Archive for January 2011
January 31, 2011 | 
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Welcome back to our special two part Disco Matters report, focussing on new social networking site MyGayFace and interviewing its creator, Brent Nicholls. In his usual style Brent has been upfront and honest so far, in laying down the foundations of just what MyGayFace is about and what it sets out to achieve. So, having given you a flavour of what the new face of gay soical networking offers, we probe Brent a little deeper both on MyGayFace’s birth and then the mechanics of the site.
Brent left off in part one by explaining when MyGayface was launched and how the set up works via i-phone, then briefly mentioned a “messy birth”, so we naturally probed further….
Q5. A messy birth? Sounds a bit, well, messy. What happened and what came out the other side?
Well, we had a bit of a disaster. When I was cleaning up the database, I had to remove a user from one of the plug ins. It asked if I wanted to delete the user & all the information…so I selected YES. What resulted was a complete catastrophe, as not only did the user’s info get deleted, but the amendment took out the whole MGF database, wiping all profiles from the site. After what could only be described as a screaming “Hopkins” (an in-house term/joke!), I got myself together and re-instated & upgraded the site. However, with database issues causing conflict between old and new, I had to ask all previous members to sign up again, which, unfortunately, has slowed the take up rate compared to when the site was first launched, as I think setting up a profile for the second time on the same network proves a rather tedious chore. But, having purchased a “Live Sign In” option for the site, users are able to sign in and register using their exsiting Facebook, Twitter &/or other social network user names, cutting down the sign up process time and making it much easier to transfer like for like information & data into MGF. Still, the database crash taught me a lot about the running of the site, what to do, what not to do and the re-launch allowed for additional features to be built in which has resulted in a much better site
Q6. So, MGF is back up & running, now, tell us a bit about the mechanics, how do the profiles work? Can you be what you want to be? Say what you want to say? And do what you want to do?
MyGayFace.com does not allow ‘hate’ against any group. No ‘isms’, ‘phobics’ or ‘philia’. Any expression of hate, including cyber bullying and cyber-stalking will be reported to the appropriate authority. Keep it at home. We don’t mind you being sexy, but pornographic needs to be set to ‘private’. Your profile can be anything you want it to be…as long as it is you. Part of that is giving emails that work, which will be randomly tested, and if they are not legitimate the profile will be deleted. We follow the security of most social networks. You will not be spied on..but there is an option to report something that may be considered a violation of our terms or fits into any of the categories mentioned. You can be you, as long as it is YOU! Your profile will need certain details before it is activated, but then what content you place is up to you. You can make your profile your own website, or add it to your network. There is plenty of functionality and ways of putting yourself out there. We encourage people to explore and use what they like and leave out what they don’t.
Q7. So, this is definitely a fresh approach for sure, but are you looking at MyGayFace to replace or compliment Facebook, Myspace, etc? And if the latter, are there plans to link the sites in some way?
First & foremost, MGF is not meant to be a gay Facebook, or even replace it, rather a new network for gays aimed at an 18+ networker. We allow you to be sexy with various ways of marking your images so only the “right” people can see them, so unlike Facebook etc, such images won’t have your profile suspended or deleted. We see social networks like clubs…there are some you go to, others you don’t or maybe you go to all of them. Each one is different, except our’s 100% Gay. If anyone is on our network you can assume they are gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgender. Even if they aren’t gay, they are so gay friendly that they are happy to be thought of as gay. We will never replace Facebook or want to, they are McDonalds of the internet. Look at us the funky gay cafe that is a cool and hip place to meet your friends and maybe even pick up!
Q8. We notice that there are a number of elements unique to the site, like “Featured Members”, “Polls”, “Shoutbox” ,“Spy” (sounds ominous) & “Tags”. Tell us how they work? Whether they are just part of the pilot? And are there any other unique features planned?
Many features were a standard part of the project. Tagging is a big thing, anything can be tagged…but it will not place junk on your wall…however you can search the tags, click on them and see the relevant content that have those tags attached. Shoutbox is a quick messenger which expires at the end of the day…it like shouting, once heard, it’s over. We also have classifieds so if you want to promote, sell or trade something you can take out a free advert. We do not process money on MGF, so the part is up to you…you place the ad and deal with the response. Members can also create poll on anything they like…it’s a bit of fun and in many ways like creating a live ‘top list’. Featured members is a back end part of our promotional aspect to feature people who we think reflect the what MGF is about, so potential new members can relate. Spy is a fun app we have added which basically lets you see who has been zoomin who…see what profiles have been checked out, who filled in a poll etc…it creates activity streams, and in some way, act like a suggestion list of things you may want to check out. You also can rate almost anything out of 5 stars which links to ‘popularity’ features which will be implemented in later stages. The most popular videos, pics, profiles and so on will be featured on the site, plus the search facility lets you find out what content has been rated the most. Kind of a ‘what’s hot’. There is instant messenger too for those on line to have chat. It really does take exploring; and we hope that people will use the features…we are open to comments, plus the Admin has set up a page to report bugs, fixes, solutions and to keep members up to date on what is new and what is on the way out.
Q9. How have you been promoting MyGayFace to the social networking community? We hear a rumour that you compiled a special podcast for instance, where can we find details of that?
MGF is still a new(ish) & very different concept for many, so advertising it through social network sites like Facebook always has limited success, after all people logging in there have specific needs when doing so. However, awareness is our biggest tool, so you will see MGF on clubbing website SeenQueen and the support we get from people like yourself also helps. In promoting MGF we point out that being sexy or using sexy images will not get you deleted like can sometimes happen on Facebook, so the key aim of any marketing is to enforce that message. As it is set up as an adult site, there are no age restrictions placed on MGF, meaning that YOU can be YOU! and that is the best marketing message possible. Turning to the podcast, as a D.J., I decided to promote the site with a compilation called “Get On MyGayFace”, which was initially meant for MGF members, although as the demand was so high, I decided to release it for general download, which you can still get a copy via http://djbrentnicholls.com/web/2010/09/14/get-on-mygaface-com/, while we see it became your (that’s us) top compilation of 2010.
Q10. So we guess, the only question remains (well two actually), how can people join MyGayFace and why should they?
To join, go to www.mygayface.com and either use the “Live Sign In” option, or fill in a profile which will require a username, your real name, a description, and age confirmation (we do not ask private information like birth date or age, but you must confirm you are over 18). Once you have completed these basics, how much you use the site is up to you, but the more you do the more you will understand, for example, removing the tagging post to wall aspect will stop viral marketers and spamming so you can really use this as a place to cruise, socialise and network. In addition, those who want to promote themselves through the site can set up a commercial profile and add ‘friends’ to whom they can market to. Plus, with Facebook, where mass deleting of invitations/events is commonplace, at least here people will sign up to what they are interested in and as such it should prove far more effective. Well known websites, clubs, scene workers & D.J.’s have profiles, as well as plenty of people with more personal profiles. We are just growing, so we encourage people to join to help us develop the best gay social network there is…like our tag line says, it is where YOU can be YOU. MGF is about the people that are on it and we want funky, social, hip, happening, open minded, creative, scene based, hot and sexy people to be part of the MGF revolution, so if that sounds like you, then you have found a new place to hang out!
Q11. Before we finish, we can’t resist asking, what’s happening in the world of Brent Nicholls at the mo, both in terms of D.J.’ing & web designing?
Looking at web designing first, having discovered the wonders of WordPress as a CMS, as well as gaining knowledge of Dolphin, Buddy Press and Dreamweaver, much more exciting projects & designs are now possible, so I have lots going on. Naturally I am still developing MGF and letting it grow organically, while I continue to be busy with SeenQueen (http://seenqueen.com) updating it virtually daily and is a site that I am extremely proud of, as, for a non advertised & exclusive site, it is now within the top 700,000 or so websites in the world, having jumped up some 300,000 places since its re-design. Other projects have included creating a fetish equivalent to SeenQueen, but with a ‘fetish community’ attached, a kind of Facebook but for pervs and the now established Fetishpig website (http://fetishpig.co.uk) is doing well, although as fetish is not everyone’s cup of tea, I am expecting it, like MGF, to grow more organically. I am also designing distinctvieevents.biz, just ended up doing the ‘one size fits all porno/video site’ Sexxximps.com, have designed a host of other new sites, including yours (http://discomatt.com) & have re-designed by own D.J. website & my web designing site (http://uniquecliques.com) is being refreshed. Plus I am working on another “community” project/network which is currently secret but will be revealed soon. Social networking on a broad scale is reaching its limits, so it seems that more specialised networks are the way to go, this new project aimed a particular group of people and will make an impact for sure, mainly because it will be controversial. Another part of my life is Reiki and I have also set up an online community for that to compliment the Facebook Reiki London group. In essence, with large social networking sites’ conditions of use/security becoming more & more complicated, judgmental and compromising, I am setting up ways to engage with others on a more personal basis leaving the masses for the masses, so you can say it is a dynamic time and I am learning heaps in the process.
As for D.J.’ing, I have a handful of regular gigs for clubs & bars in London, including brands managed by Alex Erfan, so Lovechild figures, as does Back-to-Beyond & other ones in his stable. I also continue to D.J. at Hard On! monthly and play regularly for Lo-Profile and Barcode, not least for Industri which is now in Soho rather than Vauxhall, while other projects & various club launches or occasional appearances draw on my services, plus a couple of those “projects” are very much in the pipeline.
Q12. So, plenty happening, which neatly finishes with, where can we see you playing in the coming weeks?
Well, February at the moment is looking on the quiet side, but probably the biggest event for me is Lovechild’s 2nd Birthday, while I will have my usual Lo-Profile, Industri at BCS & Hard On! gigs. However, with the landscape ever changing, my website www.djbrentnicholls has a roster with details, or you can join the mailing list and be kept up to date, as well as get plenty of FREE downloads of my music mixes!
Right, that’s it, the second & in-depth part of our look at new social networking site MyGayFace, a new kid on the block that has lots more to it than meets the eye and certainly gets our unequivocal support. Having interviewed Brent and received his uncompromised, unashamed & unabated responses, it is clear that he is extremely passionate at providing the right channels for people to interface, network, promote and, most importantly, be themselves, very much reflected in how Brent is as an individual. So hail him, hail his new projects & hail MyGayFace as the new face of social networking. (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Disco Matters | 
Tags: Brent Nicholls, Facebook, MyGayFace, Myspace, SeenQueen | 
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Without doubt if there is any club brand in London that has attracted a huge amount of media activity, gossip & intrigue over the last few months, it has to be SuperMartXe (SMX), the massive Spanish club brand which, even in its roots in Madrid, has been going through quite a tumultuous time of late. With the launch & impact of competitor brand WE Party, SMX has been taking itself on a slightly different direction back home, while in London, it’s been not just been all change for promoter Logan Schmitz & his team, but the attraction of a whole pile of controversy following the 2nd Anniversary party in November. Yet, despite the rocky road of obstacles that have presented themselves to Mr Schmitz, there is no keeping this respected & renowned dancer turned club promoter down and SuperMartXe will be making what will surely be a most welcome return to London’s gAylist scene in just 20 days time, the event hailing a new dawn for the brand in the capital, which, despite the reported issues of late, will definitely be THE party to be at on Saturday 19th February, as SuperMartXe “Loves London” takes the capital by storm.
So, first and foremost, where will this new lease of life for SuperMartXe be held? Well, having been doing our best to obtain the all important news of the venue for a good couple of weeks now, all our sources had been sworn to secrecy, although with the proverbial “cat out of the bag”, we can reveal that the latest home for Logan Schmitz’s London take on this massive Spanish superclub brand will be Pulse. So, naturally, with the news literally just breaking to us this morning, we have been exerting all our research pressure into giving you the latest lowdown on what looks like a “state of the art” new club, the full length promotional video viral at http://youtube.com/watch?v=cjMWrYYEIWg giving you a hint of what to expect. But what else do we know about Pulse? Well, yes it is a new venue and one based in the heart of London’s South Bank and is another venue built under reclaimed railway arches (similar to the likes of Fire, Area, Arcadia & the like) not very far from Tate Modern, up against Blackfriars Road, 1-4 Invicta Plaza to be precise. Now, the “official” launch of this 21st century style & decked out delight was planned for 18th March, although it seems that the Logan presents team have managed to jump that gun & have secured the venue, SuperMartXe’s “Loves London” being the first event to take place there.
Honing a little more on the details, it seems that Pulse as a venue is pretty huge, indeed looking at some of the stats, it should fit SuperMartXe like a glove, the capacity of all four (yes four!) arches being 4500 and, aprraently, when fully opened offers in excess of 45,000 sq foot of space. However, one of the many ingenious features of the design, is that the club can be tailored for smaller events and literally transformed into three separate venues if need be. Plus with an exceptional outside spaced (called Eden – the garden of?!?!) which can also act as its own club, a staggering 50 toilets across the whole venue, four massive “fast pour” bars, a “fast track” entry system with two massive cloakrooms and even their own private taxi rank & car parking facility, it seems the venue owners & designers have thought of pretty much everything, learning from the mistakes of others and catering for & putting the clubber first. Add to that, state of the art sound & lighting which includes a “Void Sound System”, designed on that from Ibiza club DC10, it seems that SMX has found a brilliant bed partner in Pulse and with Logan having worked with venue owner Mark Aimes (of XXL fame) before, the working relationship should be pretty healthy, while as we speak SMX artwork has appeared on the Pulse website, which you can check out at http://pulseclub.co.uk/
Right, switching the focus back onto SuperMartXe and taking a moment to reflect on recent happenings, we want to try to put a few matters straight for the purpose of good record. First & foremost, it seems that opinion on SMX’s 2nd Anniversary party was very much divided, between those that managed to get into the club without too much hassle and those who were left stranded outside & in the freezing cold for hours. Cutting through much of the hysteria of some, not least the review from SceneB.itch, there was no doubt that the venue & particularly the security arrangements seriously affected the party, not least the stringent licence requirements that compelled venue owners to insist on I.D. and a full security scan for everyone. That said, from the cross section of people we have talked to, the broad range of opinion seems to suggest that, once inside, this celebratory event was pretty spectacular, with production nods to previous landmark parties festooning the three rooms and, whilst clearly a different vibe the theatre style of The Coronet (SMX’s previous & first London home), those we spoke to that enjoyed the full extent of this 2nd Anniversary action, had a really good time. Now, we were not there to review & report on it, so, as always in these cases, our opinion is made up of those we have spoken to, but judging by the video, it looked amazing, so if like us you didn’t make it in November, the video well worth a look at http://youtube.com/watch?v=2KTGYiX1RiQ.
Nevertheless, there was no doubt that queues at coat checks, bars & otherwise were a bain, plus the huge amount of people that we left literally out in the cold, seemed to out-weigh those that reported otherwise, with the blame for all these operational difficulties being squarely laid at the venue’s door by Logan & his team. From insider sources, this course of action & attributation was quite justifiable, as the venue failed to deliver on many of the promises made to Logan in hosting SuperMartXe there, although in the eyes of clubbers, if something or anything detracts from their experience, then it is the club promoter that takes the rap and boy did Mr Schmitz come in for some flak or what, Facebook wall posts & much more evident for all to see. So, with so much negative press and so many people having lashed out following a detrimental experience, it was no surprise that SuperMartXe failed to make a showing over Christmas & the NY, the negativity still ringing in many ears and opinion very vocal, yet the anticipation of a Logan event & an SMX come-back very much in the mind’s eye, the pomp & circumstance of Logan Presents was re-enforced early in the NY with the issue a spectacular video which is out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fs6f6D-VpDc.
However, with November now pretty much “water under the bridge”, London Bridge & the fateful venue that caused so much pain & aggravation has definately been consigned to the Logan Presents team history books, new home Pulse definitely looking like providing SuperMartXe with a new dawn & a new beginning and in the words of main man Mr Schmitz, “…will be an extravagant party prepared & ready to bring back the SMX love to London…” he also hinting on the new home by saying “…from the Coronet Theatre to the Brixton Academy, SuperMartXe has welcomed London into some of the largest & most elaborate venues, the next new home promising to fulfil that & more…”. And, given just how passionate & determined Logan is to make amends to those that walked away disappointed in November, not only are we pretty certain every inch of effort will be exercised to avoid those failings at Debut, the team being at pains to stress that there will be no ID scan entry system at Pulse, but Logan & his troops will be also be going all out to showcase the best that SMX in the capital has to offer. So, this “Loves London” event should definitely push the boundaries, offering as he puts it “…a new & improved SuperMartXe experience…” with all the usual prolific production, pyrotechnics, displays & effects, as well as the famed gorgeous go-go boy & girl dancers amd magnificent music, meaning this is sure to be an SMX experience to rival any.
Now, whilst we have not yet been privy to the D.J. line up, a hint towards the main room being headlined by Juanjo Martin has been made, we are pretty sure that Tony English will feature and there is every possibility that a second space will be hosted by Jodie Harsh’s Circus team, although much of this is conjecture only, so don’t go quoting us. Mind you, there are two places we are keeping our eyes peeled on, the first being the Logan Presents website at http://loganpresents.com, while Mr English is responsible for the group’s monthly podcasts, which act as much like newsletters as music releases, so another great source for information at http://loganpresentspodcast.podomatic.com. However, as further news breaks on this new beginning of a SuperMartXe event, we will bring it to you, although it goes without saying that we WILL be there to report on it all on 19th Feb and suggest you should make it too, the early bird £14 tickets already gone (went a couple of weeks ago actually!), although £16 advanced ones are out at http://supermartxe.clubtickets.com/gb/2011-02/19/supermartx-loves-london and worth grabbing while you can, so you can be part of this new & exciting chapter in the SuperMartXe book of brilliance, as Logan & his Presents team will once again be the talk of the town. (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Previews | Tags: Juanjo Martin, Logan Presents, Logan Schmitz, Mark Aimes, Pulse, SuperMatXe, Tony English | 1 Comment »
Like a few dependable constants in the clubbing world, Hard On! continues to cut a swathe through Saturday’s, filling the all important gap in the fetish market for more mainstream followers, Suzie Krueger’s creation taking up where FIST left off, just over eight years ago and whist a tad more vanilla for us than its full on former, Hard On! holds no bars when it comes to audacious action. Indeed the infamous playroom at latest home Hidden is a hot bed of activity, we having even witnessed our fair share on the odd occasions we manage to squeeze it into our schedule, the word squeeze an optimum word, along with sling & (as a friend so calls us) slut. But add to that two rooms of rough & tough leather, rubber & even bare all exhibitionism, along with superb sounds on the tough, tech, funky & chunky side, this is one horny hangout for sure.
However come (or is that cum) Saturday, 29th Jan, Hard On! gets even hornier, as the duo of Bruno Knight & Ben Brown, along with their 21st Century Men team, host a night of naughtiness, well downright dirtiness more like, as the main room will be a hotbed of humping activity, this so named “FU*K OFF” event doesn’t ask you to, but tempts you into a specialist competition, which Bruno tells us “…is the same as a dance off, except it’s not dancing that the contestants will be doing…”, clear as crystal yet? Well, if not, here’s some more, as Bruno, Ben & co are in search of the “hottest fu*ker”, the winner of this competition with a distinct difference, displaying all the talents in a full on stage showing & no holds barred intense indulge (you know what we mean!) that will lift this horniest fu*k or a first prize, adding a free year’s membership to Hard On! to the award. Add to that a special caged set of shows from muscleman baring their assets & even an erotic angle grinding display and it seems the choice between main & play rooms will be a toughie.
But naturally it doesn’t stop there, as the team of resident jocks (D.J.’s) will be serving up stacks of sexy, funky, uplifting & underground sounds, Brent Nicholls taking charge of the tunes in the main (Red) room, while in the cruise bar space, Hugo’sland, Dmak & Halo-is turn out the tech fuelled tracks. Now whilst there is a definite draw to dance, there will be an equally appealing pull to play, the extensive area set aside for this sex fuelled saucery having been given a mini makeover, with newly added glory holes along with the famed slings & other equipment to satisfy your desires, while the huge screen showing x-rated action will definitely get you in the mood for that raunchy rendezvous. Add to that plenty of other areas to cruise & cavort, sofa’s dotted around to rest & re-cooperate, as well as a heated & covered outside terrace to cool of from the hot & horny action inside and this latest Hard On! offers a fetish “fu*k off” frolic like never seen at home Hidden before.
So, enough said on all of that, lets point to some of the important detail and links, Hard On! “FU*K OFF” taking place this Saturday (29th Jan) at Hidden in Vauxhall, doors opening at 10.30 p.m. and the club running through to a planned 5 a.m. finish, while it is good to get there early, as the team serve up a special “happy hour” on drinks until midnight, with cans of Fosters lager & Strongbow cider on a 2 for one basis. Now, remember that Hard On! is a membership club only, but fear not as its really easy to become one, a simple trip to http://hardclub.co.uk where details are easy to follow & a full rundown of the strict dresscode is laid out, reminding you that jeans & trainers are a definite no no, while leather, rubber, uniform & the like is very much the order of the day (you can even go naked if you want, but you need to convince the door team that’s what you are doing). Entrance for members is £15, while two guests (£20 each) are allowed per member, although all that said, our friends SeenQueen have their own Hard On! competition, with five free double passes the prizes, a form fill at http://seenqueen.com/web/2011/hard-on-gets-fukd-off-29-1-2011/ being all that’s required to enter the draw. Now, just a couple more links, SQ’s sister site FetishPig going into deeper detail (ooh err) on this event at http://fetishpig.co.uk/, while Bruno is still accepting entrants to the “fu*k off” comp, requesting that you e-mail him with some essential info (like name etc) at brunoknightuk@gmail.com.
Now having missed out on the sling when we visited last month, we were dying for some dirtiness this time round, but sadly are Brighton bound this weekend, but have March in our diaries for the FIST reunion (details cumming soon), when we will definitely be swapping the disco for the crisco. However, we will certainly be missing out this month as Saturday in the hands of Hard On! looks like being a sex fuelled scorcher and certainly THE place to be for you fetish followers, leaving us to join our cousin Disco Matt in simply saying, “Go There! Be There! (CRISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: Ben Brown, Brent Nicholls, Bruno Knight, Dmac, Halo-is, Hard On!, Hugosland, Suzie Kruegar | No Comments »
Having launched our one-stop website back in December, the reaction has been reasonably encouraging, many of you saying the new look & format is much better than the old, the main benefit being that ALL our reporting can now be found in one place and by one or two simple clicks.
So, with our feet very much under the new Disco Matt table, we will now be extending our music & D.J. services, first going through a programme of uploading a whole raft of biographies from our old blog pages into the new designated D.J.’s section right here at http://discomatt.com. Then we will be going back to basics with our now shortened “Music” section posts, honing in on both established & upcoming/new D.J. talent here in London & internationally, focussing on those hitting the headlines, as well as others that are moving & grooving the dancefloors or nailing it in the recording studio.
That said, we will be continuing with our increasingly popular “The Music News” newsletters, where we give shouts to those D.J.’s putting out worthy new compilations & tracks that warrant attention, these posts keeping pace with the never-ending stream of music served up around the globe, our keen ear for a great sound & an in-depth knowledge of the D.J. scene not just here in London’s gay scene, but right across the world,, placing us in pole position to plug & promote the wealth of talent at our fingertips.
So, keep your eyes peeled for a stream of biographies & related posts in our D.J.’s section, http://discomatt.com/web/djs/, watch out for those focus reports in our music page, the next one being on Tel Aviv talent Guy Scheiman due out at http://discomatt.com/web/music/ in the next day or so, while our latest newsletter, “Mountain Of Mixes To Market”, covering over 12 D.J.’s & 20 compilations/tracks, is out now and can be found in both our “Music” & “DM Does” section(s), the latter link being http://discomatt.com/web/dm-does/. Plus, if you D.J.’s want to be included in any upcoming newsletter, focus report or even want us to update your biography, then get in touch by email at matt@discomatt.com, or find us on Facebook (Disco Matt or Matt Hopkins), then either send us a message or plaster our wall and we will do our best to include you.
Finally, as we delve into the D.J.’s, beef up the biographies & plug those podcasts, while our look may have changed, the tag line & resounding message is still same, in that “Music Is The Answer” (DISCO MATT)
Well, what a month it has been in Disco Matt land, first the flu & then a nasty ear infection that has left us most out of sorts, although it hasn’t stopped us getting out & about on the scene, and when we haven’t, recommending the places to be & be seen. So as the first month of 2011 draws to a close, it’s time to once again look at what’s on offer in Soho, Vauxhall & elsewhere to tempt you out on what is (for many we suspect) the first payday of the month.
So, spotlighting Soho, Profile & Lo-Profile get our first shout, another wonderful weekend in prospect that takes off upstairs tomorrow (Fri 28th Jan) in Profile from 7 p.m. with Nathan Six on the decks, while down in Lo-Profile, Brent Nicholls serves up the funky & Latin flavoured fun from 10 p.m., followed by Latino Gonzalo Rivas, who takes you deep into Saturday morning, till 4 a.m. Then on Saturday, Profile gets going with the grooves, courtesy of Craig Daniels, while downstairs the duo of Jamie Head & Alessandro Londra should ensure two sets full of stupendous sounds, percussionist David H adding his own spice to this Saturday shindig. Now, in our books, both Profile & Lo-Profile still sit as the best package in Soho for a complete evening of socialising & clubbing, plus môn-congrats to Profile for their runner up slot in the SeenQueen (SQ) Best Bar poll category, more details of both venues available at http://profileshoho.com & http://loprofile.com.
Down at The Shadow Lounge, news is still brewing of a new night, our ears (at least our good one) still close to the ground, while the weekend winning format currently stays the same, Friday seeing another “Therapy” session with the boy girl combo of Miswhite & Paul Heron spinning the dance worthy discs, while on Saturday, the ever popular & adorable Andrew Elmore injects a whole load of “Inferno” into the occasion, pop-tastic tunes being the order of the day. Now, just a quick couple of dates for your diaries, next Thurs (3rd Feb) seeing the return of house hit “Hola” with Terry Vietheer & Bodytalk’s DJ Rokk, while the following Friday (11th Feb) it’s the Delice Dream pre-party (more details right here next week). Further info on these & all other events can be found by going to http://theshadowlounge.co.uk/ or connecting with their group at http://facebook.com/theshadowlounge.
Now a furtherl Soho shout for Barcode, who must surely be in celebratory mood, having scooped the crown for Best Bar in the SQ “Your Disco Needs You” poll, Friday (28th) kick starting the celebrations with another “The Cave” club night downstairs, special guest Hifi Sean selecting the sounds, , while regulars Dilmar Brito & Jo Publik pick the hits upstairs. Plus, don’t forget Industri, which now has its residency here in Soho & takes place at Barcode each & every Wednesday, D.J.’s Brent Nicholls & Paul Heron on weekly rotation, but Minty always there to steer this social splendour in the right direction. More details of happenings at Barcode can be found by going to http://bar-code.co.uk.
Rupert St & Ku Bar are our last best bites, Rupert St seeing D.J. Minx mastermind the music on Friday, while on Saturday, the legend that is Fat Tony makes his indelible impression of this Soho sophisticate, info on the bar available at http://rupertstreet.com. Over at Ku Bar & Club on Lisle St, its Brazilian beats a-plenty, as they host the “official “The Week” pre-party tomorrow (Fri 28th), with the delectable DouGuim on the decks & a carival collective sure to gather, more news on Ku available at http://ku-bar.co.uk.
Right moving over the river and south to Vauxhall, we capture another weekend of jam packed activity at Fire & Area, The Orange Group cast of clubs & highlights including Onyx, who hold a stylish “Burlesque Ball” this tomorrow (Fri 28th) which includes contemporary choreographed dance performances & a special P.A. performance, the team clearly keen to pack out the place as there is an inflation busting entry offer of just £1 before midnight with a flyer, ad or concession g/list entry. Following that is afterhours A:M, another SQ award winner, clinching second spot in Best Weekly Club category, so Oliver & the team will be in party mood, welcoming guest D.J. Paul Heron to the decks. Back over at Area & probably the biggest celebration will be at Beyond this Sunday (30th), as they lifted the big SQ crown as Best Overall, as well as adding another SQ Best Weekly Club award to their trophy cabinet. Add to that their “The Week” afterparty with the likes of D’Johnny, Steve Pitron & Alan K, and this will be THE place to be for sure. With a clubbing cast that also includes Gravity, Later, Booster & Orange , you can literally party from Thursday right through till Monday, bouncing between both venues, although The Coronet will surely be a diversion on Sat (29th) when Brazil’s best is back, The Week landing back in London (more in a min). For more info on All Things Orange, go to http://fireclub.co.uk/fire-nightclub-london-gay-parties.php, while guest list inclusions can be sorted by going to http://gayguestlits.com/.
With a Weekend Focus Extra coming up on fetish club Hard On! which will be the other Vauxhall victor on the club scene this Saturday, we wind up our shouts in the Soho of the south, with two quick mentions, first for The RVT, who have a fabulous threesome, Friday seeing the return fabulous night “Marvellous”, while the ever popular “Duckie” stands proud on Saturday & then no Sunday would be the same without a S.LA.G.S./Chill-out session with the majesty that is The Dame Edna Experience. Details of these & other events at this legendary boozer can be found by going to http://thervt.org.uk.
Our other shout goes to two new clubs from ex Onyx promoter Steve Geller, who is now firmly in bed with the team at Union (formerly Crash) and sets this Saturday (29th Jan) alight with new club night, “Epic”, Mr G being joined in the main room by D.J. Daniel Stone, while Barbara Bush & Robbie Keats pop it up in room 2. Then on Tuesday, Steven is back for more, this time an afterhours style event called “Desire” which kicks off at 4 a.m. with our the multi mixing Steven taking charge & thrilling with four decks at once. More details of both events & more can be found by going to http://clubunion/co/uk.
Moving onto all things elsewhere, our first best bite goes to The Week which, whilst an a-typical big club choice, does fall outside the premise of Vauxhall, as the London team have chosen to move it from Fire to The Coronet in Elephant & Castle, & having spoken with the teams head poncho, he explained of the move “…we are stepping up the pace to & increasing the space to showcase the best Brazilian carnival feel to the London crowd…” further adding that “…The Coronet will allow us to display the extravagant production and the array of dancers &performers to their absolute best…” And with costumes finalised, the stage settings complete & the choreography crafted, The Week is ready to take London by storm again, this 2nd event taking place on Sat (29th Jan), full details avaiable in our Weekend Focus post via direct link http://discomatt.com/web/2011/01/dm-recommends-brazils-best-is-back-the-week-saturday-29th-january-weekend-focus/.
As for our real alternatives, The Dalston Superstore (DSS) takes our top choice slot, their weekend starting with the return of night “Revive Her” this Fri (28th Jann) with a cast of D.J.’s that include Lovefingers, Jonny Nash, Minkioni, Dan Hill & Nicholas Fee, all mixing up classic house sounds with future dosco & much more, surely making for bucket loads thumping fun, although Saturday looks like being even better, as “Phat Bitch” takes DSS by storm, hosted by the iconic Tasty Tim, who welcomes an array of guests to share the decks downstairs, while the sweet sounds of Eka Browdny & Scott Webster steer the satisfying sounds upstairs. And with no weekend complete without a “Tutti Frutti” session on Sunday, Dalston & the DSS is the hip happening place, with more details out via their Facebook page or by following the boys at http://twitter.com/dsuperstore.
Next we hone in on Saturday night (29th Jan) as there is something quite special going on at East Bloc, Wayne Shires & Laurent Chaumet’s Shoreditch hangout that is making many waves in this part of the world, their event “Meat” sure to do that & much more. Billed as “…The sexiest party to hit East London ever…”, this all out underground man fest welcomes the might of internationally renowned D.J./Producer Tom Stephan (aka Superchumbo), the original underground rocker of Wayne’s first clubbing love, Crash, Tom being backed up by Shoreditch son Kris Di Angelis, who has been strutting it in the studio with Tom of late, so we are expecting them to share the fruits of their labour with us. With plenty more besides, this is going to be one major mash-up, the team having extended the opening hours until a brave 6 a.m., more details of this & other events (incl. the fab Disco Fag Bar on Friday’s) out at http://eastbloc.co.uk.
Our other alternative is new venture The Sunday Club takes which place this, yes you guessed it, Sunday (30th Jan) at The Kings Cross Social, a new venue on Britannia St, the Farringdon end of this trendy & rejuvenated area of London. Headed up by the legendary Trade D.J. Steve (Janet) Thomas, The Sunday Club is sure to sport plenty of brilliant beats in the tech & progressive style, the emphasis as much on the chat as the tunes, and as Steve aptly puts it, “pop in, unwind, kick back, chit chat, boogie down, drink up, then…….”. Joining Steve on the decks will be a selection of special guests (rumour has it Nick Tcherniak may take his turn too), the club kicking off at 4 p.m. & running through until 10 p.m., entry free until 6, then £5 thereafter and if you fancy a sneak preview, check out their video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=HBmA3CzQZNY, while venue details are available at http://kingscrosssocialclub.com.
Right thats it, our best bites choices up for another week, just leaving us time to point you in the direction of tip top clubbing website, SeenQueen, who have their own hot & happening tips for the places to be seen on the scene, plus much more besides. Indeed, why not go check out how your favourite bar, club or event faired in their “Your Disco Needs You” poll, this & a whole load more available a mere click away at http://seenqueen.com.
Back to http://discomatt.com and watch this space for that focus on Hard On!, plus a feature on the re-launch of Open as well as Gravity Gold, before we hit the European trail next week, this upcoming weekend seeing us get away from it all in Brighton, as Danny Verde flies in for a gig and then Nick Tcherniak, Steve Thomas & Lizzie France star in a special music Industryparty, all seeing us do a bit of DM networking.
However, here in London it definitely looks like being a carnival collective of a weekend as The Week dominates with that pre-party at Ku, the main event at The Coronet & the afterparty at Beyond, so if you are going Brazilian & shaking those samba moves, have a brilliant time, but, wherever you are & whatever you are up to, have a wonderful weekend and as we always say, “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: A:M, Alessandro Londra, Barcode Soho, Beyond, Brent Nicholls, Dalston Superstore, Danny Verde, East Bloc, Fat Tony DouGuim, Gonzalo Rivas, Gravity, Hifi Sean, Jamoe Head, Kris Di Angelis, Ku Bar, Later, Lo-Profile, Minx, MisWhite, Nathan Six, Nick Tcherniak, Onyx, Open, Orange, Paul Heron, Profile Bar, Rupert St, Shadow Lounge, Steve Thomas, The RVT, The Sunday Club, Tom Stephan | No Comments »
Just when we thought we could get our feet back under the table & to our regular D.J. focuses, up come a veritable feast of compilations & tracks, which have kind of forced our hand (in a good way of course) into filing another newsletter, not two weeks after the last. Indeed, with a pretty hectic February that includes trips to Paris, Brussels, Antwerp & Amsterdam, not to mention the big one, South Africa, we thought it best to get this mountain of mixes to market while they are still fresh in the mind, some which may not have yet made your collections. But just before we do, a reminder to watch out for our first full-on D.J. focus of the year, coming up this week, Tel Aviv’s own Guy Scheiman standing under our spotlight, while February sees an Anglo French special to kick off the month, as well as a special devotion to Lovechild’s music in time for their 2nd birthday.
But back to our mountain and first up is Steven Redant who has had a whirlwind of a time over the last few weeks, having rounded off his 2010 and then kick starting the New Year with a tour of Brazil, followed by trips to Bordeaux, Zurich, & Cologne, not to mention squeezing in his birthday in the first week of this month, meaning that his feet have hardly touched his beloved Barcelona base. So, it is no surprise that his usual stream of compilations have taken a little bit of a nose dive recently, but fear not, as Mr Redant has hit the recording studio to celebrate that Brazilian tour with a 68 minute mix lifted direct from one of his live sets & includes “…full on international tribal house, with exclusive mash-ups & upbeat tracks…” and had us hooked from the start. So, to get your slice of Steven in action, go now to http://stevenredant.com/ and while you’re at it, keep an eye out for his tracks “Naked” & “I Need a Hit”, which are storming up the Billboard dance charts.
Leading on nicely is firm friend of Steven’s, the delectable D.J. Phil Romano, who, like his close pal, was in Brazil for the New Year, mixing business & pleasure in Rio before returning to his Barcelona base & a mossie on down in Madrid on the first weekend of this month. Having had, in his own words, “…one of the best years ever…”, 2011 is not shaping up at all bad either for this Italian stud, with terrific touring trips to Montreal for Valentines, Sydney for Mardi Gras, Hawaii in May & much more besides, let alone the inaugural La Demence cruise, it seeming that the insatiable desires for his services remains just as strong this year as it was last. Plus, Phil is currently working on studio track projects with Steven & Lenz Garcia, not to mention having recently released a new podcast serenading the end to his year, this marvellous mix which is out at http://djphilromano.podomatic.com/ and has already been shared on Sydney Homesexual’s podcast site http://homesexual.podomatic.com/, marking his appearance at club on Mardi Gras weekend in March. So, for this a-typical Phil pulsating & pumping progressive come uplifting splendour a worthy addition to your collection, go click on the links & download away.
Staying with Barcelona boys and a man that really came into his own in 2010, not just landing on London twice in the year, but more importantly having been headhunted by massive club brand Matinee, Mr Medina signing on the dotted line in December & kick starting his Matinee career with parties in Paris, then over in The States for NY, featuring large in Miami & New York and racking up a considerable following Stateside as a result. So, it is most appropriate that, after a drought of nearly four months, our man Javier has laid down a compilation to celebrate his glorious news & mini USA tour, his performance at Pacha in NYC concentrated into a 60 minute mix which is out on his Souncloud page (direct link http://soundcloud.com/javier-medina/pachanyc2011) while two of his track remix works are also Javier jewels, first his remix of Nacho Chapado’s “Aimione”, then another nod to USA with his take on the D.J. Rony & Giese track “Always There For You” which he cutely calls his “I Love America” remix, both out at http://soundcloud.com/javier-medina/. Plus, if you haven’t yet, make sure you grab his “A Night With The Boys In BCN” comp, as it is, in our own estimation, one of his best yet, leaving us to express our hearty congratulations on his magnificent Matinee news & wish him all the best for what looks like a hectic yet fulfilling & fantastic year for him, we proud as punch on his amazing achievement.
Just before we wave farewell to Spain, we kind of thought it would be appropriate to slot in the latest podcast release by Tony English on behalf of Logan presents, Tony as you may have gathered from our previous posts, having a soft spot for all things Spain. And, in terms of tracing tracks & finding out new sounds, there is no-one better connected to do so, this latest compilation come newsletter from Tony very much is THE place to get the hot off the press news on SuperMartXe & other Logan Schmitz projects, let alone all those moovin & groovin tunes that are rocking the European dancefloors. So, with Spanish superstar D.J. Juanjo Martin joining Tony on this January edition, plus with tracks from other Spanish stars, including that rocking release from Steven Redant, “I Need A Hit” kicking off this 81 minute mixed-in music & news issue, go to http://loganpresentspodcast.podomatic.com/ to get right up to date with the L.P. action.
Jumping over the border & into France, we are hoping to do the same next week with a leisurely three day stay in Paris, when we will also be planning a special music post devoted to all things French (& Belgian). However, we couldn’t resist sharing a handful of new releases with you now, the first from Ben Manson, this Paris based D.J. starting his 2011 as he means to go on with an appearance for La Demence’s NYD session In Brussels, while gigs for Thursday night club Urban People at Makassar, Saturday nighter, Spice, as well as legendary club, Scream & the first WE party in Paris, have kept him very busy in his home city since then. So, he could be forgiven for not being in the recording studio, but none of it, as Ben has released a new compilation, shouting for all things Scream which is superb & well worth adding you our collection by going to http://benmanson.podomatic.com/, while track recordings with mixing partner Oliver Malone, gather steam, the latest being a deep house re-work of Jose Diaz’s “Erika”, which is out at http://soundcloud.com/manson-3/jos-diaz-erika-ben-manson-olivier-malone-deep-remix.
Next in our French threesome is Bruno Kauffmann, whom we hope to meet in person in Paris next week, during which time we will be commissioning a fresh new bio & focus on this well established talent, his track release “Feel Me”, which we mentioned in our last newsletter, having been given the remix treatment by fellow Frenchmen, Aurel Devil & Leomeo, links to which we will share in that upcoming bio (oh we are a tease!). However, in advance of our devotion to Bruno, we thought we would share with you, a substantial slice of this man’s style & sound, his latest compilation entitled “I Love Paris”, as good an example as any, his tech house come pumping progressive persuasion, very much reflected here & well worth both listening to & downloading via direct link http://soundcloud.com/djbrunokauffmann/dj-bruno-kauffmann-mix-live-i-love-paris-2011 while we have much more Bruno brilliance coming up in our full focus, so watch out for that.
Now, not a newsletter or post seems to go by without friend & French fancy, Leomeo Carandang issuing a new track or mix, such is his dedication to his art & his feverish work in the studio. Mind you, despite gigs dragging him away from his home city on a weekly basis, Leo was actually in Paris a couple of weekends ago & was part of the launch of a new club in the city. But he was back on the road again before you could say kilometre, travelling 364 of them down to Lyon where he played at La Garçionnière on Saturday and upon returning to Paris, laid down a special compilation to mark the occasion which is so hot of the press it is still smouldering, although this tech house triumph is smouldering in itself, with track re-works of classic Moby & Depeche Mode hits among plenty of others, this is Leomeo at his lavish best & a must for your collection by going to http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo/la-gar-ionni-re-the-mix. But the news doesn’t stop there as our Parisian pal now has his own channel, which pulls into one site & source, his videos & tracks, but we once again tease, as more news on this will be released in our upcoming “Parisian Pleasure to Belgian Brilliance” special music post.
Our final continental based bloke for this post, although an Aussie by birth, is Mike Kelly who also gets our singular nod to Australia day (today Wed 26th Jan), although he is far from home, having rested his hat firmly in Cologne now for a few years. Since seeing him play live at Hustlaball when we visited Berlin in October, Mike has remained as busy as ever, not just with gigs across Germany & the further reaches of Europe, but he is active in the studio, while also managing record label Sorry Shoes with recording partner Jean Phillips, the label recently celebrating its 30th release as well as two weekly radio shows hosted by Mr Kelly over the airwaves in both Germany & Brazil. That said, Mike was in the recording studio not a week ago, laying down the second part to his “A Nice Day Shopping” mix, a more progressive production compared to the tech infused first, but both excellent examples of his style, so worth grabbing at http://soundcloud.com/djmikekelly. However, it is Mike’s & Jean’s “Bedroom Muzak” mix of the superb “Show Me Your Love” by Miguel Picasso, featuring Rebeka Brown’s vocals, that really does it for us & is a must have by going to http://soundcloud.com/djmikekelly/miguel-picasso-feat-rebeka-brown-show-me-your-love-jean-philips-mike-kelly-bedroom-muzik , plus as it is just five days released, like Leo’s mix, is still smouldering and is indeed smouldering (if you get our drift!)
Right, well time to head home a rattle through news of some latest podcast releases to hit our desks, the smouldering slant continuing as Chris Brogan, who starred at Industri’s birthday bash last Wednesday, has literally just released a new compilation & very much in the New Year vein, especially with a title like “Resolution”, although it’s the music that does the talking & sets a statement here. With favourite tracks of ours including Chris Lake’s remix of Nalim & Kane’s “Beachball” Dr Kucho’s “Sanity” & Funkagenda’s “Past Dreaming”, as well as Mr Brogan’s edit of Martin Solveig’s “Hello”, the mix is jam packed with gems and is worthy of your collection by going to http://soundcloud.com/djchrisbrogan/resolution, as it has already made ours.
Foxy female MisWhite is the next newsworthy entrant, our Emma having stormed Salvation on NYD with a scintillating set, so decided to put together a mix called “Keep On Rising” which she explains as “…a little something to keep you going through the cold winter detox months…” she further exclaiming of the tracks on her mix “…those of you were at the amazing Salvation at Koko on NYD, will recognise a lot of them, and those who weren’t make sure you at the next one!…”, hear, hear and no whispering from us (in house joke) as we sink into the splendour of this superlative set of sounds, this magnificent mix a must, which is out now at http://miswhite.podomatic.com.
Onward and sticking to the rising theme is Zach Burns, very much a rising star and a talent we spotted a few months ago, although have still yet to laud a full focus on, but with plans to chalk a special report covering new & up-coming talent, Zach will certainly get his share in that, However, in the meantime, we want to share his latest compilation release with you and one lifted direct from his live set just over a week ago at mad Monday nighter, Popcorn, when Mr Burns played out alongside percussionist David H, Zach remarking of the experience, “…playing alongside David again was such a buzz & I enjoyed literally every minute of it…” this euphoria very much reflected in his performance and by this recording, so is well worth a listen at http://djburns.podomatic.com/.
Our final mention (well almost) goes to Brazilian Doug Guimarães , better known behind the decks simply as DouGuim, a talent that was spotted by Lovechild top man Alex Erfan and given a big break at the launch of The Week in London back in September. Mind you, he disappeared under our radar at the time, although has since come shining through with outstanding performances at Beyond, as well as having taken guest spots for Onyx & Later, and holding down as a residency at Ku Bar. Plus, along with the so called “Brazilian Mafia”, Doug’s face is becoming very familiar on the scene, partly why he has been elevated to an intrinsic ingredient in the re-launch of afterhours club brand, Open. But just round the corner, Saturday in fact, when Brazil’s best is back, he will take centre stage at The Week alongside fellow Brazilian Leandro Becker, the London based Mr Guimarães having laid down a special compilation to mark the occasion which is an absolute corker so yet another must for your collection, which you can snap up at http://douguim.podomatic.com/.
Right just before we finish, a quick bit of news about Lovechild, which scooped the SeenQueen crown for Best Monthly Club in their “Your Disco Needs You” poll, but moreover celebrates its 2nd birthday next month. So, naturally, we will be giving it the full music attention, focussing on stars Chris Bekker & Eduardo de la Torre, both who jet in from Germany to star in this special birthday bash. But on top of that we will be sharing the brand new “Lovechild” track, currently being pressed in the studio by Lovechild resident Tony English. Featuring vocals from the amazing Kaysee, who will also be starring at the 2nd birthday & performing the track live for the first time. Add to that mentions & nods for the huge Lovechild resident D.J. team (over a dozen of them) & this will be a music special post to top the lot.
Well that’s it, our latest newsletter covering 12 D.J.’s & 19 compilations/tracks, although there is a 20th and one we unashamedly can’t put down, a self indulgent further mention going to our own “Disco Matt’s Dance-tastic Top 20 Of 2010” collection, a compilation mixed exclusively by Brent Nicholls, whom we paoured plaudits on in our first special music post of the year, “Die-Cast Disco Duo”, and well deservedly so, as he has made this mix available on his own website at http://djbrentnicholls.com/music as well as issuing a special download option at http://brentnicholls.mysites.com/-podcasts/1101-discomatt-2010-top-20-128.mp3, so another big thanks to him. Plus, with any luck the mix will eventually make it to our own podcast & soundcloud pages, the latter incidentally, where you can find segments of our newsletter devotions to various D.J.’s at http://soundcloud.com/discomatt. including some metioned right here.
So, with that self indulgent moment over, and plenty of other compilations & tracks to chose from here, all that’s left to say is, “sit back, select those sounds, turn up the volume & let them play, as music IS the answer” (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Music | Tags: Ben Manson, Brent Nicholls, Bruno Kauffmann, Chris Brogan, Javier Medina, Leomeo, Logan Presents, Mike Kelly, MisWhite, Phil Romano, Steven Redant, Tony English, Zach Burns | No Comments »
When Brazilian superclub The Week landed on London back in September last year, we certainly weren’t prepared for just what a spectacular reception it would get, yet having not been to Sao Paulo (ahhh!) to witness The Week in action, we poured many minutes & hours into lots of research on this amazing outfit in preparation for their first prolific party in London. So, when it sprung to life in Fire, taking advantage of the new extended main room layout, we were pleased that the reaction of capital’s clubbers was so huge and the even the anglo Brit/Brazilian promotions team couldn’t have been more shocked at just how many people made it down to Fire in that hot September evening. With amazing D.J. performances from headliner Leandro Becker, together with a supporting cast that included Steve Pitron, Mikey D, Paul Heron, Brent Nicholls, Per Q.X. & Gonzalo Rivas, plus some of the most flamboyant stage shows Fire had ever seen, it was no surprise that this brilliant Brazilian brand topped our 2010 charts as Best International Newcomer.
So, with such an amazing reception for its first foray at Fire, a return was surely on the cards and this Saturday (26th Jan) marks that return, although given the huge response to the launch in London, the promotions team have decided to give The Week the full- theatrical style treatment by switching it to The Coronet in Elephant & Castle, a huge venue that first made gAylist scene notoriety as the home for Spanish brand SuperMartXe, which bowed out late last year to be replaced by new brand phenomenon, WE Party. However, whilst there may be a small Spanish jetwash for The Week to step through, the stunning stage & the spectacular lighting that The Coronet offers, should suit The Week down to the ground, plus the space will allow the team to fully express & display the delights of this carnival style colossus, which, in the words of the team, will encompass “…extravagant production and an absolute army of dancers and performers, stepping up the pace to bring you the ultimate feel & glamour of Brazil in heart of London…” they further adding “…expect the sexual tension of Copacabana Beach, the sheer visual feast that is Rio Carnival as well as the world class sophistication that is Sao Paulo…”.
Having tapped into the London promoter just this morning, we can certainly endorse the promotions team in saying that the shows will be something to behold and with more feathers than an ostrich flock or a drag queen dozen, the collection of Samba & Carimbo crafted costumes will surely captivate & scintillate like no other show seen at this South London venue, the whole essence of carnival, Brazil & Brazilians, evident for all to see. Plus with the brilliance of Brazilian dancer/choreographer Thiago Drewry together with the Mardi Gras magnificence of Ashley Swift on board, as well as promised wave of gorgeous Brazilian go-go’s, we are sure the huge London contingency will respond just like they did at the launch party in September and pack out the place right from the kick off at 11 p.m. Add to all that, the specially imported lighting & effects that the team from Sao Paulo will be bringing with them, as well as plenty of pyrotechnic displays to give a real sense of carnival at The Coronet, all meaning this is one night you simply won’t want to miss and we haven’t even touched on the magnificent music yet.
So what about that music?, well as he did back in September, Brazilian beaut Leandro Becker will be headlining, no doubt treating us to a full-on feast superb sounds, that made him such a stand-out star when he last landed in London at Fire & then at Paris’s Supersize Pool party the following week, we quoting of his performances, in London, “…the drop dead gorgeous & muscular to boot, Leandro Becker, had taken charge of the decks, his tougher sounding house finding favour…” while in Paris “…the arrival of The Week resident Leandro Becker lifted our spirits considerably, the music taking on much more of a familiar & favoured ring to it, plenty of electro, funky & tech tracks intermixed with octane fuelled beats…”, so come Saturday, he will definitely be grabbing his fair share of the limelight and treating us to more of that tech, electro, funky & vocal infused house that we so much loved last year. Joining Leandro will be fellow Brazilian & new sensation in London, DouG’uim, who debuted at The Week at Fire back in September, but somehow disappeared under the radar at the time. However, a solid set of performances has seen him emerge as a firm favourite at Beyond, he has made an impact in guest slots at Onyx & Later and has been intrinsic in the re-launch of afterhours brand, Open, so his Brazilian looks & charm will fit his appearance at The Week like a glove. Plus, he has produced a special podcast to mark the occasion, a 62 minute celebration of the pure Brazilian samba & carnival sound , intermixed with plenty rousing tech & vocal infused house with an a real euphoric & uplifting feel from start to finish that will surely see him make a splendid splash on Saturday, this magnificent mix out now at http://douguim.podomatic.com/. Completing the line up & adding the London influence is Mikey D, who makes his Coronet debut, but who was a real star at The Week back in September, so is a worthy addition to the line-up, plus is definitely going to be a big draw.
Right, so let’s wrap up this focus look at The Week by sharing the all important detail, this bold & beautiful Brazilian brand, taking The Coronet in Elephant & Castle by storm, this Saturday (29th Jan), from 11 p.m., the event running through until a planned 7 a.m. finish. Advance tickets are still available both online at http://clubtickets.com/gb/2011-01/29/the-week, as well as at the usual Soho outlets, priced at £15 (sorry, all early bird £10 ones have gone), while we are sure a limited amount of discount passes or concessions will be knocking around at the official pre-party on Friday at Ku Bar, as well as at Lo-Profile later. Plus don’t forget the “official” afterparty at Beyond, promoter Jonny Marsh & his team lining up a “The Week” celebration, details of all three pre/post parties coming up in our Best Bites report.
So, its time get sashaying to some samba, select your colourful costume, brush up on your Brazilin beats, as The Week this Saturday, Brazilian or not, will definitely be the place to be, leaving us to simply say, “Go There! Be There!” (DISCO MATT)
After a full-on eight weeks of activity, the SeenQueen 2010 annual clubbing poll came to a close last Thursday (20th January), since when, the votes have been verified, the spam’s sorted, the counts collated and the tally’s totalled, concluding what has proven to be, in the words of of SQ’s main man Brent Nicholls, “…a fantastic club poll where peoples willingness to respect the rules, along with the fun & anticipation factor, helped us create a poll that truly reflects the choices made by you, the voters…”. Indeed, having watched the voting unfold & comparing the trends to what actually happened in 2010, the results definitely give praise to those that deserved it and to the clubs, bars & events that truly rocked London & the gAylist globe.
So, the results are out and already filtering through the fingers of club owners, promoters, scene works, D.J.’s and the like, with no doubt a veritable feast of Facebook wall posts plastering the good news for all to see, imminent & expected over the comings days & weeks. However, THE place to get the results & see the full extent of this, clubbing’s best run & respected poll, is to go to SeenQueen direct, http://seenquen.com (or the direct link http://seenqueen.com/web/2011/club-poll-2010-and-the-winner-is/), where you will find the winners & runners up in categories that include, Best Weekly Club, Best Bar, Best Club Monthly, Best Event, Best Newcomer & Best International , plus not forgetting the biggie, Best Overall, this probably the most coveted crown of the lot. But more than that, our friends at SeenQueen give you their analysis of the results, as well as a special extra report on a promoter & venue that made a big difference to clubbing in 2010, concluding their “And The Winner Is” report with the full results in what was the fairest run, yet tightest of contests we have seen yet.
That said, we couldn’t let this momentous moment in the clubbing scene pass by without our own reflection of the results, as well as focussing on some of the winners, some of the runners up, & comparing SQ’s lofty lifters with those that topped the charts in our “A Yardstick Year” & “Charting A Yardstick Year” reports, both worth a glance right here at http://discomatt.com (direct links http://discomatt.com/web/2010/12/dm-reports-a-yardstick-year-barclubevent-highlights-of-2010-special-reviewreport-31st-december/ & http://discomatt.com/web/2011/01/dm-reports-charting-a-yardstick-year-disco-matts-bar-club-event-music-charts-special-report-8th-january/). Then we share a few statistics of just how close it came between winning, coming second or indeed third and how your vote counted towards the club, bar or event lifting that all important SQ crown.
So to the first winner, Beyond not only landing the Best Weekly Club award, but also Best Overall, a real indication to the amazing year the club had and just how popular this brilliant brand remains. With so many spectacular parties to have been honoured to report on in 2010, we continued to hold this club in the highest regard throughout the year, indeed in its “Tokyo” event, nearly scooped our accolade for Best Individual Event, yet the club managed to top our pile in three of our own categories, more than ANY other brand. With prolific parties not just in London, but Brighton, Birmingham & Manchester too, 2010 also saw Beyond extend its arm internationally, Paris, Amsterdam & Mykonos all feeling the might of this amazing afterhours, while back home, concepts like “Future”, “Belief” & “Back To” (runner up SQ New Brand), cemented its reputation & position as the capitals favourite club by far. In the SQ poll, as the team summed up, “…Beyond was the clear favourite from the start, its margin increasing as the poll went on, eventually winning by a clear 60 votes & claiming both crowns for the second year in a row…”, So, well done Beyond and congratulations on winning from pole position to SQ poll crown, well deserved and surely well received.
Then we come to Best Monthly Club in the SQ poll, Lovechild lifting this particular crown over runner up SuperMartXe, two clubs with poles apart fortunes in 2010 you couldn’t have chosen. So, whilst SuperMartXe’s year was a rollercoaster ride that ended off the rails, Lovechild’s went from strength to strength, particularly internationally, where it spread its wings to include destinations Amsterdam, Istanbul, Paris, Rome & Sydney, but also Antwerp, the trip in December making a huge difference & delight to our Christmas. Back in London and Lovechild was the one constant in an ever changing Saturday scene, prolific parties including its “Wet”, Makin Hay” & “Hot Tropicana” events, while it was an intrinsic part in one of 2010’s true success stories, As One, was a cornerstone for the “Love Weekend” back in June and linked up with Brighton’s brilliant brand, Wild Fruit, on three occasions throughout the year. So reaching the pinnacle of Best Monthly Club, as it did in our chart, hearty congrats go to the truly hard working Alex Erfan & his team on this SQ award, another one well deserved & surely well received.
Turning to the other results and Barcode Soho hit the high notes, passing the winning post first in the Best Bar category, beating our personal favourite of 2010, Profile, into second place, while Rupert Street ran in third, the poll certainly reflecting that Soho is still the capitals hot spot for hip & happening bars. In terms of Best Event & Best New Brand, the SQ crowns & plaudits went to WE, the Spanish import which certainly took up where SuperMartXe left off, a single launch party in December clearly capturing the imagination as well as the votes of clubbers, even pushing SuperMartXe into sixth place overall. Mind you, we were pleased that The Week, the Brazilian brand that made an impressive impact in London back in September, got a look in, coming third in the Best Newcomer category, although its seems you didn’t consider As One as a newcomer, even though its first party was the very first day of 2010, but it did make SQ’s 7th overall as well as second in their Best Event category, justifiably so as it topped our year end chart as Best Newcomer. The final SQ crown went to The Circuit Festival, grabbing the Best International award, a broad category that encapsulated best party, club & event, Circuit a clear favourite of yours, romping home against La Demence & Rapido.
Of the others in this superb SQ poll, Hard On! did well, grabbing 8th slot overall, pushing Steven React Sharp’s Orange into 9th place, this nevertheless a reflection of how popular both brands remain with clubbers, but bars equally having their say, Barcode Soho’s year certainly finishing well, having attained 2nd overall, while Profile managed 10th place and starts 2011 even more popular than before. Hiding within the results is Onyx, which fell a little from grace in this 2010 poll compared to its award winning year in 2009, although actually stood up well in the overall standings, while The London Global Dance Festival was so close to reaching third spot in the Best Newcomer catagory, indeed one vote would have made the difference, this an example of how close the voting was. Other’s that called it close in their own race to an SQ crown were Megawoof & Lo-Profile who carded the same votes, Matinee, Shadow Lounge & The Edge ending up equal, while neither The Wig Party or Sydney Mardi Gras could be separated. Plus with an amazing 49 different clubs, bars & events registering in the poll, Beyond apart, the spread between 2nd & 10th overall was a mere 31 votes, while four more votes would have seen A:M grab that 2nd overall spot, rather than what it attained, our last mention going to this afterhours outing, which under the steership of new promoter Oliver M, did get 2nd spot in Best Weekly Club, as well as 4th place overall, not just hinting that the afterhours concept was probably your favourite, but moreover ended Oliver’s year much better than it started.
So, another “Your Disco Needs You” year is over and with much celebrating for the likes of Beyond, Lovechild, Barcode, WE & more to do, we are sure plenty of glasses will be raised, plenty of plaudits poured and much shaking of hands exchanged. However, winners & runners up aside, what this poll reflects in its broad range of entrants, is just how alive the clubbing scene remains & despite the global gloom, that 2010 was actually a yardstick year. As for SeenQueen & its SQ poll, we want to be the first to congratulate them on a resounding set of results that well & truly celebrates the clubbing world we feel so proud to be part of, so more of the same in 2011 please and long live this clubbing website & the support it gives this spectacular scene. (DISCO MATT)
Postscript – 26/01/11
Having shred our report with the SeenQueen team, it soon transpired that a re-count on the Best Newcomer standings was required, As One having been overlooked in this category. So, with a suitable re-adjustment made, we are pleased to confirm As One as runner up as SQ’s Best Newcomer of 2010, thus pushing Beyond B2B into third & relegating The Week to a more accurately reported joint fourth with LGDF.
Posted in Reports | Tags: A:M, As One, Barcode Soho, Beyond, LGDF, Lovechild, Matinee, Orange, Profile, Rupert St, SeenQueen, Shadow Lounge, SuperMartXe, The Week, The Wig Party, WE Party | No Comments »
Not a month since our favourite social soiree upped sticks from its original home in Vauxhall, moving across to Soho, at the same time switching from a Thursday to a Wednesday, we once again find ourselves exerting our energies into a review of this cherished club night in our calendar, the history of Minty’s marvel having had plaudits poured all over it in a score or more reports of ours since it started life three years ago. But such is the importance of this incarnation in our lives that we find it easy to express our views and find just as much enjoyment in thrusting it into the limelight, as there has always been something quite magical about its music, splendid about its sociability & infectious about its ingenuity. But when the thought of not just it celebrating a birthday, but two of its core representatives also marking the occasion of theirs, it was a foregone conclusion we would be there to join in the festivities.
Industri, like no other club night in our memory, has marked some real step changes in our lives, many having been documented on more than one occasion, but more than that & those, this is a club that has those elements of music, sociability & ingenuity we hinted at, running deep through its veins, so much so that we would go to any lengths in its support & defence, push that extra mile to see it succeed, revel in its glory when it does, or stand by its side when it doesn’t. So, you could call Industri a true friend of ours, as these are all expressions & actions that, for us, are reflected in a friendship verging on companionship, traits that we would laud on & expect from those very near & dear to us. Indeed as the people intrinsically linked with this social splendour, have come to mean so much to us, we always feel incredibly guilty when we don’t pitch for a party or arrive for an outing, all this adding up to the fact that, with its hostess Minty, its resident D.J. Paul Heron & the club itself all celebrating birthdays, this Industri more than any other in the year required that extra effort & push on our part.
So with the big day upon us and having already started celebrations with Minty on the Monday (her actual birthday), despite our continuing & frustrating ear infection, we were all systems go for this birthday bonanza of a bash, planning an early arrival into town to organise cakes, presents & the like, this having become quite a tradition for us, Industri always a melting pot for peoples special celebrations & cakes very much the order of the day, even the Candyman having been relegated to second spot for this, a fulsome threesome of an event. Mind you, on the organisational front, it seemed simply one-way traffic, our bemusement on just how ill equipped host venue Barcode was, turning into downright annoyance that we had made the extra effort, yet they had hardly lifted a finger. Plus, given that this was no run of the mill Industri, rather a celebration of the clubs third year in existence, we were flabbergasted by the lacklustre support from the venue & top management to boot.
But nothing was going to deter us from having a great time, indeed with our mood distinctly cheered up by an unexpected rendezvous with a rather amorous Brazilian named Roberto, we were in fine fettle come 9 p.m. when both resident Industri D.J.’s Brent Nicholls & birthday boy Paul Heron arrived, Brent choosing to take up the first stint behind the decks, which, in the early days of Industri, would have been a full-on back-to-back performance by the duo, although was resigned to a weekly rotation, in some ways robbing us of a magical ingredient that had made Industri so popular back then. However, at least for this special birthday bash, we would be treated to both on the same night, but not just the duo, as special guests Oliver M & Chris Brogan were lined up and as the evening began to unfold and a whole host of off duty scene workers, club kids & top notch D.J.’s arrived, we would be in for extra treats from both Alessandro Londra & Nick Evans, thus creating a sextet of superb sound spinning stars to send us into house music heaven. Indeed, despite their distinctly different styles, each of the six actually blended really well, making for one of the best marriages of musical minds we had seen in quite some time, leaving us wondering, just where else on the London scene would you get such notable names together for a four hour session spectacular, as this very much turned out to be.
But back to the social splendour & birthday bash celebrations and with main madame Minty arrived and holding court, it was then down to a cast of colourful characters from Industri’s past, present & (hopefully) future, to help her, Paul & the club on its birthday way, a long list of lovelies making the presence felt including Industri stalwarts Stephen, Chris, Terry & Paul, surprise appearances from originals Kim, Jeremy & David adding to our delight. But with a seemingly never-ending stream of familiar faces joining in on the merriment, this was turning out to be a right royal rumpus, adoring appearances including TTD’s Billy Richard & Greg Mitchell, the face of London gAylist clubbing, Romano Hendry, Polish boys & party heads Mariusz & Norbert, the cute & charming Rob Adams, plus a stream of Soho sophisticates that had connections with Minty, all packing out Barcode & creating a real buzz that we hadn’t seen here in a long time. But when the fabulous Glendora arrived, squeezing her way through the madding crowd to make her presence felt by the D.J. booth, our larger than life lady in full costume diving into an impromptu break-dance displays that received whoops & cheers from onlookers, the delectable dye on this scintillating social splendour of a birthday bash was cast and nothing was going to stop us from having heaps of fun.
With everyone having such a terrific time and the place well & truly packed out, it was becoming tricky just when to time the bringing out of the birthday cake, a relatively small affair, more for ceremony than anything else, although with midnight about the strike, the proverbial iron was hot, so we dived upstairs with Barcode’s brilliant manager, the charming Mikhael, prepared for the procession. And as he zoomed back downstairs to dim the lights, we carried the cake high above our heads through the packed bar, wending our way towards the D.J. booth and in the direction of both Minty & Paul, to cheers & choruses of “Happy Birthday To You”, the candles still alight when we reached our destination, Minty & Paul completing the ceremonial duty of blowing out the birthday beacons, to yet further cheers & cry’s. Then with an extra large & sharp looking knife in her hand, Minty sliced through the cake, devouring a chunky slice, as cameras clicked & chocolate coated lips & faces were caught on film for posterity.
Now it was a case of party, party party, the music from Brent, Paul, Oliver & co hitting home heavenly, the audacious action continuing unabated, with many ducking & diving in dancing delirium inside, while other opted for the outside and a special fire-eating display that certainly wowed & made an impact. However, we chose to stick to our spot by the D.J. booth, where at least we could hear the music with our good ear & save the embarrassment of keeling over, our still dodgy balance affecting our ability to even walk in a straight line (we weren’t drunk, honest guv!) let alone dance in the disco matt style (we did try once or twice though). So this was where we saw out the rest of our stay at this special Industri outing, the final piece in the jubilant jigsaw being the presentation of both Minty’s & Paul’s special birthday gifts rounding off the night perfectly, allowing us to pack ourselves off home and reflect on one outstanding outing that ranks with the best that this brilliant brand has served up in its three year history.
Well that neatly sums up this enthralling & enjoyable evening to a T really, T very much standing for terrific, tremendous, treasured & triumphant, this monumental Minty birthday bash, amounting to a fulsome threesome that actually made five, as both Chris Brogan & Industri regular Terry were birthday boys too. With so many people making an effort & such a fantastic collection of faces, especially given it was a Wednesday, made up for all the shortcomings of the venue, although it has to be said that the duty manager Mikhael & his tight knit team on the night, also have to be praised for their hard work. As for the rest of the cast, well the music in the hands of Brent, Paul, Oliver, Nick, Alessandro & Chris was spot on and with such a superb set of people, we couldn’t have wished for a better way to celebrate the collection of birthdays as we did, Industri once again proving its social splendour credentials that have seen it find a true friend in us. Let’s hope that Barcode throws its own weight behind this brilliant brand, so we can see it celebrate its fourth birthday in just as much style. (DISCO MATT)
Postscript – 26th Jan 2011
To mark the occasion of the sextet of D.J.’s performing at this brilliant birthday bash, a special 2 hour recording has been put together by Industri resident D.J. Brent Nicholls, gelling together the musical choices & mixes that he, fellow resident Paul Heron (birthday boy) along with billed guests Oliver M & Chris Brogan selected through the night. This special mix also includes contributions & additions by Alessandro Londra & Nick Evans, who both stepped behind the decks during the four hour foray full of fantastic funky, chunky & cheerful vocal drenched tunes. The result is a compilation that has truly unique feel to it, blending the talents of the six superbly and is available to download now direct from Brent’s website at http://djbrentnicholls.com/web/2011/01/26/podcast-industri-3rd-birthday/ and as Brent explains of the mix “…it is a unique podcast featuring eclectic genres from funky disco house to a more electronic tech sound…”, he adding that “…each D.J. added his personal style to create one outstanding mix…” . So, with all these talents under one roof being a real rarity, this mix is a must for your collection, whether an Industri faithful or not.
Posted in Reviews | Tags: Alessandro Londra, Barcode Soho, Brent Nicholls, Chris Brogan, Industri, Minty, Nick Evans, Oliver M, Paul Heron | No Comments »
If there was one brand that got our attention & devotion the most in 2010, it was promoter Alex Erfan’s lovable club, a whole string of events throughout the year really capturing the imagination, from its inclusion in the years biggie, As One, to its own outings, highlights surely being “Wet”, “Makin Hay” & Hot Tropicana”, while a count of nine individual reviews of this monthly club was only topped by one other, and that was a weekly affair (you can probably guess which). And with it continuing to play out in the capital unrepentantly, was testament to just how it bucked the trend against Saturday night clubbing, it also finding itself expanding where others were contracting, forages into Europe & further afield, seeing it have a superbly successful twelve months, rounding it all off with a convivial Christmas in awe-inspiring Antwerp, which proved something extra special for us.
So, if you follow our reviews, it should be blatantly obvious by now that we could only be talking about Lovechild, a club brand that has slowly but surely found its way where others have lost theirs and has, in our world, established itself as a firm favourite, not quite toppling the big one, but coming close in lots of respects. Alex & his team always manage to keep its offer as fresh as possible, the injection of international guest D.J.’s, just one element that ensure that not one Lovechild feels the same as the last and having not just witnessed it in action in London, but having tripped down to Brighton when it starred in the Dance Nation weekend, not to mention that trip to Diamond city, our associations and, yes, love for Lovechild have blossomed like a rose in spring. So all this meant come this latest affair, even a nasty ear infection wasn’t going to keep us away, although given our plight & predicament, how did our shindig “Snowball” style turn out and what made it so alluringly Aussie?
Finding it difficult to balance due to our infected ear, lots of calls for us to stay indoors & away from any aggravating sound fell on you know what, yes deaf ears, as we made our way to Fire and this latest Lovechild outing, which had a distinctly wintery theme, Alex & co having teamed up with the European Gay Ski week to promote this annual event on the slopes, thus the “Snowball” influence. However, arriving the Vauxhall venue’s doors & to an impressive fire eating display (how appropriate), snow was the last thing on our minds, not least as the D.J. line up had a more than a nod to all things Aussie, very much hinting more to surf than snow, the likes of Johan Khoury & Troy Cox having flown in from Sydney to join fellow antipodeans’ Brent Nicholls & Terry Vietheer, a captivating corked hat combination that, on paper at least, would delight like a dream. With the fire-eating flames avoided, we were greeted by main man Mr Erfan, welcoming us in his usual understated yet sincere fashion, while Simon Patrick, also in attendance, set us straight on our trip into the club and this snowy shindig spectacular.
Dropping off our coat in the check, it was pretty much immediately apparent that the whole feel of the club wasn’t going to be quite the same, nothing to do with Fire or Lovechild so much, but due more to our blocked ear, meaning that not only was our hearing more mono than stereo, but our balance & ability to stand was in considerable question. However, undeterred by our predicament, we took some distinctly gingerly steps into Fire’s main room, grabbing hold of the thankfully positioned rail on the walkway that led us down towards the stage, the place already pumping with action, not least from the direction of the D.J. booth, resident cutie Phil Hewson in charge of the uplifting & rousing sounds, he having literally just landed from a trip to Oz, the first indication that the feel of the night was heading for the surf rather than the snow. But, as good as his music sounded, from our good ear of course, with our balance a little jittery, we headed into the relative comfort of the love lounge space next door, the first real Australian influence being the vivacious & terrifically talented Terry Vietheer, serving up a smart selection of soulful sounds, funky & chunky in their makeup & dream worthy in their delivery, we grabbing a quick hello with this friendly fellow, before heading to the bar for refreshments. And there we bumped into the familiar face of friend & fellow Hard On! follower, Toby, who’s attendance at Lovechild was a little surprising, yet pleasantly so, we forewarning him of our ailments, before he kindly led us back into the main arena, clutching our arm for support.
Finding a spot close to the stage with the wall behind for supportive comfort, we were just in time to see the first of a whole wave of shows from Thiago Drewery’s gorgeous go-go dancers, we also being greeted by an arriving Brent Nicholls, the second of our Aussie influencers for the night, he relatively shocked yet pleased to see us, given his knowledge of our hearing impediment. Mind you, he made the most of our unfortunate situation with his light hearted wit & way, leaving us not only in hysterics but reeling on our feet, causing us to lose balance on more than one occasion, the safety of the stairs next to the stage coming to our fortunate aid. But all this was detracting from the saucy & seductive shows, the dancers attracting plenty of attention, not least from our third audacious Aussie, the handsome & hunky Johan Khoruy, who, unsurprisingly, had himself in pole viewing position of the dancer with the biggest assets, although a quick glance in our direction saw him bound up & wrap his ample arms around us in a welcoming hug that made our tricky trip to this Lovechild love come snow-in all worth the while.
With the first dancing display done along with repeated snow plumes from the specially installed machine covering the heads & shoulders of a whole host of folk, admittedly the only real evidence of this “Snowball” theme, yet effective nevertheless, it was time for us to find safety & solstice in the lounge space, where Mr Nicholls was firing up what would turn out to be our performance of the night, we grabbing a spot by the D.J. booth to dance as deliriously as we could, given our balance & hearing issues, this favoured place allowing us to survey the very special crowd that kept wafting through, far from your a-typical “gAylist” lot, rather an eclectic mix of guys & girls we had rarely seen in Lovechild before, probably a reflection of the month or maybe the broad appeal of the brand. However, balance & hearing apart, Brent was definitely hitting our musical sweet spot, with one favourite track after the next, “Release me”, Now Or Never”, “Trapped” & even “Stereo Love” all getting airplay, the latter sending us into an emotional state & floating our thoughts across the miles to a Lovechild inspired experience far away.
Whilst we were pretty comfortable with our lot in the love lounge, the odd trip across the club saw a main room still alive with action for a while, at least when the stage shows with a stream of sexy strippers attracted an audience, although the mirrorarch space, the home for the infamous Lovechild contact room & play area was more the place to be, Johan Khoury masterminding the magnificent music, uplifting in its intent dynamic in its delivery & rapturous as a result, very much evocative of the euphoric energy of this Aussie & his music, Johan giving this second space a soaking of his superb Sydney inspired sounds and the feeling that you were living it at Live, or delving into Day Wash, such was the feeling we were down under with our man from Oz, rather in London with Lovechild. And with Phil Hewson & new found friend adding their own entertaining elements, we found our second wind it this second room & in our second spot of the evening.
Zooming (well more like weaving, such was our failing co-ordination) back to the love lounge & to Brent, it was evident that what people had been dancing on the main floor had moved in on Mr Nicholls, the space well & truly packed, Alessandro Londra, who had taken over from Johan in the contact room, getting a similar response to his truly scintillating set, meaning the choice of where to lay our final hat was a difficult one. However, with an unexpectedly early closure of the lounge, our Aussie pal sealed the fate on our surfing snowboard of a shindig, we taking the wise choice of saving our deteriorating balance & shielding our vulnerable ear from further excessive sound, rather heading out to the relative calm of a chilly Vauxhall morning, to wobble our way home and reflect on this latest Lovechild instalment in the peace & quiet of our own four walls.
Well, to say that was one of our more interesting Lovechild’s is a tad of an understatement, especially given our ear infection predicament that should have confined us to our home. However, balance & hearing issues aside, we are glad we made the trip, not least as hooking up with our best Aussie mate was just the tonic we needed to raise our spirits & cleanse our souls. As for Lovechild itself, well it had the usual ingredients of magnificent music, super saucy stage shows & plenty of audacious action to chase down. However, as for the “snowball” effect, yes the snow plumes in the main room added an element, but the supposedly virginal look of Fire was distinctly absent, rather with the alluring Aussie action, courtesy of Brent, Terry Vietheer, Troy Cox & the gorgeous Johan Khoury, combined to give it more of a down under rather than an up in the alpine feel, but there was nothing wrong in that. As for the crowd?, well a smattering of scene faces helped break the eclectic (some called it special) feel of the people present, but that said, there is some quite, well lovable about Lovechild, hence why it rose to the top of our 2010 poll (and maybe another’s!) and with the second birthday looming as well as a tour of South Africa, our love affair continues & we will definitely be back for more. (DISCO MATT)
Postscript
Given the Aussie feel to this latest event, it would be a crime not to share two truly terrific podcasts with you from the guest D.J.’s for the night, Johan Khoury & Troy Cox. Both were commissioned for Lovechild’s, Johan’s very evocative of the sets he plays at Sydney’s club, “Live”, but also reflected his superb set on Saturday, while Tory’s is pure him & pure Lovechild too. So, go grab your slice of Johan & Troy, head for Lovechild’s podcast page at http://lovechildclub.podomatic.com/ where both magnificent mixes feature.
Posted in Reviews | Tags: Alessandro Londra, Alex Erfan, Brent Nicholls, Fire, Johan Khoury, Lovechild, Phil Hewson, Tony English, Troy Cox | 1 Comment »
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31 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
Disco Matters – “The New Face Of Social Networking” – MyGayFace – Monday 31st January
Welcome back to our special two part Disco Matters report, focussing on new social networking site MyGayFace and interviewing its creator, Brent Nicholls. In his usual style Brent has been upfront and honest so far, in laying down the foundations of just what MyGayFace is about and what it sets ...
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31 Jan 2011 | 1 Comment
DM Previews – “The Place Is Pulse” – SuperMartXe “Loves London” – Saturday 19th February
Without doubt if there is any club brand in London that has attracted a huge amount of media activity, gossip & intrigue over the last few months, it has to be SuperMartXe (SMX), the massive Spanish club brand which, even in its roots in Madrid, has been going through quite ...
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28 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
DM Recommends – “Fetish With A Big Fat F” – Hard On! “FU*K OFF” – Saturday 29th January – Weekend Focus Extra
Like a few dependable constants in the clubbing world, Hard On! continues to cut a swathe through Saturday’s, filling the all important gap in the fetish market for more mainstream followers, Suzie Krueger’s creation taking up where FIST left off, just over eight years ago and whist a tad more ...
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28 Jan 2011 | 1 Comment
DM Reports – “Music Is The Answer” – Music & D.J. Services Update – Friday 28th January
Having launched our one-stop website back in December, the reaction has been reasonably encouraging, many of you saying the new look & format is much better than the old, the main benefit being that ALL our reporting can now be found in one place and by one or two simple ...
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28 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
DM Recommends – “Carnival Collective” – Weekend Best Bites – Fri 28th to Sun 30th January
Well, what a month it has been in Disco Matt land, first the flu & then a nasty ear infection that has left us most out of sorts, although it hasn’t stopped us getting out & about on the scene, and when we haven’t, recommending the places to be & ...
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26 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
DM Does…The Music News – “Mountain Of Mixes To Market” – Music Is The Answer Newsletter – Wednesday 26th January
Just when we thought we could get our feet back under the table & to our regular D.J. focuses, up come a veritable feast of compilations & tracks, which have kind of forced our hand (in a good way of course) into filing another newsletter, not two weeks after the ...
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26 Jan 2011 | 1 Comment
DM Recommends – “Brazil’s Best Is Back” – The Week – Saturday 29th January – Weekend Focus
When Brazilian superclub The Week landed on London back in September last year, we certainly weren’t prepared for just what a spectacular reception it would get, yet having not been to Sao Paulo (ahhh!) to witness The Week in action, we poured many minutes & hours into lots of research ...
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25 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
DM Reports – “Coveted Clubbing Crowns” – SeenQueen “Your Disco Needs You” The Results Special – Tuesday 25th January
After a full-on eight weeks of activity, the SeenQueen 2010 annual clubbing poll came to a close last Thursday (20th January), since when, the votes have been verified, the spam’s sorted, the counts collated and the tally’s totalled, concluding what has proven to be, in the words of of SQ’s ...
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25 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
Special Review – “Fulsome Threesome Makes Five” – Industri “Birthday Bonanza” – Wednesday 19th January
Not a month since our favourite social soiree upped sticks from its original home in Vauxhall, moving across to Soho, at the same time switching from a Thursday to a Wednesday, we once again find ourselves exerting our energies into a review of this cherished club night in our calendar, ...
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24 Jan 2011 | 1 Comment
Club Review – “Alluring Aussie Action” – Lovechild “Snowball” – Saturday 15th January
If there was one brand that got our attention & devotion the most in 2010, it was promoter Alex Erfan’s lovable club, a whole string of events throughout the year really capturing the imagination, from its inclusion in the years biggie, As One, to its own outings, highlights surely being ...
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Recommends – “The Bel Ami… :
It hardly seems twelve months since we went str...posted on May 5, 2011
Reviews : Here you will find regular reviews of clubs, special ev...posted on October 7, 2010- Previews : Here we preview rather than review clubs & events that ...posted on October 7, 2010
- Music : Here we focus on, review and recommend the latest podca...posted on October 7, 2010
- Recommends : Here you will find recommendations for upcoming events ...posted on November 24, 2010
Reviews – “Eye-Opener Of … : Generally unplanned & unscheduled events in our clubbin...posted on March 2, 2011
Recommends – “Gay Boys In… : When the seeds were first sown on a specialist evening ...posted on April 11, 2011
Recommends – “Shoreditch … :
Having given East Bloc plenty of coverage in our We...posted on May 14, 2011- Reports : Here you will find reports & features on the latest new...posted on November 24, 2010
