The Lab Sessions introduced their Assemble 01 show on Scientific Sound Asia in July 2020. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform for India, China, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and Asia.
The Lab Sessions (TLS) is an artistic electronic music collective based in Bogotá, Colombia, and is gradually building an alliance through its showcases and major events. Its objective is to cultivate a representative image of the Colombian underground electronic music scene.
At the same time, The Lab Sessions offers local and international audiences from diverse nationalities a quality artistic experience. Through this work, it aims to show that exceptional music is not solely the domain of international artists, but is also crafted and performed by Colombian artists and DJs with considerable talent and potential.
Since 2016, The Lab Sessions has hosted events throughout South America, presenting performances at Octava, Klan 31, Teatron, KAPUTT, Vagabond, Bud-X Colombia, Top Secret Medellín, Armando Records, Céntrico, Mambo Alive, Sutton, Montibus Fest, Bassline events, TLS Parties, Eurotechno and other venues. Its appearances also include Madame Garden and La Fabryka in Cali, Victoria, Masha, Vlak and Lede Club, and, more recently, Groove and Dirty Sanchez in Quito, Ecuador.
Guest DJ (first hour) Benito Blanco.
Benito Blanco is a passionate German DJ who has devoted himself to the world of dance music for almost two decades. His love for electronic sounds ignited at the tender age of 15, and from that moment, his life was forever transformed by the enchanting rhythms and beats of the genre.
With an insatiable desire to create, perform, share, and promote electronic music, Benito channels his creative energy into his craft. He describes his musical style as an eclectic fusion of Deep House, cutting-edge Futuristic elements, energetic Tech beats, and vibrant Funk House. His tracks are characterised by intricate melodies and infectious grooves that invite listeners to lose themselves on the dance floor.
Committed to constantly pushing the boundaries of his art, Benito immerses himself in new ideas and trends, always seeking to evolve his sound. His goal is to infuse every performance with a unique groove that resonates deeply, ensuring that festival-goers and party enthusiasts alike experience an unforgettable journey through the vibrant landscape of electronic music.
Guest DJ (second hour) Stephan Govarg.
Stephan Govarg is a talented musician, innovative producer, and dynamic DJ who was born in the vibrant city of Bogota, Colombia. From an early age, Stephan was captivated by the pulsating rhythms and diverse sounds that surrounded him, which laid the foundation for his passion for electronic music.
Without a doubt, he considers one of the most exhilarating moments of his career to be rooted in his initial proposal, which involved the most representative sounds of Trance and Techno that echo through the streets and clubs of his home city. Stephan's ability to fuse his distinct style with Progressive sounds is a hallmark of his artistry, generating an infinite array of emotions for all individuals who attend some of the most renowned festivals in Colombia, such as The Garden Rave and Electro Fest.
These events are not just mere gatherings; they are immersive experiences where Stephan feels an unparalleled connection with the crowd, creating an electric atmosphere that transcends the ordinary. His performances are characterised by a seamless blend of beats and melodies that transport listeners on a sonic journey, making each set a memorable occasion.
Furthermore, his talent has led him to grace the stages of some of the most prestigious clubs across Colombia, where he has left an indelible mark on the nightlife scene, captivating audiences with his infectious energy and musical prowess. In addition to his engaging live performances, Stephan has also made significant strides in the production realm, successfully positioning his releases on various international labels.
His dedication to his craft and commitment to quality have earned him recognition beyond Colombia’s borders. His most recent release, the Trapist One EP, has been met with enthusiasm from fans and critics alike, showcasing his growth as an artist and his ability to push the boundaries of electronic music.
Benito Blanco opens Assemble 1 for The Lab Sessions with an eclectic mix that explores the nuances of Deep House and Tech House. From Black Loops’ hypnotic Keep A Secret to the pulsating rhythms of Andre Salmon & Kricked’s 7 Names and the infectious groove of Mihai Popoviciu’s Right Side, every track is carefully chosen to establish a vibrant opening tone.
The first hour develops through a series of Minimal and Deep Tech House selections, where Mhmd’s Keep Going and Rigolo sit alongside Lucio Agustin & Awsi’s sleek production and Jake-Tech & Paul Hg’s inventive Something About Ya. The blend is accented by the soulful touch of Hidden Empire’s Trumpet Bug and further enhanced by Chris Stussy’s Never Ending Story, culminating in a broad exploration of House Music with standout moments from Trojan featuring Sauce and even a playful nod to Daft Punk.
Stephan Govarg takes over in the second hour with an energetic shift into Progressive House. He opens with the uplifting feel of Dezza’s Escapist and Matan Caspi & Stan Kolev’s Revive before steering the set towards a driving Techno pulse with Nick Grater’s Dead Story, while Juan Astudillo’s Bonsai and John 00 Fleming’s We Close Doors introduce Trance into the progression.
Govarg’s set moves from deeper, hypnotic trance into the higher-energy peaks of club-focused techno, featuring compelling cuts by Aaron Cullen & Tommy Conway, Jens Lissat and Chicago Loop. Artbat’s Wall and Stoneface & Terminal’s expansive Dream Scape carry the final stages forward, rounding out Assemble 1 with a varied combination of progressive movement, techno pressure and trance atmosphere across the two-hour session.
Assemble 1 by The Lab Sessions Crew
Benito Blanco (first hour)
Black Loops - Keep A Secret [Pets Recordings]
Andre Salmon, Kricked - 7 Names (Original Mix) [Blackboard]
Mihai Popoviciu - Right Side [Label Worx]
Mhmd - Keep Going (Original Mix) [Blackboard]
Lucio Agustin & Awsi - They Are [Sustain]
K-Mack - R U (Original Mix) [Blackboard]
Mhmd - Rigolo (Original Mix) [Blackboard]
Jake-Tech, Paul Hg - Something About Ya (Original Mix) [Blackboard]
Hidden Empire - Trumpet Bug [Soundcloud]
Chris Stussy - Never Ending Story (Original Mix) [Eastenderz]
Trojan Feat. Sauce - Clockwork [ORIGINS RCRDS]
Daft Punk - Burnin' (Jamie Roy & Kreature Re - Beef) [Soundcloud]
Tiger Stripes - Sneaking Hotdogs Into People's Pockets [Truesoul]
Stephan Govarg (second hour)
Dezza - Escapist (Original Mix) [Zerothree]
Matan Caspi, Stan Kolev - Revive (Original Mix) [Outta Limits]
Gaga - Dead Story (Nick Grater Remix) [Teknotribe Records]
Juan Astudillo - Bonzai [JOOF Recordings]
John 00 Fleming - We Close Doors (Original Mix) [JOOF Recordings]
Aaron Cullen, Tommy Conway - Glack (Original Mix) [JOOF Aura]
Jens Lissat - Brothers On Acid & Sisters In Love (Dub Mix) [Studio3000 Records]
Chicago Loop - Magnetic Shadow (Original Mix) [Techburst Records]
Artbat - Wall [Suara]
Stoneface & Terminal - Dream Scape (Gundame Extended Mix) [UV]
Dylhen - Apogee (Original Mix) [FSOE]
Paul Thomas & White Akre - Vyote [UV]
Nick Grater - My Rendition [Techburst Records]
Baggagee Viphex13 - Dust Storm (Original Mix) [Techburst Records]
Listen on Mixcloud here.