BY Jeremy Tanner
‘NYC Party Promoter
Takes UK By Storm’
“It’s a big deal to go to London and throw down against the incredible party scene going on there,” says NYC party promoter Michael Theriault. His Epic Party, featuring DJ Serving Ovahness as the resident DJ, takes over London’s Club Pulse one Friday every month. “London is EDM territory. We’re bringing something new, which is actually something old.”
With Epic, he draws inspiration from ‘90s New York B.G. (Before Grinder) when the community ate, breathed and let loose in bars, clubs and local gay coffee shops. He welcomes in characters from all walks of gay glitterati: from painted trannies to gym card-carrying muscle studs to bearded fetishists.
All come to hear the legendary house anthems of yesteryear: songs like Byron Stingily’s “You Turn Me,” Vivian Green’s “Emotional Rollercoaster” and Funky Green Dogs’ “Fired Up.”
Why recreate ‘90s NYC in London?
There was no greater place in the world than New York in the ‘90s. I chose London because that city still has a scene that can handle the craziness. Brits go out almost every night. The Internet hasn’t slowed them down.
Who shaped NYC’s club scene back in the day?
So many people. Some never got the credit they deserved, like DJ Merritt: He was amazing. Peter Gatien built the Tunnel specifically for him.
How are Brits taking to old-school house?
They don’t pigeonhole themselves into one kind of music. Yes, EDM is king, but house is big too. It’s like in the ‘90s when the USA had house and freestyle. Freestyle eventually fell out, and house made it huge. Now in the U.S., electronic is huge while house has fallen off. But we must never forget that it was house that gave birth to EDM.
Do Brits dig American DJs like Abel and Morabito?
Yes they do. They know a master craftsmen/women when they hear one.
What does NYC have to do to get back to its ‘90s epic-ness?
We need to change it up a bit. The scene here is split into various groups, with each thinking they’re better than the other. Instead of tearing each other down, we need to build each other up. Maybe then more people will start coming out again and realize they’re missing all the fun!
Superstar DJs Tom Stephan & Morabito spin at the EPIC Halloween party at Pulse Club on Friday, October 24, hosted by Michael Theriault.
