Chloe MooreBull Horris is a DJ and artist, whose work has moved through sound in varying forms over the past number of years.
Playing mostly vinyl, their sets have a retrospective approach, with sometimes sexy, oftentimes camp vocals to the forefront and chord progressions that reminisce on that distinctly Euro sound. Bull Horris is driven by a love for the dancefloor and the cathartic moments it can bring. Co-founder and resident of Tender, a nomadic (by necessity), queer DIY party, based in Dublin, they create intentional spaces and dancefloors for the community.
I sat down with Bill for an in-depth conversation about Pride, covering the celebrations, the music, and everything in between.
You’ve carved out a really unique sound. How would you describe it, and how much of yourself do you feel comes through in your sets?
Well, I’ve only ever played other people’s tracks, so that I won’t claim their sound as my own. DJs don’t exist as these independent entities, we’re byproducts of the sounds and the communities that have come before us, and I’ve been lucky enough to come along after some gorgeous ones here in Dublin. And if there’s anything of me that comes through in my sets I hope it’s optimism, the same optimism I was taught when first partying and being welcomed into DIY and queer spaces here in Dublin and abroad.
Have you noticed changes in queer nightlife in Ireland over the past few years? What are you excited about, or hoping for?
I’ve noticed a pause in the past few years, a hesitation from all parties (not just queer ones) in trying to do something different. People have gotten too comfortable with what little we have left in Dublin, and I really think they should be risking more. Running an event in a nightclub is still such a necessary thing to do, but it’s safe; people need to stop viewing these spaces as the goal. They should be looking at them more as training wheels. Run a few parties until you’re comfortable with the rhythm of your collective and then approach an office space, a restaurant or a warehouse, something a little different that can push the boundaries and ideas around things further out. I’m hoping people will take more risks, because what do we realistically have to lose?
That being said, there are some really gorgeous collectives and people driving something different, which we so desperately need. Stretch is a party run by Lunasa, and that has an organic energy and community behind it. They run parties that can allow for more freedom for both the DJ and the crowd, which is always welcome. Honourable mention to Scarlett too, who’ve done a few raves but are approaching the architecture of club spaces in ways that we all hoped for in the past but never actually came to fruition (the real ones know what I’m talking about here lol), so big shout out to them.
Are there any queer anthems, new or old, that always hit different for you, either emotionally or on the dancefloor?
George Michael – Flawless
Shoutout to Cait for closing Adonis NYD with this a couple of years ago.
How do you balance performing yourself with curating others through Tender? Do you have a “dream lineup” you’d love to book?
It’s no big balancing act, we book the people we want to dance to because we’re all dancers before anything else. We’ve a long list of people we’d like to book, but it needs to be the right party, I’m not gonna give any of that away x
What’s been one Tender moment that made you step back and go, “this is why I do this”?
At our pride party last year, I had a moment watching Nick, Isolde, and our other full-time platformers up behind the DJ, it was either Siofra or Bennet playing because at this point the room was heaving with energy. Ben Phelan was doing the lights for us, and he timed the return of the beat so gorgeously with his tube and spot lights, catching charged glimpses of people going crazy up on the platform. He was playing between that and the disco ball above the decks. There have been many moments both during and outside of our party that have made me realise why we do it, but this was an especially gorgeous one from last year that has me looking forward to what’ll happen this Saturday.
What’s coming up next for you, any gigs, mixes, or collabs we should be keeping an eye on?
Well, this weekend is our annual Pride Block Party at the Complex. I’m really looking forward to returning to this space as it’s been our longest-running home for Tender so far in Dublin. I’ll be closing Tengu that same night too, with some new records I’ve been dying to play on a good sound system. Next week I’m off to London to play Sextou’s Pride Party, then staying on to go dance at SMUT the following week, which I’m very excited about. Putting together a nice mix at the moment for friends in Berlin, and I’ve a residency coming up in Colombia at the end of the year too (not as a DJ but as an artist!)
Lastly, what advice would you give to young queer DJs or creatives trying to find their sound and community right now?
Don’t force it, I’ve tried myself, but things happen when they’re meant to, and people can tell when you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Don’t be afraid to go slow, both in your sound and in the speed at which you might do things. One of the nicest things I’ve learned from playing records is the ability to slow down and really appreciate the music that you’ve spent the time digging for, rather than chasing the new releases every month. Look to the people around you and listen to what your community sounds like it needs. If that aligns with your own values, and it seems like you’re someone with the ability to facilitate that, then do it, don’t wait for someone else to. And if or when that someone else comes along, get to know them, collaborate, and see what you can do. It’s hard to have patience, but you’ll soon learn it if you care.
