House heroes and Sunday parties: an interview with Stuart Patterson and Phil Asher of Inner Rhythm

House heroes and Sunday parties: an interview with Stuart Patterson and Phil Asher of Inner Rhythm

19 October, 2011
by: Lowri

Continuing our interview series with London's most interesting promoters, meet East Village's Stuart Patterson and Phil Asher, here to talk about their brand new party: Inner Rhythm.

House music mainstays Stuart Patterson and Phil Asher are kicking off a brand new night on Sunday 30th October: Inner Rhythm. They decided to make it a Sunday party after looking at a list of their favourites and realising they all had something in common. It's the day when the posers and casualties leave room for the people who are there to dance.

We caught up with them to talk house heroes, dancefloor bombs and London life.

So, can you tell us about the concept? What can we expect from Inner Rhythm?

Phil: Great music, dancing, good times, fun fun and fun, deep house for dancing to…..did I already say that?

Stuart: I've always loved the family feeling of Sunday clubs, you certainly avoid the Saturday night bridge and tunnel type. So a great crowd (we hope to entice some serious dancers to our wooden floor), who appreciate the music. Essentially a haven for music heads, dancers, and party people driven by two residents who are musically different, but share a quality heritage between them, which hopefully evolves into an essential Sunday soundtrack in London for years to come.


House is having a massive resurgence. Any idea why? Are you riding the wave or ahead of the curve?

Phil: I’ve been riding the house music wave for the last 20 years. I want to share some of my experiences and music at Inner Rhythm, perhaps educate some people, maybe remind some of old times. House has always been a big part of my life.

Stuart: A lot of the new wave of producers are heavily referencing real house sounds from the '80s right now but personally it's a band wagon I don't need to jump on as I have been house since I was five.


If you could have anyone to play Inner Rhythm who would it be? (Money no object.)

Phil: Joe Claussell, Andre Lodeman, Ricky L, Christian Pronovost, Craig Smith, Harvey, Radio Slave, Tyrone Francis.

Stuart: If money's no object we'd build the Inner Rhythm time machine and have Hardy Chicago '83, Larry NYC '86, Norman High on Hope 88, and Joe, Danny and Francois NYC 2000


Five key ingredients for an amazing party are...

Phil: Venue, soundsystem, people, sex and drugs and jazz funk and house.

Stuart: Resident DJs, the crowd, soundsystem, guest DJ, giving a shit.


What would you be doing if you hadn't become DJs and promoters?

Phil: I'd be fixing cars and trucks. Or working in a record shop.

Stuart: That's a parallel universe just too scary to contemplate.


There is a perception that a DJ/ promoter's life is one big party. What you saying?

Phil: Not round my way it ain’t. That's why we put parties together, in order to create some fun. Pass the Smoking Blues please.

Stuart: Erm, it was for a while but you reach a certain age and you realise you can't do it all the time. It doesn't mean you need to give up or stop having fun, plus this night will be fun and it closes at 2am not 6, so we can let our hair down a little.


Best thing about living in London?

Phil: The Moroccan fish stall on Goldbourne Road, Haggerston BMX track and East Village.

Stuart: The energy of the place and the nightlife. Let's face it, the UK club scene isn't what is was, but London remains fresh, vibrant and essential. Plus of course the people, the parks, the food...


We publish Dancefloor Bombs every Friday - can you give us a couple of failsafe bangers?

Phil: Aftershock - Slave to the Vibe
GU - Moog Vibration
Sweet Thunder - Everbody's singing Love songs
QB Smith - You Are Loved - You are loved (Son Liva Mix Final Edit )
Rudoulpho - Touch Me
Lemon & Herb - Velani
Aaron Ross & Sterling Ensemble Ft. Ursula Rucker - Alive
Norman Connors - Mother of the Future

Stu: Vaggio - Don't You Want Some
Tigerskin - November
Joshua IZ - Sentimental Love (Audio Soul Project mix)

Inner Rhythm kicks off on Sunday 30th October at East Village and occurs weekly.

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Lowri