Alexis Knox: Disco House Queen and The Heart of London's Queer Scene
- Tony Allen
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Alexis Knox is a name that resonates far beyond her electrifying DJ sets. Known for her infectious energy and unapologetic attitude, she’s spent years shaping the global club scene, from the iconic Ministry of Sound to the buzzing nightlife of Ibiza. Yet, it's her roots within London's queer party scene that remain at the core of her artistic evolution. A long-time resident at Heaven, Alexis has become a staple figure, not just as a DJ, but as someone who’s dedicated to creating spaces where young queer people can experience freedom and acceptance through music.
Her latest release, ‘Eagle’, is a perfect reflection of her journey. A collaboration with Malta’s rising star, Husko, the track blends disco-house with feel-good energy, creating a vibe that's impossible to ignore. Packed with uplifting grooves, tight percussion, and soaring basslines, ‘Eagle’ was born from Alexis’s love for classic house, with a 1980s soul sample from C.L. Blast bringing the nostalgic magic to the forefront. "There’s nothing more fabulous than disco house," she says, adding with a smile, "especially with summer approaching. It’s time to get the magnums out and find yourself a beach cabana!" Download/Stream 'Eagle' here: https://perfecthavoc.lnk.to/eagle.
Alexis’s career has always been a blend of the unexpected. From her beginnings as a club promoter to becoming a globally recognised DJ, her path has been anything but traditional. "I was a party girl in the club scene," she admits. "I then went on to become a ‘door whore’ at a club night called Circus, which was Jodie Harsh’s haunt. I would finish my duties on the door and then go hit the decks where my bestie KDA was DJing. I had the audacity to tell him what to play, so one week he said, ‘Fine, you’re DJing next week.’ And that’s how I became a DJ!"
Her journey from the door to the decks wasn’t just a career shift, it was a full-blown creative explosion. Today, her music spans disco-house, tech-house, and dance-pop, but with each release, one thing remains constant: her unique ability to inject life and personality into every beat. "Taking on any new skill, as time passes you build confidence," Alexis reflects. "But even though the genres have varied, the energy of loving life and feel-good vibes has always been there."
Perfect Havoc, the label that has supported her since the beginning, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping her sound. "It’s thanks to Rob at Perfect Havoc that I’m even pursuing my path as a dance producer," she explains. "He suggested that the energy I brought from behind the decks would be great to bring into my own music. He teamed me up with an amazing producer called Covenants, and we spent six months in the studio together. That’s how my first single ‘Higher’ was born, which went to number three in the iTunes dance charts!"
With multiple Ibiza shows lined up and ‘Eagle’ marking her 10th release, Alexis is far from slowing down. Her production process, which once seemed like a leap into the unknown, has now become an area where she continues to grow and experiment. "I'm still learning, still growing," she says. "But I’ve loved collaborating with so many great producers, and it feels amazing to now have tracks like ‘Eagle’ out in the world."
Beyond the decks, Alexis’s creative direction in fashion and visuals has also made a mark. She was the Creative Director at NOTION Magazine, where she worked with artists like Miley Cyrus, Charli XCX, and Bruno Mars. Her background in visuals has helped shape the identity of her music releases, creating a cohesive narrative that spans from the sound to the artwork. "I'm probably a graphic designer’s nightmare," she laughs. "But when it comes to my singles, I know exactly what energy I want to communicate."
When it comes to her role in the queer club scene, Alexis is more than just a DJ—she’s a mentor, a big sister figure to many. "Being in the scene for so long means you develop deep connections, especially with young queer people who you might have met when they were 16 or 18," she says. "To find out years later that something you said or did really had an impact, it’s the biggest blessing. It’s about the conversations in the smoking area, the heart-to-hearts at the afters. That’s what the party world is about."
As she continues to play across the globe, Alexis’s sets remain high-energy, unapologetically fun, and always personal. Her ability to read the crowd and create a journey is unmatched. "I don’t want to exhaust anyone at the beginning of my set," she explains. "So I try to start with vocal singalong tracks and then build it up to a ravey ending. One track that never leaves my USB? A remix by Steve Angello of ‘Show Me Love’ with these really camp trumpets, but then it drops into this insane bassline. It’s dirty fun!"
Looking ahead, Alexis is excited to continue exploring new sounds and collaborations. "I’ve been working with rappers and blending rap top lines with house sounds," she shares. "It’s giving me the confidence to throw sounds together that might not be so predictable. I like to bring something you haven’t heard before, something that can’t be predicted."
With ‘Eagle’ setting the tone for a summer of unforgettable moments, Alexis Knox shows no signs of slowing down. Whether in the studio or behind the decks, she continues to push boundaries, inspiring the next generation of dance music lovers and clubbers.
Alexis Knox
Perfect Havoc
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