London’s fearless longstanding underground and deep House DJ don, Johnny Reckless, is known as one of the connoisseur curators at Hackney’s BBE store and is the founder of the DJ collective Four Directions. From his sets at Sweeties at the Standard, We Out Here Festival, his curated Four Directions events and his residency at the sadly closed House Of St Barnabas in Soho, Johnny’s extended sets are eagerly anticipated and guaranteed to keep vibes high until the last track. As one of the Resident DJ's for Househead LDN Johnny flanks Jihad Muhammad at the next event on Saturday April 27th at Aures London. We catch up with Johnny to give us his lowdown on all things London.
What’s the best thing about London?
It’s is a multi-cultural hub.
What’s the worst thing about London?
Losing its authenticity and vibrancy. It is now vastly over-commercialised and full of Hipsters but the worst thing is that ‘old London’ is getting squeezed out.
Where do you go to have fun?
The BBE Store in London Fields - it is the home of the BBE Music label, which is also where I work during the day, and is the longest running, Black-owned, independent Record Label founded by Peter Adarkwah. The BBE Store has DJs playing at events from Wednesday to Sunday and has hosted some of the most incredible DJ nights for those in the know…Osunlade, Louie Vega, Moodyman, Kenny Dope, DJ Spinna, Rich Medina, Glenn Underground and Musclecars amongst others have all played in this intimate space … it’s the place to be.
Where is the most relaxing place in town?
Home as I’m always working… either playing out at various club nights and festivals or behind the decks at the BBE Store … so home is where I relax.
Where is your favourite place for eats and drinks in London?
The BBE Store in Hackney. The drinks are high quality and reasonably priced and there are various foodie places close by around Broadway Market and the store. The music is amazing and the crowd at BBE are great.
If I could change one thing about London…
The lack of social housing for the generations coming up.
What’s your favourite venue to play at and what makes it so special?
It used to be the club room within an iconic Grade-I listed Georgian Town House in Soho Square called The House Of St Barnabas,which sadly because of irreparable financial damage caused by the pandemic, coupled with a broken roof in 2023 had to close its doors, it was a very special place to me because it was also a homeless charity employing homeless people as floor staff. Sweeties on the 10th floor of The Standard Hotel in Kings Cross, where I play a bi-monthly party on Saturdays, is an amazing space with floor-to-ceiling views across the whole of London. I also love playing at various spaces throughout London - Househeads have booked me at The Horse & Groom in Shoreditch and Aures London in Waterloo which are both great venues, and of course the BBE Store.
The song that reminds me most of London is…
London homegrown band Light Of The World’s ‘Midnight Groovin’. It’s a seminal piece of Brit-Funk from an important era of club land which can never be surpassed.
Tell us a London gem that everyone should know about
The BBE Store in Hackney.
One thing everyone should do in London is…
Ride the tube… get off at any station outside of Zone 1 and explore. London is not all about the commercialised West End or City of London.
Johnny Reckless joins Jihad Muhammad playing Extended Sets at Househead LDN on Saturday April 27th at the immersive club space, Aures London from 9pm till 4am, Final Release tickets available from Resident Advisor.
More info at Instagram, facebook.com/househeadldn