Steppin’ Out zine
Steppin’ Out is a zine at the cutting edge of London’s underground music and art scene.
I write, edit and generate ideas for Steppin’ Out.
My highlights include an interview with the Adonis team to celebrate 5 years of the night and a review of Josh Caffé’s album launch party.
Poppa Zesque - Josh Caffé - Steppin’ Out Issue 3
September in East London is humid and dingy before Josh Caffé takes to the stage at MOTH Club in a head-turning inflatable outfit for the Poppa Zesque album launch party. The air is filled with mystery. An audience member turns to me: "I hear he's from Chicago, he's just flown in.". While I know this to be untrue, the captivating allure that Caffé embodies both with his persona and his music contributes to an atmosphere of intrigue that leaves the audience mesmerised. Known for collaborating with friend and producer Hannah Holland and performing live with Paranoid London, now Caffé is high on the launch of his own debut album and subsequent live show. The slick release is testament to a career collaborating with some of the dance music greats, a sound honed by years of experimentation. The product of an artist at the cutting edge of the dance music scene. Speaking with Steppin' Out earlier in the year, Caffé shared he takes inspiration from boundary-pushing artists like Grace Jones and Prince. Poppa Zesque is well and truly the feat of a music lover and aficionado. Tracks like 'Meine Lederjeans' and 'Rent Boys Want Their Money Back' play with disco-inspired beats that could intimidate the most experienced producers. Explicit lyrics scattered across tracks shock and captivate, providing the audience with an anchor to the beat. The titular 'Poppa Zesque' made even East London's trendiest MOTH Club punters break their ice-cool guises and dance. Paired with an inflatable black outfit and passionate seductive delivery, Caffé's theatrics are fitting for the launch of his boundary-pushing album which flirts with the conventions of house, dance and synth. It's experimental but we are in safe hands with Caffé. An album made to be performed, Poppa Zesque is a progressive artwork and all encompassing journey for the senses. From Caffé we expect no less.
