In preparation for this Friday's (October 16th) very special Plastic People party to celebrate 10 years of Beats in Space with Tim Sweeney DJing all night long, Peder Clark caught up with Tim to grab him for a few questions!
Tell me about the beginnings of Beat In Space. What were you doing before BiS? Did you ever think 10 years ago you'd still be doing it today?!I was in high school in Baltimore living life like I was in The Wire or Pink Flamingos (basically the only two things people think of when I mention Baltimore is The Wire or the director John Waters). I think by now I thought the radio station would have kicked me off the air. Luckily, they seem to be getting nicer to me over the years. That could change any minute though.
Who have been your favourite guests on BiS? Is there anybody who you still desperately want to hook up with for the show?Well, we were just having a little "twitter discussion" about the most mixes from a guest on the show. Brennan Green has the most right now, followed by Sasha (Crnobrnja) /In Flangranti (in various DJ names), then it's JD Twitch and Mike Simonetti, then Lovefingers and Horse Meat Disco. But you know, too many favorites to name.
People I desperately want for the show? Well, we could start with the ones from Detroit: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Jeff Mills, Theo Parrish and Moodymann.
Any anecdotes about when it's all gone terribly wrong?Hmm, it could have gone terribly wrong on election night last year when I had TBD (Lee Douglas and Justin Vandervolgen) on the show. They showed up completely wasted after going to some downtown art party where a tequila bar was part of the exhibit. Luckily, they recorded the mix before they came so it wasn't a train wreck session and ended up being a really fun show doing a play by play of Obama getting elected live on the air.
What's your involvement with RVNG International?They're friends of mine and we just work together on different projects... it started out with mix CDs, then records, then t-shirts and now I'm starting up a new BIS record label with help from RVNG!
What is the house and disco scene like in New York at the moment? I've been hearing good things about House n Home, Sunday Best etc...
There are a few good things going on, like you mentioned, but overall it's not that great in New York right now. There just aren't the venues to support it. So much has been shut down because of the police, neighbors, sound complaints, rent issues, high fees, etc. It's just a bit of a difficult time right now, I think. But it's New York, there are 8 or 9 million people here, so there has to be something going on!
You recently did a megamix of Balihu records for Pitchfork. What's your relationship to Balihu and where do you see their place in the NY disco scene, etc? I think Daniel Wang saw it very much as a personal project which is or was quite outside of what was going on at the time...Danny just sent me an email one day asking if I would be interested in doing a Balihu megamix for him to help with his new compilation. I've been a big fan of the Balihu releases and had a really fun time when he came on the radio show before, so I said "of course!" Just a fun little project to help a friend.
For sure Balihu has had a big place in the "new" NY Disco scene. I think those records are a reference point for a lot of people, from Morgan Geist to DFA and so on. It's too bad Danny moved out to Berlin,but I understand. The way of life, the music scene and the gay scene just aren't the same here and now he's the king out there!
Five records that are in your bag at the moment?Mutant Beat Dance "In A Daze"
Sidwho "Violet Run (Jamie Paton Edit)
Prosumer & Murat Tepeli "U & I"
Tensnake "Coma Cat"
Azari & III "Reckless With Your Love"
A record that's been in your bag for the last five years?Frankie Knuckles "Your Love"
Future plans for Tim Sweeney? You have your project with Tim Goldsworthy right?Yeah, we're still working on T&T things coming up. Hopefully some more productions from the T&T Music Factory next year and some things on my own as well.
Future plans for Beats in Space? You mentioned the label.I'm working with Matt from RVNG on a new Beats In Space record label for early next year. It's still in the early stages though. Just getting the music together to release, so I can't say too much more just yet...
Interview by Peder Clark for Warm HQ
