"The first time I played for Ketoloco is the moment I remember the most vividly. The rest are somewhat of a blur.... after leaving Basics one morning I got in a taxi and arrived at a house wondering exactly what I would be getting into. 20 minutes later I was playing through a serving hatch to half the crowd from Basics and a load more bug-eyed people. It was intense, great fun and completely unexpected..." Paul Woolford.
Ketoloco began in a student basement in Leeds. They painted it a DC10 red and opened up their house to the raving public. A few years on it’s a fully-fledged and well-respected international club night, with parties all over London, the UK and Ibiza. We meet the brains behind the debauchery: Chris Halliday, Sean Cookson and Eddie Osborne.
So let's hear it from the horses’ mouth (hoho). Tell us the story of Ketoloco's origins.
Chris: We did the Ibiza season in 2006 and built up a big group of Ibiza worker mates who stuck together. A few of us were sat around Kanya a bit worse for wear and the idea of an Ibiza reunion back at our student house erupted. We spent the next few hours talking shit about how we were gunna rip out the cellar and make it into a club. The banter was flowing and someone shouted 'lets call it DC:15!', then 'Ketoloco' was mentioned. The name stuck, we threw the party, Ralph Lawson came down to DJ and people seemed to like it!
We all know the after-party is the best bit – were the old Ketoloco basement days much like a club or more like a debauched afters at a mate's house?
Cookie: A combination of the two really! It was a huge Victorian house so each room, including the bedrooms, were full of clubbers cracking on from the night before with the usual banter. Then if you wandered down the cellar steps it was more like a basement club; massive sound system, 100 or so clubbers and Paul Woolford knocking out tunes like he was rippin’ up the Space terrace!
Tell us a story... what are your resounding memories of Ketoloco days gone by?
Cookie: For me it has to be Ketoween at DC-15 (the basement). This was our second basement party and the atmosphere and vibe from start to finish was unreal. Everybody was in fancy dress and the whole crowd in the basement crouched down for the breakdown of Gabriel Ananda’s Doppelwhipper – it dropped, the crowd jumped and there was plaster falling from the roof! We had Audio Jack, Buckley and Mistress De Funk playing alongside our residents, the basement flooded and Kate Lawler made a cheeky cameo appearance and then got carried out…in that order.”
Chris: The raid, definately. 30 clubbers showed up in copper outfits, smashed the door in and arrested everyone. They turned out to be real. The police report said there was over 200 people present in the house at the time of the raid. The Italoboyz were on the decks and didn't know what the fuck was happening! In the end they knew were just throwing a party and gave us a slap on the wrist.
Eddie: For me it has to be the first ever Zoo Project in Ibiza. Ketoloco were in charge of the “seal pit” arena in 2007 and it went off all season. Back then the security weren't on the ball like they are now and we could dive into the pool between mixes. It was a laugh but we used to get electric shocks from the mixer! A stand out moment was Cookie dropping 'Rock The Casbah' by The Clash and the crowd going crazy and hugging each other. It was amazing watching the sun go down over the crowd, DJing in front of fire-breathers and experiencing an atmosphere that was second to none.
Five key ingredients for an amazing party are:
Chris: Sunshine, Big Sound, Acid House spirit.
Sean: Music that's got the funk!
Eddie: Like-minded party people.
There is a conception that a promoters life is one big party... true or false?
Eddie: True.
Chris: False.
Cookie: No Comment!
Tell us about the Ketoloco musical policies. What have been the most defining sets from your headliners?
Eddie: The freshest 4/4 house music! I grew up collecting vinyl from late eighties and early nineties. Stuff like ambient, acid, hip hop, italo and techno, and these are a huge influnece on my sound at Ketoloco.
Cookie: Maceo Plex was a highlight. The atmosphere was solid for two hours straight and you couldn't move. He had a soulful edge, some disco vibes and a nod to acid house throughout.
Chris: I'd have to agree with Eddy, early house music has had a huge influnece over all of us and it's reflected in the bookings. Shonky was a class act. The early '90s influences shine through in his sound and it worked a treat in the sunshine at The Light Bar.
In the last few years you have successfully 'broken into' the London party scene, moving from Leeds. How's the experience been moving to the big smoke? Was it a challenge to start up in a new city?
Chris: We brought a bit of the Leeds 'don't give a fuck' attitude down with us and it seemed to rub off on the crowd. Party first, image second has always been our direction and it works. Moving to London and promoting here was a breath of fresh air; it's wide open really. You can book whoever you want without worrying about getting a phone call saying "why've you booked my DJs!?" from some other promoter. Leeds is a great city musically and the vibe is amazing but the 'club politics' suck massively!
Do you have a favourite venue in London for your parties?
Chris: The Light Bar, for sure. It's an old Victorian power station which used to supply Liverpool Street Station. The owners kept the brickwork and high ceilings when they renovated it. It's epic, the main room is vast and has huge double height windows so the sunlight floods the space. It's perfect for daytime raves. Normally The Light is a restaurant so we just clear out all the tables, bring in a massive soundsystem and fill it with 500 party people. Job done!
Who is on your dream line-up in the sky? And where is the party?
Eddie: It would be amazing to do a 'Ketoloco All-Stars' line-up. Invite all the DJs back who gave us the best performances at Ketoloco. Maceo Plex, Shonky, Ilario Alicante, Solomun, Julien Chaptal and Jef K would do nicely! Location? Scarborough beach?
Leeds v London – do you find many differences on the dancefloors in the two cities? Attitudes? Atmosphere? Fashion?
Chris: Leeds is more real ale and 'Yorkie Pud', London is more Pie & Mash. I like both.
We publish 'Dancefloor Bombs' every Friday. What's your current failsafe banger?
Eddie: Tough one! Far too many to mention – at the moment the quality of music out there is amazing. Anything by Maceo Plex or maybe the new Shonky EP 'Kwality/Oasis' on LA-based Culprit, HUGE work from the Shonks.
Chris: I've been dropping the Catwash Remix of 'Gulivert – Change'. It's got a sweet stabby bass line and acid lines running through it. Then it develops with this warm soulful sample. It's a beast!
Ketoloco Summer Closing Party is this Sunday 28th August at the Light Bar. Of course there's an after-party! Ketoloco - The Night Shift at The Basing House.
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