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Nice lil interview with the FW owners...
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INTERVIEW: THE INFAMOUS FOOTWORK, TORONTO
There’s one club in Toronto that is off the beaten path. When it first opened you had to know someone to know where it is. Now, its an underground staple in the city, and THE place to go if you want good music GUARANTEED. DJ MAG CANADA recently had a chance to talk to the owners, Stephan Phillon (left) and Joel Smye.
First off congratulations are in order, Footwork recently celebrated its 7 year anniversary. So, do you guys remember the first event?
Absolutely. Opening night we had J-Dub from Chicago play for us. I’m pretty sure there was still wet paint around the club.
How did Footwork come about, how did you guys meet?
We met working at a restaurant nearby. After some conversation we discovered he was a promoter looking for new dj’s and I was a dj looking for work! A mix cd was exchanged and it wasn’t long before we were planning an event together. The first party took place at the infamous 99 Sudbury space and was a huge success. We went on to manage the venue for about 2 years before agreeing that we’d had a great run and it was time for something new. At around the same time, a contact at a property management company invited us to visit a piano bar that had recently closed. It took a bit of imagination to see how it would be able to suit our needs, but within a few weeks we had signed a lease and began boarding up the windows!
What was/is Footwork’s objective as one of the ONLY underground venues left in the city?
Our objective is still to showcase great dance music in an intimate environment. We never wanted to be the hot new club that disappears in 18 months. We wanted to be a staple of the scene. The go-to spot when you’re in need of some dancefloor therapy. The focus has always been on presenting what we consider to be great music, but not necessarily “underground” music. It’s just worked out that the commercial stuff simply isn’t our taste
Through the years, you’ve had some of the biggest dj’s in the world play the venue. Names like Hawtin, Carola, Calderone, Sasha, and even a surprise gig by Mr. Mau5….Many DJs hear of FW through their friends, and end up wanting to play the venue. What would you say was the booking that took you most by surprise?
Probably Sasha earlier this year. We’d discussed it for a few months and we thought the idea had gone cold. A few more weeks passed and an email confirmation popped into our inbox! Don’t forget, long before the surprise gig, Mau5 played a few Footwork gigs before he became “Mr” Mau5
Who HASN’T played the venue, that is on your wishlist?
Definitely Dubfire & Laurent Garnier. Waiting on Solomun to come across the pond too. And a Tenaglia marathon would be fun.
Many homegrown DJs have made names for themselves on the international stage, having been Footwork residents. Coincidence?
Probably. We’ve provided a setting for a lot of guys to hone their craft and be prepared when opportunity knocks. But their hard work outside of Footwork, their countless hours in the studio, and their all out dedication to fine tuning their identity as artists is what got them to where they are right now. If anything it’s our residents and the guests that play here that have helped Footwork be where it’s at today.
The state of the industry. Is it harder or easier to remain underground minded as the industry is embraced more and more by the mainstream?
This topic makes us cringe a bit. The flavour of the month is to hate on the guys headlining festivals and we’re not sure what that’s all about. Nobody owns dance music and nobody should worry too much about who else is playing it, how they’re playing it, or who they’re playing it to. Remaining underground shouldn’t be a goal as an artist. Making great music should be the goal. If the most recent picture of Dj X playing with his cable unplugged is bothering you that much, maybe you cut the internet/Facebook out of your studio. We will say this though, overall, we are happier with where the scene is today compared to where it was 4 or 5 years ago, and a lot of the guys that people love to hate on have played key roles in that evolution.
What is on the immediate agenda? Bookings at the club and events you are involved with that you are excited about?
Right now we’re getting pumped up for WKD Beach Party taking place August 25th at Sugar Beach! The venue is an amazing little gem right downtown on the waterfront. We have Matthew Dear, Lee Foss, Soul Clap, Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), and Juan Maclean headlining the event. It’s part of our Modern Love Affair series in partnership with Embrace. It’s shaping up to be very special outdoor event for Toronto. The Modern Love Affair is a project we do with our friend, promoter, and agent Jazz J Spinder. We’re really focusing on bringing new talent and up front artists that we believe in. People have really taken to the brand and the energy at these shows is really incredible. Benoit and Sergio in the fall should be killer. Aside from the MLA stuff, Speedy J for Halloween should be out of control, Footwork favourite Honey Dijon is also back in October, Carola in November too. Too many great things coming up to mention really. We’re definitely closing 2012 out with a bang.
To the casual observer, it would appear that Toronto’s ever growing condo market is about to infringe on Footwork’s boundries. How much longer do you feel the club can stay open in the area, and are you guys actively looking at other options?
It’s tough to say. With every new condo that has goes up nearby, there’s a new challenge. So far we’ve been able to overcome many obstacles without having to compromise the quality of our shows. In fact a few of the changes we made inside of the club to adjust to new neighbours etc have actually turned out to be improvements. That said, should there be a time that we can’t co-exist with our neighbours in our current home, I would definitely expect us to pop up somewhere else.
Finally boys, when Footwork is closed, where do YOU guys go to have fun?
Bed.
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| Intangible |
| quote: | | Waiting on Solomun to come across the pond too. |
Me too :) |
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| Nicolas Oliver |
| Yep, read it, great stuff :) |
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| mahalliner |
| Great interview. I love FW but didn't know a lot about it's history or the folks behind it. Thanks for posting. |
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| PurpleHaze |
| quote: | | a Tenaglia marathon would be fun. |
Why yes...yes this would be quite fun!
9pm-6am extended FW set = 9 hours of DT!! :toothless |
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| kotsy |
| quote: | Originally posted by PurpleHaze
Why yes...yes this would be quite fun!
9pm-6am extended FW set = 9 hours of DT!! :toothless |
only 9 hours? why so short? :p |
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| The Highroller |
| quote: | We wanted to be a staple of the scene. The go-to spot when you’re in need of some dancefloor therapy.
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That is what it most certainly is. It's the mainstay of the scene in Toronto, the one place I can go on a random night, by myself and still have a great time.
Thanks Footwork, for doing all that you do. |
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| mahalliner |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
That is what it most certainly is. It's the mainstay of the scene in Toronto, the one place I can go on a random night, by myself and still have a great time.
Thanks Footwork, for doing all that you do. |
That pretty much sums it up. I'd be lying if I said I was familiar with a fair chunk of the names they bring in (at least until the last year or so) but it's something special when you grow to trust in a venue/promoters because pretty much everyone they bring in is solid. You can go into it completely blind and still come out with a truly memorable party. |
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| Stilez |
| A fave spot of mine since it opened many moons ago. If only my schedule permitted me to attend more frequently on Fridays & Saturdays, I would in a heartbeat. |
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| jon jon |
| quote: | Who HASN’T played the venue, that is on your wishlist?
Definitely Dubfire & Laurent Garnier. Waiting on Solomun to come across the pond too. And a Tenaglia marathon would be fun. |
I daydream about a Digweed or Lawler set at FW, imagine? lol |
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| jon jon |
| quote: | Finally boys, when Footwork is closed, where do YOU guys go to have fun?
Bed. |
this answer doesn't even make sense lol wtg kewl guy |
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| kotsy |
| quote: | Originally posted by jon jon
this answer doesn't even make sense lol wtg kewl guy |
he could've been alluding to sex |
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