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Features
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Proactively Paul Jack
Reported by Agnes Klos
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Submitted 28-10-09 13:53
As one of the hardest working promoters in London, Paul Jack is responsible for many a much loved party, Proactive being one and the series of psy parties at matter, which began with Homega and continue with Halcyon. After checking out the last Proactive, correspondent, Agnes Klos wanted to find out more about the man in charge
One weekend looking for a party which would be different from the masses, I stumbled on an independent phenomenon called Party Proactive. Since taking its audience by storm in 2005, the party has consistently been building its genuine crowd of followers and gaining a renowned reputation among clubbers. I was intrigued, so on 3rd October I simply went to Area, Vauxhall, to check out a party called The Happening. My prime aim was to discover what Party Proactive was truly proactive about.
Party Proactive’s nomination as one of the top five parties in London by respectable DJ Mag was an astonishing achievement after a handful of occasional major events. From the very beginning, the team behind Proactive was dedicated to creating an unforgettable night for their ravers. That attitude is still reflected today by booking well-recognised DJs such as Pete Wardman, Hertz or Justin Robertson and fighting against all obstacles. I managed to talk to Paul Jack (Captain of the Proactive ship) who gave us a complete guide to everything we need to know about Party Proactive.
What stands behind the name: Party Proactive? Why such a choice of words?
Haha, that’s a good question! Party Proactive was originally born as a record label called Proactive Records started by me, The *Ting* and Joanna McEwen. We bandied around loads of different names and they all sounded bollox to us. We wanted the name to show how we intended to do things and it sounds cheesy but we decided we would be “proactive” in our approach! Party Proactive as a name is almost cringe worthy but we love it!
What is the history and ethos of Party Proactive?
We started as an event just over five years ago at the Purple Turtle in Camden where The *Ting* played host alongside our team of residents and a very loyal and crazy crowd of people! Party Proactive rocked the Purple Turtle weekly each and every Saturday night for over a year yet due a change at the Purple we’re forced into either calling it a day or launching the event as a stand alone clubnight and that’s exactly what we did with our first event taking place at Deep Blue, part of the SeOne complex.
The ethos is simple really, we love lots of different music, we love clubbing and we love to be challenged musically! It’s all about working hard, doing what we enjoy most – having fun, listening to music and meeting wicked people! Each event is supposed to develop as the night progresses getting dirtier, harder and always building through out the night. We like to put line ups together that you would not expect to see with house, tribal, techno, psy trance and hard dance all featuring in the main room with acts like Eskimo, Billy Nasty, Marco Nastic, Valentino Kanzyani[, DJ Preach and Dali all playing different styles and all playing in the same room.
The other two rooms are always more experimental in sound with established names like Justin Robertson, Phillipe B, Jon Pleased Wimmin, Mark Moore, Queen Maxine, Guy Williams and James Fitch all having graced the decks supported by up and coming talent. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong but at least we personally think it’s not boring and predictable and gives people something different and exciting and each and every event we do.
Party Proactive is the event where it all started and it will always be the party closest to my heart. As such it is always a little self indulgent so we get carried away spending money on way to many expensive DJs that we want to hear. It’s like going to sweet shop and thinking I love this and that…haha!
Could you name a couple of reasons explaining why it is worth going to Party Proactive?
It’s different to many events and attracts a wide range of people from young to mature clubbers. It has three distinct rooms and if you don’t like what’s going on in one room then you can always check out what is on offer next door. We really do put a lot of effort into what we do both work wise and on a personal level and I am very happy to see that there are many people out there who have continued to support us from the start, through the ups and downs that every event experiences.
Who makes up the Proactive team?
The Proactive team has changed since the start with people leaving and people coming on board along the way. The team initially mainly consisted of me, Joanna McEwen, The *Ting* and Jacob Moss with lots of help from many others including K.A.R.L., Vanessa and others. As time has moved forward peoples lives have changed and their priorities are different. Team Proactive is now me, Joanna McEwen and Amanda Holder with help and support from too many to name!
Joanna McEwen
What kind of experience would you like clubbers to get from your parties?
Have fun and hopefully hear something new!
How would you describe The Happening - the last Proactive Party at Area, Vauxhall, 3rd October 2009? Was it a success? What kind of problems did you encounter?
Our last event at Area - The Happening - was good in many ways but not without its problems. To start with our close friend and door man due to personal reasons was not able to work on the night, it may sound insignificant to some but it makes a big difference to the event and who gets in. Secondly the sound in room two went tits up when the sound processor literally blew up and we could no longer run a DJ there after 3.30am; massive apologies to the last two DJ’s and the people that came to see them.
On a positive note I though the musically the event was far superior to our May event and the music had a much better graded flow building throughout the night starting with tribal techno / breaks into progressive psy, into techno into funky hard house followed the madness of Mark EG to psy trance and a simply incredible closing set from Andy Farley.
Why was the turnout of Proactive fans at the last event worse than expected?
Numbers where certainly a bit down on the last event with 780 in attendance overall. A respectable number but compared to our last event certainly not as busy. You ask why? I can’t answer that, maybe the tube being down did not help, maybe a sign of the times, maybe people had other things to do, God knows! When you have been running an event for over five years and one that is the scale of Proactive you can not expect it to be “rammed” every time!
Amanda Holder (right)
Would you describe the official afterparty at Trade 19th Birthday at Ministry of Sound a successful event?
Certainly seemed to be! It took a while for the Proactive room to warm up at Trade and possibly due to people having to find it! But it was busy to the very end and staying open longer then expected! There is a good synergy between the two events and Party Proactive has always attracted a mixed crowd.
What are your plans for the future Proactive events? Are you going to move to a different venue?
Wait and let me catch my breath but I am potentially considering March as the next date - not sure yet venue wise!
How does your experience as a former Label Manager for Arktik Records and Sketcha Traxx help you as a promoter? Was the shift difficult?
Haha, I see you have done your research, that was blooming ages ago! I worked on Arktik and Sketcha traxx because I enjoyed music. Party Proactive came into life as a result of Proactive Records. The main thing I gained I guess was a better understanding of how the industry works and through doing the label I discovered what I really enjoyed doing was being involved in events.
What other events are you promoting? I have heard about parties at matter..
I am indeed involved in a few different events at the moment the two main events are Closer and most recently the new psy event at Matter called Halcyon. Party Proactive is completely separate to these but after working so long on one event it is enjoyable and exciting to try different things and to work with different people. Both Closer and Halcyon I co – run with Will Paterson and a team including Phil Lankester, Kristian (Dejavoo) and Liquid Ross. Halcyon will definitely be exciting with the live act from Infected Mushroom and live support from Eskimo.
Click here for more info in the forums about Halcyon.
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Other Features By Agnes Klos:
Back2Basics - 10 Years of Party Productions & Tomorrowland Stage Hosts
Atmosphere Records - The opening of IBIZA 1936
Entering the world of Waldfrieden in Germany with DJoanna
Piracy is not a crime – sail away with Feestgedruis!
Progressive flavours with DJ R'Deem ahead of Neelix party
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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Comments:
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From: Mizz_behavin on 28th Oct 2009 15:11.04
PP wouldnt be PP without the time and effort Jo and Paul put in.... Muchos love to you both 
From: Daf on 28th Oct 2009 15:14.00
Think this is a good time to revive my old "The many faces of Paul Jack" thread 
Click here
From: Alan-Banks on 28th Oct 2009 15:16.56
Nice interview Mr Jack . .always a pleasure to see you out and about. . May Proactive continue
From: Coops on 28th Oct 2009 15:23.26
Good work Paul, legend.
From: phil lankester on 28th Oct 2009 16:51.59
Paul, You're a genius! All your party brands are a brilliant success story, I've never been let down once, I personally found The Happening was one of my dj'ing career highlights! Keep up the good work mate!
From: Andy Force on 28th Oct 2009 18:37.38
My favourite event in london by a mile! Onwards and upwards Paul 
From: ~deleted12163 on 28th Oct 2009 19:00.48
He knows EXACTLY what I think if him
From: Hanky on 29th Oct 2009 11:23.03
His are the only parties that I consistently look at the lineups for and think "interesting..."
He is also a total legend, and a good chap at a crackon!
From: bennett on 29th Oct 2009 12:13.25
Without a doubt the nicest man in dance music! Congrats on everything youve achieved fella 
From: szatan on 29th Oct 2009 15:14.02
Nice read Mr. Jack
Sati x
From: Disco Diva on 29th Oct 2009 19:39.20
Great read, great guy & great parties. Pleasure knowing Paul & Jo & Amanda & have some of my best clubbing memories with Party Proactive & seen some awesome djs play there x
From: Menthol Taz on 30th Oct 2009 15:49.06
It's all been said, but I'll say it again.
Great guy, great parties - well done to you & your team xx
From: pnrpete on 1st Nov 2009 01:39.38
I've always loved the proactive ethos, always a great night and not afraid to experiment. Farleys's closing set at the last PP was brilliant. Cheers Paul and the team :-)
From: Danny Gilligan on 2nd Nov 2009 17:43.22
No one works harder! well done Paul!!
From: paul jack on 2nd Nov 2009 22:04.10
crikey! your all making me blush - thank you for the very positive comments! Am glad what i do is enjoyed and long it may continue...i hope!
From: Dj Kristian on 4th Nov 2009 00:34.22
Add your comments here ! Top parties,top bloke,top crew....a visionary
From: James Terry on 6th Nov 2009 15:54.42
Only been to two but the music variety was brilliant, glad to see people help keep the scene fresh!
From: carl nicholson on 7th Nov 2009 10:00.04
Top Bloke!
From: Gordon Darley on 7th Nov 2009 20:40.12
Without wanting to sound too gay for Paul, hi team and his parties, he really is a top bloke. Not only do lots of clubbers love what they do, but I know the whole set up has been both inluential and inspiring for a huge humber of DJs and artists over the years. Keep it up Paul
From: *Ting* on 11th Jan 2010 00:28.53
Love you loads, work hard, play harder baby.
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