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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - 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! |
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Tech house - A state of mind with the Godfather Paul Homer Stubbs
Reported by ~deleted12163
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Submitted 25-06-07 14:30
He's been there, seen it, done it, got the T-shirt and lost his hair in the process, but that hasn't stopped Paul “Homer” Stubbs from running his shop Swag Records for almost 17 years now with about two sick days off. He is a true vinyl junkie at heart and all round good guy...
Since 1992 Swag, located in Croydon, has been a corner stone of the tech house scene with even Fabric resident, Terry Francis, plying his trade there for seven years. After almost 16 years of buying my vinyl from Swag I thought it was about time I had a proper chat about tech house & music in general with Paul. Loved by lots of people all round the world, Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you one of the hardest working men in (and certainly a stalwart of) the London scene.
Sunnyside - Tell me about Swag Records, what made you start the shop back in 1992?
Paul - I opened the shop because I had a 'serious vinyl habit' & thought it would be cheaper if I had my own shop, rather than buying it from other shops and people. I used to buy my records from Danny Harrison who worked for Record Corner, he was the guy behind tunes like Congress - 40 Miles, Nush - You Girls, also known as Bobby Blanco on Defected. He said me and my little crew bought more records from him than most of his small shops at the time.so blame him!
Tech house, where does it come from?
We originated it from Swag back in the day, with people like Terry Francis, Nathan Coles, Eddie Richards amongst others. I believe it was born in Croydon, that's what the long-time serving DJs say. Back in the early 90's there used to be a sign on the M25 pointing Croydon / Tech House this way with an arrow.
You've been involved with the tech house scene for many a moon now. Tell me how you got into it or has it always been there?
We got into the scene by playing good house & underground Techno. By adding a bit of Techno to House we made the style of Tech House. Tech House is a 'State of Mind' as Dave Mothersole was once quoted, you can play anything as long as it's good.
Tech house / minimal / nu NRG / techno, I could go on all day. Do you think the scene has evolved into too many genres?
Definitely, but you do need genres to narrow down the market a little, especially if your trying to sell the stuff. There are only 2 genres for me in dance music, good or bad.
There are too many breaks, build-ups and stupid noises involved in other music styles. So what makes Tech House different?
The Tech House thing for us is all about the grooves. It’s the way the DJ can mix the tune to give it the feel its going deeper, faster or breaking down to create a feeling that it's a new track. You can make it go in all directions you know. I’m not against a break down now & then but every mix? No thanks!
Who for you is leading the Tech Scene?
One of the biggest pioneer's for me is my good friend Terry Francis.
I know so many excellent DJs it would be hard for me give you bad one but he has been resident at Fabric for 7 years now and is still rocking the shit out of it. As Fabric's resident he's one of the biggest crowd pullers I know in London. Other great ambassadors for our scene are Colin Dale, Pure Science, Nathan Coles, Gideon Jackson, Dave Mothersole, Grant Dell, Richard Gray, Richard West, the list goes on & on. You know when they are at your party, you’re in for a rocking old night for sure.
Deep house, does it come from tech or is it another style altogether?
Deep house is wonderful we've always played it and sold it in Swag. It's one of my favourite forms of House music. You can have deep tech, breakbeat, techno, minimal, electro, it can all be deep but still very twisted.
Where do you see tech house progressing to in a few years time?
Well, tech house and techno has taken a back seat over the last few years due to the electro explosion. We are very open minded. Electro is another form of tech house anyway. We all play it and Dave Mothersole's plays his part in the Swag crew as one of the finest electro / techno DJs around and very respected for it.
How many records have Swag released?
Last count was well over 70 with the white labels & boot-legs but we have not released in over 3 years due to me wanting a break, meeting my darling fiancée Beth, falling in love with our Sausage dog Dylan and the new forest were I now live. Lots of things. We have lots of new material ready for release and Terry has done around 20 new tracks for the forth coming Fabric label which all sound rather good. And not to forget Affie Yusuf's works coming. He's mad and gone way clear.
What music will you not go out & listen to?
Gabba, country & western, grime and RnB (Rubbish n Bollocks). Anything with no soul to it basically!
If someone starts chatting you up in a club while Terry's playing, what’s your reaction?
Pretend I'm his manager, get her number, find the exit and head for home, hopefully with Beth as well.
What to you makes a Good Tech night out?
Open minded relaxed people, a good sound system, lots of drink, plenty of girls and a f*ck off laser. I'm easy to please, I have no time scale or mobile phone so I don't care. I love to get down all night long and hopefully meet up with the Monday club. All I know is that my shop opens at 11am on Monday morning. That’s my window!
So after a long night what calms you down?
Tea to start ( I love the stuff ) then a few fresh coffees, couple cans of Guinness or beer or cider then finish off with a fine bottle of brandy, (various other sleeping aids – ed) and Beth. Tuesday soon comes around.
What have you got in store at RevolveR?
On that night we have some great DJs which I'm sure will not disappoint. I feel a magical mystery Techouse bonanza evolving. The surprise guest is.a surprise! (rubs hands)
So where's Swag Records going & what have has it got in store?
Paul - This year we have a brand new web site going live at the end of June called www.swagrecords.com Its a very easy to use site with quality music and quirky original layout. We are very proud of it as lots of hard work has gone into it from Richie L and myself. We also have the Swagworld (an offshoot to the site) coming late summer which will have pictures, games, mix CDs and more hosted there. We have just pimped our mySpace site again which is a lot of fun too and hosts well over 100 mix CDs for you to choose and listen to.
I'm very excited about RevolveR as this will be the first time we have done a night alongside other genres. It will be great to hear Karim, Darren Pearce, Matt Smallwood & Sunnyside, who I've known since I opened the shop.
If anyone wants to get in touch with me then mail me on paul@swagrecords.com or check out our new website www.swagrecords.com which goes live this week. Better still, pop down to our store Swag Records, 42 Station Road, West Croydon CR0 2RB..
Thanks Paul. Anything else you want to add?
Yes there is, Keep it in Our Hearts, Not in The Charts
Peace & Love. Paul, Liz, Richie and all the Swag crew xxxxx
Look out for our free new website launch mix CD mixed by Richie L entitled Puddin Ed and the 10% discount when you subscribe to our new site
Photos courtesy of Sunnyside. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Revolver
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On:
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Friday 29th June 2007
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At:
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Hidden [map]
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From:
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10:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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£10 / Concessions for groups
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Website:
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www.djsuploaded.co.uk/revolver
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Ticket Info:
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Info / Paying Guest list:
revolverguestlist@hotmail.co.uk
Tickets - https://moreonthedoor.com/eshop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=20
07854 028301
Paying Guest list & Door £10.
Concessions for groups.
e-tickets available from Swag Records on
020 8681 7735
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More:
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Join Revolver on our opening event as we celebrate in style
Bringing you a diverse mix of House music, to keep you satisfied all night.
In the Purple Room
We bring you the legend that is Karim providing us with the Hard House we all want. Trade resident Lady Bianca will be throwing in a few surprises & one half of Tekelec Matt Smallwood shall weave his Techno magic. With Steve Hope & Jeremy Lee giving us hard driving thumping house.
The Red Room
Welcomes Darren Pearce (JDS) with what will be a feast of Breaks of the highest caliber. Pure Science joins us with a live set not to be missed, tunes made & mixed on the spot will leave you gagging for more. Rising star Ben Gomori who is fast becoming one to watch on the club scene. Sunnyside's vibes comes all the way from The West Coast of USA & Steven Black kicks it with tough Electro Beats.
The Blue room
Will be hosted by Swag Records.
A firm favourite in the Tech House scene, Paul 'Homer' Stubbs will be joined by his partners of Swag, Liz Edwards & Richie L.
The Legend that is Dave Mothersole is joined by Grant Dell & a very special guest.......
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Nu NRG. House. Bouncy House. Deep House. Funky House. Hard House. US House. Vocal House. Funky Techno. Techno. Breaks.
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DJ's:
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Karim
Lady Bianca
Matt Smallwood
Steve Hope
Jeremy Lee
Darren Pearce
Pure Science
Ben Gomori
Sunny Side
Steven Black
Paul Swag
Dave Mothersole
Grant Dell
Liz Edwards
Richie L
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Other Features By ~deleted12163:
Do you want cream with that Karim?
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 25th Jun 2007 15:28.38
 Rubbish and Bollocks, excellent description.... Looking forwrd to this room on Friday night
From: JayTranzmit on 25th Jun 2007 21:58.47
I remember Swag opening..Holy moly, nearly 17 years!! :0 Used to be Myprice before..made me feel really old ready this now haha
Good to see one of the Croydon stores still running.
From: ~deleted12163 on 25th Jun 2007 22:01.12
I used to shop at Mi Price as well....
Still a great shop with lots of hidden away gems....
From: Ilana B on 27th Jun 2007 13:26.27
Nice one!
Looking forward to revolver.....shame i wont be able to stay all night, but anyone wanting to hear some great house music be sure to catch these guys 
From: Dzerzhinsky on 29th Jun 2007 15:06.57
I look forward to an interview with the manager of Super Sports, or a shift supervisor at Tesco.
From: Neonpink on 2nd Jul 2007 08:24.49
Swag are great, lovely people and always a good shop for buying bobs and bits for my boyfriend.
Having used to live in croydon for almosy 6 years, i have gone past the shop MANY times, and have shopped in there quite a few times too.
Didnt know you were playing in Hidden, sounds like it would have been an awesome night from the list of music tha was ok. Hope it was a great night for you!!
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