PAHUA, lovetempo, Rafiki Senses

Who they are

• 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

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

• Rafiki Senses

  2 bookings since Oct 2024

  Recently at El Nico · often with NONI, Abenezer, none of them here that night

• Pahua

  4 bookings since Apr 2024

  Downtempo on 5, House on 4, Deep House on 3 and Nu-Disco on 3. styles on their catalogued releases

  Released on Lácteo Cósmico (1), Razor-N-Tape 45 (1) and Razor-N-Tape Reserve (1). labels on their catalogued releases

  Recently at public records · often with Willy Soul, Peter Matson, JKriv, none of them here that night