Few artists embody the spirit of modern disco quite like London’s Tom Lilly, better known as Bustin’ Loose. As the founder and creative force behind The Disco Express — a leading nu-disco label and events collective — he’s cultivated a world where vintage soul and house collide with contemporary energy.
Photo credit: Bustin’ Loose – Official
Now, with The Disco Express hitting its 100th release, the celebratory compilation ‘VA – TDE100’ arrives as both a retrospective and a mission statement. Spanning funk, soul, house, nu-disco and electronica, the 15-track record is built for both peak-time dancefloors and Sunday comedowns.
In this conversation, Bustin’ Loose opens up about the legacy of The Disco Express, the making of ‘TDE100’, and what it means to reach triple digits while staying independent.
EG: Congratulations on the 100th release of The Disco Express! What does this milestone mean to you personally and creatively?
Bustin’ Loose: Thanks! It means a lot. Reaching 100 releases is a surreal feeling. It’s an amalgamation of hard graft, late-night phone calls, and passion for making good music. Personally, 100 releases is no mean feat, especially as an independent record label in the current economic and musical climate. Creatively, it’s everything I could’ve wanted from our 100th release — in terms of the presentation, quality, and content, it’s exactly how I imagined it.
EG: The new VA release ‘TDE100’ drops on 24 October 2025. What can listeners expect from this record in terms of sound, vibe, and the artists featured?
Bustin’ Loose: ‘TDE100’ is The Disco Express distilled into a double LP album. It’s packed with soul, feeling, deep infectious grooves, and that unmistakable feel-good energy. The sound is eclectic and journeys through the spectrum of our musical influences, from peak-time euphoria to downtempo moments. We wanted the album to be enjoyed in multiple settings — whether it’s a packed nightclub or lounging by the pool on a Sunday afternoon.
You can expect to see the same familiar faces from TDE and some newcomers to the label. We are especially excited to welcome the likes of Derrick Carter, Inaya Day, and John Morales, alongside regulars such as The Wild Violets, Golden Gate, Magnolia, and yours truly, Bustin’ Loose.
EG: How did you go about curating this compilation? Was there a particular theme or intention behind selecting the tracks and contributors?
Bustin’ Loose: The idea of ‘TDE100’ was to showcase our full musical spectrum. The album meanders through disco, nu-disco, house, funk, soul, breaks, italo, jackin’, and electronic — all tied together by that human, musical warmth The Disco Express has always stood for.
It was intentional to begin the album with three powerhouse disco tunes by Ayce & Spirit of House, The Wild Violets, and Golden Gate with Inaya Day. Kicking off strong but lighthearted was key before cutting into the heavier, more club-focused sounds of Side B.
Side C ventures into nu-disco before winding down with Side D, where the tone becomes more downtempo. Thematically, ending on ‘It Ain’t Easy’ by Meridian and Aleisha Lee made complete sense. Its lyrics nod to the struggles of everyday life, but ultimately it’s about never giving up and finding your ‘time to shine’.
EG: Was there a moment during the making of ‘TDE100’ where it really hit you — “Wow, we’ve built something special here”?
Bustin’ Loose: For sure, it was quite recently when a fan made a full radio mix on Data Transmission, including all 15 tracks from the album. I was like, man, that’s pretty cool.
EG: Are there any tracks on the VA that hold particular sentimental value or represent a turning point for the label?
Bustin’ Loose: Yes — I love Third Attempt’s ‘A Little Deeper’. This song just hits me every time. It’s packed full of feeling and emotion, and it’s hard not to feel nostalgic listening to it. On a personal note, having my remix of The Fatback Band on the record is pretty special. Commissioned by Spring Records as part of their Revisited digital series, the remix of ‘(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop’ holds sentimental value for me. I have a lot of love for those guys giving me the chance to remix such a timeless classic — and to have it on ‘TDE100’ is very special indeed.
EG: Take us back to the early days — what inspired you to start The Disco Express in the first place?
Bustin’ Loose: The club scene of ’70s and ’80s NYC inspired me to start The Disco Express. I loved the sense of belonging, community, inclusivity — and of course, the uplifting music. The colour, the fashion, the vibrance. That ethos still runs through everything we do today.
TDE first began as a monthly loft party in a New York-style space in Shoreditch, East London. It was a former train station in the 1940s, connecting Stoke Newington and Dalston to Shoreditch. It was a bit of an eureka moment when the name popped into my head.
“Momentum comes naturally when you love what you do“
EG: How did the Bustin’ Loose persona evolve, and how does it connect to your work as a producer, DJ, and label boss?
Bustin’ Loose: The name Bustin’ Loose derives from the Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers song. It’s about breaking free from convention — getting down on the dance floor and letting your hair down after the 9–5 routine. It’s about escapism and liberation. That ideology runs through my productions, artwork, and brand.
Interestingly, the name first appeared in 2015 as the name of my first-ever club night at Canavan’s Pool Club. It ran monthly for two years before I adopted it as my DJ and production alias.
EG: From sweaty London loft parties to international gigs and now 100 releases — what have been some of the biggest challenges and proudest moments along the way?
Bustin’ Loose: The biggest challenge has always been staying independent while keeping the vision strong. Running a label, throwing events, producing music — it’s a constant balancing act. But the proudest moments always come back to connection: seeing my brand bring people together from all over the world; dancing, smiling, and feeling part of the family. That’s what it’s all about.
EG: Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self at the start of your music career?
Bustin’ Loose: Trust yourself and be confident in your choices. Be patient — worthwhile things take time to build. And enjoy the ride. The journey is the best part.
EG: The Disco Express has always felt like more than just a label — it’s a community. How have you built and sustained that culture over the years?
Bustin’ Loose: From day one, it’s always been about inclusivity — bringing people together through music, visuals, and shared experiences. If you bring the right attitude, you have a place to stay. We’ve always kept things personal and authentic, celebrating the people who make it happen — the artists, the dancers, the crew. That spirit has followed us from the first London party to where we are now.
EG: After such a big milestone, how do you keep the momentum going? What’s next for the label?
Bustin’ Loose: Momentum comes naturally when you love what you do. It’s important to stay consistent and keep a conveyor belt of strong music coming week in, week out.
We’ve recently organised a new residency at Alcazar in Rome, which we’re very excited about. There are 2026 residencies lined up in London at Metropolis, Amsterdam at Madam, Copenhagen at Sigurd, Mexico City at Departamento, and more coming in NYC, Paris, Melbourne, and Berlin.
At ADE, we’re hosting a party aboard a seven-carriage moving train on October 23 to celebrate ‘TDE100’, with a stacked lineup including Barbara Tucker, DJ Meme, Jafunk, Stacy Kidd, Super Disco Club, Block & Crown, and many more.
EG: Are there any new projects, collaborations, or sonic directions you’re excited to explore as Bustin’ Loose?
Bustin’ Loose: Yeah, for sure. I’ve been invited to teach a disco production course with Sound Collective in New York City. It’s a 20-part mini series launching in November that people can stream and access online.
I’m also writing new music with fellow label artists and working on a new project with my girlfriend Chenice, aka Branqueeno. We’re fusing our music tastes to create raw, jackin’, and groovy dance music.
“The biggest challenge has always been staying independent while keeping the vision strong. Running a label, throwing events, producing music — it’s a constant balancing act”
EG: With dance music constantly evolving, how do you stay inspired and avoid creative burnout?
Bustin’ Loose: It’s important to attend plenty of events outside your own. Giving back to the scene and showing up for other people’s nights keeps you grounded and inspired. You can’t exist in your own bubble — inspiration often comes from unexpected places.
Going to an indie, D&B, or garage gig helps break my tunnel vision. It opens up new creative possibilities and reminds me why I fell in love with this culture in the first place. Seeing what others are doing, hearing new sounds, visiting new venues — it all keeps me motivated.
EG: Any plans to take The Disco Express experience to new cities or festivals in 2026?
Bustin’ Loose: Atlanta, LA, Miami, Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton, Munich, Sydney — they’re all on the cards. Let’s see what happens.
EG: Finally, what do you hope people feel when they hear this 100th release? And what legacy do you hope The Disco Express will leave in the long run?
Bustin’ Loose: I hope they feel joy, nostalgia, and connection. The Disco Express has always been about love and unity through music — delivered with quality and care.
I’d love to leave a legacy like the labels that inspired me: Salsoul, Prelude, Casablanca, Epic. To be mentioned in the same conversation would mean a lot. If we’ve brought people together, inspired creativity, and spread a bit of light — that’s all I could ever ask for.
The Disco Express’s ‘TDE100 (100th Release Special)’ is out now. Stream and download here.
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