Summer has finally arrived in Bristol (about time etc.), and ahead of a new period of Bedmo Disco DJ gigs, we’re returning to the (virtual) wireless.
This Tuesday (19th July, 2016) we’ll be making our debut on Soultrain Radio, with the first in a series of monthly shows. The team behind the station have been keen to get us involved for a while, to supplement existing shows from fellow West Country disco/boogie crews Feel The Real and Boogie Cafe (the latter helmed by our old pal and occasional label artist Jimmy The Twin).
Tomorrow’s show will feature Awon and Sell By Dave (sadly, Five-Stylez is otherwise engaged playing hip-hop for another radio station), will be broadcast live from the Soultrain studios here in Bristol, and will feature us dropping some killer wax from across the discoid universe.
We’ll also be looking ahead to Soundwave Croatia, which kicks off on 4 August at The Garden, Tisno, and features us lot playing records, as well as loads of other top notch bands, selectors etc.
So do tune in, as we’ll be playing lots of rather good music, and no doubt Sell By will be his usual idiotic self on the mic (“disco’s own Alan Partridge”, as a regular listener to Bedmo Disco Radio once famously described him). That’s got to be worth two hours of your time, right?
Tune in to Bedmo Disco Radio from 10pm-12midnight BST on Tuesday 19th July 2016 on Soultrain Radio.
The festive period is upon us, and that means a whole load more chances to “dance like you mean it”, as Bedmo Disco hit the Christmas and New Year period hard. This time, there are no headline guest DJs in tow – just Awon, Sell By Dave and Five-Stylez mixing up the good time grooves, obscure disco and boogie jams, unreleased re-edits and secret weapons.
Here’s what we’re up to over the next few weeks…
FRIDAY 19th DECEMBER – BEDMO DISCO PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PARTY @ BIG CHILL BRISTOL
Six hours of us mixing it up for your drinking and dancing pleasure. Expect a mixed-up, floor-friendly selection of gems from the depths of our ever-growing record collections. There’s free entry to this one all night long… get in!
WEDNESDAY 31st DECEMBER – COLSTON HALL NYE SWING DANCE (MAISON PARADISO COCKTAIL LOUNGE) @ COLSTON HALL, BRISTOL
This New Year’s Eve, we’ll be providing the music in The Lantern, the smaller venue attached to Colston Hall, as part of their “NYE Swing Dance”. We’ve teamed up with Maison Paradiso and will be keeping things lively in their room, dropping a party-friendly mix of disco, boogie, house, classics and occasional random drunken selections.
SATURDAY 3rd JANUARY, 2015 – BEDMO DISCO @ BIG CHILL BRISTOL
To celebrate the start of our new Saturday night residency at Big Chill Bristol (the first Saturday of every month, kids) we’ll be pitching up at our favourite city centre watering hole-turned-intimate club space and playing lots of great music to get you going in 2015. New Year, new you… same old Bedmo Disco!
Join us at least one of these… we can guarantee great music and good times!
The last few Bedmo Disco Presents… sessions at Big Chill Bristol have been pretty special. September’s session with Alexander Nut was memorable for all the right reasons, while Daniel Wang’s set at our Halloween party was a thing of rare beauty – a dance floor disco and house mix that kept us guessing throughout. We think our next event, featuring the one and only AUNTIE FLO, will be one of most memorable yet.
If you’re unfamiliar with the distinctive sound of Glaswegian in London Auntie Flo (AKA DJ/producer/musician Brian D’Souza), then you’re missing out. D’Souza is one of the UK’s foremost purveyors of 21st century global fusion, where rhythms from Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia are paired with the unmistakable pulse of house, techno and disco. He was instrumental in setting up Glasgow’s acclaimed HIGHLIFE parties, alongside HUNTLEYS & PALMERS label boss Andrew Thompson. The two collaborate on HIGHLIFE EDITS, an offshoot of H&P that delivers shit-hot reworks of obscure Afro-disco, Afro-funk and Middle Eastern records.
As a producer, D’Souza has been on great form for some time. Following his breakthrough single, the brilliant ‘Highlife’/’Goa’, he’s released a superb full-length on Huntleys & Palmers and subsequent singles for Permanent Vacation, Kompakt Extra and others. He’s also a regular contributor to JD Twitch’s Autonomous Africa project, which raises money for projects in sub-Saharan Africa. He also performs impressive Auntie Flo live shows alongside regular studio collaborator Esa.
For his appearance in Bristol, he’ll be taking to the decks and delivering a set that joins the dots between a myriad of global styles and 21st century “Western” dance music. Expect tropical rhythms, heavy basslines and percussion for days. Oh, and plenty of sweaty dancefloor moments!
In addition, we’ve enlisted Rough Draft bossman and all round badman DJ ELDRIDGE to take care of duties in the study. Expect a lesson in crate digging as he drops a vinyl-only selection of jams from across the musical spectrum.
Supporting Auntie Flo downstairs will be Bedmo Disco (that’s Awon, Sell By Dave and Five-Stylez to you).
With our usual sound system tweaks and extra speakers, Big Chill Bristol will be sounding better than ever. The last few parties have been chock-a-block, so arrive early to guarantee entry. Remember: it’s free before 11pm, then £3 after.
To get you in the mood, here’s a taste of Auntie Flo in action, in the shape of a vintage Boiler Room excursion from 2012…
It’s been a while since the last Bedmo Disco mix, and even longer since Sell By Dave, Awon and Five-Stylez all contributed to one. Clearly, we needed an excuse, because last week we put one together for our friends at Bodywork Bristol. They uploaded it to their Soundcloud profile earlier today, and you can find it below.
There is, of course, a good reason they asked us to contribute to their “Workout” series (mixes inspired by working out, trips to the gym, that kind of thing). On Saturday (11th October) they’re hosting what looks to be a particularly tasty party at Basement 45 here in Bristol. The headliner is top notch Canadian selector Eddie C (Endless Flight, African Shakedown, Kolour, Crue-L, Common Edit… the list goes on). In support, you’ll find us playing back-to-back with Bodywork residents Hank Champagne and the Prince of Persia. These guys are top DJs with excellent record collections – as anyone who heard them play at Bedmo Disco Presents… a couple of months back will no doubt agree – so we’re particularly excited about sharing the ones-and-twos with them (and, of course, warming up for Eddie).
You can find out more about the party here and buy tickets (recommended) on Resident Advisor here.
As for the mix, we went in hard on the “workout” tip. It features plenty of samples from our little-known collection of ‘80s workout VHS tapes, plenty of original Italo-disco, some forgotten house gems, a smattering of boogie dubs, a slew of unreleased Bedmo Disco dubs and 30 minutes of shirts-off disco at the end. Oh, and Arnie. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
It’s been a busy month for us here at Bedmo Disco towers, with a memorable trip to Soundwave Croatia – the highlight of which was the unbelievable reaction of the Beach Stage crowd to our Saturday night set – and various gigs leaving us happy but exhausted. We should thank Noah and Rob at Soundwave for having us back for the fourth time, and for all those who came and danced hard. It was a blast!
While we’re thanking people, we should also extend our gratitude to the boys from Bodywork and People Like Us, who played brilliant sets at the latest edition of Bedmo Disco Presents at Big Chill Bristol a couple of weeks back. They got the party pumping, and it was great to see local talent getting an even better reaction than some of our headline guests from overseas.
Tonight (Tuesday 5th August) we return to the virtual airwaves with the latest instalment of Bedmo Disco Radio on www.invader.fm. We kick off at 8pm, and will be reflecting on the past month as well as looking forward to our next big party on 29th August. On that date, we’ll be joined at Big Chill Bristol by the boys from The Boogie Cartel. We’ve been following the progress of Captain Turtle and the rest of the Boogie Cartel guys for a few years, so it seemed the right time to give them their Bristol debut. They put on particularly good parties at the Horse and Groom in Shoreditch (amongst other places) and recently smashed up the Downlow Radio tent at Glastonbury. They’ll no doubt bring the party, as they always do.
You can get a taste of what the Boogie Cartel have to offer on tonight’s edition of Bedmo Disco Radio. We’ll be airing a 30-minute guest mix from Captain Turtle just after 9pm. We’ve been listening to it all morning, and suffice to say you won’t be disappointed.
So tune in to Invader.fm from 8pm, sit back and enjoy our usual selection of ace tunes, idiotic mic banter and pointless references to Awon’s cat, Lionel. Five-Stylez is otherwise engaged, so we probably won’t be playing any INXS or Bobby Brown. Still, it should be a good show nonetheless!
This Friday (20th June), the Bedmo Disco Presents… series at Big Chill Bristol reaches its’ third installment. Having given Amsterdam’s Marcel Vogel his Bristol debut and allowed PBR Streetgang’s Bonar Bradberry to indulge his disco side, this time we’ve looked to New York for inspiration. When we found out that Justin Van Der Volgen was planning a jaunt to Europe this June, we jumped at the opportunity to book the Brooklyn-based DJ/producer.
Justin doesn’t hail from NYC, but he’s become a part of the fabric of the city since his days with Warp-signed punk-funk outfit !!!. Over the last few years he’s built up a reputation as a fearless producer and re-editor, both on his own and alongside friends from the vibrant Brooklyn/Williamsburgh scene. To get you in the mood for his extended set at Big Chill Bristol on Friday, we’ve decided to run down some of his “greatest hits” to date, both on his own and with a variety of collaborators.
Scroll down for our picks of his productions, and don’t forget that Justin headlines Bedmo Disco Presesnts… #003 at Big Chill Bristol this Friday. We’ll be opening until 4am for the first time, with Justin on around 1am. It’s free to get in before 11pm, £3 after. Our old pal Legendary Tone (best before:/Hotel/Wild Honey Sound System) will be mixing it up in the Study, too, if you fancy a break from Justin’s full-throttle NYC madness.
JUSTIN VANDERVOLGEN – THE CLAPPING SONG (Golf Channel Recordings, 2010)
Arguably Justin’s first solo “hit”, this Golf Channel released jam is a humungous chunk of surging electronic disco propelled forwards by incessant handclaps, looped guitars and a booming bassline. It’s the sort of record that it’s impossible not to dance to like an utter lunatic. We secretly hope that he drops this on Friday, Just so that we can see the reaction.
JV – I WANT YOUR LOVE [JV EDIT] (Editchannel XXX, 2012)
Justin’s edits are becoming the stuff of legend. He’s done plenty – both on his own and with others – but this version of Bobby Thurston’s “You Got What It Takes” is arguably his best known. It’s a near perfect example of the art of the re-edit. Thurston’s original is a bit of a banger, but does feature a quite rubbish middle eight and some rather shoddy vocals in parts. Justin stripped those out, emphasizing the amazing groove, righteous horns and select vocal passages. Near perfect in almost every way, and a big tune at Bedmo Disco parties since its’ first release in 2012.
It says something about a track when everyone remembers the remix, rather than the original. That’s certainly the case with Soft Rocks’ “Talking Jungle”. While the original – a steel drums laden chunk of hazy Balearica full of live drums, groovy organs and sun-kissed guitars – is a fine piece of music, it pales in comparison with Justin’s remix. If you’ve not heard it before, take a listen on the link above – it’s a ten-minute chunk of baggy disco bliss complete with brilliant piano solos and a killer bassline. A superb remix – one of the best of recent years, in our book.
TRY TO FIND ME – GET TO MY BABY [TBD EDIT] (Golf Channel Recordings, 2010)
Back in the late 2000s, Justin took on the Try To Find Me alias as a pseudonym for his re-edit work. He put together a couple of mixes of his own edits, the second of which came out on Phil South’s Golf Channel Recordings label in 2009. A year later, one of the highlights of that second disc – “Get To My Baby” – sneaked on on a single-sided black label 12”. This time round, it had been teased and tweaked into driving, delay-laden disco perfection by Justin and fellow Brooklyn resident Doug Lee (AKA Rong Music regular Lee Douglas) under the TBD moniker. This has been a staple in Bedmo Disco sets since the time, and has lost none of its’ allure.
TBD – OH YES (DFA Records, 2010)
Around the same time that they were re-edited an edit, Justin and Doug Lee sat down and wrote “Oh Yes”, which was the highlight of a thrillingly robust 2010 EP for DFA Records. A rip-snorting acid-meets-Italo disco thumper, it sounds every bit as raw and intense now as it did when it dropped. If you were in any doubt that Justin can bang it hard, look no further.
TBD – I DON’T KNOW (TBD Sounds, 2009)
This early foray into the world of TBD was a little overlooked at the time of release, but still sounds thrilling five years on. Baggier than their DFA release, it married Justin’s punk-funk sensibility and love of cowbells with Doug Lee’s love of wonky electronics and no-holds-barred disco. Certified banger!
!!! – MUST BE THE MOON [JUSTIN VANDERVOLGEN REMIX] (Warp Records, 2008)
A vintage remix from Justin’s days as part of !!!. Featuring Doug Lee hammering away at the organ, it’s a prime slice of hazy, vaguely Balearic disco-rock with a psychedelic twinge. Let’s all go to the moon!
Justin Van Der Volgen headlines Bedmo Disco Presents #003 at The Big Chill Bar in Bristol on Friday 20th June.
Yes, it’s true: Bedmo Disco Records has returned to action. The “Product of Bedminster” EP, featuring Awon’s in-demand “No Return” and the ace “Check It Out” by Awon & Bedmo Disco (check out those synths!), is out now, exclusively (for this week, at least) on Junodownload.
Check out the clips below, and head to Junodownload to buy on various digital file formats.
We’re sure you’ve not forgotten, but this Sunday – Easter Sunday, kids – sees the launch of our brand new residency at Big Chill Bristol, Bedmo Disco Presents… More excitingly, Sunday’s party also marks the first appearance in Bristol of Lumberjacks in Hell and Intimate Friends bossman MARCEL VOGEL, a man who should need little introduction to those with a passion for disco, boogie and soul-flecked electronic music.
To get us all in the mood for the party, Marcel has kindly done a mix for the great people at STAMP THE WAX. He’s also spoken to them about re-edits, his labels, and his lack of rapping skills. You can check out the interview and mix here >> We’ve also stuck the Soundcloud link below.
Bedmo Disco Records is back! After what seems like an eternity (18 months, in fact), we’re returning to (virtual) record stores with a digital-only blast of boogie goodness from Awon & Bedmo Disco entitled “Product of Bedminster”. Full of delay-laden drum machine beats, colourful analogue synths and tactile, booming synth basslines, both tracks have been staples of our sets for a couple of years. We’re delighted to finally be able to share them with you.
Listen to lo-res preview clips below. There’s Awon’s rather smashing “No Return”, and Awon & Bedmo Disco’s “Check It Out”. You can pick up both when the EP makes its way onto digital download stores in April.
Those who pay attention to our social media feeds – namely Twitter and Facebook – may have spotted our “big news” of the week: we’ve put together a season of parties with very special guests, called Bedmo Disco presents… at Big Chill Bristol. What’s more, the first party is set to take place on Easter Sunday, April 20th.
It goes without saying that we’re rather excited about this. When Big Chill Bristol’s general manager came to us and offered us the opportunity to program a series of parties with special guests, we understandably jumped at the opportunity. We spent a lot of time thinking about DJs who would not only fit our vibe, but also that inspire us. DJs who may also be producers or musicians, but first and foremost can rock a party hard while taking us on a journey. We were interested in booking people from that select band of DJs whose style combines an obsessive crate digging mentality with an ability to educate, entertain and, above all else, get the dancefloor rocking.
After spending weeks hammering out emails and chatting to DJs, agents and managers on the phone, we’ve put together what we think is a pretty darn tasty line-up of guests. We’re not going to announce them all at once, but suffice to say that our guests come from around the World, including such hotbeds of disco and dance music talent as New York and Amsterdam. We think you’ll be impressed, and you certainly won’t want to miss any of them. You can find the dates of all the forthcoming Bedmo Disco presents at Big Chill Bristol parties here.
We’re particularly excited by the launch party, which will take place on April 20th (Easter Sunday). It features a DJ we’ve long admired, Amsterdam legend MARCEL VOGEL.
Those who pay attention to the contemporary disco scene will have come across Marcel, possibly through his label, Lumberjacks in Hell. It’s one of the few edit-related labels worth bothering with. With strong links to the original Chicago house and disco DJs, as well as top contemporary talent, Lumberjacks in Hell frequently features edits that blur the boundaries between house, disco, boogie and soul. Other labels do this, of course, but few – if any – do it quite as well as Marcel’s imprint. It’s a clear sign of his A&R skills, but also of his own distinct style, which is so evident in his DJ sets – think percussion by the barrow load, hypnotic loops, celebratory builds and moments of thrilling release. He’ll drop original material, but you’ll also find quality cuts that breathe new life into forgotten and little-known gems. Oh, and expect soulful music in all its other forms, be it hip-hop, house, or raw funk.
Marcel first got into music as a kid growing up in Germany, compiling tapes from his mum’s record collection and aspiring to be a B-boy. He got into DJing soon after, and as he got older began to put on parties. After moving to Berlin he promoted and acted as resident DJ at the now legendary LEGACY parties between 2003 and 2007. There, he began to develop his now familiar “soulful groove” style, joining the dots between raw disco, boogie, rare groove and house.
After spending three years in Switzerland, he moved to Amsterdam in 2010 to learn audio engineering. He became an integral part of the local scene, DJing regularly, hosting parties and promoting his new label, Lumberjacks in Hell. You should know the rest of the story.
As we approach the party we’ll post some of his DJ mixes, including one he’s putting together just for us. You’ll be able to hear that on the April edition of our radio show on Invader.fm.
The April party, which Marcel is headlining, will follow the same formula as the rest: the Bedmo Disco crew on the warm up, the guest smashing it, and happy faces all round. We can’t wait.
These parties will start at 9pm, and be free to get in before 11pm. After that, it’s three quid in. Arrive early, as we have a feeling these events will be roadblocked – after all, it’s not often you get guests of this quality for free, or less than the cost of a pint.
Stay tuned for more information. For now, get the dates in your diary. We have guests from New York in June and July, and you definitely won’t want to miss those!
Bedmo Disco presents #001: Marcel Vogel takes place on Sunday April 20th at Big Chill Bristol.
BEDMO DISCO 