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Jon Pleased Wimmin

Jon Pleased Wimmin

For World Aids Day this year, Jon Pleased Wimmin joins us for a special Christmas edition of his party #Pleased! Joining him is Tasty Tim, Paul Woods, Grizzle aka John Sizzle and A Man To Pet and Ma Butcher for a drag extravaganza over both floors of Superstore, with a portion of the door going to support local charity Positive East. Ahead of the party we caught up with Jon Pleased Wimmin to find out more about the party and her musical legacy...

Who is Jon Pleased Wimmin ?

I'm a spooky old DJ whose been dressing up and spinning tunes since 1991, from London to Tokyo and beyond.

What are your most treasured memories from Kinky Gerlinky and Glam?

Well, Gerlinde & Michael who ran Kinky, certainly knew how to throw a party! The mix of people, the relaxed set list and the feeling that everything could topple over at any minute is what made their parties so extraordinary. It's at Kinky that Jenny & Danny Rampling first saw my two co-horts (Darren & Peter) and I performing as The Pleased Wimmin and invited us to come and work as 'dancers' for them at Glam at The Milk Bar. What made that so special and life-changing was that we were in amongst a totally mixed crowd (whereas before, most clubs, including Kinky where we would go were predominantly gay) I was never into the original 'rave' scene as I love dressing up too much and don't find the thought of standing around in a field that appealing. So this was like an epiphany for me, to be able to express myself and not feel like I had to hide within a 'gay' ghetto was very liberating. Needless to say I have never really wanted to return to the narrow confines of 'gay' clubbing since.

Why did you decide to cover The Flirts for your first single?

Well, Passion is probably still in my top 10 favourite tracks ever, it's just so bloody sleazy and amyl-tastic. We got hooked up with Norman Cook, through our good friend and neighbour Lindy Layton and he wanted to make a track with me as my DJing career was taking off and he was just getting into making house music on his Southern Fried label. It turns out that Norman was a massive fan of Passion too, so it was decided that was a good option. 

What are your favourite pop music curveballs to sneak into a set?

Memorabilia (The Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) by Soft Cell and the Steve Thompson Remix of The Sun Always Shines on TV by A-Ha are up there. I also have quite a lot of edits that I make, things like Just Can't get Enough by Depeche Mode and Love is a Stranger by Eurythmics. The kind of electronic pop that was so ahead of its time it still sounds fresh and current, really.

What's your favourite track from the compilation album you put together Female Trouble: Divine – The Remixes?

Oh god............... probably Shoot Your Shot, though they sound a little dated now.

What was the first house record that turned your head?

Well, being a massive pop head and coming from more of a new wave/goth background, it was things like KLF, Baby Ford, S'Express and The Beloved that really got excited. The early stuff on Creation records with Weatherall and Fluke etc were and still are a massive inspiration. I was never into the souley stuff with big divas and all that. Tracks like Finally by Cece Peniston and Free by Ultra Nate bring me out in hives.

Why the reincarnation of #Pleased and why now?

I took quite a few years off from DJing, went to university to study Popular Music and kind of naturally came back to it a few years ago. Things definitely go in cycles and while my sets are mainly made up of new music, there seems to be a hunger and reappraisal for the 'anything could happen' vibe of early to mid '90s clubs. It's all been very organic and I think it's more to do with an attitude, not being afraid to party things up a bit, but keeping the quality up, which seems to be totally relevant again. 

As I’ve said before, I take my music very seriously, but it doesn't mean all my music has to be very serious.

Who's your idol?

Blimey, there a lots of people who I admire and find inspiring...

Grayson Perry, Val Denham, Gavin Friday, Marc Almond, Patrick Cowley, Kate Bush, Joan Collins, Stuart Price, Richard X and Andrew Weatherall for starters.

What does the future hold for JPW?

I'm releasing new music next year, which is really exciting and I shall be playing all over the joint. More #Pleased parties and more shenanigans with my Dare! and Church of High Kicks parties too.

What can people expect from the night?

People can expect to have a scream, with a bouncy soundtrack and an open-minded atmosphere. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure people have a fun night, meet lovely people and let their hair down to quality music.

I'm really looking forward to playing with Tasty Tim and Paul Woods again too, and seeing the inimitable Ma Butcher!

Tell us a secret.........

Ma Butcher made her fortune selling her firstborn to Hollywood to star in Babe.

Three Pleased classics?

Oooh.

1. Paloma Faith - Can't Rely on You (MK remix)

2. Sain II - It's Alright

3. Jon Pleased Wimmin - Don't be Scared (Of Yourself)

A current favourite track?

Romanthony - Trust (Freeform Five Rmx)

Join Jon Pleased Wimmin for #Pleased at Dalston Superstore on Friday 5th December from 9pm - 3am.

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Jon Pleased Wimmin

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