photos: soulstealer

Tobias Fauntleroy Slater is changing the world - one reveller at a time. He’s a musician, producer and curator (my word, he’d not be so highbrow) of events such as White Mischief and Kinky Salon London. He’s also the charming promoter of a world where consent, respect and understanding are given credence over self-interested agency. Not that he’s worthy, far from it. His events are born out of boredom with the club nights he’s frequented from the age of 13 – White Mischief is about bringing a dose of the circus to the dance floor.

But through the sparkles, sequins, feathers and high heels there’s, albeit he admits in a very small way, a feeling that these events can provide a viable counterpoint to the restrictive and often damaging roles that Western society enforces. And they’re ridiculously fun so, win win.

Run Riot talks to him about what we can expect from White Mischief as it takes over La Scala this Halloween (including selfies with God and the temptations of a real snake), how to take a first forage into the world of Kinky Salon London, theme parks as inspiration, short attention spans… …and chilling at home in a kigu.

Honour Bayes: You were born into a family of musicians, which sounds like a pretty fab, bohemian environment. What was it like?

Tobias Slater: My parents, sister, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin were or are music-makers, though we're kind of spread out, so it's been a long time since there were any sing-alongs! I'm very fortunate to have benefited from their experience.  I think the main influence on me has been that sense of believing that a creative life is possible and something not to be ashamed of. So I feel quite supported even in my more eccentric endeavours.

Honour Bayes: When did you realise you wanted to produce events like White Mischief and Kinky Salon London as well as perform?

Tobias Slater: I first DJ-ed and co-promoted a night in Soho when I was about 13 or 14, but for a long time I was mostly playing other peoples' events rather than putting on my own. The events happened by accident. I was with my old band Tough Love, in a vintage circus called Gifford's, recording a music video with a director called Alex De Campi (now a successful comics writer). We realised that it would be fun to put live music together with the flamboyance of circus performance. Too often the whole experience of seeing a band is fundamentally boring. We wanted to turn that on its head, so that there is entertainment coming out of every corner.

Honour Bayes: The name White Mischief calls to mind the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland – it sounds like it’s going to lead us on an adventure. Who are your ideal audience, who’s your perfect Alice?

Tobias Slater: The ideal audience member is someone who is willing to get involved and doesn't expect there to be a big gap between show and audience. We set the scene with the decorations and themed areas, but some of the best moments have happened completely spontaneously from the guests themselves. Quite a lot of our guests are creative in some way, and it's always fun to work with performers or craftspeople who have previously been regular partygoers. But whoever you are, if like me you have a short attention span and tend to find a lot of club nights dull, you'll find a lot going on.

Honour Bayes: The interactive element of White Mischief is all the rage now. What does the ball offer that other likeminded events don't?

Tobias Slater: Compared to a lot of interactive or immersive things, White Mischief isn't highbrow. At its heart the night is a party, so we have live music, we have DJs and we have a really great stage variety show with aerial, comedy and burlesque. The silliness quotient is very high, so our compere is the YouTube rapper Professor Elemental and we have a brass band playing Daft Punk songs. But if you're the kind of person who prefers one-on-one experiences, you'll find those too, with up-close stuff in the stairwells and side rooms. You might meet a snake charmer with a real serpent; The Devil enticing you to sit on his throne, get a chance to take a Selfie with God, or join in a game show with Are You Game.

Honour Bayes: Halloween feels like the perfect festival for you guys, do you agree with that and if so why do you think that is?

Tobias Slater: While it's not compulsory to dress up at White Mischief, our events have always had a big element of masquerading and costume, so it's a natural fit for Halloween. I'm a fan of Halloween haunts and spooky attractions, so I've been fascinated to see the Halloween period grow in the UK over the past few years. It's not quite at the level of the USA yet, but it won't be long. There's something magical about the turn of the season, the leaves falling from the trees and the clock going back so everything is dark.

Honour Bayes: How has the London nightlife changed over the years you've been a part of it?

Tobias Slater: My first experiences in London's cultural scene were in places that were very mixed sexuality, queer and trans friendly, at places that celebrated being different from the mainstream culture's norms, whether by putting a sharp vintage look from charity shops or making a ridiculously elaborate Leigh Bowery style home made costume. It was a time when the pressures on people to get off unemployment/housing benefit were not as punishing, and there were quite a lot of physical artistic venues to experiment in. It feels to me that London is tougher right now for emerging artists of any discipline, with the hurdles in terms of paying living expenses and expressing oneself creatively being much higher now.

That said, in many ways right now feels like a revolutionary time with a lot more important cultural change taking place. It's happening online and then bringing people together as a result of their passions, rather than everything starting in the physical realm. I feel like a lot of previously unconnected or marginalised people are able to make an impact spreading their message, whether it's about feminism, racism, disability, body positivity, LGBTQIA issues, alternative relationship styles or whatever.

In a very small way, a tiny part of that conversation is happening at communities I'm involved with such as Kinky Salon London and The Summer House. It's really heartening to see, on a low level, social change happening through what people learn at events (and I count myself among the people learning all the time.) It's particularly very moving when people say to me that through these events they have found a kind of home or alternative family, a place where they will be welcomed and not shamed.

Honour Bayes: Kinky Salon London sounds like a space that's promoting respect and open mindedness to me but tentative souls might be scared it’s cliquey. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to take a first forage into that world?

Tobias Slater: It's okay to feel tentative, unsure, even a little scared. If anyone says they didn't ever feel that way at some point, they're fibbing. It can certainly be intimidating to come to a place where lots of people know each other and there are certain values and expectations, which might be strange and new. But the reason Kinky Salon is not a clique is that cliques don't want just anyone to join. Cliques don't welcome strangers easily. Whereas Kinky Salon London is for anyone whatever their gender, sexuality, race, body type, disability status or relationship status or age. Normally I just recommend that you come along once without any expectations, without any plans to go to the playroom or kink area. There will always be another Kinky Salon in a few months - indeed there are about a dozen around the world - and there's tons of entertainment and silliness to keep you busy. Whatever happens, there's no pressure on you to do anything. Consent is absolutely at the heart of Kinky Salon London, not just in the kink areas or playroom but also in the social spaces, and the behaviour of our guests is (in my experience) better than you'll experience at regular events. If that sounds like too much then I recommend our socials. We have get-togethers every few months, everything from cinema trips to roller disco, and a lot of people start that way.

Honour Bayes: In a world that promotes self-expression style plays a big part. How would describe your own style?

Tobias Slater: Over the years I've experimented with a lot of identities, often multiple looks at the same time, including mod, new romantic, Edwardian, Burner, vintage. I think words like "rakish", "flamboyant" or "dapper" sometimes get used, but that's from people who haven't just seen me at home wearing only a kigu. :)

Honour Bayes: Who or what has influenced you the most?

Tobias Slater: In events, my biggest inspiration is theme parks. The really good ones, like the Disney parks, are doing immersive on a scale far bigger than any theatre group can imagine, and they're doing it 14 hours a day 365 days a year.

In music, probably Joni Mitchell and Michael Jackson.

Honour Bayes: What's been the highlight of your career as a musician and producer so far?

Tobias Slater: I grew up watching bands on the music show Top of the Pops and was lucky enough to play on it myself before the show was cancelled. I've also been fortunate enough to co-write with some incredible songwriters and musicians.

Honour Bayes: What's still to come?

Tobias Slater: In December I host the White Mischief New Year's Eve Variety Extravaganza. Then - across Valentine's weekend next year - The Winter House, which is a country house retreat for 100 people with dining, workshops and talks. And in August The Summer House Weekend celebrates its fifth birthday, with swimming, hot tubs, wood fired sauna, workshops, talks and more. Over the coming year I'm focused on building these existing communities while working, with some friends, on a plan for something brand new - but you'll have to ask me about that next year.

White Mischief Heaven and Hell Halloween Ball

31 October

La Scala