Moonlight, earworms and you
Celebrating six months of stuff with more stuff
Happy half birthday to this Substack! First things first, thank you so much for being here. Whether you’ve read every post, dipped in and out, or are joining me for the first time, I appreciate your attention and hope you have enjoyed some of the stuff I’ve shared.
My aim with this Substack is to share the things that inspire my radio shows on LWSTD-FM and Aaja. Audio is a great medium but there’s something special about writing stuff down. It allows my brain to take its time a bit and work out what it is I do want to say, rather than what my mouth dictates. Every thing I have written about over the last half year has had an impact on me, in that deep way art does. These things, I’ve wanted other people to enjoy as much as I do… if they want to, of course.
Where the next 6 months and beyond go, I don’t know. I’ve enjoyed writing the occasional longer form piece, so may do more of that. I will keep sharing things and invite you to share the things you’ve loved with me. This Substack isn’t one way traffic. Get in touch with me in the comments here, or whichever way you prefer. For now though, let’s get into it shall we?
Radio
Bristol based DJ Floor Tile shared a recording of her set from Earworm Festival in mid September. Earworm describes itself as “run by a group of friends for a group of friends” and this two hour mix is exactly the sort of stuff you want to dance with your friends too.
It’s a playful house party playlist put together by someone who knows how a good set should flow and feel. Listen here
I met Mike Tate at Spiritland, watching Word of Mouth’s Harry Charles play a fantastic set. Mike and his wife Sorcha had got married at WOM a few months earlier. It was the first wedding there and by all accounts it was beautiful.
Both Mike and Sorcha have a monthly residency at WOM and I was able to get a taster of what that would be like via a recent mix they did each for Music for Dreams. Mike offers up laid back, 80’s influenced chug. Sorcha steps it up a gear with an uplifting mixture of disco and house.
One mix is perfect for the last drink after a day at the beach, while the other is what you’d listen to while getting ready for the night to come. The mixes compliment and contrast each other perfectly, like all couples should.
Music
Edinburgh may be known as the “Athens of the North” but record label AOTN and their house band East Coast Love Affair are doing their best to also twin Scotland’s capital with Ibiza.
New album Musica Para Todos is a percussive psychedelic affair that blends ambient, dub and house with the gentle, dreamy electronic sound associated with the Balearic beat. Scotland’s new cultural attaché to the white isle, For Mankind, provides laid back vocals on a smattering of tracks. The delicate tones of Philomenah float over the Brazilian influenced “I Can’t Wait”.
Something about this album that reminds me of the excellent Sugar Honey Iced Tea by Musclecars. Music made by people with a desire to connect on the dance floor as much as at home. Music for your mind, your body and your soul. Buy it here
Back in July I wrote about Rocksteady Disco’s 10th Anniversary, and the birthday fun continues with the release of a special EP, RSD027 // 10 Years Of Rocksteady Disco Vol. 1. It features a track each by some of RSD’s most prolific artists - Sol Power All-Stars, Eddie Logix, Blair French and Topher Horn.
This EP is a great example of the sound the label does so well; percussive heavy, deep, dancefloor focused music that wears its inspirations on its sleeve. If you are new to Rocksteady Disco, RSD027 does a great job of showing you the rabbit hole, whilst also leaving plenty for the die-hards to get excited about. Buy it here
Life
In my opinion, Moonlighting is the best party in London. Everyone involved, from the staff who greet you on the door, to the DJ’s/ hosts and the party goers, bring the right energy.
The music is the type of stuff I have loved dancing to since I started going out dancing. The three hosts (Leanne Wright, Zakia and MarshMeLLo) work together harmoniously. Their selections ensure the dance floor undulates throughout the night, which is what I think makes for a great dancefloor experience. We need our moments or ecstasy as much as we need to get lost in a tranquil bop. We need to skank as much as we need to hug our friends.
My favourite dancefloor moments for this Moonlighting were MarshMeLLo playing a chuggy dubby version of Superstition by Stevie Wonder. It was one of those edits that makes you love a song you love in a new way. This locked everyone into the dance. Zakia ended a chapter of the evening with a gospel disco banger (I wish I could ID it) that had the dancers reaching to the heavens in rapture. Leanne Wright played a garage track I’d not heard in over 20 years and was immediately transported back to my earliest raves.
A great party brings people together, stops time and connects us. Moonlighting does this via the positive energy of the full moon, channelled through three people with a deep understanding of the collective joy that music manifests.