British DJ hits the scene with a funky house mix

Features

Published: 03 Feb. 2005, 22:20

British DJ hits the scene with a funky house mix

Weary of hard techno at jam-packed Hongdae clubs? Miss those satisfying tunes at MI and Matmata?
Those who find the club scene increasingly frustrating discovered a new oasis for fun last weekend. Spin, a new club in Apgujeong-dong, brought back the aura of defunct underground clubs that used to please music fanatics. Saturday night featured a rare event that attracted more than 450 revelers, who drank and danced until the wee hours.
Along with Seoul’s reputable DJ line-up ― DJ Never-Far, DJ Jal, DJ Tony O., DJ Kevin ― there was a new one in town, Eugene Blake from London, who escalated the excitement from 1 a.m. with non-stop house that was, according to the DJ, “interestingly funked-up and cut up.”
The basement club plays lounge and deep-house on weekdays, psychedelic trance or house on Fridays; there will be theme parties on Saturdays. (Club Spin is closed on Sundays.)
Tomorrow night, Club Spin will throw a disco house costume party, “Boogie Night,” from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. The DJ line-up includes Blake on house, DJ Kevin and Mo’Virus on funky house, and DJ Jal on disco house. The person in the best costume will win 1 million won ($976) in cash. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For information in English, call 010-9329-9638.
This month, mark your calendar for two more parties at Club Spin: “Wish Psychedelic Trance Party” on Feb. 18 and “Miss Honey Dijon Party” on Feb. 19. For information, visit the club’s Web site, www.clubspin.co.kr or call 02-3445-1253 after 7 p.m. Spin is located at the intersection by the Rock’n Roll Bar near Cine City theater in Apgujeong-dong.

by Ines Cho

A chat with DJ Eugene Blake:
Q. Where did you spin in the U.K.?
A. House music is more appreciated in the northern part of England than in London. In Sheffield, where I began deejaying seriously, I played in most of the major house clubs, including Brown St. and the superclub Bed (Gatecrasher), which had a great sound system and vibe. For my own promotional nights, I crossed genres with house, hip hop, breaks, and even drum and bass. I always enjoy playing up north as the crowd really appreciates good, solid dance music.

What did you play last weekend?
It was really a good selection of house music from the French side, which I love, to the funky, soulful stuff, while sliding a few of my own tunes in, too, for good measure. It’s important to cut the mix up and make it interesting. I hate boring sets!

What’s your plan, musically, for the coming weekend and after?
I’ll try to continue my studio work, while also plugging away at doing what I love ―to DJ ― keeping the music fresh. There are a few big parties on the agenda and it will be great to be a part of them. Club Spin had a great vibe on Saturday, and it would be fantastic to push this further, especially in Apgujeong-dong.