Errol & Alex Rita

A blurry, warm-toned photo of a joyful man and woman dancing.

Read the Q&A

Touching Bass began, quite simply, as two people wanting to hear better music played with more intention. Founded by Errol and Alex Rita in South London, what started as a club night has grown into a wider musical movement — spanning a long-running NTS Radio residency, a record label home to artists like Demae and cktrl, a concert series, and a curatorial studio that has worked with institutions from Tate to the Venice Biennale. At its core is a commitment to soulful, genre-fluid sound and to platforming Black and diasporic artists, built not around a fixed aesthetic but around community — the friends, dancers and listeners who Errol and Alex describe as "our peopledem." Ten years on, Touching Bass remains rooted in that same instinct: that music, at its best, is something you gather around.

A smiling man in a colorful striped hat and sunglasses takes a selfie with a smiling woman pushing a stroller on a sunny street.

Semaine What’s important to you right now?

A + E Raising a playfully curious, critically awake child in a world constantly trying to stunt freedom of thought and action.

Black and white fisheye view of a DJ with headphones at a mixing console in a studio, seen through a window.

Semaine If you were an object what would you be?

A One of sentimental value.

E A mood lamp.

A beach scene featuring a tall wooden pole in the foreground, a man flying a kite, children playing in the sand, and a couple standing by the ocean.

Semaine Describe your taste in one word?

E Groove.

A Organic.

Two people wearing headphones at a record store, one using a turntable, with vinyl albums displayed on shelves.

Semaine Where would you like to be right now?

E Belly 80% full and barefoot by the Swift River in Portland, Jamaica. Surrounded by my closest ones and nature's soundtrack.

A In a future home, on the ground floor. Surrounded by nature and open skies.

Listen

Gallery

Overhead view of a crowded club, lit in red, with people dancing and a DJ working the booth.

Two DJs perform for a crowd dancing in a club illuminated by red lights.

Two people wade in a natural pool fed by a waterfall surrounded by lush green foliage and rocky cliffs.

A person carrying a child on their back wades in a pool at the base of a waterfall, surrounded by dense jungle.

A sculpture of a dark-skinned figure with outstretched arms, wearing a red, black, and green shirt with an outline of Africa, on a yellow surface.

A large, light-colored concrete archway with a dark star on top and a colorful stripe, with people and a motorcycle at its base.

A child climbs a dark wooden outdoor staircase while a cat sits on a lower step.

A large group of people dancing energetically in a dark room, with many arms raised.

Exterior view of the California African American Museum (CAAM) building and a large "CAAM" sign, surrounded by landscaped grounds under a partly cloudy sky.

A framed, vibrant mixed-media artwork with the word "BLACKNUSS" repeated, depicting musicians, musical instruments, and cultural symbols on a dark, textured background.

Store

Lauren Halsey Long Sleeve, Lauren Halsey

Avocado Magic, Taltal Levi

Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 DJ Controller, Pioneer

The Five Minute Journal, Intelligent Change

Errol and Alex's Guide to Musical Discovery

Errol & Alex's Guide to Musical Discovery

Travel

A man in a dark shirt and blue pants exits a building with a patterned wall, large windows, an awning, and many potted plants.

"In the chaotic heart of Lagos, Folayemi’s cultural space feels like a deep exhale and offers an inspiring focus on community, education, local music and local food." - Alex

Pada Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria

27 Boyle St, Lagos Island, Lagos

A large, diverse crowd raises their hands at a smoky outdoor night event.

"Ground zero for any music purist and our favourite UK festival, hands down. It's been a blessing to be resident DJs/curators every year since the start." - Errol

We Out Here Festival

Dorset, United Kingdom

Wimborne St Giles, Dorset

A man, child, and woman in a room with a DJ setup, the woman covering her mouth.

"Newly minted musical hub by Belgian local legend (and my sometime DJ b2b partner), DTM Funk." - Errol

Black Gravity Record Store

Antwerp, Belgium

Oudeleeuwenrui 22, 2000

A bright, minimalist music shop with an arched kitchen nook and shelves filled with CDs and records.

"Beautifully curated, Kyoto-based record store for everything slow and dreamy." -Alex

Meditations

Kyoto, Japan

日本、〒602-0862 京都府京都市上京区出水町２５３−３

Silhouettes of people dancing in a foggy room lit by an orange glow, with two red lights in the dark foreground.

"A sacred NYC dancefloor space. Built from the ground up and with the utmost intention by our friends Mo Yasin, Booker Mitchell and their close homies. We played long there until 7am once and that night is etched into my brain." -Errol

Pitkin

Brno-Královo Pole, Czechia

Srbská 116/4, 612 00 Brno-Královo Pole, Czechia

An overhead view of a room with a DJ setup, people working around it, and two paintings on a brick wall, illuminated by a neon light.

"One of our favourite places to be in Melbourne. Shouts to Crown Ruler/Jamie for opening such a fluid, music-oriented space for everyone. Hosting everything from talks and exhibitions to record fairs and intimate gigs. He's proved that anything is possible!" - Alex

High Note

Northcote, Australia

220 High St, Northcote VIC 3070

A blurry, red-lit image of a crowded room with a balcony and a projection screen.

"Out to Miguel and Chimera, who are running some of the best parties in Brazil!" -Errol

Escola de Misterios

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A dimly lit, rustic room with people gathered on mats, with a person at a music console on the left and a robed figure at a low table on the right.

"A Brooklyn loft/studio run by a very special group of people, putting on some of the most thoughtful music gatherings in town. From 4am sunrise sets (we saw Laraaji!) to dance classes and full on parties. All run via newsletter. Anything goes." - Alex

L&SD

New York City, United States

People in white robes perform a ceremony with flags and a drum inside a church decorated with vibrant murals and a golden chandelier.

"Core life memory: going to an Ethiopian Orthodox church service and listening to an all-male vocal ensemble sing in unison for hours on end in one of the most acoustically and architecturally pristine churches I've ever visited." - Errol

Lidet: Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

MySemaine

Filter

Open children's book showing colorful illustrations of people and large seeds growing into plants, on a woven mat.

Avocado Magic

“Avocado Magic is a really important and emotional children's book about patience, time and growing up. Little man's current favourite.” - Alex

Credits

Semaine Members