This months Insekt sees us celebrate our in-house label Flash Point Records’ 3rd birthday and celebrate we shall in style. Top of the bill sees a genuine world exclusive back to back featuring Insekt residents Justin Bourne and Marc Johnson, who will be supported by Flash Point favourites James Nardi and Dynamic Intervention, with Steve Maynard and Peter Ward making their main room debuts. In the Fire Pit this month, Insekt welcomes one of the North’s most talked about and visited hotspots, Housewives Choice.
Housewives Choice has been at the forefront of the Leeds hard house scene for the past 7 years. This little night in Leeds has built a reputation for the no nonsense party club that it is — anything goes! Over the years Housewives has seen some of the key players within the hard house scene grace the one and twos, with BK playing at the first ever event way back 1999! The legacy has continued, with the likes of now Radio One DJ Kutski, Phil Reynolds, Ed Real, Justin Bourne, Marc Johnson, Sol Ray, Lee Haslam and Paul Maddox gracing the decks, as well as Mixmag Future Heros, Ben Stevens, Caz Banks, JP and Jukesy, Alex Kidd and local DJs Shan and GRH.
Next Saturday, one of the djs involved in the HWC room is Simon Paul. Like many, Simon has been an avid clubber of hard house for many years, but is now starting to make waves with his own label and tracks produced with friend Jon BW. I had a brief chat to find out more about what we can expect from Simon on the night and from the night as a whole as Insekt welcome Housewives Choice.
Hi Simon, before we start, how have you been enjoying the hot weather?
It’s really nice to have warm weather, although I’ve not had chance to make the most of it being stuck in an office all day. Now it’s the weekend and it’s supposed to be raining, bloody typical eh? lol!
You’ve recently started your own record label called Contact Recordings which has received support from Ben Stevens and, most notably, Ian M. What was the motivation behind this at a time when starting a record label could be deemed as crazy?
Well me and Jon BW had been making tunes for quite a while when the quality of our sound started to come together. After reading a lot on the message boards about people complaining about our tracks not being signed, I thought to myself that I didn’t want to be one of them people who had sour grapes. I thought, if we do it ourselves then it’s off our own back and all credit goes to us. If it fails, it fails, we lose a bit of money and we find out our style is shit, lol! The main thing though is the fact that we are doing it ourselves and nobody can take that away from us.
I did get warned by many people that the scene is tight and some people said that a couple of releases were not strong enough to put out, in their opinion, but by then me and Jon had already got our minds set on what we wanted. We were going to do it no matter what, you could call it stupid with the current state of affairs but I see it as a challenge. You don’t get anywhere without taking a few chances.
How have the first two releases been received and what’s in store for Contact?
The first two releases have sold better than I expected. Well if I’m honest I didn’t know how well they were going to do. I did think that release two ‘Cat in a Hat’ would sell better than the first release, as in my opinion that’s the strongest release, but both releases have sold near enough exactly the same, which is really pleasing.
We have made enough from the first months sales to put the third release out. That’s going to be myself and Jon BW — ‘Studio Terror’ and on the flip Nauseous — ‘Coz I Said So’. Both tracks are getting big play from Ian M, Ed Real, JP and Jukesy and Ben Stevens so its getting very good coverage (cheers guys!). I’m hoping to get that sent off to press in the next couple of weeks once the graphics have been done.
After that release we have Jon BW — ‘Build it Up’ and on the flip myself and Jon — ‘Nuff Respekt’. This release I’m really excited about. I’ve had a lot of questions from people about both tracks asking when the release is going to be so on and so forth. This release I’m hoping is going to be a really good seller. From what I gather it’s going down well with you guys at Insekt, with both yourself and James Nardi liking it.
After that, release five is going to be the much anticipated Ben Stevens and Jon BW — ‘Turn It Up’. This is going to be a stormer when it’s made. As far as I’m aware Ben has some free time to hook up with Jon to get the track finished. With the tracks that Ben has been producing at the moment, the idea of him and Jon clubbing their heads together is rather exciting. If anybody heard the original they did almost 3 years ago you’ll know its going to be good. On the flip to that is going to be Jon BW — ‘Get With It’. I’ve been caning this track for quite a while now and probably will be for some time, it’s a great little warm track full of warm up techy funk.
Release six could possibly be myself and Jon again with ‘Akalaka’. Nothing has been cemented with this yet as originally we were going to send it out to other labels but after the response we have got from people about it we made keep it for Contact. Well I would like that anyways!
You first came to attention when you were one of the winners from the VC/BT message boards to win a set in the 2nd room at Insekt last year, How did it feel to be one of the five chosen when the standard of entries was so high?
When I was one of the winners I was quite shocked but very pleased. Up till that moment I’d not really been recognised as a dj. I’d had a few gigs here and there but nothing too big. This was a big thing for me. Playing on a line that consisted of some of the biggest names in hard house and the legend Paul Glazby it was an honour to play.
How did the set go and were you pleased with how it went down?
I think the set when really well considering that I only got back from two weeks of getting leathered in Ibiza the day before, haha. I had literally a day on my decks practising. The set went really well though, all the practicing paid off, it was nice and tight and I managed to play most of the future releases that I had planned for Contact at the time. They all seemed to go down really well. I even played Jon BW and Jon Dog’s remix of Satellite Kids — ‘Time 4 House’. That went down really well; Jon Dog was over the moon when I told him lol
With hard house clubs in decline in Leeds, how do you feel the Leeds HH club scene can pull itself out of the rut it is in? What are your visions for the next year?
I really don’t know to be honest. Hard house in general seems to be doing well in places like Birmingham and London as they have got a really big local following. The problem around Leeds is there isn’t a huge following for hard house. There’s that and then the fact that promoters find it hard to get venues as the venues don’t want hard house in their club.
Apart from Parlez Vous in Bradford there isn’t much around the West Yorkshire area. Parlez Vous always does well and now seems to be getting the recognition it deserves. It’s one hell of a party so I suppose that keeps the North in good stead.
A couple of new nights have started up recently, Viagra at My House in Leeds and Shock in Wakefield and then there is the long standing Kemistry, also in Wakefield. I wish them all the luck in the world, as I know from previous experience with clubbing in Leeds it’s a hard thing to do, to keep a night running on a regular basis with a decent turn out. I suppose you’ve just got to keep with the faith and turning up at the night and enjoying what’s going on. At least there is a scene, albeit a small one.
You return to Fire this month with the Housewives team in what is an all star Insekt line up. What sets are you looking forward to and who do you not want to clash with?
All star line up indeed mate, one of best I’ve seen recently, although most people have come to expect the best line ups from Insekt! They constantly have decent line ups so really need bigging up for that.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Dynamic Intervention. He is someone that I’ve never seen before and greatly admire as a producer. He has created some of the greatest tunes in hard house history so it will be nice to see him in the flesh mixing it up. I’m looking forward to hearing some nice up front tunes from him. Also looking forward to Marc’s and Justin’s sets. It has devastation written all over it, haha! They are the two that I don’t really want to clash with, but no doubt I probably will!
Tell us a little about some of the djs that are coming down to rock Fire ‘Housewives’ style?
Sam Townend —the main man behind the funk revolution, the head honcho at Shroom Recordings. It’s not the first time this young man has graced the decks at Insekt. If you have not seen him before expect his set to be as funkadelic, ass shaking, and booty wiggling sexy style music. You are sure not to be disappointed.
Sam
Lox b2b Leigh Green — Lox and Leigh Green are the long standing residents of Housewives and the main guys who run the Housewives record label. They have recently had tracks signed to Tidy. Expect there set to be full of energy, UK hard trance Housewive’s style. These tracks are all produced by the lads so expect a fresh sound to there set.
Lox
Leigh Green
Deano — he first started out as the co-promoter at Leeds hard house night Incision. Before long he was playing at the likes of Goodgreef and Sundissential before getting a residency at Housewives. He is now resident at Parlez Vous in Bradford. Expect his set to be hard and dirty and check out the energy he puts in behind the decks.
Deano
Chris Impact — Chris has been in and around the Leeds hard house scene for many years. He used to run his own night called Phat on a Thursday night and has also delved into running his own label called Bare Damage. Recently he’s been making an impact producing with fellow friend Sam Townend. Expect his set to be hard, techy and down right filthy.
Chris
Steve O’Brady — this man goes from strength to strength! From starting his own midweek night Fresh he has gone on to secure residencies at Housewives and Parlez Vous. Not only has he been playing regularly around Yorkshire, he represented the 4Clubbers website at the Hard Dance Awards. Expect the latest hard trance anthems crossed with old bounce classics, he is sure to put a smile on your face.
Steve
Cat — this young lady is also a long standing resident at Housewives Choice. She’s also held a residency at Parlez Vous and was a regular dj to appear at Leeds legendary after hours club Glasshouse. Expect a mixed bag from this young lady as she plays a mixture of trance, UK hard trance and hard house.
Cat
Photos courtesy of the respective djs. Not to be reproduced without permission
Marc Johnson / 07946 311204 / marc@insekt.co.uk
James Nardi / 07779 634820 / james@insekt.co.uk
Chris Comben / 07866 626838 / chris@insekt.co.uk
More:
This months Insekt sees us celebrate our in house label Flashpoint’s third birthday and do we plan to celebrate in style!
Joining in the festivities we welcome former Trade resident Peter Ward, Frantic’s young starlet Steve Maynard. With Flashpoint favourites James Nardi, Dynamic Intervention and Justin Bourne, who goes head to head with Flashpoints Marc Johnson in a genuine "World Exclusive".
The Fire Pit plays host to one of the North’s craziest nights as we welcome down the team from Housewives Choice to really add some spice to this party. With Free mix CDs and vinyl give aways from Shroom Recordings, Housewives Choice and Contact.
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Nu NRG. Hard House.
DJ's:
[Main Room - The Arrival]
Justin Bourne B2B Marc Johnson (World Exclusive Back to Back!)
Dynamic Intervention (Tripoli Trax/DIP/FlashPoint)
James Nardi (Vicious Circle/Killer Hurts/Fuel/Insekt)
Peter Ward (Trade/Fuel)
Steve Maynard (Frantic/Deprivation)
[Firepit - In association with Housewives Choice]
Sam Townend Lox B2B Leigh Green
(Housewives Choice Recordings Showcase)
Deano Chris Impact
Simon Paul B2B Jon BW (Contact Recordings Showcase)
Steve O'brady Cat
From: TheDonon 6th May 2006 15:39.55 Nice one Simon, wicked to hear Contact is going strong! Fair play to you sir I hope it gets bigger and bigger!
From: Kamoraon 6th May 2006 15:41.40 Looking good. I like the mix you promo'd recently Simon
From: Simon Paulon 6th May 2006 15:46.55 Cheers people
From: DJGRHon 6th May 2006 20:08.31 Known Simon for quite some time now and its so fulfilling for someone like that to come through with a label of this calibre. I absolutely love 'Cat In A Hat' - and 'Nuff Respekt' brought the house down at Tidy London for me. The even newer stuff is of equal brilliance! Keep up the good work mate!
From: Simon Paulon 7th May 2006 17:35.04 Cheers for the kind words Gary, Much appreciated for your support. Will catch up with you soon mate.
From: Fuel*on 8th May 2006 11:03.06 Roll on the weekend!
From: steve obradyon 8th May 2006 13:22.44 Roll on Saturday
From: Norrison 8th May 2006 15:35.56 Go on HWC crew, show the London guys how its done oooop norf!!
From: James Nardion 9th May 2006 11:43.06 Good read lads!!
From: Marc Johnsonon 9th May 2006 17:06.31 good work with the label Simon
From: Norris123on 10th May 2006 01:36.26 Nice one guys - Sam Townend is an absolutely top bloke and wicked DJ. That Deano's not too shabby either...
Good to see you northern softies venturing down this way!
From: Norris123on 10th May 2006 01:37.01 Nice one guys - Sam Townend is an absolutely top bloke and wicked DJ. That Deano's not too shabby either...
Good to see you northern softies venturing down this way!
From: shezmetzon 23rd May 2006 20:19.52 where have you guys been? really looking forward to housewives again...leeds best night..have got "cat in a hat" mint tune..keep up the good work
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