Don’t Tell Your Mother

August sees LGBT+ indie-pop club Don’t Tell Your Mother celebrate a year bringing the noise to an ever-increasing number of clubbers at the Phoenix near Old Market. We had a chat with DJs, promoters and founders Christopher (Mister Morgan) and Lloydi (Lloyditron), about the night, their top bangerz and who their dream DJ partner would be. 

Firstly tell us a little about yourselves….

Christopher: We are two guys that live in Bristol. We met while DJing at Wonky, which just happened to be the first time we’d ever DJ’d and bonded over music. The rest is history.

Why did you decide to start DTYM?

Lloydi: Being passionate about music, we both really appreciate varied genres to party to, from indie to pop to r’n’b to dirty-pop and many places in-between. We wanted to create a fun, safe and welcoming environment where anyone could come along. We felt that it was important to have creative control over a project and something we could take ownership of. We love each other’s music collections and would happily dance the night away to each other’s tunes.

Who goes to DTYM and are non-LGBT+ people welcome?

We’re really proud that a huge range of people come to DTYM, all ages, genders, beliefs, and orientations. We certainly wouldn’t be happy if someone felt uncomfortable so we’ve done our best to welcome anyone who wants to dance. The night is primarily for an LGBT audience but, really, anyone is welcome

What can a newbie expect from the night?

Lloyd: One of the quotes overheard at the very first DTYM… ‘’It’s like the kitchen at a really good house party” and who can say better than that?’

Who DJs at DTYM?

Lloyd: We do. We always play a set or two while juggling running the night itself but we’ve now started to get our friends on board. Our friend Rrriot Paula DJ’d with us in April and joined us again for the Pride fundraiser. Now that the night has taken off we are looking to expand our team and invite more DJs, no matter how experienced to play.

At the moment our efforts are focussed on the monthly DTYM night, but we’ve had lots of fun supporting other events and were lucky enough to be asked back to DJ at the Bristol Pride After Party at the O2 for the third year in a row.

We have so many plans for the night. We really want the night to keep growing while keeping it consistent. We have dreams about booking other acts to DJ with and even a DTYM-Fest. Ultimately we want to keep people dancing.

Why did you choose the Phoenix to host DTYM?

Christopher: We had looked at a few venues around Bristol and knew we wanted something central, friendly and just the right size. The chaps at The Phoenix were really supportive from the very first contact, and expressed an interest in letting us create something new and exciting for Bristol The night has gone from strength to strength and we couldn’t have done it without them. Thanks guys! 

Are there any tracks or artists that you would never play?

We are really flexible with our music policy. We have one rule about our sets and that if we like it and would dance to it, then play it. Even when we’ve doubted ourselves about songs to play the gamble has really played off. We’ve learnt to trust our instincts.  

What are your top 5 tunes?

Lloyd: Le Tigre – TKO, The Knife – You Take My Breath Away,  SBTRKT – New York New Dorp,MIA- Bad Girls, Foals – My Number

Chris: Ameriie- 1 Thing, Robyn and Royksopp- Do It Again, Beyonce – End of Time, Janelle Monae – Tightrope, David Bowie – Lets Dance

And finally if you could get anyone to DJ/play live at DTYM who would you choose?

Christopher: I would love Robyn to do a set or perform

Lloyd: I would love to DJ alongside Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill/Le Tigre)she’s an inspiration.

The Don’t Tell Your Mother first birthday party is at the Phoenix in Champion Square, near Cabot Circus/Old Market on Saturday August 1.

For more information see the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DontTellYourMotherNightClub?fref=ts

Main photos of Chris and Lloyd by Aileen McArthur. Club night photos by Jessica Kathleen Brady and James Greenoff.