To mark the closure of Spot Lite, Stacey ‘Hotwaxx’ Hale and Ceri revisit a special four-hour set they played at the Detroit institution last year.
Serendipity is a wonderful thing. Especially at airports.
Having first met over a decade ago while featuring in Jenny La Femme’s documentary Girls Gone Vinyl, a chance encounter at Amsterdam Airport reunited the ‘Godmother of House’, Stacey ‘Hotwaxx’ Hale, with London-born DJ, producer and label boss Ceri.
Both were en route to play in Berlin (Panorama Bar and Heideglühen, respectively), having just played ADE in Amsterdam. A shared love of diverse, soulful music rooted in house and techno brought the pair together, and when Ceri mentioned she’d be in Detroit the following year, Stacey wasted no time inviting her to play her Spot Lite residency.
That invitation culminated in a four-hour, all-night-long session at the legendary Islandview club and creative hub. Following Spot Lite’s closure last month, Stacey and Ceri now share the live recording: a warm and vibrant journey through disco, house and Detroit’s rich musical lineage, giving them the chance to dig deep into their collections and let fly.
We caught up with the pair to discuss their musical connection, the energy on the night, and what the venue meant to the city. Press play and dig in.
Ceri, what did it mean to be invited by Stacey to play this set?
C: It is really important as dance music lovers that we acknowledge the true roots of house and techno music. It was an absolute honour for me to play in Detroit and Chicago, and I am really grateful to Stacey – the Godmother of House herself – for inviting me to play with her. It means the world.
For anyone listening now, is there a particular feeling or place you hope it transports us to?
C: Whilst Detroit is perhaps best known within dance music for its raw, mechanical, yet soul-tinged techno, this set explores another side of the city too – its warmer, more uplifting side.
I love the story of Berry Gordy and his journey with Motown Records. At a time of much segregation, he showed the world that music can be a force for good, bringing people together. So I would love to dedicate this set to that ethos. Honouring that spirit, the mix features music from every decade from the 70s until now, travelling through different eras. Those in the know will hear many artists who either come from Detroit or had a strong relationship with it, alongside records influenced by the city’s musical DNA.
Did the set go in any unexpected directions sonically?
C: I unexpectedly ended up starting with some disco and classics, because we followed on from the previous event, which was playing similar stuff, before moving on to house. Of course, I included many Detroit-made and Detroit-inspired tracks, including by my beloved K-Hand – RIP. And I had to end on an exclusive edit of a Motown classic. I didn’t even get a chance to dig into my techno vault, so I will have to save that for another time…
Stacey, what made Ceri the obvious choice to play alongside you at Spot Lite?
Stacey: I am very picky about who I have come to play with me, but I knew Ceri could handle it and bring the vibes. She really impressed me with her musical knowledge and affinity for my city and its music, especially as it was her first time here. I let her take the reins and do the warm-up and the closing set on the night.
How did the energy in the room feel throughout the night?
S: The moment was magical. There was already a disco thing going on when Ceri and I got there, so it was very easy to fall in line with that before moving into more housey grooves.
The people absolutely loved it. We even had some Detroit OGs turn up to show their support, as well as some vogue dancers from NYC, which was really fun. It’s one of the most fantastic memories I have of Spot Lite.
What has Spot Lite meant to you over the years, and what do you think its legacy will be?
S: It was the best residency I’ve ever had. Roula [David, Spot Lite’s owner and co-founder] brought a change to the city by establishing a venue that catered to women and minorities. Not only was Spot Lite a club, it was a coffee shop, a record store, an art space… She would feature artists’ paintings or photos on the wall. I would always have my meetings there. I would teach other DJs how to play there. It was a home to me, and I will miss it.
Live from Spot Lite Detroit: Stacey ‘Hotwaxx’ Hale and Ceri
Live from Spot Lite Detroit: Stacey ‘Hotwaxx’ Hale and Ceri
To mark the closure of Spot Lite, Stacey ‘Hotwaxx’ Hale and Ceri revisit a special four-hour set they played at the Detroit institution last year.
Serendipity is a wonderful thing. Especially at airports.
Having first met over a decade ago while featuring in Jenny La Femme’s documentary Girls Gone Vinyl, a chance encounter at Amsterdam Airport reunited the ‘Godmother of House’, Stacey ‘Hotwaxx’ Hale, with London-born DJ, producer and label boss Ceri.
Both were en route to play in Berlin (Panorama Bar and Heideglühen, respectively), having just played ADE in Amsterdam. A shared love of diverse, soulful music rooted in house and techno brought the pair together, and when Ceri mentioned she’d be in Detroit the following year, Stacey wasted no time inviting her to play her Spot Lite residency.
That invitation culminated in a four-hour, all-night-long session at the legendary Islandview club and creative hub. Following Spot Lite’s closure last month, Stacey and Ceri now share the live recording: a warm and vibrant journey through disco, house and Detroit’s rich musical lineage, giving them the chance to dig deep into their collections and let fly.
We caught up with the pair to discuss their musical connection, the energy on the night, and what the venue meant to the city. Press play and dig in.
Ceri, what did it mean to be invited by Stacey to play this set?
C: It is really important as dance music lovers that we acknowledge the true roots of house and techno music. It was an absolute honour for me to play in Detroit and Chicago, and I am really grateful to Stacey – the Godmother of House herself – for inviting me to play with her. It means the world.
For anyone listening now, is there a particular feeling or place you hope it transports us to?
C: Whilst Detroit is perhaps best known within dance music for its raw, mechanical, yet soul-tinged techno, this set explores another side of the city too – its warmer, more uplifting side.
I love the story of Berry Gordy and his journey with Motown Records. At a time of much segregation, he showed the world that music can be a force for good, bringing people together. So I would love to dedicate this set to that ethos. Honouring that spirit, the mix features music from every decade from the 70s until now, travelling through different eras. Those in the know will hear many artists who either come from Detroit or had a strong relationship with it, alongside records influenced by the city’s musical DNA.
Did the set go in any unexpected directions sonically?
C: I unexpectedly ended up starting with some disco and classics, because we followed on from the previous event, which was playing similar stuff, before moving on to house. Of course, I included many Detroit-made and Detroit-inspired tracks, including by my beloved K-Hand – RIP. And I had to end on an exclusive edit of a Motown classic. I didn’t even get a chance to dig into my techno vault, so I will have to save that for another time…
Stacey, what made Ceri the obvious choice to play alongside you at Spot Lite?
Stacey: I am very picky about who I have come to play with me, but I knew Ceri could handle it and bring the vibes. She really impressed me with her musical knowledge and affinity for my city and its music, especially as it was her first time here. I let her take the reins and do the warm-up and the closing set on the night.
How did the energy in the room feel throughout the night?
S: The moment was magical. There was already a disco thing going on when Ceri and I got there, so it was very easy to fall in line with that before moving into more housey grooves.
The people absolutely loved it. We even had some Detroit OGs turn up to show their support, as well as some vogue dancers from NYC, which was really fun. It’s one of the most fantastic memories I have of Spot Lite.
What has Spot Lite meant to you over the years, and what do you think its legacy will be?
S: It was the best residency I’ve ever had. Roula [David, Spot Lite’s owner and co-founder] brought a change to the city by establishing a venue that catered to women and minorities. Not only was Spot Lite a club, it was a coffee shop, a record store, an art space… She would feature artists’ paintings or photos on the wall. I would always have my meetings there. I would teach other DJs how to play there. It was a home to me, and I will miss it.
