High Fives for Big Toe's!

The music side of it and the vibes at a Big Toe's party are top notch… but we're the first to admit that we're horrible promoters. Most people involved in Big Toe's are artists at heart, says John. From the impressive array of banners and uniquely designed bass bins, to the use of live samplers and effects, the Big Toe's guys are keen to be as creative as they possibly can be. It's more than just playing a few records. Such nights just would not be the same if run under a tight music policy and clientele list. "There's nothing worse than playing at a night where the promoter or the club are dictating," adds John.

Colvin is keen to emphasise the ethos of "good music and good fun" as the
only real policy of the night, whilst explaining that they're "not into all the homophobic shit, just fun." It all started around four years ago when John arrived to do a Masters degree in Edinburgh. Before this he'd spent some time DJing and clubbing around Canada, but it was in the Caribbean – where he was helping set up a community project - where he saw how "the soundsystem culture worked... at its purest and rawest." With the idea of starting up his own soundsystem in Edinburgh lodged in his head, John met Colvin working at the Art College. Like John, Colvin has been passionately involved in music right back to the beginning of the 90s when he fronted the band Nonstopcamels. Colvin shared John's passion for music in all forms, but he remarks that one of the reasons he enjoys soundsystem nights is because of the togetherness and multicultural vibe, that in a way, holds similarities "to rave culture circa 1990."

It is their diverse musical backgrounds that helps give the club nights a unique musical flavour. Colvin explains the "beauty of Big Toe's is that we can, and will, play anything and everything within all genres and sub-genres of reggae – if we feel rhythm & sound or some dubstep, we'll do it." And this refreshing attitude to a reggae night really does make it a fresher party.

As good as the music is, the Big Toe's party is given a little something
extra by the talents of Daddy Scotty, Ras Ista and George Prophet. They all met at the first ever Big Toe's, and what developed is described by John as a unique and "beautiful relationship", where they turn up on an ad hoc basis and perform if they feel like it. The relaxed relationship helps "bring the best out in our DJing ability, which helps not just to accommodate Scotty and Ista, but accentuate their skills," John says.

Big Toe's are always keen to team up with other soundsystems and have
already had a memorable night with Glasgow's Mungo's Hi-Fi. There are no
egos in the Big Toe's camp, just love for the dance. Big Toe's first 7", Cupid's Revolution, released last month, manages to bring together what the nights are about - it's a mash up of styles, taking Sam Cook's soul classic Cupid on top of the Sly and Robbie's Revolution riddim. It may sound like it shouldn't work, but it does. Cupid's Revolution is now a regular hit at Big Toe's dances and according to John, it "encapsulates what we are about."

As it is, Big Toe's is a colourful reggae party with sunshine vibes. It's a night put together by a group of guys with love for music in all forms - with reggae taking centre stage. Quick to criticise small mindedness in music, Big Toe's refuse to be constrained - it's a reggae night with no music policy.