On a night dedicated to love, Selassie and TYSON set the tone at Decimo, curating the perfect atmosphere.
Long-time collaborators and subtle architects of London’s nightlife, Selassie Tevie and Tyson McVey are celebrated for their intuitive crowd-reading and soulful selections, with practices that extend well beyond the dance floor. Tyson, an alt-R&B artist who’s musical heritage and roots in club culture can clearly be heard in her music, is also a co-founder of Ladies Music Pub, the London-based collective and label championing women, trans, and non-binary artists. Selassie, a DJ, radio host, and tastemaker deeply embedded in the city’s underground, is a familiar voice on NTS Radio, where he explores soulful, global, and groove-driven sounds. Whilst also juggling A&R duties for Brownswood Recordings, the label founded by Gilles Peterson.
Together, their partnership feels less like a collaboration and more like a finely tuned calibration - two selectors moving in perfect sync. In the spirit of connection, we asked them about their meet-cute, their ideal date night, and to share the tracks that define it.
How did you meet?
T: Through friends….and music. The first time we met Selassie was DJing with a good friend Ruby Savage and I came to say hi. We got to know each other better at club nights and festivals. I think our first date was at PDA, pretty sure we danced until like 5am.
How do you select music before playing together?
S: We try and find time to sit down together, play a couple tunes, some new things we both like, some in house classics and we try and build a playlist from there. Thankfully we’re pretty much always on the same wavelength. It wouldn’t have worked out otherwise!
You’ve built a shared language through music. How has playing together shaped the way you listen - to records, to rooms, and to each other?
T: One thing I love that I noticed when we started spending more time together, is that Selassie always plays music. It’s a soundtrack to our family life now. And I play good tunes too sometimes! We have a strong shared music language, it’s very very rare that either of us plays something the other doesn’t like. I guess playing together is a way to bring that soundtrack to life?
S: Strong of you to presume she listens to anything I say!
T: HA!
You’re both established artists in your own right—what does playing together allow you to explore creatively that solo sets don’t?
S: Its nice to play with people whose creative mind you respect. Even though we’re on a similar wavelength Tyson will always take a set or the sound in a particular direction that I wouldn’t have thought of in a way that is so great, and so right. It’s great cause it’s like being constantly inspired throughout the length of a set.
T: Aw thank you. I agree. I feel like I’m inspired creatively for the same reasons but also for me, I’m also constantly learning technically and getting more comfortable with DJing. I always want to keep improving and trying new stuff so I find it inspiring playing with you, and watching you DJ, because I always learn new things and have new ideas. You make it look effortless!
How do you recharge creatively when your work and home lives are both full and dynamic?
S: HAHAHAHA
T: Lol, do we? …. Grateful for our stay here.
What’s your idea of the perfect date night / why is it important?
S: It depends. On certain weeks for both of it’s literally just getting the chance to be still and spend time together. Obviously I like going to restaurants, somewhere that is comfortable and ambient on a weekend but really and truly I really love just being at home, with some orange wine watching Traitors and no responsibilities, heavy on the no responsibilities part. To be honest it’s more about being together and being comfortable than anything.
T: There’s a version where I think dinner, drinks and dancing is still a perfect date night. But also now we have a child and very busy lives I love the nights at home with orange wine, Traitors and no responsibilities too. It can be hard to find each other sometimes in these first few years of having small children
Staying at The Standard, London, what are you most looking forward to - the energy of the hotel, the city outside, or the quiet moments in between?
T: I’m looking forward to the rest, quiet, peace and comfort.
S: The fluffy pancakes on room service.
Are there emerging sounds or movements in London that are exciting you at the moment?
S: I respect everything about the Brighter Days family. Love how they’ve got their own thing going on, they’ve got their own touch and twist with their music. Everything they do has such a good, fun and playful energy. They manage to mix the old school with the new school very tastefully both within their music and the programming of their events.
DATE NIGHT SELECTION
(your top picks to set the mood for the perfect date night!)
Qendresa - Be Mine
Leon Thomas - Mutt
Brent Faiyaz - Been Away
Summer Walker - Session 32
Cruza - Such is Love
Miguel - U R on My Mind
Kokoroko - Sweeter Than
Albertina - Size
Cornell Campbell - Girl of My Dreams
Yazmin Lacey - Grace
For your own weekend of romance, late nights and cultural surroundings, immerse yourself in the same vibe at The Standard, London - book a suite, enjoy dinner or brunch at Decimo, and let the city’s rhythm set the tone.
