Jim Warboy is a multi faceted music man. As well as being a dope DJ and exciting new producer of beats that make you move and groove, he is also a long standing promoter, in his time Jim has put on many different events, most often at Egg in London.
Always ahead of the curve in terms of musical trends, bookings and party atmospheres, Jim has also been behind record labels like Save Our Souls in his long time in dance music. His own sets are turbo charged, energetic affairs with slick drums and competing bass. He plays at Egg once more on July 25th for the Sabajaq crew and so ahead of the event we asked him about how he cut his teeth as a promoter, why he chose that path initially and about the many lessons he has learnt along the way.
“I see clubs as important places that give birth to new cultural ideas and help break down boundaries between people.”
When did you first get into promoting and why? What drew you to it?
Matthew Glamorre, an old friend and established promoter, offered me the chance to co-promote his night Kash Point around 2004. It was a leading underground club night with an experimental dance music policy that attracted a unique art and fashion crowd so suited my creative taste.
What made you take this route and not the DJ routes like many others?
I see clubs as important places that give birth to new cultural ideas and help break down boundaries between people. I’ve always been an outsider and becoming a promoter gave me the opportunity to create the kind of spaces where outsiders could fit in.
Can you remember the first party you put on, how it went? How many turned up?
After Kash Point, I launched All You Can Eat with a dynamic provocateur, K-tron. It exploded on the first night, attracting a few hundred people to a tiny Soho basement. A feature in i-D Magazine blew the lid off, resulting in hundreds more turning up each month. It was truly insane and often resulted in everyone smearing fluorescent paint over their naked bodies. Debauchery, technology abuse and filthy music, established it as one of the main Nu Rave parties in 2006-07.
What have you learnt since then? What key lessons have you picked up along the way?
I try to trust my instinct and ignoring it usually ends up in regret. It’s important to take chances and step outside of the box. Of course that can make things tough at times but it’s where the magic happens.
Tell us about promoting at a place like Egg LDN – what’s it like? What makes that club one that you like to work with?
There really isn’t another club like Egg LDN. It’s now internationally recognized as one of London’s leading clubs, whilst still managing to retain that underground vibe that makes this city so unique.
Laurence Malice, its owner, originally created Trade, the UK’s first legal afterhours, so has a deep understanding of club culture. He constantly encourages the whole team to develop strong ideas in music direction, performance, and production, knowing that attention to detail creates memorable nights for clubbers.
What are the proudest moments form your career as a promoter?
Whether it’s organising underground raves to queer arty happenings, luxury rooftop parties in Brazil or becoming a long standing resident at Egg LDN, I have to say I feel touched to have crossed so many different walks of life. The best bit is having the opportunity to work with so many talented people on the way.
What are the hardest times you have had as a promoter so far?
The hardest times are usually when I ignore my instinct.
I understand you also have some big productions coming out? What inspired them? Tell us about your sound…
I’m only promoting six parties a year now so that I can spend more time producing in my new studio.
The big decision I made this year was to focus on writing vocal tracks. I’m collaborating with amazing singers – soul, folk, gospel, divas, and even opera!
Do you make them with certain labels in mind or do you just make them then send them off and see who might release them?
I started club nights to create spaces where outsiders like myself and others could fit in. I’m approaching producing the same way. It’s a vicious circle to start second-guessing what a label might want. My aim is simple: To produce lots of music with people that I like.
What else have you got coming up/are you looking forward to?
The Sabajaq summer parties will be at Egg LDN on 25 June with Loco & Jam, D-Unity, Alberto Ruiz and 27 August with Pleasurekraft, Paride Saraceni and Just Her.
There are a number of releases in the pipeline this summer, kicking off with one on DJ Spen’s Quantize Recordings featuring Flash McLightning, a singer from East London.
