Perc

Perc is one of electronic music’s reference points: an internationally touring DJ and live act, label owner and one of the most respected producers in techno today. From his early demos being signed by James Holden back in 2002 to his current position as one of the most forward-thinking individuals in techno Perc (aka London based Ali Wells) has continued to challenge and innovate as his recognition has grown.

As a DJ, Perc has taken his sound across the world to such seminal clubs as Berghain, Fabric, Ministry Of Sound, Cocoliche, Fuse, Space Ibiza, Tresor, Unit in Tokyo and to festivals including Awakenings, Mayday, Unsound, Soenda, 10 Days Off, Extrema and many more. Perc’s DJ and live sets are industrial landscapes optimized for the dance floor. His podcast for Resident Advisor’s scene-leading mix series is Perc at his very best and a perfect example of his fusion of bleeding edge techno and classic noise and experimental influences.

In 2007 Perc signed to Kompakt records. His first release for the Cologne-based powerhouse was ‘Up’, one of the summer hits of that year receiving festival plays from everyone from Erol Alkan and Simian Mobile Disco to Chris Liebing and Green Velvet. After this remixes followed for such heavyweights as DJ Hell, Surgeon, Ed Rush and Trentemoller as well as releases on a run of top level labels including Drumcode, Ovum and Electric Deluxe and multiple releases on Chris Liebing’s CLR and Lucy’s Stroboscopic Artefacts.

Perc’s debut album ‘Wicker & Steel’ was released in 2011 and the move to the full-length format brought him a new level of respect. Following launch parties in London, New York and Tokyo the album picked up a stream of plaudits from the expected dance-press coverage to crossing over into the UK national newspapers. Perc spent 2012 and 2013 diversifying with projects ranging from focussed dancefloor EPs to experimental releases including a collaboration with industrial legends Einstürzende Neubauten, whilst a run of remixes saw him turning in interpretations of everyone from Factory Floor on DFA to Tim Burgess on Oh Genesis and Oscar Mulero on Warm-Up.

In case people thought Wicker and Steel was a lucky first stab at the album format 2014’s ‘The Power & The Glory’ changed all that, with the album reaching a wider audience than ever before and spawning a 40-date world tour covering three continents. In the second half of the year Perc Trax celebrated its tenth birthday with a 2xCD album featuring Perc’s first commercially available mix cd, three vinyl EPs and worldwide tour. This tour culminated in a sell-out homecoming event in London headlined by Perc & Truss (making their UK debut as a pair) plus Factory Floor, Randomer, Powell, Avus and more.

Now in 2015 Perc has continued his relentless gigging schedule with gigs in across Europe and in South America whilst tours of Australia and Asia will happen later this year. He is also set to return to Perc Trax with his first full EP for the label since 2012 whilst also working on tracks and remixes (Bleaching Agent, Ansome, Chiapet) for a number of other labels. His successful collaborative projects with Truss and Adam X continue both as recording and performing projects whilst his own solo live set is set to return revamped and more powerful than ever in early 2016.