Decoded Magazine presents Paul Loraine

Paul Loraine is a man with a mission to convert you to his cult. The figure behind Rhythm Cult has seen his passion project become one of the most highly regarded underground house and techno labels of the last decade. Curating selections from some of the most forward-thinking electronic artists in the industry, the imprint has initiated the likes of Ian Pooley, Funk D’Void, Cinthie, Satoshi Fumi, youANDme and DCLVIII OFC into the Cults ever-expanding roster in recent years. With a growing tribe of followers and DJ heavyweights such as Laurent Garnier, Dixon and John Digweed throwing support behind releases, Rhythm Cult has become a firm favourite amongst discerning selectors, blending astute dance floor dynamics and a cutting-edge sonic signature. 

As a DJ, Loraine cut his teeth at the tender age of nineteen becoming the resident at the infamous Monkey Club in Guernsey. Here he regularly turned out five-hour sets that required him to dig deep into his vast collection. Supporting everyone from Brandon Block to Goldie he earned a reputation for marathon sets, honed his skills as a precise selector and developed a taste for the innovative deep electronic sounds that would inspire the label’s formation. Loraine would prove to be no slouch in the studio either, and his releases were championed by the likes of Laurent Garner, Maceo Plex, and Sasha. 

With Rhythm Cult celebrating its tenth-anniversary last year, he delivered an exclusive DJ mix for Decoded, so we caught up with Paul to talk inspiration, the label’s longevity, and his plans for its future. 

RC seems to be a label that has established support from a wide range of underground DJs. Can you tell us about the ethos of the label and why you think it appeals to such a diverse range of selectors?

At Rhythm Cult, my ethos has always been about curating music with true longevity – a quality that stands the test of time. I’ve consciously chosen to step away from fleeting trends and fads, instead focusing on artists who bring something unique and enduring to the table. I’m not interested in what’s popular for the moment, but in music that resonates deeply and remains relevant for years.

That’s the sound I personally gravitate towards, and it’s the kind of sound I want the label to reflect. This approach has really paid off, especially with our Details series, which has proven that timeless quality. The artists in that series and their music have shown that they can withstand the test of time, and that’s the goal with every release we put out.

By sticking to this ethos of quality over trends, I think we’ve managed to appeal to such a diverse group of underground DJs. They recognise that we’re committed to something more substantial, and that kind of integrity resonates with people who value longevity in music.

We’ve heard that you started out as a resident at the infamous Monkey Club in Guernsey. Can you tell us a little about those heady days, your background and how they inspired the formation of Rhythm Cult?

You’re right, I was the weekly resident DJ at the infamous Monkey Club in Guernsey for almost seven years, and it’ll always hold a special place for me. It was the best venue – 500 capacity, located in a basement with no windows, a ridiculously loud sound system, and unforgettable nights with great friends. The energy from the Guernsey crowd was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced; they really knew how to bring it. It was pure energy, and it’s the definition of what it means to truly “have it.”

As a resident DJ, I had the opportunity to warm up week in, and week out, for some incredible names like Danny Howells, Jody Wisternoff, Gaz White, Brandon Block, Lisha Lasha, Lottie, DJ Sonique, Alex P, Steve Lawler,  I even warmed up for Goldie once. So, you can imagine how diverse my record collection became over the years—it was vast, spanning across many genres and sounds.

Those days in the Monkey Club were a huge influence on the formation of Rhythm Cult. They taught me so much about reading the crowd, about the importance of building energy, and how to create an atmosphere. The experience helped shape the direction of the label, as I wanted Rhythm Cult to have that same raw, underground spirit, but also with an emphasis on quality and timelessness. That ethos was born out of the energy and diversity I encountered in those early years.

Last year marked the label’s 10th anniversary. What’s the key to RC’s success and how hard has it been to navigate the shifting sands of the electronic music scene over recent years?

Music is my life, so for me, running Rhythm Cult is a labour of love – and it always will be. For me, it’s something I’m addicted to, and I won’t stop. I’ve always been committed to the long haul, and that’s been a big part of Rhythm Cult’s success. It’s not about chasing quick wins or jumping on trends; it’s about staying true to what I believe in, even when the landscape shifts. The key to the label’s success has been consistency, quality, and a true passion for the craft.

Navigating the ever-changing electronic music scene over the years hasn’t always been easy. The landscape can shift quickly and staying relevant while keeping that sense of authenticity requires dedication. But I’ve always been focused on long-term goals, and that’s helped me steer Rhythm Cult through the changes. My aim has always been to take the label from minor to major – eventually – and we’re still pushing towards that.

We’ve built something with staying power, and we’ll keep going, no matter how the scene evolves.

You have launched the RC Select series recently. Can you tell us a little bit about exactly what this is and the philosophy behind the series?

Yes, Rhythm Cult is a multi-genre label, but with Select Series, I wanted to create something focused solely on the dancefloor. It’s all about tracks that keep the energy high and the crowd moving. My goal is for every release to end up on DJs’ “Must Haves” playlists.

We kicked things off with Alive by François Dubois and Liam Garcia, which hit the top spot on Beatport’s best-selling charts. It’s the kind of energy we’re after – tracks that instantly connect with the crowd and keep the vibe strong all night.

Last year saw you heading out to Ibiza to DJ at Pikes with Funk D’Void. How was the experience and what are your thoughts about the state of play on the island?

Yes, it was great to see you in Ibiza and spend some quality time together – thanks for coming! I’ve been lucky to DJ on the island for over 15 years now, all thanks to Ryan O’Gorman. He’s the one who got me started, first playing in the Red Box at Space, then the next year on The Terrace, and I’ve been back every year since. Last year marked my 6th year DJing at Pikes (apart from the Covid break), and I have to say, it’s still one of the best places to play or party on the island. There’s something magical about the atmosphere.

I love playing in Freddies, and also by the poolside for my more eclectic sets on Sundays. Last year, I had the chance to play in the new room, Plaza Mayor, for the first time, and the vibe was unreal. As for the state of play on the island, it has still got that unique energy, but things are definitely evolving. There’s more competition now, but venues like Pikes continue to stand out because they offer something different- intimate and with a real sense of community and a deep history. That’s what keeps me coming back.

I’m also excited to hear that UNVRS is opening up this season, and I’ve seen that Carl Cox will be hosting a residency there. I’m so happy about this news – it’s great to see the island still dedicated to showcasing the world’s best DJs and underground artists. It’s exactly the kind of space Ibiza needs to keep that true underground spirit alive.

The label’s release schedule seems to have accelerated over the last twelve months with some incredible artists joining the Cult. Can you reveal what is in store for 2025 and what you are most excited about for the forthcoming year?

We’ve kicked off 2025 in style! We’ve already dropped two incredible releases – DCLVIII OFC’s “No Soul,” which will be a Beatport exclusive on February 20th, and Fiorella’s “Velvet Rebel,” which is available now as a Traxsource exclusive and will be out worldwide on February 6th. Both tracks have been massive hits, with amazing support from DJs like Radio Slave, Laurent Garnier, Danny Tenaglia, Jamie Jones, Chris Lake, Damian Lazarus, Bushwacka, Sasha, Âme, and many more.

Looking ahead, we’ve got some exciting releases lined up. We’ll be dropping a follow-up EP from Orlando Voorn, a new single from Yotam Avni with a fantastic remix from youANDme, and a deep, chuggy release from Hardway Brothers. Sascha Dive is revisiting his classic “Brother’s Vibe”, originally released on our vinyl-only series, with a fresh tribal version and remixes from Francesco Mami and YokoO.

And here’s the big one for me – my first single on Rhythm Cult! I can’t believe it, but it’s true. Minor Major is a track I wrote 12 years ago, and I’m giving it new life with some incredible remixes from Funk D’Void, Acitone, DCLVIII OFC, and Mark Jackus. It’s shaping up to be a truly exciting year, and I can’t wait to share all the new music and incredible talent we’ve got lined up!

Which artists/producers are you most excited in 2025 and why?

There are some incredible artists and producers that are really exciting me in 2025. LOLOMAN, Saporta, Tod Louie, Polygonia, E-Bony, Anthony Rother, and Lee Scott are all pushing boundaries with their unique signature sounds and great energy. Each of them has a distinctive style that really stands out, and I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more from them in the coming months and years. They’re all artists that I’m really excited to see evolve, and I’m looking forward to what they have in store for the future.

Can you give us your top three RC picks for those unfamiliar with the label so that they can check them out? What is special about each of these tracks for you?

No, I can’t, I’m sorry he he, it’s like trying to pick a favourite pet! Every release on Rhythm Cult is unique and special in its own way. What makes each one stand out is the quality and authenticity behind it, and that’s what I’m most proud of. All I can say is, if you genuinely love house and techno, do yourself a favour and check out Rhythm Cult. I’m 100% certain that you’ll find music you’ll fall in love with.

Recently you have had some incredible DJs featured on your Cultcast mix series. Can you tell us a little more about the series and what you have in store on there?

The Cultcast mix series is a fantastic platform where we showcase some of the most talented DJs in the scene today. It originally began as a collaboration with Vanity Dust, an independent music journalist based in Barcelona and a very close friend. In the beginning, the series was actually called Cultdust—a nod to our partnership—where we featured exclusive mixes alongside in-depth interviews with the artists, giving listeners a deeper insight into their creative worlds.

Over time, we’ve been fortunate to feature incredible talents like Dinky, André Lodemann, Bushwacka, Rui Da Silva, and Reboot. Eventually, we merged this with our Rhythm Cult artist mix series, which evolved into what is now the Cultcast. For our upcoming 40th episode, we’re thrilled to have Timo Maas on the Soundsystem, along with confirmed sets from Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves, and Radio Slave. There’s so much exciting music in store, and we can’t wait to share it with our audience!

Tracklist

 1.⁠ ⁠Hydrogen Rockers – Musica (Patch Park Remix) [Plastic Fantastic]

 2.⁠ ⁠Four Candles & Jon Towell – If We (…Just Did) (Sean Harvey Remix) [Keep Thinking]

 3.⁠ ⁠Tommy Bones – Lost Love (Original Mix)

 4.⁠ ⁠Skatman-Save Me (Tal Fussman Remix)

 5.⁠ ⁠Daniel Stefanik – Say It Loud (Original Mix)

 6.⁠ ⁠Mathias Kaden – Circulate (Original Mix)

 7.⁠ ⁠L.B. Dub Corp – Your Love

 8.⁠ ⁠Funk D’Void  – Masque

 9.⁠ ⁠Danny Howells – Cygnet (DCLVIII OFC Remix)

10.⁠ ⁠Laurent Garnier – Give Me Some Sulfites

Related