Once upon a time there was a group of lads who bonded together over a mutual passion for beats which were quite eclectic in nature. They decided to throw a series of reasonably regular events called Green&Jazzy and as a result, several professional DJ careers were born. DJs Kid Kenobi, Q45, Ritual and Goodwill were the foursome responsible for what are now quite a legendary series of parties.
The night was held at the Burdekin hotel pre-refurbishment, and it’s an event which I can credit with introducing me to a world of funk beyond old school raves and house. Kid Kenobi muses: “Someone said hey do you want to come and play your records once a month on Thursday and we said ‘yeah, why not?’ There was never any master plan to it.” Green & Jazzy’s eclecticism earned the event a somewhat cult following “We look back on those parties as extremely ad hoc, but I think people remember them quite affectionately – they were such a contrast to how things are today.”
Fast-forward to the June Long Weekend 2001 and the boys have spent the last five years or so individually establishing themselves as professionals in the field. Tom [Q45] and Jesse [Kid Kenobi] now promote under the banner ‘Kush’ and have played an instrumental part in Sydney’s burgeoning ‘breaks’ scene – from parties such as Fuzzy’s ‘breaks’ series, to their own night, Blueprint, which was held at The Globe nightclub.
Kush001 marks the first in what they boys hope to make a regular series of events. Jesse comments that they’ve been planning Kush001 for quite some time. “It’s not a Metro affair though, more intimate and really us doing what the hell we like. It’s a cool, casual, fun affair but hopefully full of quality.”
Promoting their own gigs again has been a priority for a while: “that’s how we started. It’s the best way to get through life in general I believe. That is, if you want something done right do it yourself and instead of complaining about something (eg “the scene”) go out and do something about it…and have fun too!”
As for what we’re likely to hear this Sunday: “It’ll be mainly breaks, that’s about it. Dowhatchalike really.”
Jesse points out, however, that they aren’t trying to put on Green&Jazzy 2001: “No. It would be a mistake to try and recreate the past. The essence of it may well be the same however: ad hoc, do-it-yourself, play what YOU want.”
Kush001 takes off at Club 77, 77 William Street Sydney, this Sunday June 10th. $10 on the door.
