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Features
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Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Welcome to the zoo: interview with the Zoology crew
Reported by spacekitten
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Submitted 24-10-04 15:22
Another year down, another year older and Zoology is about to celebrate their third birthday. In the lead-up to their party – and this interview - I’m reading past reviews and there’s not a bad word to be said. Anywhere. Their policy of mixing musical styles has been wildly successful. The DJs always put in blinding sets, during which time people experience some type of trance (usually hard, acid, euro or tech – sorry!!) and find themselves unable to leave the dance floor all night, then thank the promoter profusely for days afterwards for giving them sore feet….
Glowing reviews, appallingly funny animal puns – definitely deserving of an elephant stamp! (I think this is an Australian concept; for those not in the know an elephant stamp is the equivalent of a gold star)
Which means The Zoology Crew are running a damn fine party…
The 3rd Birthday promises to pull out all stops with the residents being joined by guests Kevin Energy, Rubec, Tin Tin (aka Oli Cassidy) and Daegal Brain. Lured by the prospect of presents, glitter bombs and pyrotechnics (not necessarily in that order) I stepped into the enclosure for the scoop on the Zoo crew.
Oh, and, in the interests of producing a truly balanced and objective piece of writing, I asked a few of you what you thought of Zoology…I expect more of you will tell us what you think at the space at the end of the interview (that’s right, the bit that says: Comments)
How did Zoology come about and why?
Zoology came about after the success of Vinyl Zoo’s launch party at the Office Bar in September 99. We had a very busy party on a Wednesday night and just about everyone there demanded we do another. After a bit of searching the 414 came available and the rest as they say is history.
What is the relationship between Vinyl Zoo and Zoology?
Vinyl Zoo is Zoology’s big brother. Like real big brothers he can be a bit mean and nasty, but deep down he loves his little brother really.
To put it simply, Vinyl Zoo is our record label, which has been put aside for now, so we can maintain the quality of our parties. That said, with the popularity of MP3 downloads, Vinyl Zoo will be re-launching in the not too distant future and all our previous releases will become available again alongside some newer material and remixes. (Thanks to a team up with imorecords )
What is the philosophy behind Zoology parties?
To have brilliant parties with a variety of musical styles progressing through the night and to have a mad time doing it. We always said we wanted to throw the kind of parties we’d never found elsewhere.
What music styles does Zoology cover?
Pretty much all of them in a dance music sense, except Garage. We’ve had DJs playing everything from Funky House, Progressive, Breaks, Hard House, Hard Trance, Freeform, Techno and proper Trance. I’ve probably forgotten a few as well.
At the moment we are focusing on Classics as we saw a gap in the market for a regular Classics party. We also wanted the chance to dip deeper into our record collections and encourage our guests to think a bit more about what they play for us, rather than bashing out a set of their current biggest tunes. Two parties on, it seems to be a success though whether we remain a Classics party forever will depend on how things are in six months.
Who is involved with Zoology and what does everyone do?
The Future Sound Of Elvis, B.S.E, RedCaT and Latex Zebra actually run Zoology. Markus Buhmann is a resident. As for what we all do, erm, Elvis makes the tea, RedCaT buys the tea, B.S.E demands which way the tea should be stirred and Dan drinks the tea.
We all do whatever is needed from flyer design, online promotion, sourcing DJs and on the night, making sure everything runs smoothly.
We are very lucky to have supportive partners, DJ Shimmer, Pink Kitty , Tracy (VZ’s No1 Fan), & DJ Widow respectively. They all chip in and help, as does young Zem who, as well as dancing non stop at our parties, recently started providing extra entertainment. I’ll leave that to your imaginations.
Who have you had on the line-ups at Zoology parties?
I couldn’t possibly list them all, or remember them for that matter. The *Ting*, DJ Wag, Steve Blake and Roosta, with Kevin Energy and Rubec to be added to that after our Birthday. Shaf De Bass, Lucy Fur, Ian Betts, Tin Tin and Daegal Brain to name a few more.
Anyone you'd like to have play that hasn't yet?
Yeah, quite a few. I’m not sure I want to name them as it will ruin the surprise should we be able to book them. We do like to think big with our DJs as well as supporting the scene and up and coming DJs too. Andy Farley and Steve Hill would be two that immediately spring to mind.
Have you always held your parties at 414?
Zoology always has, and hopefully always will be at 414. We are very happy there and we have an excellent relationship with the owners.
We’ve done quite a few joint ventures too, both in 414 and outside. We’ve teamed up with Frantic vs Wildchild, Logic, Redtrip, The Gathering, Oblivion, Liquid Tek and used to throw Milkology parties with Milk, which were fab.
I’m sure we’ll do more in the future, in fact we have one lined up with Frantic for our December party. The finishing details are just being worked out but it should be one of the biggest parties 414 has seen for a while.
Much as we love teaming up, it’s important not to do it all the time as you run the risk of losing your own identity and they could become a bit predictable.
We also have a good relationship with Harddance.net and run a show on there every other Wednesday night, which always seems to get a good response.
What's in store for the birthday event?
Lots of presents for us I hope!!
We have an amazing line up with all the residents being joined by Rubec (Logic), Tin Tin (Dirty DJs), Daegal Brain (Twisted) and Kevin Energy (Nu Energy Collective),
Added to that, a massive CD giveaway, lots of party poppers and glitter bombs and the best music you’ll hear in Brixton that night.
Tell us a funny story or something people might not know about Zoology...
I don’t think that anyone knows that Zoology is actually funded by a group of rich Dwarves in Swansea.
Every party throws up another funny story but some highlights include, DJ Widow being brained by a toilet door and getting a black eye out off it, the promoters being asked by randoms what they think of the music and us going round the club with Birthday cake for everyone at 3:37am and wondering why no-one wants any?
Erm, do you have a fixation with animals?
Elvis does, the smaller and furrier the better.
I think all of the Zoology guys own pets so we are an animal loving bunch. Not sure about Markus though, at all really.
Future plans... ?
More Zoology Classics, more interesting and varied line-ups, a few more parties at other venues, the launch of www.vinylzoo.com, the continuation of our show on www.harddance.net and taking over a small country
What style/s do you play individually?
Latex Zebra: Mainly Trance, be it hard, fluffy or techy. I do dabble with other stuff like Hardstyle and the odd bit of Hard House or Techno. Lots of classics mixed up among the modern stuff whether I'm at Zoology or guesting.
RedCaT: Anything from trance, hard dance to the funkier end of Techno more often than not in the same set
B.S.E: Preferably techno but I am more than happy to play hard/acid/psy trance.
Elvis: Hard House / Hard Trance with some traces of Techno and NRG.
Markus: Chunky proggy techy, house, breaks and trance. Pretty much anything below 145 bpm. Except of course sh*te/post 2003 funky house and hard house, because neither are really funky or house respectively.
Who has influenced you, who inspires you?
LZ: My friends and family inspire me and keep me going. Influence wise, most of the producers on Overdose.
R: All the Zoo Crew! That's why we work together and I have always loved Dave Clark, Jeff Mills and Carl Cox. As producers and live acts Chemical brothers and Orbital, I have almost all of the vinyl that Orbital has ever released. Dave the Drummer blew me away recently as well. Most of the drive to do this is from watching the dance floor at Club 414 or where every we are involved in club nights (never tire of crowd watching, interaction between the DJ and the crowd and clubbers with other clubbers)
B: I'm not easily inspired but I was most definitely influenced by The Liberators.
E: Tinrib is one of my main influences especially the captain and weirdo! I find though I go through stages of liking different artists! Karim tracks seem to keep appearing in my sets recently. DJs who influence me? Well there are so many!!! Which include the Zoologists, Redtrip Dj's, Swamp Dj's, Matt Style, A.M.S, Shaf De Bass, and of course Kevin Energy...Did I tell you were doing a back2back at Birthday . Oh and of course Dj Shimmer for making me get off my arse and get out there!
M: Of the big names, guys like Nick Warren, Tiesto and Sasha. At the coalface my biggest influences are Miss C (Queen of Battle Royale, Becomeone and possibly the universe), Daegal Brain (Twisted Trance maestro), my housemate the King of Sketch (aka Matt Dahl) and our glorious leader the Plastic Pony, I mean Latex Zebra.
Any releases/collaborations you can tell us about?
LZ: Not from me, though I do have an extensive back catalogue on Vinyl Zoo. Maybe in the New Year when my life is a little more settled again (I've recently become a father in case you have no idea who I am)
R: Well I have 3 releases on Vinyl Zoo, Zoology and Truth (as part of the BSE, Latex Zebra and RedCaT combo called the Zoologist) and Lies, a solo project. As well as my two outings with good friend Adrian, one called A Drain on the Bushman and the other The Fear both unreleased available to download from www.vinylzoo.co.uk
B: Apart from the Them Blokes & Zoologist tracks with Vinyl Zoo records, no.
E: I have two tracks written with Nu Nrg Boy Wonder, AMS, and one track written with AMS & Flip. All are unreleased, though one of my tracks was played on the Nu Nrg Collective PA @ Chemistry 2nd Birthday. So you never know, it might get signed up.
M: A couple of bootlegs I've done with my studio buddy are blowing up on the house scene, but I can't say what they are (obviously) but they should be finding their way to club near you after plays out in Ibiza, the Cross and Brixton Academy.
Other than that Jake Griffiths and I are hard at work working on new material. "Neon", a progressive house tune, our first collaboration has been well received and is generating a bit of interest and we're putting the finishing touches on our second prog house tune "Malfunction" which I'm quite excited about.
What are your musical goals?
LZ: A peak time main room set at the Fridge and SE1 would make me very happy indeed. A few sets abroad would be nice as well but again, not a priority now I have a family.
R: To keep on playing the music that I love and putting on the best party we can. Studio time is definitely on the cards for December - keep you posted.
B: One high into the top corner and nutmegging the keeper at least once In seriousness though, I think musically I strive to show people that techno isn't as bad as it seems....
E: To play out regularly, keep improving my skills and writing more tracks!
M: To be able to play a set of my own tunes and remixes and it going right off (matey).
Most memorable Djing moment?
LZ: Either my Classic Trance Set at Frantic vs Wildchild or when I played after DJ Wag at Zoology.
R: Can't choose just one sorry, so Timeless @ Mass when I pulled out some 96 trance classics with Charlie Rox back to back, loved it! A three and a half hour b2b with Latex Zebra to a full Just Groove @ Club 414 on back holiday last year wow!
Promoting moment: simple really - DJ Wag 1st gig in London for Zoology @ Club 414
B: Either the first Milkology when I stole D'Marr Ford's crowd after I was so nervous going "up against him" in the other room, or I think it'd have to be when we co-hosted a room for Frantic/Wildchild. Due to unforeseen circumstances of rooms not opening the times we were told, I didn't get to play my set in the Classics room. But at about 0300 I got to mix one tune. Now you may think "ooooh big deal one tune" but you'd be wrong. I got up there, dropped Josh Wink, watched everyone go crazy then stepped away from the decks. Gotta love that!!!
E: Mixing in Prodigy Firestarter @ RedCaT & Pink Kitty's Wedding Reception Others would include, Zoology @ 414 (7th Mar 2003) My 1st ever London set and they made me a resident afterwards! NICE. Redtrip @ Purple Turtle (12th Sept 2003) Bak2Bak with Slacky, I was playing hard trance and he was mixing tekno! and it worked really well. E-Ratic @ The Fridge (11th Jan 2004) Played the main stage! That had been a dream for many years. Promoting moment: Zoology @ 414 (6th Aug 2004) Myself and B.S.E were left in charge while Dan was happy being a Dad and RedCaT was away! We thought we would ruin the Zoology name!!! but instead had a wicked party.... with hard trance legend Steve Blake
M: When Dan (Latex Zebra) ran from the bar to the DJ booth after I dropped the Rollo and Sister Bliss remix of "I Feel Love" to thank me. I got offered the Zoo residency soon after.
The last word, however, goes to the punters…chosen completely randomly of course (honest!)
Zoology is the London party I have been to the most. I first went to the zoo totally by accident: I was at The Gallery & as Markus Buhmann was leaving, he asked if I would like to come down to Zoology. A decision I have not regretted as I’ve been to nearly every party since. That was a year ago!
What keeps me coming is the enthusiasm Dan and his fellow zoologists have for their party and the music. Zoology’s varied music policy has enabled me to discover other genres of music, in particular techno and acid techno. The crowd that Zoology attracts to 414 are clearly there for the music, as most of them never leave the dance floor all night! For me, Zoology offers everything I look for in a party, varied music, friendly punters with a kind & caring promoter! Nice work, Zoology, I’ll be back for more! Nesa
The music policy of the new look Zoology is eclectic with one overarching constant - quality. Everybody involved with Zoology is passionate, friendly and dedicated to putting on a proper party every month.
Containing people such as strange Uncle Dan, young prodigy nephew Elvis and loveably deranged little sis' Zem - Zoology is a family… albeit a dysfunctional one with Social Services keeping a careful eye on proceedings. For a pandtastic evening. hop along with bearly a hesitation and have a whale of a time with the Zoology crew.
And this one from my girlfriend....”My gold hotpants had been hung up for two and a half years after semi-retirement from clubbing. Zoology has persuaded me back out again - although the hotpants remain in the wardrobe...for now.” - Lins (Mrs Spencer) Spencer
When I first heard of vinyl zoo I naturally assumed it'd be a strange night with a menagerie of different animals grunting and squealing. I wasn't far off, although disappointingly as yet I've not had a "mummy, what is that monkey doing to itself?" moment, which is always the highlight of a visit to the zoo. Maybe I should go again when Shaf's playing Benedict
check the website for more on Zoology
Tune in to Zoology Radio every second Wednesday night on www.hardddance.net
Zoology's 3rd Birthday
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On:
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Friday 5th November 2004
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At:
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CLUB 414 [map]
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From:
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10pm till 6am
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Cost:
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£10 All night - £8 with Flyer/Paying Guest list
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Website:
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www.vinylzoo.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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Full names to guest@vinylzoo.co.uk
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More:
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In September 2001 Vinyl Zoo records was born and launched at the Office Bar, London.
After ramming them in on a Wednesday, our friends demanded more and Zoology was born that November.
Now 3 years on after over 50 parties on our own or with a variety of parties we are 3.
We are particularly proud of this achievement given the ups and downs of the Hard Dance scene over the last few years. A testament perhaps to the varied music policy we have employed and the wonderful people we have convinced to join us.
So to celebrate we have pulled out all the stops to give you, as always, a night of mixed up music from the finest DJs we could enlist.
There will be a massive CD giveaway and no doubt other freebies on offer once we have finished emptying Pound Shops of their animal related stuff.
Zoology is 3
Friday 5th November 2004
Club 414, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9
22:00 till 6:00am
£10 all night
£8 paying guest list guest@vinylzoo.co.uk
www.vinylzoo.co.uk
The DJs
Markus Buhmann
Since joining us as resident Markus has done nothing but wow the crowds at Zoology with his seamless mixing, fantastic taste in music and true understanding of the concept of warm ups. Markus has promised as a “Global Underground” style warm up for the Birthday and we can’t wait.
Rubec (Logic)
Logic resident Rubec has been behind the decks longer than some of our regulars have been alive. His energy and drive is one of the many reasons Logic is the success it is.
We are honored to have a DJ of his caliber and experience join us for the Birthday.
Latex Zebra b2b Daegal Brain (Twisted/Tilt)
The Zebra needs no introduction around these parts; suffice to say his 3 years on the scene have seen him grace some of the biggest and best parties around. Except Twist.
He will be teaming up with Twisted/Tilt resident and general Trance Godfather in town Daegal Brain for another mammoth back 2 back set, after the success of their first team up last year.
B.S.E b2b RedCaT
These two Zoology residents have also shined over the last few years with B.S.E earning a reputation as one of the capitals finest Techno DJs, especially with the launch of Techstyle which he co-promotes. At Zoology he is known for his agrresive musical style and crazed antics behined the decks.
RedCaT has earned a reputation as a DJ who can mix up a variety of styles in one set, going from Trance to Hard Dance to Techno and back again.
Together they will deliver a mixture of styles, mixed to perfection.
The Future Sound of Elvis b2b Kevin Energy
We are awaiting confirmation of our final guest and we’ll announce them as soon as we can. Believe us when we say it is a very special guest who will work very well with Elvis.
Elvis on the other hand needs no introduction either as he has quickly climbed the ladder from unknown to regular man about town in a very short space of time.
His energy and passion shows with the music he plays, Hard, Trancey and Energectic sets that, as with the other residents, crosses the genres of Hard Dance many times.
Tin Tin a.k.a Oli Cassidy
Oli Cassidy is the brains behind Dirty DJs, and a DJ who has played for just about every Hard Dance party in London and at every venue.
Suiting the Zoology ethos perfectly, he is a DJ who plays the best music, no matter what style it is.
Backed up with exceptional skills and experience behind the decks, and with a glowing personality that your Mum would like Oli rounds of our Birthday party perfectly.
See you all there.
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Other Features By spacekitten: Dirty vibes for filthy minds As Above, So Below: it all comes together at Atomic Energy’s 6th Birthday True to Type: an interview with that bangin' duo Type 1 DJs... More than hardcore: an interview with MC, producer & DJ Sharkey Logic's 5th Birthday: interview with Nadya Logic
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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