Maryam Snape

Think it's one you just watch isn't it?

Perhaps wasn't clear sorry. Some people who normally go to strictly Northern nights have started coming to the Saturdays as well Does that make sense?

Yes it is an older crowd on a Friday, not as busy but this means more room to dance which also goes down well with original fans. Saturdays are always packed with old and young because the music is more of a mix with Northern/Motown/60s r n b/funk/ska etc.. Also some of the purist Northern fans that used to come Fridays have started coming Saturdays as well as they know we can play their requests and they like the atmosphere.

I've seen DJs with amazing records who aren't great at flow or reading the room and responding to the crowd, it's all a package isn't it? Some DJs who play off originals just search eBay then check what they sound like on YouTube, it's the new version of crate digging. Also I always think it's good to bring 2 formats (such as vinyl & cd) in case something goes wrong with decks or anything.

The Atlantic Players from Birmingham are incredible, seen them loads

I DJ mainly off vinyl, with some CDs as back up. I can't afford to buy many originals but do prefer to play records whenever possible. I did a request night on Saturday, first time I've done it. Had two 7 inch boxes with me, CDs and a laptop. Played every request asked for and had people come up and say it was the best night of their lives. Glad I could make some people happy even if I had to turn to the laptop for some of the tunes. P.S. If anyone is about to kark it and wants to leave me their record collection feel free!

I've been both a DJ and promoter for 14 years, only recently specifically on the soul scene but the same applies As a promoter I think manage expectations, if you agree a guarantee it has to be paid, if you have an understanding based on turnout then it needs to be very clear before the event As a DJ once you've been DJing a while you know what your own going rate is and I guess it depends how much you want to play at that place/event as to whether you'll lower it. I've had everything happen from bomb scares, to snow, to generator's exploding, if you've built a reputation as a promoter who looks after their acts then a one off once in a blue moon with a frank conversation and mutually agreeable arrangement can sometimes be made. Flip side I've had a couple of times I've DJ'ed at a new place and no one's turned up, if I'm not relying on the money then I would usually offer to take a lower fee but that's just because I csn feel the promoters pain

hahaha! I was definitely a little bit strange back then! Always been female though

I used to spend every Saturday trawling every record shop in the Midlands, I chatted to all the socially inept males you speak of and scared most of them half to death haha

New radio show, mixed soul genres, mainly 60s & 70s First one is up on listen again - The Soul Hole Episode 1 Second one will be live from 6pm tonight at Brumradio.com A relaxed show with different co-hosts every week

Pretty excited to have Brian on at The Night Owl on 14th as I've never seen him DJ before

Thanks John although it's all vintage furniture that's been reworked. Trying to do something different with the design rather than be a carbon copy of old venues. Cheers Kev, it's been noted the lights were too bright so it's being modified

Yep it's all about music & getting together with mates, that's what The Night Owl is all about

a) We had 300 people in, this video is from the press night (which 200 people came to) earlier on and Jud filmed whatever he wanted to film b) I've never seen a double garage look this nice c) Kids were Arith's (one of the owners) and they wanted to come to the press night to see what their dad had been up to, which is nice I think

Ace can't wait to listen I've been away on hols will catch up tomorrow. Any other shows you recommend?

Yep the opening Friday and Saturday the week before were rammed/sold out both nights, was quieter the weekend after as you would expect but I heard everyone had a great time, I was away in Berlin so didn't oversee what happened re filming etc. Wasn't 100% happy with it but there you go. Was good to see a mix of people just doing their thing rather than the stereotype of people in the Northern Soul uniform baggy trousers etc that you were all moaning would be happening It's a new club it'll take a while to build up to having every weekend packed that's why it's started small Like it or leave it, for my friends they appreciate somewhere to go in Brum that is always good music P.S. I know the lighting was identified as too bright and the disco ball is only meant to be on Sat nights so not sure what happened there P.P.S. Yes it is OVO on Fridays (not other nights) so will look into that record

Hi Paul We launched last weekend, both nights were sold out, Friday is our Northern Soul night it was FULL of dancers and soul fans old and young, really great atmosphere. Some people I spoke to then when I said BBC were interested in filming and had said they want to film dancing and get vox pops for a news piece, it was suggested letting people know on forums and Facebook by one of the dancers, that's the long & short of it. Yes Northern Soul every Friday that's regular. I don't really see why everyone is getting so worked up, it's a local news piece about a new club that's opened, they do them all the time for new bars/restaurants/clubs it's fairly normal I doubt it would result in thousands of people turning up. I asked the owners if they wanted to do it, they said yes, that's it plain and simple. No treading on anyone planned, I will however raise your concerns to the owners and see if they still wish to go ahead. Hope that's clear? Thanks Matt I can see you're coming from a good place with your criticisms, will feed this back to the owners and see what they decide to do.

Just a local news item as mentioned previously, nothing to get knickers in a twist over

Fair enough, how about all you genuine fans come on Friday instead then, then no fakers will be able to get in!? Worth a try eh ;) Thanks Malcolm, would love to get the Second City guys on at Night Owl sometime too!

Are there rules I should be following? What exactly do you mean? I'm promoting a new club and media want to cover it this isn't anything crazy of course I'm going to say yes! Tell me what to say to them to keep everyone happy!?

I don't pretend to have any Northern credentials!? I DJ a range of genres. My boss is a Northern fan from about 40 years ago, I claim nothing. Not sure where you've got that idea. What are 'credentials' anyway? I just like good music... Fair enough but my job is to promote the club if the BBC want to film surely I'd be mad to say no?

I think there has been a misunderstanding, they have told me that at the night they want to film dancers and that they want vox pops with old & new fans, of course there should be people like that anyway but I spoke to a couple of northern dancers last weekend who suggested posting on forums and social media about it, so perhaps it's me going along with that which has caused the upset? It wasn't meant to. I see where you're coming from though

Thanks, this isn't the 70's and we're not pretending to be, it's a soul club for now

Ok I see where you're coming from, but it's hardly underground anymore, I think people need to accept it's out there now, and there's no reversing it. The club is a tiny independent club on a back street, it's not some big corporate entity, the fact people are taking such an interest is because Northern Soul & Motown are so popular, that's not our fault I did speak to people who are from the old scene and said post on the forums and Facebook etc. to let people know about stuff like this so that's what I've done. I think accept that it's out there and welcome genuine music lovers, friendly & welcoming like the old scene was famed for.