CLUBS: Villa thrilla

This year’s ones to watch, the hotly-tipped Belgian disco revivalists Villa, make their Death Disco debut this Saturday.

The trio’s music conjures up images of suntanned bodies, swaying around marble-terraced homes and lounging at the pool in the Balearics.

This DJ trio bring with them the philosophy of mixing up music of all shapes and forms. That is, a little off-kilter disco, instrumental new wave B-sides, edgy pop gems, ancient house discs, below the radar rock tunes, Belgian new beat, slow-motion electro and everything in between – all that in one stretch with no limits.

Fredo & Thang, with almost almost ten years of DJ experience behind them, hooked up with vintage synth collector Seba, which resulted in the birth of Villa, who credit their roots in Ghent as a driving creative force.

The small community spawned dance floor heroes such as 2manydjs/Soulwax and The Glimmers, but also housed the notorious Boccaccio discotheque, birthplace of New Beat in the late 80s.

Villa have created remixes for NYC hipster duo The Golden Filter, UK producer Ali Love and up-and-coming disco revivalists Music Go Music. Even Moby enlisted their skills.

Their Gameplay edit of Beirut’s indie gem Nantes received kudos from Laurent Garnier, Dixon and Tim Sweeney. Musically, the trio reference astral innovators Quincy Jones, Bo Michael Tretow, Giorgio Moroder and Vangelis, as well as the edgy pop of Blondie and David Bowie: pop sensibility matched with the avant-garde.

They also take inspiration from the groundbreaking turntable eclecticism of maverick disc jockeys such as the legendary Alfredo, cosmic maestro Danielle Baldelli and DJ Harvey.

Their first joined effort: the ‘diva’ edits – is a series of three re-rubs aptly named Anita, Tina and Agneta. The heavenly re-rubs of classics by Tina Turner, Anita Meyer and Agnetha Fältskog were testament to the classic sound of Ghent’s club community, blending pop, italo, EBM and mid-80s house influences.

Plus, their minimix for Annie Mac cemented their fundamental disco roots, taking in Quando Quango, Frankie Knuckles, Allez Allez and Cerrone.

Villa @ Death Disco @ the Arches, Saturday, 11pm-3am, £14.

A good cause

Symbiosis returns to The Soundhaus next month and as well as being a top night it is in support of The Anthony Nolan Trust and features star drum and bass artists in the shape of DJ Tez and DJ Hex as well as the usual suspects in the form of Alcane, Calaco Jack and Yellow Benzene.

Last year they made £550 for The Anthony Nolan Trust and the bods at Symbiosis are hoping to top that this year with your support.

Symbiosis @ The Soundhaus, Friday September 3, 10:30pm-3am. £5.

Get Strapped...

Head to Black Sparrow for Strapped’s first outing since way back in April. They had a brilliant night then and they’re returning for what promises to be a great night to end the summer with.

Dougie Welsh, Gordy Peacock and Des Stevenson are the three amigos behind the night and their musical directions cover house, minimal, techno and tech house, taking influence from Detroit, Berlin and course Glasgow itself.

Avon Kyyd was a guest DJ in April and when Strapped returns to Black Sparrow they will welcome guest Leigh Myles, above, who has played live sets at Stereo, Get a Room, Tresor and supported Red Shape at the ABC. Lovely.