There's one club night in Glasgow which holds a dear place in our hearts. Somewhere where you feel immediately at ease as soon as you cross the door and the afterparty is guaranteed. Where many clubs get caught up with huge guests, packing as many punters as possible into an over-sized room, Spectra (previously Spectrum) creates a unique atmosphere that welcomes you with open arms.
Our first visit to Spectra last summer solidified this, when, being relatively random in the sweaty basement of Blackfriar's Basement we were immediately introduced to a super-extended group of friends that we now consider to be some of our best. One half of the promoting duo behind Spectra, PT, makes it his sole mission to get everyone on the same wave length, so you may arrive by yourself but will certainly leave newly acquainted. We were in turn invited back to the inaugural afterparty that night and the rest is now history. That's why it gives us such great pleasure to appear at their new monthly spin off at Nicensleazy's this Sunday.
Our very own resident, Vianassa will be joining B.Tone & Aymard for a night of sweat, hands in the air and uninhibited nonsense as Monday morning becomes an extension of the weekend. Musically, the night veers from bass-bastardised Techno, through Tech, Electro & House, but with the dancefloor always focused at the centre - expect the odd classic from punk, rock & soul thrown effortlessly in the mix. Having tested the water during Christmas, Spectra at Sleazy's seems like a natural addition to it's Saturday night, Merchant City counterpart. Grab a drink upstairs and then roll down to the basement for some fresh-cut beats and a lot of friendly faces...
Promoters PT & B.Tone
Check out recent mixes by B.Tone, Aymard & Vianassa below as well as an interview with B.Tone aboutthe club's origin's and future:
LIGHTS - a mix for electronic rooms. by BTONE
This tape will self destruct in 5 seconds by Aymard
Synth Winter10/11 Pt1 by vianassa
S: Spectra is without doubt one of our favourite club nights in Glasgow with a very special atmosphere, for those who may be unaware can you give us a little background info regarding when and why you started the night?
BT: Back in the olden days, just after Soulwax became great and started Djing it turned the spotlight onto shady Djs. Even though I’d seen some amazing shows in town, like pre-minimal Richie Hawtin, Carl Craig at Bugged Out, Jeff Mills at T in the Park, I still could not be fucked with most Djs. Coz I was in bands I thought I was a “real musician” and they didn’t have a clue. Wrong. Mostly. It’s just that the likes of Timo Mass made me think “Holy Jesus, what a penis”. When the bands I was in chucked it I needed a turntable for all my accumulated vinyl so my girl got me 2 turntables, a mixer and a Green velvet record. The thought to start a club night came when the places I was going to would be missing just one or two things I needed – a moment of mentalness, less snide, more smiles, no neds, change gears from mind numbing soulful house etc. Respect to the early days of Optimo for variety and cool and thanks to Pressure for the mighty techno blueprint. One night at Fruitfly sticks out too. That’s the why.
When it started, was a little over 2 years ago. The atmosphere is something everyone always comments on and that makes us happy. Everyone that works on the night, all our regulars and those joining in for the 1st time all get on the same feeling. With so much noise and point making from Djs now, Aymard and myself never forget the No.1 rule. Make the mutha fuckers dance.
S: You recently started a monthly extension of Spectra at Nicensleazy’s, when a lot of clubs have been scaling back what made you decide to expand? Also, have you been informed whether the recent fire above Sleazy’s will affect this Sunday’s event?
BT: Just spoke to the Venue and its smoke free. Shut for a whole week but open for business again. The Basement of Blackfriars is our home but we have been all over town for some one offs. A masquerade ball at the Brunswick Basement, Secret Wars at the Subby and a Xmas party at Sleazys. We went down to Camden for a couple of dates last year too.The plan is to get up onto Sauchiehall Street – where we all want to be. The Las Vegas Strip of Glasgow. Our Xmas show up there was a success and now, here we are – a monthly Sunday. There seems to be an overload of bass up there now, so we thought we’d bring the Techno to the people for a bargain basement price on the Sabbath. Everyone knows how saturated the Glasgow club scene is. We’ve built up Spec to one of the few nights in town that pulls a regular crowd with just the residents and local guests on. Although, when we do go international we go big.
Sunday at Sleazys is the twin brother to Saturday at Blackfriars, with different but equally fetching friends.
S: On top of promoting and DJ’ing at Spectra you also produce your own music which has been released on various labels. What releases can we look forward to in 2011 and how would you describe your music to people who may not have heard it?
BT: The biggest influences on me have been Lou Reed and Boys Noize. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, after moments of brilliance there follows many, many un-brilliant bastards that take the great sound and fuck it up. Music comes in from the avant- garde to the mainstream but between those 2 extremes lies the music we’re into. I love the Sex Pistols and Daft Punk. I make lots of weird sounding Tech and arpeggio tunes with a hook. Just whatever is in me at the time. Although, club banger is always in mind. Finally invested in some monitors too, so the music sounds fuller. The first few releases were great learning experiences with some sound mix issues but on the whole I am delighted to get some music out there. The sound in the studio now is what I’ve been trying to do for the last couple of years. New EP on the way very soon. Bob Dylan said, "all the songs are already there, just waiting to be written". But these are tunes or tracks. I still call them songs though.
B.Tone at Spectra
S: As well as pushing a lot of local DJ talent at Spectra you also incorporate live art throughout the night and have bands on at your pre-parties. How important do you think it is for club nights to diversify further than just the music?
BT: Layers and layers. Lots going on. I remember hearing about one of the New York Disco Clubs. They would commission a brand new art project once a week, usually a sculpture, to go right in the middle of the dancefloor. That’s far out. Inspired. Plenty of cash to fling about in the old Coke days though. So with that history in mind, and so many nights on in Glasgow with the “boys & decks” set up, we tried something else. Conzo, the super talent, used to draw with inkies on the main wall in the basement. Dazzling work. But it was the process that added another dynamic to the club. Lots of eyes on the artist. Excitement at both ends of the dancefloor. Lazer lights and disco lights need moving vidz on the wall too and we finally got ours sorted. Euan McKenzie is the man that makes the wall flash.
S: Finally, we understand you have some up and coming names in Techno appearing at Spectra this year, can you give us a hint at who they might be and what Spectra has in store for 2011 in general?
BT: We’ve been dying to tell all about this one for a while and now is the time.
We are proud to present the immense and special Turbo Recordings at Stereo. Everyone loves Tiga, right? He runs the label with his brother Thomas Von Party, who will be joining us. A star, a star. As will the new Prince of Electronic Body Music, Gesaffelstein. The music the Parisian is making now is completely extraordinary. Out of this world. And he dresses well too. Definitely the man of the moment. Turbo is my favourite label. They have everything. Very cool. Big names later in the year too but the thing with Spec is that we always have that feeling in the club. Apart from one night when I had the cold. Everyone is welcome and invited to join in. Leave the snide at the door and get down to the speakers.
WHAT: Spectra @ Nicensleazy's
WHO: B.Tone, Aymard & Vianassa
WHERE: Nicensleazy's Basement, 421 Sauchie Hall St
WHEN: Sunday 20th Feb 11-3am
TAX: £4/3
VISUALS: Euan McKenzie
FACEBOOK EVENT: Spectra
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