INTERVIEW: Basic Function

Image: Sam Condliffe

“Outside of putting on a night with a very good friend and someone I admire both musically and otherwise, the idea is to create a space to play music that we love.” A fine ethos to take into a joint musical venture with one of your best pals, I’m sure we’d all agree. Ben Eastwood (Ms Kenton) and Sam Condliffe (Condy) are currently London-based, Newcastle raised friends and selectors who are bringing clubbing back to its roots.

Their next party, aptly named Basic Function, promises raw house tunes, a crisp soundsystem and a back-room packed with smiling faces. I caught up with the duo to find out what music lovers can expect when they get behind the wheels of steel in Ernest on Friday 25^th October.

Sam gives us a brief glimpse into his musical philosophy: “The deeper the better. I like chuggy, hard, tech oriented club music. I’m not bothered too much by effects or tricks, I like my records to do the talking. If the producer wanted an echo in, there’d be one. The more my confidence grows, the more I’m interested in the longer, more drawn-out transitions, where subtlety is the name of the game.”

Ben, playing under the moniker of Ms Kenton and who is a phenomenal selector in his own right, went a little further in setting out the vision. “We want it to be more of a ‘party’, as opposed to a club night – with free entry for punters wherever possible. We were influenced by some of the more DIY spirited characters and events around the city, such as Public House Hi-Fi and Pushback (RIP to Newcastle’s best event). Worldies events of old were also absolutely instrumental in my personal musical education, particularly Reasons To Be Cheerful and Backdrop (at any given event, you can catch me talking the ear off of our mutual friend, Simon, reminiscing about some of my favourite memories from his old event Backdrop, embarrassing him and myself!). I’ve played in Ernest before, and been a punter in there literally countless times. It was top of our list of venues for the debut event because of that relaxed, comfortable party atmosphere. It also absolutely pops off later on at night, and we’re aiming to have them bouncing off the walls à la Waxinated (big shout out to the one and only Diz). We’d also be lying if we said it hadn’t crossed our mind that it’s pretty much guaranteed to be full from Friday-Sunday!”

The night is part of a broader movement away from the superclubs and towards unique, intimate spaces with bespoke soundsystems

The night is part of a broader movement away from the superclubs and towards unique, intimate spaces with bespoke soundsystems. Man Power, as is often the case, has led the charge by sending Newcastle’s heads along to North Shields’ King Street Social Club, and Basic Function forms part of this exciting movement. As Sam explains: “During my early days in Newcastle I sought that out, and as big and impressive as clubs like Digital were, I was really inspired by venues like Cosmic Ballroom and World Headquarters, where I really discovered the beauty in small rooms with great selectors. The older I get, the more I actively avoid the bigger rooms, in favour of the more intimate. I think what Basic Function can add, is bringing that intimate small-club vibe, to less conventional spaces.”

Although the venue, atmosphere and (forgive the expression) the overall vibe are part of what makes these nights so integral, really, it’s about the music. Basic Function promises classic, uncompromising house music from across the genre’s rich history. I asked what has found itself pride of place in their respective record bags recently. Ben says: “I’ve actually got a lot of garage in my bag at the moment, which is a genre I have a love/hate relationship with (I hate some of the more formulaic stuff that’s become popular over recent years, but the weirder and wonkier end of the genre has always been a favourite).” Fittingly, Sam has “lots of Surreal and Wiggle in there at the moment. Lots of David Duriez/Brique Rouge, as I’m really getting into that vintage French house sound. Rules of the Game by Shawn Rudnick and Ben Grassini is a record I picked up for £2 in a bargain bin and has been destroying dancefloors when I’ve been playing it out, so there’s some proggy stuff in there to break it up.”

Put simply, it’s a fantastic night produced by two DJs who have both contributed to and learned a lot from Newcastle’s house scene. Support comes in the shape of the hotly-anticipated debut of Barnard Castle’s finest selector, Jonno. Expect rolling, funky basslines and a set which promises to be a whole heap of fun.

Basic Function takes place at Ernest, Newcastle on Friday 25^th October.