inthemix | Features | Destination?: 3 Years

Destination? has just turned three and the folks running the show figured what better way to celebrate this rather momentous and kick ass occasion than to throw a massive birthday party – with all the trimmings! ITM’s miss munnee catches up with Louise Monger (aka LLSparks on ITM), one of the Destination? crew, for a chat about the progression and subsequent successes of the monthly breaks night.

If you want to hear about the Destination? night and how well it’s doing now (and it really is doing quite well), then it’s imperative to understand and consider its history from conception of the original idea into the fully fledged popular breaks night that it is today. Over three years ago now, the DJ duo comprising the Signal Drivers plus Prizzy and the artist Drassman met to discuss their ideas to create a club night which would be a little left of the middle and unique for the Perth scene.

After about six months of the original idea being agreed upon and then coming into fruition, the initial night took place at the Kitchen in Leederville (now known as the Manor). After a few venue changes, Destination? was hosted at Ambar where it has stayed ever since. In that time, the Destination? night’s have played host to a stack of local and even interstate DJ’s, as well as live musicians playing their instruments of preference to the beat of the broken sound.

What sets the Destination? gigs apart from every other breaks nights in town, is the fact that they have a focus on the night on an overall level and they endeavour to make it something different, something special for the punters. Rather than just another breaks gig with DJ’s that play sets and then everyone goes home – the end, it’s more about making the night something to remember. All whilst showcasing the best in local and interstate talent.

In the last year in particular, the Destination? nights have gone from strength to strength, with a solid win at the Perth Dance Music Awards (PDMA’s) as well as record numbers of punters through the doors at each gig. The Signal Drivers were nominated for Best Breaks DJ’s along with quite a few other nominations for the Destination? night as well as Karlsav for Best New Talent and Best Local Tune. The talented artist Drassman was recognised by copping a nomination for Best Flyer. At the awards ceremony, Destination? took out Best Club Night as well as Outstanding Contribution to the Local Scene and Karlsav took out Best New Talent as well as Best Local Tune. That’s some pretty impressive results for one entity to say the least.

Reflecting on the year that was, Louise thinks there were quite a few memorable moments and gigs for Destination? over the year. “Ï would like to name so many but the Summer Series, the Rollerdisco and the Dopamine gig were definitely huge achievements for us” she enthuses. “The Rollerdisco was our first event and I still laugh now when I think back to the gig – a few stacks and some crazy outfits. Megs single-handedly brought the short jumpsuit back into fashion and Signal Driver Pete had some beautiful mirror ball pants. The Dopamine gig was the first time we had toured someone from interstate and anyone who was there on the night will tell you how amazing it was. We promoted really hard for that gig and I remember feeling extremely satisfied at about 3am when the club was absolutely rammed. There was a queue outside too and Dopamine played an absolutely mad set”.

In terms of the Destination? nights and where its headed in the year 2007, Louise reveals a few of the future plans. “We’re not going to sit back and relax” she explains. “We want to continue to put on the best monthly night that we can, continue pushing boundaries and trying new things. We also have plans in place to take Destination? out of the club with the return of the Summer Series and a few other surprises up our sleeves that I can’t mention but will be revealed in the coming months. Stay tuned for Destination? TV as too! We’re making a DVD at our birthday party and it will be shared with all”.

“As mentioned before, the summer series will be back, we’re aiming to have them all at beaches this time around” she explains. “I can’t wait. It’s nice to get all the different crews hanging out together in a place where we can actually have a conversation and get a suntan. I think it’s the only sun some of us see all summer! And of course it’s good to be able to promote the sound around Perth. Our live musicians seem to be able to bridge the gap for people who are otherwise normally a little afraid of electronic music. Also, without giving too much away, we have huge plans for Australia Day. Ambar were generous enough to give us that date, we are just finalising the details of what will be a massive day and night”.

It certainly seems as though Destination? have a concise masterplan which shows no signs of faltering. With record loyal crowds of fans showing up to the gigs as well as the massive plans upcoming over the summer, it’s safe to say Destination? knows where it’s headed.

You can check out Destination’s? third birthday celebrations this Friday December 15th at Ambar. Get there early, it’s bound to be a big one!