You’re back on the Sydney scene with Toho Nights, your first regular party in more than a decade. What inspired the new night at Goros?
Many, many reasons have inspired me to step back out into the real world regularly. One was finding the right venue and working with creatively dynamic individuals like Adam Lewis and Elliot Solomon at Solotel. They both have a vision to improve and push the boundaries on night-time entertainment in Sydney. [Also] the abundance of new and past music that is now more accessible than ever. Vinyl will feature predominately in Toho Nights and the revolution in record cutting and production means that so much extraordinary material is now ready to hit the wheels of steel again. My wife, Aspasia (Miss Death), who is my true inspiration, is totally fed up with me dancing around our archives without an audience!
We hear you have some special guests on the cards – any hints as to who we can expect?
Over the years I have worked extensively with many local and international artists, and some of these will definitely be making appearances at Toho Nights. Initially for the launch we will experience living legend Jeff Duff perform some of Bowie’s white plastic soul from the Young Americans album and also coming up in August the one and only Christa Hughes will appear. We have a strong relationship with Mike Patton so who knows what the future will bring!
What musical flavours will you be delivering?
Hopefully the most eclectic mix of rare groove to ever be heard in a nightclub. We will glide by all the decades focusing on swing, soul (deep and northern), funk, punk, exotica, noise pop, ska, industrial, Europop, stock, dub, electro, soundtrack and much more, ultimately finding tunes that complement each other and do not disturb the vibe on the dancefloor. Expect the unexpected.
The Sydney scene has certainly changed in the last decade, and especially in the last year. What’s your view of Sydney in 2015?
Difficult but exciting, so much on offer but few real alternatives. Underground arts are suffering because of the lack of experimental and risk-taking venues. Sydney 2015 is ripe for a revolution in listening and seeing. I know there is a large audience out there just ready to ignite the moment they experience something that is driven by passion and not just the almighty dollar.
Where does Sydney nightlife need to go next in order to remain vibrant?
Diversity is what gives entertainment an edge. We all need to be inspired to create and express our deepest emotions. Music can provide that platform and bring us together as a community that wants more from life than just being fed fast food culture. Arise Sydney – Toho Nights could just be the launchpad you need. Join us on the 6th for the ultimate musical love-in!
Presented by Kay Katz, Toho Nights kicks off it’s regular Thursday nights at Goros, with Jeff Duff, Crookedmouth and Miss Death on Thursday August 6.
