WHAT: Jungle and Bass
WHO: JnB Productions presents GTM
WHEN: Tuesdays
WHERE: Tommy Africas
Theres a new sound in the Underground and its getting the natives all riled up. Tuesday nights at Tommy Africas has been invaded by jungle and breaks and is bringing in a variety of DJs to serve it up right.
Hosted by JnB Productions, Tommys is poised to give the well-established hip hop night at the Savage Beagle a run for its money.
"There really isnt a club night like ours in Whistler," says JnBs Brandon Thordarson. "Ive lived in Whistler for a few years and know there is fan base here, there are people who want to hear that type of music. The first two nights that we hosted, it seems the people that showed up, theyre not there just because they want to go to a club night, theyre not walking around thinking where should we go, they come to our night because they like jungle and breaks and they want to dance and thats what they like."
Last week in particular exceeded the clubs and JnBs expectations. The 175 patrons were more than enthusiastic, sales were more than estimated and management couldnt have been more pleased. Part of that success must be attributed to JnB (which stands for jungle and breaks or founders Jamie and Brandon) and its customer-friendly business attitude.
"The no cover thing really works for us. If people dont have to pay five bucks, thats one more drink they can have at the bar. And as a promoter, we usually end up making that back because once you break the quota for bar sales we get a percentage. Everyone is happy because the customer doesnt feel like theyve had to pay anything up front, but those dollars will still get spent," explains Thordarson.
July 24 features GTM. This Vancouver DJ is kicking off a cross country promotion and brings a new arsenal to Tommys.
"GTM stands for Gargantuan Thrill Machine," said Thordarson. "Hes been producing for about five years and has played all over Vancouver and Whistler. He and MC Sweat put together a three-track album of break beats. This is his third record release and hes starting his tour in Whistler and will be going right across Canada with a few gigs in Seattle."
Thordarson is hoping to build a small but loyal fan base this summer with the potential to explode in the coming winter. Jungle, he says, is quickly becoming mainstream and with the influx of seasonal international visitors who have already caught on to that style of music, Tommys tiki jungle will be shaking on Tuesdays.
"The underground isnt really underground anymore," Thordarson says. "Youre hearing hip hop on the radio and jungle on TV. I was watching a car commercial the other day and they were playing drum and bass. People dont even realize what theyre listening to. Those same people are now going into clubs and recognizing and liking that kind of music."