By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Glasgow, the global electronic music community continues to grapple with the profound loss of Keith McIvor, the visionary artist better known as JD Twitch. In a poignant tribute to the co-founder of the legendary Optimo (Espacio) residency, DFA Records has announced the release of a special charity recording of The Waterboys’ 1985 classic, "The Whole Of The Moon." Performed by a collective of peers and admirers under the moniker The Watergirls, the track serves as both a final salute to McIvor’s transformative influence on club culture and a vital fundraising initiative for cancer research and patient care.
The story of this recording is one rooted in the deep-seated intimacy of the Glasgow music scene and the wider network of artists McIvor touched throughout his decades-long career. Originally, the cover was never intended for public consumption. It was conceived in early 2025 as a private gesture of love and solidarity following McIvor’s diagnosis with terminal brain cancer. As the news of his illness moved through the close-knit circles of the electronic underground, a group of friends, led by Optimo affiliate Teamy, gathered to create something that reflected the spirit of the man who had given so much to the dancefloor.
Keith McIvor, who passed away on September 19, 2025, at the age of 57, was a figure of singular importance. Alongside Jonnie Wilkes, he steered Optimo (Espacio) at Glasgow’s Sub Club from 1997 to 2010, creating a weekly Sunday night ritual that defied the rigid genre boundaries of the era. At an Optimo night, one was as likely to hear Liquid Liquid or The Fire Engines as they were to hear high-octane techno or obscure disco. This "uncompromising and generous spirit," as many have described it, fostered a community where curiosity was the only requirement for entry. The decision to release "The Whole Of The Moon" stems from that same communal ethos; once the track began to circulate among those close to him, the consensus was that its message of awe and gratitude was too powerful to remain private.
The choice of "The Whole Of The Moon" is particularly resonant. Written by Mike Scott of The Waterboys, the song is a masterclass in lyrical adulation, describing a person who sees the "whole picture" while others only see the "crescent." For the contributors to this project, the lyrics perfectly encapsulate McIvor’s role as a cultural curator—a man who consistently introduced his audience to new "thoughts and things," expanding the horizons of thousands of dancers. The track description notes that McIvor was one of those "blessed few" who showed the way in an often broken world, making the song a literal and figurative mirror of his life’s work.
The Watergirls, the ensemble behind the cover, represents a cross-section of the international electronic and indie landscapes. The production was a collaborative effort designed to bridge the gap between the original’s soaring folk-rock grandiosity and the pulsing, hypnotic energy of an Optimo dancefloor. The project was initiated by Teamy and brought to fruition with the help of a diverse roster of talent. Vocals are provided by the Australian-born, Lisbon-based DJ and producer CC:DISCO!, alongside Mhairi McClymont and the enigmatic Fantastic Twins. Their voices intertwine to create a choral effect that feels both celebratory and elegiac.
Adding weight to the rhythm section is Bob Weston, the esteemed engineer and bassist for Shellac, whose presence links the project to the post-punk and noise-rock lineages that McIvor so frequently championed. James Murphy, the LCD Soundsystem frontman and co-founder of DFA Records, contributed his distinctive touch to the song’s bridge, further cementing the long-standing bond between the New York-based DFA label and the Glasgow scene. The engineering and production were handled by a skilled team including Pearl M Wong, Mary Kiani, and Pablo Morales, ensuring that the final product maintained the high-fidelity warmth associated with McIvor’s own productions.
The release also features significant contributions from Sean Johnston, known to many as Hardway Bros. Johnston, who co-founded the "A Love From Outer Space" (ALFOS) club night with the late Andrew Weatherall, provided two remixes for the package. The inclusion of Johnston is particularly moving, as ALFOS and Optimo shared a similar DNA of slow-burning, psychedelic dance music and a fierce commitment to the "amateur" spirit of discovery. Johnston’s remixes take the core elements of the cover and stretch them out for the late-night hours, honoring the specific atmospheres of the venues McIvor called home, such as the Sub Club, Planet Peach, and Mas.
Beyond its musical merits, the release serves a critical humanitarian purpose. All proceeds from the sales of "The Whole Of The Moon" are being donated to two organizations that played a role in McIvor’s journey and continue to fight the disease that took him. The first is the Beatson Cancer Charity, a Glasgow-based institution renowned for its comprehensive care and support for cancer patients and their families. The second is the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, an organization dedicated to advancing the clinical understanding of aggressive brain tumors and developing more effective treatments.
The financial impact of these donations follows a massive outpouring of support from the global community during McIvor’s final months. A fundraiser launched by his family earlier in 2025 to assist with his care and ensure accessible accommodation raised over £147,000, a testament to the lives he touched. This new release ensures that his legacy continues to provide tangible support for others facing similar diagnoses.
In a statement accompanying the release, the team behind The Watergirls emphasized that the track was "meant to be played out." It is a recording designed for the physical reality of the club—for the moments of connection where "two friends hug and sing into each other’s faces." By labeling it their "first and last" track, the collective reinforces the idea that this was a singular moment in time, a lightning-in-a-bottle tribute to a man who spent his life ensuring the music never stopped.
The physical release of the "Full Moon Mix" will take the form of a limited-edition white-label 12-inch, a nod to the vinyl culture that McIvor championed throughout his life as a DJ and as the head of the Optimo Music label. For those unable to secure a physical copy, the full digital version is available via DFA Records’ Bandcamp page.
As the electronic music world reflects on the vacuum left by McIvor’s passing, "The Whole Of The Moon" stands as a vibrant, rhythmic monument. It is a reminder that while the "crescent" of a life may end, the "whole" of a legacy—the records played, the parties hosted, and the friendships forged—remains illuminated. Through the efforts of DFA Records, The Watergirls, and the countless fans who have already supported the cause, JD Twitch’s influence continues to orbit the culture he helped build, shining a light on the path for the next generation of seekers and dreamers.
