Back 2 Back: lo*kee

This NYE, we welcome back the lo*kee clan to our Room 3. Ahead of the occasion we asked all the players in the back-to-back-a-thon to go round table, and answer some questions pertaining to the last night of the year and their respective personal heritages. So Sebastian Voigt, Nisekay, Louis Guilhem, Blind Minded, Olof Enar from the Monchhichi Boys and fabric regular jozif got together to provide our most epic back to back interview yet. What’s more Nisekay even put together a promo mix for the night, selecting a vibe you can expect up top on Friday 31st December. Download: Nisekay - lo*kee loved 2010 Promo Mix What was your most memorable lo*kee moment of 2010? Sebastian: Beating the volcano in march by driving 20 hours to Berlin (one way!) with 13 of us to do a lo*kee night at Salon Wilde Renate - was well worth it! Olof Enar: The second set that Leif did at lo*kee in November, pure magic. Louis Guilhem: wahou so many, in some ways all the lok*ee are memorable, the last one with the Cesar s birthday was pretty special, the closing party of the Candy Factory too, but almost everytime I go to a lo*kee I’m like "hum, I think this one was probably the best one." Nisekay : Wow. There are so many to choose from. For me, it would have to be driving to Berlin for lo*kee @ Wilde Renate. Our flights were cancelled due to volcanic ash clouds(!) so we decided to hire a minibus and go on a 16 hour road-trip with all the crew. We were more than rewarded by such an amazing party. lo*kee in one room and Villalobos, Zip and Matt John in the other. It was such a special weekend! Back in London, Lee Curtiss' closing set on Valentines day was pretty special. dOp (and life size panda) at the Russian Strip Club was also next level and for me, Tom Clarks 4 hour set in October was another big highlight. Like I say, way too many to choose from! I think fabric New Year’s Eve is going to sneak its way into this list right at the end as well… Jozif: Hmmmm, it’s probably a tossup between my 1st gig and when Craig and Seth Topless, sorry, Troxler, went b2b. An amazing, sweaty, night! In your opinion, what was the best and worst thing to come out of electronic music this year? Sebastian: Hard to pin down, I prefer to focus on the good things and not waste my energy thinking about the bad ones. Generally speaking I like the way that the whole scene seems to be going: less loopy, more musical… Olof Enar: For me the best would be the natural opening of people´s mind when it comes to music. It feels like the public has been feeling more receptive about more experimental styles. The worst: ‘We No Speak Americano,’ also known by all Spanish people as ‘Pan Pan Americano.’ Louis Guilhem: Worst thing, I don’t really have something in mind really, except when underground turns into commercial… Ah yeah the bar 25 is closed :( that’s sad but I have so many amazing memories from there and I guess all good things have to end. I’m sure the bar 25 crew is not gonna stop there. The best thing, this year is the London scene. We’re very lucky to get that kind of party where you meet the promoter and you realise they have as much passion for the music as you do. You don’t get that so often especially form where I come from. Blindminded: I would much rather remember the good things. I guess the use of Soundcloud and the way technology is helping new producers to get their work out. It is a filthy business but it always pays the good workers. Jozif: wow, tricky one. Not really sure how to answer this one... Lots of amazing comps and albums: Damian Lazarus’ fabric 54 mix, Matthew Johnsons’ ‘Agents of Time’, Patrice Baumel Vapour, Guillaume & The Coutu Dumonts’ ‘Breaking the 4th Wall,’ Howie B ‘44_1k,’ Martin Buttrich ‘Crash Test’... the list goes on... Great new hardware like Dave Smith’s Mopho... Amazing shows like Aphex Twin closing We Love Space in Ibiza. Remixes by Tales of Us & Melon. Original Music from people like Maya Jane Coles, Paul Loraine, Fred Prest & Trickski... The label Life and Death. What does it mean to be celebrating NYE with lo*kee at fabric? Sebastian: It means a lot! It makes me proud and very happy to be able to take my underground quality into this institution, which certainly is one of the most important of its kind worldwide. It’s a symbiosis that makes perfect sense to me. Olof Enar: It means being part of a really renowned club on a very special night. Louis Guilhem: It means a lot! fabric is so far my favorite club in the world and it comes from somebody who has been clubbing a lot! It’s not only of the soundsystem and the place but the people who run it, fabric its much more than a club, it’s a music institute, so playing there is a massive honor, and to spent it with lo*kee could not be better. They’re not only my favorite party but also my family. Nisekay: It means a lot, it really does. fabric without question is the biggest force in electronic music in this country, it is such an honour to be involved. I know it’s going to be a really special night. Jozif: Not quite sure I have the vocabulary to actually explain it properly. Both fabric and lo*kee are run by my favourite people. So to play a lo*kee party at fabric is simply immense... and it's in Room 3!... And it's on NYE!!!! How do you intend to make this a special night for those seeing in the New Year? Sebastian: Come and join us and I’ll show you. Olof Enar: Guilhem and I have prepared a ‘sexy deluxe 6000’ set for you all, get ready. Louis Guilhem: Aha! That’s a question I was exepecting. I’m playing with Olof so thats already special! We’re planning some audio surprises, but I can’t say more about it… Nisekay: By bringing some lo*kee spirit to the club. We have been lucky enough to have some amazing parties this year. The main reason behind this has been all the amazing people that turn up and support us week in, week out. I know everyone is really looking forward to this one, so I’m sure it is going to be a good one. I’m going to be playing back to back with some crazy Italian guy which will certainly add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the evening!! It’s been another big year for Giorgio and we always come up with something special when we play together. We will be starting the New Year for everyone in Room 3 and we have got something very special planned for you all. Jozif: Meet me in room 3 on December 31st and I’ll show you... Tell us about your favourite New Year’s Eve party and any mischievous stories you can share with us? Olof Enar: All I could remember was way too embarrassing to share here.... Louis Guilhem: this one I’m not sure you should use it but it’s a funny story: All the NYEs been great since I’ve been in London but the second NYE I spent here was four years ago and I was not playing anywhere at that time. I was just starting to be a DJ and went to a friend’s party in Hackney to play some records. The party was pretty weak for a NYE and the soundsystem had some trouble so we could not play music. 5 friends and I decided to head off to 1001 where we knew there’d be a better party. When we arrived there was a massive queue, plus the price of the entrance was really expensive. After this chaotic house party we were like, there is no way we’re not getting in for New Year, so I looked at my DJ bag and told my friends to follow me. I went straight to the bouncer by the other side of the queue and while I was looking at my friends I told him that they were all with me. It all went really quick, he asked me if I was a DJ and I said yes. We all got in for free and the funniest thing is that in the end I even played! I’d just started to get to know the people there and one of the DJs was drunk and didn’t want to play so I replaced him! Blindminded: I can tell you the strangest one I ever spent: I was drinking sparkling water with a friend watching 5 different NYEs happening simultaneously around the world on a computer screen. We ended up sleeping at about 3am trying to decide whether to go out or stay at home! Jozif: NYE 1996 – that was the night that made me wanna play records to people! What was your favourite story to come of 2010; whether it be music, political, fashion or random? Sebastian: Wikileaks! Music wise, it’s been fantastic to watch some of our good friends becoming globally successful in 2010, like dOP, Seth and of course Cesar. Olof Enar: George Michael getting caught having sex with a jobless van driver in Hampstead Heath. Blindminded: I really don't know about a story to tell. Regarding our party, I am happy that new people have joined the lo*kee crew. From the bar staff to the residents, it is good that we are all feeling the city in the same way, making the party a very special place to meet. London mixes together cultures, tastes, and a way of living life. This is what is making lo*kee the centre point for my musical experience. Is that enough of a story? Ahahahaha… Nisekay: The story of the year for me has been Jay Haze's charity work to improve the lives of children and communities in South America. His 'Toys and Needs Project' has gained massive support across the industry and is raising awareness as well as money across the globe. I urge you to support Jay’s project and go and buy him a drink in Room 1. Jozif: A guy in Germany told me he won the lottery, and then lost his ticket whilst out celebrating, only to have some little old lady knock on his door and bring it back to him the next day. He’d dropped it on the way out of the pub. He gave her half! We have to ask…any New Years resolutions? Sebastian: Nope, just continuing the journey. Olof Enar: To get my ass moving get more things done. Louis Guilhem: No, I’m really happy with everything, my friends the music etc... the only resolution that I would make is to keep it all as it is and maybe eat more vegetables. What can lo*kee lovers look forward to from you next year? Olof Enar: I'm intending to do more dramatic entrances [to my gigs] such as riding into the room on three albino horses accompanied by twelve trombone playing midgets. Louis Guilhem: Diving into the lokee crowd (I’m sure we can do it!). Revenge against the glitter man. Nisekay: Much more of the same really. We are working on some really big lineups to bring to you in 2011 both for lo*kee and lo*kee loves, our new Saturday night venture. We like to keep 'lo*kee' about our plans, but its safe to say we have a few surprises lined up for you all. Jozif: Hopefully lots more good music...original, remixes and edits. The Fist or Finger project seems to be picking up steam and I've got some cool little bits coming on Compost, Infine & Mobilee... For full event info go here.