secretsundaze is one of those brands that needs no preamble. Since it’s inception in 2002, co-founders and resident DJ’s Giles Smith and James Priestley have been waving the sceptre in London and overseas, establishing themselves as a distinct voice in underground electronic music, running an events brand as well as a respectable label and sister artists bookings agency.
They always surprise us with an innovating lineup, assembling a strong crop of renowned DJs alongside a balanced program of cutting-edge talent. Last week we were indeed amazed when secretsundaze announced their spring and summer lineup. MEOKO spoke to Giles Smith about the season ahead.
secretsundaze always kicks off the season with an event that many Londoners associate with the start of the summer. This year that will be on Sunday the 4th of May, celebrating with an extended May Bank Holiday Opening Party that goes on all day and all night. During the day time secretsundaze will invade Studio 338, a location they’ve been familiar with for years. “We have been using this spot for our opening about 4 years ago when it was called The House and Terrace so we have a long relationship with the space and were one of the first promoters of our type to use it. We also celebrated our 10th birthday there with Moodymann in 2011 and anyone that was there will remember what a fantastic party that was”.
Besides damn good music from established names such as Rolando, Mosca and DJ Qu we expect secretsundaze to bring a magical atmosphere to Studio 338. “It’s just a great spot, big enough to hold all those that want to attend the opening party each year which is one of our most busy summer events. It’s a dynamic space with the different raised areas to dance on, which helps create a great atmosphere. Of course it’s not completely open air as it has a perspex cover over the top, but it’s transparent and open at the sides and feels very much like you are outside with all the natural daylight. There is also a great sound system with no limitations which is pretty rare these days in London for a semi open air venue”.
Both Giles and James are very excited to see LA based singer/producer Seven Davis JR do a live performance during the opening party – as are we at MEOKO. “Seven Davis JR seemed like a great choice as his sound really suits secretsundaze and is perfect for the daytime vibe”.
Although receiving the likes of labels such as Brownswood and Apron, Seven Davis JR is still somebody who not all of us have come across yet. ”Well I just heard his track ‘The One’ when it was released late last year and it blew me away”.
“It has that very simple groove but with an amazing vocal that sounds not unlike Peven Everett with a lot of feeling and soul. There really aren’t so many great vocal house tracks around these days so it stuck out like a sore thumb. His forthcoming EP on Funkin Even’s Apron records is killer too. We always like to bring something new each season, introducing new artists to our crowd to keep things fresh”.
All tanned up, the opening party will continue in the best (and only) venue in Elephant & Castle, Corsica Studios, for a nocturnal escapade and the second part of this season opener featuring Amir Alexander, Virginia, Alexander Nut and Theo Parish collaborator Andrew Ashong.
Just one day after secretsundaze will host their own stage on the respected We Are FSTVL, they make themselves ready for the second two-part May Bank Holiday on May 25th, which will see another all day and all night party. It starts at Oval Space during the day and eventually moves on to The Laundry for the night, the latter known as the secretsundaze headquarters.
Again we can expect to be surprised during the day, as they’ve not been able to announce the name of their headliner due to another big gig. “It’s a major DJ that we have been trying to book for a long time. They release music on the Dolly label, that’s all we can say for now”. This mysterious artist(s) will play alongside Martyn, course director of the 3024 label and well known for his extraterrestrial sound. “The Laundry is a basement area under our office and both James and I were pretty gob smacked when we saw the space. It’s beautiful in that authentic, industrial, exposed brick work, heads down, basement feel and will perfectly suit the nighttime vibe. We have programmed it accordingly with the likes of Ryan Elliot, Joey Anderson and the fantastic A Sagittariun (live) so I guess a little more techno orientated for the night time”.
Touched on Seven Davis JR earlier; A Sagittarium will do his Live debut in London during this night. “It should be interesting as both James and I are huge fans of his releases on his Elastic Dreams imprint. They are so well executed combining breakbeat, techno, dub and have so much character. We are also very happy to have Joey Anderson back on May 25th as we gave him his debut London gig last May at the same time and he killed it”.
It is clear that secretsundaze will open this season with a blow out – but there is much more…
Besides the earlier mentioned We are FSTVL in May, other festivals include: Sonar at La Terrazza, Unknown Festival in Croatia and the Zoo Project Festival. On an international level secretsundaze will tour through the United States, bringing the party to Output in New York and to the legendary Smart Bar in Chicago.
In Europe we can see them touch down at Studio 80 in Amsterdam, Fuse in Brussels, Tresor in Berlin, the Animal Social Club in Rome and the legendary Robert Johnson in Offenbach – all venues that secretsundaze are familiar with and which they hold dear to their hearts.
Speaking of hearts, Giles and James have been both flying the flag for a long time and are truly the essence of every secretsundaze party, whether it’s held in Tokyo or in our beloved London. No wonder they play at every single secretsundaze party. “We have both missed the odd one or two each in the whole history of the event but very rarely. We both have a very strong connection with our crowd and the importance of residents who know the crowd, are experienced in warming up, closing the party and able to adapt to different situations should not be under estimated or undervalued”.
Giles and James are very much the reason why secretsundaze has stood the test of time – 13 years to be precise. In August they will celebrate their 13th birthday in ICan Studios touching down in Hackney Wick – also a spot that fits the secretsundaze aesthetic. “I Can Studios is not particularly new but has been developed with a lot of money being spent on it. We are doing the birthday on August 24th there and will be using the car park during the daytime for a complete open-air experience – totally perfect for our daytime session. They are in fact turning this area into beach area. Then during the nighttime we will move inside the venue making full use of the two rooms. We’re keeping our lips tightly sealed about the birthday at the present but rest assured it will be something special.”
We’re all looking forward to the season ahead and early bird tickets have gone on sale for all the London dates this spring and summer.
Before secretsundaze officially opens the season, they are throwing a huge party during Easter Thursday, the 17th of April. Held at Electric Brixton, this is something not to miss out on. The line up boasts Derrick May, Deetron, Livity Sound (the triumvirate of Peverelist, Kowton and Asusu), Arnaldo, James Priestley and Giles Smith. Super early birds and regular early bird tickets are sold out. 1st release tickets still available HERE, but don’t sleep on it!
MEOKO and secretsundaze have joined hands to give away an amazing prize to not one, but two lucky winners. The prize for each person includes a pair of tickets to the afore-mentioned Easter Special and one copy of the Within Reasons EP by Flori, which will be released very soon on secretsundaze. It is very easy to enter, simply email us at hello_competitions@devmeoko.co.uk and tell us who you are the most excited to see playing this summer season during one of the secretsundaze parties.
Words: Paul Fluks
Full line up for this spring and summer season
