January: the month that really sorts the clubbing wheat from the chaff – post-festive season hangover raging, pockets near empty. Detox schmetox, we say. There isn’t a huge amount happening, but there are some things happening – a record release party and a clash of Glasgow house and techno heavyweights for two. Enough to suggest you won’t be alone in starting 2015 as you mean to go on: partying.
Unicorn Chaser – Nice’n’Sleazy, Tue Jan 6
An early-midweek offering for those of you who can’t even wait until the second weekend in January to give in to your detox-fail, dirty sods that you are. Unicorn Chaser is a free-entry night of 'weirdo dance music of all-flavours' happening every Tuesday at Sleazy’s, as helmed by DJs Ewen Chambers and Konx-Om-Pax, AKA Tom Scholefield. Expect twisted disco, haunted house, techno adventures and other sounds for fearless midweek warriors.
Huntleys and Palmers – Nice’n’Sleazy, Fri Jan 9
A special release party by the globe-trotting, Glasgow-formed Huntleys and Palmers crew and their record label arm H+P, as all helmed by promoter Andrew Thomson, who after spells living in London and Berlin, is firmly ensconced back in the Weeg. The five-track various-artists EP 'Chapter 2: Cohorts' is out mid-January, and features a new track from Glasgow voodoo electro-funk warriors Golden Teacher alongside contributions from Wolf Müller, Usio, Oklo Gabon and Sano. Golden Teacher will DJ on the night, and there’ll be a live set from purveyors of intelligent techno, house and noise Hi & Saberhagan.
Hullabaloo 002 w/ Barrientos + Gnarls (Mia Dora) + Dominic McCearney – Stereo, Fri Jan 9
Two Glasgow house and techno hard-hitters come together in the Stereo basement. Known for his soulful yet funky house, Barrientos (pictured) and his partner in crime Illyus had a busy 2014, with releases on Glasgow Underground and Love & Other and a Sub Club residency at Fly Club. Gnarls is one half of Mia Dora, whose ‘Un.sub’ EP – released on Optimo’s label Optimo Trax – was an under-the-radar standout of 2014.
Words: Malcolm Jack