Polaroid

Cosmic Disco Guest Mix

2010-07-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a mix I have just done for the excellent Cosmic Disco site

1. Marcus Marr - Pleasure Moon feat. Helen Ward [New Finger]
2. Toby Tobias - Crocodile Slippers [Late Night Audio]
3. Mark Duffin - Captain Five Minutes Ago (Dub) [Solar Disco]
4. Chamboche - The Window [Unreleased]
5. Quarion - Pepper Candy [Retreat]
6. Creatures of Habit - How We Lustre (Nick Chacona Mix) [Solar Disco]
7. Wolf + Lamb feat Smirk - Therapist [Wolf + Lamb Music]
8. Mano Le Tough - Baby, Let's Love [Dirt Crew Recordings]
9. Conforce - Black Stroke (KiNK & Neville Watson Remix) [Modelisme]
10. Cristian Vargas - Rogue State (Joe Morris Black Ops Remix) [Baker Street]
11. Aswefall - Nevermore (Clement Meyer Remix) [Isolering]
12. Mark Duffin - Captain Five Minutes Ago (Tony Lionni Remix) [Solar Disco]

Polaroid - Wish You Were Here

2010-02-15T14:59:00.001-08:00

Wish You Were Here by Polaroid Club

Polaroid - Colours of the Night

2009-12-31T04:21:00.000-08:00

Colours of the Night by Polaroid Club

Mid-tempo disco houser. Some strings samples, live bass & some moog stabs giving it a shiny electronic disco feel with some italo influences

Duff Disco

2009-12-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

Just been sent these very cool edits by the mysterious Duff Disco. On the a-side it's David Bowie's "Fame" that get's the Duff treatment - it gets slowed down to Mark E tempo and turned into a massive chugger. On the flip it's a Red Hot Chilli Peppers track that gets reworked into a slo-mo discoid groover. Go check...

Phonica
Duff Disco

Polaroid - Star Stream

2009-12-08T05:30:00.001-08:00

Star Stream by Polaroid

New track from us. Quite a downtempo affair, but with some acid style crescendo's to give it some dancefloor appeal. It has some influences from old 80's electro tracks, while retaining a modern disco feel, I hope.

Greg Wilson Live At Polaroid 2.10.09

2009-10-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

This month’s podcast comes from Greg Wilson who’s been kind enough to share his live set from the club last month with us. As we’ve come to expect from the man, it’s total quality from start to finish, with plenty of Greg’s edits, mash ups and overdubs from his trusty Revox machine throughout. Enjoy…

Greg Wilson Live at Polaroid

Polaroid - Primitive Minds Mix

2009-10-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

1. Floating Points – Vacuum Boogie/Superstars Of Rock - Orange Sunshine Acapella
2. Zwicker - Dragon Fly feat. Billy Oden (Soultourist Remix)
3. Ilija Rudman – Night People (Garage Mix)
4. Bleep District – Revelations (Rapture Rub)
5. Chamboche – Ipso Facto (Pete Herbert Remix)
6. Toby Tobias – In Your Eyes (Tensnake Remix)
7. LSB – F.O.G Dub
8. Zopelar – Till Now (Zopelar Remix)
9. Chamboche – Feverish (The Revenge Remix)
10. Zepp001 – Don’t Sleep
11. Canyons – Fire Eyes
12. Q&A – Tumbling Cubes
13. Precious System – The Voice From Plant Love (Dixon’s Chic A Go Edit)
14. Munk – You Never See Me Back Down (Cut Copy Remix)

Download Here

The Glimmers Nov 6th

2009-10-15T02:42:00.000-07:00

Polaroid l Friday 6th November

With Very Special Guests... THE GLIMMERS

£5 advance tickets from Resident Advisor

After the huge Greg Wilson night last month, there is no let up in quality as we present The Glimmers to rock Polaroid this time. Hailing from Gent in Belgium, Mo & David have been Djing for 20 years and have been responsible for some the best mix CDs around. Their DJ Kicks and Fabric albums are seminal mixes showcasing their dirty, sleazy & punky disco sound perfectly and reflect their DJ sets which are full of fun with emphasis on the party. This will be one not to be missed...

11pm - 4am
Wire l 2 Call Lane l Leeds
£7/6 NUS

Greg Wilson October 2nd

2009-09-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

To help us with the launch of our brand new Funktion One sound system, we have invited a true legend of the dance world.

For the uninitiated, however unlikely that may seem, Greg Wilson made his name in the 70's and 80's where he was a pioneer of the predominantly black electro-funk sound at seminal Manchester clubs like Legends and Hacienda, where he was the first ever resident DJ. Credited with starting it’s first dance night he helped the club develop its reputation as the home of cutting edge new music. He was also the first DJ to mix records live on TV on The Tube show in 1983, and went on to produce and co-write the Street Sounds ‘UK Electro’ LP in 1984, as well as compiling the ‘Classic Electro Mastercuts’ LP in 1994, cementing himself as an oracle of the genre.

Despite these successes, in 1984 Greg retired from DJ’ing to face a new challenge. Returning to the DJ scene in 2003, the Music Is Better Night he played in Manchester that year proved to be a catalyst for him, and Greg has been in demand from club nights across the world ever since. Such is his popularity with a newfound legion of fans young enough to be his children; Greg released the popular Credit to the Edit in the summer of 2005 to great acclaim. He has also released a number of disco re-edits on the Tirk label with a follow up to Credit to the Edit due this autumn.

This is a chance to catch a true legend at work. With Greg’s trademark Reel to Reel tape machine, live edits and exquisite music selection of old and new tracks coupled with our brand new Funktion One sound system, this promises to be a night simply not to be missed.
El Diablos meanwhile have been throwing delighful parties on a disco, house, balearic, whatever tip in various Manchester establishments for the last six years. Currently residing at The Deaf Institute they have hosted revered guests such as Maurice Fulton, Rub N Tug, Todd Terje and many others, while regularly playing across the UK and beyond.

Polaroid Friday 2nd October
GREG WILSON

Neil Scott (El Diablos Social Club)

With Residents Joe Morris & Nick Smith
11-5am Wire 2-8 Call Lane Leeds
£7/6 NUS on the door£5 adv tickets available from Resident Advisor - http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?113027

Email info @ polaroidclub for paying guest list

July Playlist

2009-07-03T01:08:00.000-07:00

Here's some hot tracks we are currently loving to match the soaring temperatures we are enjoying, with some upcoming DJ dates also.

Arriba.

Mugwump – Nothing Without You - Kompakt
TBD – What Is It? – TBD Sounds
Shit Robot – Simple Things (Todd Terje Remix) - DFA
40 Thieves – Beats In Space EP - Rong
Altair Nouveau – Space Fortress – Solar Disco
The Revenge - This Sound - Instruments of Rapture #3
Ali Renault – Dockland Dirt
Outmode – Dark Journey (The Revenge Unreleased Mix) - Outmode
Toby Tobias – In Your Eyes (Tensnake Mix) Rekids
Black Meteoric Star – Death Tunnel – DFA
Simian Mobile Disco – Audacity of Huge (allez allex Remix) - Wichita
DJ Sprinkles – Grand Central Pt1 (Motor City Drum Ensemble Mix) - Mule
D Play – Tschaka – Running Back
Gary Beck – Drifting – Perc Recs
Leo Zero – Strange Rearrange
Mark Henning – S’AllGood – Tic Tac Toe
Mugwump – Tellakian Circles (Runaway Mix) – Mule
Telemusik - Phantom Rock (Toby Tobias Mix) – DJ History
Kaoru Inoue – Esc – Endless Flight
Pete Herbert – Yo Drums – Maxi Discs

Dates::

3rd July – Polaroid Residents Party, Leeds
10th July – Nation of Shopkeeps w/In Flagranti, Leeds
31st July – Airbound w/Daniel Wang, Alexandr Robotnik + more, Zadar Croatia
7th August – Polaroid w/Disco Outcasts, Leeds
28th August – L’Escalier, Saint Malo France
30th August – Asylum&Technique Garden Party, Leeds

Airbound Party This Friday

2009-06-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Airbound

2009-06-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

This summer the people behind Bodytonic and Nightflight get together for a long Balkan weekend of sunshine and quality music with like minded people in a beautiful setting on the Dalmatian coast.

AIRBOUND will be a low key festival in the intimate surroundings of the Croatian fishing village of Petrcane and we have drafted in some of the finest promoters from Europe for what's sure to be three days and nights of craic; and this is on top of cutting edge international artists and underground heroes… For the uninitiated, Croatia is breathtaking. It has crystal clear seas, the locals are sound, the food is amazing and it's all super cheap. There are plenty of things that you can do during the day or you can take a breather from the heady-hedonism, chill-out, and relax with a massage to the sounds of soul, funk and disco.

By night you can sip cocktails at the seafront cocktail bar with 360 degree sea views or join the throng at the 60s-style Barbarellas nightclub for late night house and techno. The show-stealers, however, are the daily Argonaut boat parties, which plough through the Adriatic. Yacht Rock at its finest.

The soundtrack to the festival will be supplied some of our best-loved DJs from around the globe. For fans of house and techno we have Berlins finest, Ben Klock and Marcel Dettmann. And if Disco floats your boat, we have Daniel Wang and Italian ledge Alexander Robotnik. Leading the Electronica charge is Border Community’s Nathan Fake.

For the full line up, ticket, travel and accomodation info visit the Airbound Official Website

Weirdo Police (Live) This Friday

2009-06-04T01:20:00.000-07:00

Polaroid Friday June 5th

WEIRDO POLICE – Live (2020 Vision/Bear Funk)
(Decks, FX, Guitars, Vocoders)
Reset*
Polaroid Soundsystem

11- late
£6/5nus
Email info@polaroidclub.co.uk for guestlist

Hype. A word often loosely bandied about in clubland without much merit, but in the case of our next guests one which is justly deserved. Weirdo Police are no wet behind the ears, fly by night producers with one debatable hit under their belts; Mat Playford and Tom Gray have been in the dance industry for over 10 years and boast several successful projects between them. Mat was the co-founder of the legendary Play Music record store in Leeds and has to date collaborated and released tracks with Darren Emerson, Tim Deluxe, Paul Woolford, Sandy Rivera, Robert Owens, Pete Herbert, Clive Henry and Steve Kotey. Mat has played across the globe from Ministry of Sound to Space and held his own with any big hitter you care to mention. Tom meanwhile, a diverse and accomplished musician in his own right is a record producer in the mainstream working across multiple genres for such major labels as Sony, Warner Brothers and Atlantic Records.

Now the pair are ready to unleash their live project Weirdo Police on the world. Fusing together live electronic funk, cosmic disco and a smattering of balearica all held together with good old fashioned acid house values, Weirdo Police have already released some well received singles on 2020 Vision, Bear Funk and Lo Recordings which have to date drawn features on them in style bibles i-D and New Order. Their forthcoming debut album is imminent and features guest appearances from Kathy Diamond, Mercury Music Prize winner Talvin Singh and Crazy P’s Danni Moore and is currently courting major label interest. It looks set to be the soundtrack of the summer, backed up with some exciting live shows consisting of decks, fx, guitars and vocoders at Brighton Beachdown, Space Ibiza and more summer festival dates to follow. Quite frankly, you’d be a fool to miss them play an electrifying, intimate live show at Polaroid before things inevitably blow up for them later in the year.

Weirdo Police Live Mix
Weirdo Police MySpace

Mark E Mix

2009-05-29T01:02:00.001-07:00

Black Country boy Mark E is currently one of our favourite producers, with his slo mo, deep Detroit-esque house music. We've kindly been supplied with a brand new DJ mix, which is perfect for these warm sunny evenings we are currently enjoying.

Mark E May 2009 DJ Mix

High On Hope

2009-05-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

High On Hope - Trailer from piers on Vimeo.

This is what I'm talking about, a proper film about the Blackburn warehouse party scene. This story needs to be told. Look out for the flim coming later in the summer...

A Berlin hard luck story

2009-05-24T06:16:00.000-07:00

Weirdo Police

2009-05-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of our forthcoming guests Weirdo Police warming up for Crazy P at Queen of Hoxton in that there London recently. There is also a full live set below for you to get your ears around.

Weirdo Police Live Mix
Weirdo Police MySpace

Polaroid - Night Flight Mix

2009-05-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

Well, you wait eight months for us to do a new mix and you get two in one month. What can I say, we're feeling creative at the moment. Probably wont last, so grab them while you can. This one was recorded for our Dublin chums Night Flight for thier excellent podcast series.

It starts off with some slo-mo, spacey house and disco before getting into some electronc housey bits and straight up acid trax, and finishes up with a stone cold classic. Oh yeah and our new track is nestled in there for good measure.

Night Flight Mix

Track List

Intro – Paradise Garage Skit [Taken From The Movie “Maestro”]
Hardway Bros. “A Diabolical Liberty” [History Clock]
6th Borough Project “Do It To The Max” [Instruments of Rapture]
House of House “The Rough Half (Don’t Stop)” [Whatever We Want]
Lunar Jam “Ewoks Endor Jam” [Lunar Jam Edits #2]
Glossy “Payama” [Glossy]
Lindstrom & Solale “Baby I Can’t Stop” (Aeroplane Remix) [Feedility]
Challenge “Thirst” [Kompakt]
Kink & Neville Watson “Full Flight” [Hour House]
Sugar Daddy “Stripped To The Bone” [Tirk]
Polaroid “Technicolor Rhythm” [Weirdo Records]
The Juan Maclean “One Day” Emperor Machine Remix [DFA]
Downtown Party Network “Days Like These” [Eskimo Recordings]
Kink & Neville Watson “Blueprint” [Hour House]
Mat Playford “Analogue Tear” [Intimacy Music]
Deep Dish “Stay Gold” [deConstruction]

Was it really 20 years ago?

2009-05-13T14:20:00.001-07:00

Still gives me goosebumps...

Disco Deviant Mixtape

2009-05-03T01:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a mix we recorded for our friends Disco Outcasts excellent 'Outcast Love' series. We are made up to be asked, they have had mixes in the past from The Revenge, Greg Wilson and Horse Meat Disco, so we're in good company. Head over to thier blog to check them out. You can also get the mix right here...

Disco Deviant Mixtape

Intro. Richard Pryor - Cocaine
Grandmaster Flash - The Message (Polaroid Swift Reverse Edit)
Andrew Allsgood - Raise It On Down
Toto - Georgy Porgy ( The Revenge Rework)
Nebraska - The Other Side
Instruments Of Rapture - Do It to The Max
Harri & The Revenge - Rocky Mountain Drift
Eddie C - Let Your Mind Be Free
Disco Deviance - Get On Up (Situation Edit)
Super Value Classics - Track 1
Michael Wycoff - Looking Up To You (The Revenge Rework)
Lola - Wax The Van (Ilija Rudman Remix)
Nick Chacona & Anthony Mansfield - Slow n Low
Morten Sorrenson - Start Something (40 Thieves Remix)
Nick Chacona & Anthony Mansfield - Burning Sensation
Das Volt - Gestures (Fabrizio Mammarella Remix)
LSB - Locomotion
Soft Rocks - Lightbulb
Nick Chacona & Anthony Mansfield - The Heat
Plastic De Reve - Lost In the City
The Detroit Experiment - Think Twice (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
Outro. Richard Pryor - My Funeral

Rory Phillips Mix

2009-04-23T08:35:00.001-07:00

This Bank Holiday we bring you one of our best loved DJs. Rory Phillips has been a favourite of ours since first coming to our attention at his seminal Our Disco parties and unbelievably, this is his first gig at Polaroid. Quite why it’s taken us so long to invite him, we’re not sure but we deserve a big slap for being so slack.

Here's a taster of what to expect...

Rory Phillips Live at Durrr

Grace Jones ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’
Glass Candy ‘Life After Sundown’
Cut Copy ‘Far Away’ (Hercules & Love Affair Remix)
Talking Heads ‘Girlfriend Is Better’
The Kills ‘Cheap And Cheerful’
In Flagranti ‘Brush My Beat’
These New Puritans ‘Elvis’
Bush Tetras ‘Too Many Creeps’
Jesse Evans ‘Is It Fire’
Hundred In The Hands ‘Dressed In Dresden’
Late Of The Pier ‘Space In The Woods’
Sylvester ‘Do You Wanna Funk’
MGMT ‘Kids / ‘Kids’ (Soulwax Mix) (Rory Phillips Edit)
Metronomy ‘Holiday’
James Chance & The Contortions ‘Contort Yourself’
Hot Chip ‘Hold On’
The Pointer Sisters ‘Send Him Back’ (Pilooski Edit)
Golden Bug ‘LookLookLook’
The Juan Maclean ‘The Simple Life’
Human League ‘Don’t You Want Me’ (Dub)
Friendly Fires ‘Paris’ (Aeroplane Mix)
New Order ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’
The Glimmers ‘I’d Much Rather Go (Out With The Boys)’
Delta 5 ‘Mind Your Own Business’
Dub Narcotic Sound System ‘Fuck Shit Up’

April Playlist

2009-04-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

Polaroid – Technicolor Rhythm [Weirdo Records]
Hardway Bros. – A Diabolical Liberty [History Clock]
6th Borough Project – Do It To The Max [Instruments Of Rapture]
Juan Maclean – One Day (Emperor Machine Remix) [DFA]
Dollskabeat – Zodiac Rising [Optimo Music]
The Aliens – Sunlamp Show (Disco Bloodbath Remix) [Linn Records]
Leo Zero ft Freddie Mercury – A Message Of Love [Unreleased]
Kink & Neville Watson – Full Flight [Hour House Is Your Rush]
Lindstrom & Solale – Baby I Cant Stop (Aeroplane Mix) [Feedility]
Sebastian Tellier - Kilometer (Aeroplane Italo '84 Remix) [Record Makers]
Downtown Party Network – Days Like These [Eskimo]
Royksopp – Happy Up Here (Holy Fuck Unreleased Version)
Crazy P – Love On The Line (Pete Herbert Edit) [2020 Vision]
Sea Kid – Swami [RVNG]
Lindstrom & Prins Thomas – Tirsdagsjam [Eskimo]
John Martin – 1984 (Lovefingers Summer Of Love Mix (Black Disco)
Loin Brothers – Heavy Helment (Mock & Toof Mix [Future Classic]
Capracara – King Of The Witches (Rub N Tug Remix) [DFA]
Lindstrom & Prins Thomas – Rothaus [Eskimo]
Soft Rocks – Lightbulb [Endless Flight]
Bing Ji Ling – Home (The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band Remix) [Love Monk]

We Are 5

2009-03-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

POLAROID 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

With Special Guest DJs
OPTIMO (Optimo Espacio, Glasgow)
Naive Melody (Bugged Out)

+Residents

Wire, 2 Call Lane, Leeds
11- late
£6/5

Hot... and Hard

2009-03-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

I've realised that I don't champion enough new music on here, and just lately I have been overwhelmed by the amount of great stuff there is out there. So, I've made a conscious decision to rectify that forthwith. First up let me present Hardway Bros to you, a wonderful DJ and production duo that have really been floating my boat of late. Their recent mix for Beats in Space with Lord Wetherall is one of the best I've heard, and this led me to dig a little further. The pair have released a cool edit on Beard Science and have releases slated for History Clock; a label that first caught my attention with their awesome ‘Woman’ 12”. Keep an eye out for A Diabolical Liberty which is due to drop soon; a seriously heavy balearic disco chugger. The guys also have a website, Trackwerk, with a glut of strong DJ mixes that you should definitely cast your ears over. The live mix at Disco Bloodbath was a particular fave of mine. Check it out below:

Track List

Hardway Bros - DBB Intro (Disco Will Never Die)
The Winners - Getting Ready For The Future
Cultural Vibe - Ma Foom Bey
Phreek Plus One - New York Dolls
Popular Tyre - Febbre Del Discotheque
House of House - Rushing To Paradise (Walking these Streets)
Wendy Carlos - Light Sailor (Prins Thomas Diskomiks)
The Turtles - Happy Together (Wade Nichols Edit)
Matias Aguayo - Minimal (DJ Koze Mix)
Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts #2 (Loop)
DJ Cole Medina - Buffalo Bill
Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts #2
Down Town Party Network - Days Like These
Liberty City - Some Lovin’ (Loop)
Liberty City - If You Really Love Someone (Murk Dubs Again)
Cerrone - Supernature
??? - Hardway & Fitzcaraldo Edit
Gino Soccio - Remember
The Warlords - Ultimate Warlord (Remix)
Sparks - Beat The Clock (Loop)
Divine - Native Love
Zombi - Sapphire (Escort Remix)
Harold Melvin - You Can’t Go (Edit de Prince Language)
Phantom Slasher - Weekend

Hardway Bros - Disco Bloodbath 7/02/09

Disco Bloodbath This Friday

2009-03-03T01:52:00.001-08:00

Is this Disco?

2009-02-16T02:46:00.000-08:00

This Saturday sees the launch of our spin off party Is This Disco? at the Elbow Room's new look Saturday nights.

As a special offer for our first party we are offering you free entry so that you can come and get a feel for our vibe.All you have to do is email us at info @ polaroidclub.co.uk.

Is This Disco? is every 3rd Saturday.

11pm - late

The Elbow Room is under new management and has invited external promoters to host thier Saturday club nights. We feel that Elbow Room is one of the best late bars in Leeds and we are excited to help put it back on the map. We want people to relax and have fun; it's what Saturday nights are all about.

In honour of this Saturday’s party, we have put together little mix to give you an idea of what kind of music we’ll be spinning. The idea behind the night is to play lots of disco, re-edits, yacht rock, guilty pleasures and forgotten house classics. The emphasis is on fun and not to get too serious.

Download here:

Is This Disco Mixtape

Intro
Imagination – Just an Illusion (Lindstrom 80’s Dub)
Jungle Brothers feat Monie Love – Doin’ Our Dang (Love Unlimited Edit)
Beastie Boys – Triple Trouble (Chateau Flight Edit)
Madonna – Everybody (12” Mix)
Debbie Harry – Rush Rush (Polaroid’s Cubano Crimewave Edit)
Sister Sledge – Lost In Music (The Revenge Rework)
In Flagranti – Louvre For You
Macho – Not Tonite (Jackpot Edit)
Queen – Get Down Make Love (Edit)
New Order – Fine Time (Polaroid’s I Wish It Was 1988 Again Edit)
Steve Silk Hurley – Jack Your Body
Primal Scream – Don’t Fight It, Feel It (Scat Mix)

We can also arrange for a discount on pool tables, booths or the VIP lounge for parties. If that is something of interest then please let us know and we'll work something out.

Elbow Room
Pool Lounge & Bar
64 Call Lane, Leeds
Elbow Room

Winter/Spring News

2009-01-21T01:52:00.000-08:00

Just a little round up of what we are up to for the early part of this year.

This month sees our first gig in Brussels at the world renowned Fuse ; kind of like Belgium’s answer to Fabric. So we are massively looking forward to that!

Friday February 6th is our first party of the year back at our home Wire in Leeds with the rather excellent DFA darling Jacques Renault . Disco, house and plenty of re-edits will be the order of the evening.

Saturday February 21st sees our spin off night Is This Disco? launch at the Elbow Room in Leeds. We aim to soundtrack your evening with a delectable selection of disco bombs, future funk and forgotten house gems. We shall be dusting off our 12”s, digging deep for long lost classics as well as providing fresh new electronic funk and disco.

Friday March 6th we’re back at Wire and proud to present you with another Leeds debut. Disco Bloodbath will be leaving their east London bunker for the trip north to lay down some ‘ecstasy disco’ at Polaroid. Do not miss.

Into April and Friday 3rd sees our 5th birthday celebrations at Wire. Five years young! Who’d have ever thunk it? Keep ‘em peeled for an extra special DJ announcement.

That’s it for now; hope to see you on various dance floors soon.

Polaroid x

We're back

2009-01-12T04:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great Xmas and New Year. Normal service will be resumed on 6th February now the silly season is over and we took a well earned break.

Producer and DJ, Jacques Renault was a post-punk Washington D.C. native who moved to Chicago in 1997 to continue his studies of viola, but in turn got a serious education in dance music. Tapping into the well established Drum n' Bass scene, he held a residency at Smart Bar and became a buyer at the legendary Gramaphone Records. This broad, raw exposure to House music lead him straight back to the classics of Disco and to it's heart, New York City, where he landed in 2002. His distinct sound and ability to gauge his audience has made Jacques a stand-out amongst his peers in the elite, international sphere of electronic music. He has performed everywhere from the Guggenheim's Art After Dark event to Berlin's Rio Club - even gracing the pages of Paper Magazine's 2007 Beautiful People. Recently voted as Best NYC DJ for Paper's Night Life Awards, Jacques has held residencies at New York's famed venues Happy Endings and Tribeca Grand while currently hosting a 205 Club party showcasing an impressive line-up of weekly guest DJs. Along with friends at DFA Records, Jacques is pushing the disco conscious sweep into the new dance-punk scene. With his edits, original tracks and collaborative project RUNAWAY he has released music on the internationally acclaimed New York labels, Italians Do It Better, Editions Disco, and Wurst Edits while having EP's slated for Brennan Green's Chinatown, Cosmo Vitelli's I'm A Cliché, and the new internet only label RCRD LBL. As well as getting coveted spots on the Glimmers' Eskimo mix and the Lindstrom and Prins Thomas BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, Mr. Renault appears regularly on Beats In Space, EVR and contributes a weekly show, Runaway Disco, to VIVA Radio.

Jacques Renault Mix

Polaroid l Friday February 6th

JACQUES RENAULT (DFA/REKIDS, NYC)
Marcus - Live (Fuse/Weekendancer, Brussels)

Plus Residents:
Polaroid Soundsystem

11pm – v late
Wire, 2 Call Lane, Leeds
£6/5
For guest list – email info @ polaroidclub.co.uk

http://www.jacquesrenault.com
http://www.myspace.com/polaroidclub
http://www.myspace.com/weekendancer

Todd Terje - Live at Polaroid 7/11/2008

2008-11-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

Todd Terje Live at Polaroid

Let's get D.I.R.T.Y

2008-11-28T03:39:00.001-08:00

Polaroid December 5th - Discodeine/Pilooski (Dirty, Paris)
DISCODEINE (UK Debut)
PILOOSKI

Plus Residents
Polaroid Soundsystem
£6/5

Rounding things off for us this year we bring you a UK debut from the latest talent to emerge from the French electronic scene. Discodeine are Pilooski and Benjamin Morendo. Hailed by Ivan Smagghe as ‘the real sound of Paris’, their releases on their own Dirty imprint have steadily been gaining praise from the more discerning circles of dance music with their quirky cosmic edits and electronic funk, which culminated in a stunning label showcase at the Sonar festival in Barcelona this summer. Their ‘Ring Modulation’ release from earlier this year was played in any credible club you care to mention from house, electro and minimal DJs alike and has since been followed up by their delightful remix for Metronomy. Along with the likes of Joakim and Chateau Flight, they are flying the banner for a new wave of exciting Parisian DJ’s and producers and we are delighted to have them play their first UK show at Polaroid.

Friday December 5th
Wire
2 Call Lane, Leeds
11-5am
£6/5

www.polaroidclub.co.uk
www.d-i-r-t-y.com

Broken Hookers November Mixtape

2008-11-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Fan Death - The Constellations
Chic - I Want Your Love (Todd Terje Edit)
Hamilton Bohannon - Me And The Gang
Grovesnor - Drive Your Car (Hot Chip Remix)
In Flagranti - Firmly Planted Memories
Snuten Fet Fox N Wolf - Wild And Free (Todd Terje Version)
Ruth - Roman Photo
Fan Death - Veronica's Veil (Erol Alkan Extended Rework)
Syclops - Where's Jason's K?
Crackhaus - Accidentally Brilliant
Radiohead - Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box (Excerpt)
Joakim - Are You Vegetarian?
Noze - Love Affair
Lionel Hampton - Vibramatic (Joakim Remix)
The Field - Everday
Midfield General - Dennis And My Sister

Broken Hookers November Mixtape

The Terje man cometh...

2008-11-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

Friday 7th November l Polaroid Presents…

TODD TERJE

Polaroid is back at our Wire home after being on the road of late and we have lined up a belter. Todd Terje makes up the holy trinity of Norwegian nu-disco producers along with his peers Prins Thomas and Hans-Peter Lindstrøm. Born Terje Olsen in Mjøndalen, a rural outpost in Norway he later moved to Oslo where he adopted the Todd Terje moniker in a sly nod to house pioneer Todd Terry. At 27 he has racked up more re-edits and re-works of old disco, house and pop tracks than you can shake a dusty 12” at. From Chic to Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon to Jose Gonzales, Terje has gained a reputation for putting an original dance floor spin on long forgotten gems. It’s not just his re-edits that have caught the ear; 2005’s ‘Eurodans’ was a soaring piece of blissful disco-house that put him on the map, his remix of Lindstrøm’s ‘Another Station’, an electronic masterpiece and this year’s huge rework of Simon Baker’s ‘Plastik’ with its overdubs of Eastern percussion and live elements hint at him maturing as a producer. Do not miss this rare chance to catch him play in our intimate space which we guarantee will be a treat…

In support the Night Flight boys take time out from throwing the best parties in Dublin to get things started with a fusion of electronic disco and house. The guys have put on some exceptional parties this year with the likes of Joakim, Prins Thomas and Francois K, so they know a thing or two about good music. To complete this month’s line up, Bobby returns for his first Polaroid gig since his triumphant set at Bestival.

Todd Terje - Resident Advisor Mix

Run Hide Survive

2008-10-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

Run Hide Survive's fab warm up set from last month. No tracklist as yet unfortunately but the mix contains gems from In Flagranti, Cosmo Vitelli, Rodion, Popof, Simian and more...

Check

Run Hide Survive – Live at Polaroid

A Night With The General

2008-09-30T13:13:00.001-07:00

Reset

2008-09-15T05:28:00.000-07:00

Guest mix from our good friend Reset. Heavy disco vibes on offer.

Enjoy...

Reset – SubLevel003

Trickski - Sunshine Fuck - Sonar Kollektiv
Mark E - Good Times - Internasjonal
Dolle Jollie - Balearic Incarnation (Todd Terje Extra Doll Mix) - Permanent Vacation
Aeroplane ft. Kathy Diamond - Whispers - Eskimo
40 Theives ft. Qzen - Don't Turn It Off - Permanent Vacation
Tony Tobias ft. Kathy Diamond – The Feeling (I:Cube Remix) - Rekids
Mark E - RnB Drunkie - Golfing Channel
Feist - Inside & Out (Pearson & Usher Elektronischer Dub) - Polydor
Mark E - Beat Down - Running Back
Still Going - On & On (Still Going Theme) - DFA
Runaway - Brooklyn Club Jam - ReKids
Alan Braxe - Most Wanted - Vulture Music
Todd Terje - Eurodans - Clone
Silver City - Another Dimension (Spirit Catcher Main Mix) - 20:20
Snax - Honeymoon's Over (Konrad Black Mix) Fine Music Recordings
Antena - Camino Del Sol (Joakim Remix) - Permanent Vacation
Bonar Bradberry - Beat The Bed - Red Music

Mock & Toof This Friday

2008-09-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hot Shit

2008-08-07T06:48:00.001-07:00

Sonny J – Can’t Stop Moving (Elektrons/Unabombers Dub)
City Reverb – City Of Lights (Optimo Espacio Mix)
Maelstrom – Valdresfjellet
Tiga & Zyntherius – Sunglasses (Black Devil Disco Dub)
Death Disco – Arbeid Adelt (Todd Terje Edit)
Sebastian Tellier – Broadway (Chicken Lips Mix)
Luke Solomon – The Difference Engine
MGMT – Kids (Aeroplane Mix)
Presets – Talk Like That (Optimo Espacio Mix)
Mark E – Ray Gun
They Came From The Stars I Saw Them - Moon Song (Holy Ghost! Remix)
Toby Tobias - The Feeling (I:Cube Remix)
Moby – I Love To Move In Hear (Holy Ghost! Remix)

Polaroid & Basics

2008-07-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hooker Music!

2008-07-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

Them Broken Hookers have taken some time out from producing the excellent ArePeopleReal podcast and finally got some finished tracks to unleash upon the world that they have been promising for so long. Head on over to their MySpace page and let them know what you think...

Döpple Fantasië Mix

2008-07-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

Excuse the pretentious notion of a double mix, but when we got together to do a new one there were too many tracks we wanted to use which we couldn’t realistically fit into just one mix, so we decided to do two that complement what we’re into.

The first part is reflective of stuff you might hear us play on a typical Polaroid night, the second contains stuff we also like and you might hear us play elsewhere.

Anyway hopefully there will be something here that you like…

Part One

Woolfy - That Lady [Rong Music]
SMD - Love (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve Remix) [Wichita]
Trus'Me - Nards (Polaroid Edit) [Prime Numbers]
Brooklyn Express - Sixty Nine [One Way Records]
Golden Bug - Bisco [Gomma]
Kasper Bjorke - Back & Spine (Fidel Astro Remix) [Plant Music]
Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong (Riton Remix) [DFA]
Tommy Four Seven - Eat Me (Justin Robertson Remix) [Brique Rougue]
Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning (Chicken Lips Zeefungk Beatdown) [Modular]
Discodeine - Joystick (Tomboy Mix) [D-i-r-t-y Edits]
Boys Noize - Oh! (A-Trak Remix) [Boys Noize Records]
Yelle - Tristesse (Rolf Honey Remix) [Source]
Alex Gopher - Aurora (Riot In Belgium & Knightlife Remix) [Go 4 Music]
GameboyGamegirl - Sweaty Wet (Accapella) [Sweat It Out]
Revolte - Guess What [Unknown]
Alexander Robotnik - Disco Sick [Clone Records]
Munk - Live Fast Die Old (The Juan Maclean Remix) [Gomma]
Headman - Song 8 [Gomma]
Joachim Garraud - The Sound Of Disco (Deahl & Gillenwater Remix) [Gum]
Primal Scream - Don't Fight it Feel It (Scat Mix) [Creation]

Part Two

Electrifying Mojo - Live & Direct (Polaroid Clipped Re-verb Edit)
Maelstrom - Enter The Cosmos (Pete Herbert Mix) [Solar Disco]
Osborne - Outta Sight [Spectral Sound]
Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong (Instrumental) [DFA Records]
Aeroplane - Whispers (Hercules & Love Affair Mix/Polaroid Instrumental Edit) [Eskimo Recordings]
Mark E - Slave 1 [Running Back]
Paper Music Issue One - Downtime [Paper Recordings]
Gatto Fritto - Burstin' The Bubble [Electric Minds]
Prosumer - Vise [Ostgut Ton]
Discodeine - Joystick [D-i-r-t-y Edits]
Random Factor - Beaten [2020 Vision Recordings]
Booka Shade - Charlotte (Dub/Polaroid Extended Edit) [Get Physical]
Johnny D - Orbital Life [Oslo Records]
Mark E - Pulse Friction [Running Back]
James T Cotton & 2AM/FM - Sensational Rhythm [Spectral Sound]
Simon Baker - Plastik (Todd Terje's Turkatech Mix) [Unreleased]
Mathew Jonson - Symphony For The Apocalypse [Wagon Repair]
Quiet Village - Free Rider [iK7]

Ten questions with Casper C

2008-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Casper C is the main man behind the Bloggers Delight crew in London, a diverse night constantly pushing fresh new music. He’s also the booker for Adventures in the Beetroot Field and is a member of the hip Parisian Fluokids collective. We caught up with him to chat about blogging, the art of DJ’ing and what his dream line up would be…

So for the benefit of our readers, tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you and where are you from?
Hiya! I’m Casper, from Brighton. And I now live in Camden and work for the Lock Tavern and Adventures in the Beetroot Field.

You’re a guy who appreciates lots of different music. How would you describe your DJ’ing style?
My style is focused on ensuring I don’t accidentally press the cue button on the CDJs at any point. As for what I play, I’m not afraid to call certain elements minimal or deep, but I have had to play to all sorts of crowds in the last two years, and I don’t mind giving people a teensy bit of what THEY want as well. I want people to recognise a few and not recognise a few!

Any plans to get into the studio and record some of your own material?
As well as my day job, which I enjoy and work very hard at, I also work very hard at my DJ career and am trying to expand my knowledge (new and old) and develop my technique all of the time. I haven’t quite conceded that a career in DJ’ing is beckoning, so for now, I can’t see where it will fit into my schedule. I do, however, have a string feeling of what my music might sound like when I do get around to it, and I have already tapped up a few engineers to show me the ropes when the time comes.

Bloggers has seen a wealth of talent grace its decks, many now firmly established acts. Who’s your tip to make it big next, any great new talent we should be looking out for?
I am a fan of the art of DJ’ing above all else, and I think that although there’s a huge gulf of talent in London, there are a few people who have the right balance between good taste and good technique.

The latest Blogger’s Delight resident, 17 year old NikNikNik has certainly impressed me. Stopmakingme from AITBF has shown that the art of the warm up is not truly lost.

Skull Juice, as I have been saying for two years now, are the most innovative and genuinely brilliant young DJs in the country. On their day they’re unbeatable and they have made a conscious decision to live in poverty, in pursuit of their art.

I want to give a separate ‘shout out’ to Tomboy and Fredski who are making the music I can hear in my head, and they’re hopefully set to take the world by storm. It’s like a combination of percussive house with British bass sounds, and quirky touches and breakdowns. Fantastic stuff.

As someone who has embraced and encouraged the blogging community, how do you see things progressing? It seems there are more and more blogs springing up all the time and many of them are throwing up the same music and copying what others are doing better.
I feel proud to have played a part in the emergence and subsequent ‘golden age’ of blogging culture. Many of us got poached by a confused and scared record industry who wanted to figure out what we were doing, and try to control it from the source.

It’s hard to say what impact this will have on the music industry in the long run, but for now it’s made it quite easy to separate the conscientious DJs’ from the guys who just like standing in the highest point in the club, and it has also brought welcome attention to many artists that would otherwise have fallen by the wayside by now.

So what tracks never leave your box?
None of them leave my CD case, because it’s the biggest one in the world! However, a few tracks (off the top of my head) that will never leave include Carl Craig’s remix of Falling Up by Theo Parrish, Ho’s Get Down by High Powered Boys, Spastik by Plastikman. In fact, there are just far too many classics, some of which you’ll hear at Polaroid!

And what stuff are you digging at the moment?
At the moment, everything by Duke Dumont and Brodinski of course, some deep house sounds from the Oslo label, Innervisions, Mountain People and Brother’s Vibe, some of Joe and Will Ask’s tracks are promising on a techy tip.

I’m obsessed with an Anthony Collins remix of Kreon and Lemos, I’m enjoying the innovative work on DIYnamic from the likes of Stimming and H.O.S.H, and also an awful lot of guilty banging pleasures, such as Crookers, Proxy, Popof, occasional Dusty Kid records and my friend Matt Walsh’s work as one half of Clouded Vision on Turbo.

You put together lots of different events and parties, if you could pick your dream line up what would it be?
I’ll have to think about this one. I’d want it to be a glamorous affair, with a hint of nostalgia, some girl power, and some ridiculous basslines, not to mention a long forgotten chill out room.

Main Room
Richie Hawtin vs Villalobos
!!! live
DJ Hell and Tiga b2b
Ivan Smagghe circa 2003
Audion live
Casper C
Tiesto

Back Room
The Hot Boys (Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G, Turk) live
Cajmere
DJ Assault vs DJ Funk
Gay black disco all-stars (Ron Hardy, Larry Levan, etc)
Skull Juice
Olodum & Timbalada (Brazilian live percussion)
The Cantina Band (Star Wars) live

Chill Out
John Williams + Orchestra live
Jean Michel Jarre dj set
THE BBC Library Soundsystem
Jimmy Saville
Aphex Twin vs Squarepusher ambient wig out
Joakim chill out set
John Carpenter visuals

Where’s the strangest or most unusual place you have played?
At the blue lagoon at midday in Iceland, in freezing cold winds while everyone swam and jumped all over each other, like an American frat party!

What have you got planned for the summer?
I can’t wait. I am scaling back on London gigs in order to focus on my T Bar residency (with Matt Walsh and Skull Juice) and the August bank holiday Blogger’s Delight event.

I’m also involved in running a tent at Glastonbury (with AITBF), a Bloggers Delight tent at Field Day and a gig every week or so, including twice at Razzmatazz in Barcelona, the end of season party at Culture Club in Gent, a post Fuji Rock event in Tokyo, the Loop Festival in my home town, Brighton and gigs in Bristol, Birmingham, and hopefully, beyond. It sounds like a lot, but it’ll be the most relaxed schedule I have had in a long while, thank God!

Skull Juice Radio

2008-05-30T01:58:00.000-07:00

Continuing with mixes from our forthcoming guests, here’s a cracker. This is really worth a listen, and it’s also worth pointing out the whole thing was mixed with vinyl only which is a pretty rare thing these days, and the track selection is fantastic.

Enjoy :)

Skull Juice Radio

01. Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve - Before We Start, If? [3rd Mynd]
02. Ralph MacDonald - Jam On The Groove (Moxie 'Baby Cage' Edit) [Moxie]
03. Ost & Kjex - Have You Seen The Moon In Dallas? (Maurice Fulton Remix) [Planet Noise]
04. Double - Woman Of The World (Pilooski 'Double Dub' Edit) [Diamond Traxx]
05. Hercules And Love Affair - You Belong [DFA]
06. Arbeid Adelt - Death Disco (Todd Terje Edit) [Play Out!]
07. Motiivi:Tuntematon - 1939 [Freundinnen]
08. White Light Circus - Rocket Ride (Extended Version) [D.C. Recordings]
09. Busy P - Rainbow Man [Ed Banger]
10. Editechnique - Angie [Magick Edit]
11. Severed Heads - We Have Come To Bless The House (The Glimmers Edit) [Eskimo]
12. Padded Cell - Unknown Zone [D.C. Recordings]
13. Jo Apps - Kausikan [Planet Mu]
14. Joakim - L'Amour C'est Pas Pour Les Caniches [Versatile]
15. Modeler - Mint Condition [Dubsided]
16. Osborne - Bout Ready To Jak [Spectral Sound]
17. Butch - Mushroom Man [AFU]
18. Idiotproof - The Deacon (Duke Dumont 'Live From Brooklyn' Remix) [Made To Play]
19. Armando - Downfall [Trax Records]
20. Colombia #1 - Colombia #1 [Dissident]
21. Midnight Mike - Midnight Drive [The Republic Of Desire]
22. Justice - Carpates [Ed Banger]
23. Mutron - Alone [King Kung Foo]
24. Luke Abbott - Without Aim [Border Community]
25. M83 - Couleurs [EMI]

Bloggers Delight Party - 6th June

2008-05-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Polaroid Presents Bloggers Delight

For our end of term party we have for you Casper C and Skull Juice, promoter and residents of London’s Bloggers Delight crew; a night created to purvey the hottest new music on the blogosphere, a place for like-minded people to party and a platform for up and coming international talent. Bloggers has played host to some of the biggest movers and shakers on the scene at their monthly knees up at Camden’s infamous Lock Tavern. The likes of Justice, Simian, Yuksek, Brodinski, SebastiAn & Duke Dumont have all dropped by before going on to greater things...

SKULL JUICE
In addition to residing at Bloggers Delight, Skull Juice promote their own Walk The Night party at the Amersham and have become famed for a series of acclaimed podcasts entitled Skull Juice Radio. Their talents have garnered them dates at some of the most respected nights in the country such as Bugged Out, Trash and Fabric not to mention gigs all over Europe and a tour of Australia. The pair have also spent a week touring with Mystery Jets and have been receiving praise from none other than Erol Alkan.

CASPER C
As well as heading up Bloggers Delight, Casper is also the main booker for artists for Adventures In The Beetroot Field’s many events from Fabric to Glastonbury, promotes regular nights at one of London’s newest and exciting venues The Amersham Arms and is also a member of the hip Parisian Fluokids collective, so it’s fair to say the lad knows his onions.

Polaroid Presents Bloggers Delight

SKULL JUICE
CASPER C

Plus Residents::
Broken Hookers & Polaroid Soundsystem

Friday June 6th
Wire, 2 Call Lane
Leeds LS1

10.30 – 5AM
£7/6

Broken Hookers Mixtape

2008-05-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

Very excellent new mix from our resident Broken Hookers. Don't really need to big this one up, the tracklist speaks for itself...

Lindstrom - Music In My Mind
LCD Soundsystem - Freak Out
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady
Aeroplane - Aeroplane
LCD Soundsystem - Starry Eyes
Arcade Lovers - Fantasy Lines (In Dub)
Hot Chip - Keep Falling
Lindstrom - Let's Practice (Dub Version)
Crackhaus - Accidentally Brilliant (Machine Gun Edit)
Portishead - Machine Gun
Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules Theme
Low Motion Disco - Love Love Love (Aeroplane Remix)
Matthew Dear - Don't Go This Way
Ali Renault - Zombie Raffle
Daft Punk - Short Circuit
Broken Hookers - Get People
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic - Planet Rock (Westbam Remix)
Modeselektor - Dancing Box (Feat. TTC)
Black Devil Disco Club - Constantly No Respect
Brett Johnson - Flashback
Westbam - Monkey Say, Monkey Do
Tittsworth - Peanut Butter Jelly Time (Acapella)
The Brand New Heavies - I Don't Know Why I Love You (Kenny Dope Beats)
Cowboy Bebop - Tank (Luke Vibert Remix)
Menu - Moss Eisley (Tomski Fredboy Tarteledit)
In Flagranti - Silver White Boy
Matthew Dear - Dog Days (Acapella)

Broken Hookers Mixtape

Bank Holiday Party This Friday

2008-04-28T03:51:00.000-07:00

Love Beats & Polaroid This Thursday

2008-04-22T14:17:00.001-07:00

Polaroid & Love Beats come together to bring you one of the hottest new players on the nu-disco scene; Maelstrom. You may well have already been treated to some of his glorious re-edits of The Pointer Sisters but it was his storming re-work of the Metro Area classic Muira, which was hammered by Optimo and the Glimmers that brought him to the attention of Prins Thomas, Lindstrom and the rest of Scandinavian disco fraternity. But most recently he has been signed to the excellent Eskimo Recordings label, and with forthcoming releases planned for Prins Thomas’ Internasjonall imprint and Reverso 68 this is your chance to catch one of 2008 rising stars in an intimate and most of all FREE party! The Revolution Bar on Call Lane with its spacious outside courtyard should be the perfect setting to the Balearic vibes on offer as the warmer weather approaches. Dont miss out…

Maelstrom Live @ NEU Stockholm

http://www.sendspace.com/file/p0a0ak

Gatto Fritto - Invisible College
Maps - To The Sky (The Loving Hand Remix)
Reverso 68 - Piece Together (Todd Terje Spinning Star Remix)
Smith & Mudd - Vegetable Square
Paul Lewis - Inner City Blues
Dutch Rhythm Combo - Bonaire (Al Usher Remix)
Tokyo Black Star - Reincarnation (Volcov Remix)
The Pointer Sisters - Automatic (Maelstrom Edit)
Xenon - Xenon Galaxy (Idjut Boys Bonus Beats)
Xenon - Xenon Galaxy (Idjut Boys Edit)
L.S.B. - F.O.G. (Dub)
Barbara Roy - If You Want Me (Maelstrom Edit)
The Osmonds - iii (Phoreski Rework)
Space - Tango In Space
Universal Energy - Disco Energy (Part Two)
Unknown Artist - Unknown Title
Unknown Artist - The Clan Can (Maelstrom Edit)
C.J. & Co. - Devil's Gun (Maelstrom Edit)
Cosmo Vitelli - Delayer
Studio - Life's A Beach! (Todd Terje Beach House Remix)
Shit Robot - Lonely Planet
Faze Action - Stratus Energy
L.E.B. Harmony - Feeling Love
Munich Machine - Space Warrior
Erotic Drum Band - Action '78 (Edited Version)
Jedi Knights - Big Knockers
Gavin Herlihy - Opium Haze
Paperclip People - Throw

Joakim Mix

2008-04-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is probably one of the best set's we've ever had had Polaroid. A real good mix of groovy disco, party funk and straight up acid house with a few classic thrown in for good measure.

The Emperor Machine - Monkey Overbite (Extended Version)
Bangkok Impact - Taming The Taurus
Chic – I Want Your Love ('Hello Kenny Edit' by Tangoterje)
ID
The Knife – Heartbeats (Rex The Dog Remix)
Talking Heads - Girlfriend Is Better
Kenny Dope Presents Powerhouse 3 - Makin' A Living
Westbam - Monkey Say, Monkey Do
Mr Zim & Pablo Ingles – Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Prince – Sign Of The Times
Tiga – Pleasure From The Bass (Joakim Remix)
Ark - Sucubz (Mr. Oizo Remix)
M83 vs. Aphex Twin vs. Khia - Pussylicker
Hercules And Love Affair - You Belong (Riton Remix)
Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam (Unknown Edit)
ID (Felix Da Housecat - Smack Dat Ass (Aphrohead Mix)?)
Armando - Radikal Bitch (London Fierce Pussy Mix)
ID
Poni Hoax - Hypercommunication (Joakim's Cartoon Muscles Remix)
France Copland - RutgerHauer Song

PART TWO
Beni (of Riot In Belgium)- My Love Needs You
Late Of The Pier – The Bears Are Coming (Joakim Remix)
ID
Chloe - Take Care vs. Dizzee Rascal – Stand Up Tall (Radioclit Remix) *found it online*
Jamie Liddell - Little Bit Of Feel Good (Mr. Oizo Remix)
Smith N Hack – Movin Like A Train (Herbert Mix)
Poni Hoax - Hypercommunication (Alter Ego Remix)
Popof - The Chomper (LSD Version)
Monty Luke And Tasho - Paranoid
Acid Test - Test One
Micronauts - Baby Wants To Bleep
Polaroid take over:
Outlander – The Vamp
Headman – Catch Me if You Can
Photon Inc – Generate Power (DJ Pierre Mix)
Santiago & Bushido - Head Trick
Dedmau5 – The Reward Is Cheese
Pomofo – Back at the Club (Boy 8-Bit Mix)
Nifty - Nifty

Joakim Mix Part One

Joakim Mix Part Two

2008-04-09T07:17:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone that came to the 4TH Birthday last week. It was a blast... Here's a short video of the proceedings if you missed out. Where were you?

We Are 4!

2008-03-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Polaroid at The Pod, Dublin

2008-03-19T03:51:00.000-07:00

We were invited over to The Pod in Dublin last weekend to warm up for The Presets. It wasn’t so much a warm up set more a full on rave-a-thon as it became apparent 10 mins after the doors opened that everyone was well up for it so we let ‘em have it! Here’s some pictoral evidence…

Thanks to Stephen at Space Camp for having us over.

Orange Sunshine

2008-03-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

Orange Sunshine – Acapella
Justus Köhncke – Yacht (Kompakt)
I:Cube – Pazazu (Versatile)
The Green Men – The Fog - Darshan Jesrani Mix(Moodmusic)
Motor City Drum Ensemble – Escape To Nowhere (Four Roses)
Deadset – Brazil ’70 – Deadset Live & Alive Mix (Frontroom)
Guido Schneider & Andrë Galluzi – Albertino (Cadenza)
Exercise One – Ceremony (Mobilee)
Slam – Staccato Rave – Silicone Soul’s Hypno House Dub (Soma)
Chaim – Moon (Bpitch Control)
Loco Dice – Meniňa Brasilia (Ovum)

Joe Morris - Orange Sunshine

New Soma Tees

2008-02-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

Get involved

http://www.somarecords.com/

In Flagranti

2008-02-27T04:41:00.000-08:00

In Flagranti are Sasa Crnobrnja and Alex Gloor. They have both been in and around various scenes on opposite sites of the globe between New York and Europe and they share a simultaneous discovery of the Italian cosmic scene from the late seventies and early eighties. Both were hooked after hearing mix tapes which had this hypnotic blend of electro, disco, afro-rock and funk. In search of like minded people and the music they loved, Sasa and Alex met in Basel, Switzerland and it didn't take long for them to relocate to New York to begin a musical bond which had become so strong that it inevitably led them to start their own record label Codek Records. Since the beginning of Codek, Alex and Sasa endeavour to explore their cosmic background in every possible way by creating and putting together different elements of graphic design and styles of music. A seamless flow which ultimately leads them to create In Flagranti, an act that resonates the electronic disco of Giorgio Moroder and Patrick Cowley to the punkfunk of Liquid Liquid, A Certain Ratio and the more contemporary sounds of today’s dance music such as The Glimmers and WhoMadeWho

So tell us about In Flagranti. Who are you and where are you from?

In Flagranti are Sasha Crnobrnja and Alex Gloor. Both of us were born in Basel, Switzerland. Sasha is from Serbian emigrants and we both now live in New York.

How did you meet and how did you end up in New York?

We met at a record shop in Basel in 1991. Alex was already living in New York since 1984. After hearing a mix tape by the cosmic DJ Baldelli, he was looking for someone that had or knew some of the records that were on the mix tape. So he went to the record shop and asked the guy at the counter. As the guy was telling Alex about me… I walked in to the shop. So Alex came by my flat and we discovered that there was a similarity in the taste of music even though living miles apart. At that time I was working as a tailor making my own clothes. Alex suggested for me to come check out New York and after staying with him for a month I decided to make the move.

What’s the meaning behind the name In Flagranti?

Well it means to have no alibi, have nothing to say for oneself, get caught in the act, with reproach, blamefully, criminally, red-handed, red-handedly, in the very act of… In Flagranti!

How would you describe your sound to people who are not familiar with you?

Our sound is vintage dance music with a mix of disco/electro/funk/rock and anything in between.

It’s a very unique sound. How do you both work together when creating the music you make?

I do the recording and producing; Alex is a record collector and sends ideas and samples via email. I then send what I’ve done back to Alex for some edits or comments, and then I take the tracks to the club to test on the dance floor. Sometimes Alex sends pictures and sleeve ideas and I make a track to fit the sleeve. Either way, as long as both are ok then the track gets pressed. Both of us deeply believe in every note and sound we put in to the mix. It's very personal. We do it for our own pleasure in the first place, we are 100% in to it and it has to sound like that and no other way.

Yeah, your 12’’ releases are always accompanied by some really interesting artwork. Who is responsible for those and what is the idea behind them?

Alex does all the graphics, sleeve design and the little video clips. The images have a big influence on the sound and vice versa. It’s an audio/visual experience. It was always very important to both of us from the beginning when started Codek Records

What can we expect from an In Flagranti DJ set?

It's very unpredictable. Lot's of edits, anything danceable from the 70's and some 80's and 90's. Some new stuff that we get from other producers, electro/house/disco. Some new In Flagranti tests… It varies. It depends on the venue and crowd.

Who would you say were great influences on your music?

Sasha: Early punk rock, new wave, punk funk from the late 70's early 80's.
Artist’s such as Liquid Liquid, Medium Medium, Material, A Certain Ratio, Cosimo Lampis, the cosmic scene in Italy in the early 80's. African drums, Afro Cuban, Brazil...

Alex: New York of the early 80's, Larry Levan, Chicago’s DJ Ron Hardy, easy listening, Manuel Goëttsching, Peter Baumann, Can, Daniel Baledelli, all the cosmic music from the early Italian DJ's. Moog records from the 60's & 70's etc... There is too many influences to mention.

And what about some contemporary artists, who are you listening to and dig at the moment?

I like some of the new artist's like LCD Soundsystem, Rong Records, the young Frenchies (I can't remember all their names), Soulwax, Glimmers. Some of the Norwegian disco dudes. Alex is mostly into the vintage stuff.

How is the club scene over in New York? It seems to have gone quiet since some of the big clubs closed down in the Eighties and Nineties, and the focus has now largely switched to European dance music. Is there a thriving underground scene we don’t know about!?

Yes it seems quiet, but in my opinion in Europe, people have caught up since the 90's. I remember times when I was still living in Switzerland, most music people were doing there was so below standard, it was unplayable. But we all have learned well and there are so many reference points in history of dance music, so everything is more accessible plus New York is just one city. Journalist’s always compare NY to the rest of the world... or let's say to the whole of UK and Europe.

I mean, a lot of artist's still come to New York and get inspired. You see... New York always had its own thing (and you can make your thing). You can always find the place you like. It’s never about the latest hype... like in London for example. Unfortunately the crackdown on nightlife in the 90's by the mayor of New York did a lot of damage. But even more, is the fact that life in New York has become so expensive that a lot of artist's and musicians moved out or they have to work full time every day and not have the time to invest in what they really want to do.

Your label Codek, has been running for over 10 years now. That’s pretty good going for an independent dance label. Do you just use it as an outlet for your music or do you have any other artists recording for you?

We first started as a proper label, releasing different artists, mainly people we knew, friends etc from New York. There was zero budget. We pressed the first vinyl after we had made some money during a successful party. But both Alex and I were too extreme for most of the other guy's and there were misunderstandings and we could not take care of them the way they expected. So around 2000 after the release of 'Crossover', they sold the album to Gigolo without telling us, which was Alex’s concept and I produced the whole album, we decided to stop all of that and focus on our own project. Which became In Flagranti.

‘Wronger Than Anyone Else’ was the title of your debut album in 2006. Have you got any plans to follow it up with another album or are you concentrating on releasing more singles and remixes right now?

Yes the 2nd album is in the works and should be released in September if all goes well.

Finally, what’s the wrong-est thing you’ve ever done?

Selling most of my record collection over the years, for cheap!

Catch In Flagranti at Polaroid on Friday March 7th

In Flagranti - Beats In Space Mix

Essential...

2008-02-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

Bad Ass

2008-02-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

Gonna break my own rule here and post something Daft Punk related. Not because I don't like them, it's just because every other blogger in the world seems to post stuff on them. Anyway, check this suit out. I got to get me one of these... Imagine stepping out on the town in one of them of a Saturday evening.

Infadels Mix

2008-02-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes y'all. Infadels storming live set from Polaroid.

Get.On.It.

http://www.polaroidclub.co.uk/audio/download/282/Infadels+@+Polaroid+01.02.08.mp3

2008-02-05T13:59:00.001-08:00

Parisian indie disco and punk house upstarts Kitsuné Mâison are back with their fifth compilation which showcases their recent hits with some unreleased remixes from some of the heavyweights on their books. Kitsuné compilations have always been one’s to check, many of their previous outings breaking new tracks from the likes of Digitalism, Boys Noize and Simian Mobile Disco that have gone on to be huge hits in their own right and this promises to be no different. It has just the right blend of live elements from the likes of The Teenagers and Does It Offend You, Yeah? to the more clubbier tracks from Digitalism while still remaining dance floor friendly, which is of course what Kitsuné are all about.

New additions to the label autoKratz’ offering ‘Pardon Garcon’ is a definite highlight, a jump up house anthem that guarantees to get any party rocking. Digitalism do their best Daft Punk impersonation on ‘Pogo’ and the excellent Friendly Fires lead the UK charge with ‘On Board’. M.I.A’s effort comes out of the speakers like a welcome burst of sunshine while DatA bring the noise with some typical French house, Justice style. Some of the compilations more leftfield moments come surprisingly from Alan Braxe and Rex the Dog, who both turn in good electronic yet downbeat tracks with ‘Addicted’ and Circulate’. All in all it’s a superb package that should appeal to both staunch fans of the label and clubbers alike.

One Man Hit Factory

2008-02-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

Legend and genius. Two words that are often bandied about rather unjustly to describe various DJ’s and producers of the dance music world however, surely these words are none more applicable than to Detroit techno king Carl Craig. The man has been responsible for some of the most seminal and timeless dance tracks of the past 20 years. ‘Sessions’ is the first time Craig’s best works have been available all together for the first time, like a sort of greatest hits package but with the added bonus of some previously unreleased tracks, alternative and unreleased mixes.

Spread over two discs it contains most of his recent highlights such as last year’s supreme remix of Junior Boys ‘Like A Child’, the unreleased mix of Faze Action’s classic ‘In The Trees’ and the soaring remix of Theo Parrish’s ‘Falling Up’, which are all absolutely essential cuts in any self respecting DJ’s collection. The disc also includes some of his earlier tracks under his Paperclip People guise such as ‘Climax’ and ‘Throw’, which will forever in my opinion be his finest moment. It’s a pity that the discs come mixed; however I’m sure this has been done to ensure that the tracks receive longevity, which can only be a good thing. Long live the King.

Theo Parrish - Falling Up (Carl Craig Mix)

We're back this Friday...

2008-01-28T09:08:00.001-08:00

Infadels - Knights of Soulwax

Happy New Year

2008-01-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Here's to many, many more good times....

Some Polaroid dates for your diary:

1 Feb 2008 Polaroid - Infadels + Bobby O'Donnell + Broken Hookers
8 Feb 2008 The Empire w/Justice + Fancy (Middlesbrough)
15 Feb 2008 Polaroid@Sankeys w/Trevor Loveys + Foamo (Manchester)
7 Mar 2008 Polaroid w/In Flagranti (Brooklyn, NYC) + P&P
15 Mar 2008 Space Camp w/Reverso 68 (Dublin)
23 March 2008 Polaroid & Asylum Garden Party @ Faversham
4 Apr 2008 Polaroid 4th Birthday w/Very, Very Special Guest
24 Apr 2008 Love Beats presents... Polaroid (Revolution, Leeds)
1 May 2008 Polaroid - Guests (TBC)

Feelin' Lost?

2008-01-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

It's not much of a punt to say that Hot Chip should be huge this year. If this remix is anything to go by then their forthcoming second album should be something to savour indeed. It sounds like the best thing Booka Shade never did. Tracey Thorn's emotive vocals are married beautifully to Hot Chip's soul drenched electronic pop. The wonky pitch shifting synths threaten to wig you out, like when you've done too much mdma at a party before pulling you back round and re-assuring you that everything is alright when the melody levels out only to trip you out and unbalance you again at the end.

Tracey Thorn - Kings Cross (Hot Chip Mix)

Polaroid December Mix

2007-12-24T03:18:00.001-08:00

I must admit to being a little late in getting this ready and posting up. Only now when I've got time over Xmas have I had time to post it up. We mixed it a month or so back now and it's just a selection of the more spacey, cosmic, disco side of Polaroid with some of our favourites from this year and a couple of oldies thrown in for good measure.

Anyway, hope you enjoy. Have a great Xmas and New Year.. See ya in 2008.

Joe + Nick.

Polaroid December Mix

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?

2007-12-24T02:04:00.000-08:00

This Christmas sees (yet another) release for Ridley Scott's 1982 neo-noir sci-fi epic Blade Runner, but this time it's The Final Cut. The film was famously scored by Vangelis, a dark melodic combination of classic composition and futuristic synthesizers which mirrors the film noir retro-future envisioned by Ridley Scott. The sound scape of 2019 was created in Vangelis' "space" mode of new age music, as heard on such albums of his as Heaven and Hell. He also made use of various chimes and the vocals of collaborator Demis Roussos. Another memorable sound is the haunting tenor sax solo "Love Theme" by UK saxophonist Dick Morrissey, who appeared on many of Vangelis' albums. Along with his peers such as Giorgio Moroder, it's fair to say that Vangelis inspired many of today's contemporary cosmic, nu-disco producers such as Lindstrom and Prins Thomas.

Vangelis - Blade Runner

He Came, He Saw, He Conquered...

2007-12-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Brodinski Live at Polaroid - Friday December 7th 2007

Part One & Part Two (Updated with tracklist 22/12/07)

1. Laidback Luke - We Rock Da House.
2. Crookers - Love To Edit.
3. Bart B More - Get Hyped.
4. Crookers - Unknown Track.
5. Yuksek - I Like To Play.
6. Sandy Riviera - Freak (Bart B More Big Room Rmx).
7. Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor (Jesse Rose Rmx).
8. Robb G - 12 Inch Therapy (Bass Kleph Rmx).
9. Dejonka - Memento.
10. Birdy Nam Nam - France Boulogne Express (Yuksek Rmx).
11. Dusty Kid - Plumbi.
12. De Jeund van Tergerwoortig - Waskeburt (Tocadisco Rmx).
13. Dubfire - Roadkill (Tocadisco Rmx).
14. Another Chance - Sounds Of Eden (Laidback luke Rmx).
15. Dirty South - Let It Go (Axwell Instru Rmx).
16. The Outlanders - The Vamp (Unknown Rmx).
17. Diabolo Coupe - Lavorare (Crookers Rmx).
18. Stanton Warriors - Shake It Up (Hook N Sling Rmx).
19. Adam Sky - We’re All Prostitutes (Crookers Rmx).
20. Axwell - I Found U (Remode).
21. Alter Ego - Why Not!?.
22. Bart B More - So It Goes.
23. Elektrons - Get Up (Herve Rmx).
24. Bonde Do Role - Gasolina (Crookers Rmx).
25. Brodinski - Bad Runner (Crookers Rmx).
26. Claude Vonstroke - The Whistler (VNDLSM Rmx).
27. The Shoes - America (Brodinski Rmx).
28. The Shoes - Keep That Kontrol (Yuksek Rmx).
29. Jaimie Fanatic - Unknown Track.
30. Azzido Da Bass - Dooms Night (Laidback Luke Rmx).
31. Dirty South - Everybody Freakin’.
32. Rolf Honey - Call Them Dude.
33. Ingrosso & Laidback Luke - Be.
34. Switch - Twisted Jazz.

Thanks to KidzByColette for the tracklist

Sometimes promoting club nights can be a pain. There are times when you go through the motions and the DJ you have booked can be uninspiring, and you are left shaking your head at the end of the night when you have handed over a bundle of cash for a lame performance. But then, there are other nights where you get a feeling and a vibe that the night is going to be something special. Everything comes together and the night goes off with a bang and you are reminded why you toil away month in month out to put on a party to play the music you love.

We had one such night last Friday. Brodinski, the 20 year old DJ and producer from Lille in France came and blew the place apart. We had a feeling in the run up to the night that we were going to have a good one, but nothing prepared us for what took place that evening. It’s always nice when your crowd arrive early and we had a steady stream of people in the club as soon as the doors opened. Soon after that we had a queue snaking down the road and almost round the corner.

By midnight it was almost a lock out and Brodinski stepped up to the decks about one a.m, plugged in his headphone and proceeded to rock the club like it’s never been rocked before. What followed was two hours of whooping and hollering and shouting and jumping and hugging and raving to Brodinski’s impeccable mixing and sick beats until we practically had to pull him off the decks somewhere around 3 a.m.

I can’t recall many DJ’s, if any, that have received an ovation in the four years we’ve been running but Brodinski was certainly treated like a hero upon stepping out of the DJ booth. And so our residents the Broken Hookers were left the impossible task of taking the crowd to the finish line but did so in their own inimitable style keeping the vibe flowing until 5am to a sweaty and shell-shocked dance floor. And that was our farewell to 2007. A fitting end to a great year for us and all that is left to say is Brodinski vous êtes notre héros!

Optimo mix

2007-12-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well now have we got a treat for you here. Oh yes indeed, it's the live mix from Jonnie Wilkes one half of the fabulous Optimo who treated us to a magnificent set last month. Listening to this sort of makes us feel like we are dancing in Ku in Ibiza with Grace Jones in 1988. It's that sort of mix, starting off with slow italo jams then moving though acid house with a few pop moments and of course modern club bangers. It's probably the best set we've had all year and he only used vinyl!

Optimo PT 1 & Optimo PT 2

Brodinski is coming...

2007-11-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

Polaroid End Of Year Party

7th December

With Very Special Guest DJ - Brodinski

Weekend Vibes

2007-11-16T05:54:00.000-08:00

Pic Courtesty of Resident Advisor

Here’s a podcast I’ve just completed for the lovely people over at VirusAV.com. You should check it out there’s come great mixes on there.

Anyway, here’s my effort. It’s a subtle blend of warm deep house, heavy disco and Balearic vibes.

Hope you like it, enjoy! x

SuperMayer – Please Sunrise (Kompakt)
Tobias Thomas – Steel Bells (Tiny Sticks)
Alpha Man – Vision. Sankt Göran Mix (Cause & Effect)
Soultourist – Side Dish (Compost)
Manuel Tur – Slumber (Freerange)
Marcus Wörgull – Spellbound. Dub (Innervisions)
Half Cousin – Absentee. Justus Khöencke Mix (Grönland Records)
Kate Bush – Running Up The Hill. Ashley Beedle Edit (Unreleased)
Paul Brtschitsh – Rotate 1976 (Leena)
Booka Shade – Numbers. Club Mix (iK7)
SuperMayer – Two Of Us. Geiger Mix (Kompakt)
Still Going – Still Going Theme (DFA)

VirusAVPodcast - Download Here

Eschatio!

2007-11-01T06:24:00.001-07:00

Optimo aka Twitch & Wilkes know how to rock a party. With their deep knowledge of music and eclectic selections mixing up rock, disco and techno they are a duo that never disappoint a dance floor. The diverse pair have released a string of acclaimed DJ mix albums over the past couple of years, including How To Kill The DJ Part 2, Psyche Out on Eskimo and the recent Walkabout mix on Kompakt. Their Optimo Espacio night at the Sub Club in Glasgow is one of the UK’s best loved and longest running parties, sticking two fingers up at so called super clubs with a do-it-yourself, anything goes ethos. We caugh up with Jonnie to chat about thier long running party ahead of his gig at Polaroid this Friday.

Hey Jonnie. How are you and where are you?

I'm grand thank you. I'm just back in the house after the local Halloween parade round the houses with my son Walter. He was dressed as Jango Fett, I was dressed in a black linen cowl like one of Sunno ))). Keith (JD Twitch) and I dressed as Sunno ))) to our Optimo Halloween “Espookio” party on Sunday where we performed a version of The Monster Mash on stage with The Irreverend Randy B Cockburn.

How is the club going? You'll be having your 10th birthday next month. That is an amazing achievement for a club night, especially one that runs on a Sunday evening. Any plans to stop or are you just gonna keep going!?

It's been a great year for the club, a very busy year too - the live program especially has been really diverse and exciting. I think the live shows are such an important element of the Optimo party. DJ-ing to our beloved home crowd is overwhelming sometimes - we're very lucky in this respect, it’s rare these day for a DJ to have a great residency in their home town. We're going to keep doing our party until we stop enjoying it and at the moment it's so much fun. We have so much energy for it so why stop?

What makes Optimo Espacio so special?

I hope first and foremost it's the music we play. The club has many sides to it - from being a "social club" - (we play no dance music until after midnight, when people arrive they just chat and have drinks), then we have a live band or some kind of performance, then Twitch and I play records...
The venue (Sub Club) is great; we have good sound, friendly security who don't work against us and supportive management. This all make it a nice place to be. We've worked hard over the years to try and make it feel different - kind of the reason we started Optimo.

What are your favourite memories from Optimo down the years?

There are so many - it's been a blast since the start and still is. I tell you, I've seen a few sights and it's been outrageous at times. The commitment of our home crowd to getting totally INTO it is thrilling when you play there week to week. The Hogmanay Parties have been really special too, The Boat Trips, The Barn Dance, The Halloween "Espookio" parties, getting interviewed by Strathclyde Police following a complaint for showing "explicit" videos, hosting a Whitehouse show, watching the venue burn to the ground (not a favourite memory, but vivid) - there's too many to mention...

Dance music seems to be going though a renaissance at the moment and new parties and club nights are being started all the time. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own night?

Decide if you have anything to bring to the party and bring it. If the management suggest you compromise your ideas to get more people through the door, leave immediately. There are some good guys who own clubs but there a lot of greedy bastards too.

And how about budding DJ's. It's harder than ever to be a DJ these days, what advice would you give to anyone wanting to get behind the decks?

There's worse jobs. Central to the craft is entertaining your audience, giving them a good time and surprising them if you can. It's so rewarding when you have taken a risk with music you really love and you get support back from the crowd.

You use a sampler and Ableton in your sets to weave the together diverse music you play. Is the inclusion of technology in a DJ's set up becoming compulsory do you think or can the art of mixing two records together still have the desired effect for a crowd?

Keith (JD Twitch) and I work differently. He uses Ableton and vinyl (about half and half) and I use solely vinyl. So yes, obviously I think the art of mixing two records together is still effective. I'm very attached to the tradition. I love the medium of vinyl and the technology of the turntable - it feels right to me to use these to play music to people in a night club.

I understand the limitations but they just don't bother me. I think you can achieve amazing dynamics and play diverse stuff from a set of turntables. I'm very lucky to work so closely with Keith - he really pushes ideas in club mixing a long way. I even hear him cut up tracks and remixes I've done sometimes, mix them with the most unlikely of things in Ableton and it's awesome. When we sometimes play together, say at the end of a party and I'll be mixing vinyl into his Ableton sessions - that really works , it’s great fun.

As well as Optimo, you record under the Mount Florida and Naum monikers. Have you got any releases or remixes coming up?

I produce as ‘Naum” with my friend James Savage. Since we made the records for Kompakt a few years ago we haven’t released anything of our own We have done quite a few remixes as “Naum Gabo” which has been good to develop studio techniques and a good writing/producing partnership. Recently we’ve made some new tracks – they sound very different to the Kompakt stuff. There is no concept, like before…it’s free and even a bit live sounding. Something we made recently is coming out on Thisisnotanexit Records with a remix by “The Loving Hand” (Tim Goldsworthy from DFA). I think an EP of Naum Gabo on Mule Musiq (Japan) too.

You've played all over the place in some of the most discerning clubs in the world. Where is the best place to play for you, apart from Espacio of course!?

I think “Yellow” in Tokyo.

Who or what has been the most inspiration to you throughout your career?

The crowd at Optimo.

What record(s) never leave your record bag?

They all leave at one time or another but there are a few few that are a near permanent feature…Maybe something like “Sonny’s Burning” by The Birthday Party

You've done some critically acclaimed DJ mixes over the past couple of years. Any plans to do anymore?

Yes, there will be 3 new compilations in 2008 – all very different

So, what's next for Optimo?

Onwards and upwards….

Thanks, really looking forward to Polaroid.

Jonnie

Optimo This Friday

2007-10-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

Friday 2nd November

POLAROID PRESENTS OPTIMO ESPACIO

With Special Guests OPTIMO (Espacio, Glasgow)

Plus Residents:: Joe Morris & Nick Smith Broken Hookers

Absolutely no let up in quality at Polaroid towers as our winter schedule gathers momentum. November sees us welcome back one of our oldest favourites OPTIMO! If you have been in attendance the last couple of times they have played for us, you will know this is one not to miss. Twitch & Wilkes know how to rock a party, with their deep knowledge of music and eclectic selections mixing up rock, disco and techno they are a duo that never disappoint a dance floor. The diverse pair have released a string of acclaimed DJ mix albums over the past couple of years, including How To Kill The DJ Part 2 on Tigersushi Records, Optimo presents Psyche Out on Eskimo Records, and the recent Walkabout mix on Kompakt. Their Optimo Espacio night at the Sub Club in Glasgow is one of the UK’s best loved and longest running parties, sticking two fingers up at so called super clubs with a do-it-yourself, anything goes ethos. An attitude we at Polaroid firmly believe in...

Shit Robot Live@Polaroid 7/9/07

2007-10-24T07:44:00.001-07:00

Part One & Part Two

Photo from Eventography

Raver Of The Month!

2007-10-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

Here’s Raver no. 3 in our monthly series to win free entry to the next Polaroid. We didn’t have a winner last month, so if this is you having it right out at the club last month then well done! You have earned yourself free entry to Polaroid next week with Optimo so get in touch with you details…

Oi, you listenin'?

2007-10-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

For the uninitiated Boys Noize is actually one person; 24 year old Berlin native Alex Ridha who came out of nowhere eighteen months ago with awesome remixes for Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party and Depeche Mode. Since then, it’s fair to say he’s risen meteorically to the top of the electro tree and is sitting pretty with the scene’s other aristocracy Justice, Digitalism and Soulwax. This month sees the arrival of his highly anticipated debut album ‘Oi! Oi! Oi!’ on his own Boys Noize imprint and it is a trashy fest of in your face party electro with one objective in mind: to be played in clubs loud and cause maximum damage to the dance floor.

So tell us a little bit about yourself for our readers, who are you and where you are from? I am Alex Ridha, born in Hamburg in 1982.

How did you get into DJ`ing and producing? In the early age my 10 years older brother played me music of the first house-acid and rap records in the middle of the 80’s. My parents put me in a piano school but I always wanted to play the drums. So I did when I got 10 years old. I played it for about four years and when I was 14 years I started to buy records to be different from all my friends. At the same time I had a shitty music program at home.

I was working my ass off to afford my first turntables and spent all my money for records. I bought a lot of old school-diso-rap records as well as house music like Force.inc or Roule.

I worked in a record shop for about five years and during that time I got the chance to play my very first gig in a club for 500 people when I was 16. It went quite well because after I got many DJ bookings which was cool to buy more records.I became a friend of Andi (D.I.M.)and we started to produce together.

I learned engeneering for about 6 years from him Andi and I built our studio togehter. In 2003 I moved to Berlin because of my girlfriend and I built my own studio and started to produce as Boys Noize. My first record was out on Gigolo Records and the second on Datapunk. After that I founded my own label in 2005.

Your debut album `Oi Oi Oi` is about to be released this month on your own label Boysnoize Records. What can we expect from that? 13 pure power-electronic-quality-party-techno tracks. Actually this record is made for DJ`s. You ll get a bonus track which is my Feist Remix. She allowed me to put it on.

Your remixes for Kaiser Cheifs and Bloc Party attracted a lot of attention last year. Was that the turning point for you? Did people really start to sit up and take notice at what you were doing after that? It was so weird because I did the Bloc Party remix in May 2004 right after they released their first ep on Witchita. I gave it to the band after their first gig in Berlin but I think they lost the CD. Nobody was interested in it, either until the big hype after their first album in 2005. One year later Kitsune got thier the hands of the mix and released it.

It was almost the same with my Kaiser Chiefs mix which was officially worldwide released in August 2005 on their single "I predict a Riot". One year later people started to play that because it got more cool to play indie-electro which to me wasn’t new at all... Of course both mixes helped me grow and to get bookings but I would also say that Boys Noize Records has got many underground fans!

Have you turned down any remixes, and if so can you tell us who? Yes, many. Peter, Björn & John"Young Folks" which I regret a bit and there were a lot of other indie bands I didn’t do a mix for because I thought it got boring because everyone seemed to start remixing those bands. It wouldn’t be nice if I name every single band/act... Too many indie bands and too many remixes for those made me say no. Feist was actually the first one after a long time where I thought it’s cool to do it.

Dance music seems to be getting fun again, with yourself and the likes of Justice, Digitalism and the Ed Banger crew amongst others making proper party rocking club music. Would you agree? Yes, in a way.

Why do you think Berlin is so productive for dance music at the moment? Because every students got music sofware to produce on their lap top. The "cool" minimal music plus so many artists move to Berlin.

And how do you think the scene in Berlin compares to the U.K? It’s totally different because the UK scene is on the one hand that big big indie scene which always was a big part of Englands past as well.

It’s because the NME for example sells like 500 000 copies I think and Germany’s indie scene interests are so small. Our best selling music magazine is about 30,000. So that’s a big difference. And still UK has this big big impact of progressive comercial house which I hate.

Berlin is way more underground and cool-sometimes too cool and cold though. Minimal rules every club. Of course Berlin has great artists like Apparat, Modeselektor or Housemeister.

How has this summer been for you, have you been playing at any of the festivals? The summer has been crazy! I played a lot of festivals in Europe. I love it. It’s so much different than playing in the clubs. I play a different set on festivals as well but I wouldn t say it’s better than playing cool clubs.

Which has been your highlight? So far Pukkelpop in belgium was a killer, Creamfields in Spain, Ultra Music in Miami, Panorama in France and Global Gathering in UK was cool, too.

So are you going on tour to promote the album? Well, I’m playing my ass off right now. I’m curently playing 13 gigs in 14 days in USA. I’m gonna have release partys in France, Germany, Spain, Japan & UK. This year is so totally crazy!

Are you playing anywhere in the U.K? Yes I’m playing at Bugged out at the End, Wax:On Leeds, The Warehouse Projects and finally Fabric.

How is your label doing, what other releases have you got coming up? Well, it’s hard to sell vinyl these days because of the blog invasion and mp3’s etc.. But it’s doing good. I’m very excited about my last signing Shadow Dancer from Manchester. They produce quality electronic music for fans of Warp and there will be a new D.I.M. coming very soon. Para One, Proxy, Feadz, Shadow Dancer, Housemeister remixes of Boys Noize will be released in the fall,as well
as some surprise remixes.

I just signed another guy from France called Strip Steve. So, there will be some good stuff coming soon!

Who or what have been your main influences during your career? In electronic music early Felix Da Housecat, early Richie Hawtin, Thomas Bangalter, 2manydjs, Feadz , Juan Atkins, Dj Koze, Stuart Price, Theo Parrish early Armand Van Helden, Errorsmith, The Prodigy, early Westbam, Hell, Romanthony, Housemeister, Jackson & his Computerband, Warp Records, R&S Rec, Force Inc.

And which DJ`s and producers do you admire at the moment? Are there any up and coming talents we should know about!? I like Smith & Hack, SebastiAn, Housemeister, Surkin, Feadz, Jackson, Shadow Dancer, Brodinski, Justice, Greg Kaz, Siriusmo, Para One, Apparat, Roman Flügel It’s hard to find a DJ that excites me though!

What`s next for Boys Noize? World tour, remixes for Marilyn Manson and Justice, working for my label BNR and a big break in January & February `08. After that I’m going to produce other bands and acts as well as working on new stuff or new projects.

Autokratz (Kitsune) Live! Tonight

2007-10-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

Ok it's that time of the month again when Polaroid descends on the good people of Leeds. Tonight we have some live action for you, as the Gallic funk of Kitsune rolls into town in the form of thier latest signing Autokratz who are performing live to promote thier storming debut 'It's On Reaktor'. Show starts at 11pm prompt.

Salut!

Friday classic...

2007-10-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love this track. I have so many fond memories of this track. It's one of the main tracks that led the electro rival way back at the arse end of 2001. Or was it 2002? Anyway, I have seen some dance floors destroyed with this track, let me tell you. At the time, Chicken Lips were knocking out really dubby, echo heavy disco stuff and then they pulled this out of the bag; a stone cold acid house killer. Starting off with stripped back drums and a simple groove that you think is going nowhere until some fat analogue snares come out of the blue about halfway though giving way to an old school acid house rhythm track. Killer.

Headman - 'It Rough' (Chicken Lips Trax Dub)

Half Cousin - The Absentee (Justus Kohncke Mix)

2007-10-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Long term fave of Polaroid and one of Kompakt's main men Justus Kohncke turns in a typically great mix for Half Cousin. Zero 7 and Fuji & Miyagi also get to press the buttons but it's Kohncke's stomping heavy disco workout that does it for us. The Kompakt wonky techno sound is stamped all over this until some great chords come in half way through to give way to gentle folky vocal that changes the mood of the track. Ace.

Half Cousin - The Absentee (Justus Kohncke Remix)

Polaroid Soundsystem Vol. 2

2007-09-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Whoop whoop! Ok here it is, the long awaited follow up to our first mix earlier this year. That mix was the most downloaded on our website, so hopefully you will like this one just as much.

PolaroidSoundsystem Vol. 2

Friday mix

2007-08-31T04:01:00.001-07:00

Here's a great teaser mix from next weeks special guest, Shit Robot. It was actually recorded for Tim Sweeney's Beats in Space show in New York a couple of month's back and the mix includes a couple of tracks from Tim himself. Marcus from Shit Robot states the mix is a selection of tracks that he grew up clubbing to. Kind of like an old rave mix rather than some 'Nu Rave' bollocks so expect to hear loads of New York and Brit house classics but there are some fresher cuts from the likes of MyMy, Gui Boratto and Theo Parrish too. See if you can spot his new single towards the end of the mix...

Part One - Shit Robot
Part Two - Shit Robot & Tim Sweeney

Check the tracklisting on Beats in Space

Enjoy and have a good weekend!

Weekender!

2007-08-30T06:12:00.001-07:00

Polaroid Weekender - 7th and 9th September

Friday 7th at Wire
Shit Robot (DFA Records)
Hookers
Joe Morris & Nick Smith

Sunday 9th at Vodka Revolution
Polaroid Courtyard Party

Danielle Moore (Crazy P)
Despo (Basics)
Hookers
D.O.T.B.
Joe Morris & Nick Smith

After scaling things down over the quiet summer months, Polaroid is back with not one but two parties in the same weekend. We really do spoil you. First up, on Friday 7th September at our home the Wire club we welcome Shit Robot from DFA Records out of New York. We are obviously really excited about this one as long standing fans of the DFA stable. Marcus Lambkin aka Shit Robot has been with DFA from day one since hooking up with James Murphy in New York where they DJ’d together at Centro-Fly. Since then Marcus has been touring with LCD Soundystem and Juan Maclean and releasing wonderful punk-funk and wonky disco as Shit Robot. Do not miss…

Two days later we up-sticks and de-camp down the road for an all-day Courtyard Party at the Vodka Revolution bar on Call Lane. We’re delighted that the Shirley Bassey of house Miss Danielle Moore, lead singer with the excellent Crazy P has agreed to come and play an exclusive DJ set for us. Not only does Danielle perform at some of the best festivals in the world and mesmerise crowds with her stage presence but she’s also a class DJ, reports coming back from this years Big Chill say she was the best thing there. First one to get her on the mic wins a bottle of Vodka…

Supermayer - The Two Of Us

2007-08-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

This is some heavy shit. One of the stand out tracks from Michael Mayer and Superpitcher's forthcoming album 'Save The World' on Kompakt. Don't be fooled by the nursery rhyme like Glockenspiel, this builds into a foot stomping monster reminiscent of some of DFA's epic remixes from a while back. Can't wait to play this out...

Supermayer - Two Of Us

Check out the album: Kompakt

Bobby O'Donnell - Class Of The Clown

2007-08-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

Here's an exclusive mix from one of our very favourite DJ's, Bobby O'Donnell. If you've ever come across any of his United Creationz mixes you'll know that Bobby has an exquisite ear for music and has a deft touch at putting a gloriously random selection of tunes together. However, Bob has gone in a slightly different direction of late and has been embracing the wonky disco sounds of Emperor Machine and Black Devil Disco Club. This mix retains more of a groove than his previous one's and is more appealing to the dancefloor.

Bobby O'Donnell - Class Of The Clown

1. The Emporer Machine - Rimramrimram
2. Photocall - Silver Clouds
3. Space - Magic Fly
4. The Youngsters - The Third Knife
5. The Chemical Brothers - Giant
6. A J Scent - Da Posse
7. DJ's Are Not Rockstars - European Accent
8. Silicon Soul - Chic-O-Laa (H Foundtion Remix)
9. Adam Beyer - China Girl
10. Dexter - Acid Lullaby
11. Black Devil Disco Club - The Devil In Us (Dub)
12. James T. Cotton - Oochie Coo
13. Kraftwerk - The Model
14. Radioslave - Screaming Hands (Wink Interpretation)
15. Raudive - Magnetic
16. Depeche Mode - Behind The Wheel
17. Francesco Tristano - Strings of Life (Kiki remix)
18. Ace Of Clubs - Patriotic Acid
19. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

Is This Disco?

2007-07-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome, bloggers.

Polaroid takes place on the first Friday of every month in an old re-developed Victorian basement named the Wire club. We are based around the vibe of quality electronic music; from electro and punky disco to underground house and techno but always with the emphasis of creating a real party atmosphere. We aim to bring quality artists to the club, many of who have never played in Leeds before but we also have a strong team of quality resident DJ’s who rock the party month in and month out.

Polaroid was the first club night in Leeds to give debuts to Annie Mac, Radio Slave, Boys Noize, Simian Mobile Disco, Tim Sweeney and Geddes as well as playing host to the likes of Optimo, Erol Alkan, HiEM, Spektrum, Riton, Freeform Five, Riotous Rockers, Ladytron, DFA, The Electric Press, Dave Beer, Dirty Disco DJ’s, JoJo De Freq, Headman, Justus Kohncke and loads more. We urge you to check us out; a great night for music lovers and party people alike...

Party this Friday!

2007-07-31T06:38:00.000-07:00

Polaroid vs. Mono_Cult l Friday August 3rd.

/Paul Kaminska (Mono_Cult)
/Gareth Colley (Mono_Cult)
/Death on the Balcony
/Joe Morris
/Xpander

11-5am Wire, 2 Call Lane Leeds
£6/5
http://www.polaroidclub.co.uk/

Tracks On Da Rocks!

2007-07-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a cheeky little edit I just knocked up. It's basically the same track, except now it's got the Polaroid touch. ;-)

Thomas Bangalter - Colossus (Polaroid Soundsystem Distorted Vocal Edit)

Club Re-Edits

2007-07-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

To kick us off, here's a couple of edits we did.... ooh aaaages ago now. But they still do the trick when we give them an airing at the club

Enjoy!

New Order - Fine Time (Polaroid Soundsystem Re-Fined Edit)

Human League - Love Action (Polaroid Soundsystem Re-Action Edit

Mixes

2007-07-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

A couple of popular mixes from our residents:

Polaroid Soundsystem vol. 1

Tracklist

Mike Monday - Zum Zum
Headman - Moisture (Mustapha 3000 Remix)
Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat
Max Sedgley - Happy (Go Home Productions Remix)
The Presets - I Go Hard, I Go Home (The Juan Maclean Remix)
Headman - On & On (Polaroid Soundsystem Edit)
Alex Gopher - Motorcycle (Dryclutch Edit)
Simon Saunders - Mind If My Friend Joins In? (Acapella)
Oxia & Eric Borgo - Jackin Me
Alexkid & Chloe - Afterblaster (Mazi & Duriez Remix)
Sébastian Léger - Brouwers
Leopold Gregori – Renaissance

Hookers Podcast

I can't be bothered to post up the tracklist. It's huge. But there are loads of fresh tracks here from the likes of Surkin, Justice, Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk and M.A.N.D.Y plus loads of the Hookers own edits. If you really wanna know the tracklist, it's on our website

Q + A with the Infadels!

2007-07-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

The Infadels are reputed to be the hardest working artists in the business, 2006 was a huge year for them, performing over 150 shows including 2 UK tours, 3 European tours, an Australian tour, as well as 35 festivals dates!! They played a scintillating set at our 3rd birthday back in May, and we caught up with them before the gig to do a little Q+A...

Tell us about the Infadels. Who are you? Where you from? We`re a five piece electronic rock n roll band from Hackney...but don`t hold that against us.

Where did you meet? We all used to work in an in an office where we were forced to listen to Virgin FM and watch MTV. Sounds ridiculous but it`s true. I think it`s fair to say we are a product of that horrible experience.

So which members of the group get behind the decks, and what instruments do they play in the band? Myself (Richie) and Matty are the DJ`s. I play keys and Matty is the guitarist.

Everyone seems to be jumping on the rock-stars-cum-DJ’s bandwagon nowadays, but you were DJ’ing before you formed the band weren’t you? Yeah - I used to live with Matt about ten years ago and we`d always be asked to DJ at house parties and things like that. It was loads of fun but then we started Infadels and all our free time evaporated. I wouldn`t normally quote Gary Glitter but it`s good to be back.

So what can we expect from an Infadels DJ set? The latest slamming electro, some old party classics and some special re-rubs of tunes cooked up by ourselves. It`s pretty mixed-up to say the very least!

The current dance press would have us believe that the lines between rock and rave are blurring, but it’s nothing new. Which bands and DJs are doing it for you at the minute? At the moment we’re loving the Ratatat album "Classics". It`s proving to be a big influence on the whole Infadels sound. Metronomy also are mixing up guitars and dance music in a way never heard before. In terms of DJing, you can’t go wrong with Filthy Dukes.

What do you think of the ‘Nu Rave’ scene? In the same way punk was the Sex Pistols and a load of other rubbish, nu rave is just the Klaxons. They`re brilliant - we just hope they aren`t left tarnished by the media hype.

So what’s happening with the second album? It`s all going sweet! We`ve got 20 tunes to pick from and we are about to head into the studio to lay them all down. There will be an EP later this year with the album arriving Jan 2008. No strings – more acid. We`re very excited.

What is the most memorable gig you’ve played? There have been so many! Coachella last year sticks out. Playing in the desert, surrounded by palm trees was a mind blower. Nearly died from heat exhaustion and all the electronics blew-up but it was a storming show.

Tell us a funny story from when you’ve been on tour... All our funny stories seem funnier now than at the time. We once ran out of petrol on the motorway somewhere in France on our way to headlining a massive Dutch festival. Everyone was blaming each other, the management had their phones switched off and we were hemorrhaging cash left right and centre. As with most things these days you can see it all on YouTube. The look on Bnann’s face when he hears about the amount of money we’ve wasted is classic.