Revenge Is Sweet...

In a subtly ironic way, the last thing of Graeme Clark's (aka The Revenge) mind is to exact his namesake on anyone or anything. Basically he's a thoroughly nice bloke and all round talented tune selector, which made him the perfect spinster to follow Villalobos and Richards at last weekend's birthday debauchery.

Hotter than Gordon Ramsay's kitchen (but not as hot as the tedious Scottish link we hooked up there), the Glasgow-based producer had seen 2009 fly by and smack him in the face with a huge heap of praise. From disco dons to house heads, it seems we all can't get enough of The Revenge. Just watch your back and remember...revenge is sweet.

Hi Graeme, It’s been 10 years since fabric first opened its doors - did you expect to be playing at the club a decade on?
I remember reading about fabric when I was just starting to put out records and wondering if I'd get the chance to play one day. I'm glad it's happened and I'm glad they are still going strong. It's one of the few clubs that has consistently had it's finger on the pulse and its survival through hard times is testament to that.

In fact, Scotland seems to have flourished with the re-emergence of disco and deep house, can you put a finger on this? There’s a wealth of talent springing from north of the border…..
I think Scotland has always had a great musical output for such a small place. Glasgow in particular has a strong club scene and you can go out any night of the week and see great bands and DJs playing. We're spoilt for choice, really.

You’ve worked closely with Sub Club’s Harri in the past...he’s kind of what Craig and Terry are to fabric, would you agree? You’ve rekindled that partnership of late right?
Yes - Harri's a really good friend. We met just after I'd moved to Glasgow 8 years ago and started making tracks together. Harri is the godfather of House in Glasgow and his passion for music in general is infectious. You just need to visit the Sub Club on a Saturday night to see what I mean. We've been back in the studio recently working on material so there'll be new stuff in 2010.

Your productions are flying off the shelf as quickly as they are getting into the shops - successes on Delusions of Grandeur and Instruments of Rapture, amongst many others, has made it quite a year for you….
2009 kinda took me by surprise. A few different projects came together and I've had the chance to experience a lot more of the world than I could imagine. F**k knows what it'd be like to win X-factor...this is more than enough for me!

Not to mention your own Five20East imprint - what are the plans for the label in the future? It's been going for a long time, has it evolved with you? You like to dabble in different sounds……
Five20East is having a sabbatical at the moment. It's more of a store for our own products just now, as I've been concentrating on production and remixing this year. There's no grand plan to be honest - we'll see what 2010 brings.

You seem to fill that deep disco mid-way point that satisfies the hardest techno jocks and the purest disco dons - how did you come to making that kind of music? You’re part of a leading group including the likes of Mark E and the Scandinavians, not bad company to be keeping….
I've always had a really eclectic taste in music and my influences stretch across the musical spectrum. I try to make what I feel, and although it's based mainly around a House groove, I take inspiration where I find it, regardless of tempo or genre.

Your edits are held in high regard, similar to the likes of Todd Terje - are edits a good way of getting your foot in the disco door?
Thanks. Not necessarily - I've always made edits primarily for my own DJ sets, not for other people. The fact that others are able to enjoy them is great, but I would say that you need to edit for your own purposes. Most of my edits that have appeared in physical format have been part of my sets for a long time.

I think many people would like to know about the name, The Revenge - why and where did it come from?
I keep that one to myself :)

To end on a slightly obvious yet necessary birthday tangent; what is your perfect birthday bash record?
Rare Earth - "I Just Want To Celebrate."


So if you could wrap up a little present for the club that has everything, what would you give fabric for its 10th birthday?
A small picture of Gary Wilmot. My friend carries one around in his wallet for some reason and I think it brings him good fortune.