Reported by Club_Insekt
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Submitted 23-06-06 00:17
Garbo first started djing four years ago when he purchased his first pair of decks. After spending a year and a half building his record collection and perfecting his mixing, he decided to take the plunge and really try to make some waves within clubland. Inspired by djs playing at clubs like Passion, Storm, Sundissential and Frisky, Garbo eventually made his mark and soon enough started rubbing shoulders with some of his idols.
With his profile becoming increasingly more extensive and residencies at renowned UK superclub Storm and exclusive electro night Funk-Deluxe, Garbo has decided to spread his wings from his native Midlands and begun turning heads in the nation’s capital.
As a promoter of the Midland’s superclub Storm along with Daley, Garbo has taken the brand on the road. with joint parties with promotions such as Frantic, Wildchild and Terminal. This month sees Storm team up with London’s hard house heavyweights Insekt in the first of 2 parties which will then see Insekt return to Storm in August.
We took 5 mins out of Garbo’s busy schedule to talk about mixing, night clubs and world domination . . .
Hi Garbo, How are you today?
Hi, yeah I’m good thanks. Just been soaking up all this sun that we have been getting up here.
First things first, what is your real name and how did you come about to be billed on flyers up and down the country as Garbo?
Hahaha, I get asked this all the time, my real name is Nick Garbett. Garbo was just something that people used to call me at school as a nick name and it has stuck. Nobody calls me by my first name, so when I started playing out it just made sense to use it as that what every one knew me as.
You’ve been an active name in the Midlands for a while now, playing at a host of clubs such as Sundissential, Hotdog, Passion and of course Storm. What inspired you to make that step from clubber to dj and how long ago did you get those cherished first set of decks?
I used to be a regular at the legendary Passion, back in my trance monkey days, haha. Watching the likes of Armin, Ferry, Jfk, and Guy Ornadel play there regularly made my step back and think, “hey, I want a piece of that.” So when I was 18 I purchased my first set of Citronic decks, then I started to get quite serious about it and went and brought some Technics.
Tell us about those first steps up the dj ladder. Who gave you your big break and what memories do you have of that first gig?
It was defiantly Jfk who gave my first proper break by putting in a good word and introducing my to Andy Gordon, who at the time was the promoter of a Northampton-based night called Frisky. Andy got my playing at Frisky and I then became a regular dj there, which then got me noticed by Nick Lunn, who was at the time promoting Storm.
I had been playing at small nights before then such as Nocturnals and Baby Passion and small bars.
In a scene that’s constantly changing as to what’s in vogue sound-wise, what sounds keep you excited and what can your average clubber expect to hear from one of your sets?
To be honest over the last three years I have changed my style so many times, from trance to techno then to bounce, but at the minute I’ve found a style that really suites me and gets me excited every time I play out, which is extremely important. At the minute I play the tougher ‘Arder (lol) side of hard house, the more nrg-fuelled stuff.
The natural progression for djs these days is to get into the studio to make tracks, have you toyed with the idea yet or have you already had a go at it?
I have had a go at it, I’ve done a couple of tracks, but if I’m totally honest I’ve never really got into it. I would definitely like to do some more production, as I think having some good tracks under belt definitely stands you in good stead.
You’ve played regularly alongside some of the greats in our scene, such as Paul Glazby, Nick Sentience and Lisa Lashes. Who stands out for you and who do you always try and catch when given the chance?
I think the memory that stands out the most was when I was playing for Frisky and Dave Lea from Slinky couldn’t make it to the club for some reason, so I got a phone call asking if I could play before Andy Farley, and I had not been playing out long so I was really buzzing and very nervous, but it was great night.
Now if I’m out I will always try and catch the likes of the mighty Paul Glazby, Ian M, Karim, Justin Bourne and a personal favourite is Captain Tinrib.
You also hold down a residency at the exclusive electro night Funk-Deluxe in Nottingham. With talk of hard dance in decline, do you ever see the electro pushing out your hard dance records out the bag on a more permanent basis?
No definitely not. I love playing electro and it is still a very new concept to me, which makes my very hungry for it when I do get the chance to play some electro sets. I love the bass lines and the dirty noises that some tracks create. Funk-Deluxe is really allowing me to go down other avenues with music witch I’m extremely grateful for, they have got a great little brand there.
But my heart is defiantly in the hard dance scene though. I personally don’t think that hard dance is declining, there a still some very successful nights out there with the likes of Frantic, Heat, Sundissential and with the great events that tidy put on as well, people are spoiled for choice. I’m just lucky that Storm is also one of these successful nights and we can put on show like the best of ‘em.
You’re one of the Storm promoters along with Daley, how did you get involved with the promotion and how did the jump from resident to boss come about?
Err it just sort of happened really, after Nick Lunn left Storm myself and Daley were asked to do a lot of the promotion from home ourselves, like sorting line ups and stuff and making sure the nights run smoothly. I’ve now been taken to run things from the office in the club, which is great because I absolutely love it, it can be very stressful at times but that all pays off when you see everyone having a great night at one of are Storm events.
What are the pressures in taking on an established and successful brand in Storm and making sure that you maintain its success and keep the high standards that were set before you?
The bar has been raised highly from Storms previous promoters, but I think me and Daley have come in and taken it to a whole new level, not just making the night about the djs, but concentrating on the production of the night and creating that perfect party atmosphere, which we seem to get at every event. Storm is now the dominant night at The Emporium where it is held, and in the 6 years it has been going this was never the case: Passion always took priority, but hard work and a good knowledge of the hard dance scene has turned that around in our favor. We are now being taken very seriously by other promotions as one of the leading hard dance nights in the UK.
You’ve taken the brand on the road with parties in conjunction with Frantic, Wildchild, Cyberkitten and with the up coming double headed North/South parties with London’s Insekt, how important do you think it is to make the brand a household name nation-wide as opposed to locally and how do you notice the vibes of the parties differing from your home at the Emporium to other areas of the country?
Before we came in, Storm never really used to go anywhere tour wise, which I felt was a great shame as I feel that with such a strong brand as Storm, we should take it around the country to let other people experience the great parties we put on, so people who maybe would not be able to get to Coalville (which to be fair is out the way for a lot of people) can see what we get up to and sample some of the great stuff we do.
We have had some great collaborations in the past which can only be a good thing. The next big collab for us is like you said, a North/South exchange with you London legends, Insekt! I’m really excited about this one as well as you guys have a great reputation in the capital, and it will be great to work with each other to give only the best to the clubbers . . . and who knows, maybe this can become a regular event?!
You make your Insekt debut in what is set to be a rather special party with the legend that is Andy Farley headlining. It’s going to be a unique party where 3 promotions from up and down the country unite at London’s Fire Club to offer a truly national event. Are you excited to be playing at such a happening and what do you have in store for the Insekt massive?
Yeah, I think this is really going to go off big styleeeeee!! It’s something a bit special that I think the clubbers will relate to and we’re going all out to make this one of the best nights London has seen for a very long time!
I really can’t wait for it and I know Daley is just as excited about too. I think what you can expect from myself and Daley is some proper grotty sounds with some northern attitude and expect lots of fun and silliness, and if your lucky Daley might try and perform another ‘Be sick on ya self whilst djing set!’ Hahahahahahahaha!
All images courtesy of Garbo. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Marc Johnson / 07946 311204 / marc@insekt.co.uk
James Nardi / 07779 634820 / james@insekt.co.uk
Chris Comben / 07866 626838 / chris@insekt.co.uk
More:
Insekt Vs Storm Vs Housewives Choice
The Insekt summer session, come join us in the first truly national Insekt event!
To usher the summer in we have Hard House's finest, the one and only Andy Farley, the master of his craft!
We bring you Housewives Choice's Sam Townend and crew, coming down to show us how they party up north. From the midlands, Storm's Garbo and Daley take the trip down south bring their own unique style. Then to cap it off we have our very own Johnson and Nardi, representing the South.
Lets celebrate the summer in style.
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Trance. Hard Trance. Nu NRG. Hard House.
DJ's:
[Main Room]
Andy Farley (Blue/Vicious Circle/Hard House Academy)
Marc Johnson (Insekt - South)
James Nardi (Insekt - South)
Garbo (Storm - Midlands)
Daley (Storm - Midlands)
Sam Townend (Housewives Choice - North)
[Firepit - In association with Housewives Choice]
Lox b2b Leigh Green
Jon BW b2b Simon Paul
Deano Chris Impact
Steve 0’Brady
Cat
Damage & Narkotique
From: Danny Gilliganon 23rd Jun 2006 09:09.55 Good work fella.
From: James Nardion 23rd Jun 2006 10:17.35 Lookin forward to having you down @ Insekt mate.
From: Cally Gageon 23rd Jun 2006 11:16.14 Go Garbo - you rock babe!
x
From: Toomzon 23rd Jun 2006 11:45.20 Should be a cracking night!
From: Simon Paulon 23rd Jun 2006 12:24.04 Really looking forward to this again.
From: richbowenukon 23rd Jun 2006 14:20.29 Nice one m8! Wish I could be at Fire but alas You rocked it at Terminal & Twist so i'm sure it will be a top night!!!!
From: Marc Johnsonon 23rd Jun 2006 18:04.06 cool interview
From: TheDonon 23rd Jun 2006 18:18.33 Good stuff Looking forward to hearing him for the first time...
From: Lucy Furon 23rd Jun 2006 18:25.14 Nice one babe!
From: Karim Lamourion 23rd Jun 2006 21:11.46 You're a star! Good job mate...
From: HyperVixenon 24th Jun 2006 08:26.24 Nice Work Hun... Enjoy your tours x
From: Steve Gillenon 24th Jun 2006 09:34.06 Jobs a good 'un !
From: Batchon 24th Jun 2006 09:53.56 good job at Storm v Frantic!
From: crazyclubber66on 26th Jun 2006 01:18.08 having known gabo for most off his working life as a friend and ex manager and as a dj , he is one guy thats making his mark on the scene as the new promoter off storm , the club is seeing the brand being pushed forward to the limots and i had no hesitation in booking storm for terminal .... hats off its garbo time !!!
From: Mizz_behavinon 26th Jun 2006 09:16.23 Cant wait for this
From: Rockchicon 26th Jun 2006 15:22.59 wooooooooooooooooo
From: Jennie Bon 26th Jun 2006 15:48.50 Wicked guy and great dj
From: Digital Kidon 26th Jun 2006 18:23.01 Good stuff brother!
From: twiston 27th Jun 2006 13:15.39 he's got a great arse.......not a bad dj either!
From: pantergirlon 28th Jun 2006 12:15.23 wicked set at Twist in Crash........I really enjoed....
From: *GARBO*on 28th Jun 2006 17:07.34 Wow! did'nt expect that much of a reply. Thanks to every one that has left a coment and I hope to you can all show your support on 8th July for Storm v Insekt v HWC. Lets make it a night to remember!! x
From: Andy Riseon 29th Jun 2006 15:57.28 Good Interview Captain, Keep Up The Good Work Mate
From: ADZon 29th Jun 2006 18:10.00 He tries to touch my willy :o( i dont like it ;o) haha nice one Garbo hunny bunny xxx ;o)
From: richbowenukon 30th Jun 2006 22:38.37 Go for it Mr! Hope to see ya that weekend
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You rocked it at Terminal & Twist so i'm sure it will be a top night!!!!
Looking forward to hearing him for the first time...
trust u! 