Now if there’s anything we need less of in 2020, it would be drama. But for the duo Super Drama we may just be willing to make an exception.
The East-London based DJ/Production powerhouse that is Jerome and Jon, were…well, fucked, when the bars & clubs began to close down thanks to Covid. But refusing to be disheartened they stepped their pussies up and instead set up their own label, curated their own Family Drama compilations and then donated the proceeds to Mermaids and the Black LGBTQIA+ Therapy Fund.
Loverboy speaks with Jon from the band about their quite literal trademark sound, how they are all about dropping a curveball in a set and how 50% of them love themselves some New Jersey heavy metal.
Jon, first up how exactly did Super Drama come to be?
We met around eight or nine years ago at a staff party for the two pubs we both worked in at the time. Jerome had only done one shift but still came along to our two-day Dorset camping extravaganza that was slightly epic to say the least. We’ve been friends ever since! We started DJing together and always talked about making music together but never got round to doing it. We already had the name before we even made a tune. Once we sat down and made our first tune ‘Drama Theme’, the rest is history.
Who was the first artist you bonded over?
I think our first proper music bond was over Timbaland and The Neptunes. We have pretty eclectic taste and love hip hop and RnB, especially those early 00’s bangers that kinda changed the face of pop music forever. There’s definitely stuff we don’t agree on though, I can’t think off the top of my head but there are quite a few modern pop stars I like that Jerome definitely detests! He’s also a big Danzig fan which isn’t really my jam tbh.
I read recently that genres are only for journalists. So…how would you describe Super Drama’s music without using genres?
We have totally trademarked Tears In The Club™ as our sound! We like to weave in and out of genres in our sets and I’ve actually had a couple of people say it doesn’t work but we love it! We believe emotion can come from anywhere so we play lots of different types of dance music but it always has to have the ability to make you cry in the middle of a dancefloor!
Was setting up your own label always on the agenda?
We originally decided to put our first release out on our own label, mainly ‘cause we didn’t really know who would wanna put it out. It then grew into way more than that and we really want to push Super Drama Records into something that represents us, our friends and artists we admire.
How did you go about curating the music for the Family Drama compilation series?
We basically just asked loads of our friends if they wanted to contribute. From well known producers to complete unknowns, it was a way to showcase all the people we’ve met in the four years of doing Super Drama. We had such a great response and also people that couldn’t make the deadline so get ready for even more Family Drama down the line!! We couldn’t be more happy with how it has turned out and are dying to finally have that launch party. It’s gonna have to be at least twelve hours for all the people we had booked to play.
The two charities you’ve chosen to support are Mermaids and the Black LGBTQIA+ Therapy Fund. Why did you select those two?
When we decided on the Family Drama compilation we wanted to go with Mermaids as they do amazing work for trans and gender diverse children in the UK. We had a big fundraising party to go with it all locked in at Dalston Superstore, but then of course Corona came and ruined everyone’s plans.
Then back at the start of summer all the huge BLM protests were taking place across the world so we thought we should split the proceeds with a Black LGBTQIA+ fund as well. There is a massive personal connection here as these charities represent a lot of our friendship group and we always wanna help out whenever we can.
I’ve seen you talking about the East London Queer Scene a lot. What specifically do you think sets it apart from the gay scene in other cities in terms of community but also music?
I think the East London scene is just such a melting pot of different styles and that everyone we know just likes good music regardless of genre. You could be listening to Angel D’lite play some serious rave music or Josh Caffe playing acid or Hannah Holland playing techno and everyone is just well up for it! I find the scene way more inclusive and diverse then other parts in the world. Just go to Adonis and you will see what we mean!
In 2020, we are in need of fun. What is the most fun, abstract and weird record you would drop in a set?
We love a curveball in a set and have definitely played a few that didn’t go very well, along with less that did go well! I think ‘Deceptacon’ by Le Tigre would go down extremely well in 2020, I would love to go mental to that with a bunch of sweaty mates around me. Currently I’ve been having a huge Lous & The Yakuza moment so would absolutely love to play ‘Amigo’ at a rave.
Lastly we are named after the biggest selling single of 2001. So we always ask what is your favourite Mariah Carey track?
That’s a tough one but for me but most probably ‘Obsessed’ or ‘Honey’. Though ‘Honey’ probably takes it ‘cause of that video with Mariah on the jetski!!! Also her performance in Precious gets me every time!
You can buy the album now at www.superdrama.bandcamp.com/music
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