Countercurrents 001

The first edition of COUNTERCURRENTS starting off strong with KEEPSAKES

Keepsakes, the alias of British-New Zealand producer and DJ James Barrett, has 
been a strong and distinctive voice in techno since rising to fame through his Stygian
Concrete Works and Weapons Grade Manic EPs back in 2014. Since then he has 
showcased his powerful and menacing, yet often cheeky and playful, productions on 
influential labels including Boys Noize Records, Turbo Recordings, KAOS/OAKS, 
Perc Trax, South London Analogue Material, MORD, and Earwiggle.
Furthermore, he founded the Haven club night alongside Jaded Nineties Raver in 
Tāmaki Maraukau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand) in 2015 - aiming to introduce 
clubbers to the experimental and harder side of techno in a city completely devoid of 
this music. In 2018 Haven also expanded into a vinyl-focused record label - going on
to release many leading international artists including VTSS, Tommy Holohan, New 
Frames, Peder Mannerfelt, Ayarcana, Ansome, and Ryan James Ford, as well as 
becoming the main home for Barrett’s own productions.
Now located in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa (Christchurch, New Zealand) - following several 
years living in Berlin hitting the European club circuit - he is focused on bringing his 
tough and eclectic sound to dance floors worldwide, with regular appearances at 
international techno institutions, including Tresor, RSO, and London’s Fold, providing
a platform for his formidable DJ sets.