It’s your thing

ScreamCheese hails from from the mod scene of the 1980s. A huge Pretty Things and Rolling Stones fan. Never forgetting her roots, growing up in the Midlands with punks and alternative friends. “I love gigs and watching bands. I have seen hundreds of bands over the years, far too many to mention. The Cramps numerous times, The Sonics, The Ramones and The Pretty Things are memorable. There’s also so many amazing bands around at the moment: The Baron Four, The Jack Cades and The Night Times are so good live.”

Out on the floor

“I love to dance, anything from 60s club soul to The Zombies – ‘Just Out Of Reach’ and The Remains – ‘Don’t Look Back’, finally The Thirteenth Floor Elevators – ‘Levitation’ will finish off the night, just right.”

The Night Owl

“It’s an eclectic place where music lovers just want to dance. I love it when people dance to an obscure track. I can call the staff my friends, they work really hard and are passionate about this great music venue.”

It’s your thing

Mack loves all things 60s garage and psych, which are the main themes of the legendary Sensateria. However, Mack loves any type of alternative gig, some of the best he’s seen have been Joy Division, Leonard Cohen and The Sonics. You can find Mack listening to 60s psych and garage, post punk and 70s dub.

Out on the floor

“I love MC5 – ‘Looking At You’ and The Deep ‘Coloured Dreams.'”

The Night Owl

“It’s full of cool people all there for the same thing: great music.”

It’s your thing

Jo loves all things Northern, Motown and Latin soul, but is also partial to funk, 60/70s afrobeat and folk rock. “My interest in DJing can be traced back to stacking up those 45s on my record player with a BSR auto changer! Then I went on to DJ in pubs with a few mod mates before putting on a few ‘dos with my late husband. We started Steppin’ Up together in 2012 and I kept it going in his memory.”

Out on the floor

When Jo is behind the decks she loves to play Harold Melvyn and the Blue Notes – ‘Get Out (and Let Me Cry)’ and The Coasters – ‘Love Potion Number Nine’, however “Bobby Womack – ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ and Five Royals ‘Catch That Tear Drop’ are guaranteed to get me on the dance floor.”

The Night Owl

“The Night Owl is one of my favourite places to DJ, with a great mixed crowd. I love that young people are coming and are always up for a dance! The place has a great vibe, the retro decor is fab and all the staff are lovely.”

It’s Your Thing

Arith loves all things soul, as well as a business man and a dad, Arith plays the clarinet in his spare time.

Out on the floor
‘Time’ by Edwin Starr is Arith’s go to track to get him on the dance floor!

The Night Owl

“Nice people dancing to great soul music – that’s all you need!”

It’s Your Thing

“As a kid my Dad and Mom were music lovers so I was blessed with hearing lots of different styles.. Elvis was a big thing in our house along with Johnny Cash. My Dad was a professional Singer and Drummer so I heard him singing standards of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Chuck Berry and more. I picked up the love of Rock n Roll
through that and then he taught me to drum and from that many moons later Swampmeat was formed!”

Out On The Floor
It’s hard for T-Bird to pick one song, but he loves ‘The Champ’ by The Mohawks, ‘The Harvest’ by Bobby Darin and ‘Bossa Nova Baby’ by Elvis Presley as well as old school hip hop tracks.

The Night Owl
“I love the atmosphere in The Night Owl and the diversity of nights that are on…
from Tarantino to Kate Bush. It’s got it it all!”

It’s your thing

Resident DJ Tom Mason grew up in a music loving household with everything from Abba to Frank Zappa on mom and dad’s stereo before discovering funk, hip hop and house as a teenager – “when you realise all your favourite records are just old soul and disco samples that was the game changer for me and it’s been my passion ever since”

Out on the floor

Tom’s record of choice at the moment is ‘Dance Dance Dance’ by Marta Acuna but is always crate digging for the next discovery to play at Le Freak!

The Night Owl

“I Love everything about Le Freak… it’s just the right size and the crowd are always up for it and clued up on a wide variety of music. The Night Owl reminds me of when I first started going out dancing to soul music with a great family vibe full of lovely people.”

It’s your thing

Carla is part of Sugarfoot Stomp, a DJ collective who love anything from the 1920s to the 1960s, first introduced to The Night Owl in 2015, Carla has been DJing and dancing here ever since.

Out on the floor

Carla loves playing ‘Tall Skinny Papa’ by Sister Rosetta Tharpe when DJing, but loves dancing to ‘Inspector Norse’ by Todd Terje, “in fact I find it impossible not to!”

The Night Owl

“I like the fact that people want to dance and that it’s full of friendly faces.”

It’s your thing

Sonny & Spare live and breathe Northern Soul: “we loved the Big Birmingham Soul Night at Birmingham Town Hall because we love Northern Soul, but Dig? is great as its so eclectic.”

Out on the floor

When they’re not behind the decks, Sonny & Spare’s record of choice is ‘Sweeter Than The Day Before’ by The Valentino’s.

The Night Owl

“We had our engagement party there. All our family and friends came for it…. all of which are now converts. We love the crew at the Night Owl, they have made us feel so welcome. We’ve definitely made some really good mates there.”

It’s your thing

Andy is a connoisseur of all types of music but soul, mod, ska and anything 60s “rock my world the most.” You can usually catch Andy DJing a mod or soul inspired Dig? Saturday night or at his own event Soulin’, featuring rare soul and funk with live percussion.

Out on the floor

When he’s behind the decks, Andy loves playing ‘I Want You To Be My Baby – Ellie Greenwich’ “this song always gets people up!”

The Night Owl

“I love the people who go, it’s always a good crowd. I love all the people connected who make it happen and make the club as good as it is!”

It’s Your Thing

Mazzy is a soul sister with a penchant for punk, new wave and alternative as well as a passion for all things disco. “My favourite gigs of all time include Iggy & The Stooges, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Sonics, Prince and David Bowie.”

Out on the Floor

Mazzys favourites are ‘Wrap it Up’ Sam & Dave, ‘Love is like an itching in my heart’ The Supremes and ‘Do you wanna funk?’ – Sylvester, ‘Controversy’ Prince, however she “couldn’t possibly pick one, I couldn’t sit still to any of these.”

The Night Owl

The atmosphere here is like nowhere else, everyone in there is a music fan there to dance, socialise and meet like-minded people.

It’s Your Thing

Clare is the general manager of The Night Owl. She’s the “captain of the ship”, making sure the place is set for a wild weekend!

Out on the floor

Clare loves “any heartbreak soul or stompin’ 60s R&B banger” however a strong contender for her favourite is Billy Davis’ ‘Stanky Get Funky’!

The Night Owl

There’s too many incredible Night Owl events for Clare to choose from, however “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Anniversary Special and A Christmas Gift For You have a special place in my heart.” Why does Clare love our little soul club so much? “The atmosphere. There’s nothing quite like it. A whole lotta love in that room!”

It’s your thing

Richard has eclectic taste but is always searching for a groove. His love for record collecting began in his late teens with soul & funk before falling in love with the dark side of disco…

Out on the floor

Records that never leave Richard’s Night Owl bag are Sammy Gordon And The Hip Huggers – ‘Upstairs On Boston Road’, Ray Barretto – ‘Together’ & disco monster Cerrone – ‘Give me Love’.

The Night Owl

“I’ve had some of my favourite nights out DJing at The Night Owl! The combination of the knowledgeable crowd, great sound system and wooden dance floor is unbeatable. The eclectic music is exciting too, time after time you can go with no chance of it getting stale or predictable!”