Hannah Holland: Who am I to judge people with glowsticks?

Hannah Holland, she’s the east end clubbing scene’s darling. From her days as resident at Friday night  mess-fest Trailer Trash, to her present day at the helm of Bethnal Green’s Bastard Batty Bass – if she’s on the decks you know you’re gonna be in for a good night. That’s why her forthcoming gig at Society, a one-off night that celebrates the acid drenched sounds of 1987 – 1993, is going to be unmissable. Not only does it mark a rare departure from her usual bass-heavy sets, but she’ll be joined by rave legend Slipmatt for one of this spring’s most anticipated parties. She told Kara Simsek what people can expect.

Notion: Why do you think there’s such an interest in acid house suddenly?
Hannah Holland: There is a huge resurgence of early house music, and naturally acid comes into that.

Notion: Do you even remember it first time around? Why do you think that people have a bit of a rose-tinted glasses idea of acid house? [You've probably seen the new Chase and Status video that makes out finding a rave by the side of the road was dead easy etc, I'm sure it was nothing like that most of the time.]
Hannah Holland:In 1989 I was 8 and remember watching things like Normski’s Dance Energy, plus acid house was on Top Of The Pops in the early 90s too! So I didnt have a first hand account of the raves. It was a sub-culture that was totally outside of the law and terrified the Government, but also crossed over to mainstream TV and reached lil’ kids….now that is pretty special. People always look back with rose tinted glasses to eras gone by!

Notion: You’re playing an acid set – does this mean that the bassy sounds you’re synonymous with are on the way out or is this a one-off?
Hannah Holland: I’ve been asked to do a set with music from the years 87-93 , so this will cover early house, acid and jungle. The acid sound is actually the 303 bassline machine… So of course I’m naturally attracted to it! But, yes this is a one off set.

Notion: What’s your top acid track and why?
Hannah Holland: The Sun Can’t Compare by Larry Heard. It’s hard to choose, but it’s the one that gets my heart. Beautiful vocal and wicked acid line, unusual for acid!! Also Larry Heard is a legend.

Notion:Who do you personally regard as spearheading the acid revival right now?
Hannah Holland: A lot of producers seem to be using acid lines in their tracks, from UK funky to techno, but I dont think there is a revival as such.

Notion: Slipmatt is also on the bill with you – were you a fan of his growing up?
Hannah Holland: Totally!! Shut Up and Dance, Slipmatt, Ragga Twins – these were the first records I ever came in contact with!! So it’s a real honour to play with Slipmatt.

Notion: Please summarise what ‘acid house’ means to you.
Hannah Holland: In the beginning it was DJ Pierre, Ron Hardy in Chicago underground gay clubs, super sexy, druggy and futuristic . When it was imported to the UK , it became more ravey, smiley faces and high visibility vests, pretty naff really!!!

Notion: What’s your top rave story?
Hannah Holland: There are so many and I have a hazy memory. But the first rave I went to when I was 13 sticks in my mind. Thousands of kids with white gloves, off their heads, going ballistic to DJ Hype. Very exciting!

Notion: What can people expect from your set at Society?
Hannah Holland: Tracks from early Chicago, Frankie Knuckles-era, and some jungle. The tracks that turned me on when I was a littl’un!!!

Notion:Is it ok to get the glowsticks out if you’re dancing to acid or do you think they should just be relegated to the hands of tweens going sugar-rush-loco at NDubz concerts?
Hannah Holland: People should be free to do what the hell they want at a party, who am I to judge!!

SOCIETY is an Acid House warehouse all-nighter brought to you by the people behind Offset Festival, www.wearenotarockband.com and cult Acid House blog ‘Class of 808’.
9th April – secret location somewhere in London – email location@societywarehouse.com for info