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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! |
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An introduction to Kiss Da Funk: meet co-promoter Tolley
Reported by Macavity
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Submitted 11-07-05 17:05
Even if you live in London and rarely venture outside the capital you’ve probably heard the name Kiss Da Funk. And with good reason, as it’s a party which is starting to create serious waves thoughout dance music. Started about only 19 months ago it packs out Mission in Leeds every month with queues around the block. But not only that, it’s toured the UK, co-hosted the main tent at Leeds Love Parade and is getting ready for a summer of special parties in Ibiza, including two scheduled for The Space Terrace on 15 July and 19 August.
In its relatively short life it’s been featured on Radio One and regularly voted best club in the North by Mixmag. It seems to have hit on a killer combination of the best feel good house music played by excellent djs who also embody the right spirit of the party and a good looking crowd who far from sitting around and posing really like to let their hair down and party. As a result it’s gained loads of support from house clubbers, hard dance lovers, students and just about anyone who loves to party.
It’s obvious as well that one vital ingredient to the success of the party is due to the people behind the party, most notably Rob Tissera, who also is a resident playing house, and Glyn Tolley. Both are well liked members of the dance scene who with a team of great people around them help give the party that magic sparkle.
I spoke to Tolley (as he’s affectionately referred to in the industry) to ask him a few more facts about Kiss Da Funk.
You co-promote the Leeds based house night Kissdafunk with DJ Rob Tissera. Describe KDF for those that have never been before. What should newbie’s expect and why should they come?
Kiss da Funk is a mad-cap maelstrom of glammed-up guys and gals who’re not afraid to let their hair down. We’ve been described by Mixmag as the ‘best night in the North’ and the ‘best looking crowd’ so surely that’s enough reason to give us a try.
Tolley, Rob and the Kissdafunk Girls
What’s the music policy?
We play all genres of house music from funky house (obviously) through to dirty, electro and tech house. If it’s good then it’s good enough.
How did you come up with the name?
For the first time on record here’s how the name was created:
I drafted up a comprehensive list of possible names and one of my favourites was ‘kiss my funk’. Rob also liked this but suggested ‘kiss the funk’ was better and Adam Trophy offered the final ingredient of ‘da’.
Despite not being very old Kissdafunk seems to be really happening. It’s recently had a tent at Leeds Love Parade, it’s been featured on Radio One ‘House Rules’ and it’s about to embark on a series of parties in Ibiza, including the Space Terrace. Tell us a little bit more about your ‘Summer of Love’ plans?
We’re very proud to have been approached to do various tours over the summer (see www.kissdafunk.com) including two dates on the new Space Terrace, a collaboration with Dusted at Eden and a boat party with Pam’s House. Ibiza holds good memories for KdF as we did two amazing gigs there last year, including the now legendary boat party with Garlands. I’ve been at a few nights in my time but I have to say that the boat party must rank in my top three times of my whole life (up until now anyway!).
What can people look forward to at your Ibiza parties?
Well both Rob and myself will be there conjuring up our usual comedy antics and we’ll be joined at various stages by Filthy Rich, Marc Leaf, Jay Funk, Drew Scott, Gareth Oldreive and a special guest I wish I was allowed to announce. Some of the KDF girls will be with us helping to keep the gigs beautiful and balanced.
Space Terrace
What type of djs do you book?
We haven’t really gone down the big dj route yet but have chosen instead to recruit breaking talent from up and down the land i.e. Tom Neville, Deep Groove and Oliver Lang etc. We work closely with the magazines and often ask them who they think is vibrant, happening and coming through the ranks.
How did you personally get into promoting?
I’ve been involved in the industry since 1990 and have done many things including djing, promoting and making music. Not many people know this but the first ever record I released (Within a Dream’s ‘Where is the Feeling’) was covered by the one and only Kylie Monogue on her Deconstruction album (blows raspberry).
What do you think is the most challenging thing about putting on a night? And what is the most fun thing?
As anybody who’s ever properly organized a party of any description will tell you; it’s flipping hard work. There is so much to do and I constantly look for different ways of advertising/ promoting our events so I guess you could say I make more work for myself thus making it harder. The pay off is the buzz you get when you’re stood in a packed venue and the crowd erupts into a frenzy and me and Rob look at one another and break out laughing. We honestly enjoy the nights as much as our crowd does, although it might not always look that way if you see me running around trying to sort something out.
Rob Tissera and Tolley
What are the differences between promoting in the north of England to the south of England? Would you ever move south?
I’ve not had to exclusively promote an event in the south as the nights we’ve previously done have been in conjunction with other brands, so we’ve had the luxury of guys on the ground doing a lot of the leg work for us.
I’ve no plans to move south but as Rob and I always say ‘never say never’.
You’ve recently done some tours with KDF. Have you any plans to bring it back to London?
We do have plans for the capital but it would be unfair to disclose anything at this stage as everything is subject to contract. Watch this space — and the web site www.kissdafunk.com
Do you think house music is starting to take over the harder dance scenes, or do you think the two scenes can run concurrently?
I think that everything has its peak and fortunately for KDF, House music has once again reached vogue-like status and is showing no signs of slowing. I personally feel that both scenes can run together and big events like the tidy weekenders will continue to thrive for quite some time. There is still lots of life in the hard stuff as every festival that features a hard arena demonstrates. I also dj hard house/techno so I hope it survives for some time.
Tolley and Shaun
Which house djs do you currently rate?
I’ve been really impressed with David Guetta both times I’ve watched him play and Steve Angello is pretty good also. Obviously I like all our residents and the guests we book otherwise we wouldn’t book them. I have to say that since I’ve been judging the Kiss Da Funk dj competitions over the past two years I’ve seen the standard raise considerably so we can expect to see some really creative talent coming through over the next twelve months.
Kiss Da Funk will be appearing at The Space Terrace on 15 July and 19 August from 6pm till midnight. On 22 July it will also be hosting a joint party at Eden.
www.kissdafunk.com
Thanks to Tillate.com and KDF for use of photography.
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Other Features By Macavity:
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The Tidy Boys are Back To Clean Up London
David Minns Tells Us Why South London is The Place To Be!
Russia's No 1 DJ, Bobina Springs into London
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The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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great to see them up here on the features bit!