Jagz Kooner

What does it mean to "Be More Weatherall"? This question looms deep in my conversation with Jagz Kooner, one-third of the pioneering electronic trio Sabres of Paradise, as we explore the reissue of their groundbreaking first two albums and reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Andrew Weatherall.

Thirty years after their original release, Sabersonic and Haunted Dancehall have been given the reissue treatment by Warp Records, coinciding with a reformation of the band for performances at Sydney Opera House and Primavera Sound, amongst places. Jagz gets into how a serendipitous chain of events – beginning with a Q&A at the Golden Lion in Todmorden and the discovery of a forgotten live recording – led to this unexpected new chapter for a project that helped move rave culture beyond the confines of nightclubs.

Throughout our conversation, Weatherall's spirit looms large. His philosophy of "don't look back, every day is year zero" initially made Jagz hesitant to revisit past work, until Weatherall's partner Lizzie offered a poignant perspective: "There is no looking forward now he's gone. All we've got is what he gave us." I get the impression of a real lack of the usual get-the-band-back-together cynicism for this project.

The interview also traces Jagz' evolution from bedroom DJ to acclaimed producer, known for his signature fusion of electronic precision with rock and roll grit. From his work with Primal Scream on "Swastika Eyes" to his game-changing remix for The Charlatans (which inspired Eddie Temple Morris to start his influential radio show), Jagz has consistently embodied Weatherall's ethos of experimentation and boundary-pushing.

Here’s the weekly links section for the Jagz Kooner episode, in your fixed Lost and Sound template style, with the artist-specific links swapped in:

Listen to The Sabres of Paradise via Warp’s Bandcamp

Follow Jagz Kooner:

Website

Instagram

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Want to go deeper? Grab a copy of my book Coming To Berlin, a journey through the city’s creative underground, via Velocity Press.

And if you’re curious about Cold War-era subversion, check out my BBC documentary The Man Who Smuggled Punk Rock Across The Berlin Wall on the BBC World Service.

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