice a month in two clubs. On every second Friday at Club Via near Hongik University, the group puts on a FloppyDisko session, spinning soul, funk and disco as well as old school and funky breaks. On the last Friday of each month, the group moves to Itaewon and Club Del Disco to spin more progressive sound, deep, tech, electro and new school breaks.
The admission to Breakbakery Night Club Session in Club Via or Club Del Disco is 15,000 won ($13, including one drink). Club Via is located on the street behind the Seven Eleven near Keukdong Broadcasting Station. Club Del Disco is located in the basement of the Hamilton Hotel. For more information, visit, http://Breakbakery.cyworld.com or call 017-749-2400.


by Ines Cho
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)