JD writer and author Matt Anniss announces new edition of ‘Bleep..’ bible ‘Join The Future’ – plus book tour
Expanded edition of ‘Join The Future’ out on January 7
Three years after it was first published, Matt Anniss’s critically acclaimed alternative history of UK dance music in the acid house era is returning to stores in updated and expanded form.
Boasting even more interviews, sharpened analysis, strengthened arguments, an updated recommended listening list and a whole new ‘afterword’ chapter, this is the definitive revised edition of what author Matthew Collin called ‘a significant addition to the canon of dance music literature’.
Anniss will also take to the road in February
Join The Future traces the roots, origins, development and legacy of bleep & bass (sometimes known as ‘bleep techno’), a highly influential but previously overlooked style of UK dance music that emerged from Yorkshire and the Midlands from 1988 onwards. Mixing social, cultural and oral history, Anniss puts forward a persuasive argument that it not only inspired the development of more celebrated styles of British dance music, but should also be considered the foundation of what many now call ‘UK bass’ (that collection of styles that put heavy sub-bass to the fore).
Since the book’s publication, it has become a ‘must-read’ for anyone interested in the development of British dance music culture and received hugely positive feedback from critics. In 2021, Rolling Stone UK cited it as one of the best non-fiction books on British dance music culture, alongside music books that are considered genuinely key texts such as Dan Hancox’s ‘Inner City Pressure’ and Jon Savage’s E’ngland’s Dreaming’. Other critics have highlighted the level of research behind the book.
Commenting on the new edition, Matt Anniss said: “Since the publication of Join The Future in 2019, I’ve been blown away by the feedback from readers and delighted with the reception from critics. When Velocity Press offered me the chance to update and expand the book, I took the opportunity. It’s still the same core book, just stronger and a little longer – like the definitive extended 12” version of a much-loved bleep record.”
To mark the publication of the new edition of the book in January 2023, author Matt Anniss is heading out on tour in February. Anniss will take part in a series of ‘in conversation’ events hosted by journalists – including another Juno Daily regular Oli Warwick – DJs and producers.
A sumptuous double vinyl album accompanying the book including exclusive tracks from Nightmares On Wax, Tuff Little Unit, Cabaret Voltaire, Unique 3 and others, is available from Juno store – click here
The current dates and venues (more TBC) are as follows:
02/02/23: Friendly Records Bar, Bristol
Hosted by Oli Warwick, with DJ support from Farrell and Andy Payback
04/03/23: Cafe Artum, Birmingham
Matt Anniss and Neil Rushton in conversation, DJ support TBA
09/02/23: Rock N Roll Book Club at Wildcard Brewery, Walthamstow, London
Hosted by Lanre Bakare, DJ support TBA
16/02/23: Rubadub, Glasgow
Hosted by JD Twitch
17/02/23: Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh
Hosted by Becca Inglis, DJ support TBA
25/02/23: Rush Hour, Amsterdam
Special event – full details TBA in the coming weeks