While the future of nightlife remains clouded by the smoke of uncertainty – with the ripple effect of lockdowns, strict council regulations and financial demands from landlords leading to the shuttering of 65 UK clubs in 2024 – our dance floors have never been more exciting. Inside 10 Men Issue 61, we spotlight a series of DJs that are experts in their craft, taking eclectic sonics born on the British Isles to the biggest stages globally and providing soundtracks to the sort of nights out you’ll be telling your grandchildren about.
You haven’t quite experienced transcendental dance floor bliss until you’ve seen a Faff set. The London-based twosome, Elliott and Orny, beloved fixtures across London’s queer club circuit, are known for their euphoric house and glistening rave stylings. As label bosses of Big Dyke Energy – named after the pair’s community-driven club night, which sadly closed in 2023 – they’re a dab hand at crafting the sort of tunes that’ll have you throwing both hands mid-air.
from left: Elliott wears top by SWEATMOTHER, shoes by NIKE, Orny wears top and trousers by LACOSTE, shoes by THE NORTH FACE
What’s one track that’ll never leave your USB?
Elliott: I Feel You by Ispirazione.
Orny: Relocation (DJ Dozia’s On Location Mix) by Pete Moss.
What track never fails to fill a dance floor?
Orny: Get Away (You and Me) by DJ Guan and Mac Zimms.
Elliott: A Is for Acid (Perc Redux) by Matt Whitehead.
What makes a great DJ?
Someone who’s got a diverse collection. Skills are obviously an important part of being a DJ but we’ve enjoyed sets where the selections have blown us away. It’s important to find a balance between sticking to your sound and reading the crowd at a gig. And a good DJ never gatekeeps tracks!
What’s been the best night out of your life?
Generally the best nights have been at Field Maneuvers festival [in Norfolk] as we’re always with our best mates and the music, lighting, production and crowd always deliver. The festival is very DIY, which we love!
What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’re most proud of?
Recently we’ve just finished making our first proper live set, which has taken us about five years of hard work. We can’t wait to share it very soon!
What shaped your musical tastes?
Orny: Growing up, it was mainly from the radio, music videos on TV, video games, my mum’s CD collection playing in the car and playing instruments. I also used to go to the library and pick random CDs and burn them at home. Later it was moving abroad and seeing different scenes while going out, meeting different people, seeing different cultures.
Elliott: The radio was always playing at home. I was introduced to dance music at a young age by my mum – she loves having a dance. I remember Firestarter by The Prodigy playing on repeat. I played in a few different bands in my teens and would go to a lot of gigs in Glasgow and around Edinburgh.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at the club?
A lot of funky business in Venue MOT [in South London] involving jungle gyms, smoke alarms and sewage.
What makes a great night out?
A fab DJ, great lighting and sound system, great company and crowd, comfort and ease, and a little bit of je ne c’est quoi in the air.
Taken from 10 Men Issue 61 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
Creative Editor and Text PAUL TONER
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU and SONYA MAZURYK
