Reaching the second month in what we have called our “year of positivity” the last month has seen some doors close, but plenty more open, so with much to report on what has been one of the most productive periods in well over a year and with much to look forward to in February, we are back sharing recent reviews, reports, recommends & music features, as well as hinting on some dynamic dates for your disco dance diaries
Having been pretty determined to lay the gremlins of 2012 to rest, we can be pretty contented with the written results, as January has proven to be our most productive month for a good twelve or more, features having re-appeared for the first time in a long while, we also having taken a serious look at where we found ourselves in 2012 and what needed to change. And while these changes are still work in progress, it is true to say that during January, some doors have either closed or we have closed them, while we are pleased to report other doors either opening or re-opening that have given us the inspiration to move on from the old to the new. Plus, with a whole host of new clubs launching in February, as well as much to look forward to further into the spring, lets share this and what we have been up to in January.
REVIEWS
The first week of January found us pretty much consumed in our three full length music reviews of 2012 and, while that year is one we would rather regret, what the completion of these reviews did prove was that (as always) music was the answer to our problems and it was a twelve months packed with prolific podcasts & towering tunes. As for our other review activity, well we are still to publish our accounts of Scream in Paris from Sat 5th and DISH’s 1st birthday from the following week, February the month to get these out while also putting our reviews back on the rails, while we did reflect on Beyond’s NYD event, one which may prove to be our last. As for our highlight review, it has to go to that first music review, covering our top tracks of 2012
PREVIEWS
After a barren period when not one single preview was posted, January saw a veritable feast of features to comparison, we breaking the preview drought with a look at Deelooded, which this coming Sunday (10th Feb) moves out east, while we also took a detailed look at both Puscha’s “Undercover” event & Matinee’s “Pervert” party. Also re-capping on Deelooded with further updating news, we finished a month of deluged with devotions, as we delved into new clubbing combo & collaboration, Prohibition, one that is very much one of those new doors, so a preview that gets our choice pick here. As for February, we have a lot to live up to, but with an international exploits close to the top of our agenda, so our previews will have an international flavour too.
RECOMMENDS
For a week or so in January, we were a little confounded by the sudden & shock Soho closure, meaning we kind of turned our Best Bites & Short Shouts newsletter on its head, re-combining the two but also introducing an international element and with three newsletters posted, we are heading back to that weekly posting target. As for our Weekend Focus features, Scream & DISH benefitted from our coverage, while Orange under the new (well returning) steership of Fat Tony, got our Extra Bites attention, we also devoting a special feature to Orange Nation’s January free clubbing offer. However, as February will see us sitting on the sidelines, our recommendations will take priority over reviews & previews, so should come to the fore, while our highlight pick goes to one of those three newsletter publications.
REPORTS
January, at least the first few days, seemed to be a depressing period when doors were closing rather than opening, as first came the announcement of Gaydar’s closure, then came the sad, sudden and shocking news of the demise of Profile/Lo-Profile, very much a blow to the Soho scene, although one that would inspire those new door openings that presented themselves later in the month. And these were the focus of our reporting in the month, although with a new “Seventh Day Sermon” report on the publication precipice; watch this space for the return of our controversial columnist character, while it’s the Soho closure that gets our monthly highlight reporting pick.
MUSIC
In a determined attempt and effort to get our music newsletters back up & running, we simplified our approach while a whole new series for 2013, entitled “Podcast Picks & Tracks In The Mix”, two volumes issued in January, the first focusing on podcasts and the second on track producers. And with a further two volumes to come in February, we will also be re-developing our special features to fill the weekly gaps, along with adding to the two weekly “Podcast & Track Of The Week” features, so much more to come. As for our highlight, well it has to go to that track producers newsletter, without doubt our best yet.
D.J.’s
Our much loved D.J. focuses returned in January, both Adam Turner & Pier Morrocco under our marvellous musical microscope, while with many more planned for February, including Elof de Neve, Zach Burns & Tony English, our passion for our sounds spinners & their magical music making remains as strong as ever, while our devotion to the terrific Mr Turner gets our monthly pick vote.
DISCO MATTERS
Like our reviews, this was back after an over extended leave of absence, we having been presented with the overwhelming opportunity to interview D.J./Music producer Seamus Haji ahead of his appearance for Pushca’s “Undercover” party and the result was one of THE best pieces we have published in our history. So, it goes without saying that it was also THE highlight of our month and right at the time that one of those doors (a D.J. one at that) looked like it was closing. But the with Disco Matters door very much open we are already lining up our next for February, while we have much to do to top Mr Haji’s here.
PICKS
Given all the above, a total of thirty one posts & features, something had to give and it was our Picks posts, although we continued to fly the daily flag through Facebook & Tumblr, while our weekly Podcast & Track picks racked up two features in January. But with plans to hit at least three simple picks post a week in February the target, this part of our activity should, in balance with everything else, have an increasing presence, while we select our Pagano Track & Turner Podcast as our highlight choice for January.
COMING UP
As we mentioned above, the reviews of Scream & DISH simply have to be completed, while we have Red & Blue from the weekend to reflect upon. Deelooded’s “Eastside was to be on the cards, but a nasty virus has laid our plans there to waste, while we hope to be back in time for Prohibition. Preview wise, we will take a look at new Friday frolic Manic, as well as looking into March early, both Lovechild & Matinee La-Leche previews planned. Our recommendations will move to the February fore, as will our reports, controversial or otherwise, while with two more newsletter volumes & at least three D.J.’s focuses, music will play its part too. And with all to be revealed on our next Disco Matters feature and Picks posts peppering our publications, there is much activity on the horizon.
KEEP UP
Naturally you can tune into all our activity right here, while for posts like our “Pick Of The Day”, Podcast & Track Of The Week” and our “Does…” photo albums, then our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/pages/Disco-Matt/112730602119746 is the place to go, while our group at http://facebook.com/groups/discomatt/ & our personal profile at http://facebook.com/discomattlondon are worth keeping tabs on, while in “Picks” terms, why not check out & follow our Tumblr page at http://discomatt.tumblr.com.
DISCO DANCE DIARY DATES
February has already started with a brilliant new club launch in the form of Baked (re-named BakeBox), the next party planned for Sat 2nd March, while that new clubbing combo, Prohibition, is another welcome & fresh faced addition to the capitals circuit calendar, next Saturday (16th Feb) a definite dance diary date. Plus, for those of that persuasion, Orange nation launch their new Friday nighter, Manic on 15th Feb, which also encompasses District XXX, while we look to be torn between two lovers next weekend as WAR celebrates a year of heavenly happenings on Saturday (16th Feb), while SOS on the same night and Gutterslut the following Saturday (23rd Feb) complete our monthly London picks.
Well that’s it for another monthly message, while, we cannot tell you just how good it feels to be back on writing form again and although we are currently struggling with a nasty viral infection related to our ongoing illness, we remain determined to keep pace with our posting pledges, at least match our January output, that one post a day our goal and the self satisfaction as well as supporting scores of scene others, February sure to prove every bit as fruitful as January has been. (DISCO MATT)
