Lost Dawn is a new party on London market, born out of bravery of two enthusiasts: Adam Symbiosis, HF own editor and Craig Gunn, Movida Corona DJ competition winner 2009. These two workaholics decided to prove that even in hard recession times, when big clubs are closing their door, creativity and determination win over in the end. Agnes Klos wanted to check what exactly Lost Dawn had hidden under the sleeve for their second bash in February and ended up interviewing promoter Craig Gunn.
While most parties lack fresh ideas and secure their place on the clubbing scene by endorsing only the most-common music genres, Lost Dawn offers an interactive space filled with art, entertainment and quality music. It aims at fostering creativity and introduces fresh ideas. One of the interesting concepts for the night were paper cranes, spread all around two rooms and in the upstairs mezzanine at Cable club. Adam Symbiosis told me: “Paper cranes are known for peace and luck. They have become an emblem of the ancient art of origami. Keep your eyes peeled for a golden crane as you can win free entrance to the next Lost Dawn.”
My intense search around the club began. I looked in every corner of the club and even under Adam’s jacket, but no golden crane was there to be found. Later during the course of the night I heard that the most-desired golden crane had actually brought someone a stroke of good luck.
The party was already in the full swing when I walked into the alternative space room at midnight. Packed with revellers who were creating a pleasant buzz, Lost Dawn seemed like the place to be on Friday night. Mark Day got things nicely warmed up with groovy psychedelic tunes followed by DJ Steelo. He did not disappoint his fans, bashing out a good mix of minimal, breaks and stomping techno.
Meantime, Tom Gallagher opened up the main space with his electric set. Although there were some complaints about the low temperature in the room the clubbers’ eyes were entertained the whole time by well-thought-out visuals beaming from the big plasma screen courtesy of VJ Baby K.
The core art centre of the party was located upstairs in the mezzanine. The vibe seemed chilled and positive, giving clubbers a perfect chance to catch up with their friends. At the same time art was being created in front of everyone’s eyes. Saroj Patel painted an engrossing triptych which illustrated the Lost Dawn logo, a girl with doves in her hair and a reindeer staring out of the frame. It was pretty fascinating to see an artist at work.
More entertainment was dropped on intrigued clubbers by Sam Cookney who performed live magic. Although I was slightly disappointed that there was no big magic show I perked up when Sam tricked my eyes with his cards. I even got one card as a souvenir.
Whereas some guests enjoyed reflexology by Heilsa in the mezzaine, others preferred hula-hooping with Kate H and stomping their feet to banging house tunes served by mainroom headliner Dale Anderson from Global Underground. When Craig Gunn overtook the decks the party got heated up properly. Adam Symbiosis got us grooving with David Murtagh wrapping things nicely in the mainroom.
It was a huge shame that the main space had to close earlier as the party lost its speed. Everyone moved to the other room but the lack of the main dancing floor had a deteriorating effect on the number of clubbers dancing. Despite quality tunes served by Yoto vs Danny Unkut and Craig Heldsinger at the end, most clubbers were leaving before the dawn or simply talking.
All in all, Lost Dawn is a party that strives to stand out. With the second one voted pick of the week by TNT magazine, the third one can be only bigger. I met with one of Lost Dawn creators, Craig Gunn, to go back to the very beginning and find out why Lost Dawn came into our lives.
Hi Craig, thank you for taking time to answer a few questions for HarderFaster readers. I am sure that after the successful party on 26th February at Cable I am not the only person who is curious about Lost Dawn. You have co-created the party together with Adam Symbiosis. How did you guys meet and how was the whole concept transformed from ideas into reality?
Adam played for one of the promotions I did with DJ Prozak called Subsonica. His first gig for me was at the Rhythm Factory in 2004. His natural energy and knowledge of dance music was infectious so we struck up a friendship. For the last five years we’ve both done our own things muscially - even competing against each other in DJ competitions - but we always spoke about putting a night on. So, one fateful evening, whilst we supped beer at the Emirates Stadium executive box (I was on a press freebie) Lost Dawn was born with the vision to incorporate art and music.
Why did you decide to have your own event? Is there a gap on London scene that Lost Dawn aims to fill in?
I think nearly every potential gap in the London clubbing calendar is full five times over, but we didn't see it as entering into an extremely competitive environment and trying be the next best thing. We simply wanted to offer an alternative night out that wasn't just about dancing. We wanted our guests to check out photography, art, magic and a myraid of other things that clubs used to be about. Part of Lost Dawn is reminiscing about the underground dance scene, but there is a whole new generation of people out there that should have the complete experience when they come and party and we aim achieve that.
How did you come up with the name and what is the ideology behind it?
The name is simply about those big nights out we all have had and the 'Lost' morning after parties. Also Dawn is kind of like a new beginning so a symbiosis of ideas. We hope sincerely when visiting our party you find your Dawn.
Why have you chosen Cable as a club for your party?
Well the venue speaks for itself. It's awesome. It is in a location for North and South Londoners alike to want to visit. It has great transport links. The interior competes with Fabric, the soundsystem is top draw and other promoters like Renaissance and Bedrock agree with us. It is going to be the top club in London in 2010 now that it has settled into the clubbing landscape.
If you were to describe the party to someone who has never attended it before what would you say?
It’s a club night that combines the best in house, tech, disco, progressive music as well as alternative and chilled beats. It also has a collection of artists performing live video visuals, painting, photography, reiki, hula hooping, origami and a number of other randomness to satisfy body and mind.
Who provides decorations and visualisations?
So far we have had VJ skills from Alternative Reality (VJ Baby K), Origami from Adam, Painting from the awesome Saroj Patel and Ellie Hawkins. Magic from Sam Cookney. But we are a fluid party - we would consider anything so please if you have ideas we will gladly listen. For the next event we can announce exclusively here we have a very special VJ set from one of the worlds leading VJ’s Habs Akram who provides all the visuals for Carl Cox and Ferry Corsten. Check out some of his previous work here.
Could you tell us more about the artistic side of Lost Dawn? Why do you put extra focus on art and how do you choose your artist for each event?
The art aspect is to entertain our guests. So as well as dancing there are other things to do in our club. We also want to foster artists who may not have the opportunity to exhibit or try out art installations in a gallery.
What is your DJ screening process for Lost Dawn?
We are looking for DJ's that have interesting productions under their belt, or we have experienced playing live and they bring a good vibe into the party. We think about the shape of the night and our guest DJs we choose on their ability to “texturise” the dancefloor. Ego's are not allowed!
How would you describe the last party on 26th February 2010?
It was a great night and most people left extremely happy and asking when the next party is. We definitely think the music and decor was a great improvement on our launch night and any negatives that we received from the event we have taken on board. We care immensely about getting it right but also realise you can't run before you can walk
What improvements would you like to make to the party in the future?
We will continue to work with the venue, who are still growing themselves, in working out any technical issues we have had. We will continue to bring raw and established musical talent to our line-up and will select a whole new bunch of artists to experience on the evening. Each event will be unique but our core elements of art and music will remain.
When can we expect from the next Lost Dawn?
Lost Dawn returns on Friday 14th May with our unique take on electronic music. This party is definitely not one to be missed as it welcomes Carl Cox’s newly re-launched record label Intec Digital to the main room. Make sure you sign up to our mailing list at www.lostdawn.co.uk to get the first heads up on all our events.
Photos courtesy of Agnes Klos and the HarderFaster archive. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Early bird advance tickets are
£10.00, £12 thereafter and available through www.lostdawn.co.uk,
www.intecdigital.com and www.datatransmission.co.uk.
£14 on the door.
LOST DAWN returns on Friday 14th May with their unique take on electronic music. This party is definitely not one to be missed as they welcome Carl Cox’s newly re-launched record label INTEC DIGITAL to the main room.
Intec Records was established in 1999 by Carl Cox with the view to unearthing original, fresh and exciting techno music from around the world. Over its seven-year history, artists including Marco Bailey, Valentino Kanzyani, Trevor Rockcliffe & Cristian Varela all released music on the label. In 2006 after 7 successful years at the forefront of electronic music, it was decided the doors were to be closed at Intec, Since its close, Carl never stopped receiving new music from budding producers:
“I hadn’t signed anything on Intec for 3 years, but people were still sending me their records,”
Now four years on and Intec has returned, re-born for a new digital market:
“I’m so pleased to be backing this music again. It’s a whole new fresh start,” says Carl. “We’re bringing it back, we’re updating it, but with the same team of people, the same passion for new music and the same philosophy.”
Trevor Rockcliffe
With past releases on Intec and some exciting releases forthcoming on the new digital imprint, we are very pleased to welcome Techno veteran Trevor Rockcliffe to headline the main room. Trevor is a world renowned DJ and Producer of the highest calibre. There are few around with his versatility and pure feel for the funk, being regarded as a leading light by the likes of Carl Cox, Slam and Laurent Garnier.
Nicole Moudaber
With a very exciting Intec Digital remix coming from Nicole Moudaber this summer, we are very happy to have Nicole gracing the Intec Room, whilst being known for delivering distinctly dark and driving music, her sets blend deep techno with groovier sexy rhythms perfect for some main room dance floor action.
Jon Rundell
Jon Rundell has reprised his former role and is once again putting his wisdom and musical prowess back in use at Intec Digital. Jon will be spearheading the night fresh back from another sold out tour of Australia with Carl Cox as he is bound to deliver a storming set filled with Intec material, past, present & future.
Representing LOST DAWN in the second room we have AMELIE, CHAMBOCHE, KR0T00N and residents ADAM SYMBIOSIS & CRAIG GUNN.
AMELIE
Production outfit & DJ’s Sophie Oliver & Claudia Lovisa aka Amelie have had a string of hit tracks on the popular ‘Supernature’ Label, while collaborating with Audiofly and Alex Niggeman. Their ‘Supernature’ radio show on Proton radio alongside John Digweed’s ‘Transitions’ series is a must listen and has created a devoted following amongst music fans.
Chamboché
With a number of stellar releases to his name, disco-house prodigy Chamboché has quickly been making a name for himself. His ‘Ipso Facto EP’ released on 'Under The Shade' records includes remixes from The Revenge and Pete Herbert no less, gathering support from such varied artists as Tim Sweeney, Steve Bug and Ewan Pearson this is one to look out for. The future is also shaping up well with a string of releases in the pipeline’ expect to hear more from Chamboché as he blurs the lines between house and disco perfectly.
Kr0t00n
Debuting this month for Lost Dawn we welcome Kr0t00n, his sound has been best described as ‘get up and dance’ a sound which covers a host of genres guaranteed to make you strangely get up and dance helping to kick the night off in style.
Of course no Lost Dawn line-up would be complete without our Residents supplying party tunes with the melodic driving force that is ADAM SYMBIOSIS and our resident house-disco diva CRAIG GUNN.
Our unique Arts Space returns to Lost Dawn with more magic, live art and activities to give your night that alternative experience.
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