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Did someone say girl power? The Polysexual South Grand Launch Interview
Reported by Lisa B
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Submitted 16-02-05 01:01
Every industry needs a periodic injection of ‘new blood’ in order to evolve and breed new concepts and ways of thinking. The hard dance scene is no exception and this weekend the newest addition to the capital's promoter fraternity starts her mission for global domination!
Bex Mottram is a name which may be unfamiliar to some of you but that probably won’t be the case for long! Having cut her teeth in London’s raw underground scene at events such as XLR8 and, more recently, intimate concept parties such as Afterlife and the eccentrically named *Skwosh!*, she is now stepping into the light.
Spreading like wildfire across the UK, Polysexual is now the name on everyone’s lips. Breathing new life into a stuttering scene it has gone back to basics and found success in its simplicity. Block rocking, uber-A-list line ups with DJs playing only the very best hard dance have meant they have swept all before them in the midlands and now they are heading south.
Having been saught out and actively chased by the Polys Generals, Bex will take command of their southern campaign, which launches in spectacular style this weekend!
Bex thanks for taking the time to speak to us. You’re throwing yourself in the deep end but before we get to that tell us a bit about who Bex Mottram is and the story so far?
My pleasure! The story so far is quite long so I will try not to bore you ha ha. I grew up in West Sussex but my Dad works in aircraft engineering so more often than not I spent my early years travelling around the world with his work before my family settled in Majorca. I spent time in Canada, Africa and the Middle East. When the time came I moved back to the UK and went to Art College in Leeds. I finally settled in London when I started university. I think my international upbringing has been key to where I am now: although at the time having to go to boarding school and leaving friends due to our constant relocation was hard, it has definitely made me a more stable and independent person!
You have a strong association with London’s underground scene. What made you make the decisions to step into the spotlight with Polysexual South?
I felt like I needed a new and exciting challenge in 2005, so the timing was perfect. I wouldn’t work for just anyone, but I knew that the people behind Polysexual are pretty much the best in the business, so I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and learn from the masters!
You may be relatively unheard of to the hard dance masses but your association with the scene goes all the way back to the days of the gone but not forgotten XLR8. How did you first get involved with Penny and Co?
I’ve got Alex Parsons to blame for that! I was at a house party once and he told me he was involved in this afterparty called XLR8. So off I went to Brixton at 6am, unbeknown that it would be the first of many Sunday mornings spent there. I became good friends with all the XLR8 crew, and even though I wasn’t directly involved I saw how it all worked and how everyone pulled together to create what I think was some of the best parties ever.
Female promoters are all too scarce in the current scene, but with the likes of Robyn Hicks (Tidy), Kate Lynch (Twisted) and Nadya Logic [to name but a few] blazing a trail through the industry the balance is shifting. Female DJs are now standing on their own two feet in a male orientated industry – do you see the promoter’s field following this trend?
I think so. Girls are generally more creative and guys are more practical so it can only be beneficial for the scene to have guys and girls working together to bring different things to the table.
You’re obviously a massive supporter of Hard Dance but rumour has it your primary passion is for hardcore (a certain MC Storm in particular ;-) ), where did it all start for you?
I remember taping a hardcore compilation CD off a friend when I was about 14, it was the first dance music I got into. I was too young then to experience hardcore raves first hand unfortunately. When I first started going clubbing I was going to drum and bass nights like Movement and Logical Progressions, then when I moved to London I got into trance and went to Escape from Samsara and Return to the Source. Then I went to my first proper hardcore event a couple of years ago and just loved it, the atmosphere is unbelievable and I felt like I’d come home! MCs are a big part of creating that electric atmosphere, and when I first saw Storm I couldn’t take my eyes of him. Whizzkid is also amazing - they’ve both got so much stage presence (as well as being rather sexy!), that it’s difficult not to become ever so slightly obsessed with them!
You’ve selected the line up for the launch party with a very specific high impact design but if you had your choice of any hard dance line up who would it include?
Rob Tissera would be top of my list, he’s so versatile and I like DJs who look like they’re enjoying themselves behind the decks. And then for selfish reasons I’d have most of the Skwosh and Afterlife residents like Dirtybitch, The Prophet and Sneaky Pete because they know all the tunes I like, so they’d keep me dancing all night!
While you were growing up your Father's work took you all round the world. Did you get a chance to sample parties in other counties before you settled in London?
Not as much as I would have liked to. As well as the UK I’ve lived in Canada, Abu Dhabi, and Spain, but all when I was very young. I have been to Ibiza a number of times and lived in Leeds for a year whilst at art college so got to see the club scene up there. Working with Polys will give me a chance to travel to more events around the country (and hopefully abroad), which is something I’m really looking forward to.
The press are still trying to force home the belief that the hard dance scene is finished with continuous negative coverage. As a London promoter facing competition each and every weekend your job is tricky enough without their interference. Do you see a time when they will start to listen to the people at the coal face of the scene and start to back and support the industry?
If they don’t want to listen that’s their problem. All I know is that I go to amazing parties week in week out where I see hundreds and sometimes thousands of people having the time of their lives. That’s all the proof and inspiration I need that the scene is alive and long may it continue! Myself and Dickon both believe that if we take care of our little piece of the puzzle and make sure we do the best job we can then it matters little what the press report on.
As well as promoting you have a full time job as a receptionist at one of London’s most sort after hair salons. Either of your roles are demanding and time consuming on their own. How do you manage to juggle them both?
In all my jobs I’ve always been front of house dealing with people face to face all day, working in very hectic conditions with lots of things going on at once. You just learn to deal with handling five things at one time. But my job is my job and I don’t take it home with me. So when I leave the salon I can concentrate on what I have to do for Poly’s. I work well under pressure and enjoy being busy and at the end of the day when you enjoy something it doesn’t feel like work anyway.
Is there life outside of the Salon and promoting for Miss Mottram?
In all honesty not really. I am still on a massive learning curve with promoting and so while I am still finding my feet it’s hard to find time for anything else. But then again it has been my choice to get involved so deeply, but why not?! I don’t see it as work but more of a passion.
You already have a reputation for being a no nonsense, plain speaking and direct character. Is this something that comes naturally to you or is it an approach you have had to develop in your position?
So my reputation precedes me hey?! It’s something that comes naturally. I went to boarding school from the age of 13, so I learnt to stick up for myself and become very independent early on. I like to be honest in everything I do and expect it in return. I’ve always been very opinionated and it’s got me in trouble a couple of times so in the last couple of years I have learned that there is always a right and wrong time to voice those opinions. But time is precious and I certainly don’t want to waste it beating around the bush.
Polysexual is arguably one of the biggest club brands in the UK at the moment. Its reputation as one of the most hedonistic and maddest parties around is now almost legendary. Can we expect the same from its southern sister?
Oh yes! We went to see our northern sister club last weekend for the Hard Dance Awards and we’ve got a lot to live up to, but that makes me even more determined to show them that us southerners know how to party, and that we do it in style.
You’re partner in crime for Polys South is Dickon Laws. How did you 2 first meet and how did you end up working together?
We met when he was working for Frantic. I use to go to most of their events and I gradually got to know everyone involved behind the scenes. Ironically back then he is probably the one I knew the least to be honest (I think he was scared of me ;o) ) but I must have made an impression on him! When he first approached me to work on this project I was hesitant having been involved with smaller, more underground parties for such a long time but he eventually wore me down (ha ha), I said that I’d love to and here I am!
How does the partnership work: what does each of you bring to the table?
Dickon has got years of experience so at the moment he’s pretty much walking through the basics of a large scale event. I’d like to think I’ll bring a fresh edge to the party. I went to Art College and did a degree in design so I love to be creative and have a real vision of how I want the party to look and feel. I know what clubbers want at the end of the day, because I am one!
I hear that you’re not afraid to boss him about? ;-)
What can I say - I’m a Leo, I’m not afraid to boss anyone about.
Having seen the plans for the launch party there is definitely a very professional and slick concept in place. Why is it you have gone to such lengths to achieve such a specific aural and visual image?
I believe that clubbing should be an experience and when you leave the event we want people to know that they’ve been at Polysexual, not just at another hard dance event. We have gone to painstaking lengths to make sure everything that is linked with the event is of the highest calibre from the door staff to the DJs, to the production and décor. Its been a sharp learning curve for me but we are finally there and on Saturday I cant wait to get things started!
POLYSEXUAL SOUTH: The Grand Launch
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On:
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Saturday 19th February 2005
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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22.00 - 06.00
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Cost:
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Adv. £12+bf/ More on the door
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Website:
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www.polysexual.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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TICKET INFO:
ADVANCED TICKETS: £12+BF
TICKET OUTLETS:
Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.co.uk // 08700 761 999
Club Tickets: www.clubtickets.co.uk // 08702 462 050
Cyberdog Camden: 0207 482 2842
Never Enough Ticket Agency: 07813 684 399
Mad Records: 0207 439 0707
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Godskitchen & Most Wanted events presents
POLYSEXUAL SOUTH
THE GRAND LAUNCH
Saturday 19th February 2005
The Fridge, Brixton, London
22.00 – 06.00
POLYSEXUAL HAS LANDED. LONON ARE YOU READY?!
Saturday, 19th February 2005 - The Fridge - Polysexual touches down in London for the launch of its southern campaign!
The evolutionary cocktail of Godskitchen & Sundissential: it has breathed new life into the Midlands club scene and its infectious party vibe is spreading like wild fire!
Balancing the world wide fame of the London Club Scene and Polys 'x' factor, Polysexual South is all about flooring the Hard Dance accelerator!
After 4 years of boshing Birmingham’s dance floors its time for Polys to head for the big smoke! The Brixton hard house Mecca is the choice of home and with the support of the biggest names in Hard Dance this is going to be a party of epic proportions!
For more information please check:
www.polysexual.co.uk
Call: 07930 845 738 / 08707 454 940
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Other Features By Lisa B:
Chris Moffitt Tells Us What it’s Like to be Polysexual
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: *charlie*! on 16th Feb 2005 09:23.35
Firstly... WELL DONE to Dickon for all his wicked work, good stuff babe! 
secondly... well done bex, It will be a tough ride at times... but you can do it, I know you have got what it takes if you put your mind into it!
Goodluck!
From: emmahardware on 16th Feb 2005 10:42.33
nice one chick - wicked interview - clever, talented and gorgeous! oh and cheers for putting that ever so attractive picture of me dribbling on your shoulder - guuurreeeaaat! x
From: Dickon Laws on 16th Feb 2005 10:59.46
In all honesty Bex is the star of this show. Having Anne Savage and the Godskitchen head honchos already singing her praises speaks for itself! I'm looking forward to the ride babe!
From: sunvisordude on 16th Feb 2005 11:09.30
which salon do you work for...? i work in PR...perhaps i could send some of our clients over to yours for a cut'n wash and then you chat them into clubbing etc.
From: Rainey on 16th Feb 2005 11:28.50
Good interview and lovely picture Emma! Looking forward to something a little different this saturday and seeing Glazby again.
From: WEBBO on 16th Feb 2005 13:14.41
top stuff bex , hope all goes well for ya
From: babyred on 16th Feb 2005 14:22.57
Dickon & Bex, what a team! Bex you go girl  I'm really proud of ya hun
From: Ed Real on 16th Feb 2005 14:27.48
looking forward to this saturday's event - if polys last weekend was anything to go by, this is going to be mental!!!
From: benz on 16th Feb 2005 17:31.40
 Go Bex! Very happy for you 
nice pic Emma 
oh and Bex, you still owe me dinner 
From: Rob Kane on 16th Feb 2005 20:48.41
GO ON BEX, GIVE IT SOME!
I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job and I for one will be supporting your events all the way! xx
From: Camden Nurse on 16th Feb 2005 21:11.12
Bexx, U nutter, glad to C Ur following the way! CU there.
Lisa B - CU in the office U nut bag!
From: Richard Launch on 16th Feb 2005 22:52.27
Top work Bex...! Hope its goes right off.
From: chrishawkes on 17th Feb 2005 09:11.28
Nice one Bex!! go for it!
From: Steve Maynard on 18th Feb 2005 19:51.42
nice 1 bird- good luck xx
I hope you changed that top after emma dribbled over it
From: Rob Kane on 18th Feb 2005 19:59.04
She was well and truly SKWOSHED!
From: Just Bex on 22nd Feb 2005 10:04.43
Thank you guys! Thanks to Dickon for giving me amazing opportunity and I'm definately not going to waste it. Bring on 2005!
From: Alex Parsons on 23rd Feb 2005 10:12.46
Booyaa.... Good going girl! What did I get you into!!
Really enjoyed Polysexual. Congrats guys.
From: papa_lazarou on 24th Feb 2005 18:53.45
Go Bex
From: Maria on 26th Feb 2005 12:43.44
Well done Bex! I hope all the best for ya!!!
From: Dr DUZZIT on 2nd Mar 2005 07:37.54
good stuff bex, good luck
From: DIRTYBITCH on 4th Mar 2005 17:39.47
Well done Bex, so proud of what you are doing..... mwah......
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