Preview: Hard Times Presents…David Morales (6 Hour Set)
Hard Times
David Morales (6 Hour Set)
Jason Shaw
David Elliott
The Leeds Warehouse
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd June 2012
Tickets: £15+ from http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?359943
Hard Times, one of the North’s most critically acclaimed and best loved clubbing ventures, returns this Sunday June 3rd to The Warehouse in Leeds for a very special party. LS Clubs caught up with founder (and full-time farmer) Steve ‘Rubel’ Raine to discuss just why he felt 2012 was right for the Hard Times comeback.
LS: Looking back over 20 years, how has the sound of house music changed in your opinion?
HT: Very little has changed, people are still very enthusiastic and obviously the music had progressed. However, we are witnessing a resurgence in the US house scene. So in the time I have taken out everything has worked back round to where it all started. It’s nice to see some of the DJs that we started off in their careers have now become massive stars, its good to think we helped set them on their way.
LS: Why did you originally start Hard Times?
HT: I owned and worked on a small farm in North Yorkshire breading sheep and horses, and knew nothing about dance music until a girlfriend together with other friends told me to ditch my suit, buy some decent clothes and set off to the Hacienda which was the main influence behind me wanting to start Hard Times, having never experienced something quite like it. It made such a massive impression on me that I just had to organise something myself, and Hard Times was born.
LS: What have been your highlights over the past 20 years?
HT: Over the years there have been many highlights. NYE 1993 with Roger Sanchez at Fusion, Mirfield, Hard Times 1st Birthday 1994 with both Kenny Dope & Louis Vega playing 4 decks and 2 mixers at Bel Air club, Huddersfield. In 1995 we moved to the Music Factory in Leeds where there were many a good night, however when Todd Terry recorded the Hard Times compilation live the roof came off! We then moved on to Nato which was situated in the centre of town, there was some amazing nights, one of the best was August bank holiday 1997 with David Morales playing a 6 hour set which really stood out, which is the reason David is the man I am bringing back to re-launch Hard Times on Sunday 3rd June at The Warehouse in Leeds.
LS: You were the original brand in Leeds to bring in some of the biggest artists we see today: Todd Terry, Kerri Chandler, DJ Pierre and Kenny Dope to name but a few. Are you surprised there is still a huge demand for these guys?
HT: We are not surprised at all. We always worked with the DJs we believed were the best, all be it some were just starting out. The fact they are still there surely shows our judgment was right.
LS: You won some serious accolades over the years with Hard Times, what was your highlight amongst those?
HT: There has been many highlights over the years: the first Roger Sanchez track – Time To Stop - which was our first record release, going straight to no.1 in the dance chart was a big high. However 1994 is the year the term Superclub was first discussed. The Ministry Of Sound and Cream were the two clubs that typified that term. Mixmag then was the ‘Clubbers bible’ each month eagerly awaited by both clubbers and promoters. Mixmag club of the year award voted by the readers was the equivalent to winning an oscar for the best film. That year saw the two Superclubs do battle for this award. As history writes, one came second, one came third and Hard Times came first! This was my greatest highlight.
LS: Have you any special memories from any particular nights?
HT: There has been many special memories, but I tend to keep the very special ones to myself.
LS: The music scene has changed dramatically over the the past few years, is it nice to see events like Back To Basics still achieving big things?
HT: I don’t feel that the music scene has changed that much. It is still all about people, music and having a good time.
LS: Why did you decide to take a hiatus from events?
HT: Hard Times was always driven by passion first and foremost and for a number of reasons at the time l didn’t feel that passion, so l decided to retreat back to my farm. When it came to an end everybody believed it came unexpectedly and too soon, however at the time l felt l needed to step away firmly believing that Hard Times could always come back.
LS: You will bring in legend David Morales, what was your idea in the booking and why should people come to the event?
HT: David Morales was the obvious choice because l believe he played a huge part in the initial success of Hard Times. He is a worldwide renowned DJ and producer, having played in every major city around the world. David is not satisfied unless he leaves his audience totally exhilarated by weaving turntable magic behind the decks.
LS: Finally, we understand you have a series of events lined up for 2012, what can you tell us about these?
HT: We have been working on the anniversary party line-up at The Warehouse for Sunday 26th August and have just confirmed Lil Louis Vega of Masters At Work fame, which I am very excited about alongside some other regular Hard Times events.
To be in with a chance of winning a PAIR of tickets to the Hard Times event simply tell us which US city David Morales was born in. Email your answer, full name and contact telephone number to clubs@leedsstudent.org by Friday 25th May. Good luck!
