Elliott (Big Dyke Energy)
DJ | Producer | Promoter
‘The word dyke is a feeling. It’s an ethos. It’s about being strong, being independent, knowing your worth, taking up space and not giving a fuck about what people think. It’s a spin on the phrase big dick energy, which is a mindset and dykes embody that!’ - Elliott Clemenson’s definition and ethos of the London-based label and event series; Big Dyke Energy.
DJ, producer, promoter and vinyl-cutting-company-manager Elliott co-founded Big Dyke Energy in May 2019 and in its short lifespan (before Covid came through) the night proved hugely popular amongst London’s queer community with tickets flying out on all counts. Along with co-founder Melody aka Bouji Boi, the pair enforced a strong spirit behind the platform to create a safe and welcoming space for anyone who identifies as a dyke, or is a fierce ally. In Elliott’s own words, ‘BDE champions trans and non-binary individuals within the dyke community’ while supporting local and emerging talent from the UK’s electronic music circuit.
Pummelling techno and electro, tropical house and everything in between have bounced off the walls of Venue M.O.T supplied by the likes of Imogen, Angel D’Lite, Cimmerii and many more from the generous pool of new and established talent from the underbelly of London’s music scene. Of course, once Covid came along, the series went on a hiatus before returning in August to host a socially distanced, outdoor event at Venue M.O.T, which proved to be safe, innovative and slightly challenging for Elliott and the BDE team but they still managed to pull it all off with roaring success.
As Europe and the UK faces another lockdown, Elliott shares a BDE-related memory below as well as upcoming news for the collective, how they feel about the future and more…
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
It was taken at our 3rd BDE party! Each time we are so nervous that no one is going to show up when we are standing in that empty warehouse, but holy shit it turned out to be one of the best ones we’ve had! I have such good memories of that night, the room was packed and it was proper sweaty rave. It felt like we had developed a crowd of BDE regulars by then as well. We had Kasey Riot and Marie Malarie headlining which was wild. I remember playing dirty acid house and crispy breakbeats throughout my set which is what I go crazy for!
How have you been over the last few months and what's life currently like in London?
I’ve been good, surprisingly busy with work. I run a vinyl record cutting business called ‘Cutsy’ so been working to keep that going and grow the customer base more and more! Also I’ve just moved house which is amazing to finally feel so settled somewhere. London is quite a strange place to be right now, it feels quite different than my home (Edinburgh). The Scottish government were more strict up there. I am seeing nightlife struggling a lot right now, along with most businesses, it all feels a little bit dystopian.
In August, yourself and the rest of the Big Dyke Energy team put together a socially distant event outside at Venue M.O.T. As a promoter, how did you find planning and running the event compared to curating pre-pandemic BDE parties? Also, did you find that people were willing to follow the rules without any hassle?
It definitely took a lot more thought and organising to incorporate social distancing. Having the venue at a reduced capacity and holding it outside was different, but it worked. It felt like a big ole queer fest. After months of isolation, which I know for some meant not being their true selves because of oppressive home situations, a queer dykey socially distanced rave could not have been more needed. The heartwarming messages we received afterwards from BDE regulars who said how much it meant to them to be in a space they felt accepted, made it so so worthwhile.
Has your own connection to music - particularly club-focused electronic music - shifted since the pandemic was declared or has it remained pretty much the same?
I feel my love for electronic music has intensified! I have valued digging for tunes a lot more since the pandemic, as I’m searching most days for new tracks, when I come accross a new one that I think will play out really well I just get more hyped and excited for the next time we can properly go to clubs again.
At this moment in time, how do you feel about the future?
I am feeling quite worried about the future of a lot of venues, parties and the music industry as a whole, but of course we have to keep going with this new ‘normal’ as long as we need to to ensure people are safe. At the same time, from the way our socially distant party went I also feel quite optimistic, we love what we have created with BDE and want to keep doing it for as long as possible. We also have just released our first EP! In aid of the outside project and queercare, it’s available on Bandcamp and to stream on Soundcloud. I hope to grow this side of BDE as a label and start doing some more releases with artists within our community.
What has been a constant source of comfort for you throughout the year so far?
Definitely eating hah! I’ve taken to trying to recreate at home all my favourite meals from restaurants that I can’t go to at the moment, so yeah trying out new recipes. But mainly eating. 😊
Listen to Elliott’s latest track ‘Venus’ here and follow them below:
Big Dyke Energy | BC | SC | IG | FB
Elliott | IG