Deep Scratch

by Steven Pratt

In Amsterdam, DJ Plush crafts new techniques for mixing things. After a failed music career and two violent attacks, one leaving his equipment smashed, the other his face, he seeks healing through art. Supported by his friends Max and Percy, they create TRB crew, blending turntablism, literature, beatbox and conspiracy. They’re promptly pulled hands-first into an unfinished spell from a dead the tale of the tribe. TRB evolve their DJ skills, while outside a surge of populist nationalism sweeps through Europe like the smell of old socks, challenging their bold vision and questioning their purpose, is it contributing to the struggle, will work like this historical conspiracy be outlawed and weaponized against its author? TRB produce science fiction via turntables, spin visit the 1936 Olympics, combat carnivorous Ostriches, drink gamma-tea in a music laboratory/studio and teach algorithms about funk. Deep Scratch is black science-fiction, or rather rainbow prospiracy science, turntable prose to pull down walls between music and story. In a deep fake awakening simulation, humans require DJs to give us some truth. Short stories within stories, albums within trans-media across prattforms. This novel virus is a call to all creative individuals and artists to tell their story, as Charlie Parker said, now’s the time. Stay safe, look after each other. Spread love.--Steve Fly, 21st December 2020.

460 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2020