Jimbo James
This Saturday marks Music is 4 Lovers’ bi-costal inauguration with a rooftop dance party at Output in Brooklyn, NYC. We’re almost at a loss for words for the appreciation inside to be given the opportunity to crack open this pivotal chapter in the Mi4L history book. We owe that all to the Sheik ‘N’ Beik crew. Coming fresh off an event at Up & Down with Francesca Lombardo, Sheik ‘N’ Beik have been stirring the pot in NYC. We couldn’t think of a better debut than combining our sexual sex forces on the rooftop of a well reputed venue in the heart on Brooklyn. We had a chat with Sheik ‘N’ Beik big kahuna Julio in the interview below…
1. Tell us about the origins of Sheik ’N’ Beik. Who is involved and how did it come about?
As I graduated from University in May 2007, the Subprime Mortgage crisis was just starting to unfold, this was probably the worst time to start any sort of conventional job in the US. Being obsessed with techno and electronic music in general, I was really dissatisfied with the minimal techno scene in NY which was all about flat squeaks and bleeps and black or dark gray t-shirts. Being an unknown DJ in the city, having only held a reggae radio show in my native Switzerland, in order to DJ, the only solution was to book myself, so I decided to start Sheik ‘N’ Beik which was basically a small weekly Wednesday night party where I was the only DJ of the party at The Belmont Lounge near Union Square, allowing me to fully indulge in my musical taste. This eventually soon changed into a Thursday party which was the format for a few years, we soon began hosting larger events such as Circoloco where I would book established foreign DJs on weekends in Brooklyn warehouses.
2. Tell us a little bit about New York. Why is this the home base for Sheik ’N’ Beik?
I thought about moving the party’s headquarters to Anchorage in Alaska, but realized that it would have probably not worked out so well..
3. We’ve seen you do a lot in Ibiza. Can you tell us about Sheik ’N’ Beik’s experiences on the island?
Last year I had an opportunity to take the small room at Privilege called the Vista Blue which was a low risk venture, so I teamed up with Simone Gatto from Out-Er and decided to book some artists we knew throughout the season. We didn’t really put too much thought into it and were just happy to be there. It was a very good experience to feel the island out over a whole season. Eventually we will probably be back one day with a much more serious approach. If all goes well, you can catch me playing at Plan Be in late July.
4. Even here on the west coast, we’ve heard about Output and their famed rooftop. Tell us about this venue and why you’ve chosen it for this collar event?
Output has probably one of the best situated rooftops in Williamsburg with a striking view of Manhattan, right by the water. When the opportunity came around, it was hard to refuse. No better way to keep the sun shining for our San Diego friends.
5. How did you get to know about Music is 4 Lovers and what compelled you guys to collaborate with us on this event?
While in Ibiza last summer, our friend Clara who was staying with us invited her friend Johnathan Karam who was traveling around and ended up crashing with us for a few weeks. Being a resident of MI4L, we eventually decided to do a collaboration and we are very excited about Saturday!
Sheik ‘n’ Beik presents… Music is 4 Lovers
Output Rooftop
Saturday June 7th, 2:00 pm
6. Share with us something special about each of the Sheik ’N’ Beik DJs on board for this Saturday.
jeffrey scott, likes to have his name spelled in all lower cases on flyers, don’t ask me why but I find that pretty special. Fong, started the Techno scene in the Dominican Republic in the late 90’s. The Pioneer of the Caribbean! Definitely movie material there.
7. Do you see Sheik ’N’ Beik making it to the west coast?
100%! Just a matter of finding the right time and place. I’ll be in LA for 2-3 weeks at the end of August this summer so I’m sending a message in a bottle, anyone interested? Feel free to contact us info@sheiknbeik.com
SHEIK’ N’ BEIK Presents: Another Party – 05.03.2013 from Sheik ‘N’ Beik on Vimeo.
8. Whats in store for Sheik ’N’ Beik for the rest of the summer?
We’re eagerly awaiting our 2nd release on the label, with the Spotlight Diktat EP from Paris’s Voiski. We’re also hosting our monthly at Up & Down in Manhattan on June 27th and every Thursdays our weekly party at Le Baron’s basement in Chinatown. We’re also excited for our July 4th party in Rio de Janeiro during the World Cup. On a personal note I’ll be having some gigs here and there around Europe.
– jams