WiLDCHiLD @ Heaven: interview with Tom Costelloe
Reported by Little Gem
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Submitted 06-02-06 11:10
Tom Costelloe's passion for music, well-developed taste in all genres, energising stage presence and the ability to read the crowd perfectly makes it common knowledge that he's got the art of DJ'ing down to a T. His knowledge and experience of the scene as well as his involvement with the superclub of the south, Dance Academy, makes him one of the countries most well respected DJ/promoters in the UK. We spoke to Tom as he steps into 2006…
Hi Tom, how are you sir?
I’m proper top of the pops!
So Tom, we’re now well into 2006 and it’s already shaping up to be a great year for clubland. What are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m really looking forward to continuing where I left off in 2005 — I’ve got a few good tracks coming out and the diary is looking good, plus the Dance Academy is always moving forward. There’s a few big things happening such as the trip to Ibiza and some large events that I’m playing and also looking forward to a festival in Holland in May. It’s all good!
You’re best known for your long-standing involvement with the legendary Dance Academy in Plymouth. Can you tell us a bit about what you do and how long you’ve been there?
I’ve been at the Dance Academy as a resident DJ for 8 years and as Promotion Manager for 6 years. I take care of all promotional activity, including booking the djs and programme the club musically. I still enjoy it and I think that is very important.
We understand your New Years Eve celebrations went off with a bang! Care to divulge??!!
Haha, yeah, ok one of the explosives was meant to bang at midnight and never did so we exploded it when Alex Kidd came out at 1am — apart from that it was a huge success — a sell out event to end the year, so again all good!
You have one of the most amazing, up for it crowds in the country. What makes them so special?
The crowd at Dance Academy has always been phenomenal — it’s the reason why I moved to the region! There’s no airs or graces, just a full-on party —there’s always a feel good factor about the club — we actively encouraged everyone to leave their troubles at the door when we first opened and it’s just transpired from there. They come from all over the region and further so I think maybe because they’ve travelled a bit they intend to make it a special night. They are amazing though and hats off to everyone that frequents the place — it takes a ‘special’ dj to clear the dancefloor I can tell you!
What’s in store for Dance Academy in 2006?
Just to continue to provide the very best in 21st century ‘rave’ entertainment — to provide the biggest and best line-ups to go alongside the perfect atmosphere. To keep breaking down the barriers of ‘normal’!
You’re playing the forthcoming WiLDCHiLD event on 10th Feb @ the superb Heaven. What do you most like about WiLDCHiLD and what do you think makes it stand out from other promotions?
I think WiLDCHiLD is one of the major successes of the last few years. They have a very similar vibe to what I’m used to at the Dance Academy — they know all about providing the right entertainment for the right price which is important…
Can you name one record in your box that you know is going to rock the crowd at WiLDCHiLD?
Oh there’s a few but if I’m forced to name them then I’d say Above & Beyond ‘Alone Tonight’ alongside something a bit twisted and techy, say Richard Durant or Krystov Chocolow… (don’t ask me to pronounce!).
Will there be many loyal die hard clubbers making the trek to London from Plymouth to see their one and only Tom?!!
I would imagine so (at least I hope so!) — plenty die hards I know will make the trek!
Do you think the London crowd differs at all from your home grown clubbers down in sunny Plymouth?
It’s a good question but I think I’ve already answered it — the WiLDCHiLD crowd is not your typical London crowd — again, they know how to party. There won’t be room for any snobbery!
Before your Dance Academy involvement you were resident at Club UK, one of the UK’s pioneering promotions of its time. What was it like ‘back in the day’ and how does it differ from now?
I’ve had some amazing experience behind the turntables — Club UK was awesome and of course at that time it was all maybe a little more ‘new’ — but you have to evolve and grow yourself alongside the industry and I have aspired to do that.
You’re also a veteran of clubbing paradise, Ibiza, having played at the legendary Space with jokers Brandon Block & Alex P. Any plans to get back out there?
Oh yes, we’re linking up with WiLDCHiLD this year! Watch this space!
At the end of last year, you released ‘Darkstone’ with none other than Scott Mac. Do you have any future plans to get in the studio, and if so, what and when can we expect to hear the results?
I should have another track forthcoming by the end of February — again watch this space!
Finally, what was your highlight of 2005 and how do you plan to top it in 2006?
The highlight was moving my small family to a lovely house in the middle of nowhere near Exeter. My clubbing highlight must’ve been my debut at Slinky — an awesome venue and club. The trance all-nighter at the Academy was hard to beat as well with Jules, Mark Norman, Randy Katana, Cor Fijneman — it was ridiculous!
Just a couple more things before you go…
Vinyl or CD?
Erm don’t slaughter me but CD. Two years ago I would’ve hit someone offering me anything but vinyl — how times change eh?!
Record bag or box?
CD wallet!
Pioneer or Allen & Heath?
Tough one, can I say both?!
Beer or spirits?
Beer.
London or Plymouth?
Haha Exeter mate!
Thanks for your time Tom, see you @ WiLDCHiLD!
Catch Tom Costelloe at WiLDCHiLD on Friday 10th February @ Heaven… be there!!!
WiLDCHiLD present London Sound System
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On:
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Friday 10th February 2006
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At:
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Heaven [map]
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From:
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22.00 - 07.00
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Cost:
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Earlybird £14.50 / Saver £18.00 / Standard £21.00
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Website:
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www.wildchild-uk.com
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Ticket Info:
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TICKET OUTLETS?
TICKETWEB
08700 600100 / WWW.TICKETWEB.CO.UK (CREDIT / DEBIT CARD)
MARIA / NEVER ENOUGH
07813 684399 / NEVERENOUGHMARIA@HOTMAIL.COM (CASH / WILL MEET ON NORTH & CENTRAL LONODN)
CLUBTICKETS
0870 246 1840 / WWW.CLUBTICKETS.CO.UK (CREDIT / DEBIT CARD & CASH)
Clubtickets run a special Group Discount of 1 FREE ticket for Every 5 Tickets you buy.
You can pay over the phone or online with both outlets and its your choice whether they send the tickets to your home or hold for you to pick them up on the door
CYBERDOG – CAMDEN TOWN
0207 482 2842 / CASH SALES ONLY
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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WHAT?
WiLDCHiLD / Slinky / Sundissential present the almighty “London Sound System”
WHERE?
The Royal Halls of Heaven
WHEN?
Funky Friday 10th February 2006 from 8pm-6am
HYPE?
-5 Arenas, 60, 3 Live Acts, 10 of the UK’s best Club Brands!!!
-The first WiLDCHiLD event @ Heaven for 1 whole year!!! Back home, where we belong @ The Royal Halls
-No other event rocks Heaven like WiLDCHiLD!
-Funktion One Sound throughout the entire venue once more!
-The best Trance & Hard Dance line-up London will see in the whole of January & February coming your way in under 10 days time!!!
-The very best WiLDCHiLD, Slinky & Sundissential DJs in the world!
-The London Sound System, For You, For Me, Forever!!!
-Why go anywhere else???
COACHES?
NORTH
LEEDS, YORK, SHEFFIELD
CALL AIMEE ON 07731 684399 / GILLY ON 07974 434446
MIDLANDS
COALVILLE, DAVENTRY, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, LEICESTER, NORTHAMPTON, RUGBY, WATFORD
CALL VINCE MIDLANDS ON 07835 626226
WEST
BRISTOL, CHELTENHAM, SWINDON, BATH, TAUNTON
CALL JAMES ON 07887 601746 / CHERYL ON 07990 537879
OXFORD
CALL JAMES ON 07967 627889
EAST ANGLIA
CALL PAUL @ RED PILL RECORDS ON 01553 768158
SOUTH COAST
BOGNOR, BRIGHTON, BOURNEMOUTH, FAREHAM, PORTSMOUTH, SOUTHAMPTON
CALL SAM ON 07976 558073 / PHIL ON 07971 063740 / DAN ON 07731 454603
SOUTH WEST
CALL JON @ EVENTZ TRAVEL ON 07779 232854 OR E-MAIL JON@FATBOYPROMOTIONS.FSNET.CO.UK
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