After following up a superb night with The Field by bringing Gui Boratto a few months later, Allez-Allez have fastly become one of our favourite club promoters. If we're not dancing to the best in minimal techno at one of their Plastic People events, then we're likely downloading one of the many installments in their excellent podcast mix series. This Wednesday, Sam and Steve return to Plastic People with techno superduo Supermayer (Superpitcher + Michael Mayer) headlining the bill. Since they also have several events planned in New Cross for the remainder of this year, we recently sat down to speak with Sam about how difficult it must be being one of the more interesting new promoters in town.
Not only did we chat, but we also threatened to kidnap his rarest Profan singles if he didn't give us a pair of Supermayer tickets to give away. If you'd like to win them, please fill out the form at the end of this post. We'll randomly choose a winner early Wednesday morning and notify the lucky person by midday.
When and why did you set your night up?
We've been Allez-Allez now together for nearly a year. We met through Steve's sister and hit it off. We'd both been looking for a DJ partner for a while, so it followed quite simply after that. Coming up with a name was a bastard though.
What is it about the music you present that is so special?
There's no real magic formula beyond playing music we love in a way that sounds interesting to us. We keep up with what's new coming out, but aren't slavishly devoted to playing the latest promos. There's a huge element of geekery as well.
The Gui Boratto gig was so popular that even some ticket holders that purchased tickets, as well as guest listed people, appeared to get turned away. What happened, dudes?
The Gui Boratto night was crazy busy and there were some problems outside, for which we're really sorry, but to the best of our knowledge every ticket holder that turned up got in. We did have some tickets unclaimed on the night (surprisingly, there always is) but no one has claimed them. We would like to say if anyone couldn't get in to email us on [email protected] with their ticket number and we'll give them a swift refund.
For the Supermayer night we've decided not to sell tickets in advance, since there is a limited capacity, to ensure that people who are committed and there early [get in]. Plus we don't have the logistical nightmare of trying to keep spaces free in the club for those who have bought tickets, but might then turn up at midnight!
Basically the message for this one for everyone is get down early.
Who's the best performer you've ever had down?
We've not had a bad one yet, but Gui Boratto was special. Actually the combination of him and Matias Aguayo at the last Kompakt party was a pretty perfect three hours of music.
What's your dream venue?
We think we may have found it. It's called the Amersham Arms and it's a new venue in New Cross. We're going to be doing a monthly night there from October 20th and are really looking forward to it. We've got some amazing guests lined up including Optimo, Four Tet and Shackleton. The venue is from the team behind the Lock Tavern and it's really exciting to be involved with people who are really behind what we do.
Tell us one artist who we've probably not heard of that we should check out.
A Swiss guy named Kalabrese. He makes sleazy Krautrock-influenced techno, backed up by his trombone-playing, other worldly vocals and twisted sense of humor - this is a man who sings about how he's got "pain for your ass" after all! His debut LP Rumpelzirkus was one of the best of this year, and criminally overlooked - go seek it out now!
What other club nights do you like going to in London? What's your all time favourite night?
Get Involved and Gerry's Joints are two nights run by our friends that we love. Just great good-time music.
All time for me: it's got to be Optimo. There was a year and half when i went pretty much every sunday night. Only lost one job, too!
What's your all time floorfiller and your current favourite track?
All time floor filler.. hmm.. Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher. Current favourite: Jape - Floating (Prins Thomas Discomiks).
What are five tracks we're likely to hear spun at your night?
Creedence Clearwater Revival – "Heard It Through The Grapevine"
Ada - "I Love Asphalt"
Andre Kraml - "Safari (James Holden Remix)"
Sleeparchive - "Image Photometer"
Supermayer - "Two Of Us"
What's your London secret?
An Indian restaurant called Curry Leaf East on City Road - the best curry in London!
Have you had any celebs on your dancefloor?
Some girl from Monarch Of The Glen. She always comes to our night.
Kompakt presents Supermayer at Plastic People, 147-149 Curtain Road, EC2A 3QE on Wednesday, 26 September 2007 from 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Cost: £7 (no advance ticket sales - arrive early). Nearest tube: Old Street.
To enter to win a pair of free tickets to Supermayer, please complete this form:
