From Dancefloors to Discography: DDC Hits 50
It’s a major moment in South Asia’s underground music scene: Dynamite Disco Club (DDC) has just dropped its 50th release — a four-track compilation symbolizing not just longevity, but a cultural evolution. What began as a vibrant party series in 2017 has blossomed into a discerning indie label, nurturing some of the region’s most exciting producers and carving a niche in the global disco and house landscape.
“From the first release hitting the top 10, I knew we were onto something real.”
Founder Stalvart John reflects: “We started in a more DIY space, heavy on edits and disco samples, but over the last four years we’ve shifted towards a cutting-edge original sound, aiming to put Asian disco and house on the world map.” The 50th release isn’t just a number — it marks a crossroads for the label and a probe of whether the bold direction they’ve taken is the right one.
“At its core, it’s about becoming the kind of label we always wanted to be: authentic, forward-thinking, and deeply rooted in our community.” As DDC’s reputation grew, the project evolved from a passion-driven solo vision to a broader collaborative force. “I had to learn you can’t control everything. Letting go, bringing in a team, and embracing other ideas helped us evolve. After all, if you want to go fast, travel alone, but if you want to go far, travel together”, muses the founder.
The Homegrown Debuts: Heartbeats of the Label
Two of the four artists on this milestone album are releasing their debut tracks through DDC — a testament to its vital role nurturing new talent. SourFunk, long behind the scenes as crew, A&R, and social media manager, steps into the spotlight:
“‘Dancin’ is a celebration of the space and community that gave me my identity.”
“It’s a full circle moment”, SourFunk says. “My shift from bedroom producer to groove-driven DJ happened right here, playing and dancing on the DDC dancefloor.” He describes crafting “Dancin’” as an instinctive, mood-chasing process sparked by a late-night jam on his laptop and propelled by “Chic-style guitars, disco basslines, and those cosmic, sweeping vocals.” The track, as with his DJ sets, is groove-driven and soulful — effortless but never accidental. Being featured with friends and mentors Nida, Farhan, and Stalvart means gratitude: “These are my tribe, and together we push the culture forward.”
Now that the first step is taken, SourFunk’s creative door is wide open: “Definitely more music. ‘Dancin’’ cracked something open in my process, but that doesn’t mean it’s all going to be disco. I have a big stash of unreleased tracks — in all sorts of styles — and I’ve started sifting through to see what’s next. I’m also learning more every day, taking steps towards evolving my sound and maybe even putting together a live set at some point. The journey is just getting started.”
Nida, meanwhile, reveals the deeply personal path to her debut “Where Were You?”
“This track had to carry the soul and groove I bring to my sets—disco energy fused with tech-house.”
She traces this back to a pivotal creative period: “I found a vocal sample with so much emotion, I fell instantly in love. I wanted a high-energy track that both hits the dancefloor hard and carries soulful disco elements.” Nida’s commitment to genre-blending, high-energy storytelling — shaped by both her DJ work and ParaDisco nights – comes through here.
Nida offers her heartfelt perspective: “DDC has always felt like home, a space where I found my sound, my people, and endless inspiration. Their attention to detail, especially in the decor that makes every party feel like an intimate house gathering, deeply influenced ParaDisco and the way I approach community and music.” Nida recalls Farhan’s mentorship as pivotal: “They’ve been guiding forces, making this release feel like a real homecoming.”On the future? “Definitely more productions, some collaborations, and continued growth. It’s exciting to share my sound with the world now.”
Stalvart’s Vision: Beyond Just a Label
More curator than mogul, more mentor than gatekeeper, Stalvart’s vision for DDC is clear: “It all began with trying many things but realizing the power of community in making art thrive. The house and disco cultures — from Studio 54 to the underground scenes — were shaped by their communities. I grew as an artist within a supportive ecosystem, and that’s what we strive to replicate.” The inclusion of two debut artists is central: “Launching new talent is core to our purpose. I was once launched by a label with a similar ethos—it gave me the confidence to grow. We want to be that for others.”
Here, Farhan’s reflection captures the label’s deeper impact:
“DDC for me has played a big role in the house and disco movement in India and has helped me develop both as an A&R and as an Artist. Especially the fact that I get to interact with up and coming talent and help them release music is probably the most rewarding part of the job.”
Stalvart’s perspective on success is refreshingly grounded and communal: “For us, success is delivering quality music and supporting the ecosystem. The label has never been about profits — but about impact.”The compilation is titled Dynamite Cuts Vol. 1 for good reason: “We want to do more of these milestone compilations, showcasing the best of our community.”
Behind every release is invisible labor. “The resilience required to stay the course — that’s what makes it special. The world sees the Instagram posts, the parties and all the noise, but not the hard, thankless work beneath it all. In a way, what we do doesn’t make business sense, but it makes incredible art.”
50 and Forward: The Future Sounds of DDC
As for the future, Stalvart is clear-eyed and ambitious: “Our next 50 releases aim for a refined, cutting-edge sound on par with international labels like Defected Records—but with our Asian identity intact. We’re not in a rush, but we want to keep elevating the scene.”
DDC is more than a label; it’s a cultural touchstone, a creative anchor, and a collaborative hub. Looking ahead, DDC is lining up international talent for local showcases, dreaming bigger with every release — vinyl, cross-border collaborations, and special projects are on the horizon.
“DDC means everything—house, disco, community, fashion, culture. It’s the space where all these collide and grow.”
The call to the scene is clear: support the music, buy tickets, show up at the parties, and keep the spirit alive. In words that echo across the dancefloor, Stalvart delivers his parting manifesto: “The future belongs to those who dance.”
Follow the label’s journey and discover the freshest beats from Asia’s disco house vanguard at dynamitediscoclub.com and listen to Dynamite Cuts Vol. 1
