London's Housewife chats new EP...

South London’s Housewife is a rising force in the UK’s underground dance scene. With a sharp ear for groove and a deep respect for house music’s roots, she’s bringing fresh energy to dancefloors and airwaves alike. Her debut on the Mallorcan label Esuoh, ‘Jus A Lil Bit’, marks an exciting milestone—one that blends old-school sensibilities with bold, new direction. We caught up with her to talk vinyl, her Subtle Radio residency, and how a name chosen by her little brother became the perfect alias for a house music devotee…

Housewife, thanks for joining us—let’s start with your debut on Esuoh, Jus a Little Bit. How did the connection with the label first come about?

I was doing some deep digging looking for the right label for this track, once I found them, I knew this was the label I wanted to be with. I reached out to them on email and with a quick response I knew the feeling was mutual!

What was it about Esuoh’s ethos, its Mallorcan roots and the vision of Alex Caro and Sote De Lino, that made it the right home for your first official release?

I love Esuoh’s ethos! I love what they are about and what they are doing for the dance music community. They are one of the few labels that are keeping the real old school underground house music alive. Down to earth, not tryna chase the trends, just really good music, that ravers and house music lovers appreciate. I’m looking forward to meeting Alex and Sote in person very soon, they are lovely guys and straight away knew this track found the right home.

‘Jus A Lil Bit’ is a punchy, groove-driven cut. What was the headspace you were in when you made it? It’s also a vinyl-only release—what’s your take on this? Is it something you encourage, or do you feel it possibly cuts your music off to others? 

I had a melody in my head late at night and I got it down on my midi keyboard, it just poured out. Yeah, I encourage vinyl as it’s the true art form of DJing, but its expensive and music gear in general is expensive if you're buying it first hand. I was living in my friend's airing cupboard when I bought my first pair of Citronic decks, they were second hand from cash converters. I got the pair for 80 quid. They stayed out in the corridor as there was no space, but I knew this is what I wanted to do. So there are definitely ways of making do when you really want something.

But yes, naturally it will cut this tune off from getting it heard by a wider audience. This track I feel is for the real house music lovers as it’s got a real old school, Chicago/ Detroit vibe.

How does it feel to be sharing space on the compilation with the likes of Ale Castro, Hurlee and Midas Field?

I feel honoured especially because I am a female underground artist to be sharing the compilation with well known, heavy hitters in the dance music scene. Feeling quite smug!

Tell us a bit about your alias—Housewife. It’s bold, ironic, maybe even a bit mischievous. What’s the story behind it?

My little brother chose it for me when he was thirteen years old and we knew we were onto something, straight away we knew that was the name for me. I like to have a laugh and it's a cheeky name, wife of house - Housewife.

You’ve been carving out your place in the modern UK scene—what does that space feel like to you right now?

I think the modern UK music scene in general is a bit off key and it reflects on the state of the world that we’re currently living in, so I’m just getting on with it, just like we all are.

There’s been a lot of talk about a new generation reshaping the underground—do you feel part of a wider wave or movement?

I like to feel as an artist that I keep the raw energy of art/music alive, keeping to the roots of what it means to create and feel things rather than doing what looks cool/trendy and what people or social media want to see.

Your Subtle Radio residency has been going strong—how has that platform helped you grow as both a selector and an artist?

It’s been giving me structure and has grown me as an artist. I’m having to find much more music nowadays for my radio shows and It’s definitely interesting hearing what other stuff is out there at the moment, as well as the change in dynamic compared to what I grew up listening to, there is some great stuff out there when you dig deep.

How do you approach programming a radio set versus playing out in a club?

Not that much differently, just keep things groovin’ is all that matters! 

As someone who works as a lyricist and vocalist too, how does that feed into your identity as a producer?

I don't feel it feeds into my identity as a producer. I see all the things i do, is me as a whole. 

I have done a track or 2 with my vocals on, but I usually prefer to record other artists over my tracks in dance music. My vocals/lyrics I keep separate for my band.

Is writing lyrics something you come to with the same energy as DJing, or does it pull from a different part of you?

It comes from the same creative energy source, but it's a different part of that energy that I'm using. 

You move through Tech House, Garage, Bassline, Breaks—what connects all those worlds for you? 

Dance music! 

London’s always been a melting pot for dance music. How has the city shaped your ear and approach?

I’m very lucky to have been brought up in South London and its music culture. It’s definitely had a lot of input, however it’s my mum that’s mainly shaped my ear with house and dance music. I was raving with her in her belly till just a few days before she popped me out into this world, it’s in my blood/DNA.

The Glastonbury controversy this year brought politics and music into the spotlight again—what’s your take on the role they play together? Do you think the dancefloor can still be a politically charged space, even without overt messaging?

Music and politics have always gone hand in hand with many bands and DJs I think?  The government tried to stop rave culture from the moment it started, so even subconsciously it still has political undertones till this day. 

With things accelerating for you, how do you stay grounded creatively?

Just keep it moving and making good music. 

What’s the best advice you’ve picked up along the way—from peers or mentors in the scene?

Keep consistent and keep releasing/making music!

And finally, if someone’s catching a Housewife set for the first time, what time should they lock in—and what vibe should they expect?

For subtle radio, lock in every fourth Sunday of the month, from 10 till 11am. Expect tunes that will keep you groovin’!

Keep up with Housewife on Soundcloud and Instagram

Buy/listen to the release here