db85 Luke Howard
Luke Howard,aka Filthy Luka, is a renowned member of the British Horse Meat Disco clan. A self-defined Disco-music enthusiast and also a connoisseur de la musique en general, Luke has been expanding his nightly-music experience since the very day he first went out dancing, at the age of fourteen in his home town. Since then, he has performed in important clubs worldwide, released several tracks and developed a taste in Brazilian music.
In this set exclusively recorded for deepbeep, Howard presents some of the tunes that make part of his musical universe. And you can also check out this exclusive interview!
How did you come to compose this set? And what would the best moment to listen to it be?
Truth is, I have tried to keep it all below 120bpm. I have selected a mixture of 70’s and 80’s tunes, as well as some contemporary tracks. I guess you can listen to it anytime!
Tell us a little about your trajectory as a DJ.
Well, my first gig took place in 1986, in a squat in London. Then, in 1990, I was awarded with my first residence in a London House/Disco club called Queer Nation.
There I remained for fourteen years, and it’s now been seven years since I began playing for Horse Meat Disco. I guess I have been lucky for having always gotten to be resident in parties, which has allowed me to develop an intimate relationship with a multitude of party-goers who all turned out to appreciate what I do. I ended up getting to know what they appreciate as well…
What are your influences?
Motown, Soul, Disco, 80’s music, British electronic Pop, to say a few… I also love divas such as Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Loleatta Holloway and the like. Soul singers such as Patti Labelle, Phyllis Hyman, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan are also some of my favorites. Not to mention punk bands such as The Slits, X-Ray Spex, Blondie, Au Pairs e Gang of Four. There are also Synthpop bands like The Human League (whose members come from the town I was born in: Sheffield, UK) and Pet Shop Boys. I’m very into Brazilian music as well, even though I don’t happen to be an expert on the subject. Soulful, passionate songs really turn me on, and it’s a fact that Brazilian music features this quality. Gal Costa is my favorite on the matter – her voice is PERFECTION.
What have you been into recently? Your current preferences…
I love what Azari & III have been producing, precisely a track entitled “Into the Night”. The Prince Language’s mix is also exciting! How did the idea of forming Horse Meat Disco come up? James Hillard amd Jim Stanton (residents and promoters for HMD) had the idea of promoting a gay party where people would feel welcomed and at ease, one that could be fun and had its inspiration in the 70’s and 80’s style. It seems to have been the perfect combination between music and audience, and it’s come to be quite special…
How was your last trip to Brasil? The gigs and everything… How do you compare this time to the others you’ve been here?
It has been great to come back here, see old friends and also make some new ones. I performed in the anniversary edition of the Moo party, which was quite fun, and also at the new D-Edge club in SP, which was really impressive. I love its new dancefloor with all those lights. I keep telling everyone in London to go there when visiting Brazil.
Things went quite similarly as in the first time I’ve been there. Well, a significant difference is that prices went up a lot! But then again, I don’t want to be just another “gringo” complaining about how Brazil is no longer a cheap destination to us!
I’ve also noticed more people in Rio, and traffic jams seem to have gotten worse.
What are you future projects?
I spent all December long in Brazil, since I hate the winter and it’s really cold in London now. When I’m back home in January, we (I mean the HMD gang, Jim, James and Severino) will start working on some original tracks alongside a very talented producer. I’m very excited about it and I can barely wait to feel the heat of the Brazilian summer You’ll be back in March, right? What are the plans for next time?
I hope to parade for a “escola de samba” called G.R.E.S. União da Ilha, in the Rio carnival, and I also intend to visit a friend of mine, Benjamin Ferreira, in São Paulo.
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deepbeep85 Luke Howard
Credits: Benjamin Ferreira
Photos: Fábio Tavares
Translation: Rodrigo Inácio
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