Honoring JD Twitch: A Sonic Tribute to an Electronic Music Pioneer

JD Twitch: An Unyielding Legacy Honored by Sound

Let’s get straight to the heart of it: Keith McIvor, known to us as JD Twitch, wasn’t just a fixture on the scene, he was a galvanizing force. One half of Optimo, the duo that took Glasgow’s nightlife from simmer to a rolling boil, JD Twitch's influence rippled out far beyond those Scottish shores. His knack for weaving the unexpected into his sets, blending genres with a deft hand, made him a revered figure in electronic music.

The shocking news of his passing has left a crater-sized hole in the collective heart of our community. But in the unique way music scenes have of turning grief into something palpable, DFA Records has released a charity cover of The Waterboys’ The Whole Of The Moon to honor him. A track known for its epic sweep and emotive crescendos, the choice feels fitting—a salute to a man whose contributions soared.

The Watergirls Step Up

Enter The Watergirls, a group assembled from JD's wider musical orbit. Leading the charge was Teamy from Glasgow, and others tagging along for this sonic homage—names like Mhairi McClymont, Shellac’s Bob Weston, CC:DISCO!, Fantastic Twins, and yes, even a touch from DFA’s own James Murphy. It’s not some token effort. It’s layered. It’s lovely. It's JD Twitch's story in a new language.

The magic here is the communal spirit. Bringing together this group of heavyweights reflects the kind of musical polyphony that JD Twitch championed in his career. Those who knew him, or even just crossed sound paths with Optimo, felt this collaborative ethos in real time.

The Whole of JD Twitch

For all you heads, remember Twitch's approach? He had this ability to turn a room on a dime—going from Screwface dubstep into techno, maybe tossing in a cheeky bit of Northern Soul just because it felt right. This cover captures that fluid essence. It’s the right song because it encapsulates what JD did nightly. He brought a sense of the sublime, reaching for places others couldn’t see.

In its heyday, Optimo was synonymous with risk-taking. While the rest of the UK was busy turning clubs into havens of homogenized four-on-the-floor, JD Twitch and Jonnie Wilkes took us wherever they damn well pleased. Be it via a heady brew of bleeding-edge techno or a bass-heavy journey into the murky depths of dub, listeners rode alongside them, always trusting the journey.

Why It Matters

Why does all this matter? Look, this isn’t some nostalgic trip down memory lane. It’s about recognizing a moment of cultural significance and honoring the impact one man had, not by making a playlist of his greatest hits but by participating in something ongoing. The proceeds from the cover will benefit a cause JD cared deeply about.

But let's not get caught in sentimentality alone. This moment also provides a much-needed reminder for the scene: the core values that JD embodied—bravery, inclusivity, and the endless pursuit of sonic excellence—aren’t just platitudes. They’re actions we take, whether it's through a track, a set, or yes, even a charity cover.

Final Beats

There’s a lesson here, though I’m loathe to spell it out. Suffice to say, let JD Twitch's legacy push you to the decks with a little less safety and a little more daring. Take risks. Mix it up. Shock ‘em. Because, like JD showed us all, the whole of the moon was never about staying safe on the ground.

Your boy, Jonny Luvs Jungle

Source: https://djmag.com/news/optimos-jd-twitch-honoured-charity-cover-of-waterboys-whole-of-moon