“It’s been a pretty wild ride.” Habitat Garden Parties to go out with a bang this weekend

For around 20 years now, Habitat has been a name synonymous with quality house music events in Perth. Their Garden Parties, hosted at many outdoor venues around town, have become something of a local legend, always a highlight on the dance music calendar, featuring a dazzling array of the world’s top house and techno DJs and live acts. Veteran Perth DJ turned promoter, Flex, is the man who started the clubbing brand, combining forces with Geisha Bar’s Warwick Clancy to create Perth’s premier party purveyors.

But all good things must come to an end, and this Sunday, Habitat is throwing their last ever Garden Party. And they will be going out with a big bang. Taking over The Camfield this Sunday,March 3, this epic final soiree will be headlined by French house music royalty and Daft Punk pals Alan Braxe & DJ Falcon, rising Irish techno star Mark Blair, Melbourne legend Boogs, and a huge host of local legends and Garden Party regulars. Ahead of the big day, ALFRED GORMAN chats with Flex about the history and legacy of Habitat.

So you’re about to throw your last Habitat Garden Party… It’s been quite an amazing journey with Habitat in Perth. It’s become one of the most legendary, long-running party brands we’ve ever had in this city, putting on countless awesome events. How are you feeling about it, and what’s made you decide now is the time?

It’s been a pretty wild ride, but I think we just feel like it’s run its course. It’s been a passion project for me personally since the beginning. Warwick and I have put our hearts and souls into it for so long that I think we both just felt it was time.

It’s been 12 years of Garden Parties, but Habitat’s been going longer than that, and you’re not finished with the brand just yet, are you? 

Yes, Habitat has been doing events for almost 20 years now, which is crazy when I think about it. The brand will continue for a little bit longer, but all good things come to an end sometime.

Tell us a bit about your history in the scene—getting involved as a fan and becoming a DJ—and how you got started with Habitat. What was the initial concept then, and how did it evolve over the years?

I started sneaking into clubs in my late teens, got hooked on electronic music, and went out and bought a set of belt drive turntables and a huge set of speakers, much to my parents’ dismay, to learn how to DJ. I’ve been playing in clubs and festivals in Perth and abroad ever since.

I certainly never intended, or even wanted, to be a promoter. Habitat basically came about because no one was touring the artists I wanted to hear in Perth, so I started doing it myself. Eventually Warwick came onboard, making us a lot more professional, and it has just kind of grown from there. Both Warwick and I have been involved in the music and club scenes pretty much our whole lives, but Habitat kind of became a passion project for us.

Dance music is usually associated with nightclubbing, and then there’s big festivals. The Habitat Garden Party seemed to strike a sweet spot in the middle. How did the Garden Parties come about?

Strangely, it actually came about because we were struggling to get artists in Perth on a Friday or Saturday night. Melbourne and Sydney are always getting those days, so we decided to take a risk and try a Sunday show. Back then, no one was doing Sunday shows like that anywhere. As no one else in the country was booking the artists on a Sunday, we were able to get big artists at a pretty good price.

So we took the gamble and did a few outdoor shows at The Court, back when it was just an empty brick courtyard. We brought in a heap of production and a big sound system, did cheap tickets, and it took off from there. I think even we were surprised at how well it went. It really became a creative outlet for me personally, which was the part of putting on events I really loved. It was never about money; we just wanted to put on parties we were proud of and tour DJs we loved.

When you look back on those early days of Habitat, did you ever think you’d be doing it this long? 

Hell no! I still hate being a promoter. I love the creative side, but I think it’s purely my own stubbornness to not fail at anything that has kept me at it this long.

The scene has changed a lot in the last 20 years—music, tech, genres, styles, phones! It doesn’t seem to be as much about the music for some. The ’90s and 2000s were an amazing time. As we get older, it’s hard to avoid getting jaded and thinking, “It’s not as good as it used to be,” and stay in touch with the latest sounds, and realise there’s always good music coming through and good times to be had! You’ve been right there at the forefront for years. How have you kept things interesting and seen the Perth scene change and evolve over the years?

Yes, I’ve definitely heard the same old argument that it’s not as good as it used to be. Personally, I don’t buy that. It’s just different. Every generation is different. There was good and bad music years ago, just like there is today. Technology has changed, people consume music differently, and while I am not a fan of all new trends, there is some incredible music, artists and events coming out every year that keep innovating and pushing the boundaries. You just have to look through a lot more noise to find it, that’s all. But to me, that is what has always excited me about electronic music. It just keeps evolving constantly, always moving forward, and I’ve always loved that.

The great thing I always liked about Habitat gigs is that they appeal to more mature, discerning clubbers, real house music fans who care about the music, quality production, and lush surrounds, and the crowds are always great. It’s become something of a community with many familiar faces. You’ve never rested on your laurels and have always strived to raise the bar in terms of production, with state-of-the-art audio, lighting and visuals. Has that always been important to you? You must have established a great team.

Warwick and I have always just wanted to put on parties that we wanted to attend. Something we were proud of. Something the artists we toured, who we loved, would want to play at. I always thought, you want to put on the best parties, surround yourself with the best people, and that’s what I tried to do, from DJs, production, door staff, everyone.

I’m sure I’ve rubbed a lot of people the wrong way over the years with my strong opinions and OCD, but I’m incredibly proud of the team of people we surrounded ourselves with. They are not only some of my best friends, but none of this would have ever been possible without every single one of them. The whole team helps create a vibe for an event, and I think that’s what people have resonated with over the years.

From Dixon with The Cube, Sasha NYE, Elrow and the Garden Parties with John Digweed at Stables, Hernan Cattaneo down by Elizabeth Quay, and the epic event sprawled out across Araluen, you’ve truly put on some amazing parties, hosting so many legends of the house and tech scene. What were some of your favourite events?

I think all of those are actually some of my favourite events. The Dixon warehouse party was incredible. The Elrow shows were always loose and definitely some of my faves; everyone was so happy from the moment they walked in the door.

Araluen was one of the hardest shows I think we have ever had to put together, but it was definitely up there as one of my top two or three events. I’m proud of that one.

I think the first ever Garden Party with James Zabeila, Alex Niggemann and George Fitzgerald is definitely up there, as that’s what created the Habitat as we know it now. But Digweed has always been my favourite DJ, so that’s number one.

You established a real style and brand of party with a distinct look and feel. The Court has been a regular setting, though you’ve used lots of different locations (or habitats, if you will), putting on parties at many unique, exciting venues all over Perth. You always seemed to be searching for the next great location. It must add extra challenges, but was that always part of the concept, to host events at a variety of venues?

Yes, I think that was from always wanting to move forward and outdo the last event. The Court were amazing to work with and really helped us develop the brand initially. But I think we wanted to start to create something special for every show, and part of that mystery came from doing events in different locations, many of the times in locations that people had never been to or seen before.

That part was probably a little easier in the beginning, but not so easy after you’ve been around for 12 years. I’m sure my wife probably got a little tired of me scoping out venues and locations everywhere we went to see if they had potential.

Apart from the incredible international acts you guys have brought over for many years, you’ve also always had a strong local contingent, with some regulars and rising talent. Was this always an important part of Habitat?

Well, wanting to hear the music I love is the reason I started Habitat. I think we have always gravitated towards music lovers who just use DJing as a tool to express that, rather than people who just want to be a DJ. Like-minded people, I suppose. I think that has always been the common bond through the team, and why most of us are so close still.

Over the years, we started running the Habitat DJ competition as a way to discover new DJs and find people who just had that something different but still gelled with the team. I think over half of our DJ team has come through the comp over the years, and probably over half of the house DJs in Perth.

It must have been amazing bringing over and getting to meet all these legends. Who are some of your all-time faves? And what are some of your favourite memories or funniest stories?

One of the things I will look back on with fondness on when it’s all over is the friendships I have made with some of the artists that I really admire. It’s definitely been one of the best parts of being a promoter. I’ve been really lucky that ‘almost’ everyone that we have toured has been amazing to hang out with. Digweed will always be my favourite, but I’ve definitely had a lot of laughs and some wild afterparties over the years.

I think one of the funniest stories, or the most embarrassing ones for me personally, is when I picked up DJ Sneak from the airport, only to get back to my car and realise I had locked the keys in it! After wandering around the airport carpark for a while, I happened to get a metal coat hanger from a lady (not sure why she had one, but that’s another story). I proceeded to try and break into my car for about five minutes.

Eventually Sneak said, “Give it to me.” 30 seconds later, he had broken into my car (misspent youth, apparently). What we didn’t notice was that at the time he was doing that, a security car drove past and stopped. The guy got out and asked what we were doing. I had to explain why this large African-American man was breaking into my car. 

Next thing, the security guy recognises Sneak and says, “You’re the guy with that Fix My Sink video on the TV!” Sneak smiles, and the security guy says, “All good, off you go.” What were the chances of a security guard at Perth airport watching MTV, knowing that song, and recognising Sneak from it? Probably a million to one. But it made for a memorable story, at least.

On Sunday, you’re throwing your last Habitat Garden Party at The Camfield with a huge line-up of internationals and locals. I’m sure things will get emotional! Are you pulling out all the stops for this last big one?

Yeah, I think it’s probably going to hit me once it’s over. We have just tried to get all the gang back together for one last hoorah. I think we have 24 or so DJs from the last 12 years playing for us, so a little something for everyone. Just good people, good music and good vibes. Pretty much the same thing we have tried to do from the beginning.

Finally, thanks and congrats on all the amazing work you’ve done over the years with Habitat; it’s been such a vital part of the Perth dance scene, with some of the best events in WA clubbing history. I’m sure you’ll be looking forward to some hard-earned time off, relaxing, spending more time with family, and maybe getting a chance to DJ a bit more yourself! Do you have any plans you want to speak of moving forward?

No, I think I will be pulling back a little now, trying to spend more time with my wife and kids. They have put up with a lot for a long time to allow me to do what I love, so I think I owe them a little more focus. Habitat will still have the odd show, and I will still be DJing at some of my favourite events, like Solouk, but definitely more home time.