The first in a series of disability-led club nights is on this weekend, so CityMag chatted with their Beats Crew DJs.
James Bull is a founding member of the Beats Crew, a DJ collective behind The Heart Beat Club, a disability-friendly nightclub experience.
James, who goes by DJ Bucking Bull, told CityMag Heart Beat Club is where he fits in.
“How would I describe Heart Beat Club? It’s me,” James says.
“It’s something which has opened my eyes on my capability, on what I can do.
“That’s a big thing for me, and I reckon that is shared across a lot of my friends too.”
Lorcan Hopper aka DJ Power on the decks. This picture: Emmaline Zanelli
The Beats Crew were formed in 2018 and are now based at disability arts organisation Tutti Arts, meeting fortnightly to hone their DJ sets and plan club nights.
Founding member Lorcan Hopper, aka DJ Power, says it feels good to have a night out in a fun place to dance and listen to music with friends.
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“It feels like I’m getting it out of my system [when I’m DJing]. Every time when I do that, it makes everyone happy,” Lorcan says.
“When we perform on the decks, we want it to be loud so that people can have fun with it, dance along with us. I interact with the crowd, I get onto the microphone.”
James agrees the Heart Beat Club has a fun atmosphere, but he still gets nervous. To overcome his stage fright, he goes “incognito mode” with wigs and glasses, courtesy of his mum, who used to run a costume shop.
“It’s an adrenaline rush,” he says.
Joshua Campton aka DJ Salt and James aka DJ Bucking Bull at the Heart Beat Club. This picture: Emmaline Zanelli
James has been a part of Tutti Arts programs for six years and enjoys making music videos, playing instruments and dancing.
He says he likes the social side of the Heart Beat Club, and having a place where he can enjoy music and connect with friends in an inclusive nightlife setting.
“Because I have epilepsy, it’s very hard to find a place where you get accepted when you got epilepsy in that sort of atmosphere,” James says.
“I haven’t had a seizure for years, but I have to go with either my mate who knows or my sister or a family member who knows how to deal with it.
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“The beauty with the Heart Beat Club is it’s catered for all disabilities, like say if it’s asthma, there’s no smoke machines or the lighting gets tested before we run an event and things like that.”
James says Tutti Arts is to thank for the opportunity because they’re knowledgeable and supportive of people with all types of disability.
“Tutti Arts do so many things for us, like they give us employment, which is very hard when you’ve got a disability and when you’re performing in the arts,” James says.
“There’s also lots of other people in Heart Beat club and club night that enjoy themselves, meet people, work on the DJ decks, or whether it’s lighting or back in the office doing stuff, there’s heaps they offer.”
James says he enjoys spinning all genres, but at the moment his favourite song to sneak into a set is ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by the Buggles. This picture: Thomas McCammon
Tutti Arts has recently received funding through the City of Adelaide’s Cultural Strategic Partnership program, which allows the Beats Crew to deliver four Heart Beat Club events in the next 12 months.
Tutti Arts Creative Director Gaelle Mellis says their organisation supports “learning disabled & neurodivergent artists’ right to self-determination”.
“Unlike many other social activities for learning disabled people, the Beats Crew have created an age-appropriate experience of contemporary popular culture through The Heart Beat Club – crucially run by people with learning disability!
“The Beats Crew DJs are very motivated to deliver club nights regularly for the many young disabled people in the community.”
Tutti Arts delivers programs across visual arts, music, theatre, technology and more. They support over 230 learning disabled and neurodivergent SA artists. This picture: Thomas McCammon
The City of Adelaide is excited to support Tutti Arts to offer an accessible night-time entertainment offering in the west end of the city.
“The usual nightclub environment can be overwhelming for those living with disability,” Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith says.
“Tutti Arts’ wonderful initiative removes some of the barriers people may face so they can enjoy Adelaide’s night life, making our city as accessible and inclusive as possible.”
The Heart Beat Club will be held Friday, August 30 at MOD from 7pm ’til 11pm. Tickets are $10 and available via Humantix.