Memories From The Dancefloor: An interview with podcast host Damian Kerlin

Memories From The Dancefloor, a brand new podcast/docu-series created and hosted by Irish journalist, Damian Kerlin, is proving to be quite the hit amongst podcast fans. 

Delving deep into the forgotten history behind queer nightlife across the UK, whilst celebrating the LGBTQIA+ venues that have supported the scene through the years, episode one of the series offers up interviews with key players who've assisted in promoting the once underground subculture to the mainstream here in Britain. 

Stacked with humorous and emotional anecdotes from the likes of Jeremy Norman, the man behind London's iconic gay superclub, Heaven, as well as interviews with leading industry figures, such as Hi-NRG music producer and DJ, Ian Levine and London Night Czar, Amy Lame, the podcast is a sort of time machine, taking audiences on a trip back in time to reflect on the beginnings of the movement and the venues from which it was born.

We recently caught up with Damian to discover more about the podcast and what's to be expected from future episodes. Continue reading below to read what he had to say...

Let’s start by uncovering your experience of growing up as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern Ireland. Were there any queer spaces in your home town of Derry? And do you remember the first LGBTQIA+ club you ever attended?

"Absolutely! I look back on my first time at Pepes, my first gay bar experience and Derry’s only gay bar, as a turning point in my coming to terms with my sexuality. Over the years, I enjoyed many sweaty nights (and sometimes early mornings) at gay bars across the country. It’s where I felt safe enough to experiment with sexual practices and substances and learned a lot about myself in the process.

"More importantly, it is a place where I met fabulous friends and luscious lovers. It’s where I created lasting connections; a boyfriend that has stuck around for 12 years. I know first-hand the importance of the relationships formed through these shared experiences in a dedicated gay space.

"Without these spaces and Pepes, growing up gay in Northern Ireland would have been incredibly isolating."

What would you say was the catalyst behind creating Memories From The Dancefloor?

"I am a party boy. I love clubbing. Always have, and always will. But when I looked into the history of queer nightlife it was all so academically focused, which 1) was written by someone who clearly did not go clubbing, 2) was accessible and 3) it did not include the voices of our community. Where was the authenticity, the fun, the gossip? All the things that make it, IT! I wanted to do something about it, which is where Memories from the Dance Floor came from.

"It is the stories colourfully told by the communities behind those closed doors and the memories which will last a lifetime!"

You recently launched the docu-series, a celebration of queer nightlife exploring the stories behind some of the world’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ clubs. The first episode covers London’s ‘Heaven’ and its precursors. How significant was the opening of this club on modern gay culture?

"Heaven set the precedent. It was the first LGBTQ+ super club in Europe. It is the blueprint all others have been built around. Let’s take music for instance.

"When Heaven launched in 1979 it did so with legendary music producer and DJ Ian Levine at its helm. Levine was unlike any other DJ working at the time: he pioneered the idea of blending songs together seamlessly to keep partygoers dancing. A moderniser of Northern soul music in the UK and a developer of the style Hi-NRG, Levine has written and produced records with sales totalling over 40 million. Few partygoers could have known that they were witnessing the dawn of a musical revolution called Hi-NRG, or that their radical idea of how to spend a Saturday night would eventually evolve into modern clubbing and spread to every corner of the world.

"Gay clubs have added immeasurable worldwide historical and cultural value to popular music, particularly to the development of pop, electronic and dance music. From Levine’s reign to Colin Faver and Mark Moore’s S’Express, one of the first nights in the country to play emerging house music, to Paul Oakenfold and Ian St Paul’s acid house, techno and breakbeat hardcore which dominated the 90s, the gay bar of the 20th and 21st centuries have played a crucial role in shaping the soundtracks of our lives."

Opened back in 1979, Heaven came about at a time when prejudice towards the LGBTQIA+ community was still commonplace. Fast forward to 2023, how have those views changed, in your opinion, for better or for worse?

"Better for sure, but we can’t become complacent. We are currently seeing history repeat itself. I mean, look at the avalanche of discrimination faced by our trans brothers and sisters at the moment by our Tory government and right-wing media. It is rife! The same slurs such as “Paedophile” and “Groomer” being used is exactly the same as that used in the 80s to gay men around the same time of the aids pandemic."

The podcast also includes conversations with artists and promoters who’ve performed in LGBTQIA+ venues around the world. Which names and brands would you consider figureheads of the queer scene at present?

"Years and Years is a strong contender. Olly Alexander is just class. But you’ve got Lil Nas X, Janelle Monae who I adore, and Troye Sivan. There are loads and they are all doing great things in particular at demonstrating that we are not just associated with pop music."

Alike most venues in Britain, gay bars and clubs seem to be susceptible to closure too, whether due to rent hikes from landlords or due to the cost of living crisis. Is queer nightlife in the UK under threat?

"I wouldn’t go as far as to say under threat, but I do believe we have a collective responsibility to ensure we protect our spaces. That also goes for the spaces themselves too. They need to listen to the community and understand how their needs and wants have changed and adapt to that to stay relevant.

"There are people who believe it's a simple supply and demand equation. The theory goes that society is becoming better integrated, meaning gay people feel more open to visiting 'straight bars' lessening the demand for gay-only or predominantly gay venues.

"I wholeheartedly disagree.

"There’s an important distinction between being accepted by the mainstream and blending into the mainstream. The goal is to have a strong sense of identity that is universally respected and celebrated, not for it to melt into the mainstream."

In the weeks and months to come, which other venues can we expect to learn more about on Memories From The Dancefloor?

"Season one is a three-part documentary, where we primarily focus on Heaven, The Black Cap and Nightingales. However, we do touch on The Admiral Duncan, Joiners Arms, The Vauxhall Tavern, London Pride and more.

"I would LOVE to do a Season 2 and take it completely out of London to show the UK that gay bars exist outside of Zone 1."

February 2023 marks LGBTQIA+ History month here in the UK. Through your research, who would you consider a champion of queer culture in Britain? We know you’ve spoken with the likes of Jeremy Norman, the founder of Heaven, who basically introduced London’s gay culture to the mainstream. Are there any others that spring to mind?

"There are so many! Marc Thompson co-founder of Black Gay Back in the Day is incredible and his work around HIV is making such a change. Shivani Dave is just incredible. Their ability to stay calm in an interview and how they execute their point is a sight to behold.

"Then there is Munroe Bergdorf whose new book transitional is out this week. That will be a must-read. Then there is Jack Guinness the brain behind The Queer Bible. I mean, I could go on all day. All I will say is if you are out there and you are LGBTQ+ and struggling, please dig deep to find those who are doing the work and support them. Those who make the most noise are unfortunately the most heard but those who are working to do good will make the most impact!"

Music plays a central role in queer nightlife culture - whether you’re a DJ or a drag artist or both. Which artists would you say have soundtracked the scene and the clubs you’ve attended over the years? And are there any contemporary names that intrigue you?

"Of course, it did. Look, if anything is worth doing it’s been done gay first! I love dance, techno and rave but I’m no snob. Play a pop banger and I’ll see you on the dancefloor. Everything from Donna Summer to George Michael right through to Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Years and Years and Little Mix."

Finally, where can our readers listen to your podcast and do you have any other events or ideas planned off the back of Memories From The Dancefloor, that you’d like to promote?

"They can listen to Memories from the Dance Floor from wherever they get their podcasts – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, wherever. And yes, I have a few things planned so follow me on my socials (Instagram and Twitter) and I’ll soon reveal all."

Listen to episodes 1 and 2 of Memories From The Dancefloor, below...

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