8th – Huntley & Palmers: We’re very pleased to welcome the return of DJ Sotofett to Glasgow for the first time in aaaaages. Best book Monday off pronto. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/1Ss0O9q
15th – Sub Club presents Mood II Swing & Jasper James. A special night for those who know their House music history. Tix: https://bit.ly/SubClub_MoodIISwing
22nd – Sub Club Presents Kölsch. Kompact’s Kölsch continues to perform to the highest calibre and has continued his run of global domination so we are delighted to finally have the king of pianos and House music back to Sub Club ALL ADVANCE TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT…
29th – Secret Guest: Shhhhhhh! Eyes peeled, ears to the ground…
Running a successful club night for 5 years is no easy feat, let alone a weekly one. Sub Rosa is a testament to the fact that commitment and perseverance through the tough times always make the good times worth the struggle.
In the lead up to their final party weekly party on Wednesday we decided to sit down with the people behind the creation of Sub Rosa; Iain Budge, Troy Thompson and Duncan Steel, to find out a few stories that have made the night what it is today.
How did the night begin?
Troy: “The Art School had just announced they were closing down for renovation for a couple of years and I think we were all kind of left in a limbo of where we would go and what we would do…..then the 3 of us met having a smoke one night and decided that we would try and throw our own party that our mates could go to”
Budge: “I think Subculture played a pretty big role. There wasn’t many student nights at that time playing a similar music policy and charging affordable door fee’s. We went to a lot of weekend nights at the Arches including Death Disco and so on…all of these nights had a pretty strong effect on us.
Duncan: Much of the above to be honest. At the time there wasn’t anything on a Wednesday night for the more discerning clubber – well discerning is maybe a bit strong, but just those who didn’t think that Lady Gaga, a hot tub and an Elvis impersonator equalled a good night out. So we decided to give it a bash and approached our favourite club with a proposal. We agreed that we would run trial night in May and if successful we would begin weekly after summer. That was way back in 2011…
How did it get to the point it’s at now?
Duncan: With a lot of help and a lot of hard work. Our first few months were basically an empty with all our pals but in the Sub Club every week, we owe a lot to them for coming down week in and week out for the first while. It was incredibly good fun and they kept the night alive. However, as everyone got that bit older and people started getting more commitments, that’s when there was a bit of a turning point. We began booking bigger guests and we started to see a crowd of regulars who we didn’t actually know in advance. I think that was the turning point.
Budge: “So many different factors. Good planning, weekly meetings, bouncing ideas off each other, hiring good DJ’s/PR staff and listening/taking advice off the hundreds of people that helped us out over the years. The list could go on, although I think it came down to working together as a team and getting our goals done and completed instead of waiting around and talking about it.
Troy: “ Hard work,; getting our hands dirty; lots of steep learning curves; a few arguments; but mainly sticking together and to our plan ( when we made one after year one)”
Why have you decided to close the curtains after so long?
Troy: “ We considered doing it last year when we all finished up in education….but we had a few brilliant PRs; Excellent DJs (Max and Joe) and the Club wanting to give it a go which made us think why not!? But hey it wasn’t to be and Sub Rosa had a great 5 years doing weekly nights”
Duncan: “It was a hard decision but the three of us who founded it are now at a very different point in our lives. We have graduated form University and are all pursuing different things are no longer were able to commit to a weekly night. It’s a shame but we can’t give it the attention it needs and we are not able to come down on a Wednesday anymore. I don’t think there is any longevity in a night if you are not able to give it your full attention and come down on a weekly basis anymore. Plus, we’re a bit dotted about all over the globe just now!”
Budge: “We did think about closing the doors last May as Duncan was off to Madrid for a significant of time, I moved to Melbourne for work and Troy was also offered full on job in Glasgow so none of us could fully commit. We thought we’d keep it going after the significant amount of interest from the club and the guys who worked with us for a number of years.”
Who was your first guest/booking and how did it go?
Duncan: “Clouds, Those edgy techno-heads from Perth. They’ve come a long way since we booked them, I think that was the first night we got over 250 people through the door actually – it was a really good night! Now they are smashing it, they’ve played all over and have had some really big releases over the last few years. On yersel lads!”
Troy: “Was it clouds? I think it was Clouds, it was class night….in our eyes anyway… Perth DJs and we had a load of Perth mates so it was a riot!”
Budge: “Yup, it was Clouds. It’s great to see how well those guys are doing at the moment.
Best set by a guest?
Budge: “Bonobo, Disclosure, Heidi, Ben UFO, Midland, Jackmaster and George Fitzgerald stand out for me. Local acts/nights including Melting Pot, David Barbarossa, Stay Fresh, Jasper James and Thunder Disco Club were always on point as well.”
Troy: “Midland…. Ben Pearce….Harri and Dom always without fail! Too hard to pick just one!”
Duncan: “Midland I’d say.”
Best story featuring a guest?
Troy: “haha I cant say but there has been a few good ones….always a pleasure having Garry [Ejeca] up!”
Duncan: “There are quite a few that we can’t divulge because it’s pre-watershed. There were lot’s of missed flights.”
Budge: “Callum Asher commanding a sold out Sub Rosa night with a tambourine in one hand and a bottle of buckfast in the other. Seeing Rui Da Silva wrecked after he played for us at an after party was also brilliant in every possible way.”
Favourite Sub Rosa tune moment?
Duncan: “Got to be Pilot Episode – can’t think of a specific tune as there were too many to mention but in every one of them they played some absolute gems from across the spectrum. Everything they touched turned to gold.”
Troy: “That’s a tough one, so many nights that were the ‘best night ever.’ I think a personal favorite was Midland playing The Rapture – ‘How Deep is Your Love’ as his encore…everyone just went mental. One of those moments you felt great togetherness with everyone.”
Budge: “Midland playing – ‘How Deep is your love’ was a moment of madness for everyone. George Fitzgerald playing out Danny Tenaglia’s ‘Music is the Answer’ for his encore and David Barbarossa playing out Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes – ‘Don’t Leave me this way’.“
The Rapture – How Deep is Your Love
Danny Tenaglia – Music Is The Answer
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes – Don’t Leave me this Way
You guys have always been a fan of stripping the club down and dressing it up in a certain style so everyone can party in what feels like a whole new environment in their favourite club. From the more recent Paradise Garage night to the Northern Soul night a few years ago, what have been your favourite and what kind of planning/production went into it?
Budge: “We did one night called ‘The Factory’ where we covered every wall in the Sub Club with Tin Foil (similar to Andy Warhol’s studio ‘The Factory’) – it looked next level, although the club did turn into a sweat box by 2am because of the lights/tin foil combination haha. Despite the weekly nights stopping next week at the Sub Club, we are planning to do more production based events every so often, just not on a weekly basis. We are currently planning our biggest event in terms of production to date up in Aberdeen during the Christmas period…words can’t describe how excited I am for this!”
Troy: “ Oh easy, the very first Disco Night – Studio 54! That was just fun and I think it was the night that really kick-started us off in Glasgow…. there was such a buzz about it and it was just the right night to do and the right time! To do these nights you definitely need to plan in advance….. I don’t think we really knew what we were doing and we had a few ideas that were just laughed out of head office…. a lot this first one was winged on the day! I have to say a big thanks to Javier and the Art School Crew here.”
Duncan: Studio 54, I think it was that one and our Paradise Garage night that were our favourties. A lot went into them and we usually handed over the creative reigns to our friends from GSA. It usually took a week or twos planning then a full day in the club decorating – with help from anyone we could grab. They always turned out to be great nights however the Thursday after was consistently grim. We had to get the club tidied and back in ship shape order before the Thursday night promoters came in. This involved a lot of elbow grease on not a lot of sleep – I’d happily forget those Thursdays.
Favourite poster?
Budge: “Hands down the poster with the NASA astronaut Anna Lee Fisher and the Lion image we used for our branding. Our friend Rory (Hammer) did our artwork for the majority of the time and did a great job.”
Duncan & Troy: “Yup agreed.”
As well as bringing in a variety on international guests you guys have also been responsible for nurturing some serious local talent and have had no qualms about putting them into the limelight of the Sub Club booth. Of all the local nights around Glasgow from the past five years, who has been your favourite (and why?)
Troy: “Ahh they were all class….. Jasper [James] from Stay Fresh was probably one of our first ever bookings and its great to see how far he has gone now. Stay Fresh were also a great night to do collaborations with. It always brought two great crowds together. Thunder Disco – Hammer and Jube, were a personal favorite….They just play the music I like….up there among my favorite DJs! I also really enjoyed Glasgow City Social Club and Void Militia for the techno. Sister Swedge – played great disco music and had an even better name!”
Budge: “The local acts around Glasgow and Scotland were unreal. Glasgow Don’s Harri, Dom, JD Twitch, Wilkes, David Barbarossa and Billy Woods were always brilliant. In terms of local nights that we had down, I always enjoyed Thunder Disco Club, Stay Fresh and the guys from Vitamins/Freaky Freaky.
Duncan: Yeah I echo all the sentiments about the local acts about. Far too many to mention them all but TDC, Stay Fresh & Melting Pot stick out for me.
This is it… Sub Rosa every Wednesday at Sub Club has come to an end, and in true Sub Rosa fashion they’re going out with as big a bang as possible. Special Guests for the evening are Subbie favourites, Silicone Soul. There may be cake, there’ll probably be tears, and it’ll definitely be the send off Sub Rosa deserves! Adv. ticket on sale HERE then more on the door from 11pm.
Loose Joints is a fresh night based in Glasgow who began with a strong start hosting a rare Legowelt DJ set in another smokey Glasgow basement. The collective consists of three residents who have rapidly grown from playing together at house parties to showcasing Glasgow with International talent. Keep an eye out on their Facebook Pagefor what’s lined up for the rest of 2016…
As good promoters as they are, this appears not be the reasoning behind providing such a special first party. With a pure passion combined with a trio of open musical minds: They thrive on discovering new sounds which entail House, Techno, Afrobeat and Post punk to name but a few. This formula can sometimes be too esoteric and hard to pull off. However, triumphantly they have done so.
“We are definitely not restricted to one genre, as time progresses you will see that in our bookings, but also how we play and what we play, we like to keep it open and be able to take the dance floor in any direction”
Be sure to listen to their resident Chester’s radio show on Sub City called “Stop, Now Dance”. His vision: To provide the listener on an educational tour guide into the vast array of weird and wonderful sounds the world has to offer including Funk, Post-Punk Reggae, Electronic & Afro-beat. The last theme of their show was a Legos Love Affair which provided music from some of Nigeria’s greatest musicians, you can listen to it HERE.
Over the past 5 years our local bookings showcasing new club nights in Glasgow and Edinburgh have all been great and each unique to one, we feel that this find may be our best yet. We very much are looking forward to hearing them play this Wednesday and believe you will too!
Here is a sample of 5 tracks you would typically hear at a Loose Joints party…
Push/Pull – Bang The Drums – Zanzibar
TRP – Pano
Tenderness – Keep On Trying
Shina Williams – Abjou logun
Dan shake – Glitter Disco
This Wednesday is a local affair with Loose Joints and Sub Rosa’s long running resident specialists Spittal & Nowicki. Entry is £5 on the door from 11pm…
Tonight’s Subbie guests, West End Communications’ boss Kyle & rising star The Burrell Connection, answer some questions for Sub Rosa and provide a few weapons to get you in the mood for some midweek madness…
1. After starting as a vinyl-only label, WEC announced their expansion to digital, presumably allowing for far more releases. As a label that is growing in size & reputation, what can everyone expect this year?
You can expect to hear more bangers and more anthems, there’s a new PDL 12” that’s coming this year and some more unknown talent rising to the top. Promoters better get saving for these cats.
2. WEC releases have varied in sound but share a club-focused design. This has been reflected in the wide range of tunes that have got people moving at WEC’s club appearances, and more recently, WEC’s own night at La Cheetah. The night seems to compliment the label perfectly, will we be hearing WEC at clubs more than ever this year?
There’s some pretty cool stuff lined up for the rest of the year, if you want a good time come and join us.
3. The Burrell Connection, your schedule has been busy of late thanks to your much loved debut single & regular gigs supporting legends, such as Legowelt this Friday. If you didn’t play out yourself, where would you be spending your nights?
Ha, kind words! It depends where I am, In Glasgow the Stereotone & Partial boys have been killing it recently! Further north the Groovement crew continue to hold down the fort in the motherland. Dundee/worldwide the sessions boys are smashing every afters they set foot in, including a special night at Glasgow’s favourite after hours recently
4. Some have criticised those behind the label of rejecting their Perth roots in favour of Glasgow’s trendy & fashionable west end. Is there any legitimacy to these accusations or should the Fair City be proud of its premier musical export?
We would be lying if we said there wasn’t an influence from this great, rainy city, but there is strong support from our friends back home and we definitely wouldn’t be here without them. I think the 2nd release (PDL’s Broxden Burners EP) is a perfect example of exhibiting our background and letting everyone know where WEC originated.
Lil’ Tony is a big character in the Helsinki club scene boasting superb solo releases on labels such as Running Back, Innervisions and Sonar Kollektiv. Harri & Domenic are delighted to have him back here at Subculture on Saturday.
As a first class club runner and all round unBEATable guy, he comes bearing some gifts. Ahead of his return he just sent us over this free giveaway: Advance – Take me To The Top (Lil Tony Edit)
We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did….
His contribution to Boiler Room’s Residents’ Hour was recorded at Kaiku, whilst warming up for Rush Hour’s San Proper. This set is a favourite round these parts…
Tony is also releasing some new stuff on HPTY records. His Complex EP just came out, and next up is Co-op with Trevor Deep JR. Grab your copy HERE…
Adv. tickets on sale HERE or from RA. This is a 4AM Finish!!!
Ahead of Sub Rosa’s soiree this Wednesday with those whimsical wanderers Missing Persons Club, they asked them about a few tracks which really get the place jumping at their parties just around the corner. “Some are serious, and some are just for a laugh or a bit of nostalgia, but they’re all good fun which is what we want out night to be for people.” Check the anthems out below and come down to hear what else they have in store…
Blaze – Lovelee Dae
Robert Armani – Up Down
Yomanda – Synth Strings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_VW7JheIXM
Run DMC vs Jason Nevins – It’s Like That (Club Mix)
On Saturday another superlative Subculture resident’s session beckons, this time with extra helpings of in-house goodness from young Telford. A sweet menage a trois for those of you who love it that way.
Ahead of the weekend, Telford just sent us over 10 tracks that are currently putting a spring in his step. This is a hand picked mixture of some fresh distinctive gems and a few unreleased diamonds. Get your Traxsource/Discogs tab at the ready…
After a heavy weekend at the Sub Club, we sneaked behind the scenes to catch up with one of our most valuable players, Sub Club’s leading lady, Linda, the cleaner…We dug deep, then got down and dirty to see what makes her tick and how she keeps Glasgow’s favourite basement in tip top condition, all year round. We also find out what makes her move and the soundtrack of choice for when she’s buffering our world famous body sonic dancefloor…
Most interesting/weirdest thing you’ve found when cleaning the club?
A lot of underwear, lassies type.
Your favourite tune from when you were growing up?
The Beatles, Yellow Submarine ;)
Most memorable tune from your wedding?
Ohh that was a long time ago, it was in ma hoose, and it was my own music, a wee house perty. Tune was Doctor Hook, Sylvia’s Mother…
A tune you would like to listen to on the beach in Jersey?
Probably Westlife! Lovely place Jersey, where I get to see the family and enjoy the nice weather.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to fill your marigolds one day?
I’d tell them to make sure they clean the toilets good and proper and to always watch out for chewing gum.
If you could go for dinner with two music/film stars dead or alive, who would you go with, and where would you go?
With Snow Patrol, I would go to the Black Sheep in Mary Hill, It’s lovely in there.
A damn great Deutschland disc jockey, the music of Marcus Worgull has been felt in fullness during Subculture sets for the longest time. Keeping his output on the deep and down, this Innervisions visionary is all that we’re about. You’re welcome, as always!
Ahead of Subculture on Saturday Marcus was in the middle of moving house and sent us over some music to lighten the load…“5 TRACKS TO MOVE HOUSES TO…”
At the moment I’m moving house. Everyone knows it, no one loves it. But, to be fair, it has two sides: On the one hand, it is so enervating to be confronted with every single piece you possess, and to deal with it. Keep it ? Or throw it away? Or sell it? Or maybe take it for later?
Especially when you own thousands and thousands of records, it is no big fun…
But – on the other hand it feels very cleansing and refreshing tojust get rid of the crap and to move on to a new, beautiful place.
It will be the first time, that I will have a space just to work on music.It’s gonna be a nice place. I can cook and sleep there and be as loud as I wanna be. Day and night!
So – here you find some pictures from the action and some tunes that help me to get through it and to get more than ready for Sub Club this coming Saturday, at Harri & Domenic’s Subculture!
There might be no better distraction from moving houses than going to Glasgow and playing some music at one of the best clubs with some of the best lads I know!!! Taps Afff ;-)
On Thursday March 10th Show are back, this time with a gathering of souls from the ever excellent Moda Black record label, an imprint which has been acting as a veritable nursery of new talent since 2011. Founders Jaymo and Andy George will be stepping up alongside the most primo personage of Ben Pearce and local residential Theo Kotis too. Get it down you. Theo Kottis, Moda Black and Ben Pearce Show’ed up to chat about dreams of being a wrestling commentator and a play about B&Q…
Theo Kottis asks Andy George…
What’s your go to record to get you in the party mood before a gig? Any pre show rituals?
When I was younger my record of choice used to be Boom Boom Boom by The Outhere Brothers, but sadly those days are over. I tend to stick a mix on when en route to a gig, the new one from Palms Traxx is my current favourite. I’m not particularly superstitious, I just try to have a couple of Old Fashioned’s and ensure Jay arrives on time!
Seeing you running about Lost Village owning the place last year was very cool – what was your favourite part of the whole experience? Anything you learnt that you’ve taken forward to this year?
The whole weekend was incredible, if a little surreal. I couldn’t pick out one particular moment, but the joy (and relief) of seeing the whole thing come together was very special! As a team we learnt so much from the whole process that we’re taking into year 2. Personally, I’m just going to try and take as much in of it as possible over the weekend, whilst running around like a madman!
I’m a film buff like you – although you one up’d me visiting Sundance Film Festival, any must see films?
The whole festival was amazing! I’d recommend ‘Gasland’, a film by Josh Fox about our disastrous journey towards Global Warming, and Spike Lee’s new documentary about Off The Wall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mp4ELXKv-w
Jaymo asks Theo Kottis
We’ve heard that in the light of Steve Aoki’s cake throwing endeavours, and as a nod to your Greek heritage, you’ve started lobbing plates around mid set. Isn’t that a bit much?
I’m not sure what the crowd would make of plates smashing over their heads but I wouldn’t mind olives, feta and grapes on my rider, washed down with a bottle of ouzo!
You used to be a graphic designer before converting to music full time. There’s obviously lots of parallels between the two techniques – which do you think have helped you most and why?
I think designers are very similar to musicians, we are all creating something. I know I’m not the only one that made this transition, other DJs like Seth Troxler and Tycho were graphic designers at first too. I love having an outlet for expression – at first this was through design and now that’s music. It’s very cool that art and tech are so interlinked and there are always new innovations to explore and understand – I love geeking out and getting my head around new programmes, particularly with music!
What 3 songs do you remember most resonating with you whilst being carted around in the back of your parents car as a kid?
Tears For Fears – Everybody Wants To Rule
Madonna – Into The Groove
Culture Beat – Mr. Vain
https://youtu.be/mfWb_60lhw0
Ben Pearce asks Jaymo
We’re going to be standing close to each other all night. I know your a fashion conscious man. If Moda Black launched a fragrance, what would it smell like?
Hardware stores, definitely. There’s something deeply nostalgic about the smell of B&Q. It would be called Soil Amour or Woodsman. Either works.
Aside from booth space, what other personal things would you not have a problem with sharing with several of your mates?
Body fluids, chewing gum and exerts from my forthcoming stage play about B&Q.
Will you ever reignite your glorious wrestling career?
I’ve had counselling and I now feel like I’m past that stage of my life. When I was in Primary school I was adamant that my future career would entail being a wrestling commentator, so maybe I should pick up on that at some point. One of the key characters at Lost Village is based on Papa Shango, so in some ways I’ve clearly not let go.
Andy George asks Ben Pearce
We know that you, like me, LOVE food… What are your top 3 favourite London food hang-outs and WHY?
Food is ACE isn’t it! Erm, well probably my favourite restaurant I’ve been to numerous times is Adam Handling at the Caxton. Saw him on Masterchef Professionals and we went after that, next level ability to create dishes! Just been to a new place near where I live (Stoke Newington) called Fox and Pie… who doesn’t like a pie? I am Northern after all… had a steak and kidney suet and damn. And third, well, my house? I love cooking as you might know… you’ve still not come round for dinner? Why?
Rumour has it the reason your new Moda Black track is called Pomelo is because you were once apprehended for stealing a pack from Waitrose?
I’m not sure I should be saying this publicly, the security chased me but luckily I hid behind some organic yams and then doused myself in bolivian nutmeg to make my escape past the dog on the exit. It was a hairy couple of days laying low, I don’t think I can go back in there now.
I should probably as one serious question… Favourite festival to play in the UK right now?
Fishing are we Andy? ;) No seriously, I’ve said this since last May that Lost Village was the best UK festival I was at last year. I have every faith it will be again. SO bloody excited!
