Gaze and dolls
Sunday night has a new upmarket venue for its Trademark house party, says Andrew Georgiou
Perfect hosts Monroe and Taylor play their Trademark set
The ‘Brangelina' of the DJ world, Kate Monroe and Alex Taylor, have abducted Sunday nights and are holding them hostage at the Trademark Hotel. Their new club night Gaze, has driven queer punters back to Sydney's earliest gay stomping ground, Kings Cross, for a smooth dose of Sunday arvo house.
While Sunday night gigs have always fared well with gays suffering from advanced Monday-itis, Monroe and Taylor have brought something unique to Gaze by inviting crowds to an upmarket venue while maintaining a relaxed and friendly vibe.
"We are lucky to be able to play in such a beautiful venue, and have them approach us to start up a night here," Monroe says. "We are both at that point in our career where that is what we want."
The lush interior of the Trademark Hotel is a refreshing break away from venues which lack any aesthetics, which Monroe and Taylor agree gives Gaze its edge. "We pay attention to the details," says Taylor. "It's important, as that's part of our culture and where we come from, and if we can't get it right, who the hell can?"
The pair play the perfect hosts, welcoming guests to their abode before diving behind the decks to feed the tune hungry crowd. In between their sets, Monroe and Taylor hand the ropes over to their weekly rotating residents DJ Chip, Sista P, Eddie Coulter, Jack McCord and Tim Blanshard.
Although elements of soul and lounge are woven into Gaze's soundtrack, house is the definitely the order of Gaze day.
"I think house is coming back in a big way, it's a great equalizer bubbling under the surface with all of its sub genres," says Taylor. This seems to suit the crowd (which ranges from mid-twenties to fifties) just fine judging by the venue's increasing numbers each week.
"We're bringing sexy back to Sundays," says Monroe with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek.
Gaze runs every Sunday from 5pm till 2am at the Trademark Hotel. 1 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross, 2031, (02 9357 5522). Free before 10pm, $5 after.