Ten years have passed since the release of Van She’s album ‘V’, the two-fingered eat-out salute burned into our retinas and our Limewire libraries. But, I’m not here to wax lyrical about fluro outfits and electropop from 2008. Touch Sensitive has been the alias of Michael Di Francesco — i.e. the keyboardist and synth-extraordinaire from Van She — for over a decade. In the wake of dance floor classics “Body Stop” and “Pizza Guy”, fans have been waiting with bated breath for Touch Sensitive to release a full-length album.
Di Francesco is a Future Classic darling, and has played alongside labelmates Flight Facilities, Hayden James, Anna Lunoe, and Flume. Last year, we were graced with his solo debut ‘Visions’, a modern exploration into the ’80s synth-pop revival. Tonight we’re heading into Elsewhere, one-part independent music venue and, one-part nightclub and arts hub. These grungy spaces are all housed in a massive converted warehouse in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
The support act tonight, nine-piece cosmic funk ensemble Midnight Magic, wrap up their set beneath the disco balls that double down on opposite ends of the intimate room and sprinkle all patrons with dappled purple light; it’s a taste of the groovy vibes that are to come. The unmistakable hooks of “First Slice” are served up, as we’re gifted with a three-piece outfit on stage; Di Francesco (“my real name’s actually Michael, but Touch will do,” he announces) wielding his bass, which is studded with technicolour LEDs; Aussie producer Plastic Plates (also known as Felix Bloxsom) on the drums; and Bronx songwriter Wills, who proceeds to lay down Sam Smith-esque vocals.
The show is a reminder that the synths are back with a vengeance, creating a nostalgic merger of synth-house and disco that floods your soul in a way that feels both retrospective and very 2018. During certified-gold cut “Lay Down”, the hypnotic hook “Why don’t we lay down for a while?” appears across everybody’s lips, as the stabbing keys beg all limbs to move. There’s no right way to dance; it’s all a matter of flinging our extremities. Soundtracking the moment, Wills croons “Who are we to tell each other right or wrong”, over and over again.
Of course, the room erupts with “Pizza Guy”, the pizza slice-like triangular backdrop offering rainbow shades to dance across smiling faces. The excitement is palpable as a rogue dancer jumps on stage to lead the dancing session. It’s proof that “Pizza Guy” has longevity on dance floors, even on the other side of the world. Sandwiching these instrumental bangers are feel-good tracks like “Don’t Stop The Beat and “Lost It All”, balancing out the set and providing a welcome reprieve to unwind between boogs.
The relentless sunniness of the set puts the crowd into a warm and friendly state, comparable to a Sydney summer’s day, where you have a raspberry Calippo in one hand, a tinnie in the other, and you’re working on your tan down at Gordon’s Bay. Touch Sensitive distils this feeling perfectly with ‘Visions’, bringing the sweet taste of home to the Big Apple.
Photos by Courtney Brookes.