Bringing People Together Under "The Banner Of House"

Sydney has a fabled deep underground club culture, with the weekly Sunday afternoon party S.A.S.H an institution. Now, following a stint at Revolver Upstairs, it's returning to Melbourne - this time at Brunswick's Railway Hotel. Lovers of house, techno and low-slung grooves will rejoice.

S.A.S.H was introduced to Sydney in 2011 by international DJs Kerry Wallace and Matt Weir, Wallace having promoted an earlier incarnation in London. Since 2014, the party's base has been Greenwood Hotel by day and the superclub Home's terrace after hours. S.A.S.H continues to host a who's who of credible global DJs.

"We'll be sticking to our core ethos — high standard DJs through a crisp sound system in the Sunday afternoon at a cheap and cheerful price."

S.A.S.H's Operations Manager Cris Birlanescu was rapt when the fold took over "the infamous, hallowed halls of 'the Revs'" in Melbourne. "It's somewhere we've always wanted to play, for obvious reasons," Birlanescu says. "But, as the sunlight only poked through the window-shutters of the venue, something was missing. S.A.S.H is about being outdoors, in the sun — partying is always better in the day! That's a big part of why we do what we do. In many ways the Railway Hotel reminded us of the rough, rude and full-of-attitude haven of the Abercrombie here in Sydney — that's where we really found our feet." Railway Hotel has the facilities and, crucially, the atmosphere for S.A.S.H. "It's got the outdoor terrace with the perfect layout — it's got the grime, it's not too polished, and it will house the Funktion-One [sound] system perfectly."

Headlining Sunday's launch will be Frankfurt deep house DJ/producer Sascha Dive, who's been hailed by German techno pioneer Sven Vath and endorsed by the elusive Detroit legend Moodymann. "Sascha has quickly become one of the driving forces in the scene lately. His chugging soundtrack, filled with a deep and hypnotic ambience, makes him perfect for what we're looking for — low-slung Sunday grooves." Drive will join those S.A.S.H residents Wallace, Weir and Jake Hough — "all larrikins!" enthuses Birlanescu — on the Terrace from 2pm. (Alas, fourth DJ Gabby is on maternity leave.) S.A.S.H has also lined up the local Chameleon Recordings crew, led by Steve Ward and Jamie Stevens, for the Den.

As such, Melbourne punters will enjoy an authentic — and full — S.A.S.H experience, Birlanescu promises. "We'll be sticking to our core ethos — high standard DJs through a crisp sound system in the Sunday afternoon at a cheap and cheerful price." So far just four monthly parties are planned and then, Birlanescu says. "From there, we'll have to see... We'd love to make a home in Melbourne as well." 

So why should any Melburnians unfamiliar with S.A.S.H in Sydney check it out? "It's about the package -- the low-slung soundtrack in the open-air, sunny courtyard, high class selectors through the crisp system," Birlanescu summarises. "It comes together to make a cruisy Sunday afternoon that easily slips into something more sinister. We're not interested in who you are, what you do — it's about bringing people together under the banner of house done at its best across every aspect."