Many will know Arnö Vön Detritus and Ruby Alexia as a part of alternative community. Both have stage craft in their blood. So as a couple looking for a way to showcase the finest acts around they started Träshville three years ago and haven’t looked back. The pair chatted to Gary Trueman about their club night, what it offers and why it’s different to other nights out.
We’re at the legendary Cart And Horses where Träshville now has its base. What exactly is it though?
Arnö: “Träshville is an inclusive alternative night in London that we’ve been doing for three years now. It’s a mix of live music, performance acts and DJs.”
When you say inclusive you mean LGBTQ?
Ruby: “Everything. We want everyone to feel comfortable here. I turn up dressed in latex. We’ve had LGBT bands and performers, we’ve had pole dancers, we’ve had the lot. We want everyone to feel safe, for people to be able to dress how they like and be who they like. We want them to have a good time and I think that’s what is really lacking in a lot of places within the entertainment industry especially in the rock scene.”
Certainly some parts of the rock scene have failed to progress. What about influences. Are there things you’ve seen elsewhere and thought that would work for, maybe with a different twist on it?
Arnö: “I guess Träshville really started at The Lounge and we took a model that was important for us, Träshville a model that works, which is live music mixed with performers and DJs. I guess for us it’s like the perfect night out. You get to socialise and see some incredible bands and performers and have a great time. As Ruby said we just want to make sure everyone is safe.”
Ruby: “Starting Träshville coming out of the pandemic people wanted somewhere to kind of let loose. Being Träshville you can go and if you want to get trashed you can get trashed and if you want to be around trashy people you can be, and you can have fun. It’s a home for people who want to go out and do things after being stuck at home with no socialisation for years. I think our influence is the craziness, almost like the roaring 20s coming back again. Everyone can come back out and party. I really like that vibe.”
Where is Träshville held? Does it move about?
Arnö: “We have seen quite a few venues. In London unfortunately a lot of live music venues are at risk of closing. We’ve already lost many great venues. We started at The Lounge. We moved to Nambucca and that closed. We’ve played at Camden Assembly. We had the chance to play Download 2022 as a part of the afterparty which was such a great night. But now has Träshville found its home at The Cart And Horses in East London. At present it starts at 8pm and finishes at 3am. Usually we will start with live music, then go on to the performers and finish the night with DJs.”
And how often does it happen?
Arnö: “Originally we were doing it monthly but at the moment we do it bi-monthly. We want to take the time to make sure we provide a great night rather than rush into it. Myself and Ruby are quite busy so right now it’s bi-monthly.”
Ruby: “It’s difficult especially in the summer with festival season as well. Getting everyone together in one place is difficult. So at the moment it’s every two months. We want to get that sweet spot..”
Is there anyone else involved in making the nights happen or is it all down to the two of you?
Ruby: “We’ve recently just expanded into a collective. So we have a new team on board. We have an event this week, our first as a collective, so that will be very exciting.
Arnö: “Originally it was started by me and Ruby but one other person that has been involved since day one would be Daniella Batcheva. You should really check her out for her incredible art work. We also have a few friends who have started helping out.”
In the past who have you had performing and who have you got in your sights for the future?
Arnö: “We’ve had Poly Anther. Ruby obviously. Miss Fortune and Rebecca Crow. Many gifted performers that are on the scene at the moment.”
Ruby: “The queens of the alt scene. We like to showcase new acts as well. We had one recently, Twisted Pixie, very modern, feminist, vegan. I’ve never seen anything like it, it was incredible. The whole crowd absolutely loved it. We want to bring new things, younger bands and new performers, as well as the old favourites. We need to let more people have a chance.”
You’re both well known on the scene and are often in attendance at various London club nights. Do you find yourselves checking out acts there with one eye if they would work for Träshville?
Ruby: “Yes absolutely. We always make new friends at places like Club Antichrist as well. A lot of the people there are more artistic. Almost everyone I know there is in a creative industry somewhere, whether its musicians or performers. It’s so great to meet people as well, who aren’t performing, and then find them on social media and see new things. I really like that aspect of it.”
What future plans have you got?
Arnö: “I Think what we are looking at for now is to fine tune it and expand it whether that’s in terms of the people involved in it or in capacity. London is a city where people are bombarded with events so now we have found what works for us its now doing more of the same with as I said, some fine tuning. And if we can, taking part in festivals too that would be great.”
The next Träshville night is on Friday September 13th at The Cart And Horses, London
Interview And Photos By Gary Trueman