When Café Blue which encompassed the monthly Renaissance nights and Karranga at Creation ceased to be I went into semi-retirement as far as pure dance clubs were concerned. I tended to concentrate more on festivals and going to local mainstream chain clubs with mates. I was shopping in Bristol and noticed a poster featuring a DJ set from Cass one of my heroes at the time. Result! a chance to embrace the type of beats I was yearning for. Unfortunately it was being held on a Thursday night and due to work commitments it was a no no. Nerveless I took a mental note of the promotions night which was called Empathy. Sometime later I noticed another Empathy night this time featuring a local DJ duo by the name of Deepgroove. I had earlier read an article on Deepgroove and learned one half was a DJ by the name of Grayson Shipley. I had followed Grayson from his seminal Lakota days to his residency at Café Blue and was always impressed with his style, technique and selections. Due to a change of employment and working shifts meant I could make the night. I arrived at a small club by the name of Bar Latino buried in the heart of Bristol centre. A small intimate venue pounding out celestial beats with genuine people who were their for their love of the Sonics. I was revitalised, at last a night within driving distance, it was time to come out of retirement, my love affair with Empathy had began.

I quickly got to know the promoter Stu Wilkinson and was impressed with his openness, single mindness and attention to detail. His mission statement, to deliver ultimate value to his customers every time. He had secured a weekly Thursday night and managed to entice such talents as Steve Gerrard, Austin Leeds, Jay Tripwire, Redanka, Hybrid, Greg Vickers, James Holden, Nick Warren, Jody Wisternoff, Pako & Frederick and General Midi. More importantly for me was and still is Stu’s ability to spot up & coming DJs in the electronic house scene. Past examples such as Desyn Masiello, Paolo Mojo, James Holden, Jonathan Lisle, Dave Robertson and not forgetting local talents Sam Richardson, Jim Rivers, Ben Franklin, Jay Russell. Additionally I believe the first British live appearance by The Flash Brothers who have gone on to have club hits notably Amen.

As well as the Bar Latino Residency Stu has taken Empathy around the UK to London's Sub Logic. Global residencies materialised at the Soloclub Aviero Portugal with Drew, a year long stint at Industry 55 in the Czech capital of Prague. The 3000 capacity Beach club Izmir in Turkey, Lodz, Krakov in Poland and recently Greece. Stu has certainly attracted international recognition.

In addition Stu co promotes with legendry Bristol Label Hope, whose artists include Timo Mass, Max Graham, Leon Alexander & Starecase to name but a few. Past events have been Christmas specials featuring Pete Tong’s favourite DJ Loco Dice, Timo Mass and this year’s unforgettable shindig at the Arc Bar with Mr. C, Nick Warren, Hyper, and General Midi. This night that courted controversy with the case of the missing dancing Snowman and as a result The Hope Empathy nights at the Arc Bar have been suspended until further notice.

Two boat parties were held in 2005 the first co hosted with Hope, featuring Breaks Pioneer Adam Freeland, General Midi, Stu himself and just to round off an after party at Ill Bordello featuring rising star and Turnmills resident James Mowbray. The second being an all Empathy affair with technical genius James Zabiela.

With the sad closing of Bar Latino, Empathy was temporally suspended but came back with vengeance at new underground venue Timbuk 2. As with Bar Latino T2 is a small intimate underground venue that represents the true ethos of club culture. Empathy premiered with a blistering night featuring Breaks stalwart Meat Katie, along with new resident Jim Rivers and of course Stu himself. Since then we have seen the talented Stephen Porter form the emerald Isle & on Friday 24th Feb sees up & coming Bedrock star Luke Dzierzek, veteran Jamie Anderson, Stu, Renaissance new boy Jim Rivers & the underrated Mr. Jay Russell.

As well as a very talented DJ & promoter Stu is a genuine warm person who always has time for anyone. During his nights he is darting here and there making sure all the cogs are turning smoothly, but afterwards he is chilled but very critical of his nights. There have been times when he wants to call it a day but thankfully he can’t resist the Empathy drug. As well as promoting Empathy he co runs Label 7 and also holds down a full time job, with which at time of writing involves a project that will have an important impact of the day to day running of Bristol. As usual he takes it all in his stride and is unfazed. He is regarded as the Promoters’ Promoter and is highly respected and revered in the Bristol House scene.

For me personally there are too many nights for me to mention, a few stand out, The Flash Brothers, Hybrid, Greg Vickers, Dislodged, Adam Freeland Boat party and the ultra cool Mr.C at the recent Hope Empathy Christmas special. One thing is for sure I have treasured memories of every night I have attended and feel at a loss when I miss one. Thanks to Stu, Empathy brought me back into the club scene and has given me the vehicle to meet some amazing people.

So go on come down on the 24th & see how Empathy can change your life

MANY MANY THANX STU

Pofililes of Guests for Friday 24th February 10 – 4am

Room1 – Twisted Electro & Techy House
Luke Dzierzek (Silver Planet)
Jamie Anderson (NRK/Fixia)
Stuart Wilkinson (Empathy/CP Recordings)
Jim Rivers (Saw Recordings)

Room2 - Club Neon
Lazerboy
Puffin Jack (Tape)
Mike Bull & Gareth Watkins (Vagisness)

Empathy moves to the 4th Friday of each month with world-class djs from around the world this month we welcome Luke Dzierzek and Jamie Anderson, plus the ever entertaining Stuart Wilkinson (who’s birthday it will be) and Jim Rivers. In room2 we welcome the crazy antics of Club Neon with Lazerboy, Puffin Jack and Gareth Watkins and Mike Bull b2b, arrive early this is gonna be one messy party.

Luke Dzierzek is a name that has made a massive impact on electronic music in the past twelve months. With huge basslines, heavy electro stabs and admirers including the likes of Sasha and Zabiela it's no wonder why. The release of his forward thinking productions have gained many fans the world over and resulted in Dzierzek being recognised as one of the planet's finest up-and-coming talents. 'One Day' and 'Echo' received acclaim from both clubbers and journalists alike, with the EP staying in the Buzz Chart for two weeks and being aired four times on Pete Tong's Essential Selection
Show. This was to soon be followed up by 'Timeless' which following its release in October was at number 1 on DJ downloads Top 10 chart for four weeks and looks set to be the websites 2nd most downloaded track of 2005.
The success of these releases has resulted in an abundance of remix work from the likes of Global Underground, Bedrock, Junior and Cr2, whilst the 'Wrongens & Randoms EP' co-produced with Nick Liousias has already received
major DJ support. Luke is now looking to spread his wings by causing as much devastation behind the decks as in the studio. Gigs have already come in thick and fast with tours of the U.S.A, Mexico, Australia, China and South America
in the pipeline.

Jamie Anderson has established himself as a highly reputed producer and DJ.
Coming from a strong musical background growing up around jazz musicians in West London, he later moved to Bristol where he continued his keyboard training with renowned jazz pianist Dave Buxton - resulting in Jamie playing keyboards for a funk band during the mid 90’s.
Starting his synth collection back in 1981, Jamie also had a love for electronic music and the art of mixing records which has been with him ever since the early electro and hip hop days.
Having founded Artform in 1997, he made his debut solo release on the label with the “Prototype EP”. Now famous for his work with the Bristol based NRK record label, which has led to the release of his debut artist album ‘Blue Music’ and ‘Nite:life’ Mix CD, Jamie has also gained global recognition for his productions on Dave Angel’s Rotation label.
Sending him off on a continuous world tour, Rotation has had the task of successfully managing his hectic DJ schedule for the past 7 years.
Anderson's latest project "Fixia" aims to set a new benchmark for the 21st century. Summing up all the elements of the underground sound to a new point of reference, Fixia is ready to unleash a new burst of life into the scene - commencing with the first instalment in the shape of “Short Stories”.

Timbuk2, Small Street, Street, Bristol, BS1
£6/£7 (£5/£6 NUS)
www.empathyclub.co.uk
empathy_bristol@msn.com
Info – 07799745870

Friday 24th March 10 – 4am
Empathy

Room1 – Breaks/House
Hybrid (Distinctive)
Stuart Wilkinson (Hope)
Jim Rivers (Saw Recordings)
Jay Russell

Room2 - Hijack (Bristol Music Culture)

Empathy continues with a quality line up on the eve of its 5th Birthday in April, this month we welcome our special guests from our 3rd Birthday celebrations Hybrid, the duo were keen to return but we had 2 wait almost 2 years for a break in there hectic schedule touring the globe.
Also we welcome Jay Russell on the launch of his new residency and of course his birthday plus we congratulate residents Jim Rivers on his EP released on Saw Records, go check it out.
This month we have Bristol music culture website Hijack taking over room 2 so expect music from all genres and the usual crazy shenanigans.

Links
Hybrids website www.hybrid-group.com
Distinctive Breaks www.distinctiverecords.com
Hyjack - Bristol Music Culture www.hijackbristol.co.uk
Hybrids new website hybridsoundsystem.com