REFUGE RESIDENTS: JOY SOCIAL

For our third instalment, we catch up our fave resident duo, Joy Social who have also provided us with an exclusive Refuge mix for your listening pleasure.

Give us a little introduction

Tamer: I learnt to DJ around 20 years ago with some belt drive Numarks and about 10 records. The first DJ I listened to was EZ – I was really into pirate radio and all the culture surrounding it. Growing up (and when I first moved to Manchester nearly 15 years ago) I was really into Erol Alkan.

Dai: I started learning to mix my flatmates Drum & Bass records at uni around 2008/9. But I was really into techno at the time: Sven Vath, Carl Cox & Adam Beyer have always been heroes to me!
I think Erol Alkan was also a big influence – I travelled from Wales to London to attend one of his last Durrr parties at The End before it closed!

We’ve been DJing collectively as JOY SOCIAL for nearly five years after we were offered a monthly slot in a basement in NQ. We’d get pretty raucous with extra sound, a red light and double gins on tap!

How do you prepare for a set?

We always make sure to check out every DJ we’re sharing a line up with to get a feel for the night. This helps us build the right selection and vibe. We’ll usually bounce ideas across for a few weeks but more often than not will surprise each other with something new or unheard of!

Three words that describe Refuge

Big, Bold, Beautiful

What do you enjoy most about playing here?

We love how varied the crowd is, it really keeps us on our toes to cater for all. The staff and all the events are great – it’s really good to be a part of something that’s right up our street!

What track always gets the party started during your set at The Refuge?

Gwen McCrae – Keep The Fire Burning

What’s your favourite dish or drink at The Refuge?

Food: Sunday roast
Drink: Gin & Tonic

Name a track that changed your life

Tamer: Strafe – Set It Off
Dai : Ralph Rosario – You Used To Hold Me

Head to Soundcloud for JOY SOCIAL’S exclusive Refuge mix.