As we prepare for the third installment of Heads Up - a free monthly party in East London - Kelly Rounce looks back at October's party...
Having just 2 hours notice to attend a cool secret party by an even cooler record label is the object of most girls’ wardrobe nightmares. Luckily just that very lunchtime a new shopping centre had opened opposite my office, so as soon
as I got word of the party I was in Topshop quicker than a rat out of an aqueduct.
Once suitably clad in my new outfit and after a cheeky few in the office we were ready to rock. I was a little unsure of what to expect, especially on a Thursday night. All of my Defected experiences have been in some far flung country where you warm up for the night sipping sangria (not arriving from work in the rain and descending beneath the streets of East London). To our relief the party was a perfect mix of people with one thing in common - a passion for house
music.
The evening kicked off with a round of vodkas in the company of Defected A&R Director Simon Dunmore and a set from Maya Jane Coles, a cute red haired British-Japanese electronic DJ. Her set was my personal favourite, the kind of cool techno that’s a little harder than the usual Defected beats and really gets you in the mood to party. After another Asahi and a cheeky tequila shot the room started to fill up and everyone was ready for some Thursday night fun.
Maya Jane Coles
Next up behind the decks wearing his signature sunglass was Studio Apartment’s Masa. I mention the sunglasses as keep in mind we were in a basement in East London... God only knows how he saw the CDJs. Despite this obvious professional disadvantage his set was wicked and by the time the gorgeous leather-clad Rae stepped up to perform her new track 'Hide U' the room had that idyllic party vibe that Defected do so well.
Finally headliner DJ Gregory and his joie de vivre really pulled it out of the bag with a cool mix of classic house and funky disco that catered for all tastes - and got everyone throwing some shapes in the packed room.
DJ Gregory & Rae
And with that it was back to reality. As I ascended the steps back up to street level, a passerby would have been none the wiser what had just taken place below… well it wouldn’t be secret if they did, now would it?
Heads Up is next on Thursday 24th November, with Copyright, Simon Dunmore and Aaron Ross - email sophie@defected.com for more details and guestlist
House Masters DJ Gregory is out 6th December - click to listen & pre-order
