Perc

From his earliest demos to his current position as a key figure in the global techno scene Perc (aka Ali Wells) has taken past and present music formulas and twisted them into something new and fresh.
Already in 2009 Ali has EPs set for release on Ovum, CLR, Perc Trax and Sleaze with a number of other high-profile labels eagerly waiting for the next batch of Perc productions. Alongside these are remixes of Misstress Barbara, Traum, Kyle Geiger and a mix for the first release on Xpansul’s long awaited new label set for release by summer.

Key to Perc’s recent success was the release of ‘Up’ on Kompakt in summer 2007. With its unmistakable relentless rising tone ‘Up’ lodged itself in record boxes including those of Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Chris Liebing, Misc, Slam, John Digweed, Green Velvet, Erol Alkan and Steve Lawler and refused to move. Perc’s 2nd Kompakt release ‘Headphone Heart’ showed his versatility, mixing industrial-strength percussion with a haunting flute melody, a combination that on paper should never work, but somehow Ali pulled it off with style.

To cement his techno credentials Ali’s Sticklebrick EP on Adam Beyer’s Drumcode label made him the first non-Swedish artist to release on the label in 7 years and showed that he could produce to a standard equal to the world’s best.

In 2008 Ali has released his ‘Serious Moonlight EP’ on Chris Liebing’s CLR label and a single ‘Work Harder’ on his own Perc Trax label. Ali’s ‘Swords EP’ rounded off his 2008 releases. The EP was released by the label side of Lost Souls Promotions, a London-based collective for whom Ali is now a resident DJ. Ali also made his debut at Phil Kieran’s Kranc night in Belfast and has recently been asked to be a resident at the night.

This success has made Perc an in-demand remixer and over the past few years Ali has been commissioned to remix a host of world-class names including Trentemoller, James Holden, DJ Hell, Misc, Phil Kieran, DJ Yellow, Blood & Tears, Jeff Bennett, Gary Beck and many more. His most notorious re-rubs include his driving take on Holden’s own ‘First Light’ and his reworking of DJ Hell’s ‘Buttersaure’ that had the cream of Europe’s techno scene salivating.

As Perc’s profile grows his booking schedule has become busier and Ali’s touring has covered all of Europe plus a tour of South Africa and 3 tours of Japan. Ali made his US debut in New York in late 2007 and is due back in the USA in 2009. This year Ali will also play his first gigs in Mexico, Canada and Belgium. Personal DJ high points for Ali are a back-to-back set with Oliver Ho in Tokyo, playing in the Drumcode Arena at Dance Valley 2008 and playing on the same bill as Richie Hawtin and Speedy J at 2008’s Queen’s Day party at Melkweg, Amsterdam.