East Project Podcast Episode 4 & Interview featuring FB Julian... Check it out!!

Lets start from the beginning... You are French but now live in London. France, with Paris in particular, has produced a long list of great electronic acts and producers over the years but what were your early musical influences?

Paris definitely has a great number of DJs and producers that really made an impact on the scene over the years. Growing up there, was therefore the major reason for what I am doing today. There are several artists who really triggered that interest of mine for it. When I started to go out, it was the DJs who really took the sound of Paris to the next level and beyond borders like Dan Ghenacia, who really gave the city an amazing place to gather and listen to new sounds and an amazing kind of house music throughout the "Kwality" party he used to host at Batofar; Ivan smagghe and his famous sets of original divers stuff was another rendez vous for me and my friends. The music in these parties was so consistently good and the vibe at its best there... And of course in other clubs like The Rex, thanks to DJs like: Jerome Pacman, Jef K, :TERRY:, Chris Carrier and of course Laurent garnier, I built a mad love for House Music. But it's really when I got to the UK in London that things took another dimension!

How old were when you left Paris and what drove you to join us on this side of the pond?

I left Paris when i was 19, just for a change of scenery and to give myself a real challenge I guess... I had dropped out of school and wasn't keen on the possibilities I was seeing available to me back then.

You are now part of the Rebel Agency. How did joining them come about?

Well when I got here, when I started playing out and doing parties, I got to work and developed great friendship with the founders of the label and its agency. It's really when I started to play for Derren Smart at the T Bar where I'm sure you know the whole of the best djs and artists where regularly playing... Among them where Damian Lazarus, Matthew Styles and Jamie Jones, who were a great source of inspiration and a total help in pushing me forward in the belief of my music. The some years later I got offered to be part of what I believe is one of the two strongest teams of acts this scene has to offer. I'm really happy to be a part of this group! It's like a big number of mates now and all bringing our little something to the game.

A particular favourite of mine was your release on Hot Creations, Pteradactil Disco - Big Ass Biscuit/Clive's Alright. Did that collaboration with Jamie Jones, Lee Foss and Robert James create any funny stories from being in the studio together or did you all work on them tracks at different times?

Ah ah... Well it's a particular favourite of mine too! Jamie is a great friend of mine and we had been talking for some time now to work on something together. He called me up and told me that he was at his place with Lee and Rob and what was meant to be a get together after their gigs/trip, naturally turned into a studio session with all four of us overnight, through what I have to say was one of the funniest moments I ever spent in a studio! Big Ass Biscuit was written the next evening, same scenario but throughout the session we realised that the vocal we were editing suddenly started to sound like "is Clive alright". When we first had a laugh about it there was just no other way to hear this vocal, and Clive Henry who is a dear friend ours and one of my favorite DJs was then totally implicated into this track. After lots of fun about it seemed totally normal to call him at this late late hour of the night for a friendly recorded phone call... Jamie put the phone on speaker mode and linked it to the mic and we all know the result of that! Ah ah, it still makes me laugh today, it was too much fun!!



At East Project we believe there is only good and bad music. Sometimes people spend too much time trying to pigeonhole their music and events, whereas we see it more as representing a vibe. What can the EP crowd expect from an FB Julian set?

Well, thank you for including me in your good book of music then, lol.. I play various styles of deep house mainly that is really inspired by my view of parties and after parties, which I got to develop in the many years I have been playing for Kubicle (the party I'm resident for). The aim being to just have a great time behind the decks and keep a smiling crowd having a great night out with new sounds to discover.

And lastly, What is your drink of choice on a night out?

To be honest I don't really drink alcohol. I mainly stick to soft drinks when I'm out but I have to admit I love golden tequila.

Thank you and see you at the PARTY!!

East Project with Robert James, FB Julian, Rich Nxt and Samu.lFriday 8th June 2012

Venue TBA - London

9pm - 6am

Get your tickets from Resident Advisor HERE!!

East Project Podcast Episode 3... Meet resident and co-promoter Joe Morley!

So, for the 3rd episode of our East Project Podcast, we handed over the duties to resident and co-promoter Joe Morley... We also threw a few questions his way to find out a little bit more about this excellent young talent! Read on.

Tell us how you first got into house music?

I first got into house music from the age of about 13/14. My dad is a bit of an Ibiza child himself and he used to show me some of his cool summer house jams, along with some old school house/garage artists such as MK, Todd Edwards, MJ Cole etc, and so it progressed from there!

You represent the deeper side of East Project. Would you say this a fair reflection?

I would certainly agree! I'm extremely passionate about my music and I'm really enjoying showing East Project what I'm about. I'm really looking forward to showing our beloved crowd some nice deep techno sounds in the basement on Friday!

How have you enjoyed your time DJing at East Project events and now being involved in organising the events?

I've loved every minute of my time at East Project and I'm sure there's plenty more to come! I'm loving being involved in organising the party now with Adam as there's going to be some fantastic things coming up this year from us... Some crazy venues and some even better headliners and new talent to showcase!

Which producers are rocking your world right now?

There are a few producers who's work I am LOVING at the minute! Obviously, the Fuse boys are releasing some absolute quality tracks lately, plus their sound is completely unique and it works! But at the minute the sounds of the likes of [a:rpi:ar] (Pedro, Rhadoo, Raresh, Dan Andrei, etc), Margaret Dygas, Rene Breitbath and a few others are completely blowing me away... Also there are some great tracks being produced by some less established artist in London at the moment!

What would be your ultimate East Project line-up and where would you have the it?

Wow! My ultimate East Project line-up... Now that is a question! It would depend on how many we could have play on the night, but it would HAVE to include Enzo, he's one of my favourite artists and always has been. Also would love to see someone like Loco Dice or one of the [a:rpi:ar] boys. Now that would be amazing! Not forgetting some great unknown London talent... And I would love to have it at a nice, never before been used venue. Something nobody has thought of before.

So, there you go... The Fuse boys play a big influence, while the deeper sounds of house and techno are where he feels most comfortable. He also told us that a JD or an ice cold Kopparberg from the bar form part of his poison...

Check out his short podcast mix below and get yourself warmed up for what is going to be an amazing East Project on Friday 10th February!



Event info:

Facebook event page: click here!

Miguel Campbell, Josh T, The Pushamann & Sam Russo... Find out more!!

So, with just under 3 weeks to go till the first East Project of 2012, we thought it best to check out what all the fuss is about... Advanced tickets have all sold out and is it any surprise, when looking at the line-up???

Previously, the EP boys have only ever felt the need to use one big headliner and the rest, up and coming local talent for events that only ever featured 1 room of music. This time however, the crowd will be treated to 2 rooms and 4 headliners!! And with early bird tickets that cost as little as £5, what more could you really ask for??

Topping the bill on Friday 10th Feb will be the one and only Miguel Campbell from Hot Creations fame. If you have not heard of this guy, then you clearly haven't been following the house scene over the past couple of years! Hailing from the northern city of Leeds and after setting up and releasing on his own Outcross Records as MAM, HCB and under his own name, in 2010 he signed up to Hot Creations and that is when things were about to go stellar.



With an ever growing gig diary, that includes trips to Warung Beach Club in Brazil, Sankeys in Manchester, Creche in London and Watergate in Berlin over the next few months alone, it was with great joy that promoter and resident Gilly managed to secure the services of this excellent DJ/Producer.

For those of you that missed it last year, Miguel's Ibiza Voice Podcast is definitely worth your attention:
Miguel Campbell Mix (Moody Disco Guest @ Audio, Brighton 30/09/11) by moody disco

Second up on the list of headliners, we have the superb Josh T... Again, hailing from Leeds, this guy really made a mark last year with his release, Green Surprises on Hot Waves (the digital only output for Jamie Jones and Lee Foss' Hot Creations/Hot Natured empire). Co-founder of the Louche events that have been ripping Leeds apart with an ever impressive and growing list of parties, Josh has been plying his trade alongside some of the industry's greats.

To get an idea of what you could be faced with, check out his excellent Hush House Podcast! Proving this guys is just as comfortable playing an early smooth set that builds an atmosphere, to finishing a night off with a selection of classic and upfront house nuggets... All can be found on this mix:
Hush House Podcast 024 by Josh T

Next up for your musical pleasure we have The Pushamann! Playing along side some of the best talent in the game, The Pushamann has proved his metal with numerous gigs at Fabric throughout 2008/09, priding himself on warm up sets with deep trippy house and nu disco fused together seamlessly.

Having run his own successful London club night for just over two years and the recent launch of his NoN Music label, The Pushamann has come a long way from messing around on the decks in Kingston.

His Nature or Nurture night, which he runs with Terry Francis, is all about spreading this deep, infectious sound. Recently celebrating the 2nd birthday at Fabric back in February, Nature or Nurture has already enjoyed appearances from some truly unique underground DJs such as Nathan Coles, Tim Sheridan, Hector, Kenny Hawkes and Moodymanc.

Check out his latest mix below:
THE PUSHAMANN - 2012 PROMO MIX PART ONE by thepushamann

Last but by no means least, we have one Mr Sam Russo! Having first come across him back in 2008 playing a warm-up set at Gilly and Disko Trooper's old Maisonica party in London, Sam has really taken his DJing and producing to the next level.

Splitting his time between London and the south coast, where he holds a residency at the ever popular Junk Club in Southampton, Sam is now rubbing shoulders with the cream of the crop! Working closely with Matt Tolfrey and his Leftroom Record label, he has also formed close working relationship with the excellent Huxley from Cecille and Tsuba Records. With gigs all over the UK and now across Europe, it surely wont be long till this guy's name will be on everyone's lips!

Look no further than this mix from his soundcloud page to wet your appetite for more:
Other side of the fence by Sam Russo / :Russo

Click here for more info and the facebook event page!
And click here for the Residentadvisor event page!

Catching up with Ethyl (Secretsundaze / Tsuba)...

"Hailing from the leafy home counties and connecting with music at a young age, Tim Hopgood AKA Ethyl, displays a musical knowledge and affinity for the groove far beyond his 25 years. Like many of today’s finest, while constantly looking forward, he has one eye placed firmly on the retrospective..." So his biography goes!!

Prior to his appearance at CLUB MO this Friday, we thought we would send over a few questions to the man called Ethyl... We discuss his favourite producers, how his DJing style has developed and the joys of ending up on the Secretsundaze agency. Oh, and how his MO growing is coming along. Enjoy!


How’s it going? What has been going on in the world of Ethyl recently?

It's going really well thanks. I've been the busiest I've ever been recently and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

I’ve known you since some of your first outings on the DJ circuit… How do you feel your style has changed over the years?

"Some of"??? You gave me my first set in the capital all those years ago. A lot has changed since then! You've got a kid and I've got a bad back but I feel I still look for the same things in the music I play. Obviously the content is different, I was younger then but I think the same things still turn me on.

You’ve managed to release your records on such labels as Tsuba, Cecille, Freerange, Quintessentials, Secretsundaze… How does it feel to have your music released on such respected labels?

It obviously feels great to know that people whose opinions matter to me have enough faith in what I do to support it with their reputations as well as their pockets. A lot of people are very keen to get their music out. Arguably before it's 'ripened', so pop up labels make it easy for people to do that. This isn't a bad thing, it's less cliquey but it can mean the quality control drops.

Talking about secretsundaze, you’re signed up to their secret agency. How did that come about? It feels like a perfect match for you, as you seem to share much of the same ideals when it comes to music… Do you feel at home there?

It all came about at the same time as discussions about the label happened. I was sending music to James and Giles and they were talking about the reformed singles label as well as the agency. It works great for me; I'm among people I hold in high esteem and it means I can concentrate on the things I enjoy doing. Since the guys have been doing this for so long, the longevity to what they do is apparent and that's important because I've got no back up plan.

What producers are rocking your world at the moment? Anyone that is not getting the attention you think they deserve?

It's inevitable that the most noise doesn't tend to be around the best producers so there are a lot of people that fall into this category. They are lauded in certain circles but I don't think they get the reverence warranted. Off the top of my head; 7 Citizens, STL, John Heckle, BLM, Kassem Mosse, Vakula and this guy I happened across on soundcloud, William Gebert. But probably my standout producer at the moment is XDB, that guy can do no wrong!

Lastly, many of the DJs and people turning up to Club Mo have donated their top lip for the month of November to growing a moustache in support of The Prostate Cancer Charity… How is your Mo coming along?

It's laughable and rat like and I'm sure I'm allergic to it!

Club Mo - Facebook Event Page

Further info on Ethyl:

Ethyl Facebook Page - Click HERE

Ethyl Soundcloud Page - Click Here

Ethyl - Realism Podcast 001 by ethylmusic

Selected Discography
Ethyl & Huxley - Slims [Tsuba]
Ethyl & Flori - Coney Island Boppers [House Is The Cure]
Ethyl & Huxley - Reflexions [Tsuba]
Ethyl & Huxley - SK Jr. [Development]
Ethyl & Flori - Paisley Riffs [Quintessentials]
Ethyl & Flori - The Trimley EP [Freerange Records]
Ethyl & Huxley - The White EP [Tsuba Colours]
Ethyl & Huxley - The Sassanids EP [Cécille Numbers]

Leif - Priority (Ethyl & Flori Remix) [Fear Of Flying]
Ethyl & Huxley - Mother Tongue (Ethyl's Dry White Edit) [Tsuba]
James Johnston - You're Still The Same (Ethyl's Wheezy Garage Mix) [Kolour Recordings]
Ethyl & Huxley - Byzantine (Ethyl's 2YC Mix) [Cécille Records]

Forthcoming
Ethyl & Flori - Secretsundaze EP
Ethyl & Flori - Quintessentials EP
Ethyl - Vitalik EP

Meeting Elijah "Jnr J" Collins before his headline set at CLUB MO...

How’s it going? What should I be calling you these days? Jnr J or Elijah?

Good question, I’m now at the point where I don’t know who to introduce my self as... I’ve got 5 names on my passport, so I’ll use a different one for each project, so lets go with Elijah.

You say in your biography that Elijah manifested himself in the summer of 2010 and that infamous London underground party Lo*Kee is to blame… Tell us more?

For a long while I got really bored with music. The long minimal summer lasted about two years too long. Techno was cool for a while but I got bored, then after that tech house sounded like it was sponsored by fair trade companies. At first I really enjoyed the ethnic vocals but it got to a point where every party was like watching a movie in an unknown language without subtitles. I can’t play what I don’t like, so as I couldn’t find anything, I just stopped.

I’ll always love to dance so I retreated to underground club nights that hardly anyone knew about which lead me to Lo*kee. It’s one of those parties that were started by promoters who are are in it for the right reasons, who have stuck to their convictions and have an amazing ear for diverse underground sounds and past music. It got me excited and always made me want to go home and make music after.

I always liked your DJ style and productions under your Jnr J name. How have you changed under the new moniker?

Where as Jnr J was a DJ project, I’ve started Elijah as a producer project. I’m having a lot of fun writing music and even more fun seeing it work on the dance floor. I’ve started to learn the bass and keys, so that I can enhance my productions. DJ wise, I feel I have more freedom than before to play exactly what I want as nobody has any expectations of Elijah. It’s an awesome feeling of total freedom.


You already have a couple of successful releases as Elijah Collins on Mullet Records, alongside your friends Nist and Tee-J, but what direction do you plan on taking your new sound?

I’ll pretty much do anything I’m feeling. At the moment I’m diggin the Nu Disco sound but I’m already seeing that I won’t be into this for ever. For the winter I’m working on a couple of deep disco bits to keep you all warm. I’m making what I feel is right for me so am working on stuff with a range of influences such as rare groove, deep house and even miami bass. I’m just going to do what makes me want to dance. I’ve also started writing more in tune with my emotions and using music as a way of expressing what I can’t put into words.

I’ve heard some of your solo material on Soundcloud, "8 minutes of rude" a particular favourite! In fact, I described it as if it was made for the follow up to the Tron Legacy movie. Are there plans for releasing that track and the others? Have any labels shown interest in them?

Cheers fella. I’ve just sent "8 mins" of to a vocalist who I’ve worked with in the past. After this we’re going to sit down together and come up with some colabs which I’m really excited about. I also have some other bits signed which are awaiting release. So far, so good.


You’ve also had a lot of support from a certain Vito De Luca from Aeroplane (one of my biggest influences of the past few years for sure). How does that feel?

To get support from people like Aeroplane and Mullet recordings is truly amazing! It’s like when you’re at school and the big children give you a nod. It helps to confirm that your on the right track. I’ve also been getting love from people who I started on the scene with, like yourself, Eric Volta, the guys at Lower East and my newly appointed Get Diverted residency. It's really amazing to feel the love from your peers and to see everybody moving forward in their goals.


And you got to warm up for him at a recent Get Diverted gig, where he dropped your track, Love’s Down. How was that? The videos of the moment online look wicked!!

Watch the video I made. I lost the plot when he played it and broke out into full vocal... Watching the video back made me realise that I can’t sing. I sound like a cat in a washing machine! It was one of the best moments of my career and the fact that it was one of the biggest tunes of his set made it all sweeter. I was buzzing for weeks.

Lastly, you’re playing a b2b set with Tee-J for our charity event, Club Mo. What can people expect from your set? And have you been growing your Mo?

Tee-J and I have very similar backgrounds and influences, we both grew up with mothers who used to rinse music and we probably both have gotten a beating for scratching mum’s 5 Star ep... Or that may have just been me.

It’s gonna be like soul train 2011 or like watching a blaxplotation movie. There will be so much funk that it’s gonna pimp slap anyone close enough!

East Project joins forces with Diasco... And goes all charitable!!

So, it's been a while since i like put a post up on here... What have we been up to then? Arranging our next event is what!!

That's right!! We've only gone and joined forces with the Diasco boys and got some extra help and support from the guys at www.clubbillboard.com and www.davecshaw.com to put on the mother of all charity parties...

Celebrating the month of Movember with a massive get together on Friday 25th November at The Apples & Pears Bar in London (with the money taken on the door being donated to The Prostate Cancer Charity).

A number of the DJs and guys coming to the event have also decided to take part in Movember and grow a Mo in support of the charity... If anyone would like to donate, you can do so here:

CLUB MO - http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1378608/
or
DIASCMO - http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1388160/

In preparation for what is sure to be a great night of House, Disco, Tech and Funk music, we thought it would be good a idea to share a mix from some of the DJs playing...

Ethyl:
Ethyl - Realism Podcast 001 by ethylmusic

Elijah Collins:
Jnr J presents Elijah Collins mixtape apr2011 by ElijahCollins

Tee-J:
Balls Out Funk! (Discofunk Vol 5) by Tee-J

Johnny Mikes:
Johnny Mikes East Project podcast by Johnny Mikes

James Clayton:
J Clayton - DiASCO June Mix by James Clayton

Dan James:
DiASCO aug mix by Dan James by dan james

Maxworthy:
Summer Worthy Sounds by MaxWorthy by East Project

Rich Wills:
Rich Wills - This Is Spring Mix by Rich Wills

Disko Trooper:
Disko Trooper - In The House by Disko Trooper


Enjoy!!

Introducing... Elijah Collins!! (and our charity party Club Mo - No Mo, No Entry)

Having first met this guy around 2004 and being blown away by his infectious DJ style and tune selection, it was with a little surprise when I first heard of his new side project...

Jnr J was a guaranteed floor filler across the London night life and afterparty scene, playing a mixture of upfront house, tech and electro than would guarantee to send a rocket up the arse of even the most tired and jaded clubbers! His success even spawned one of the great parties of all mother f***ing parties - Jnr's Jamm. Packing out the club in Brixton by the same name with the new and relatively unknown DJ at the time, Sebastien Leger, was definitely a highlight!

So after a number of trips to London's infamous party Lo*Kee, in 2010, Elijah Collins manifested itself in Jnr J and finally came to the surface funkin and blazing its way to the forefront. And apparently, he's here to stay "with a pimpin attitude and sick productions to to match!"

"Having re-invented himself, Jnr now has the total freedom to do as he sees fit focussing on deep house, nu disco, nu funk and anything else with the pimp factor!"

With Elijah Collins having featured at such parties as Creche and Get Diverted, and a number of superb productions alongside his mates Nist and Tee-J, that have been getting support from non other than the mighty Aeroplane, I think it is safe to say that Jnr J's side project has well and truely landed!!

"I love todays music but not as much as I will always love the older stuff so it's time to bring it back without fucking with it too much. Let's modernize this mother....!"

Elijah Collins & Tee-J - J Funk/Holy Smokes (Soundcloud Preview) by ElijahCollins

Elijah Collins & Nist - Love's Down - Shakedown (Shake 'n Bake Edit) • (Soundcloud Preview) by ElijahCollins

Jnr J presents Elijah Collins mixtape apr2011 by ElijahCollins


So, when we came up with the idea of doing a charity event in aid of MOVEMBER, we thought, what better person to invite along to play a funk fuelled set than the man himself?!?!

Party Blurb:

Wanting to club our friends together and raise some money for charity in the process, we thought what better way to celebrate the month of Movember than by throwing our own little get together!?! Welcome to CLUB MO!!

Money raised on the night will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Guys, get growing those MOs... And ladies, have no fear, fake MOs will be available on the door so you don't feel left out (unless you really want to grow your own).

*************************************************************************

Event Info:

CLUB MO - No Mo, No Entry

"presented by East Project & Diasco in association with www.clubbillboard.com & www.davecshaw.com"

Date: FRIDAY 25th NOVEMBER
Venue: to be confirmed
Time: 8pm - 4am
Entry: £3 with a real Mo, £5 without (fake moustaches provided on the door)

Facebook Event Link - Click Here

DJs:
Ethyl (Secretsundaze/Tsuba)
Elijah Collins & TeeJ (Mullet Records)
Gav Memnos & Johnny Mikes (Lower East)
James Clayton & Dan James (Diasco)
Maxworthy & Joe Morley (East Project)
Rich Wills & Dan Frere
Disko "Mo" Trooper

MC/Host/Compere: Ziggy Marlin

Who will have the best real Mo on the night, our host with the most will decide!!

***************************************************************************

Movember Info:

If you fancy "growing a MO for a bro" and raising some money in the process, we have set up a "Club Mo" team on the Movember website. Further info click here