In a landscape where trends come and go at dizzying speed, longevity is earned, not given. Few embody that truth better than Tom Lilly aka Bustin’ Loose, the driving force behind The Disco Express: one of London’s most celebrated modern disco imprints. What began as a passion project has grown into a multifaceted powerhouse record label, international event series, and DJ collective — all united by a singular mission: keeping soul-infused, groove-heavy house and disco alive for a new generation.
As The Disco Express clocks its 100th release, the newly minted compilation VA – TDEl00 offers a definitive snapshot of the label’s sound. A 15-track journey through nu-disco, funk, soul, house and electronica, it captures both the label’s roots and its forward-thinking ethos. It’s music made to move: from late-night dancefloors to hazy Sunday mornings, and everywhere in between.
To mark the occasion, The Disco Express is pulling out all the stops hosting a four-day art exhibition at The Book Club in Shoreditch (Sept 17–20) and an unmissable seven-carriage moving train party at ADE (Oct 23), continuing its legacy of immersive, transportive experiences.
We caught up with Bustin’ Loose to reflect on a decade of releases, dig into the creative DNA of TDEl00, and find out what’s next for the label that refuses to hit the brakes.
What inspired you to start The Disco Express, and how did it transition from a party brand into a fully fledged record label?
The Disco Express first began in 2017 as a monthly party in an intimate East London loft. It started out as a way to bring people together through feel-good, soulful dance music. I was directly inspired by the club scene of 70’s NY. The colour, the vibrance and most importantly the inclusivity.
Over the course of three years, the label grew and grew welcoming star studded guests from all across the globe. Anyone from Dave Lee to Crazy P, Eli Escobar, Jacques Renault, Bosq, Toy Tonics, xxxy, Soundstream, Jamie 3:26, Tiger & Woods you name it. The party really built up a good name for itself until lockdown in 2020 when nightclubs closed.
In the downtime the brand transitioned into becoming a record label with our first release in September 2020. It was a VA release showcasing the music of my close friends and fellow East London DJs. Fast forward to 2025 we’re celebrating our 100th release with a special 15 track album compiling some of our favourite music from the label and exclusive new songs.
Was there a gap in the scene you were trying to fill with The Disco Express, or was it more of a passion project that gained momentum?
At the time there weren’t many regular nights platforms pushing high quality, modern disco that still respected its roots. We wanted to bridge that space by combining the warmth and musicianship of classic disco with the energy and production values of today’s dance music.
What core values or musical philosophy guide the label’s direction?
Inclusivity, community and originality. In terms of the music – soul, groove and positivity. Everything we release has to have that human feel. Real emotion, real musicianship and giving a sense of joy. We champion artists who share that belief: that music should uplift, connect, and bring people together.
What do you look for in an artist when signing them to The Disco Express?
Authenticity, passion, ambition, soul and the ability to work hard. Technical skill is great for sure, but we’d dig deeper by wanting artists who aren’t afraid to be themselves and would represent The Disco Express brand on the global stage. We want artists who want to be a part of something bigger.
How involved are you in shaping an artist’s sound or release strategy once they’re on the label?
At the beginning of the process I’m always open about feedback, providing critique and advice to help elevate the artists music. In order to stand out in a world saturated by average music it’s important to really push yourself and those around you. It really depends on the artist.
Some artists come with a fully formed, established sound and vision. In that case, I’m just there to help elevate it. Others want more collaboration, and I love getting involved in the creative process, whether that’s arrangement, mixing, or even co-producing. On the strategy side, I’m hands-on with every release, from making the artwork to rolling out the social media graphics and content. Every detail should reflect the artist and the label equally.
In an industry driven by streaming numbers and algorithms, how do you balance commercial viability with artistic integrity?
We’re not about fast results, we’re about leaving a long term legacy. Chasing numbers doesn’t build culture, building community does. Of course we want our artists to succeed commercially, but at the same time we want to maintain our authenticity and originality. I’d rather release music that stands the test of time than something that gets a quick spike in streams and disappears a week later. The key is to stay true, build genuine connections, and let the quality speak for itself.
What have been some of the biggest business challenges you’ve faced in running an independent label?
Running a record label in this economic and musical climate is rough so I have the upmost respect to anyone who does it and sticks with it. Funding is always a challenge when you’re independent and want to do things properly, from vinyl pressing to marketing. You’re always up against the majors. There’s a dichotomy between the distribution platforms (Spotify for example) and the songwriters. Creatives are clearly underpaid for by the DSPs for their work. There’s no excuse for it of course, we should be living in a far more equitable society where those involved in the creative process are remunerated fairly. These constraints have meant we’ve had to be clever, thinking outside the box and keeping this organic. In a way these financial restrictions have meant we’ve innovated smartly and in effect have built a strong brand that’s truly ours.
Can you walk us through the typical release cycle for a Disco Express record — from A&R to marketing?
It usually starts with the music, something that instantly catches the ear or has that soulful energy. Once a track’s signed, we work closely with the artist on mixdowns, mastering, and the creative concept – artwork, visuals, story. From there, we plan a promo campaign with PR, DJ servicing, social content, and vinyl pre-orders. When it lands we make a lot of noise to bring awareness and attention to the release.
How do you approach distribution — are you focused on digital, vinyl, or a hybrid model?
Hybrid. Digital is essential for reach and accessibility, but vinyl is where the heart is. There’s something timeless about holding one of our own records in our hands. I love the medium and tangibility. Nothing beats vinyl right?
How important is ownership and rights management for you as a label owner?
Music licensing is crucial – and doing it correctly! We take a lot of care in how we license and authenticate our music. We ultimately want our music protected and our artists to feel respected. Transparency builds trust. We operate with fairness and longevity in mind. The goal is to grow symbiotically together as a label with the artists.
The Disco Express has a very distinct visual and cultural identity. How important has branding been in building your following?
Branding is everything. It sets the tone, attitude, and emotion. From our train motif to our slogans, everything tells a story about motion, community and celebration. These days people recognise The Disco Express instantly.
How do your club nights and live events feed into the label’s ecosystem?
Whilst music is the vehicle for TDE, its the club nights and events allow us to make a direct connection with our audience. The parties fuel the label.
You’ve created a strong sense of community around the label. Was that intentional from the start, or did it grow organically?
It was both. I always wanted The Disco Express to feel like a family – inclusive, positive, and open. The brand and community has to evolve naturally through shared experiences. Over time, people connected through the parties, the records, and the ethos. That’s what keeps it alive today.
Have you explored or considered collaborations with other labels, artists, or brands — and what would make the right partnership?
Definitely. We’re always open to collaboration, but it has to align with our values. Whether it’s another label, a brand, or an artist, the partnership needs to feel genuine. We’ve collaborated on events with anyone from Toy Tonics to Boogie Cafe Records to Brixton Disco Festival and many more. Collaboration in this industry is integral to success.
Are there plans to expand into other areas of the industry like artist management, publishing, or sync licensing?
Of course. This Summer we had a track included in Love Island USA. It was fun! Admittedly a little surreal. We actually have a publishing arm of TDE already that is being meticulously managed. Sync in the music world is massive – as when music royalty payouts by big companies like Spotify are unashamedly low – sync can be a commercially viable outlet to live sustainably as an artist or label.
What’s your take on the current state of the UK underground disco and house scene? Where’s it heading?
The UK scene is in a really exciting place. More and more young artists are breaking through which is great to see. They’re bringing fresh ideas to disco and house, blending genres and pushing boundaries. Enough of the gate-keeper mentality of the balearic silverbacks haha. The Disco Express is the go to platform for young, pioneering, house and disco producers.
What’s one thing you think more independent labels should be doing (or stop doing)?
Focus on originality and be yourself. Stop copying others. Think long term. Build your own lane, tell your own story, and support your artists properly. The scene doesn’t need more noise, it needs top quality, human made music.
How do you see the role of independent labels evolving over the next 5 years?
We’re now seeing labels expand beyond the realms of simply releasing music. They’re now cross pollinating with other industries and finding new ways to promote their sound. Whether it’s through pop-up events, sample packs and so on. Social media has really changed the game. It’s a really interesting topic actually and I’m keen to see how labels evolve in the future.
What’s the most rewarding part of running The Disco Express?
Without a shadow of doubt, seeing people connect from all across the globe and making long lasting friendships along the way. From humble beginnings as a crazy loft party to becoming a worldwide event series and one family of music lovers. 100 releases ain’t bad either.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when starting the label, what would it be?
Be patient, trust the process and be confident in your choices. True outstanding quality takes time. Enjoy the journey while it lasts.
Buy/Stream ‘VA – TDEl00 (100th Release Special)’ HERE
Socials:
and then