Empathy has been putting on events all over Europe and of course its home in Bristol, with an array of djs and producers from Nick Warren to James Holden to Timo Maas to Adam Freeland to James Zabiela, Empathy covers a broad spectrum from electro to breaks to tech house to progressive, its always been a messy party since the Summer Specials on the terrace on a Thursday night at Bar Latino to the Empathy allnighters in its 2nd home in Prague to the mental boat parties down the river avon.
Emerging to Bristols clubbing scene at Bar Latino in 2001 holding weekly Thursday nights until it closed in easter 2005, after a 2 succesful boat parties moved to the most consistent and loveable club Timbuk2 on Small St.
The Early days
Born on the 29th March 2001 at its previous residential venue Bar Latino, it was the weekly Thursday soirees that were always making the headlines in the local press with its vast array of guests from every corner of the globe such as Jay Tripwire from Canada, Pako & Frederick from Holland, Jondi & Spesh from Los Angeles, Austin Leeds from Miami, a fantastic live set from the Flash Brothers, Phil K from Australia and many many more. Plus it also gave way for local bedroom jocks to play alongside some heavy weight UK based djs such Cass, 2nd Birthday Guest Main Element, Joanathan Lisle, Greg Vickers, James Holden, James Talk.
There are many reasons Empathy took off the way it did with progressive house being very popular at the right time, with Bristol having some good roots in dance music with WayOutWest, Hope Recordings, Starecase, NRK and the Full Cycle Crew, it was clear Bristol was booming and there was a gap for a quality Thursday night crowd with a interest in good music, there was always a chance Massive Attack or Nick Warren or the cast of casualty might pop in for grope of the highly popular pillar in the middle of the dance floor.
Hope Recordings
It was around 2002 and Empathy promoter Stuart Wilkinson started working closely with Hope Recording with various projects. The first one being a collaboration for a clubnight at Blue Mountain. “Loop” was a monthly Friday with Dan Wilcox and Stuart Wilkinson as residents with guests such as Nick Warren, Dj Remy, Ashley Casselle and Jean Jaques Smoothie.
The next plan of attack was the Hope Vs Empathy Christmas Party with a 4hr set from Timo Maas and Loco Dice alongside Jody WayOutWest, Starecase, Jean Jaques Smoothie and Hope Recordings head honcho Leon Alexander.
One of the most memorable Hope associated parties had to be the WayOutWest Boat party, it was an incredible day, a sunny summers Sunday afternoon sailing down the river avon towards Hanham with Nick & Jody playing exclusive tracks from there new album, you had to of been there!
The next Boat Party Adam Freeland just about made it after a very dramatic appearance at a Czech festival, its certainly was a evening to remember, then on to the afterparty with Mixmags James Mowbray tearing the roof off Il Bordello!
Since then there has been quite a few parties with Hyper, General Midi and Parrallel Sound at Bar Latino plus Mt C, Nick Warren, Hyper at Arc then in 2006 at Timbuk2 the hugely popular Dave Seaman from AudioTherapy alongside 16Bit Lolitas and Jody.
Bar Latino
The Cavernous club was pretty much unknown till the boost it was given from regular nights there such as Rubiks, Timecode and Funly Onion. The Garden Terrace was the main feature with the Empathy Summer Specials being very popular especially with Big Mikes BBQ on offer the Big Mike with Cheese was always being munched.
In 2003 it was given a dramatic facelift which gave it a new edge and it grew alongside Empathy’s success, Pete Tong even mentioned Empathy on his Essential Selection Empathy was the best up and coming clubnight, which nearly made Stuart crash his car!
Residents
The one thing a good clubnight needs and that’s great residents, all 6 residents have proved to be able to do the fundamental things a resident needs to be capable of warming up, entertain and pull out some killer tunes when needed.
Nick Farrant was there at the start and his style of deep percussive house was perfect for warming up or the much fun slinky back rooms at Creation.
Sam Richardson was one of the most enthusiastic djs ever played at a Empathy event, with some very strange records but still had the confidence to educate a crowd without loosing them but still made them dance.
Jim Rivers was regular guest from the moment he passed over demo in 2003, even when he wasn’t playing he would come down and check everyone out. When Empathy moved lock stick and barrel to Timbuk2 Jim launched his residency, The Boy Rivers is also on a mission, his recent productions are hugely popular with all the big jocks and expect some serious things from him in 2007.
In January 2005 Empathy brought in Chicago resident Jay Russell hes a hit with the ladies and is technically gifted, plus he can work the dancefloor into a frenzy!
The only resident to be there throughout is Empathy front man Stuart Wilkinson, more on him later.
Global
Industry55 was the venue for Empathy bi monthly stint, with residents Stuart Wilkinson, Petr Holman and Mysh plus various guests from all over europe treated the 600 capacity club to some amazing nights over a 12 month period until the venue was sadly turned into apartments.
In 2004 Empathy secured a monthly date at Sub Logic in the West End of London, the 200 capacity venue with Graham Dunn from Groove Exponents Dj Agency and Stuart as resident’s.
With some amazing guests from Sumsonic Chris Gainer, Lee Morrison from Wallop, Chris Salt from Silver Planet and many more.
In 2006 Empathy hosted T3 at Turnmills in Clerkenwell West London with Jamie Anderson, Nigel Marcussen, Andy Newland plus the lovely resseis.
Stuart Wilkinson
The man behind it all first moved to Bristol in 2000 and soon got a job working for OutOfHand magazine, distributing the magazine to all the clubs across the south west, it wasn’t long before he got a gig here and there and soon realised the potential of Bar Latino after the OutOfHand Christmas party, he was lucky enough to secure weekly Thursdays.
After a while Stuart’s popularity as a result of Empathy grew with Bookings at Slinky, Creamfields (Festival & Warm Up Parties), a guest mix on Europa Radio, gigs in Turkey, Portugal plus various tours of Poland and coutless gigs in and around Bristol
He has recently been installed of top Bristol clubnight Dirty Blue, its monthly parties at Arc have seen some amazing guests and gives Stuart a chance to really flex his muscles and play a real party set.
Label7
In January 2006 Label7 was launched a collaboration between 7 music lovers to offer a good quality source for live and decent music. Although this has no real similarities to Empathy it aims to give a different slant on what Empathy can offer.
Keep a eye on Dubrovnik, Bosch Stacey, Al Tourettes, Sine18 and Jr Savage.
Timbuk2
Recently Empathy has grown and currently pulls an amazing crowd to its current monthly residency at Timbuk2 on Small Street in Bristol. The launch in September 2005 saw Meat Katie pull a huge crowd, in 2006 there were 2nd Birthday guests Hybrid, Luke Dziereck, Lee Burrudge, Guy Gerber, Chloe, James Zabiela, Jonathan Lisle and Paolo Mojo. Towards the end of the year Empathy collaborated with Oxjam to put on a party to remember with Jedi Knight Tom Middleton at the helm.
2007 sees some amazing guests with Paul Woolford in February, another annual goat fest, an one off special for the 6th Birthday with some massive guests
www.empathyclub.co.uk is currently under construction please use THIS INSTEAD
Click on the links below for the websites of the Empathy residents
Stuart Wilkinson (Hope/Label7/CP Recordings)
Jim Rivers (Saw/Saved/Eq)
Dave Kirik(Drama)