5 Tracks That Define The OOZ Parties Groove

London tends to be a crowded space, especially when we look into the underground, the birthplace of Europe’s raving culture as we know it. From drum ‘n bass to techno, from pure house music to the more nuanced forms or micro and minimal house, London has plenty of venues and party promoters where clubheads can enjoy the music that clicks with them. Yet, just a handful of these underground entities stand out to gather strong communities around their brands. These are usually fueled by their founders’ passion for electronic music, while promoting the clubbing experience in its purest form, centered on what happens on the dance floor.

Co-founded by Joe de Waal & Laurence Watchorn and with Will Davison jumping on board later, OOZ is a young party brand and label record label. Started in 2018, OOZ grew up really nice, headlining arists like Pure Science, Shakolin (record shop owner and also Closer Kiyv resident), Georgia and Clovis who has joined OOZ in December for the Christmas Special at the Lion & The Lamb. OOZ best fits into small intimate venues that create a close-knit family vibe, like The Lion & Lamb, Little Portland Street and Palace Vinyl for the more incognito parties.

We fired up a few questions to Joe & Laurence, just to create a better picture of London’s clubscene nowadays and how OOZ fits into it. Las but not least, they picked 5 tracks that define the OOZ parties groove and atmosphere :)

How did the idea of organizing parties appear?

Joe: I think we always had the intention of turning the brand into a label and party, especially as Laurence had ran some parties when he was a teenager. We wanted to start by building a foundation of music/sound through the page by posting records we love, to then eventually facilitating a space where people can come and enjoy that music.

Laurence: I ran few party’s as a teenager and so it’s been something I’ve been focussed on for quite a few years. In setting up the brand with Joe we always planned on running parties with OOZ and so I knew it was only a matter of time until we invited people to dance under the OOZ banner. The desire to run parties has something to do with not necessarily always hearing the style of music we want to hear when out and about. But also, on a deeper note and in regard to what we’re doing with OOZ, it has a lot to do with wanting facilitate a communion where people feel included and can listen to top quality electronic music. There’s a deeper and spiritual element to dance-floors that definitely motivates me to run parties.

Compared to the years when you first started OOZ, how did London club scene change over years? Is it better?

Joe: We started OOZ in 2018 so just over 6 years ago now – it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s changed since then, especially as I don’t go out as much as I’d like to. But the scene feels much bigger in London than it did back in 2018 to me.

I’m a big fan of these more intimate venues that seem to be popping up over London – the sort of listening bar in the day types that turn into club settings in the evening. I’ve never really been a fan of large warehouse type venues so to have intimate spaces in London that attract some big names is great.

A lot of these spaces and other clubs have a no-phone policy too, which I’m a big fan of. Not only does it better the evening by not seeing phones in the air but it also feels more inclusive for everyone whilst also making you feel like you’re part of something special. I definitely prefer parties that attract people from all walks of life and all different ages too. I think feeling comfortable and at ease on a dance floor is really important.

Laurence: I’m not sure really. I hear quite a lot of music that sounds quite one dimensional to my ears and doesn’t resonate but on the other hand there is some brilliant new music being made and there are some really talented DJ’s around. The scene does feel somewhat saturated – I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing if I’m honest.

A lot of clubs have closed which is really sad. A crazy stat I heard recently was that 3 clubs In UK close every week and if they keep closing at the same rate, the end of 2029 will be the last ever party… that’s mad – and it’s something that needs serious consideration. Apart from a handful of institutional nightclubs, the London scene does feel short of venues but I think that will only drive the sound further underground. The nightlife culture in London is also very different to Europe with not that many after party spots or venues with 24hr license around these days.

There seems to be a new taste for very small, intimate venues with impeccable systems which is a great thing. I feel like a desire for quality rather than quantity is present right now in more relaxed, casual settings.

I agree with Joe though, the rise in no-phones is great and an inclusive and multi-generational atmosphere is something we feel is very important.

What’s special about the OOZ parties, in the pretty crowded landscape of London’s clubbing scene?

Our favourite parties have close-knit family atmospheres, that feel all-inclusive no matter who you are or where you’re from – parties that give you a sense of belonging and community. We really try to facilitate that here at OOZ and so far, we believe we’re achieving that :) We hope that people can trust our taste and bookings to provide quality electronic music that doesn’t feel the need to conform or compromise. We like deep, soulful music and that can be expected at OOZ. Whether that separates us from others across the underground landscape will need to be decided by those on the dance-floor rather than us.