This
week’s Londoner is Mr Ronnie Joice; DJ, Events Manager, Promoter and Programming Manager or Absolute Playa as his linkedIn states. We caught some words with the Londonite below…Ronnie! Tell us long have you been in London, where do you live and why?
I live in East London. Why? Because I like it round here. It’s the first time I’ve ever lived in East London and it’s suited me perfectly. I spent eight years in North – all over from lovely leafy areas to shitholes where drunk homeless men pissed on your doorstep and then sat down on it afterwards. The thing about London is that wherever you live, there’s always going to be both good and bad characteristics about the location. That flat I mention was in Seven Sisters and whizzed me in to town in minutes and was around the corner from a huge Tesco. The only thing I dislike about where I’m currently living is that if I’m in a rush, I’m going to be late – East London was not designed for anyone to get anywhere quick.
You need to get yourself a bike, you do! Tell us about the job…You must get to go to a lot of events, what’s been your favourite one yet?
It’s part of my job to throw a lot of events, so it’s only natural I attend a lot too – for many reasons, but mainly because the only way I can juggle a social life is to go to these things where I know the majority of my friends and associates are going to be at! I go to so many that after a few years the novelty of a ‘free bar’ wears off – it’s actually nicer to be in a pub or bar where you can order your drinks on your own terms, but saying that, everyone loves a freebie and I’m no exception. The last event I went to was the Virgin Records 40th anniversary party – they had an exhibition in Victoria House which was ace and then threw an amazing after-party at No 5 Cavendish Square, which was exactly how I imagined a 90s music biz house party to be, minus the silver trays and mountains of cocaine.
Sounds like a blast! You obviously know your music – what’s the one song that defines London for you?
No matter wherever I am travelling back from, I always always put on Morrissey’s Hairdresser On Fire. The opening lines; “Here is London, giddy London, is it home of the free or what?” set me up with enough apprehension to get through the impending commute to wherever it is I’m off to in the Big Smoke. I love travelling, but you always feel the most amazing sense of relief whenever you step foot back on London ground. It really does feel like home to me and I bet a lot of other people reading this feel the same way too. Nice to meet you all.
How about when you’re out and about? Where’s the favourite venue you go to listen to music?
Well, I’m part of the team who set up Professor Green’s new club INK on the 5th floor of One Leicester Square with my friends Gerry and Jon Calabrese, who also own The Hoxton Pony and Baroque in Mayfair. This usually means that I alternate my time between these three venues – and I’m always trying to encourage all my friends to do the same. It can feel like a busman’s holiday when there, so if I’m looking to get away from work completely, then I like to sneak in to The Groucho Club. I’m lucky enough to know a few members, and the atmosphere is not only always very fun but also chilled, perfect for someone who spends most of their waking hours inside busy clubs and bars. The service there is great, and you always run in to someone random . Great service is very important to me, and is something we are very proud of achieving at INK, Baroque and The Hoxton Pony.
Can you get us in…seriously?? Finally what would your perfect day in London be…
I’m a sucker for ‘real London’, the tourist traps. I work in Leicester Square five days a week, so I get to rub shoulders with foreigners every day, and it still makes me smile whenever I catch a glimpse of Big Ben through the trees whilst looking out through the windows at INK. If I’m lucky enough to have a full day to myself, I’d spend it with a loved one on the Southbank, starting at Waterloo, strolling at a slow pace taking in everything on show all the way to The Founders Arms. I like to think of this pub as my little secret, but it’s always rammed, so you have to be cunning in order to get a good seat – but once you do, they serve ace food and give you blankets to keep you warm when it gets cold and dark – perfect for stargazing and salivating over the beauty of St Paul’s Cathedral. Sunshine advised, but not essential.
Sounds like a pretty sweet day to us! If you guys want to see more of Ronnie check out his Twitter or get down to INK (open Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat ) plus anyone who quotes LONDONTHEINSIDE can get £10 concession guestlist by emailing info@inkldn.com. BANGING!