AK Sports
Sydney born and bred radio host, DJ/producer AK Sports [shey/they] is pioneering nu-rave; high NRG sets spanning breaks, bass, techno hybrids and nostalgic warehouse cuts, finding their footing as a respected multifaceted artist based between London and Los Angeles. 2020 saw their debut EP Polarize released via the esteemed Sydney based label Gallery Recordings. Eclectic breakbeats, cathartic drums and aggressive bass tones are matched with luscious chords and brooding synth work. Following this release with originals and remixes on Club Glow, Dansu Discs, Raiders Records (Berlin), Toofelz Music and Mad Decent, AK Sports brings a celebration of UK styles into a modern 4x4 and breaks hybrid with experimental layers and twists and turns, a glimpse ‘into her dark ravey mind.’ AK Sports recent rave tape on UK’s Club Glow is a 45 minute cassette tape of original material featuring Kessler on the B side, with tracks receiving support from from Jamz Supernova on BBC 6, Jaguar on BBC Radio 1, Alan Fitzpatrick, Justin Jay, Partiboi69, Pagan and Asquith.
Notable Press
DUMMY mag featured AK as one of the 10 best emerging female,
trans and non binary producers in an article by BBC radio 1 champion Jaguar and highlighted Houdini off Polarize.
DJ Mag coined the Club Glow tape release as one of the top comps of 2021 “Club Glow proved unstoppable again this year, the third installation in the label’s split tape series, on the A-side, AK Sports delivers sizzling hardcore and jackhammer techno alongside tongue-in-cheek samples, while the flip has Kessler raining down hellfire junglism with a dash of electro for good measure. Big choons all round.”
Beatport coined AKS as one of their Emerging Acts on their radar: “Cut AK Sports and she’ll bleed rave… the radio host, DJ and producer is fast becoming one of the pioneers of the new rave era, propelled by her off-the-wall productions and versatile sets. AK Sports’ debut EP Polarize combined her love for breaks, bass and eclecticism, and her latest EP Rave Again with Mincy is like stepping into a time machine and landing on the set of Human Traffic…”
Tours and Events
Curating warehouse raves with Bianca Oblivion and Star Eyes - Warp Mode is arguably one of the most exciting new events in LA highlighting local and international talent with a focus on elevating gender minorities, queer and BIPOC artists as well as providing a space for underground music genres to develop and thrive in LA. WARP MODE has hosted Madame X, Sam Binga, TSVI, Anna Morgan and deconstructed club pioneer Bok Bok. The event series made history hosting the first Los Angeles based KEEP HUSH presenting the west side underground to the world boasting a diverse lineup of; AK, Bored Lord vs Bastiengoat, Nikki Nair, Introspekt and fellow hosts Bianca Oblivion and Star Eyes .
2022 has seen AKS tour extensively across three continents. AK hit two Australian and NZ tours playing iconic venues and events the likes of Revolver Upstairs, Xe54, Lost Sundays, Club 121 Wellington and Splendour in the Grass Festival spinning to a full Mix Up tent of 10,000 punters. AK Sports toured the United States with Justin Jay on his ‘Where is The Plur’ voyage, proceeding this she went to Europe and hit the underground full steam ahead! Notably playing shows with the esteemed underground streamer Keep Hush London as well as shows in Rotterdam, Berlin, Leipzig, Edinburgh and a live mix on Rinse FM for Lobster Theremin. Catch AK Sports back again in Sept/Oct touring Europe with an impressive run of gigs including closing out the revered second room Fabric London.
2022 Releases
Collab EP with Mincy on Galley recs RAVE AGAIN [2022] celebrate the reopening of many clubs and venues around the world and in the words of Beartportal “is like stepping into a time machine and landing on the set of Human Traffic. The collaborative EP’s no doubt going to set the tone for the new sound of rave, with breaks, bass, warblers and donks creating a bridge between past and future sounds." AK Sports featured single on this EP ‘Flex’ received support on BBC Radio 1, Keep Hush streams and Spotify Editorial DJ track IDs, and AK’s remix of Mincy’s track Biscuit Inception closed out Asquiths recent bathroom set at HÖR Berlin.
2022 also saw AK Sports debut release on Lobster Theremin ‘DISPLACED’ with tracks quickly hitting the radio and clubs circuit worldwide. AK Sports track ‘Bugaboo’ was released via Gimme A Break’s charity compilation to help raise funds for aid in the Ukraine and the release received support from DJ Mag and Ransom Note.
Catch AK Sports on her monthly show on Balamii Radio London alongside the likes of Skream, Denham Audio, Coco Bryce, Chaos in the CBD and Kush Jones wherein she’s features monthly guests from around the world most recently the likes of Interplanetary Criminal, Jennifer Loveless, DJ Mell G, Bailey Ibbs, Bored Lord, Mincy, Mani Festo, Dagga, Human Movement & more!
2022 sees further upcoming EPs on Shall Not Fade and Higher Power. @aksportsdj
