Hi Joe,

So, I figure that everyone who came to this party last year, who can come to the party this year, will come. Maybe run that video from last year’s party of what appears to be a festival but is actually just the inside of National Mechanics, a sea of people stretching off into the distance, all pogo-ing to, if I recall, “Dirty Dream #2.” I figure that all those people leaping up and down have not forgotten that this party transcends posse, pose, ex-boyfriend/girlfriend awkwardness, age, etc. It is, was and ever shall be a rock-solid dance party — footstompers, fingerclickers, floorshakers — from start to finish. Every tune a big tune. Simple. Those who’ve been before know this.

After the jump, some memories and info from our co-pilot.

Wondering what I can say to the people who’ve never been before. Perhaps the readers will indulge a bit of history. We started this bash upstairs at the Khyber. We filled that small room; it was, as befitted sinful Old City, pretty lawless. At that time—remember, Joe, that I am not a rocker like you—it was the biggest thing I had been involved in. A few years later we moved it to Silkers on Spring Garden, pre-Bee, pre-Sparks Silkers (RIP). Grew to fill the room. Matador started “sponsoring” the thing insofar as we had giveaways for the best dancers/most underage youts/top wingmen: gig tickets and CD singles and all that rhubarb. With the extra space, it became the pure and sincere indie disco it was begging to be. People hooking up or people breaking up — that’s love stuff, either way. Private magic on the margins of the dancefloor. Very emotional. Somehow, it kept growing. Last year was freaky, hysterical, like a rave. Dudes bashing the turntables and making us rewind. Gals at the front all night long, hands in the air. Big singalongs. Doesn’t really make sense that it keeps growing but it does. Last year there were kids there who couldn’t have been ten years old when “If You’re Feeling Sinister” came out, and they raged and sang just the same as the old heads.

So this is what you might expect on Saturday. Crowded, but if you get there early you can stake out a spot. Always room on the dancefloor to throw shapes but it’ll be hot. An hour of non B&S warmup, you know, the Go-Betweens, “Let’s Kiss and Make Up,” Orange Juice 12″ versions, and then it’s wall-to-wall Belle until we have to shut down. Live versions and sessions and related material for sure (though not likely Looper or the Isobel and Lonnie Donegan efforts) and all your favorites from all the albums, played exactly when the crowd needs it. Get loaded, dress up, be there by 11 at the latest.

This morning, I had a dream that we were throwing the party and someone came up and gave us a copy of the “Starfighter Pilot” single by Polar Bear, the band that went on to be those massive donuts Snow Patrol. The b-side of that single has a young Stuart Murdoch singing—it’s really lovely, one of those B&S footnotes you really need to hear. It’s a love/longing song and Stuart goes “How could I have known you wanted me, you were just so beautiful,” something close to this, I haven’t heard it in at least ten years. Basically, and I realize I am getting mighty doughy here, this is how I feel about this party. Every time this party comes around, I get so surprised even remembering that I get to be at this party, that I’m involved in this party, that this party even exists—it’s just so beautiful.

Til Saturday, then,

Will

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm.