Trevor O'Loughlin (mUmU) Interview

Image: mUmU

Reinvention has been a constant component of the Liverpool clubnight mUmU's trajectory. As they hurtle towards six years of activity with a stunning party that features Radio Slave, Gary Beck, Ryan Elliot and more, it marks a new direction which sees them stripping down the focus for more intimate gatherings in their new home Kitchen Street.

There they will be putting the focus on one DJ to deliver extended sets through the underground scope of house and techno (the first is on March 8th with Mathias Kaden at the helm), whilst maintaining their relationship with London superclub Fabric and throwing the occasional surprise and curveball to the formula.

After six years of being at the cusp of things in Liverpool, enlisting everyone from Ben Klock to John Heckle (stream his live set above) to bring the funk, they're proving their ability to shift once again. Ahead of the Birthday we caught up with mUmU main man Trevor O'Loughlin to talk through the highlights since they set up shop back in 2008:

Hi Trevor, thanks for speaking to us. For those who may not have heard of mUmU, tell us what you are and what you are about.

mUmU is house, techno & live electronic music. We started in 2008, a strong group of friends having spent a few seasons  in Ibiza wanting to get together regularly back in the UK. From humble beginnings we now specialise in taking over interesting and/or disused industrial spaces/warehouses in Liverpool predominately.

The idea is to throw our parties with the worlds best underground house / techno artists. We also achieve this in London by working with Fabric exclusively hosting Room Three several times a year. 

What was the very first event like, and whop was playing?

The first party was in the now defunct 3345 (above Parr St recording studios) in Liverpool. A Sunday daytime party for Ibiza friends who travelled from far and wide. about 80 very cool and amazing people turned up and mates essentially played records to mates... and we had it off. Lee Rands (mUmU resident) played the very first record that night.

Who have been the key DJs for you over the past six years, including guests and residents?

At the beginning Clive Henry from Circo Loco played a massive part, he's a top guy and one of our pals from our time in Ibiza. As we grew and evolved other artists became heavily involved. Matthais Tanzmann, Anja Schneider and Mathias Kaden having particularly strong ties over the years.

Recently Gary Beck and Ryan Elliott have become regular fixtures and top guys too. The one steadfast has always been Lee Rands (check his Realm podcast below). Involved since day one and the best resident you could wish for. Intuitively able to read the crowd, supreme tune selector and great drinking partner too! 

You've had a nomadic existence in Liverpool with several venues utilised over the years. What do you feel has been the benefit of this approach, and do you think it'll be something you'll continue to do in the future?

The nomadic approach has been a defining factor in what makes mUmU stand out from a lot of other parties in my opinion. 20 venues used in Liverpool, 9 in London and more planned for 2014. It massively increases the excitement of mUmU to know its going to be somewhere different on a regular basis. Most times its rare, edgy and industrial. We will absolutely be continuing to uncover these spaces in the future, alongside our current pop up venue project Kitchen Street.

Where else have the events been other than Liverpool?

We have held one off Parties in Glasgow, Belfast & Manchester. We host regular London gigs and have done for 5 years. We have worked with Fabric in London for the last 3 years and have hosted summer seasons on the beach at Sands in Ibiza and occasional nights at Space as part of We Love...

We know it must be tough, but could you pick two highlights of the last six years? What would they be, and why?

Wow, tough one... I think the first party at the old Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley dock is certainly one. An amazing part derelict building full of Liverpool history. We wrestled with that building for two weeks before the Boxing Night gig, it had no electricity, toilets etc. It snowed and the roof leaked but it all came together and to see it going off on the night after all that graft was a thing of beauty!

The second will be the 6th birthday on the 1st February, this will be the culmination of six years of knock out gigs, its our favourite line up ever and will go down in mUmU legend. Not to hype it up or anything....

What is coming up in the future for mUmU?

We are changing the blueprint for the rest of 2014 for mUmU. Every box has been ticked for us over 6 years, some boxes many times over, so we want to take it back to foundation level. mUmU 'sessions' starting 8th March, is one DJ playing an extended set in a small intimate venue.

We have some amazing established mUmU guests confirmed for this concept and we can't wait to get back to basics, allowing our favourite artists to express themselves all night long to a clued up crowd. One or two other surprises are planned along the way too I might add. 

 And finally, if you could take the event anywhere in the world with three DJs and a live act playing, who would you pick and where would you go? 

Another tough one... I guess for me this would have to be hosting a mUmU night at Panoramabar, what a special venue this is. An amazing mix of people from all corners. DJ wise Id have to say genuinely Lee Rands followed by Ryan Elliott and Gary Beck to finish - that's my personal choice anyway. As for the live act, well that would have to be me - dancing like a Loon in front of them!

Like this? Try Throwback Thursday: Radio Slave's Muzik Mag Bedroom Bedlam mix (1998)

Looking into what Festivals to do this summer? We are too. Keep your finger on the festival pulse at our special section right here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event