Meet the Beats Crew DJs
These are the DJs behind Heart Beat Club, a disability-friendly nightclub experience in Adelaide.
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.
Their Heart Beat Club event is run by and for learning-disabled adults, their friends and allies.
The first Heart Beat Club was put on in August, supported by the Adelaide City Council, and creates an inclusive nightlife setting as an alternative to the overstimulating environment of mainstream nightclubs.
Ahead of their next event, CityMag got to know some of the DJs involved.
The next Heart Beat Club is this Friday at Nexus Arts, with a guest performance by The Sisters of Invention to celebrate Good Music Month. Tickets are $10 and available via the Tutti Arts website.
Andrew Pandos
This picture: Thomas McCammon
Andrew goes by DJ Panda and has been with the Beats program for years.
What genre do you like to play?
I play really nice music with absolutely no swear words.
Why did you want to start DJing?
I wanted to become a DJ so I could perform to my family and friends. I liked the idea of being a DJ with my own name, and to create a fun dancefloor energy.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
DJ TR!P, who is one of the people who teaches and inspires us DJing in the Beats program. Also, shout out to Matt G and Mat M for helping us put these Heart Beat Club nights on.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
I have been all these years. I remember getting an opportunity to see Michael Jackson back in the day. I also go to see a lot of musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar at the Entertainment Centre.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
Getting more disabled DJs to perform. All you need is love.
Coffee or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate!
Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube: YouTube and Spotify
Sandos or Sushi: Sushi!
Isaac Smith
This picture: Thomas McCammon
Isaac started with the Beats Crew in 2018 and goes by DJ Blender.
What genres do you like to play?
Pop Rock, Disco, Rock and Roll, Folk
Why did you want to start DJing?
I love music and DJing makes me feel happy
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
Michael Jackson
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Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
Fun, dancing, clapping
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
[I] only really go out for private events.
Isi Sweeney
This picture: Emmaline Zanelli
Isi has been DJing for over six years and goes by DJ Spin Mix-a-Lot.
What genres do you like to play?
Definitely emotional rock and rock ballads, bubblegum rock, rap, hip hop, chill, pop rap. Pretty much the whole depressing pop vibe, where you don’t realise it’s depressing because it’s such a good vibe and upbeat.
Why did you want to start DJing?
Mmmm, honestly, it was my fellow DJ Lorcan, who knew I was really into music. He encouraged me to show my parents the flyer and to let them know I could make DJing a career.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
DJ Salt because Josh is really cool, and I love his beats.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
I just want them to feel a temperature that is so high it breaks the monitor. I just want to see them sweat and ache, dancing so much they need more deodorant.
Why do you love being a part of the Beats Crew?
I honestly don’t know. I get nervous and self-conscious of my music sometimes when I perform. If you could see me on my first night I was standing so stiff. But I am music, that’s how I feel. I can make the music happen by going with the waves of emotions from the crowd.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
Yeah! I mean, most of the time I just go to clubs and dance the night away.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
They need to learn how to be loose.
James Bull
This picture: Thomas McCammon
James is one of the Beats Crew veterans and goes by DJ Bucking Bull.
What genres do you like to play?
I play an eclectic mix of music.
Why did you want to start DJing?
Because there’s not many disabled DJs out there. I’m also wanting to work at a club behind the bar, and this is a good way of getting into that.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
Ed Sheeran, because I love folky pub music.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
Crowd Pumping, Disability Rights, Record Spin.
Why do you love being a part of the Beats Crew?
I love it because it gives us the opportunity to do something we wouldn’t normally be given the opportunity to do.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
To be honest, no I haven’t. I never know if I’m going to get through the door, and even if I do, strobes and lasers can be bad for my epilepsy.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
Sensory-friendly areas, and employ people with a disability.
Joel Hartgen
This picture: Thomas McCammon
Joel started DJing when Tutti Arts took over the Beats Crew in 2022 and goes by DJ Blast Off Rocket.
What style/genre do you like to play?
Classics from the ’70s and ’80s like the Bee Gees and John Farnham.
Why did you want to start DJing?
To be part of the team.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
The Culture Brothers (from the Beats Crew) and L-FRESH The Lion.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
Confident, excited and happy.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
It’s too hard to go out late at night.
Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Soft drink!
Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube? Spotify
Sandos or Sushi? Yiros!
Joshua Campton
This picture: Emmaline Zanelli
Joshua goes by DJ Volcano Salt and started the Beats Crew in 2018 with Lorcan Hopper, who he performs with as the Culture Brothers. The pair won a Ruby award from the Department of Premier and Cabinet for the initiative.
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What style/genre do you like to play?
Alllll sorts of genres.
Why did you want to start DJing?
Because I love DJing, and I love my friends. I hadn’t done it before, because I was raised in Darwin and I didn’t have the opportunity.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
Calvin Harris and Skrillex.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
Unity, Cooperation, Togetherness.
Why do you love being a part of the Beats Crew?
I AM the Beats! The master of beats.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
Yes I have, because the culture of Adelaide is very welcoming and friendly.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
I’d say they could learn from Calvin Harris. Also, we need more ramps and buses!
Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube? All three!
Sandos or Sushi? Sushi!
Lorcan Hopper
This picture: Emmaline Zanelli
Lorcan is one of the founding members of the Beats Crew and goes by DJ Generation Flash Point.
What genre do you like to play?
I play electronic dance music, and also Drum and Bass.
Why did you want to start DJing?
Because I wanted to make friends, make music, and to perform in different venues all around Adelaide.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
DJ Havana Brown, for sure, ‘cause she inspired me to become a DJ.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
Reverb, Power, Electronic.
Why do you love being a part of the Beats Crew?
It feels like home with friends and family who support me. Also I make good music, especially with my brother in the Culture Brothers. We work as a team ‘cause we want to have the power for disability rights.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
For me, not really, but when it comes to the Heart Beat Club you feel like you’re in an exclusive community, and it allows us the opportunity to perform with charisma and passion.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
They could learn from how we make music, meeting up every fortnight, and also getting funding to do more accessible nightclubs.
Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate!
Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube? YouTube.
Milo
Milo goes by DJ Smith and has been DJing for a couple of months.
What genre do you like to play?
Techo, Punk, Emo, EDM.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
One of them is DJVI.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
PUMPED, energized, feel the heat.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
I went to a concert last night, the Alkaline Trio at the Entertainment Center. I felt welcome there.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
Having meetings with groups like ours helps us lead the way.
Tyson Grundy-Smith
This picture: Thomas McCammon
Ty has been DJing for six years and goes by Kyyo T.
What genre do you like to play?
Whatever I can find. Funk soul, pop, hip hop, house, rock n roll and breaks. We can all find our favourites anywhere.
Why did you want to start DJing?
It’s a long story. It started with listening to a lot of music on the radio when I was a kid. I started with rock, pop, hip hop and rap, and then got more into dance music when I grew up.
Who is your favourite DJ or musician?
Oh there’s loads, Fatboy Slim, J Dilla, MF Doom, Mad Lib, and rock acts like REM, Queen, Offspring, etc.
Can you tell me three words that describe the atmosphere you want to create when you DJ?
Creative, energising, supportive
Why do you love being a part of the Beats Crew?
I love to practice, communicate, and share the fun times with crowds at the club nights. We’re only just getting started in this new age, a new pack of DJs getting started in the scene.
In your experience, have you felt welcome at other nightclubs and mainstream venues?
Quite easily yeah, places like the Festival Centre, Town Hall, Gawler, Murray Bridge and Prospect are all welcoming. There are still more spots out there, and I would love to do more DJing at different venues.
What do you think other venues and clubs in Adelaide can learn from Heart Beat Club?
They could learn about our upcoming DJ talent. They could improve equality by giving us an opportunity to perform in larger venues. That’s their responsibility.
The Heart Beat Club is on Friday, November 29 from 7pm ’til 11pm at Nexus Arts. Tickets are $10 and available via the Tutti Arts website.