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Sunday, September 22, 2024Doors 2:45 PM
Advance Tickets on sale now.
Get Tickets: bit.ly/sundaylovesofiakourtesis
There’s a surprising relationship at the center of Sofia Kourtesis’ debut album Madres. An album in large part dedicated to her mother, there’s also another person, one without whom this album would never have been made. Peter Vajkoczy. Vajkoczy is a neurosurgeon, one of the very best neurosurgeons in the world in fact, and Madres is dedicated to him. The story of how a world-renowned neurosurgeon came to appear in the liner notes of this record is one of tenacity, miracles, all-consuming love and ultimately, of hope.
When she began work on her debut, Kourtesis was seemingly unstoppable. A string of rapturously received EPs and singles made her one of the fastest rising stars in the electronic world and beyond. She has already graced the cover of Mixmag, released a brilliantly energetic and moving Resident Advisor ‘RA Session’, appeared on ‘End of Year’ lists from the likes of The New York Times, Pitchfork, DJ Mag and Spotify (#6 Best Electronic Song) and played instant sell-out early shows at London’s Lafayette and Manchester’s YES as well as standout performances at Glastonbury, Green Man, Wide Awake and Primavera and tours supporting Caribou and Bicep.
In amongst touring and working though Sofia was rushing home to Peru at any opportunity to be with her mother, who some months after the passing of her father – the subject of Kourtesis’ breakout single ‘La Perla’ – had been diagnosed with cancer and was deterioratingly rapidly. “Doctors were all the time calling me to say goodbye to her, for months” she recalls.
Refusing to lose hope, Sofia had spoken to every doctor she could get hold of and all of them told her chances were low, operation was too risky. Having read about Vajkoczy but knowing he was in incredibly high demand; in desperation she posted a music snippet (that would go on to be title-track and previous single ‘Madres’) on social media. “If anyone can put me in touch with Peter Vajkoczy, I’ll dedicate this song to him. I just need two minutes to talk to him”, she wrote. Vajkoczy heard it and, remarkably, reached out, “can you be here tomorrow?”, he replied. He agreed to operate, it would take hours and was incredibly risky, but he would try. The operation was a success and Sofia’s mother’s life is extended further than anyone could have possibly hoped.
Her solution is to incorporate her politics into her music career as much as she can. She hadn’t spoken about the real reason she left Peru before but now she now hopes her music and words – she is instantly inspiring in conversation – will resonate with others, her experience sadly, infuriatingly, still commonplace. ‘Estación Esperanza’ for example opens with recordings of a Peruvian protest against homophobia. It also features a rare guest spot from Manu Chao, someone who Kourtesis immensely respects for the way he weaves politics into everything he does. As someone who rarely collaborates Chao was moved by a (long) letter Kourtesis wrote him about her family, her politics, her worldview, and what she wanted to achieve.
That community appears throughout the record. Kourtesis decided to rely less on the sample heavy approach of her early work and instead recreate the samples on early drafts of the album into organic sounds and field recordings. Apart from the sounds she had recorded herself in Peru, she drafted in her Funkhaus companions alongside co-producer David Krasemann to recreate the rest. This relinquishing of a little control for the first time breathed energy and personal relationships into every aspect of the record.
✨ Wellness Session: 3PM- 4PM Club level | 2:45PM Doors | Complimentary Offering - First Come, First Serve
Third Eye Gong Bath with Adam Eidinger
Adam Eidinger is best known for running numerous ballot measures in Washington DC but when he’s not trying to legalize plant medicines or reforming DC’s electoral system with Ranked Choice voting, he’s passionate about gong and sound bath. Using hand made instruments he will tease out from a giant gong, harmonies and overlapping waves of relaxing tones ideal for meditation.
? Love Bazaar: 5-9PM | Club Room
Local Vendors Marketplace
? Music in the Green Room by:
Sofia Kourtesis (Berlin)
soundcloud.com/sofia-kourtesis
ra.co/dj/sofiakourtesis
Edo
soundcloud.com/dj-edo
ra.co/dj/edo
shilimili
soundcloud.com/shilimili
ra.co/dj/shilimili
technoandpizza.com/
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⠶⠶⠶⠶⠶ Flash Safe Space Policy ⠶⠶⠶⠶⠶
Flash stands firmly against non-consensual behavior, discrimination, harassment or harm of any kind. If you or a friend feels uncomfortable, please let a Flash team member know ~ our staff is trained to take action and assist.
And always remember, no photos/videos on the dance floors for the sake of the vibe! ❤️
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Flash, 645 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001-1875, United States,Washington D.C.
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