Tim Hughes talks to the two disco-lovers who are bringing the boogie to The Elm Tree pub in Witney

Take a couple of music lovers, throw in a box of great tunes and shake it all about. The result is Alfresco Disco, a new night at The Elm Tree in Witney, being staged by Goose Phat – aka local lads Rich Smith and Sam Taylor.

And, says Rich, it’s long overdue. “Witney already has much to write home about on the soul front with nights held regularly by Stu Foster (Funk’n’Soul Stu) and The Witney Soul Club making The Elm Tree their home,” he says. “But we have come together to relaunch a project to bring some much-needed disco.”

The night follows a previous stint on the decks by Rich, 25, and Sam, 23.

“After cobbling a club night together a couple of summers ago – more out of boredom than anything else – we decided to bring back the joys of 70s and 80s soul and disco in the form of this new night,” says Rich, known to music fans as a former member of local band Tristan & the Troubadours.

“Think anything from Chic to Candi Staton, Chaka Khan to David Bowie... Basically boogie nights all night long!”

He adds: “The whole idea of this club night came about from a love for a particular soundtrack to a video game. That had a really strong early 80s, neon, Miami kind of feel and it’s a look and sound that we can’t get enough off.

“Then ever since seeing Chic featuring Niles Rodgers and Horsemeat Disco at Bestival, on the Isle of Wight in 2009, we were hooked. The music just gets your toes tapping and your hips wriggling.

“Try listening to disco and not breaking into a smile and I will give you a tic-tac!

“And this night is free to get in which gives people a lot of disco for your dollar!”

And the pair have been busy picking tunes for this Saturday’s inaugural night –as well as making plans to launch their own clothing range.

Rich goes on: “This night has been something in the pipeline for a long while, but is also a catalyst for a wider project set for launch in September where Goose Phat club nights and a T-shirt line become one.

Oxford Mail:

“Goose Phat has the simple remit of bringing people together through the fun of music while maintaining an ethos and commitment to ethical, premium garments that can withstand the most raucous of parties.”

And Sam is no stranger to the decks, saying: “I had my own radio station up in Durham for a year, and disco music constantly got the show a lot of love.

“It’s something I put into my DJ sets, and people just couldn’t help but dance to a funky bassline and some awesome staccato violin stabs.

“Think Chic’s Everybody Dance and you can get the idea.

“The T-shirt line is just the start of Goose Phat’s next evolutionary step bringing fashion and music together in a sustainable way.”

*Goose Phat presents Alfresco Disco! at The Elm Tree, West End, Witney, on Saturday. The night runs from 9pm-1am and is free.