by: Juan Porrata
This month's profile comes to you in the form of Robert Taylor, both a
club and underground party staple in Dallas since the early 90's.
Robert started his DJ career in his home town of Wichita Falls at the
age of 16 and quickly became popular in the town's small club scene.
That eventually led to his friend opening the nightclub 724 a.d., the
heartbeat of which would be Roberts DJing. After repeatedly traveling
to Dallas and being lured by the new sounds of techno and house music as well as the
clubs that played it (Starck Club, Sparx, Empire, Aqua Lounge,
Industry, and others), Robert couldn't resist the pull of D-town.
Early in 1991 He packed up his records and not much else and headed to
Dallas. He quickly found a job at Autobahn Records, a roomate named DJ
Red Eye, and a DJ gig at the then hot spot Club Clearview. That gig is
where he met Cle (Hazy Daze vet. DJ) and where the two decided to take
a journey to the west coast party scene. Inspired by the San Francisco
underground, Cle and Robert came back home to team up with another new
arrival to Dallas, DJ Hipp-e. The three formed a crew and quickly
started throwing warehouse and outdoor free parties (or raves) under
the name The Good Vibe Tribe. Along with this formula, being a club resident throughout Dallas at clubs like the original 2826, Club One, and others primed him for what was to come next.
Following Hipp-e's trail from Denver, Ian Collingwood and Sean Holland
arrived in Dallas on a mission, to form a collectif of like minded
people who would eventually change how Dallas partied. After a few
parties thrown under the name Home Grown Productions, Dallas saw the
departure of both Cle and Hipp-e. Robert, Ian, Sean, and a collection
of incredibly talented people (too many great names to mention) formed
the Hazy Daze Collectif. Robert also owned IGS (Intergalactic Groove Source), the record store which became the epicenter, occasional party spot and mappoint for most of the Hazy Daze indoor and outdoor renegade parties.
In addition, he formed another smaller sub-collectiff
called Family Groove with DJ A1 and Mike Constantino. Family Groove
threw the legendary Sunday weeklys at the historically notorious
nightclub S.O.A. which was vital to Dallas bringing many artists such as Derrick
Carter, the Hardkiss Bros., John Howard, Spencer Kincey, and Mark
Farina, to name a few, for the first time. Family Groove
also gave Dallas their first taste of then local newbies Lance
Desardi, JT Donaldson, and Demarkus Lewis.
This movement went on for several years and gave Dallas the largest
parties they had seen to date including the much reminisced Earth
series of outdoor parties with the DIY guys from Nottingham, UK. With
the eventual dissolution of the Collectif (which moved to all parts of
the globe), Robert remained here in Dallas and continued holding
various club residencies including Casbah, Sense, Candleroom, Medici,
Minc, and Zubar.
Most recently, Robert and his roommate Scotty (Redeye) have been on
the production tip under the guise of Kold Comfort Farm doing some
phenomenal releases with various artists which have gained them
international attention. Now most recently he has set his sights on a
new musical movement called Stereo on Strike formed by himself and Wanz
Dover. Stereo on Strike is poised to set the new standard of parties
in Dallas.
Please tell us about your new Stereo on Strike night. Where can people
check it out as well as what kind of musical format can they expect
and who is involved?
I am an electronic (i.e., techno, house) DJ with a background in
various indie rock. Wanz is a indie rocker with a passion for techno (and all other quality electronic music).
STEREO ON STRIKE is the crossroads to create a paradigm shift.
STEREO ON STRIKE will make rockers dance and house heads rock !!!
STEREO ON STRIKE is the melting pot of quality party music !!!
Our next party is @ Minc on Friday 9/28/07
What are you feelings on clubs now playing much more than just
traditional dance and even incorporating rock?
Where is that happening in Dallas? (except Stereo On Strike)
Let me Know, I will attend and let you know.
Any current Kold Comfort Farm remixes underway we can look forward to?
The Latest : Vernon & Dacosta - You Is Crazy (Kold Comfort Farm
"Straight jack it" mix) Icon Records
I recall back in the early 90's a one time live PA from Family Groove
(Robert and Arnold/A1) - any thoughts of taking the the Kold Comfort
Farm act live and direct? Is Scotty working on the costumes as we
speak?
DJ A1 and eye-see-dreams (myself) as Dubcraft (Dub-downtempo-chill) live @ "Alice T. Kook & The Temple Of Tweek". The acid Kool-aid conspiricy pyramid party... Yes it happened... and well... the title says it all...
As for KCF... We're always live baby!!! As far as costumes... Check us out at the Zubar anniversary party (wed 9/26/07). It's a prison/jailhouse theme
dress affair. Kold Comfort Farm also presents Liquid Courage @ Zubar Every Sunday - cheap drinks / no cover.
