Optimo’s JD Twitch Honoured with Charity Cover of ‘The Whole Of The Moon’
DFA Records has released a charity cover of The Waterboys’ ‘The Whole Of The Moon’ in honour of late Optimo co-founder JD Twitch. This heartfelt tribute, credited to The Watergirls, was recorded by members of Optimo’s wider musical community following the Scottish DJ and producer’s diagnosis with terminal brain cancer in 2025.
Originally conceived as a personal tribute to Twitch, born Keith McIvor, the track was never intended for public release. However, after circulating among friends and peers, it was decided that the recording should serve as a fundraiser. All proceeds from the release will go directly to the Beatson Cancer Charity and the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.
“‘The Whole Of The Moon’ is a classic. It’s a song about awe and hope and love for the people who show us the best of this often broken world, the blessed few who show the way and introduce us to things and thoughts,” the track’s description reads. “Keith McIvor aka JD Twitch of Optimo was one of those people.”
The project was initiated by Optimo affiliate Teamy, bringing together a diverse array of contributors from the electronic music world to craft a dancefloor-focused version inspired by the legendary parties associated with Optimo, such as Planet Peach, Mas, and Sub Club. The track features vocals from CC:DISCO!, Mhairi McClymont, and Fantastic Twins, with Bob Weston on bass and DFA co-founder James Murphy contributing to the bridge. Production and engineering were handled by Pearl M Wong, Mary Kiani, and Pablo Morales, while Sean Johnston—known as Hardway Bros and co-founder of A Love From Outer Space—contributed two remixes.
“It was never intended to be released, but as it made its way to friends and others, it also felt wrong not to,” the team shared. “It’s meant to be played out. It’s meant to make two friends hug and sing into each other’s faces. It’s for Keith and for everyone like him.”
McIvor passed away on 19th September 2025 at the age of 57. His death prompted a massive outpouring of tributes from across the global music industry, and a fundraiser launched by his family to support his care successfully raised more than £147,000.
‘The Whole Of The Moon (Full Moon Mix)’ is available as a limited-edition white-label 12-inch, with the digital version available via DFA Records’ Bandcamp.
