Hi Living Room Dance Club aka Ailsa McLaggan thanks so much for coming on the AMF blog and putting a mix together for us. I always like to start my interviews by asking my guest to introduce themselves and give us the story of how they got into DJ’ing. Can you give us a rundown of your musical journey from the first time you picked up a record until now?
The roots of my soul obsession probably started when I left Inverness in my teens and started going to Euan Fryer’s night, Motherfunk at the Bongo club in Edinburgh. At the same time I was buying up all the Sampled series on cd which sparked a lifelong interest in digging for original breaks. It was pretty much women who paved all the rest of the way – I dj’d on an iPod at a party (😂) and my friend encouraged me to get some vinyl instead so I started collecting, did a few guest slots then got offered my own night. Around the same time, I also got approached for a show just as Reform Radio was getting started, then started working at a record shop, so the record collecting stars were pretty aligned for me that year, I was very fortunate 🙂
You’ve been on Reform Radio for almost a decade. How have you seen radio change in that time and where do you see the medium heading, especially for niche music genres and underground dance music?
I think since I started in radio, the landscape has changed hugely. I started listening to 6music by accident not long after the station started and at that time, it felt like the only alternative station available. Since then, the independent sector has obviously exploded with stations like Reform, NTS, Worldwide Fm & Do You, showcasing a mindblowing amount of different genres, people and variety. The chatroom element seems like a key to engaging the community and it works because next to no one is being paid, everyone’s doing it because they’re passionate about what they’re playing.
I guess with Worldwide and Melodic Distractions coming to an end recently, it might be telling that the independent sector is feeling squeezed at the moment, I’m not sure. There’s definitely a younger dj community who are doing an amazing job of plugging newer/niche genres across Manchester, from ghetthouse to gqum, reggaeton, footwork, UK funky & LatinX
How important do you think radio is for nurturing and breaking new DJs? Do you think it holds considerable power in this regard or has it been superseded by other mediums?
I don’t think radio and djing don’t necessarily go hand in hand, there’s a range of people who are good broadcasters but can’t dj, or djs who just want to play tracks without presenting, but it’s a great flex if you’re allowed to do both. There’s a lot I put in my show that I wouldn’t necessarily include in a set, but it’s useful to have a back catalogue of episodes for ppl to be able to see what you’re about. I’m not sure how much clout platforms like TikTok have when it comes to breaking anything other than pop music, but I think with the premium price djs have to pay to upload mixes now, the future will be mixes on spotify
For anyone looking to get into hosting, or producing a radio show what advice would you give them?
Draw from the deep pool of local radio available and say yes to any guest/cheap gigs with your mates, they’re always the most fun! In Manchester alone, there are so many great local stations from Reform to Steam, All Fm & Unity. Doing a takeover or introduction course is a great way to give you a taste or the tools to record at home then you can upload yourself. I still record mine from home because I find it easier to fit in, and it’s been a good way to improve technique and technology along the way. Producing wise, I had a lot of doors shut on me before I finally ended up as Assistant Producer for 6music – when it feels like you’re getting nowhere it’s hard to see that you’re actually paying into that pot of experience but it’ll count one day
Moving on to the mix you did for us, can you tell us a bit about how you put it together? Do you tend to meticulously plan your mixes or is recording a mix a more organic free-flowing process for you?
I wouldn’t usually plan 5 to 6 hour sets, but I always reach for the most recent additions, and make sure there’s a general flow to it. For shorter festival sets or mixes, I always plan it more but leave scope for going in a different direction if it feels right. For this mix, I drew from one of the many playlists I have running at any time – I was also fresh from We Out Here so feeling inspired about how I wanted it to sound. I went for digital tracks that have never had a pressing, and vinyl that I knew wasn’t available digitally
Are there any standout tracks in the mix you don’t mind sharing with us? Tracks that are always in your record bag or certain tracks you’re really loving playing out at the minute.
There were a lot of recent additions on this mix including the Quantic one, and a 12” from the Dj Day album which I’ve absolutely rinsed lately. We had Stennes as a guest on the radio show in Sept, so it was nice to finally get a copy of Moon Child by Captain sky which is a sample from his first album and a total banger. I like to have a proper ending to a set, so I always pick something that’s a bit of a handbrake turn, this time it was a 60s soul 7” by Delores Lynn, big Irma Thomas feels on that one
Lastly, what’s on the horizon for Living Room Dance Club? Do you have events in the pipeline you can tell us about or radio shows, festivals etc?
Very excited to tell you that there is a LRDC+friends truck(!) coming to the city centre on 10th Oct as part of the Beyond the music musical activations around Mcr, and I’m joining forces with Yad Campbell on 25th Oct at Odioba in Stockport for another set together. I love small nights with an intimate dance floor and a record bag full of disco. I’m continuing programming for venues & events as well as DJ residencies/regular spots at Ramona, New Century Hall, Nordie and Strangebrew. We have more guests on the radio show coming up – this year I’ve been joined by Ang Sirena, Madison McFerrin, Stennes, Private Joy, Admin from Bristol, Audrey Powne & Tendavillage so far. That’s monthly Sundays, Reform Radio 1-3pm 🙂
