Optimo

Optimo is a techno duo from Glasgow, United Kingdom, active since 1997. The group consists of Keith McIvor and Jonnie Wilkes, who are also known by the names JD Twitch and JG Wilkes. They are associated with techno, electro, tech house and electroclash.

Club and DJ work

Optimo also refers to the long-running Sunday-night club Optimo (Espacio), based in Glasgow and founded in 1997. McIvor and Wilkes run the club as founders and resident DJs, and also tour internationally as Optimo at clubs and festivals. The club is known for a wide-ranging music policy and has a reputation for adventurous programming and hedonism.

Artists who have played there include Franz Ferdinand, The Rapture, Peaches, Isolée, Shitdisco, Chicks on Speed, Liquid Liquid, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Richie Hawtin, The Long Blondes, The Presets, Voxtrot, The Go! Team, The Kills, Sons and Daughters, Ivan Smagghe and Datarock.

Releases, remixes and labels

McIvor and Wilkes remix many artists, and Twitch also remixes under the Optimo (Espacio) name in collaboration with Dave Clark. Wilkes releases and remixes music as Naum and is signed to Kompakt Extra. The pair also run the OSCARR label, short for Optimo Singles Club and Related Recordings, which releases music by artists including BIS, Pro Forma and The Parsonage.

Media attention

The club’s technical setup has been written about in the Guardian. In 2006, Pitchfork Media described Twitch and Wilkes as one of the strongest DJ duos working at the time. The pair also appear on Radio 1’s Essential Mix in November 2006.

Anniversary

The club marks its 10th anniversary in November 2007.