Interviews

The unstoppable party train – The Disco Express - drops another spine-tingling comp. Here we chat to the label head, party promoter, producer and DJ about what’s up for the TDE this month.

Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us where you are based?

Hey there! I'm Tom aka Bustin' Loose, label boss at The Disco Express. Based in South London, I have been working in music since 2012.

What is it you love most about the city in which you live?

What I love most about South London is its rich cultural history, diversity and expansive nightlife scene that is constantly evolving. It's a melting pot of sounds and styles that keeps me inspired.

How is the health of the club scene where you are?

At the moment I find the club scene in London is vibrant with a real eclectic mix of events and music. There's an inimitable energy and creativity about the city that's resilient despite the lack of government support (towards club culture) and the recent pandemic. We have a community that continues to thrive despite challenges.

You've been running The Disco Express imprint since 2020. What has been the biggest highlight of this for you?

Launching as a label in 2020 and seeing our sound resonate globally has been a true highlight. Connecting with music lovers worldwide and spreading positivity is what it's all about.

And what has been the biggest challenge?

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of the music industry has definitely been a challenge. Staying true to our roots while evolving with the times is key.

The label name talks of Disco. But what can you tell us about the future of the label and its musical direction?

While our name speaks of disco, we're constantly exploring new avenues that fuse disco with modern influences. Over the years we've released anything from House to Italo, Breakbeat, Funk, Soul, Latin, World, Nu-Disco and Electronic. TDE casts its net far and wide in terms of genres.

How do you go about choosing artists to release on The Disco Express? We look for artists who share our passion for soulful, dance floor driven music. Authenticity and a unique sound are key criteria for us.

What we always come back to are these questions - Is it original?

Does it have soul and feeling? Can I imagine myself playing this in my sets and at home? Quality, original and soul-infused music is what we strive for.

As label head, give us an overview of this compilation. Talk to us about its inception. How did it come together?

Our latest compilation was a labor of love, bringing together diverse artists who embody the spirit of The Disco Express. The concept was to shine a light on the most summery music forthcoming on the label; whether it be for the clubs or poolside chilling.

Were there some inspirations for your track as Bustin' Loose on this comp? Talk us through the track a little.

I began the track during Christmas 2024. It was designed to be a song to warm me up during the colder days. I collaborated with some great musicians and friends on bass and guitar. Recording it live gave it the organic feeling I was looking for. Not to mention the organ, strings and disco-ey drums. It has a real Summery sensibility about it and could easily be something to swing into a day-time DJ set as the sun is shining down.

Who are the artists that have inspired the music that Bustin’ Loose is making generally?

I draw inspiration from legends like Teddy Pendergrass, Willie Hutch and Nile Rodgers. I am also a fan of contemporary artists like Crazy P, John Morales, Barry Can’t Swim, Dave Lee, Bellaire, Rich Medina, Jungle, Folamour and especially the artists from my label.

What other artists do you follow right now?

Who do you think is putting out great sounds? You’ve gotta look at the output from my label really, there are some tremendous new artists coming through.. Magnolia, The Wild Violets, Meridian, Shabi, Monsieur Van Pratt, Tommy Glasses, La Felix, Juan Soto and we’re just scratching the surface. We are proud to be a platform for up-and-coming talent and we enjoy nurturing them. We of course follow other artists (outside the label) but focusing on our own artistic output is important for us.

What was the last record you purchased?

"The Key" by Wuf Ticket.

What can we expect next from Bustin’ Loose?

I have some new music in the works and am lining up another EP towards September - October time. I also have some cool gigs around the world and English festival sets booked for this Summer.

What is next in line for The Disco Express?

We have an exhibition planned for September in the lead up to our 100th Release on the label in October. There’s a fair few gigs coming up (every weekend worldwide to be exact!) so we’re constantly busy trying to deliver the best event experiences, whilst maintaining a top-tier musical output via our record label.

Tell us about your next coming party, its ethos and when and where the next party is?

Inclusivity. Community. Originality. Catch you this Saturday for our Day & Night London special at Colour Factory and Metropolis in London.

Check out the latest release from Bustin' Loose.