DHN Records Launch Party - They Call It Cool ...

Click here to view our photo gallery of the event.

After uncertainty, cancellations and an eleventh-hour change of venue, the official launch of DHN Records. And, like all last-minute nights out, it was a classic! <p>

Fish Go Deep’s regular night in the sprawling Savoy venue was to host, until it had to close its doors due to a licensing issue. On Wednesday night, the word was out – the gig was in City Limits club. This was new territory, literally, for many local househeads, whose previous excursions to City Limits were limited to being dragged there, if not kicking and screaming, then certainly grumbling loudly. Usually by a girlfriend’s best mate with one too many birthday tipples. The club is not known for the quality of its music policy (to put it politely), but in a city where the dance scene has been in decay for months now, people were more than willing to take a leap of faith.

Of course, when Fish Go Deep are in town, you’re never taking much of a risk as far as the quality of music is concerned. Live band Fusty, however, was still something of an unknown quantity for some, but they left with no doubts as to the class these guys have already reached after a relatively short time on the international scene. Having established their reputation at regular spots in the respected “Salty” night, their reputation was enhanced further from the first note played. A fluid, yet passionate set followed and head-nodding was quickly discarded in favour of boisterous cheers of appreciation. Featuring a veritable musical arsenal of keyboards (2), saxophones (2), bongos, drums, bass, guitar and vocals, Fusty began a funk-fuelled onslaught that had the audience readily hooked. Members trotted between instruments with consummate ease, including lead singer Barry Fitzgerald, joining a stirring double bongo solo session.

Barry’s reggae-tinged vocals blended effortlessly with the up tempo house / funk styling around him. The comparisons with Jamiroquai and Finley Quaye are sure to become commonplace, but if there’s any justice in this world, they will be achieving their level of success before long. After a well-deserved and demanded encore, Greg Dowling [Fish Go Deep] had the unhappy task of putting paid to shouts for another, but made amends as he launched into a sublime set of his own.

Playing an appropriate return from their slightly tougher sound of late, the crowd reveled in the tighter, more intimate surroundings of the duo’s temporary abode, as familiar chants and cheers greeted each tune like an old friend. This was not lost on the duo, bouncing around the DJ box, despite the fact that it clearly wasn’t designed for two. Their looks of mischievous delight has been an all-too-rare sight of late, and even allowing for the novelty factor of simply playing a new venue, a lot must be (and certainly was) said for the unlikely suitability of City Limits as a host for Go Deep. By the end of the night, both the lads were visibly happier than they’ve been in quite a while after a gig in Cork, and the music reflected this, combining upbeat new tracks with favourites like a smooth remix of Andy Caldwell’s "I Can’t Wait", and Shazz’s inspiring "Innerside".

So an exciting night to kicks off exciting times for DHN Records, and doubtlessly for all involved in the triumph that was last Saturday night. Fusty have confirmed the talent and appeal most already knew they had. The success of this gig may have come at an opportune time for both. For all those who couldn’t be there, check out these artists when they come to a spot near you. Or listen to them in glorious vinyl stereo on DHN Records first release “Sound Scapes: Ireland”, available at the start of September in your local record store, or pick one up in our competition. Here’s to new beginnings!

www.fusty.ie

Ken Ronney