Operating under the premise of 10 weeks of silence, our intrepid team have been hard at work deciphering the secrets of the Cube after discovering this mysterious object in a clandestine excavation site.

Initial tests reveal a dense, carbon based structure utilizing liquid crystal technology and while its origins remain unclear it seems to have been created by intelligence far greater than our own.

As guardian of the Cube, Richie Hawtin has released the following statement:

What is apparent is that the Cube is a highly advanced communications device that responds positively to the presence of humans and interacts accordingly. By acting as a central hub it seems to allow us to direct our thoughts, collect and share ideas, transcend language and interconnect musically in ways previously not possible. We're still in the early stages of research but it seems our destinies have somehow become interlinked.

The global Contakt events are the next phase of our research. The Cube's technology will strengthen the connection between the performers but it will to go further, bringing together the people who share and support our music, giving them the chance to interact personally with the Cube and in doing so, gain access to the Cube Network. That's why we're holding these events, to create a unique, interactive environment that offers a new, closer form of communication. After all that's what makes us human... and if technology can increase that, we should embrace it.

A sequence of individually crafted events at key locations around the world have therefore been organised to celebrate the past ten years of Minus and allow like-minded individuals to make contakt with the Cube. Long time collaborators Richie Hawtin (sound) and Ali Demirel (visual lighting) will be responsible for the event's overall atmosphere, exploring new possibilities in sound and light interaction by sharing information from Richs new digital setup. Each night a rotating cast of Minus artists including Magda, Troy Pierce, Marc Houle, Gaiser and Heartthrob along with a host of special guests will take the stage, adding their own unique sound to this new, creative mix environment. This will not be a typical one set after another event but a smooth transition between the unique personalities and sounds that have made Minus what it is today.

In conjunction with the CONTAKT events, Minus is introducing a special CONTAKT membership card. The card contains a unique microchip that shares the inert properties of the Cube which will be on display at every location. Everyone who signs up during the first month will automatically be entered into the CONTAKT Early Member Draw. Three lucky winners, randomly identified by the Cube, will each receive a Tonium Pacemaker portable DJ device, loaded with an exclusive Minus digital catalogue pack. Alongside this, other benefits include 10% discount on all online orders at m-nus.com, full access to the m-nus.com community site and guestlist services for select Minus events and Richie Hawtin shows. Membership will also automatically grant access to the CUBE CONTEST allowing individuals to take part in our global experiment aimed at unlocking the true potential of the Cube.

The CUBE CONTEST experiment, devised together with some of the most innovative names in audio technology including Native Instruments, Allen & Heath and Tonium, will take place at the very heart of the Contakt event. The levels of intensity produced by the surrounding audio-visual experience will optimise conditions for human interaction with the Cube, allowing Contakt Members using their Contakt Membership card to approach, identify and make CONTAKT with the Cube. Active participants who assist in the experiment will be rewarded with the chance to win a Native Instruments Traktor Scratch System. After assimilating the collective information received from each event the Cube will randomly pick a winner.

After the last CONTAKT event in December all active members, who have made contakt with the Cube at any of the events, will have the chance to win one of three fantastic prizes in the final CONTAKT sweepstakes. The Grand Prize winner will receive a Native Instruments package including Native Instruments Komplete Software Instruments, NI Traktor Scratch System and NI Kore System. The 2nd prize winner will receive an Allen & Heath Xone:92 mixer and the 3rd prize is a �200.00 m-nus.com online gift certificate.

However, the experience goes deeper still. With the Cube's energy permeating throughout each location, everyone in attendance will be able to tune in to the Cube's Open Network, interacting remotely with the Cube through handheld devices (ie. iPhone, iPod Touch, and other WiFi-enabled phones and media devices). To further their connection to Minus, people will be free to download special CONTAKT items including unreleased tracks & media and also upload demos to a special drop box hosted by the Cube.

starring RICHIE HAWTIN
featuring MAGDA & TROY PIERCE
introducing THE CUBE live support MARC HOULE, HEARTTHROB & GAISER
selected dates support by LOCO DICE, JPLS, TRACTILE, AMBIVALENT, BAREM & NIEDERFLUR
visual lighting by ALI DEMIREL executive producer COSMOPOP logistics by CLONK directed by MINUS

05/24 DETROIT, USA st. andrew's hall 06/20 BARCELONA, SPAIN sonar festival
07/22 GENT, BELGIUM 10 days off @ vooruit
08/29 MONTREAL, CANADA venue tbc
10/11 BERLIN, GERMANY columbia halle 10/18 LONDON, UK s.e.one
10/25 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND the sand 10/31 ROME, ITALY palazzo dei congressi
12/6 TOKYO, JAPAN club phazon
12/13 BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA venue tbc


powered by TRAKTOR SCRATCH

in asscociation with MINUS, CLONK, ALLEN & HEATH, BEATPORT, NATIVE INSTRUMENTS, ROOM DIVISION, COSMOPOP, PACEMAKER, XONE:92

More info: http://www.contakt-events.com/