Article from The Raleigh Downtowner Magazine
August 24th, 2009
Mosaic Wine et Lounge: Raleigh's House Music Pioneers
Spring and Fall Music Festivals create house music destination in Raleigh
Step through the carved walnut doors into an intimate cosmopolitan nightclub with a vibe that penetrates you with an artsy, international, soulful feel. The Moroccan lanterns and low, lounge sofas set the sophisticated ambiance for a perfect evening of light socializing among elements of a traditional bazaar in a romantic, stylish and beautiful space. As evening becomes late night, the vibe turns up, and the space transforms further into a multicultural dance club experience like none other in the area.
Mosaic Wine et Lounge, on Jones Street, bridges the gap between Glenwood South and the Powerhouse District. It also bridges the gap on the East Coast for a nightclub scene rich with a myriad of the best house music varieties from top DJs. The music's strong cultural identity, which is largely African, Arabic, Brazilian and Latin, figuratively and literally sets the tone for the Mosaic experience.
The lounge and dance club is quickly making a name for itself as a destination for house music on the East Coast, in a style and quality which generally are found on this coast only in the likes of New York City and Miami. This past May, Mosaic owner Samad Hachby turned up the volume on his passion for soulful, funky house music with the creation of the Mosaic SpringMusic Fest. And he's got another one planned for October.
"Mosaic's house DJ Keith and about seven other resident DJs were invited to have a party at the Winter Music Conference in March in Miami," he says, explaining the inspiration for the Mosaic music fest this past spring. "When I saw what was going on there and what a huge success it was, I knew I wanted to create that same experience at Mosaic."
Mosaic's intimate yet international feel is the ideal setting for just such an event. The music scene has changed, with less of a focus now on big places to smaller clubs where the DJ's art comes alive on personal level in an intimate space. It is this experience that people are craving, according to Hachby, and one that Mosaic is pioneering here in the Triangle.
"Ever since we opened, our focus has always been international music, salsa, and merengue along with theme nights like Brazilian, Persian, and Russian." Samad says. "It's not the commercialized entertainment that is so accessible in so many other places. Instead we offer quality, soulful house music that gives a community something that has been missing. Something they've been wanting. It's alluring, sexy and beautiful without being intimidating or offensive. It's like a party at someone's house."
Mosaic's SpringMusic Fest in late May and early June stayed true to its promise to keep it real, giving this community 11 days of music from nearly 50 local, national and international DJs and artists. The DJs brought a broad range of musical styles -- from house to Latin, Reggae, Brazilian, and Hip-Hip all spun in variations in electronic beat.
San Francisco's well known Hallo was among the select group to spin at the festival this spring. "You wouldn't think that North Carolina would be a place for house music and soul," he comments, "but you can see here (at Mosaic) that it is. I've been here on many occasions, and this was one of the best events of its kind -- and you can tell that it was put together from the heart. It's more like the club experiences in Europe and other parts of the world where I've played."
Hallo was joined at Mosaic by other DJs from across the country who also highlighted the festival, including Keith, Sabo, Merlin, Son of Sam, Jazzy Nice, Chris Soul, Feinberg and Nickodemus. Many of them have been DJing for decades in the States and around the world.
It was Chris Soul's first time in North Carolina. He made the trip from New York City. "I loved the vibe at Mosaic - in the space and from the people once I started playing," he says. "It's definitely different from other places in the area - and it's what this area needs. I see a lot of the Top 40 and Mashup. Sadly enough, house music started in U.S., but an entire generation doesn't know about the soulful music. Mosaic definitely brings it - and that's really important for people who are looking for a special place like this without having to leave the area."
Mosaic offers it up every night of the week, from 6:00 pm - 2:00 am. And this fall, Mosaic brings the world beat from the dancing scenes of Miami, London and Paris to Raleigh once again with the Mosaic FallMusic Fest, October 1 - 11, 2009. Details will be available soon at their website.