Having had the pleasure to meet a selection of Scandinavian soul fans, aswell as a few other European supporters of the genre, I am very interested in the European Soul scene. A few questions I have are firstly, is the scene abroad influenced in any way by the UK movement, or have people across the sea discovered the music in their own way. The Northern Soul scene (UK) has such a rich and varied history stretching back to the 1960's, and I suppose without the fanaticism of collectors/dealers and DJ's in this country the scene could have been well left to the few and not the many (well not that many!). Does the Euro scene feel it is a "right of passage" to visit a UK event, or do you feel that you have developed your own culture and identity (within the realms of the music), and as such you are more than happy to choose your own path and feel that perhaps the Brits can learn a thing or two from your goodselves.

Brett

Having had the pleasure to meet a selection of Scandinavian soul fans, aswell as a few other European supporters of the genre, I am very interested in the European Soul scene. A few questions I have are firstly, is the scene abroad influenced in any way by the UK movement, or have people across the sea discovered the music in their own way. The Northern Soul scene (UK) has such a rich and varied history stretching back to the 1960's, and I suppose without the fanaticism of collectors/dealers and DJ's in this country the scene could have been well left to the few and not the many (well not that many!). Does the Euro scene feel it is a "right of passage" to visit a UK event, or do you feel that you have developed your own culture and identity (within the realms of the music), and as such you are more than happy to choose your own path and feel that perhaps the Brits can learn a thing or two from your goodselves.

Brett

link

I really enjoy meeting the European enthusiasts and collectors, in person and on lists, and we've been buying a fair few records off them too . We've not been able to get to an event in Europe before but are setting off to to Oslo (fingers crossed the bank manager is feeling in a good mood) in December to support Andy Dyson and get a flavour of what their corner of the scene is like. There were a fair amount of Italians at Fleetwood and they were a fantastic bunch (and really complimentary about the records I played which endeared me to them even more ! ) I've heard nothing but positive reports from friends and DJ's that have travelled to Europe, and some of the homespun playlists are mouth watering. Found some great cheapie deals for Oslo on the internet Brett - get your bag packed!!! We can't wait

Having had the pleasure to meet a selection of Scandinavian soul fans, aswell as a few other European supporters of the genre, I am very interested in the European Soul scene. A few questions I have are firstly, is the scene abroad influenced in any way by the UK movement, or have people across the sea discovered the music in their own way. The Northern Soul scene (UK) has such a rich and varied history stretching back to the 1960's, and I suppose without the fanaticism of collectors/dealers and DJ's in this country the scene could have been well left to the few and not the many (well not that many!). Does the Euro scene feel it is a "right of passage" to visit a UK event, or do you feel that you have developed your own culture and identity (within the realms of the music), and as such you are more than happy to choose your own path and feel that perhaps the Brits can learn a thing or two from your goodselves.

Brett

link

So I'll try to give some answers for the german scene or better for myself. But I've got to say, that I'm probably not the best person to answer the questions, as I'm much younger than other german rare soul fans. For example Marc Forrest, who started collecing in the 80s, I think.

Yes there is the influence from the UK scene (Speaking for myself now). I started listening to Soul Music at the age of 17, after getting interduced to this music by some Mods, Skins and Scooterists in my town. I was hanging around with those guys, who listened to Reggae, Beat, Punk and Soul. Someday one of the Skins said: Hey Martin, are you only interested in Northern Soul, now? I realized, yes, it's simply the best music for me. My first records were made by Kent and Goldmine, so yes UK influence.

But I still feel influenced by the UK scene, and that's not too bad.

You should hear, what our parents are listening to, terrible! But they are about the age of the older Rare Soul Fans.

This year, I've been to UK for the first time. I was at Prestatyn, which also was an influence for me.

I think, many germans are very interested in UK-playlists, and UK-DJs. That's why they are invited to nearly every bigger Allnighter or Weekender. Over the next 4 weeks there are about 10 UK-DJs at german events.

In Germany there are simply not so many punters as in the UK, and the networks are not so good to get on records. So again, the influence via dealers from UK.

The question about the own culture and identity is very difficult to answer, although I'm studying european ethnologie, and probaly should be able to make a cultural-analysis and compare them, but perhaps after my exam, or for my exam!

What's better? Probably that there is no "scene politics", as far as I can see. But this has something to do with the number of soul fans, and everybody is just happy, if there is an event. We don't have to decide where to go on the weekend, normally.

Martin

Edited November 18, 200420 yr by soulie78

I really enjoy meeting the European enthusiasts and collectors, in person and on lists, and we've been buying a fair few records off them too . We've not been able to get to an event in Europe before but are setting off to to Oslo (fingers crossed the bank manager is feeling in a good mood) in December to support Andy Dyson and get a flavour of what their corner of the scene is like. There were a fair amount of Italians at Fleetwood and they were a fantastic bunch (and really complimentary about the records I played which endeared me to them even more ! ) I've heard nothing but positive reports from friends and DJ's that have travelled to Europe, and some of the homespun playlists are mouth watering. Found some great cheapie deals for Oslo on the internet Brett - get your bag packed!!! We can't wait 

link

You could also come to Nuremberg and support some of the guys, who are also members here. If your bank manager is still feeling good, probably both events are possible.

Edited November 18, 200420 yr by soulie78

For some pictures from our Allnighters in Oslo + playlists + scans etc.etc. Feel free to visit our website: www.oslosoul.com

And yes, if any more of you folks fancy coming over in December - get in touch - and we'll try to help out with accommodation/bookings etc.etc.

I'm in a bit of a rush here - so I haven't really got the time to answer all your questions - but I will get back to this topic later.

Kind regards,

Christian B

You could also come to Nuremberg and support some of the guys, who are also members here. If your bank manager is still feeling good, probably both events are possible.

link

Germany is on the "to do" list, if only to take Steve Smith supplies of Birds Custard and Marmite

I shall deffo be doing Oslo sometime soon, my cousin Kim has now got himself a lovely home there, he came to the UK and did the lifeline do with us, although we did put him to bed in the car at about 4am teehee

Germany is on the "to do" list...

Mine to! I think Marc has given up sending me the "Hip City Soul" dates

There are some fantastic European sites dedicated to Soul too. Check out:-

Soul Magic (Germany)

Northern Soul (Sweden)

Leaning Tower Soul Club (Italy)

La Pelle Nera (Italy)

I can also speak some Norwegian, my mum lived there, but it's very limited, we still have quite a traditional christmas here with the flags on our tree and nissans all over the house

Germany is on the "to do" list, if only to take Steve Smith supplies of Birds Custard and Marmite     

link

Sorry Alsion, I don't know what marmite means and Birds Custard must be something terrible to eat, so I didn't get it. My english is too bad...

Mine to!  I think Marc has given up sending me the "Hip City Soul" dates   

There are some fantastic European sites dedicated to Soul too. Check out:-

Soul Magic (Germany)

Northern Soul (Sweden)

Leaning Tower Soul Club (Italy)

La Pelle Nera (Italy)

link

Just wanted to add Toni's site, with lots of dates in Germany:

Soulallnighter(Germany)

Sorry Alsion, I don't know what marmite means and Birds Custard must be something terrible to eat, so I didn't get it. My english is too bad...

link

Expats tend to get nostalgic about the food they can't get when they live away from home, a suitcase full of weird food is usually more appreciated than a box of records

Mine to! I think Marc has given up sending me the "Hip City Soul" dates

Hi Kolly, of course not but maybe I lost you while I had to transfer my old list to a new provider ? Anyway, the Hip City is held every second saturday every second month for one execption in January, where it will be held on the 15th of January (guests Christian Hermansson and Takuya from osaka/Japan). March has Fuchs as guest, May will be hopefully see Tim Brown again and July is the 15th anniversary with super duper guest DJ Butch

stumbled across some lang forum files german and norge

they only seem to change the basic headings , but the option is bottom left if they be of use, others available just shout if need

Hi Marc!

Hopefully, I can make it to Leipzig tomorrow, I'm still not sure how to go, probably by train.

Couldn't you give us some of your views on the german scene. It would be interesting for me to hear something from an "older guy".

Cheers, Martin

Expats tend to get nostalgic about the food they can't get when they live away from home, a suitcase full of weird food is usually more appreciated than a box of records 

link

That's what I thought.

I fully understand that.

I don't have to stay away from home for a long time to want "my" food.

After Prestatyn the first thing to do was to get some german bread. Nothing against british food, I like fish and chips very much, but blackpudding was a little hard for me. But I didn't went there for the food!

I might reply in detail later, but one thing that must be stated is that there is no one European soul scene. There are several unrelated and often unconnected scenes, although some might not qualify as scenes IMO. I think most (except popcorn which should not be thrown in the mix) are basically styled after the UK northern scene(s), at least originally, and might later have developed in various directions. I am personally quite offended when you hear an american for instance talking about going to "Europe", as if it was one country.

Having had the pleasure to meet a selection of Scandinavian soul fans, aswell as a few other European supporters of the genre, I am very interested in the European Soul scene.

Brett

link

Not really answering your question Brett, but I DJ'd earlier this year in Rome, at the first 100% northern soul allnighter that they had had.

A much younger crowd than you get here. 80% of them had not heard the majority of music before. But they were totally up for it, and the dance floor was packed throughout the night. If it sounded good to them they would dance, even if they hadnt heard it before. It was a real pleasure DJing there - one of my best DJ experiences.

I Djed in Stockholm at the Wiman Casino in October and had a marvellous time. A much younger crowd there, lots of mods and an open minded attitude to the music. Quite a lot of records seemed unknown to a lot of the crowd eg Voices of East Harlem, but everyone seemed to know the Pentagons "I'm gonna wait for you" and danced accordingly.

Paul

SITC

Edited November 19, 200420 yr by sitc01

Hey Guys........don't forget your nearest European nieghbours over here in the emerald isle.

We've had scene on the go here since the early 80's and while we might not have the numbers to compete with the big UK venues we more than make up for it with enthusiasm........like to think we have a decent standard of music on offer too...I'm sure anybody who's been over will verify that!!!!!

We also have the best Guinness in the world and as one of the lads once said

'Northern Soul is like Guinness..........Mainly Black with a bit of White!!! And while it's an acquired taste for some, once you get the taste for it, nothing else will do'

Best

Honest John

Hey Guys........don't forget your nearest European nieghbours over here in the emerald isle.

We've had scene on the go here since the early 80's and while we might not have the numbers to compete with the big UK venues we more than make up for it with enthusiasm........like to think we have a decent standard of music on offer too...I'm sure anybody who's been over will verify that!!!!!

We also have the best Guinness in the world and as one of the lads once said

'Northern Soul is like Guinness..........Mainly Black with a bit of White!!! And while it's an acquired taste for some, once you get the taste for it, nothing else will do'

Best

Honest John

link

How could we forget the Dublin Posse, John??? How's the hard hat and the sailor's outfit Anyway, eyes down for a roll call of what's going on in Europe....

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN ITALY:

Rimini Soul Weekender

Vicenza

Venice Soul Weekender

Milan

Bologna

Pisa

Rome

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN AUSTRIA:

Vienna Soul Nights (Joerg/ Bernhard - Record Shack - Vienna)

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN GERMANY:

Munich

Nurnberg

Frankfurt

Cologne

Berlin

Dusseldorf

Osnabruck

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN FRANCE:

Lille

Lyon

Paris

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN SWEDEN:

Stockholm

Gothenburg

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN NORWAY:

Oslo

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN SPAIN:

Barcelona

Madrid

Gijon

Ibiza

Tenerife

If I've forgotten any, my apologies. Perhaps someone could find the links to the above nights/ weekenders and we could organise a charrabang to take us all over to a couple of the nights. I'll be deejaying in Vienna at the end of January and Gothenburg in March. I can highly recommend Rimini, Frankfurt, Paris, Nurnberg, Venice, Milan & Cologne. This is only the Northern nights and not the Mod weekenders........there is SO much going on in Europe with top, top deejays. With cheap flights, there's no excuse...........Jo

Under Sweden you can add Malm¶, nothing set yet but me and a mate might have something coming up. Myself and another mate will be djing in major Swedish Metropolis (not..) Norrk¶ping at some kind of student club this Thursday the 25th of November, just thought I'd mention it in case of the extremely unlikely event someone is passing by .

How could we forget the Dublin Posse, John??? How's the hard hat and the sailor's outfit  Anyway, eyes down for a roll call of what's going on in Europe....

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN ITALY:

Rimini Soul Weekender

Vicenza

Venice Soul Weekender

Milan

Bologna

Pisa

Rome

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN AUSTRIA:

Vienna Soul Nights (Joerg/ Bernhard - Record Shack - Vienna)

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN GERMANY:

Munich

Nurnberg

Frankfurt

Cologne

Berlin

Dusseldorf

Osnabruck

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN FRANCE:

Lille

Lyon

Paris

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN SWEDEN:

Stockholm

Gothenburg

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN NORWAY:

Oslo

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN SPAIN:

Barcelona

Madrid

Gijon

Ibiza

Tenerife

If I've forgotten any, my apologies.

link

You forgot to list Ireland

Monthly Soul Nights: Belfast, Cork, Dublin (+all dayers)

wot bout further afield where is the remotest outpost for NS or who is the remotest member on here?..calling the south pole, imagine if it took off in China (Mr Flynn is in Asia)

have a good weekend ya'll

Danny D

SOUL NIGHTERS/ WEEKENDERS IN GERMANY:

Munich

Nurnberg

Frankfurt

Cologne

Berlin

Dusseldorf

Osnabruck

link

Being a German, I never knew about Osnabr¼ck, just goes to show you, doesn` t it ? Anyway, you can add to these Dessau, Dresden and Leipzig

Well that about covers Jo's bookings for 2005 so on that note... next time I see the Vinyl Vixen I want to hear Ruby Winters, dahlin' ... bring it on!!!

Marc d'ya still have the cherry wood tabelle

very quick rushed one

anyone pass on details/link of osnabruck event mentioned

as mucker going out there soon and was asking

also its same area trevski was asking bout a week or so ago

ta

mike

Well that about covers Jo's bookings for 2005 so on that note... next time I see the Vinyl Vixen I want to hear Ruby Winters, dahlin' ... bring it on!!!

Marc d'ya still have the cherry wood tabelle

link

I'm only doing Vienna and Sweden on the exotic tip at the moment for 2005. Flights to Vienna are only £46 return all in with Air Berlin so if anyone fancies coming over for the last weekend in January, get booking. You'll get a warm welcome and there's plenty of cake shops and an AMAZING market that is about a mile long. I'm sure Soul Girl did a review on Rimini - IT WAS HOT AND LOVELY........and the music was good too. Have soul, will travel - and Kolla, Ruby Winters will be played just for you at the last ever These Old Shoes on the second FRIDAY in December - end of an earache - era's hidden in there somewhere

I might reply in detail later, but one thing that must be stated is that there is no one European soul scene. There are several unrelated and often unconnected scenes, although some might not qualify as scenes IMO. I think most (except popcorn which should not be thrown in the mix) are basically styled after the UK northern scene(s), at least originally, and might later have developed in various directions. I am personally quite offended when you hear an american for instance talking about going to "Europe", as if it was one country.

link

Christian, i didn't mean to upset your sensibilities, but the term "European" was purely a generalization,to put Sweden,Germany,Italy,Austria.....Serbia Montenegro was just too much of a chore. I am not American but i do live on an island and as such do not feel European (even though geographically i am), so once again no offence was meant by the term, and i would actually enjoy your views on this subject......(that is if you feel the need to reply)

Marc d'ya still have the cherry wood tabelle

link

Pardon me which tabelle ?

what a terrible memory you have (or are you pulling my 'table' leg )... "Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit". Wiener Werkst¤tte ... Koloman Moser ... Wiener Schuule

Christian, i didn't mean to upset your sensibilities

link

Christian I know how you feel - In new York a few years ago people kept saying to me "Oh, you're a European ?" and I'd go "No, I'm scottish!!!"

That said - I understand where Brett's coming from - but as you can see from everyone's replies, British soulies are very aware there are different scenes - unique to each European country.

By the way - Are there any Belgian soulies on this list ? Pals went across the other week to see Maxine Brown and Tommy Hunt and, as Christian said, they were surprised at how different the popcorn scene is.

they were surprised at how different the popcorn scene is.

link

Also check out www.soulastatic.just.nu - surely one of the best soul nights outside of the UK. Every last saturday of the month in Gothenburg and always a big crowd. Among the guest DJ`s from the UK has been: Ginger Taylor, Carl Willingham, Kenny Burrell, Terry Davies, Ady Croasdell and many more. Don´t miss the anniversary night in february!

what a terrible memory you have (or are you pulling my 'table' leg  )... "Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit". Wiener Werkst¤tte ... Koloman Moser ... Wiener Schuule 

link

Oh, yes...sorry no I remember. Yes, still have that table

Thanx Arctic Soul Boy!!

Soulastatic 7th year anniversary (weekender if you wanna call it that)

25-26 of febuary 2005 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Still being planned but here are some DJs:

Ginger Taylor UK, Arctic Soul Boys (Punky, Leo, Lars, Anders), Chris Gwatkin UK, Max Hansson, Tomas and a few more from UK.

Get here by: City Airline, Ryan Air or SAS. cheers!