New Year's Eve with Soul Clap, Lovie, Justin Strauss & Billy Caldwell

Who they are

• 

  Soul Clap

  Massachusetts · 24 bookings since Aug 2023

  “The early years As children on earth, they were driven to understand the history of dance music and found their teacher in original boston disco DJ Caril Mitro who admitted them into the temple of Vinyl Connection (whose members included Dimitri From Paris and Frankie Knuckles plus many more).”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  The early years As children on earth, they were driven to understand the history of dance music and found their teacher in original boston disco DJ Caril Mitro who admitted them into the temple of Vinyl Connection (whose members included Dimitri From Paris and Frankie Knuckles plus many more). Caril taught Soul Clap that "house wears many hats" and instilled the sounds of American dance music while fostering an addiction to digging that has become a worldwide quest to acquire the best vinyl. Soul Clap´s training goes beyond history lessons to mastering all the elements of the DJ: knowledge, mixing, programming, performance and experience. In between With their roots firmly planted in their hometown of Boston, Soul Clap went out into the world to perform at places like The Marcy Hotel, Fabric, The Electric Pickle and Bar25 and in smaller places in America, Europe, Japan, Mars and Jupiter plus dancefloors in other galaxies that you haven´t heard of. They blasted into space with a series of game changing edits (including the summer 2010 anthem Extravaganza), originals (Action/Satisfaction & Lonely C) and remixes (for Laid Back, Metronomy, Little Dragon, Robert Owens, DJ Harvey and more). They joined forces with Wolf + Lamb to mix a chapter of the legendary DJ Kicks series and broke musical ground on a two month world tour of 6+ hour DJ sets. They always believe in sharing the knowledge by teaching college courses, doing workshops, speaking on panels and making sure to include forgotten classics in their epic DJ sets. The future By harnessing the past Soul Clap looks to the future. In 2012 they released their debut long player, EFUNK: The Album. A culmination of their sonic influences so far, full of collaborations and programmed to listen to on one vinyl LP, it included a cover version of Egyptian Lover’s classic Alezby Inn, which got the seal of approval from Egypt himself in the form of a remix due out in 2013. Pushing their musical message even deeper, Soul Clap proudly launched Soul Clap Records, a  sounding board for original material, a framework for their own funky family and a spotlight on undiscovered talent from their hometown of Boston and beyond. To keep the vinyl torch burning the label features vinyl only tracks and limited 7” records, as a matter of fact 45’s have become an exciting new medium in Soul Clap’s DJ performance. Soul Clap Records also completes the trinity now known as Crew Love, a family formed with Wolf + Lamb and Double Standard Records. With epic Sonar & A.D.E. parties already in the history books, this brotherhood will  bring together artists from all three labels for many more epic experiences in 2013. As the stars align, Soul Clap to embark on new adventures for 2013. Coming soon is a mixed compilation for newly relaunched UK Garage legend Nice ‘n Ripe records and possibly the most exciting mothership connection of all, a budding collaboration with the creator of P-Funk himself, Mr. George Clinton and his C Kunspyruhzy record label. Always pushing new boundaries, always traveling through time and space, The Clap is on a mission to change the world one dance floor at a time. Dr. Funkenstein has taught us well: free your mind, and your ass will follow.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Wolf + Lamb, Airdrop Records, Double Standard Records, Soul Clap Records and 1 more.

  Recently at Jolene Sound Room Brooklyn, The Red Pavilion, SILO · often with Eli, Matt FX, LADYMONIX, none of them here that night

• 

  Lovie

  Washington DC · 90 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Lovie's musical discovery began in the digital music age: a young lover of local radio and after-school MTV marathons, her early mixes took shape in the form of burned CDs she made for her friends.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Lovie's musical discovery began in the digital music age: a young lover of local radio and after-school MTV marathons, her early mixes took shape in the form of burned CDs she made for her friends. After relocating from her hometown of Washington, D.C. to New York in 2020, Lovie's unique selection of soulful, spiritual music swiftly ushered her into New York's local music scene. At the taste-making Brooklyn radio station, Lot Radio, she gave birth to her homey platform, summer school radio. For five years Lovie's radio mixes—now being offered as one of the station's few weekly residencies—have thumbed through the intimate corners of her music collection. She saunters through slow-groove disco, dusty '70s funk and groovy '80s jazz at a studied pace that makes it easy to marvel at every timeless chime, trill, and drum beat. She's as tempted by the bedroom pop of Clairo as much as the cosmic funk of Lonnie Liston Smith. Outside the Lot, Lovie presents summer school radio as soothing listening sessions around Brooklyn, providing warm balms for city fatigue with artists like alt-jazz harpist muva of Earth and New Age legend Laraaji. As co-founder of Soul Connection with long-time friend and collaborator, Honey Bun, she imbues the power of friendship and Black femme empowerment into sumptuous house music and '90s R&B spun with the patience and musicality associated with the East Coast house tradition. Connecting the mind, to the body, to the soul, her club sets inspire the warmest, most community-minded dance floors you'll find in the city. Her diligence to the craft, musical curiosity, and deep focus on the listening experience earned her a spot on Mixmag's Top 25 Breakthrough DJs of 2024. She now holds a coveted residency at Brooklyn club public records, and has played at art centers like MoMA, Brooklyn Academy of Music and The Beacon Theater, where she opened for Kamasi Washington. Her work has also brought her to international gigs at Paris's Djoon, London's Spiritland, and more. Whether playing on her stomping grounds or rocking dance floors overseas, Lovie creates honey-sweet dance floor memories you'll want to replay again and again.
  SoundCloud ↗

  Recently at Jupiter Disco, Gabriela, Eavesdrop · often with Honey Bun, JADALAREIGN, Jenifa Mayanja, none of them here that night

• 

  Justin Strauss

  New York City · 125 bookings since Aug 2023

  “Bio Few DJs could adequately represent the last three decades of New York nightclub history - no less do so with such iconic credentials as Justin Strauss.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  Bio Few DJs could adequately represent the last three decades of New York nightclub history - no less do so with such iconic credentials as Justin Strauss. Since he was 17, when his first band was signed to Island Records, Justin has had a career that reads like a Who’s-Who of the music scene, spinning at nearly every dance club that you’d ever want to go to. Starting as DJ at New York’s legendary Mudd Club, he spun his way through The Ritz, Limelight, Area, Tunnel, M.K., Life, Centro Fly and more, pioneering his own distinctive sound, and becoming one of the most sought-after remixers and producers not just in New York, but in the world. He has worked with the gamut of artists - Depeche Mode, Sergio Mendez, Tina Turner, Jimmy Cliff, B-52s, Luther Vandross, Malcolm McClaren, Skinny Puppy, Goldfrapp, to name a few (see full list) – and on over 200 records! Much of the new dance crowd that goes to hear Justin DJ today, whether at subMercer, The Standard, Highbar, Soho House, or Love, doesn’t necessarily know his history; they simply love his spinning because he always keeps them dancing and surprised, seamlessly mixing between choice classics, delectable rarities and innovative beats. For Justin, no genre or style is off-limits – he can and will mix anything, so long as he can keep the crowd enthralled. His self-proclaimed mission is “connecting the dots” between what might otherwise seem disparate musical periods and styles, while introducing exciting new sounds. He does so with infectious passion, subverting preconceptions about what’s old and new, and inspiring young DJs with his masterful skill and ever-youthful spirit. But Justin Strauss doesn’t stop there. As half of the production duo, Whatever/Whatever, he continues to produce and mix records, working on remixes for the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Beyonce, La Roux and more. In fact, he doesn’t stop at all. Like the amazing city he’s dedicatedly kept dancing since 1980, Justin just keeps going. Coming Soon. a/jus/ted . New project with Eddie Mars. 2013
  SoundCloud ↗Discography ↗
  Synth-pop on 46, Pop Rock on 21, House on 34 and Disco on 13. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on DFA (1) and Demon Records (1); their RA profile also lists Southern Fried Records, Under the Shade, Dither Down, Plant Music and 3 more. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Recently at House of Yes, Two Doors Down, Eavesdrop · often with Seth Magoon, Mike Guimond, Amelia Holt, none of them here that night

• lovetempo

  New York City · 13 bookings since Oct 2023 · Bushwick disco and edits

  “lovetempo is the brainchild of Mattie Safer, known for his work as the singer and bassist of Poolside and The Rapture.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  lovetempo is the brainchild of Mattie Safer, known for his work as the singer and bassist of Poolside and The Rapture. Since its inception, Safer has fused saudade sentimentality and jazz-funk excursions with modern dancefloor sensibilities. Through body, soul, and basslines, lovetempo explores the triumphs and travails of the heart. “lovetempo is in many ways the perfect musical project for me,” says Safer. “It gives me an avenue to explore the soul, disco, and house music that makes up my list of desert island delights, and the mental space to work through the loneliness, longing, and sublime sweetness of modern romance with my lyrics.” lovetempo’s most recent EP is Live Or Die By Love, released in February 2025 on toucan sounds. The four-track release includes three original songs—the 90s house-influenced anthem "Live Or Die By Love", and two smooth disco cuts, "We Can Make It Happen" and "Part-Time Love Affair"—plus a remix of the title track by house music legend (and longtime Frankie Knuckles collaborator) Eric Kupper. The title track premiered on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM radio program and was featured on Laurent Garnier’s [DEEP]search FIP radio show. Tracks from the EP have appeared on Spotify’s ‘Metropolis’ and ‘Jazz House’ playlists and were added to rotation at KCRW, KEXP, and Jazz FM, among others. “Maybe In Another Life”, released in November 2024, is lovetempo’s most impactful single to date—a slow-burning disco groove driven by soaring strings, heartache, and undeniable rhythm. The track received widespread airplay on BBC 6Music, KCRW, and Jazz FM, earned placements on Spotify’s ‘Pollen’ and ‘Fresh Finds’ playlists, and was championed by Gilles Peterson across both BBC and Worldwide FM. A remix by Bosq brought the tune deeper into global dancefloor territory. In April 2025, lovetempo released the But I Do (Extended) EP on Razor-N-Tape, expanding the original single (a collaboration with Dougie Stu of Brijean) with DJ-focused remixes from Crackazat, Daisybelle, and From House To Disco. The extended package further cemented Safer’s place in the international underground dance scene. In May, Safer collaborated with UK producer Sasha GiGi on the single “All My Life.” The track has been featured on Spotify’s ‘Pollen,’ ‘Metropolis,’ ‘All New Dance,’ and ‘UK House Music’ playlists, and received airplay on BBC Radio 1. lovetempo’s journey began with a self-titled 2023 debut EP on Razor-N-Tape, which garnered critical acclaim and extensive radio support from KCRW and Worldwide FM. That release led to a U.S. tour with 79.5 and headlining shows in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Austin. Recent live highlights include a performance for WFUV and Co-Sign as part of New York Music Month. As a DJ, Safer has played recent sets in NYC, LA, San Francisco, Hawaii, and Mexico. He also contributed a DJ mix to Razor-N-Tape’s Apple Music DJ series. And recently released an extended version of “Same Ole Love” The Sunset Manifesto Vol. 2 compilation on Too Slow To Disco, as well as a remix for NY indie darlings GIFT.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  House on 4, Nu-Disco on 4, Deep House on 3 and Disco on 3. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Delusions Of Grandeur (1), Good Company Records (3) (1) and Lovetempo (1); their RA profile also lists Razor-N-Tape, Toucan Sounds, Northern Spy and Captured Tracks. labels on their catalogued releases and on their RA profile

  Last at Good Room in Oct · often with LEONG, Xica Soul, Moriah Plaza, none of them here that night

• Billy Caldwell

  11 bookings since Dec 2023

  Last at Eavesdrop in Dec · often with Timo Lee, Party Dad, HunnyBunny, none of them here that night