A tonic for the troops

The implosion of corporate dance music and the rise in popularity of the small club suits Dublin house night Bodytonic. Set up by resident Tayor – aka Meath bedroom DJ Trevor O’Shea – who was frustrated at not getting any gigs in Dublin, Bodytonic has become one of Ireland’s finest nights out. Like most good things, Bodytonic’s origins were modest, starting life in what Tayor refers to as “a dodgy pub in Baggot Street’.”

Bodytonic subsequently enjoyed a nomadic existence, holding residencies at The Kitchen, Voodoo Lounge and Spi, before finding their current home in the intimate surroundings of Wax every Friday night. Despite a number of venue changes, Tayor is adamant that the club is still informed by a DIY ethic.
“I had this idea of starting a collective where like-minded people do things together as a team,” he explains. “People like Bassbin and D1 in Dublin were an inspiration, as well as what I was reading about in Detroit, Chicago, Paris and London. The club has eleven resident DJs who all became involved by giving me a CD, but now we’re all mates for life.”
In a city where hard techno is the soundtrack at most underground nights, Bodytonic’s house music fixation sets them apart. However, Tayor is keen to point out that the club’s residents play a broad range of styles, from jacking track to US style vocal tunes and techy, minimal and electronic explorations of the sound.
“It’s anything from François K to David Duriez as long as it makes people smile and have a good time,” he explains.
The club has also played host to international guests like Derrick Carter, Inland Knights, DJ Q Jori Hulkkonen, David Duriez and Charles Webster, but even when it’s residents only, Bodytonic manages to get a full house. So is the international DJ phenomenon a dying trend?
“International guests are expensive, but everyone we’ve brought over has been brilliant. We haven’t abandoned guests completely, but we’ll just be doing them less frequently. Anyway, we’ve noticed we’re busier for residents’ nights,” Tayor adds. “I want to show faith in the residents and get new guys to play. That goes back to my days of trying to get gigs in Dublin when I knew no-one and when most people wouldn’t give me the time of day.”
“We have a similar approach. They work hard, do interesting things and are genuine people who really enjoy what they do. The night we’re doing together should be interesting and hopefully our music will cross over.”
The proliferation and popularity of small nights in Dublin is in stark contrast to the mid to late ’90s, when big venues like Red Box, Temple Theatre, System and later still The Tivoli were crammed every week, but Bodytonic remain unaffected by the perceived downturn in dance music.
“Sometimes I feel discouraged about the downturn and there is no doubt that there has been one, but it’s still my firm belief that it’s mainly an economic thing,” he claims. “The fittest will survive and there are some great nights in Dublin these days – Electric City, 52 Funk, D1, Bassbin, Melodica and Choice Cuts – so there is more than enough for everyone.
“You have to be realistic too: our music is suited to small places and we have no aspirations to fill a big venue. To be honest, I would feel more discouraged if there was no good music around – but for house music at least, it has never been better.”
Rather than just run a club, the last year has seen Bodytonic branch out and compile two installments of The Greenhouse Effect, mix CDs put together by Tayor to promote Ireland’s growing scene abroad.
“Most people abroad didn’t know we had a house scene and this is the main reason we put together the compilations. You have to start somewhere,” Tayor says.
Apart from throwing more of their ‘BAN’ parties around Ireland this summer, Bodytonic’ are also planning to host a float at this year’s Love Parade in Berlin – the biggest dance event in the world.
“It’s a techno event and we’ll be the only ones playing funky underground house music, but I’m sure, in a crowd of 1.4 million people, we’ll find someone who wants to listen , “ Tayor says. “We also plan to run a competition to let someone play on our float. I love the idea of a bedroom DJ’s first ever gig being in front of over a million people. I’d have loved a chance like that when I started off.”

Bodytonic takes place at Wax, Dublin every Friday. They also play a joint show with Electric City at The Belvedere on April 10