Former Dubai DJs Showcase Their Hot Gorilla Label on Brand New Heavies’ Tour

Former Dubai residents Andy Buchan and Mark Pickup will hit the road with one of the UK’s most famous acid jazz and funk bands. The founders of Hot Gorilla Records, Andy and Mark will DJ on The Brand New Heavies’ autumn/winter UK tour. They’ll provide slick warm-up sets of soul, funk and disco across a string of eight dates. And they’re chuffed to be supporting a band they admire.

“It’s a big deal for us,” says Andy. “I started my DJ career playing before and after bands in Dubai so I’m really excited to be setting the scene again at some seriously big venues across the UK. We always wanted Hot Gorilla Records to evolve into parties and tours, so for this to happen 18 months after we launched the label is brilliant.”

Blurred Lines

Hot Gorilla Records is a joint project between Andy and Mark, under his Conan The Selector alias. The label “blurs the lines between disco, funk, house and reworked edits”. It’s aim is simple – “to make you go bananas on the dancefloor”.

Litmus Tests

The Hot Gorilla bosses were selected to join The Brand New Heavies’ tour after passing various litmus tests. “It’s been a possibility for months,” recalls Mark. “We had to submit mixes, releases, branding, web site, etc. We finally received the official flyer with our logo on from the band’s tour manager, via our management at Jump Media. Then we knew it was on for real.

“After such a horrendous year for everyone in the music industry, receiving the news was a surreal moment. It feels like good stuff is starting to happen again and it’s a major step forward for the label. Both Andy and I love the Brand New Heavies. We’re massively excited to align our label with such a legendary band.”

Hot Gorilla Records’ first tour date with The Brand New Heavies is Saturday 18 September at Manchester’s O2 Ritz. The lads then join the band in Liverpool, Lincoln, Nottingham, Barrow, Leeds and Peterborough.

Label Support

Almost 20 releases deep, Hot Gorilla Records has chalked up several No.1s on DJ sites like Juno Download and Traxsource. The label enjoys great radio support from Craig Charles and 6Music. “DJs like Horse Meat Disco and Greg Wilson support our music so we know we’re doing something right,” says Andy.

“One of the best parts of the job is finding new talent and giving them a platform. We’ve signed people’s first-ever records and watched them go on to great things. It really does put a smile on your face being part of that success.”

Pipeline

Looking ahead, Andy and Mark have plenty in the pipeline. After staging the first Southport Disco Festival in July, they’ll be throwing the second edition in November. They will release their debut album next year. Warm-up slots for Sugar Hill Gang and Angie Stone are already penciled into their 2022 diary, as well as international dates with Billy Ocean and the Delicious Festival in Johannesburg.

You can never have too much funk and disco in your life so wrap your ears around Hot Gorilla’s releases and mixes right here.

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