Horse Meat Disco Interview

With a supreme love of Disco and outrageous parties, Horse Meat Disco are the DJ club collective with residencies at Eagle London and Prince Charles in Berlin. They are the fashion world’s go-to for DJs, inspired by the New York club scene in the 1970s and ‘80s and influences of Soul, Jazz and old-school Disco. They’ve already had massive sets at Lovebox and Farr Festival, and they’ll be heading to Groovefest in the Dominican Republic from 9th – 15th September, so we caught up with them to find out more about the Horse Meat Disco style, parties and music.

Hi guys! Where in the world are you right now?
Back in London after another adventure-fuelled, sleep-deprived week of friendly debauchery at Electric Elephant in Tisno, Croatia.

How is it working collaboratively together and what do each of you bring to the table?
We all have our own spin on things; I’d say James and Luke are very deep Disco, Soul, boogie and Seve and I keep up with newer releases and sounds whilst still playing disco obviously.

How did the New York club scene in the ‘70s and ‘80s inspire Horse Meat Disco? How do you bring that influence to your sets?
The party was started as homage to those amazing clubs in New York who everybody knows now but didn’t in London about twelve years ago. I’m sure Larry Levan inspires all of us with his impeccable taste and programming. We all would have died to be at the Paradise Garage parties.

You’ve packed venues all over the world. What has been your favourite country and venue so far?
We have a favourite which is of course our weekly party at Eagle London club. However, there are a few. I would say our New York residency at Cielo and sometimes at Output is always a huge blast and I think the other is our bi-monthly Berlin Party with the guys from ex-Tape Club now at Prince Charles. Those parties go late and everyone is nuts for the experience.

How do you keep your sets fresh and exciting?
Sometimes play into new edits of classics, keep digging and buying plus keep an ear out for what’s our there and who’s playing what.

You’ve been warmly embraced by the fashion world, having been enlisted to DJ for brands such as Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Acne and Diesel. Do you find fashion important in what you do?
Not massively – no one can see what you’re wearing most of the time when you’re behind the DJ box most of the time! In terms of music, it seems a lot of brands like the way we’ve captured Disco, I mean, to me the feel of fashion has always been about Disco – it can be glamorous, uplifting, euphoric and all the emotions. It is in a way fashion music – not the awful Pop some brands tend to go for!

Who is the most fashionable member of Horse Meat Disco?
MYSELF [Laughs]

‘Horse Meat Disco IV’ is out now. What was the recording process like and what can we expect from the CD package?
It’s out, doing really well we saw this week and has been out for a month now. We got together an individual list of all the records that shake us and whittled down the final list from there – all the songs we feel best express what HMD is about both at this very moment and historically. It’s pretty tricky releasing some Disco we want on there because labels can be pretty difficult in releasing for download etc but having said that we’re over the moon with our choices and the final result is great.

2014 is looking pretty busy for you guys with the CD release and a supporting tour. What do you love and hate about travelling so extensively?
I hate airport security and forgetting my pyjamas; I love being invited to other people’s cities and being looked after and meeting new people, experiencing their culture. It’s the best job in the world.

Many tracks on the compilation are receiving their first ever reissue. Is that a daunting challenge?
Not at all – we’re pretty confident the music is amazing.

This year, you’ve have appeared at Lovebox, Farr Festival, Groovefest and many more. What’s the best part of playing summer festivals?
This year at Lovebox we stayed firmly in our Red Bull tent with Dimitri From Paris, Kenny Dope, Tensnake and Soul Clap – no real need to stray! Farr Festival (we were with) our chums Weatherall and Justin Robertson… The best part of any good festival is that people are a little more open minded about what they like to hear you play, this means we can stray from the path and play crazier, party music or more Brazilian and afro summer vibes.

In terms of Groovefest, you have been there since the start; why is the festival so good in your opinion?
We played the very first one and it was a pool party all afternoon for eight hours –what could be more fun? Cocktails, very laidback people and great sound. The best thing about Groovefest is the sheer level of different parties all going on in one space – which is a luxury holiday resort, amazing food, drinks and one people united!

What can we expect this year?
Some Caribbean disco definitely plus everything we’re known for but for a pool party setting: slow funky, Soul, boogie and Disco vibes.

What are your top five tracks of 2014 so far?
1. ‘Magazine’ – Mark E
Mark resets the Madonna classic “Vogue” back into the Sound Factory times – big, fierce growling and ecstatic

2. Nicolette Larson _ ‘Lotta Love (Joey Negro Yacht Disco Mix)’
Jump on the yacht and get grooving – beautiful record

3. Joanne Wilson – ‘Got To Have You (Whiskey Baron’s Mix)’
The aforementioned Caribbean vibes on top for here with a sumptuously Disco-Housey-Jazzy re-working, so pass the rum!

4. Boogie Man – ‘When The Funk Rains Down (Pete Herbert dub)’
Another modern Disco killer cut from the guys behind Los Charly’s orchestra with the equally unstoppable Pete Herbet beefing things up for the club style

5. Joey Negro vs Horse Meat Disco – ‘Candidate For Love (HMD / Joey Negro Mixes)’
All great – loved working with Dave Lee aka Joey Negro

Where are the best places to party in London?
I would of course say Eagle London (our mothership) but places that are impressing are Dance Tunnel Dalston and Brilliant Corners also in Dalston, it’s all about keeping it small and tightly locked.

What’s your all-time favourite dancefloor track?
Jean Carne ‘Was That All It Was?’

By Alana Anderson

Fancy a September holiday in the sun? Of course you do! Find out more about Groovefest.

Watch: Horse Meat Disco At London’s Boiler Room