OSLCTS.003 JOSH CAFFE
Love Child founder and LGBTQ+ activist joins us for our third serving of Origins InConversation.
Josh Caffe is a name synonymous within London's queer dance music scene, having founded Sunday party ‘Love Child’ in 2018 inside the hallowed walls of Farringdon’s 'Fabric', Josh has sought to reinvigorate the London LGBTQ+ scene as ‘clubbing culture within London depends on freedom of self expression and sharing love through music in any shape or form’.
Josh’s work has risen far beyond music, now a widely respected activist for a more inclusive industry, Josh has created a platform for promoting change and diversity, most notably with his ‘Love Child TALKS’ series. Inviting some of musics most prominent LGBTQ+ figures, Love Child TALKS have become a hub for progression as it looks to break down industry norms by discussing topics such as ’Segregation in the LGBTQ Community’, ‘London Pride - Are We Proud' and most recently ‘Queer Women In Music’.
When Josh isn’t breaking down culture walls, he can be found recording a wide variety of music, in a wide variety of disciplines. Performing live PA’s with Paranoid London, as well as features and releases on Batty Bass, Nervous Records and Crosstown Rebels, Josh has no limit to his creative remit. A recent release on a Honey Dijion track no less, and a debut album in the works, plenty to come from Josh.
What have you been doing these past few months?
Mainly trying to stay sane lol. I feel really conflicted with my lockdown experience. On one hand I've missed being in clubs, dancing, playing music and being amongst friends. Accepting that we won't be able to properly have all of these elements together for a while has been a lot to take in. On the other hand I've had time to reconnect with myself and do a lot of thinking which has been both positive and sometimes negative. It's been nice to stop and rediscover music amongst other things I like and really look at where I want to go as an artist. Things were starting to move really fast before we went into lockdown and it was getting hard to take in what I had going on and stop to fully appreciate it.
We’ve been following and admiring your work within the industry over the past few years, what further changes would you like to see incorporated to make nightlife more inclusive?
There still needs to be more black queer artists on line ups for clubs, festivals, whatever. It gets exhausting and frustrating still seeing all non black line ups especially for nights or clubs that center their music around house and techno.
Your event 'Love Child' has been gaining some serious momentum since it's creation a year ago, what was the inspiration behind the party, and subsequent label?
Initially we wanted to bring back queer clubbing on a Sunday, something London has missed for a while. People don’t go out the way they used to though in London and also there’s much more queer parties during the weekend. By the time you get to Sunday you’re probably broke or in recovery mode. We wanted to collaborate with other queer nights as well so this was an organic thing that followed. It’s important that we support each other in the LGBTQ+ community especially in night life as scenes can tend to separate quite easily. Setting up the label was a natural progression for us this year. With Love Child we always want to keep supporting and showcasing all the amazing talent we have. Whether it be musicians, artists whatever through our parties or panel discussions. The feedback and support from press and dj’s has been amazing so far. As soon as we put out our first release, a lot of great demos gravitated towards us and it seemed shocking they hadn’t been signed yet. I’m happy we can give them a home.
You’re a multi talented artist with adept skills in DJing and live PA’s, how has your identity and culture forged the music you create and champion?
My music is based around House and I grew up listening to it through my dad and my sister who were both DJ’s at some point. This was amongst other music like r’n’b, soul, congolese music and later on jungle and garage. It was only natural that I would gravitate to one if not all of these. House music resonated more with me being black and queer. Its roots lie in this community. I’ve always felt connected to the house vocalists that came from the late 70’s to 80’s Chicago and it feels crazy to now be able to call some of them friends. People like Robert Owens, Jamie Principle and Normski have all really supported me and encouraged me to continue being bold, authentic and proud to be a black artist.
You're a resident at BLOCK 9, tell us more about your work with this legendary collective?
For so long the idea of me being at Glastonbury festival, let alone playing, was something I never really felt I needed or wanted to experience. It's been 7 years I've been playing in Block9 now and it's one of my favourite places to be. I usually play on Genosys stage and the Meat Rack and sometimes do a live PA in NYC Downlow. There’s a real magical atmosphere that forms every time you’re there and a real sense of togetherness. Plus the levels of fun and dancing are beyond, you end up in a depression for days after coming back. Adrenaline levels have been at peak for most of the time there but it's all worth it though.
Has this current situation with COVID-19 altered your relationship with music?
If anything its made me appreciate music even more. It's nice to be able to take proper time out to discover new artists. I’d spend so much time looking for music for sets, you miss out a bit on the other stuff. I like to listen to alot of alternative r’n’b and soul and I've come across so many amazing tracks during this period. Great stuff to listen to at home while chilling.
In light of the current BLM movement and supporting POC, its become very apparent that Black and ethnic culture has heavily influenced dance music. How would you like to see the industry support BLM and honour the origins of dance music?
Continue to amplify and raise our voices. This isn't just a ‘thing’ for the moment. Black artists and producers everywhere have been doing this from the beginning with dance music and that should always be educated to people. Also continue to acknowledge current black artists on a wider view. Whether it be through press coverage documentaries, radio play or education syllabuses. There needs to be more documentaries that educate people about the work black artists have done and continue to add too in dance music. I recently contributed to a student studying Music Production, writing her dissertation on race, gender and sexuality in regards to house music. In light of everything that's happened in the past few weeks plus the conversations we had, I got an email from her this week to say the university would be starting up a module next year surrounding race, sexuality and gender in music. This was a great domino effect and I look forward to hearing/seeing how they progress with it. It's stuff like this which will keep the younger generation clued up.
What's on the horizon for Josh Caffe?
Trying to get an album finished by the end of the year. Also I have a track with Honey Dijon coming out at the end of summer from her new album so keep an eye out for that.
Photo Credit - @josh_caffe
Words - Luke Baker