For this edition of Looking Local, we’re honing in on a Sydney party that has packed plenty into its relatively short life so far. Just six editions deep, Disconnected has carved out a niche for true techno enthusiasts. Securing minimal original Robert Hood for his first set in Sydney since 1992 certainly set a formidable precedent, and they’ve since followed it with Marcel Dettmann, Xhin and local heavy HPS?. For Disconnected Presents 006 in September, the spotlight is on the leader of the Stroboscopic Artefacts stable, Lucy.

Disconnected is the work of Ben Dunlop and Pete Coyle, who’s known to late-night dancefloors as Defined By Rhythm, and both guys see it as more than just an occasional party. We checked in with the Disconnected duo to hear how they play it.

First up, what inspired you guys to start Disconnected?
Ben: As clichéd as it may sound, our passion for music has always been driving force. We felt there was an opening within the scene for an event with a music policy that we wanted to push. We wanted to book artists that inspired us. At the time there was also a lot of politics that we didn’t want to get involved in, and the only way to achieve this was for us to ‘disconnect’ ourselves from the rest.

Has it been difficult to secure suitable venues in Sydney? Do you find it’s quite a small pool to choose from?
Pete: Definitely, there is a real lack of quality venues available in Sydney for the sound we want to push. Our first party was at the Civic Underground and with a few moves on the way, we found ourselves back there for Xhin. The sound system is arguably the best in Sydney. Xhin had played at Berghain the week before Disconnected and even commented on it. It’s great to hear that kind of feedback from our guests.

The guys managing the venue behind the scenes have been a pleasure to work with also. Chad, James, Harris and Matt – thanks! Very professional!

Listen to the three-hour set Xhin played at Disconnected below.

Something that stands out about Disconnected is your focus on artists who haven’t toured here before. Is there a risk in that, or do you see it as an advantage?
Ben: It hasn’t been a conscious decision to focus on artists that haven’t toured Australia, but there is a risk with lesser known guests. I think as our following increases we feel like we can nudge the boundaries that little further.

We had a clear direction in mind from the start and that hasn’t changed. For the most, the names we would like to see billed for future parties have not yet toured Australia. That was the case from the start and the same can still be said now.

I can’t say too much at the moment as the contracts haven’t been signed, but if all goes to plan we’ll have two more artists who will be playing Disconnected off the back of their debut Australian tour.

Aside from booking good guests, how else do you build a loyalty to your night?
Pete: The fact we’ve had a very specific ideal from inception has helped. Of course we wouldn’t have had as much success, and still be here today if it weren’t for the people that have supported us from the start. The regulars have definitely helped to keep Disconnected rolling and we owe a lot to them.

Do you have a particular approach to spacing out the parties? Are you conscious of leaving a certain number of weeks between each Disconnected?
Ben: Something we’ve said from the start is that we didn’t want to be ruled by the constraints of a weekly of monthly party. If you look at what Sweet Chilli did or even what Mad Racket and CO-OP are doing, they have parties at irregular intervals, but always with artists that fit their party and appeal to their crowd.

We want Disconnected to be associated with a certain sound, which is something we keep in mind when it comes to our next booking. I’d hope that all our previous guests and upcoming guests would appeal to fans of the other. When we have what we feel to be the right artist, that determines the date of our next party.