DubeatsThe Disco Express is about to release a Best of 2024 EP which is packed full of soulful goodness. We got a chance to talk to the label boss man Tom Lilly about the label beginnings, what it’s like running the growing imprint, and what’s cooking in 2025 for The Disco Express.
Interview with Bustin’ Loose
We are bigs fans of The Disco Express here. Tell us a little the label.
Thanks so much! and thanks for having me. The Disco Express started as a monthly East London loft party in 2017. We hosted some phenomenal parties at Shoreditch Platform, inviting guests like: Dave Lee, Crazy P, Glenn Underground, Étienne de Crécy, Eli Escobar, Toy Tonics, Jacques Renault, Felix Dickinson, Bellaire and lots more.
When clubs closed in 2020, I decided to transform TDE into a record label. Four years later, we’re up to 80 releases and versatile collective based across the world..
Benny (Crystal Touch) hosts the parties in Amsterdam, Roland Cespedes in NYC, Monsieur Van Pratt in Mexico City, Magnolia in Paris, Matteo (Sparkling Attitude) in Italy and most recently Ron (Old As Funk) in São Paulo, Brazil. Closer to home, myself and Tatiana organise the events in London and Berlin.
Our ethos is to bring positive, uplifting and original music to 21st century dance floors. We endeavour to provide a platform for burgeoning talent, as well being a hotspot for household names. The Disco Express parties take place far and wide, with established long-term residencies in Paris, Berlin, London, New York City and Mexico City.
What is your experience of running a label prior to TDE?
The Disco Express is my first shot at running a record label. I’m lucky enough to be part of a network of supportive friends and family who filled me with the confidence to do what I’m doing.
I’ve been running nights for ten years, so I have party planning experience. Releases on labels like Toy Tonics, the Basement and Whiskey Disco gave me the basic understanding of how the signing process works from an artist perspective.
At the beginning the main challenge was navigating where to start and how to do it. You know, finding a distributor, the artists, when to release, promotion strategy and so on. Luckily I’m a graphic designer so I could knock out artwork pretty speedily. Once I got into the swing of things with a routine it all became very clear and natural. Having a plan, schedule and consistency is key!
You are an active party planner. Tell us a little about your party and its ethos.
For a long time it’s been a goal of mine to throw a party every weekend worldwide. The idea was to establish residencies in multiple cities, sharing our vibe and consistently growing our global community. It was an idea that stemmed from spending too much time watching basketball in lockdown, particularly Michael Jordan’s ‘The Last Dance’ documentary and the notion of franchising. It’s fairly ambitious I have to say!
At this moment of writing, we have 5 solid residencies set up across London, Paris, Berlin, NY, Mexico City and are looking to facilitate even more.
In a time of conflict, war and tempestuous aggression we think it’s important to share positivity through music. Our party and ethos is heavily inspired by the hedonistic jaunts of the 70’s New York club scene. Inclusivity, community, escapism and originality. This is the vibe we aim to create. For a few hours every weekend people can get down to the uplifting sounds of The Disco Express!
Is Disco alive you think, as much as it always has been?
Disco never died 😉
Who are you heroes in Disco past and present?
If we’re just talking disco music I’d have to say: Willie Hutch, David Mancuso, Masayoshi Takanaka, Nile Rodgers, Prince, KC & The Sunshine Band, Kiki Gyan, Teddy Pendergrass, Sylvester and Donna Summer.
My musical influences stretch further and would love to mention: Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk, Nightmares On Wax, Confidence Man, Jay Electronica, Crazy P and Joe Claussell.
What are the essential ingredients that get a release signed to your label?
The music has to have feeling and soul. Nothing too computerised or robotic. If it’s made with live instruments that’s great! We love authenticity and collaborating with singers and musicians. In a looming world of AI, here at TDE we concentrate on the analogue and the imperfect. It’s what makes us human. Part of our ethos is to harness the uplifting vibe and energy of classic 70’s disco music, 90’s house and reinvent it for 21st century dance floors. Bands from The Disco Express like Golden Gate, Magnolia, Rayowa and The Wild Violets do this brilliantly.
I don’t care about the amount of followers you have, if the music is good that’s what matters. It’s all about originality.
This new release is a window to your output for 2024. Talk us through a couple of highlights for you and the label this year?
Of course, our Best of 2024 compilation is a true testament to the talent and diversity of The Disco Express. We purposefully decided to make it eclectic so it showcases the wide breadth of of the label. It’s got a bit of everything.. House, Italo, Nu-Disco, Jackin’ and Soul.
This year there’s been so many good moments, its hard to say! For me though, to see The Disco Express grow across the world has been pretty amazing. In 2024, our events have taken place for the first time in: Rome, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Aberdeen, Cuenca, Mexico City, Montréal and Manila. Performing to a sold out Alcazar in Rome was a choice favourite.
Playing at Boogietown Festival in front of 2000 people was especially fun. Goes without saying too, playing at Glastonbury for the second consecutive year was pretty cool.. and our 75th Release special featuring four legends of disco (John Morales, The Reflex, Hot Toddy, Dr Packer) was pretty dope.
How does The Disco Express plan to take the label forward in 2025?
We’re firing up our engines and are taking TDE to new heights in 2025! Keeping to our schedule of a party-a-weekend is ideal. Adding more residencies to our global franchise too. It will also be our 100th release in 2025 so we have some mega plans for that! In March, we celebrate our 8th Birthday with a month long series of crazy parties! Its safe to say this train ain’t stopping anytime soon..
-Bustin’ Loose
Turn it up & enjoy!