Put Disco
Back Onto The Main Stage
1. Tell us a bit about you?
I’m Zach and for the most part, I am all of @dirtydiscorecords. Dirty Disco Records started back in 2017 as a boutique record label for the first couple of years our focus was on creating limited edition vinyl for local artists. Nowadays we’re mostly in the DJing and event world but we are looking at bringing out a new vinyl release by the end of this year.
2. What inspires you/your work?
Absolute cheese. A lot of the time our industry takes life too seriously but I mean fuck it, if I love Dolly Parton I want to play Dolly Parton you know? People love it, and sometimes crowds just need someone to lead them into fun. Of course, I’m not only about cheese but for sure there’s always at least a bit of cheese in every set, no matter what. At the end of the day, the goal is to have fun doing fun things.
3. What is your favourite medium?
2 years ago I would’ve said vinyl, playing records is immense. But it’s expensive and being able to have a collection as vast as is required to keep things fresh I’ve come to love .wav and .mp3 and buying songs from Bandcamp.
4. What is your creative process?
I just buy songs I like and when it’s time for a gig I’m open to what I think the audience wants to hear and it’s all improv from there.
5. What is the funniest/most interesting thing you have experienced as an artist?
Recently people have started to recognise me from previous gigs, which is kind of a trip.
6. If you have attended any exhibitions (live performances, markets, galleries and the like), which has been the greatest impression upon you as a creative and why?
I remember the first time I heard my now friends Paradise Citizens play at Small Town Beat festival, that blew me away. To see another duo with what sounded like the same fun approach (it was and is) was reassuring. It’s a real treat to be in the same circle as them and play music together as a group sometimes.
7. Where would you like your art to take you?
Everywhere and anywhere, I just want to have fun in as many places as possible
8. What is your purpose as an artist?
To put disco back onto the main stage.
First of all, happy birthday to the man that is this dirty disco genius – @zachlees. As the living embodiment of what disco represents in the 21st century, his playlists are sure to make you want to live and dress the same way. Speaking of playlists, Dirty Disco Records (Zach) has been kind enough to supply us with an expertly curated disco-love playlist with a story to accompany it.
Play each of these while you read through what’s below:
- I Got The Hots (For Ya) – Double Exposure
- You and I – Delegation
- (If You Want It) Do It Yourself – Gloria Gaynor
- What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’ – Stephanie Mills
- So In Love – Curtis Mayfield
- How Deep Is Your Love – Bee Gees
- Sunny – Boney M.
- Ooh I Love It (Love Break) – The Salsoul Orchestra
- Love To Love You Baby – Donna Summer
- I Like It – DeBarge
- I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – Otis Redding
“The tale of falling and staying in love walked through song by song in this groovy yet sensual list. Our hero sees their love in a club (I Got the Hots) and so the love begins in the fast-paced party environment (You and I). Our love interest asks the hero if they’re going to make any moves (Do It Yourself) and questions how the hero will treat them (What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin’). Our protagonists fall in love via the powers of Curtis Mayfield. When things get a little shaky they dig deep into their love reserves with the Bee Gees to orchestrate a fast-paced love comeback where they fall back in love at the club again (Sunny) and so go through the motions of being in love once more with the sensual “Ooh I Love It” and of course Donna Summer. We jump forward in time to our heroes at the sunset of their lives, where they still love the things each other do (I Like It) and reminisce their long love, wondering how they could ever love someone else (I’ve Been Loving You Too Long)”
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