Well the last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind. Not only did we win a lifetime achievement award with the M.E.N but we were asked to be the first guests of 2012 on the Skiddle podcast.

Click to find out how to listen to the guest mix and interview with Funkademia founder, Dave Payne

The Disco Mums will be making their Funkademia debut this Saturday. They will be taking over the Baby Funk room to help us celebrate 16 years of Funkademia. We had a chat with them…

How did the Disco Mums come together?
DIsco Mums met in Manchester more than 10 years ago hanging around club nights like Electric Chair, Friends and family, aficionado, Drama etc. Luke Unabomber and Moggsy put us on as Disco Mums at the One Deck Sessions at Electrik (Chorlton) a couple of years ago for mother’s day as a bit of a laugh and we had a riot and now we just can’t stop.

What were your earliest musical inspirations?
It’s vast! And there are loads of us! But we all agree on plenty like Motown, Stevie Wonder, Chic, Beach Boys, Change, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Talking Heads, Francois K, Larry Levan, Geraldine is a Frenchie so there’s a whole other influence there. Emma was majorly influenced by her dad. But we all clicked as mates over music and were educated at some brilliant nights in Manchester between 1995 – 1999, listening to the likes of Andrew Weatherall, James Holroyd, Johnny Abstract, Irfan Rainy, Unabombers……from Soul music to Detroit techno, electro, deep house….it’s pretty endless. Obviously we should mention Top of the Pops, Pop Idol, Hit Man and Her and Ken Bruce Radio here too…..

If you could go out for a drink with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be & why?
Well Debbie Harry has our T-shirt and apparently she wants to go for a drink with us ……

You’ve played at a few festivals this year, which one was your favourite and why?
Manchester International Festival at the pavilion was one of the best things we’ve done, it was a Sunday afternoon and everyone was sat having lunch really chilled at the start but by the last hour it absolutely went off, Emma played the Frankie Knuckles version of Ain’t Nobody and everyone’s hands were in the air, these Italian kids came in and started off a conga, it was hilarious and absolutely buzzing atmosphere, we didn’t stop smiling for weeks. Playing at Electric Elephant in Croatia was unbelievable, it was a beautiful setting and playing on a lineup with some of your heroes…..

When you’re not DJ’ing what do you spend your time doing?
The little people keep us pretty busy so obviously we’re all into Lego, hopscotch and baking. Love a bit of Primark-no –Kidz. Emma loves her Make-Up, Jane Slack doesn’t mind a bit of politics.

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HouseWork by Disco Mums

Simon Ozbizton will be on warm up duties this weekend at Funkademia. Here’s a lovely mix he’s done for us. He’ll be joined by Les Croasdaile in the main room with Myk Nolan taking over the Baby Funk room with some Northern Funk flavours!

YESTERDAY’S JAM’S TODAY!! by SimonOzbizton

Tonight we welcome Gareth Brooks for his new monthly back room residency. He’ll be playing classic hip hop and RnB on the 1st Saturday of the month. Here’s a cheeky mix he’s done to get you in the mood

hip hop. by brooks.

45 minutes of Funkademia tunes that are remixed, edited or alternative versions of the originals. Tunes from Gamm, Hot Toddy, Breakbeat Junkie, Dimitiri from Paris, The Players Union, Rayko and The Owl.

Funkademia Remixed by FUNKADEMIA

Here’s a new mix from our man from th’ills of Bolton, Cristoff. He returns to Mint Lounge for Funkademia this Saturday August bank holiday weekend or catch him every Thursday at The Blackdog Ballroom with Luke Unabomber for The Kennel Club.

Friday Facebook Funk Volume Two – Cristoff by FUNKADEMIA

This Saturday we welcome Disco’s Revenge back to Funkademia. If you missed last month then you missed a sell out party in the back room with David Dunne playing classic house from the past 20 years.

This weekend we welcome Ian Williams to raise the bar that little bit further. Here’s a mix of Ian’s to get in the mood, its live from Maximes back in 1994!!

Ian Williams live at Maximes, Wigan in 1994 by Ian Williams

Gat Décor – Passion
MC Buzz B – Things Never Change
Think Tank – Hack One
Corina – Temptation (pella)
Corina – Temptation
Double Dee – Found Love
Rhythm Foundation – Let The Whole World Know
Collapse – My Love
Disco Brothers present… – Nu Luv
K Klass – Rhythm Is A Mystery
Parra Dice – Can You Hear Me
Bassheads – Is There Anybody Out There (2 copies)
Lisa Generates Power (bootleg)
Evolution – Metropolis (Sasha’s I Can’t Stop This Feeling mix)
Brothers Love Dubs – The Mighty Ming
Frank De Wulf – The Tape
Young MC – Bust A Move
Young MC – Know How
Bizarre Inc – Playing With Knives
Seduction – You’re My One And Only (True Love)
Expose – Tell Me Why
Transformer 2 – Pacific Symphony
Sterling Void – It’s Alright (pella)
Asha – JJ Tribute

We welcome back Simon Ozbizton this weekend alongside Trafford Lovething. Here’s a little mix of classic upbeat Funk he’s done to get you in the mood. Enjoy!

IS IT FUNK YOU AFTER? by SimonOzbizton

Tracklist
Bar Kays – Lets Have Some Fun
Freedom – Get Up And Dance
Juice – Feel Like Good Music
Love Unlimited Orchestra – Midnight Groove ReEdit
Eddie Drennon – Do What You Gotta Do
Dee Dee Bridgewater – Sweet Rain ReEdit
Part Authority Soul Band – Super Strut
7 Mile Per Hour Band – At The Disco
Pleasure – Joyous DJD/Blackbeard ReEdit
Black Science Orchestra – New Jersey Deep
Betty Wright – Got It Right Moxie 7
Fumi – Straight No Filter Only Child Remix
UB’s – Got You
Quantic – Don’t Joke With A Hungry Man
J Walk – Caught On The Hop
Raydio – For Those Who Like To Groove
Discognosis – Step By Step Todd Terje Re-Step
Blackbyrds – Happy Music
Peacemakers – Don’t Push Your Luck
Barbara Acklin – Am I The Same Girl

Buy Tickets

David Dunne takes over the back room at Funkademia on Saturday 12th February for Disco’s Revenge. The ex Galaxy FM & Hed Kandi Dj will be blasting out house classics from 1990 – 2005.

“I view house as disco’s revenge” – Frankie Knuckles, 1990

Check out this little taster featuring includes T-Empo, Todd Terry and Shawn Christopher.

DDs funkademia house classics mix by GFTS-FUNKADEMIA