INTERVIEW: Trust Returns To New Guernica
The boys from Trust are heading back to where it all began…
Do you remember that time you went to the club and had to buy a bag from that random Italian/French/English guy who is only dealing ‘to save up money to buy a student visa’? You didn’t know him from a bar of soap, yet you parted with your hard earned cash and gave it to an absolute stranger in the hope the drugs you are buying is a) good shit and b) not going to kill you. Why? Because you trusted him (and wanted to get high).
Talking about trust, the boys behind Trust is back and they will be returning to where it all began: New Guernica. After a sojourn away from the Little Collins Street venue which included some time at Revolver, they will return to the ‘Guern a good five years after their inception. And if you are a card holding Trust member from back then, get excited as their return to the source will see the return all the original selectors too. Yes, just like the A-Team each member of Trust is an indispensable cog in a well-oiled machine, and seeing that machine in full flow is a thing of beauty.
For their return the team behind Trust is promising a musical exploration across two rooms which will include ‘provocative film and visual offerings’. Well, count us provoked. We asked co-founder Shannon Briggs a couple of questions to get us in the mood for the upcoming session …
It feels like it’s been a while since we could… um… place some trust in you. Where have you been since the last event? (I might be wrong here but it feels like it's been a while between drinks for Trust events?)
Our latest event was Trust In Revolver 12.04.2019 which was solid, we focused on residents and were keen to do something similar again this round.
Ah my apologies, I missed your last event as it was on the weekend I did a cactus ceremony. Good times… Moving on, why do you think that Trust and New Guernica is such a good fit?
Our very first parties started out at New Guernica and were really memorable for those that were there. Our move came when I started bookings at Boney and Revolver, so naturally the events moved with me.
New Guernica was actually started by some of the staff from Honkytonks, a legendary Melbourne venue created by Michael Delaney that is to this day my favourite Melbourne venue. Given it's owner's past, New Guernica has a 'Honkytonks' feel, with weird decor (there's pergolas inside the main room, complete with seats to sit in), great sound system and a really well stocked bar! The off-centre vibe suits our approach which is to try and do something a bit different, both in terms of putting DJs together who wouldn't normally play in the same room and create rooms or experiences that are different from the norm.
The band is back together…
Well, that does sound enticing. Tell us more about the curated run of provocative and visual offerings you mention in the event blurb?
We have always taken the 'Outhouse,' which is the smallest back room of New Guernica and done something weird in there. Most crews leave the room either closed or as is, just as a kind of chill out space. This round we're putting a projector, and decks in there; plus some more decor and making it a bit more visually focused. We'll also be inviting some extra DJs to come and play their weirder tunes, so you can get a bit more than you bargained for if you turn up on June 7.
Who are your guests this time around - and what made you trust them so much you booked them?
The guests on the official line-up are Paul Lynch versus Mitchell Gee from Autosea, and also Lawless. To the best of my knowledge Paul and Mitch have only played B2B once, that was at Pitch Music & Arts Festival, and it was one of the best local sets I have ever seen at a festival. I was blown away! Lawless is kicking goals everywhere, especially at his home Breakfast Club. He is a part of our extended family, so yes, we definitely trust all of them to nail their sets.
Which Trust resident is the most 'likely to succeed' and why?
I'm pretty proud of what some of the residents have already achieved, we have one (Viktor) that has played at Fabric and annually plays shows in Europe. Others have also played overseas and are regulars in Melbourne at Revolver, Breakfast Club and elsewhere.
One I feel has the potential to grow though, and there is more than one, is Julian Castles. His work ethic is perhaps number 1 in the crew and his taste in music is really unmatched. It's very left of centre, though can hold down a floor anywhere and he is beginning to get his name out there. It's been great to watch him grow, I would back him against almost any local DJ and he constantly surprises me with his music choices. I'll admit though I almost kicked him out of the crew for deciding not to go to Revolver one night, would have been a bad choice! :((
In your writeup you mentioned that we can expect to hear an authentic dub house cut. Is there an specific track you are talking about?
Yup. Steve Bug ‘Different in Detroit’. Low brow urban grooves (without trying too hard) from the UK house master.
Daaaamn, that track makes me feel sexy. You also mention that we can expect to hear 'obscure 135 bpm techno'….?
Yup, Mental Disorder by Reeko and Gennaro La Fosse - it’s actually 138 bpm. This was played at the last Trust In Revolver. Intelligent, cinematic and almost primitive techno from the Spanish master Reeko.
HECTIC, what a banger. It sounds like the sort of track that will scare Christians away. Finally, if you have to choose one track that sum up Trust events what would it be?
So hard... I should disclose this is my choice. The other crew members would have their own idea. I like that our sound is hard to pin down, it's hard to even choose a genre let alone a track.
I'm going to say Ghetto by Kingpin Cartel.
We've always tried to straddle the line between accessible yet cool, not too chin stroker though, and not so accessible that it's cheesy either. This track is probably more at the accessible end, though I've been playing it for years, it was on our third birthday video also. I guess it's house with an old school rave feel, very fun and gets the dance floor moving.
