NO WAY BACK FOR D.A.B.J

Saturday’s Subculture guests Dixon Avenue Basement Jams have made the outstanding No Way Back Cafe in Glasgow’s Southside their centre of operations so we thought we’d pay a wee visit to Strathbungo to see what the story was. Kenny Grieve is one half of DABJ and is also the man behind this cracking wee cafe where everything is cooked from scratch using only the best of ingredients. The vibe in the cafe is much like the scran itself – easy going street food with a laid back social vibe – big flavours with no pretence.

The cafe was named giving an obvious nod to this seminal house track by Adonis in line with their motto that “it’s just as important that what the customer hears is as good what they eat…”

They have created these Subculture specials ahead of the big event…

The Domenic inspired Deep Italian. Scotch beef marinated and slow cooked in a young Sangiovese, then roasted with a pesto and parmesan crust. Served sliced on a toasted ciabatta roll with mozzarella, sundries tomatoe, smoked salami and rocket leaves.

The Harri inspired Durty Dawg. Big beef snarler in a crisp Sub. Covered in a Jamaica Street Jerk marinaded pulled pork, topped with crispy onions. (These will be on special offer from Lunchtime on Wednesday 25/6)

Ahead of his return to our own dinner party at Subculture this Saturday, we caught up with Kenny about the Soo’side, Sangeovese and Summertime soirées…

1. Tell us how the cafe come about, How did you end up chasing Sangeovese suppliers instead of sales leads?

I was completely scunnered after a decade in sales and needed to reclaim my soul, or at least a percentage of it. We had a couple of ideas, a sneaker/denims store being one, but the cafe made more sense.

2. The interior and decor of the place creates a laid back vibe which we love – was this all your own doing or did it require a woman’s touch?

I visited places in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and a whole weekend of searching/bevvying in Berlin. A lot of inspiration came from and amazing little vietnamese place called District Mot in Berlin. Everyone should try it out and of course I ran everything past the wife!

3. The Southside and back streets of Shawlands has turned in to a right little hunger hot spot. Are your roots in the Southside? Have you noticed the ‘eating out’ options change over the years?

I’ve been a resident in the dirty Soo since i moved to Glasgow over 13 years ago and pretty chuffed that I can now add something to our area of the city. The growth of our wee district in Strathbungo was kick started by the vision of the owners at Cookie and carried on by the guys at Buddies, Gusto and Relish, Tapa etc. The introduction of ‘the fridge’ at the Allison Arms is also a most welcome introduction.

4. For your customers it’s just as important that what they hear is as good as what they eat, can you list for us your 5 favourite summer BBQ/Alfresco type tracks…

“Here are 5 that are floating my boat this week…”

Marquis Hawkes – Honey Kiss

Alice Smith – Love Endeavour (Maurice Fulton Remix)

Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Reasons To Be Cheerful

Madonna – Into The Groove (Shep Pettibone Remix)

Candi Staton – Night on Broadway

5. You’re also showing the football on the big screen. As we are almost halfway into the World Cup, who do you see reaching the final?

We’re doing a DABJ show in Berlin on the 12th of July, so we’ll be there for the final and are hoping for the Germans to complete the party with an appearance in the final. The dutch look pretty tidy and would make for a tasty affair.

6. Have you got an Brazilian treats up your sleeves for the World Cup Season?

Yeah, I’ve been messing about with a few different fillings for Empanidhas (wee Brazilian pies) and a brazilian coffee and brisket stew topped with sweet tatty mash that we named after the great wing wizard Garrincha.

7. No Way Back recently launched a reward card app. How do you guys reward yourself after a hard day’s graft? When you’re not mixing chick peas or records how do spend your spare time?

I love to say I’m bang into my yoga in between hitting the gym and running a few times a week, but the harsh truth with the World Cup being on, is that I spend most of my free time drinking beer on the couch watching fitbaw.

8. We are looking forward to the daytime event at NWB ahead of the Sub Club soiree later in the evening. What’s your expectations of returning to Harri & Domenic’s very own dinner party at Subculture?

Myself and Dan are both pretty excited and extremely honoured to be asked back to play for Subculture. We’d like to say Thanks to Harri and Domenic and everyone involved with the Sub for all the support and encouragement that you’ve given us with DABJ. TAPS AFF!

Here is an Exclusive D.A.B.J. Subculture Mix from last time they hooked up with Harri & Domenic…

Dixon Avenue Basement Jams are hosting a Windae Sessions daytime event ahead of Subculture with DJ sets from Subculture’s own resident Domenic Cappello & Telford.

 ***This is a BYOB affair and is on from 1pm – 4pm. For full info check the Facebook Event Page***

£8 Advance tickets for Subculture with D.A.B.J are on sale from RA & in store or online from TS. TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR FROM 11PM.

Hudmo’s evil twin Mayhem’s top picks for the i AM

Grab your socks and get ready. TONIGHT at the i AM you’ll embark on a real tripped out journey.

HudMo’s evil twin joins Cloudo once again for a real bounce in the Sub Club:

If you’re in any doubt here’s some picks:

Recording from the last encounter:
https://soundcloud.com/iamclub/smcm-cloudo-x-mayhem

TNGHT Remix ‘Go Get Busy’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdBiILUatWs

Original ‘Go Get Busy’

Hardcore Remix of Higher Ground

Higher Ground Remix by Cloudo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Z458Gj6cE

TNGHT Unreleased Beat (remix of Don’t Leave Me Alone)

Original ‘Don’t Leave Me Alone’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHvSW6-zQLg

Intro to last years set
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l7EDUl1xcs

And here’s some belter tunes off the top of Cloudo’s head:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCQQdyVtzg0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yXJnRm7Qfo





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brgyUAnwZTU

Sub Rosa Showcase Glasgow Underground

For one night only Kevin McKay’s Glasgow Undergournd label takes over at Sub Rosa, keeping it lovely and local with a party thrown by the bossman and veteran shaker himself alongside some of the top talent on his much respected imprint.

Look forward to a live set from MermaidS, a Glasgow band with their own blend of slow-burning disco, and releases on labels like Foto, A Friend In Need & Non Local as well as support slots for the likes of Errors, The Field and the Satisfaction. Also in tow are Those Beats consisting of Glasgow boys Brendon Hislop and Mark Scott, or ‘one fat lad and his pal’ as they like to describe themselves. We’re going underground…

Alongside a handful of heavyweight imprints, Glasgow Underground has been one of the UK’s strongest outlets for new and dynamic House since it came to life back in 1996. The trademark style of deep and dubbed out funky production is constant throughout the label’s output.

Ahead of the Sub Club takeover, we have pulled together some selected musical highlights from this stellar line up, including an exclusive signed giveaway from Kevin himself.

Those Beats have also recorded a Sub Rosa teaser mix. Here’s what they had to say about the mix, the Sub Club and the label party:

” We really enjoyed putting this mix together, the start takes in some new records that we’ve been playing recently but most are tunes that we’ve enjoyed dancing to in the Sub Club in years gone by. I heard most of these for the first time in the Subbie and to think that we’re going to be DJ’n at Sub Rosa is mind blowing, really looking forward to this party with the rest of the Glasgow Underground lads…”

https://soundcloud.com/thosebeats/those-beats-sub-rosa-taster-mix

MermaidS also pulled their two top halves together and recorded a teeny little snapshot of their live set to wet the appetite…

https://soundcloud.com/subrosa-glasgow/mermaidss-sub-rosa-live-teaser-set

The image on the mix above is a shot of what happened when the MermaidS were below sea level the last time they last played live at the Sub Club.

Label head honcho Kevin McKay is also giving away this exclusive bumper package from the GU back catalogue. This includes a limited edition 12″ (one of only 30 pressings) of the Optimo/Underground Sound of Glasgow sampler produced exclusively for the DFA store in NYC.

This is more than your average goody bag, and to be in with a chance of winning this package, please answer the following question…What was the first ever Glasgow Underground release?

This is more than your average goody bag, so to be in with a chance of winning this package, please answer the following question…”What was the first ever Glasgow Underground release?”

Please post your answers to the Facebook Event.

Winners will be notified by 5PM Wednesday, and can then collect their prize from Kevin in person at the event.

FREE ENTRY GUESTLIST IS AVAILABLE HERE. 

Setting the tone with Telford

Warming up a room is a skillful job, and one that should be taken earnestly.

One of the most important, yet often under valued jobs for a DJ is that of the warm-up set. In fact, playing a warm-up set characteristically takes a higher level of skill than most headline sets. It’s never easy to strike a delicate balance between getting people over from the bar and on to the dancefloor and keeping them there, while making sure that the bridesmaid doesn’t outshine the bride.

Warm up connoisseurs are able to perceive the crowd and work around that, however typically speaking nice and gentle is often the best and most effective way to commence….

John Talabot is at Subculture this Saturday, and with Harri & Domenic on sabbatical leave down south, support duties lie with our young stalwart and fort-holding force to be reckoned with Telford, a DJ with too much talent and heart for his tender years.

Ahead of this event we asked Telford for his favourite warm up tracks…

Mos Def – Umi Says

Tony Allen – Moyege (Mark’s Disco Mix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEIM6DBLLtA

Board of Canada – Boca

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlZLovAwShg

Vermont LP (Kompakt) 

Cluster – Gespiegelt

https://soundcloud.com/bureau-1/cluster-gespiegelt

Massive Attack – Three

Willam Kouam Djoko – Behind Closed Doors

https://soundcloud.com/william-kouam-djoko/b1-william-kouam-djoko-behind

Frank & Tony – Worked

Carl Craig – Sandstorms

Lake People – Uneasy Hiding Places

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZDwHYbdHI

Lawrence – Lucifer 

Samo DJ – Tai Po Kau

Larry Heard ft Mr White – You Rock Me 

Among John Talabot’s beautiful heat-haze of darker pitch shifts and synths, loops and uplifts there’s the greatest of escapes. As well as being an astonishing DJ John Talabot is a remix specialist. On a remix tip Telford selected his favourite productions…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9fdwXrf_us

THE LAST OF THE ADVANCE TICKETS FOR SATURDAY ARE AVAILABLE HERE OR IN STORE & ONLINE FROM TICKETS SCOTLAND.

Bicep’s Ethereal Scottish Landscape

Thunder Disco have had a long and wild relationship with the Bicep boys, from the early days of Feel My Bicep raves at the Hetherington Research Club to their debut as Bicep at Sub Club 4 years ago. With these hazy memories up their wizards sleeves. Thunder Disco thought no better than to get the power couple Bicep to bring us all on a short trip through their sensitive minds and sleazed out souls…

We could fill this with memories of pounding Arches style Techno or sleazed out Italo jams from Optimo night but there’s something quite dreamy when you think of Scotland’s epic highlands and sprawling landscapes. Here’s some tracks that have always reminded up of the place as a whole…

Orbital – Halcyon

My friend James made me a cd years and years ago of his favourite tracks and I can clearly remember getting a train journey up through the peak distract to Glasgow and this coming on. It was really just setting the tone for my weekend ahead. It was snowing in Scotland and this was so ethereal and fresh sounding.

Alex Smoke – Don’t see the point

We remember being blown away when we first heard this from Glasgow local Alex Smoke, so sombre yet beautiful.

Oni Ayhun OAR003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y20xhvbDZBc

One of the most breathtaking moments from Optimo’s epic Fabric mix. Optimo are complete heros of ours and whilst this is produced by a Swede we feel it has very Scottish vibe!

The Revenge – Night flight

We must’ve listened to this 1,000 times, by now you’re understanding the vibe we associate with Scotland. Glasgow local Graeme Clarke was one of the edit masters of the nu-disco movement for us.

THUNDER DISCO CLUB & BICEP RETURN TO THE SUB CLUB ON FRIDAY 20TH JUNE.
THE LAST OF THE ADVANCE TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE…

Protected: Happy Birthday Harri & Domenic

Kink & Neville Watson [LIVE] Subculture Video Teaser

To welcome in the Subculture summer season Harri and Dom host the return of two masters of their scene, KiNK and Neville Watson, and their world famous live show on Saturday 7th June.

Strahil (KiNK) and Neville have been discussing this little idea of a video collaboration for a while and felt that their return to the Sub Club might be the ideal time to do it. So they synced up over Skype and via their cyber studio space to pull together this sneak preview of what to expect when they hook up at Subculture once again…

If that’s not enough to get you in the mood have a listen to this live analog improvisation which KiNK recorded exclusively for his BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix. Witness the real thing for yourself at Harri & Domenic’s Subculture on Saturday 7th June…

https://soundcloud.com/bbcradio1/kink-essential-mix-live-improvisation

You can also listen to the full essential mix HERE.
Advance tickets are on sale HERE or in store and online from TICKETS SCOTLAND.

Full event info over on the FACEBOOK EVENT.

Mark Farina – The Depths [Exclusive Sub Club Mix]

Quite simply one of the great Sub Club greats and a well-loved luminary of ours to boot. If we had cause to build our own Hall Of Fame, Mark would find pride of place in its halls as one of the finest figures to ship-shape our sound and help cement a solid musical reputation.

Ahead of his return to the Sub Club this Sunday the 1st of June Mark recorded this exclusive Mix for your listening pleasure. This is a slower disco-y deep type mix around 118bpms. Hope ya like!

“Whether you’re planning to take your submarine for a shallow cruise at your local reef or fathoms below on the bottom of the ocean…this is a lovely soundtrack for your submarine festivities. Deep dubby disco techy goodness for the Depths.”

*** This event is £5 or FREE TO LOCAL TRADE STAFF ***
ADV tickets on sale HERE.

Fourplay & Four Decks with Mr.Ties

Homopatik founder and Berlin cult figure Mr.Ties makes his Scottish debut with an all night long set at Bigfoot’s Tea Party this Friday 23rd of May 2014. Unconcerned with fame or fortune, Mr. Ties has devoted himself in a ceaseless quest for great music, often playing 10, 11, even 12 hour sets. Some of the Bigfoot residents caught up with him quickly online this week…

G: There is a fair bit of excitement building ahead of your first trip to Glasgow this Friday, do you know much about Sub Club or Glasgow itself?

I´m actually also really excited to come on Friday to play, everybody tells me good things about the Sub Club – I can´t wait to play there…also my very first time in Scotland, so pretty curious…

W: Why did you start your Homopatik parties and how did you meet Mad Alba? You guys seem to have a great relationship. Tell us about the ideas behind these parties if you can please?

There were lot of reasons, I’m not listing them all here, but the main one is that we wanted to share a party concept purely based on “party” and nothing else…I met Alba after one year when we started to party together and for sure our connection was really strong because we were coming from the exactly same region. My village was by sea and she comes from nearby (I come from Giovinazzo, she´s from Altamura), like 20km apart. Between us we talk sometimes in the slang language of my region, not even in Italian. At that time she´s was playing out, but sometimes not at very good parties, while at that moment I was thinking I need someone who is like me, but for the techno floor of Homopatik…someone like me that would not only play but lead the party musically in some particular direction that I really wanted. I tested her one time and it was a success, so then I decided to let her play always or nearly always at the party. She´s really talented I think also one of the best DJs I’ve seen in recent years.

G: This is only the second time we’ve handed over the Bigfoot booth to a guest for the whole party, (Andrew Weatherall & Ivan Smagghe was the first in 2012). Normally our resident DJs play, often for the whole night themselves – same as your Homopatik parties. What kind of atmosphere do you think this creates for you and everyone who comes to your parties?

We don´t wanna think we just wanna play! That´s the point :)

J: Recently you said in an RA interview you spend over 1000 Euro per month on vinyl. Do you really own that many records??!

Yes! We are now one year later, so I have many more now :)

G: You’ve recently moved to Istanbul – what drew you to go there and do you see yourself staying for a long time?

I moved in August but I’m not there so often as I’m travelling nearly every weekend. I love it here. It’s an amazing city…I got booked last year from Wake Up Call – a tiny club close to Taksim, nice cute little venue. 

G: Another recent Sub Club guest DJ Harvey was also singing the praises of Istanbul, saying their was great music to be found all over the city. What are the clubs like? Do you get to spend many weekends there?

Unfortunately I don´t spend many weekends here in Istanbul…I’m more the weekdays here and then go playing around on the weekend…there are a lot of clubs in Istanbul…the one i like best is Wake Up Call, and in the summer -Suma Beach by the Black Sea.

G: Are you finding yourself travelling a lot more at the moment, not just for your Berlin residencies? 

Yes I do dates all over, recently I’ve seen a lot of places I could probably never have reached without playing records…

W: Wait a second…why are you called Mr.Ties?

I was really young and I was looking for a design firm name…and it pops out ties design and then consequentially Mr.Ties.

W: How are things going with your production?

Actually don´t have one but I print records from time to time…in the next months or year they will pop up in some record shop…

J: Koftas or balik ekmek?

Balik ekmek for sure

W: Will you play “Murder Was The Bass” on Friday?

Unlucky! I think I left that record in Berlin…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dGR-SAgu9Y

No worries at all, sure there are more than enough bangers in your record bag to see us through the night. Thanks! We’ll see you at Sub Club.

Here are some selected musical highlights to keep you moving till the doors open at 11pm…

Boiler Room Berlin DJ Set

Together Disco

https://vimeo.com/81431122

DJ set from Noctua Paris

Advance tickets for tonight are available from RA & more will be available on the door from 11pm.

Junior Sensu’s top warm up vibes

Ahead of his warm up set at tonight’s sold out Sub Club event where Sensu’s main man Seth Troxler makes his long awaited return, Junior wanted to share his favourite warm up vibes. For everyone at Subbie HQ this introductory period of a club night is often the best moment of the week – the sense that you are in for a night to remember is unavoidable!  Here is what Junior had to say about those all important preliminary moments at the start of a night…

The doors have just opened, the door staff give their radios one last check and the bar staff stand ready and prepared for the inevitable onslaught of music goers about to stampede through the door…

Below is a list of the tracks that remind me of the special first hour.

It’s not for dancing, it’s mainly for gathering yourself before things get a little mental (everyone included). Just a single bar from any of these tracks and I’m instantly transported to between 11-12pm on a Friday for Sensu @ Sub Club (this list is my own, there are many like it and will likely change by the time I press stop).

Jesse Somfay – Small Pebbled Forrest

I’ve only started playing this again recently. That’s the great thing about music. It sits patiently unchanging and you forget about it, only for you to discover it all over again to be amazed by it in new and different ways. Dreamy music for the wandering mind.

Andy Stott – Piece of Mind

This is an amazing rework of the Claro Intelecto track of the same name. There’s also a lesser known about “Jazz” Version, however I have no idea who does it. Both take the elements and melodies of the original and use them so well. Proper music.

Efdemin – Night Train

This could have easily been a list of the top ten Efdemin tracks to use in a warm up. He really is that good. The new album is a topper as well. Night train is tracky and groovy with a nice little break to keep it interesting. Bit tougher than normal for the first hour, but needs must sometimes.

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto – Aurora

This is one of those marmite tracks. Personally, I think it’s sheer perfection. You’ll probably click through this and think, pish, next. But it’s not.

Icasol – Ongou (Idjut Boys Brown Thumb Mix)

Very fond memories of this track. Subculture many years ago and I was probably the third person in the club and Harri has just started playing this. The way the track filled the empty club with warm sound was a thing that sticks in your mind. I had a moment on the dance floor with myself and a can of beer. Masterful!

Voices From The Lake – S.T. (Vftl Rework)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWe8onk-0nw

Donato Dozzy is one half of VFTL. That’s probably why this is so absolutely stunning.

Lawrence – Neighbourhood

I don’t think I’ve went a full month of my life without listening to a Lawrence track. There’s probably about 5/6 productions I’ve played to death at warm up. But this was the record that kick started it all so it’s only fair it gets shared. This was from a life changing album. Neighbourhood was one track from a life changing album. He was also the first guest we invited to Sub Club many many years ago, So he always holds a special place for us.

Rhythm & Sound – Mango Drive

Play this on any decent PA and prepare for the hairs on your arm to stand up on end. Play it on rubbish speakers and it still sounds ok. Credit to Iggie for playing this from our days at the Liquid Lounge!

STL – Silent State

When STL gets it right, the spot is truly hit. I would only put Lost Satellite above this on a list of his top work. Perfect track when you’re making that transition and want to move people from seats to floor. 

Intrusion  – A night to Remember

It’s very cliché to say “you need to hear this on a good sound system”. But you generally just need to hear this on the Sub Club sound system. Every sparkle, swish and dull thud is heard with the greatest of clarity. At least once when I played this I forgot I was djing and had to slap myself.

Jim Ingram – Drum Beat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO4WBkLV3qs

What’s not to like?

I remember getting a hefty deliver of records that weekend before a Sensu the following weekend. So was just mixing to check records and listen back for the next Sensu. I tried to keep it pitched slow throughout, resist the temptation to “bang it” and play stuff a little different from the norm. It was cold outside at the time. This mix was the end result…

https://soundcloud.com/sensu_glasgow/juniors-cold-warm-up

TONIGHT’S EVENT IS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT AND THERE WILL BE NO TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR!

If you are buying a ticket from a friend. Please note the following:
– Ask them to send both you and info@subclub.co.uk a short email explaining that they are no longer using the ticket.
– along with the last four digits of original payment card.
– Remember to bring ID
– DOORS WILL OPEN AT 11PM.

See you soon! Sensu x