Damian Lazarus

"STINK"

That Shoreditch club is the T Bar, where 5 December 2005 was the first of these No-Cover parties, named “Stink,” that kicked off with DJs Damian Lazarus and Michael Meyer. With no security at the front door on this Monday night, entry was an ease. The humidity htit me upoin opening the foor it was absolutely packed, and was a mess of flesh, but I ventured into the quicksand of people and saw a dancing, laughing, drinking, shouting sitting frenzy. Approximately 300 people were enjoying the festivities that night.

Interview with Damian

- What kind of party is "Stink?"

"Stink" is somewhat of an experiment really. It’s the opportunity to play the freshest sounds, with the space to improvise. When you go to a party where the atmosphere is amazing, with everyone dancing nonstop, you go home with smells of sweat, cigarettes, alcohol and other funky odors. That's the objective really, to go home stinky cuz you had an amazing time.

- Why did you decide to host the event on Mondays?

Because I wanted to do something completely different and stimulating, not going through a Friday night routine. We like to challenge ourselves.

- On your website, you mention that Monday is the new Sunday, but has that caught on in the local club scene?

The London club scene has revived recently because people are starting to show their love for music and new sounds and I think this appetite will continue for sometime. I want to throw high quality Monday night parties with my music label, Crosstown Rebels, which is what we plan on doing in 2006.

- As a Whitechapel resident, you’ve seen how East London has changed, but with regards to music, what do feel is different in today’s music from what you listened to in the past?

Music has changed massively over the past few years, where posh people and a bit underground edgy people have been mixing socially.

Around the mid ninety’s, “Cool Brit” art, fashion and media has become the foundation of today’s young creative culture.

- What do you think about the shift of Electro House DJs towards playing Click and Minimal House?

I think the popularity in all types of House music is brilliant. Especially when everyone’s got their own unique style, the same song can be performed differently, which I think is amazing!

- With your background in Hip Hop, but having exposed yourself to a variety of other music, what artist or song has influenced you the most? Additionally, how has the variety of music you listen to influence the way you produce?

Today, I bought three albums:

“Los Chalchaleros” which is a male vocal group,

“Regina Spektor” a New York artist and

“Le Trio Jourdan” which is made up of three brothers. If you listen to our music, you’ll find it’s influenced and inspired by such artists.

- Japan is the second biggest market in the world when it comes to music, but the Japanese club scene is declining. So Damian, what suggestions or nuggets of clubbing wisdom do you have to our readers to get them more excited about the joys of getting "stinky".

On 20 January, I’ll be DJing at Daikaiyama Unit, a club in Tokyo, for the "Death Disco" event, which I'm really looking forward to. People all over the world are going mental over these kinds of parties, so I'm sure the Japanese masses will stink the same.

- Who is your favorite Japanese DJ or Producer?

Sakamoto Ryuichi.

- Lastly, what is the one thing you love most about being a DJ.

Creating the atmosphere that elicits such energy and emotion from everyone. And seeing everyone happy, singing to the songs and dancing brings me great pleasure.

Damian Lazarus : http://www.damianlazarus.com

Written by Akikaz