Josh Caffe is a fixed part of the underground house and techno scene. The British-Ugandan DJ and performer – and founder of queer London party Love Child – delivers throbbing, acid-soaked Prince-inspired sounds driven by drum machines that ooze Chicago spirit.
It’s been a decade since he debuted his lauded EP Let Love Ruin, and his latest single, “Meine Lederjeans”, is a magnifying heart stopper of electro-funk featuring Alex White of cult groups Fat White Family and Saint Leonard, and accompanied by a gritty, stroboscopic remix from frequent collaborators, Paranoid London (Gerardo Delgagdo and Quinn Whalley). It arrives ahead of a debut album to be released later this year on Phantasy. An exquisite blend of soul and sexuality celebrating and subverting queer tropes, “Meine Lederjeans” is an infectious party anthem.
Here, we sit down with the multi-hyphenate to chat about all things leather jeans, Berlin and his techno-centric, androgynous style – a signature 70s look that comes dipped in high energy future-rave aesthetics.
1. What is the perfect song from your back catalogue to introduce people to Josh Caffé’s sound?
“One Night in Paris (Gigolo Records).”
2. What does the track name “Meine Lederjeans” mean?
“Some of the most amazing nights I’ve had in Berlin have involved leather jeans. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
3. How was it working with Al White on “Meine Lederjeans”?
“Well, we wrote it in Berlin…”
4. What’s the best thing about the Paranoid London remix?
“Everything. It’s like a sledgehammer breaking through a wall and you can’t get enough of it.”
5. If the new track came with its own scent, what would it smell like?
“Vintage Suede, musk, Cognac and sex.”
6. What drew you to the Chicago spirit and sound that permeates the track?
“Growing up listening to Chicago house and watching Soul Train. Both had a big impact on me.”
7. Your sound blends electro-funk and gritty, stroboscopic sounds; who have been your biggest musical inspirations over the years?
“So many, Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Timbaland, Stevie Wonder, Liz Torres.”
8. You have such an acidic, queer, techno-rave style. What are the elements of your go-to aesthetic when it comes to dressing?
“A good pair of cowboy boots, a vintage biker jacket and vintage Wranglers.”
9. What’s the wildest show you’ve ever played and what happened?
“Getting on the mic and then jumping on the DJ desk and nearly knocking off the CDJ during Honey Dijon’s set at Panorama bar was pretty wild.”
10. What’s the rest of 2023 looking like for you?
“A new residency on Rinse FM, debut album, touring with Paranoid London.”
Photography by Spela. “Meine Lederjeans” is out now, available for streaming on all major platforms.
