NEWS
EVENTS
Stuart Patterson interview ahead of East Village's 5th birthday celebrations from 31 Jan - 3 Feb
Monday 28th January 2013 | Marie
He has been at the centre of London's avant-garde club scene for over ten years now. Since the 90s, his profile has continually risen, through DJing, club programming and promoting, fanzines or mix compilations and he now takes bookings from remotest spots all around the World.
When did you start your DJing and promoting career?
In the salubrious surroundings of the Loudwater British Legion just outside High Wycombe, Bucks in 1987. The first event was actually packed, good music but shit mixing (don't try turntables for the 1st time in public!) The 2nd one was ruined by some local knobheads thinking they were a bit hard and smashing in the front windows, small town mentality and time to move to London!
East Village are celebrating 5 years – tell me about your journey ?
After realising that promoting shitty venues in Bucks + Berks wasn't the way forward, I moved to London. I started to promote my first nights in London back in the early 90's which were hit and miss. Once the right people realised my dedication and good taste in music , it landed me a selection of DJ gigs, this included my first Friday residency at The Canal Brasserie in Ladbroke Grove. During that period of time I hooked up with another Bucks ex-pat Leo Elstob (now remixer to the stars Leo Zero). We did an eclectic night called Shrink 2 Fit which had a good run in West End clubs like Bar Rumba and Ormonds before Shoreditch was invented. We landed a one-off at Subterania in Ladbroke Grove, proved ourselves and was offered a weekly Saturday night residency.
This is when we launched Soulsonic focusing on proper quality house, whilst the rest of the country where still all about 'super' and 'glam' clubs. This was the late 90's and we had US talent like Kerri Chandler, Mateo+Matos, Maurice Fulton, Darryl Pandy guesting with UK jocks like Kenny Hawkes, Paul 'Trouble' Anderson and Terry Farley. Terry then approached me about starting Faith, these became the best parties spanning 5 years in London, fact!
During this time I also promoted Thursdays at The Social with the lovely Heavenly records crew. I was asked to work some album compilations this in turn raised my profile which helped with DJ bookings. The promoting had to stop apart from the ace but irregular Faith parties. I was lucky enough to travel and jet around the globe virtually through the 2000's with firstly a record box, then a cd wallet and now a flash drive - how times have changed!
In 2002 I bought a flat in Harlesden and stumbled over loads of like minded creative hub of people in the area but realised there was nowhere to drink, light bulb moment! What came next was probably my worst idea to date, The Lodge was born, it was a rough and rocky 3 years which ultimately ended as a financial failure but it was trial and error, there were many legendary nights held there. Fast forward and we are still working with the core team from The Lodge, it was a great insight to running a bigger space like East Village. The Lodge closed in 2007 but East Village opened it’s doors in February 2008, in a more desirable location and area for disco dancing - we haven't looked back since!
List one of your most memorable highlights at the club?
Ummm it’s gotta be the first time I heard the mighty Rodigan and it was at East Village. The term edutainment was surely invented for him. So very happy to have him play for us as part of the 5th birthday celebrations.
In your opinion who are the stars of tomorrow, any tips?
It all seems to be producer led these days, producers i'm enjoying that aren't getting near bus pass age are the likes of : Behling+Simpson, PBR Streetgang, Synkro to name a few of much emerging UK talent.
Where does your musical inspiration come from?
Radio, clubs, record stores, gigs. Lots of variety is the spice of life.
What you do on your days off, how do you wind down ?
Depends on the mood (and the night before) sometimes I go the the gym or cinema and be healthy, sometimes I'll go to the pub or football and get extremely boozed up.
How are you enjoying Radio life, what guests you got coming up?
It's up and down, sometimes you are just wondering if anyone is listening then you get some supporting feedback. It's nice to be able to share good music. Ross Allen (fine London radio presenter) is joining me next week, he is also playing for us at Rootikal on the 1st February as part of a series of gigs at our 5th birthday.
Do you have any international gigs scheduled in the diary?
Yes I do, really looking forward to playing with Murray Richardson (Rebel Waltz) at Tracktower in Sao Paolo on February 9th for The Brazilian carnival and somewhere up in in Bahia the following Saturday. I’m also DJig in Dubai on May 23rd, and Croatia's ace Garden Festival in July with some Spanish jaunts inbetween.
Where do you source your records, favourite record label?
I get sent loads but I'm unable to listen to all of them unfortunately. Freerange never disappoint me on a house tip. I always enjoy a trip to Honest Jon's and Rough Trade when i'm back West to buy some good ole vinyl.
What should we expect at the birthday celebrations?
Some amazing music courtesy of some incredible DJs like: Youngsta, Alexander Nut, Quentin Harris, Die & Krust.. a fully decored club with a proper party vibe.. 5 is quite a milestone in clubland. We are gonna have a lot of fun... We deserve it, hope to see you there...
East Village celebrate their 5th birthday with a series of gigs and all star line up from 31st January – 3rd February. Full line up and tickets available here: http://www.eastvillageclub.co.uk/
