There is nothing more persuasive to me than nicely packaged goods and striking visuals. As a child of consumerism, image is so important in creating a look, brand or simply a way to define ones self. The music industry has always had a symbiotic relationship with artists and designers, influencing each other throughout time. When music and design are showcased together, the two combined, can cause quite an impact.

Enter the hell raising design/Dj duo, “Team Skull” and “Team Dead” of EatDisco and European Animal, whose roaring all out party fun and fantastic flyer designs are luring the kids in like Willy Wonka did with his chocolate factory. Although they may not have an ‘Inventing Room’, or special effect bubblegum like the kind Violet Beauregarde got her hands on, you are sure to find a plethora of reasons why you should attend one of their parties, OR art showings. Read on as they tell us a bit about their unique projects and what’s ahead!

After kick starting something pretty special in the summer of 2007, EatDisco continues to bring some of the most exciting DJ’s and producers to that little dot on the map, Newcastle upon Tyne UK. Working closely with the European Animal design team, EatDisco (also known as promoters and DJ’s Team Skull and Team Dead) have forged the perfect blend of cutting edge electronic music and high end illustration. This has resulted in a much needed injection of enthusiasm and originality into an almost static club scene.

“All in all we’re trying to bring not just our favourite DJ’s from around the world to Newcastle, but we’re still pushing to really open up the city’s weekend offerings. We’re trying to keep as many of our parties free or charging next to nothing to ensure maximum levels of fun and enjoyment.” Previous guests have included Hostage, Liars Club and Machine Drum. EatDisco have also just teamed up with friends, Paris Is Burning to raise the bar even higher, throwing even bigger parties which will feature Tronik Youth, Strip Steve, Kap10Kurt and some big surprises!

European Animal, outside of working on promotional material, have also been enjoying similar levels of success at a pretty speedy rate, having had two big shows in the last year. The first took place at Paris’s En-Marge gallery, the second as part of a paste up exhibition at Common in Manchester, UK. Photos of both shows, along with a selection of their other work, can be seen on the website. Next in line is a collaborative project working with the Stiff Couture clothing label, ran by Kitsune’s Punks Jump Up, launching later this year.

EatDisco have quite a lot lined up over the next few months both in their home town and further a field, seeing them at nights in Scotland, London, Berlin and New York!

“We hope things are going to continue to grow at the rate they have been recently. We want to attract more people and open up their eyes to the fact that things are finally changing in Newcastle.”

Check out EatDisco’s gig dates on their myspace calendar and be ready for some fine action as they take over Fake! Club in Edinburgh on the 12 of April along side Hostage – who graces our presence with some updates and a brand new track!

So what has Mr. Alan Parley, known to most as ‘Hostage’, been up to these days?? He is kinda like a machine, cranking out tune after tune, playing loads of gigs and rioting into the wee hours!! He’s been spotted in Sweden supporting Hijack at Drama, London and Preston alongside the ‘Ibiza Rocks’ GASH DJs and this month he’ll be supporting Duke Dumont for 2 nights on the 28th in Doncaster and the 29th in Glasgow. Rest assured, he has been doing lots of raving and because of it, he’s in bed sick as a dog. If you’re in his area, bring the man some hot soup!!!!

One of Hostage’s latest tunes, “Oh Snap!! – Bill Cosby Sweater (Hostage Remix)”, has been blowing up all over the land (here it is below in case you haven’t heard) and he says it all came about whilst chattin to a U.S. rapper out of Maryland called Oh Snap!! who sent over an accapella. He took that and created “this wonky hard fidget tune round the rap – rap-attack!!!” and says, “it has been goin down real nice”. He has a lot to grin about, with yet another of his tunes, “Stab Up” which has had proper plays off Radio 1!! My-oh-my and we’ve got yet another – “Big Wheeze”.

Mr. Hostage has lots in store for those that are lucky to catch him at various gigs (check his myspace for that), playing a roccodisco showcase in Rome come April and an Australian tour sometime in June. Rave on.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Oh Snap!! – Bill Cosby Sweater (Hostage Remix)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Hostage – Big Wheeze

Related posts

• Drop The Curses, Limes are Forever!
• Blog House
• Shir Khan – Maximize!