There’s certainly a healthy amount of competition in the afterparty scene at the moment. After a lengthy period where the it seemed to die down a bit in terms of variety, we now seem to be back to those good old days where we are spoilt for choice. The crack-on scene is stronger than ever! And something that has no doubt helped to keep Twist consistently around the top of the pile has been the birth of their new Twist Arcade concept.
To guide us through what exactly the Twist Arcade concept entails, we thought we’d interview young Tommy Four Seven — one of the driving forces behind the concept and of course resident DJ at Twist for sometime now. His profile is definitely on the up, with some seriously impressive gigs rolling in — a sign of things to come! This Saturday sees a big big big Hard House Academy afterparty at Factory with Twist going head-to-head with Frantic once again... and with such a tasty line-up in Room 2, it’s going to be pretty damn tough deciding which room to stomp in!
So Tommy… how have things been progressing for you over the last year or so?
Well things are definitely going in the right direction and it’s a very exciting time. I’ve played some amazing gigs including Eyes Need Sugar in Paris, Playtime at The Egg and my most recent highlight, Together at Turnmills.
Production-wise, I have tracks forthcoming on David Duriez’s Block Records, IO Music and a joint production with Alex Parsons on Brique Rouge.
Alex Parsons with Tommy
What do you busy yourself when you aren’t DJing, producing or promoting?
Predominantly studying a BA Hons in Music Technology at the London College of Music and Media. It’s extremely interesting and taught by industry legends such as Pip Williams! In between that ill be dining and DVDing with my girlfriend.
We recently saw the rebranding of the 2nd room at Twist as Twist Arcade… what was the thinking behind this?
The Arcade room at Twist isn’t just another back room, so we felt by giving its own name and image, it would help to show this. It also means we can market the room separately, such as housing its own flyer.
For those who might not know, could you describe the musical policy at Twist Arcade?
Twist Arcade covers a wide spectrum of House music. From deep and progressive to the more techno electro driven side.
How much input do you have to what goes on in this room?
I work very closely with the Twist team deciding on DJs and programming the room.
You all seem pretty happy with the Factory since the move from Fire a while back… is there any groovy additions you’d make to the club if money was no object?
Yes I’m very happy with the move and many people have commented on the friendly atmosphere and freshness of the venue. The Factory layout is excellent in allowing 2 completely separate rooms. This means clubbers coming just for the Arcade room can walk straight in without knowing the other room exists.
As for additions… hmm maybe a Jacuzzi by the DJ booth
Who have been your favourite guests so far? What criteria do you use when deciding who to book?
So many guests offer different and great attributes but one regular guest and a good example for our criteria is Tania von Pear. She really knows how to play the room and her enthusiasm rubs off with the crowd, which makes for an electric atmosphere. Also electro whore, Mikki Most from Trailer Trash and Brazilian whizz-kid Vitor Lima, his scratching with his elbow was awesome!
What exciting guests have you got lined-up?
We’ve got such a plethora of guests including debuts from Johnny Arthur, Andy Price, PK, 2 Phunked Up, Brothers of Woo, Cheshire Catz and of course this week Big Daddy and Mark Sun, 2 very exciting DJs indeed!
Like it or not, there’s obviously a certain stigma attached to a party that features a room of hard house. There are types who might be put off by this. Do you feel you have managed to infiltrate the house/electro crowd who are unassociated with the hard house scene? Do you still feel there is a lot of prejudice around?
It’s a shame this stigma does exist and it seems the UK is the worst when it comes to musically snobbery. If people are pretentious then I would rather they went to another party, as I would prefer to gain atmosphere to feet on floors.
However this prejudice doesn’t exist in all clubbers and we seem to prove this as we attract a strong crowd purely for the Arcade room. Many people get up religiously on a Sunday morning to Twist.
How has your progress been going in the house/electro scene? You’ve had some massive gigs recently…
As I mentioned earlier I have played some excellent gigs and played with some of my favourite artists. My most recent gig at Together was awesome, playing in the main room was a total buzz and the crowd were rocking. Together have some monster line-ups, ready to eat you whole! The choice and quality really shows how alive the techno/house scene is, this really is an exciting time!
How was warming up for Fischerspooner?
Once at the club I soon found out that the set times had been changed and I would be warming up for David Guetta. It was an honour and very inspiring to be playing along side some truly great artists who have achieved a great deal.
There’s a very big Twist coming up this Sunday straight after hard house Academy, in association with Frantic. Do the parties with Frantic differ from the regular ones in any way?
The Frantic crowd are very open-minded and always add to the electric atmosphere, so not differing too much
Tell us about the special debut guests in the Twist Arcade room…
First we have Playtime head honcho, Big Daddy! Playtime is one uber-cool party held monthly at the Egg, playing the freshest stripped down house music. He never disappoints and I was really impressed with his set at Turnmills in January, his sound really suits the Arcade feel.
Mark Sun our second debut DJ is really making a name for himself on the London circuit. His productions enjoy plays from DJs such as Paul van Dyk, Jo Mills, Tall Paul, Gavyn Mytchell and he has just signed a new release with the Cheshire Catz new imprint.
And finally, what one track are you just dying to drop at Twist vs Frantic? Something really filthy perhaps…
One track that’s really doing the rounds for me and I’m always itching to play is ‘Talk’ by Zombie Nation. I’ts out on Kompact and the bass is phenomenal, blowing doing everything in sight including Steelo, who’s face I’ll never forget as the g-force glued him to the wall!
From: dani don 22nd Feb 2006 17:35.37 Great interview Tommy,keep it electro!!
From: MR_Son 22nd Feb 2006 17:44.15 Are you sure it was the trak that was causing Steelo to pull that face
From: steelo kuchikion 22nd Feb 2006 17:51.39 big up the man like tommy
From: Zoeleeon 22nd Feb 2006 17:57.40 Good stuff! Haven't been to Twist for a while now maybe it's tiome for my next visit soon.
From: twiston 22nd Feb 2006 17:59.31 is Tommy the princess Diana of the electro house scene? By that I mean, do you ever see him wear the same T-shirt twice?
From: Jennie Bon 22nd Feb 2006 19:16.00 Wicked interview Tommy I def think i am gonna be spending more time in the arcade playing this weekend
From: Darzon 23rd Feb 2006 00:16.28 Loving it T man loving it. Rock on!!
From: Jennie Bon 23rd Feb 2006 10:10.30 Shouldn't that be Rock on Tommy
From: Lizzie Curiouson 23rd Feb 2006 10:29.55 nice one T47!!
From: Hannah Wildon 23rd Feb 2006 11:01.09 Good work Tommy!
From: Danny Gilliganon 23rd Feb 2006 11:18.23 Top boy Tommy! nice work mate.
From: Brothers of Wooon 23rd Feb 2006 14:20.15 The Brothers of Woo are looking forward to rocking and DAMN rolling the Arcade alongside the T47 on March 12. Yeh baby shake those hips
From: richbowenukon 23rd Feb 2006 15:51.21 nice one Tommy!
From: WEBBOon 23rd Feb 2006 18:22.01 looking forward to checking it out this sunday after HHA , keep up the good work tommy
From: Anastasia_kon 23rd Feb 2006 19:19.03 Excellent interview tommy boy
From: *antixa*on 23rd Feb 2006 20:05.40 I'm still quoting myself as saying he's the golden boy of electro =)
From: HorHeyon 24th Feb 2006 08:00.18 Wicked Interview Mr Tom Meister.. See you sunday Dude
From: Bex Bunnyon 24th Feb 2006 10:10.53 great interview!
From: sunvisordudeon 24th Feb 2006 10:44.48 hey tommy. thanks for keeping it real. tommy is the guy who actually got me into electro in first place. see you soon T.
From: Mariaon 24th Feb 2006 12:22.45 Well done babe! I remember the first time I listen to your set was at the Fridge and really enjoyed it. See you on Sunday. Mwwwhhhaaaa
From: zimboliciouson 2nd Mar 2006 00:38.40 I remember my first time to babe
Hope to hear you on tour down under, they'll lap you up down here
From: hard_house_babyon 6th Mar 2006 11:04.36 great interview got it in one tommy hehe
hope your doing ok will see you agin soon as i got some more tunes for ya that you will like
p.s those cd's you gave me can't stop playing them there really good
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