SXSW 2012: Goodbye South By // Goodbye Beauty Bar

[RSVP]

Giant Steps Productions, Chocolate Sundays and IamYourVillian present..

Goodbye South-by // Goodbye Beauty Bar
Sunday March 18 @ Beauty Bar 617 E 7th Street
The LAST show ever at Beauty Bar Austin's original downtown 7th street location.
Doors @ 6:00 absolutely free 21+ welcome

Line-Up:

Inside Stage:

Hollywood Holt (1:00am)
Japanther (12:30am)
Ninjasonik (11:50pm)
Zechs Marquise (11:00pm)
World’s Fair (10:20pm)
Glasslux (9:30pm)
Whirr (8:40pm)
Herra Terra (7:50pm)
Sorne (7:00pm)

Outside Stage

Doomtree (11:30pm)
Bad Rabbits (10:50pm)
Prof (10:00pm)
Junius (9:10pm)
Former Thieves (8:20pm)
Eagle Claw (7:30pm)
Krips (6:40pm)

SXSW 2012: Sweetwood & HearYa SXSW Day Party (3/15) :: [RSVP Info]

I remember reading somewhere Margot & Nuclear So and So's cancelled their SXSW plans this year so not sure who would take their place.

SXSW 2012: Sweetwood + HearYa SXSW Day Party
Thursday, March 15th | Noon - 6pm
Beauty Bar (617 E. 7th St)

[RSVP]

SXSW 2012: Forcastle X/Knucklerumbler/Consequence of Sound's CoSigns (3/14) :: [RSVP Info]

SXSW 2012: Forecastle X, Knucklerumber, & Consequence of Sound Present CoSigns
Wednesday, March 14th | Noon - 6pm
Beauty Bar (617 E. 7th St)
21+

[RSVP]

Set times:
11:30 am – Doors
12:00 – Future Unlimited (I)
12:30 – Princeton (O)
01:00 – The Henry Clay People (I)
01:30 – Bleached (O)
02:00 – Mikal Cronin (I)
02:30 – Mr. Dream (O)
03:00 – The Men (I)
03:30 – Screaming Females (O)
04:00 – Titus Andronicus (I)
04:45 – Cloud Nothings (O)

I = Indoor stage; O = Outdoor stage

Learning Secrets presents In Flagranti at Beauty Bar | June 11

[RSVP NOW]

In Flagranti encapsulates all aspects of throw away culture from the 70s with both the music and visuals that made it a must. Sasa Crnobrnja and Alex Gloor of In Flagranti, work with a formula for club hits that was both unique and new in 2002 when they formed, and has now become synonymous within DJing circles and the dance music world. Best described as a sonic collage of twisted sounds from an era that no-one should ever forget, with a mild hint of disco and punk, the duo has maintained a cult following and mystique that grows stronger and deeper with each release on their own Codek Records.

This Saturday, June 11th Austin's own disco duo, Orthy and Thomas-Austin of Learning Secrets, will be hosting In Flagranti's first trip to Texas at their next classic LS party at the Beauty Bar.

In Flagranti at Beauty Bar | Saturday June 11th
18+ | $8 w/ RSVP, $10 Door | Limited $20 Drinking Pass | Doors at 10pm

You can win free entry for you and a guest by "Liking" us on Facebook

Winner will be picked on Friday (6/10)!

Ultra8201 and Do512 present the MoTel Aviv "Post Modern Nation" Album Release Party at Beauty Bar | Friday May 6th

[RSVP]

Join us on Friday May 6th at Beauty Bar as Motel Aviv celebrates the release of their eagerly awaited debut "Post Modern Nation". The band has been exciting audiences over the last year and a half while producing the album and now the release is ready for the public and we want you to get a copy in the best way. An RSVP with Do512 gets BOTH you a copy of the album and entry for a reduced $5 cover charge. Your RSVP also enters you for a chance to get free entry (winners will be chosen the week of). In addition Beauty Bar will provide $1 Wells from 9-10pm with drink specials throughout the evening and Sphynx will offer support. "Post Modern Nation" will be available on iTunes, Amazon and more on April 26th for those that either can't make it or just cant wait.

[MoTel Aviv on Facebook]

Motel Aviv Album Release Party
Friday May 6th at Beauty Bar
Doors at 9pm | w/ Sphynx at 10pm
[RSVP] at Do512 gets you copy of the album and reduced $5 cover

Show Spotlight: Politics at Beauty Bar Tonight (3/30)

We are sponsoring a last minute show at Beauty Bar tonight with Politics and since we didn't give you that much notice it's only fair that there's no cover. Doors are at 9:30 and the show starts at 10pm. Check out the video for one of my favorite tracks from the band. It's called "Warning" and it was taken at the Bleet Up last December. Enjoy and see you tonight!

SXSW 2011: Art Disaster #12 at Beauty Bar (3/15)

[RSVP]

The only way to kick off SXSW properly is to attend Art Disaster on March 15th at Beauty Bar. Now in it's 12th installment, this line up boasts one of it best group of artists yet. Google Peelander-Z right now if you don't already know. Plus we are one of the sponsors of the party so you know it's going to be good!

Fanatic Records, City On Fire, and Beauty Bar present
ART DISASTER no.12

March 15th at Beauty Bar

http://www.artdisaster.com/ for info and RSVP

Outside Stage:
1am - PEELANDER-Z
12am - THE WHITE WHITE LIGHTS
11pm - THE SHONDES
10pm - CAROL BUI
9pm - ZORCH
8pm - INVISIBLE HAND
DJ KING LOUIE between bands

Inside Stage:
1am - DJ ORIÓN
12:20am - SHUNDA K
11:30pm - DEARLING PHYSIQUE
10:30pm - SOCIAL STUDIES
9:30pm - GRIMY STYLES
8:30pm - THE ECHOCENTRICS
DJ KEIRON between bands

Early powerhour with free Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka while they last!

Thanks to all our partners:
Fanatic Records, City On Fire, Beauty Bar, Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, Do512, Bleach Online, Ultra8201 (!) and YOU!

ACL 2010 | After Parties: IHeartcomix Party at Beauty Bar (10/8)

Fri Oct 8th

IHEARTCOMIX & C3 present:

THE VERY BEST

NINJASONIK

BAIO DJ SET (VAMPIRE WEEKEND)

FRANKI CHAN

COWABUNGA BABES

RICHARD HENRY

BEAUTY BAR AUSTIN

617 E. 7th

Austin, TX

21+

8pm-2am

$10 w ACL wristband

$15 w/o

ACL 2010 | After Parties: Leaning Secrets and Guerilla Suit present "It's Time To Get Away" at Beauty Bar (10/9)

[RSVP NOW]

THIS IS A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE SITUATION! RSVPING GUARANTEES $10 FEE BUT NOT ENTRANCE. LIMITED NUMBER OF SECRET PRE-SALE TIX AVAILABLE IN THE COMING WEEK! STAY TUNED!

Update** There will be one chance to purchase tickets this week. If you want to roll VIP and make absolutely sure you get into the show then head over to Learning Secrets weekly party at Malverde on Thursday (tomorrow) between 10pm and 1am. $20 gets you tickets (limit 4) to the show with VIP entrance. [More Details]

IT'S TIME TO GET AWAY
Inside:
DJ sets from Learning Secrets' Orthy & Thomas'Austin
DFA Records All Stars w/
Nancy Whang (The Juan Maclean)
Al Doyle (Hot Chip)
Gavin Russom (Crystal Ark, Black Meteoric Star)
Special Guests (Look at The Name of the Party, hmmm)

Outside:
Live stage with performances by
Caddywhompus
MISSIONS
Sleigh Bells!!!

This will sell out, space is limited, and there will be a line early. Stay tuned to http://guerillasuit.com/blog for updates.

ACL 2010 | After Parties: Art Disaster no 11 at Beauty Bar (10/7)

[RSVP FOR $3 ENTRY]

LINE UP:

Outside Stage:
12:40a - Peligrosa
12a - The Eastern Sea
11p - Sip Sip
10p - Devil in the Drink (formerly The Couch)

Inside Stage:
1:10a - uLovei
12:30a - Soul Track Mind
11:30p - Freshmillions
10:30p – The Happen-Ins
9:30p - Sphynx
9p - Yo! Santos

Sponsored by:

SCION, DOS EQUIS, CITY ON FIRE, BEAUTY BAR, DO512.COM, KVRX, ULTRA8201, AUSTIN TOWN HALL, SAILORLEGS.COM, RAW WORD RECORDS and BLEACH ONLINE

Show Spotlight: The Zoo with Congorock Tonight (7/1) at Beauty Bar

Tonight!!! Knuckle Rumbler and The Peen Scene Present:

THE ZOO WITH CONGOROCK (FOOL’S GOLD RECORDS / ITALY) at Beauty Bar
$5 All Night Long
Doors at 9pm

Italy’s recent electro renaissance has catapulted banger after banger out into the world at large. Yet in the middle of this distorted beat onslaught, young upstart CONGOROCK has managed to distinguish himself in style and approach by synthesizing his influences – from Dancemania 12″s and hardcore punk to video game cheat codes and Magic: The Gathering - into a unique world of sound all his own. He has an uncanny knack for making music that is both pulverizing and funky, throwing in clever twists and production flourishes where others would be content to merely crank up the volume.

Knuckle Rumbler and the legendary Peen Scene is bringing this internationally gifted artist directly to your face tonight at Beauty Bar. Supported by DJ Orion and uLovei, this will be a night that will result in fireworks a few days early. So come jump start the holiday weekend right!

http://knucklerumbler.com/
http://www.thepeenscene.com/
http://www.congorock.com/
http://djorion.com/
http://ulovei.com/

Listen:

Congorock and Crookers – SBombers - http://bit.ly/ccAZoP
Congorock – Babylon - http://bit.ly/bzHaOE

FREE SAILOR JERRY'S RUM AT 11:30 PM!

LCD Soundsystem After Party | June 8th at Beauty Bar

[RSVP for $5 cover/$7 w/o]

I am so ready for the LCD Soundsystem show on Tuesday (6/8). It will formally kick off my summer and a week of birthday debauchery. Now the show is SOLD OUT and you might not have been able to get a ticket or maybe you are going to check out that Miike Snow show instead. Doesn't matter. By the time we all get out of whatever show we go to that night I am sure we will be looking for a party and Learning Secrets has the answer.

As a celebration of LCD's last record, their second to last show in Austin and for the awesomeness that is both DFA Records + !K7 DJ Kicks Series the official after party will go down at Beauty Bar [RSVP]. With DJ sets by Holy Ghost!, Juan Maclean and Special Guests (do what you want with that). There will also be a listening party for the new Juan Maclean and as always complimentary drinks if you get there early.

And if you have a panda outfit handy I highly suggest you wear it. The first 5 people that show up dressed up like the pandas from the "Drunk Girls" video get in FREE. Don't have one? You can also win a pair of tickets to the show by following us on Twitter (@ultra8201).

Learning Secrets presents

The LCD Soundsystem After Party

w/ Holy Ghost!, Juan Maclean and special guests

Tuesday June 8th | Beauty Bar

[RSVP]

Show Spotlight: Vampire Weekend DJ Set | Sat 4/10 at Beauty Bar

After the Vampire Weekends SOLD OUT show on Saturday the band, or rather bass player Chris Baio will be doing a DJ Set at Beauty Bar. As if that wasn't enough the Learning Secrets guys will be kicking off the evening. $5 bucks gets you in. If you aren't going to the show get there early and if you are run your ass to Beauty Bar as soon as it's over because that lines going to get long...

SXSW 2010: Art Disaster 10 (Tonight)

Time to kick the music portion of this week off proper. I better see every last one of you people tonight. And with close to 7000 RSVP's I am pretty sure that it's going to happen. Also, I cannot stress enough how getting there early will make your life easier.

ART DISASTER no.10
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
8pm-2am at Beauty Bar
617 E. 7th, Austin, TX

[RSVP HERE]

Free 42 Below Vodka and Beer 8-9

Outside Stage:
1a - Pomegranates
12a - The Shondes
11p - Sunset
10p - CAW! CAW!
9p - Bright Light Social Hour
Evol DJs between bands

Inside Stage:
1:10a - DJ Orion
12:30a - Shunda K
11:30p - The White White Lights
10:30p - Leopold and His Fiction
9:30p - Red Wanting Blue
8:30p - Lachi
DJ uLovei between bands

photobooth by Trevor Ray Thompson
poster art show by
Daniel Perlaky and Bryan Keplesky

Big thanks to all the supporters: City On Fire,
Fanatic Records, Spin Earth, Beauty Bar, Do512,
WOXY, Indierect Records, Bleach Online,
Ultra8201, Austin Is Burning, The Dark Agency,
The Austin Sound, Raw Word Records,
Trevor Ray Thompson, and YOU!

SXSW 2010: Art Disaster No. 10 (3/16) :: [RSVP Info]

ART DISASTER No. 10
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
8pm-2am at Beauty Bar
617 E. 7th, Austin, TX (map)

[RSVP HERE]

Outside Stage:
1a - Pomegranates
12a - The Shondes
11p - Sunset
10p - Bright Light Social Hour
9p - CAW! CAW!
Evol DJs between bands

Inside Stage:
1:10a - DJ Orion
12:30a - Shunda K
11:30p - The White White Lights
10:30p - Leopold and His Fiction
9:30p - Red Wanting Blue
8:30p - Lachi
DJ uLovei between bands

Show Spotlight: Adi Fest 2.5 | Friday (2/5) at Beauty Bar

From the Knuckle Rumbler crew:

February 5th it is all going down. Back and forth in time with a result of grind. Knuckle Rumbler is matching wits with the Austinists’ most congenial music journalist to give your ears a cornucopia of sounds to vibe to. Bouncing from the 60s to 80s to whatever is in Prince Klassen’s grab bag of vinyl tricks, the night is sure to give everyone something they can appreciate, sing along to or just get dirty to on the dance floor.

How are we going to achieve this? With Jimi Hendrix , ZZ Top, and Queen! Repping each legendary artist are tremendous bands. Stonefree Experience (Jimi) , Cheap Sunglasses (ZZ), and Magnifico (Queen) are completely on top of their tribute game. Get ready to hear Bohemian Rhapsody, Sharp Dressed Man, and Purple Haze. In addition we will have Prince Klassen on the turn tables to fill in the gaps and keep the inside party bumpin.

In true Knuckle Rumbler fashion we will have Alison Narro running a rock n’ roll photo booth so you can prove to your parents the next day that you saw Jimi and Freddie Mercury on the same Beauty Bar stage. And if you are super thirsty, come early and enjoy complimentary beverage or four with Adi courtesy of Birds Barbershop. Other invited but unconfirmed guests include Mama Cass, Jim Morrison, Buddy Holly, Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Brett Michaels’ career, John Lennon, and the drummer of Spinal Tap.

RSVP HERE FOR $5 ENTRY

Giveaway: Learning Secrets 6th Anniversary Party | Friday at Beauty Bar

Learning Secrets is turning 6 and in typical Learning Secrets fashion they are throwing a lavish party this Friday at Beauty Bar. We mentioned the show before and now we have a pair of tickets that gets you into the show for FREE this Friday night. There are two ways to enter. If you follow us on Twitter (and you should, @ultra8201) send us a DM with your name and "Learning Secrets" or if you aren't "into" Tweeting you can email us at ultra8201@gmail.com and let us know you want to enter. We will pick a winner by the end of the day. Good Luck!

Classixxx

Woolfy

Learning Secrets 6th Anniversary Party

Friday January 22nd | Beauty Bar

First 100 people get FREE drinks

w/ Classixx and Woolfy

[RSVP]

Learning Secrets 6th Anniversary Party! (1/22)

Learning Secrets is turning 6! We finally got some details on the party today and we have to say this is going to be epic! We are extremely proud to co-sponsor this party with our good friends at LS along with all the other great people helping out with this event. So everyone mark your calendars for 1/22. It all goes down at Beauty Bar. Here are all the details from Learning Secrets themselves along with a link to RSVP.

Learning Secrets: It's our birthday! We take our birthday very very seriously round these parts!

Ladies and Gents, we have the extreme pleasure in dancing with you all night at our 6th Birthday, to the bombastic, disco-tastic sounds of Classixx (Kitsune Records) and Woolfy (DFA / Rong Records)! We hope you can come celebrate this truly huge milemarker for our little company next Friday, January 22nd at the Beauty Bar!

We're also doing something we've never done before, pre selling a $30 VIP ticket package! Trust us, You're going to want to jump on this before they run out... very limited number , with some awesome perks, so get on it! For info on how to book these exclusive tickets email info@learningsecretsmusic.com.

Don't fear though! Cant to drop that much kwan? That's ok, the first 100 people are gonna get 2 drink tickets, plus you'll get to cruise around the web at the CLEAR "Hot Spot" booth, get yer photos done by Alison Narro, and go down in history as the enitre night will be recorded and broadcast for Red Bull Music Academy Radio!

You can begin RSVPing today, that'll get you and your friends in for just $5! http://www.learningsecretsmusic.com/rsvp

Make sure you keep your eyes on Austin Eavesdropper, The Peen Scene, Ultra8201 (!) and Rhythm Sektion for exclusive interviews, ticket giveaways and news in the next few days.

Also make sure to sign up for the Filter and Rare Magazine newsletters!

We're excited, we hope you're excited, and we hope we can celebrate our 6th birthday with you, because if it wasn't for you guys we wouldn't be here!

Austin Free Week : 2010

MONDAY // JANUARY 4th

Mohawk: Baron Grod, Honey and Salt

Red 7: Head Panic, Blood Royale, Night Siege, Shredheads, Dead Reckoning (9pm)

Beauty Bar: Major Major Major, The Night, GOBI

Emos: (Inside): The Carrots, JC & Co. (members of Voxtrot), Cowabunga Babes, Bear Claw, Literature (members of Mothfight!)
(Outside): BRAD'S BIRTHDAY BLOODFEAST with Children in Heat (Misfits Tribute!), Dolls From the Crypt, Flash Boys, Hoodrats, Scrabble Robot

TUESDAY // JANUARY 5th

Mohawk: Obsolete Machines, String, Ovenbirds

Red 7: Cruiserweight, Lemuria, O'Pioneers!!!, The Anchor, tba 9pm

Beauty Bar: Super Lite Bike, The Always Already, Planet Rye Co, The Criminal Kind

Emos: (Outside): Mutating Meltdown, Diagonals, Low Red Center, Elvis, Coma in Algiers
(Inside): Pataphysics, No Mas Bodas, The Gospel Truth, Horse + Donkey

WEDNESDAY // JANUARY 6th

Mohawk: Scorpion Child, The Roller,

Smoke and Feathers, Shitty Carwash

Red 7: La Snacks, Midgetmen, The Gary, Frantic Clam, Opposite Day (9pm)
Club Deville: Honky, Vinhomudeh, Mobley

The Parish: Wine and Revolution, Hollywood Gossip, Politics, DJ Mel

Beauty Bar: Stereo is a Lie, Strange Attractors, She Sir, New Roman Times

Emos: (Outside): Brothers & Sisters, The Laughing, Ovenbirds, Oh No Oh My
(Inside): New Disaster, Born to Lose, The Bulemics, 13th Victim

Encore: The Versatile Syndicate Free Week Melee with Muchos Backflips, We The Granada, Bridge Farmers

THURSDAY // JANUARY 7th

Mohawk: Brazos, TV Torso, Great Nostalgic (9pm, outside stage)
Ume,Transmography, Daniel Francis Doyle, Many Birthdays (9pm, inside stage)

Red 7: Hacienda, Shapes Have Fangs, Strange Attractors, Cowabunga Babes, Flowers (9pm outside stage) Get Action DJs (sabrina e, brother jamal, grandmaster b) (inside)
Club Deville: Smoke and Feathers, Prayer for Animals, Masonic
The Parish: Sounds Under Radio, Suzanna Choffel, Zookeeper, Wiretree, DJ Markus

Emos: (Outside): Jungle Rockers, The Skeletons, Nick Curran & the Lowlifes, The Sandworms, Heart & Soul Soundsystem (DJing in between sets)
(Inside): Mothfight!, YellowFever, Red Leaves, Haunting Oboe Music, The Eastern Sea

Encore: The Versatile Syndicate Free Week Melee with The Paper Shapes, Crash Gallery

and Obsolete Machines

FRIDAY // JANUARY 8th

Mohawk: The Laughing, Low Line Caller, MoTel Aviv (outside stage 9pm)
Christian Bland & the Revelators, Headdress, Tunnels, Cartright (inside stage)

Red 7: Lower Class Brats, Krumbums, Sober Daze, Black Irish, tba (9pm outside stage)
DJ Sambo (of complete control) (inside)

Club Deville: Corto Maltese, She Sir, Candi and the Strangers

The Parish: L.A.X., Auto Body, Freshmillions (with members of the Sword), Gobi, DJ

Thibault

Beauty Bar: Prince Klassen

Emos: (Outside): The Crack Pipes, The Golden Boys, The Royal Butchers, Follow That Bird!
(Inside): Ume, Speak, The Authors, White White Lights, The Always Already

SATURDAY // JANUARY 9th

Mohawk: Lucy the Poodle presents: T-bird and the Breaks, The Carrots, Ugly Beats, The Hi-Tones (8:30pm outside stage)
Lucy the Poodle presents: Missions (ex-Clap Clap), Death is not a joyride., No Mas Bodas, Clouds are Ghosts (inside stage)

Red 7: Big Mess (Devo Cover Band), Watching The Moon, We'll God Machete, Paper Shapes (9pm outside stage)
Shitty Carwash, Eagle Claw, White Rhino, Markov, Thieves (9pm inside stage)

Club Deville: Burning Hotels, Watch out for Rockets, Haunting Oboe Music

The Parish: The Bright Light Social Hour, the Frontier Brothers, MoTel Aviv, Derty Bird

Beauty Bar: Car Stereo (Wars), The Laughing, Mothfight!, All My Friends

Emos: (Outside): ATTAK (iN)FORMATION, Tia Carrera, Broken Gold, This Horn of Afrika, Zorch
(Inside): The Hex Dispensers, The Sinks, The Altars, Shanghai River

SUNDAY // JANUARY 10th

Red 7: Set Aflame, Bonnie Blue, Let the Dead, tba (early show 6pm)
Exeter, Woolgather, In Situ Sound, The Devil Rides (late show 10pm)

The Parish: Dennis Ludiker Trio, the Copper Pots

Emos: (Outside):A Giant Dog, Bad Sports, Cause for Applause, Elvis
(Inside): Red X Red M, Woodgrain, Eagle Claw, ODEZCO, Expensive Shit

8201 Interview - J.G Wilkes of Optimo

This Thursday J.G Wilkes of Optimo (Espacio) will make his way down to Beauty Bar for a very special set along with our good friends at Learning Secrets. We figured those not familiar with Wilkes should know a little bit more about him and we were able to get a few questions in before tomorrow nights show. Of course after that if you haven't yet go ahead and make sure you RSVP. Cover will only be $3 ($5 w/o) after that. Also Papst Tall Boys will be 2 bucks all night and Sailor Jerry will be serving complimentary rum while supplies last. So get there early. Onto the interview....

Tell us a little about the Club Optimo. What were your early aspirations for the club?

Optimo, the club, is our weekly Sunday night party at Sub Club, Jamaica Street, Glasgow. It’s a basement venue right downtown, holds about 500 people, low ceiling, simple lighting and a great Martin Audio soundsystem. It’s dark and hot. We took the name “Optimo” from a song by Liquid Liquid. Most people use simply “Optimo” although the full name of the party is “Optimo (Espacio)”. The party started in November 1997 and still runs weekly.

In ’97 both Keith (my partner JD Twitch) and I had been DJ-ing for about 10 years, playing techno parties in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Just at that time we really felt dance music was gong nowhere. It was monotonous, the clubs were populated mainly by males and there was an aggressive atmosphere in a lot of places. The whole experience of going out and playing in dance parties was getting grim.

Our early aspirations were nothing more than that we wanted to have a party was FUN to be at and somewhere we could play whatever we wanted – really literally, whatever we wanted. DJ-ing became really fun again and to our surprise people really connected with it. It had to be somewhere we could present live music too - mainly local bands at the start, then more widely known stuff. In the first year we booked a few dj’s (Ashley Beadle, Marshall Jefferson, IF, Harvey) but since ’98 we’ve only booked live artists.

The concept of Optimo is originally conceived as a club night which still remains to this day. When out on the road what are some of the elements you hope to see that differ from what you are used to back in Scotland?

Yes, our early aspirations for “Optimo” ie. those of throwing a party which is really fun to play at and where anything goes are still the way we think about dj-ing today and still why we continue looking for new music to play or show live. Touring as dj’s is full of surprises, especially if it’s a party or a city you haven’t played before. Not knowing what way it’s going to go until you show up at the club is part of the thrill but then you only have what you have in your box… so it’s a challenge too.

You have hosted bands like Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and The Presets over the years. What new bands are you excited about?

We’ve had some great new bands at the club in 2009. My favourite Glasgow band are called “Divorce” and have to be seen to be believed! “Health” from LA was awesome when they played a few months back. “Cold Cave” from Philly played (in a cave!!!) at our Halloween party and were really great. Joakim’s live project “Joakim and the Disco” gets better every time I see it and for that kind of “live dance music” thing it’s really cool.

When playing without (Optimo partner) JD Twitch what elements of your set tend to change? How do your styles differ?

When Keith and I play together (which is most of the time), we play 30 minutes about then toward the end we play together, record about. It’s really fun and gives the set a real energy – it really keep you on your toes! Playing alone is different in that any drastic changes in direction are up to you and not something you maybe only have a few seconds to respond to. I suppose there’s chance to think further down the line which is a different approach – not necessarily better but just different, I enjoy both. Keith uses Ableton Live about 50/50 with vinyl whereas I use only vinyl to mix.

As the year comes to an end what was your most memorable moment of 2009? Whether it be during a gig or other wise?

It’s a bummer, but truthfully, my most memorable moment of 2009 is a moment a few months back when my car collided at full speed with another car. I just can’t get it out of my head. I had my two kids with me, it was terrifying…. The kids were fine, thank God but the feeling just before the moment of impact – all the stuff that flashed through my mind and the feeling of the smash itself is something I’ll never forget as long as I live. It was the other driver’s fault btw!
That aside, it’s been an amazing year for gigs and for music. Looking forward to “Learning Secrets!”