#28 Deeper Into Outer Space | Moxie
The London DJ and NTS Radio legend Moxie on the health of clubs and the nocturnal spaces that have defined her…
“I feel very passionately about saving nightlife, especially the protection of grassroots venues and our government taking this industry seriously,” says DJ and producer Alice Moxom, known as Moxie to the electronic music world.
“It’s such a missed opportunity, we bring in millions of pounds a year yet we’re under appreciated.”
It’s an ongoing and troubling challenge for a world Alice is steeped in, having been immersed in grassroots club culture since she was a teenager. A born-and-bred Londoner, Moxie is a fixture on NTS Radio, runs the On Loop label and is a purveyor of dance music of all flavours, pushing deep house, dubby, techno and more.
The latest chapter in her electronic music story is ‘The Sound Of Love International’ compilation, inspired by the Croatian festival. She’s a regular at the now annual Adriatic pilgrimage for the left of centre dance music enthusiast with her selection based around the theme of ‘U Skladu’ (Croatian for ‘In Harmony’). While this carefully curated collection is based in international waters, Alice’s concerns for club life focus on what’s happening closer to home.
“We are a country that has invented dubstep, garage, jungle and are always at the forefront. But artists need those nightlife spaces to grow and make mistakes. No one starts their career being number one.”
Get a copy of ‘The Sound Of Love International’ compilation
London nightlife
Moxie has been a key player in London nights for many years and one we’ve clocked in different spaces. Now an international DJing star, we used to dance to her selections while she opened up Benji B’s Deviation night at clubs like Concrete in Shoreditch back in the mists of time.
Her own embrace with dance music began during the 2000s when UK garage first kicked off. It was under 18 raves where Alice first danced, held in many of London’s most beloved yet lost clubs like Bagleys in King’s Cross and Camden Palace, now known as KOKO.
“You’d be treated to So Solid Crew, Ms. Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal performing as they were all coming up,” Alice says. “You would go to Jane Norman or KOOKAÏ, get your shiny new dress and head on down to the rave and dance until it was time for your parents to pick you up! It’s funny because all those looks that I wore as a teenager have now come back into fashion with a lot of Depop sellers selling vintage stock from those shops. It makes me feel incredibly nostalgic.”
As Alice grew older other parties came into her consciousness, particularly as dubstep kicked off around the warehouses of East London. She remembers the FWD>> parties at Cordy House on Curtain Road and seeing Skream & Benga play a set at the peak of their joint career.
“Shoreditch was booming and I feel so lucky that I was able to experience that,” she says. “There was a level of freedom and a real DIY approach before social media was a thing and the area had been completely gentrified, so the parties were all word of mouth or through physical flyers left in local shops.”
“Plastic People holds a special place in my heart, I used to work behind the bar there and went to countless parties - Theo Parrish’s residency, CDR and FWD>> on a Sunday were all firm favourites.”
It’s clear that the capital has left indelible marks on Alice’s musical approach, something you can hear in her DJ sets that nod to the various spaces and parties she’s moved through. It’s a uniquely London take, sound systems bouncing next to the bubble of UK garage and of course the bass pressure of Croydon dubstep heroes like Plastician, Hatcha, Oneman and many more.
“Growing up in London has played such a huge part in who I am today, I am a product of my environment,” Alice says. “I was always into music so going out to clubs or trying to seek places to meet other people with similar interests just happened naturally. I’ve always been drawn to those spaces and it was a place for me to find my tribe.”
Deviate to NTS
Alice’s early DJ experiences came via Deviation and Benji B, a selector who opened up her eyes and ears to a rainbow of sounds. His approach to bringing together dubstep, house, soul and more was instrumental for her and London’s fertile club scene.
“I remember hearing Benji’s cover show for Mary Anne Hobbs and was like wow who is this DJ,” Alice says. “I messaged him on MySpace asking if he needed anyone to help out, he replied, then I went to Deviation on my own to introduce myself. We worked together for quite a few years after that, I was in my early twenties doing my art degree, but also starting to DJ properly out in clubs and often playing at Deviation. We threw some really incredible parties, I’m so grateful to have been involved in those years.”
It was around this time that Alice started broadcasting on NTS Live, a moment that she sees as the start of her career as a DJ. It was an exciting time, not only for Alice but also for the wider dance music community with Boiler Room also exploding to give an additional new platform to DJs and producers.
“A lot of my followers are people that have been tuning into the show from the beginning,” she says. “It’s been a slow and steady trajectory for sure, especially as I’m not a producer, people have discovered me through NTS or word of mouth. I’ve seen the industry change and morph and so many DJs have come and gone. Honestly I feel lucky to still be here and able to do my thing.”
Night health
The issue of club closing is an ongoing one and something we’ve continually revisited on this Substack. As an international touring DJ, Alice is concerned for what’s happening in the UK, particularly outside the bigger cities.
“I don’t travel outside of London, Manchester or Bristol anymore,” she says. “The ‘scenes’ that once were don’t exist. I think if anything the internet is probably helping people to feel more connected to one another, especially if they don’t have those spaces to meet up in real life.”
The recent news of the unveiling of a new London Nightlife Taskforce, including Nadine Noor, from Pxssy Palace and Nathanael Williams from Colour Factory, is welcome with Alice attending a recent discussion at Drumsheds.
“Club closures are a serious issue right now and something I’m really concerned about,” she says. “I attended a NTIA committee meeting at Drumheads recently, it involved two tables broken up with MPs switching between the tables to hear everyone’s concerns and how we can start a real conversation on how to save nightlife.”
“It’s a huge conversation that spears many threads with the cost of living at the forefront. We’re hopeful we can start to have real discussions in Parliament to help give the industry the support it needs, whether that’s removing VAT from ticket prices or continuing to open up the discussion and regard club spaces as heritage spaces.”
One of the biggest challenges facing DJs, venues and promoters is the cost of living crisis with the effect of rising prices meaning many clubbers are having to prioritise what they attend.
“People are having to work out what they can afford to go out and enjoy and when it comes down to it, many are choosing festivals over club nights,” she says. “I think they feel they’re getting more for their money which I completely understand. If you’re an up and coming artist it’s hard to break through, especially as we’re losing so many small clubs.”
Among this bleak picture, there are shoots of optimism to look out for too. Alice cites new spots opening in London alongside vibrant scenes in the Netherlands and Belgium, including Horst Festival as positive moves. There’s also a host of promoters and DJs who are keeping her inspired.
“Wallace is someone who I think is extraordinarily talented as a producer but also an incredible selector,” Alice says.
“He spent 10 years working on his productions and you can hear it! But as a DJ I don’t know anyone who isn’t blown away after they watch him. I’m also a huge fan of Jennifer Loveless, she’s someone that has impeccable selection staying true to the roots of house music. A DJ I love to watch and also play with.”
“If you’re looking for rare reissues, then Heels and Souls and Athens of the North are amazing at digging out those hidden gems. Another DJ to check is NIKS from B.A.D, who I love playing b2b with. She is a fantastic curator, whether putting on parties or compiling compilations for her B.A.D. collective.”
Connect with Moxie below | ‘The Sound of Love International’ is available now.
Instagram | Bandcamp | NTS Live
For more on club and rave culture, you can order a copy of my book, ‘Out of Space: How UK Cities Shaped Rave Culture’ via the Velocity Press website now.