10 Questions With LSDXOXO Ahead Of His Set at Homobloc This Weekend

Among the vanguard of queer artists bursting from the underground, LSDXOXO is an XXX star whose work as a DJ, producer and performer has taken him from his hometown in Philadelphia to the underground scene in New York City and to Berlin, where he regularly hosts his own club night, Floorgasm. Now, he’s touching down in Manchester for this weekend’s Homobloc festival.

Finding prominence in the GHE20GOTH1K collective that boomed in 2010s-era New York City, LSDXOXO fuses mainstream pop samples with ghetto house, electro, hardcore and techno to deliver a euphoric, maximalist take on club music that has graced dancefloors globally. From sweaty, unabashedly sexy tracks like Burn The Witch – with vocals telling listeners to “show the DJs how I’ll shake my breasts” – to sultry, bedroom-ready songs like Ass Shots and the high-tempo J’adore, LSDXOXO’s diverse catalogue is united by a queer-oriented embrace of sex, sweat and total hedonism.

The recent release of LSDXOXO’s debut album, Dogma, has only cemented his reputation as the centre of all things hot and provocative. In this new project, we’re treated to a 2000s-R&B-meets-club-kid-meets-Studio-54 odyssey through love, sex and glamour. On Brand New, the musician oozes with confidence in the wake of a break-up; on Black Light he lusts for someone he can’t go without; and on Superstar he reckons with longing at a late-night afterparty.

In the buildup to this weekend’s Homobloc festival ­– where he shares a line-up with the likes of Christine and The Queens, Cobrah and Horsegirl in what’s set to be Manchester’s biggest gay night out of the year – we spoke to the artist about his favourite tracks, his new sound and his love of UK crowds.

1. Describe your sound in 10 words or less.

My sound is seductive, playful, euphoric and a bit provocative.

2. If your new album Dogma came with a scent, what would it smell like?

Amber.

3. What can we expect from your set at Homobloc?

Climbing, laughs and a little heartbreak.

4. If you could curate your own edition of Homobloc, who would be your three headliners?

DJ Hell, Lady Miss Kier and DJ Rush.

5. ⁠When your Djing, what’s one song that’ll always get people on the dancefloor?

Mariah Carey and David Morales’ Dreamlover (Def Club Mix).

6. When building your live show, which pop stars did you want to channel with your choreo?

I try not to be too referential with my performances, as that’s often a lot of people’s entry point to learning new artists. I want them to see me first and foremost before any channeling of other artists.

7. ⁠What’s the perfect environment to listen to Dogma in full?

I’d suggest listening to it on a beach or on a road trip.

8. ⁠Who’s one producer we should have on our radar and why?

Floorgasm’s resident PSL.

9. What’s your party trick?

I can put both my legs behind my head.

10. What makes playing to UK crowds a standout?

UK crowds love to hear music they haven’t heard before. They also tend to really appreciate a sonic journey. One can generally be quite open with what they play out in the UK.

Photography by Michelle Lee Renslo. 

@lsdxoxo