We had to share this mix for a Monday morning, the icon of Disco & House, STEPHEN ALLKINS [Love Tattoo], closing out the legendary NUDGE NUDGE WINK WINK party in Byron Bay back in 2019 is another very special listen. The man just has so much DJ sensibility behind the decks, blending between styles like it’s nothing & keeping the vibe and energy levels up. Its no wonder Allkins is every DJ’s favourite DJ, he has been & continues to uplift spirits like nobody else can.
An absolute masterpiece of a set, put together from a Sydney icon who’s just about everyone in music’s favourite DJ.
For anyone who is feeling the vibe, or anyone who would like to join us for a boogie, we are honoured to be able to welcome Stephen Allkins to our other musical project SPIRIT OF HOUSE: An afternoon party we get to celebrate 30+ years of house music with SOULFUL HOUSE CLASSICS, 90’s HOUSE & its DISCO roots.
About STEPHEN ALLKINS :
‘New York had Larry Levan, Chicago had Ron Hardy, Sydney has, Stephen Allkins..’
It is safe to say that Stephen Allkins aka [love] tattoo could rightly claim the trademark of “Mr.Disco”, his extensive record collection & his infamous sets over the years.
Stephen Allkins—aka [Love] Tattoo—is an undisputed icon of Australian dance music. A DJ, producer, and pioneer, he has been shaping the sound of disco and house music in Australia since the late 1970s, laying the foundations for the vibrant club culture that followed. From the earliest disco nights in Sydney’s gay clubs to underground warehouse parties and mainroom raves, Stephen’s sound has consistently pushed boundaries and inspired generations.
Affectionately known as “Mr. Disco,” Stephen began DJing in 1978, spinning vinyl in a scene still forming its identity. He was among the first in Sydney to champion disco and later house music, earning a reputation as the “DJ’s DJ” for his impeccable selections, deep crates, and intuitive ability to work a dancefloor. His sets were spiritual experiences, blending deep disco grooves, vocal house, and electronic soul with an effortless mastery that helped define the sound of a city.
As [Love] Tattoo, Stephen stepped into the studio and brought his musical vision to life with a series of genre-defining releases that bridged the golden era of disco with the pulse of modern house. His breakout single “History of Disco” (2001)—a lush, soulful tribute co-produced with Paul Mac—was quickly signed by Pete Tong to Essential Records and released on the legendary UK label ffrr. The track resonated internationally and marked Allkins as not just a DJ, but a gifted producer with a reverence for dance music’s roots.
Today, Stephen Allkins stands as one of the most important figures in Australia’s dance music history. His influence is felt in every corner of the scene—from crate-digging selectors and disco revivalists to mainstage house DJs and producers. With over four decades of contributions behind him, his legacy continues to inspire the next wave of artists and dancers alike.
We are honoured to welcome him back to play the SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute parties again at one of the seminal homes of the sound through the 90s.
About the SPIRIT OF HOUSE:
Spirit of House is a tribute party paying homage to an era of house that sits close to our hearts, a platform to get down to SOULFUL HOUSE sounds of 90s & 2000’s & 90’s House classics & of course the disco roots that form the foundation of that sound.
