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

Happy Christmas from all at Funkademia and a massive thanks for your support in 2011…

We’re back on New Year’s Eve for the biggest party happening in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. Our £10 tickets are flying out and they’ll go up to £15 at 5pm on the 27th December, but only if we have any left!

We have sold out every year for the past 15 years so don’t take the risk…

Get your tickets now from funkademia.net/tickets

We caught up with Funkademia resident DJ, Trafford Lovething, to talk about George Clinton, who is appearing at the HMV Ritz in Manchester

What do you think of the music scene in Manchester at the moment?

A. Manchester is the home to the worlds greatest music scene.. we do have the advantage of all the great clubs that started here and musicians that come here. Northern Soul has its roots around here and Top of the Pop’s was filmed on plymouth grove for years. Stevie Wonder, The Jacksons, Prince – everyone has played in Manchester. We get the best because we know what quality is, good music has been played here so long it’s in the water.

How big is the funk scene in Manchester?

A.Big – But its not news it just IS. No one dies, no one overdoses and we don’t need to be photographed going in or out of the club so the funk scene doesn’t fit into the news agenda and doesn’t get reported. We just get on with playing great funky dance records to clubs full of people who are having a great time.

Have you seen George Clinton before?

I saw him at Belle Vue in the 70’s and when he played a four hour set at the Hacienda. We spent a further 5 hours talking back stage with George and Maceo (Parker) about the history of funk and the importance of mischief in the world.

His style is chaotic like a medieval carnival. The gigs are a celebration of funk, he processes onto the stage and venue with a glorious pantomime of musicians and tears the roof off the sucker.. “ people in hear are funky, people outside eat s***”

George is Bacchus the god of plenty, Ganesha the remover of obstacles.. “Funk not only moves it can re-move” .. he layers satire and mischief with infections hook lines over a phat funky base and beats to move your feet’s. I see his smile every time I play a tune at Funkademia that makes the whole room hoop with joy..

What influence did George Clinton have on you and indeed the funk genre?

I stowed away in the Mothership with George and the afronaults. I would have never been a Dj played at Funkademia, Manumission, Hacienda or started Carwash UFO – without his example and dress sense.

George Clinton, Parliament and funkadelic are the age old undisputed truth that to be alive we must bang the drum and make a joyful noise. George is part of the whole movement of dance music that is growing, adapting and evolving all the time, he was bright enough to get aboard in the 1960’s and honest enough to keep the faith.. As the last Poets chant “Funk is you, Funk is me, Funk is us, Funk is free..”

I’m not the only performer to be influenced by George and the P- funk we all are.. Prince is a total funkadelic , Dee Lite with Bootsy Collins, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Primal Scream got him to produce albums. Snoop and Dr Dre use so many Clinton samples we all now know all his back catalogue.

Why do you think Manchester is the only date outside London?

I’m surprised he wants to play London. Manchester is the UK home of Funk and music in general. This is where the PARTIES AT.. Make my funk the P-FUNK , I wants to get FUNKED UP …..

Anyting else you would like to add?

One of the great images of Xmas is the story of the Angelic host appearing to the shepherds out side Bethlehem . I my mind its Funkadelic and earth wind and fire. Bootsy on bass, Baily on vocals, Clinton Conducting and mayby Lovething on Triangle. Merry Xmas to the world..

Catch Funkademia DJ, Trafford Lovething at its home in the Northern Quarter on 17th December. Click for the Funkademia full dates

New Years Eve in Manchester is a great night. This year Funkademia is spending new years eve at our Manchester home, Mint Lounge, right in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter on Oldham Street.

Funkademia new years eve events have sold out every year, so we advise that you get your ticket for NYE as early as possible, we are please to say tickets are selling fast this year. All the £5 early bird tickets have now gone but we still have recession busting £10 tickets on sale.

This year we have a new years eve musical treat for you. Crowd favourites Gareth Brooks and Les Croasdaile are in the Mint Lounge main room, playing all the big Funkademia tunes from the last 16 years, plus its a Dance Lady Dance takeover in the babyfunk room with pop and dance classics all night long.

Funkademia NYE 2011 : 2012 tickets ON SALE HERE.

(Exclusive to Skiddle.com)

We have some pictures up from previous New Years Eve Events in Manchester.

NYE into 2011 at Mint Lounge are FEATURED HERE.

Thanks to Tunafish Media

George Clinton has played a pivotel musical role at Funkademia with at least one of his tunes being played each week. So we were honoured to be asked to provide a DJ to support him when he bring’s his parliament funkadelic band to the HMV Ritz on Thursday 1st December.

You can buy tickets here

Or to be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets just comment on this post with your favourite George Clinton tune and we’ll pick a winner at random on Monday 28th November at 5pm

Take a look at this documentary all about George

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.

Follow Disco Mums on Twitter

Find out more info about Disco Mums on Facebook

HouseWork by Disco Mums

This Saturday night we celebrate being 16 years old with the sounds of Graeme Hawley in the main room. We caught up with Graeme for an exclusive chat…

What were your earliest musical inspirations?
Parts of my childhood could amount to musical abuse! You were never far from an Abba Album or Genesis in our house. Fortunately my parents also had practically every Beatles Album so that just about saved me. When I was fourteen I bought my first New Order Album I and a Happy Mondays 12 inch. I never played “Invisible Touch” again!!

How did you get into DJ’ing?
I had several mates who were DJ’s at various nights in Manchester. Eventually, covering for them for 5 mins while they went for a piss turned into my own sets! Then I got offered a radio show with Jeff Hordley about 7 years ago and it all spiralled from there.

A lot of people recognise you from Coronation Street but what was your first acting break? And how did you get into acting?
My first ever professional job was playing Edmund in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe on Stage. My big TV break was at Fourteen in a kids series called Kappatoo. It was a Si-Fi programme, Denise Van Outen and Sarah Alexander were in it too! and Rula Lenska!!

If you could go out for a pint with anyone in the world who would it be & why?
I am a huge Super Furry Animals fan. Gruff Rhys is one of my musical heroes. I did meet him a couple of years ago after their gig at the Ritz. I’m ashamed to say a mixure of booze and being star struck meant the conversation was very brief…. and embarrasing! I would love to meet Brian Wilson too! Neil Young, Stevie Wonder! I could go on all day! Keith Richards would be a fun too but probably quite a quiet evening!!

You’ve played at a few festivals this year and are a regular at Bop Local & Funkademia. Do you have plans to DJ out a lot more?
I am heavily involved with Radio Republic. Our online radio station launches at 11.11am on 11.11.11. I’m so excited about it!! I really think it is going to become a big thing in my career. You can find us on Radiorepublic.net or on Twitter or Facebook. And yes, I am definitely going to be out DJing a lot more now that Corrie is finished.

When you’re not DJ’ing what do you spend your time doing?
Well I’ve got 2 Kids so that, along with Radio Republic takes up most of my time! You will often see me skulking around a record shop in Manchester when i get 5 minutes to myself. Or wandering round Ramsbottom with my family! Thats pretty much my favourite place to be!

Graeme Hawley will be joined by Les Croasdaile & Disco Mums this Saturday. Tickets selling fast – buy them here

Follow Graeme Hawley on Twitter

Kid British return to Funkademia this weekend after smashing the dancefloor back in May. They will be supported by El Diablo’s Neil Scott.

Read a full interview they have done with Skiddle here

& buy tickets here

On Friday 21st October we take over the Pin Up bowling lanes in Spinningfields for a one off special event. Our Funkademia resident DJ’s will keep you musically entertained whilst you enjoy bowling, cocktails and milkshakes.

Entrance is free so get yourself down from 9pm

For more info go to http://www.pinupbowlinglanes.co.uk/