If Loose Kaboose is aiming to return some value to Sydney’s increasingly sleazy and superficial club scene, then they have absolutely nailed it. I had all but forgotten the vibe of an underground party, where people are dancing because they love the music, and not because they’re wasted and trying to get laid. Quality talent from the resident DJs, ace veteran Phil Smart, and an upbeat and energetic crowd celebrated Loose Kaboose’s first birthday with a great party.

Claire Morgan was playing some deep techy beats as I arrived to what really felt like a full Flinders Hotel, but there actually weren’t many people yet. It was the general warm vibe coming from the drinking and chatting which filled the room and made a very comfortable atmosphere. A few girls were dancing to Claire’s tunes, but most were happy to sit back and take in the music this early on in the night, which was just as enjoyable.

JoDee came on with some darker Detroit-edged tunes, and played a long building set, which filled the dance floor for Phil Smart. The Flinders Hotel is a nice venue, it’s away from the main drag of Oxford St, the dance floor is intimate with the DJ and acoustically it is quite clean compared to most clubs. Maybe the system could have had a bit more presence; in particular I would have liked a bit more sub and bass impact. Resident and promoter DJ Trinity informs me they’ll be putting in a few more speakers for the next one.

I love expert DJs. Nothing’s better than being taken on their journey and the feeling that the next tune is going to be bigger and better. Phil Smart was up there. He opened with some funkier minimal tracks, immediately getting great reaction from the now packed dance floor. The transitions were smooth and he dropped Deepchild’s anthem Mercy Dub early on, continuing with more percussive minimal beats until a whole hour had gone by before anyone knew it. That first hour was amazing. He then moved into some harder chunkier techy stuff which I didn’t get into so much, and the end of his set sort of just faded away, until DJ Trinity took over.

Saving the best for last, Trinity took the club to another level with some beautiful hypnotic minimal techno. The numbing pads and syncopated percussion were mesmerising. Her transitions were tight, they dropped at just the right moment, and they were nearly always in key too, which made for an excellent closing set. Fresh from some huge gigs in India after winning the Smirnoff Experience and being treated like a superstar, it’s clear that Trinity truly earned that title.

With the formula of their crack team of residents combined with a special guest in a monthly party in an intimate venue, the Loose Kaboose crew are really onto something, and are important for underground music in Sydney. This is hopefully the start of a more music-orientated party scene, and maybe even something iconic for the Kaboose crew. Playing at The Flinders on the last Saturday of each month, the next one features local international star Deepchild.