Interview: Lara Pacillo // Photos: Inside Out
Since 2015, Inside Out Dance Parties has helped fuel Adelaide’s party scene. Touring interesting artists through underground spaces powered by pristine audio, Inside Out has become a key player in the city’s nightlife community.
This June, for its next event at Oddio, Inside Out welcomes Leeds’ Bradley Zero — founder of Rhythm Section International and a key figure in London’s club scene, known for shaping early Boiler Room programming, while building a global reputation as a DJ, broadcaster and mentor.
Bradley Zero will heat up Bowden’s church-turned-winery for a furnace of a dancefloor session — just another party to add to Inside Out’s growing catalogue of nights to remember.
For the man behind it all, Lenin Paunovic, the Inside Out project is alive and constantly evolving. The latest chapter sees the launch of Inside Out Audio, a new arm of the operation where Lenin has joined forces with Gonzo Group’s Sean Howard to specialise in audio and DJ backline supply for events including Sanctuary, Sidebyside, Telesonica, and venues like Longplay Bistro and Honeydripper.
What remains constant for Inside Out is the intimacy and attention to detail. We caught up with Lenin to trace it back to the beginning and unpack his journey through sound.
How would you describe Inside Out to someone who hasn’t heard of it before?
The name itself kind of describes the concept. I wanted to take the clubbing world outdoors, so that’s why it was called Inside Out.
It all started with free park parties around Himeji Gardens. We did a few in a row. We used to call them Park Jib. Then from that, it grew into going back into the club, running nights at Sugar for quite some time and branching out to other venues.
Over time, the sound system became a bigger part of it as well. I was able to do bespoke installs in different venues, and that’s kind of how it grew into what it is now.
What was the inspiration behind it?
At the time it was the group of friends I was DJing with the most. We were all so passionate about it and wanted to start DJing more, so it became a platform for us to do that.
How has the audio of Inside Out evolved over time?
When it very first started, I had some JBL speakers. After a few years I bought my first Funktion-One system from a close friend, Phil, who used to own Cuckoo Bar.
I wasn’t really sure how it would go, but through running a few small events it escalated pretty quickly. Over time I just kept adding to it.
Now through Inside Out Audio with Sean coming on as business partner in 2024, I’ve lost count of how many speakers we actually have. If I talk in terms of separate sound systems, I would say we have about five or six now, but everything’s quite modular so most setups that we do might not look the same as the previous one.
Why Funktion-One? What drew you to them?
I remember the first time I saw them at Let Them Eat Cake Festival, and just being completely taken away by the presence of them – just the look of them alone, but then the sound as well. I hadn’t really heard sound like that before at an outdoor festival. To be able to be so close to them and still hold a conversation with the people that you’re next to as well – I found it quite inspiring.
Comparing them to other experiences that I had, I always felt like it was better when there was a Funktion-One system there.
How did you actually learn audio set up?
From the early days, I was inspired by the people that were around me when I was going to Cuckoo Bar. They gave me the leg up on understanding audio. Then when I bought the system from Phil, he pointed me in the direction of who to talk to with a few people in Adelaide.
From then on, it was a lot of my own learning, just looking, sifting through books and as much information as I could. I used to scour the internet, looking at all the different Funktion-One setups and trying to figure out what made sense and what didn’t to me. It was a lot of trial and error. Chris Lath of Purple Audio, I’ve learned a lot from him as well.
As Inside Out has evolved, what’s stayed at its core?
One thing that’s definitely remained the same is that I haven’t tried to chase bigger crowds. I’ve always tried to keep it intimate, and have a better connection with the people at the event. Trying to find bookings as well that are a bit more niche, it opens up new music to people as well in the process.
How do you decide who to book, and what makes them feel right for an Inside Out party?
It’s always been artists I truly enjoy listening to. In some ways it’s kind of selfish. It’s people I’ve always wanted to see DJ in real life. When their agents say they’re on tour, they’re the ones that I’ll go for.
So I suppose that was the inspiration for the Bradley Zero party in June too?
Yeah, definitely. I’ve watched Boiler Room from its inception, so I was aware of what he was doing at that time. Then seeing what he did with Rhythm Section as well and then becoming a more renowned DJ later. I’ve always really enjoyed the variety of his music. He can play any situation, being on the radio or at a large-scale festival.
For the most part, his music is deep and soulful. There’s definitely jazz inspirations. And then when he’s playing a bigger party, it’s fun. He knows how to find those tunes where you just enjoy yourself surrounded by people that are having a good time. Lots of good energy.
What’s been the biggest challenge over the years?
Definitely one of the hardest things in Adelaide is having the response and the reach. You always have your core people around you, but sometimes it can be challenging.
I’ve figured over the years that when you’re doing too much, it thins out a little bit and you don’t get the same response anymore. I’ve learned in time to do things infrequently but make them more special.
Any moments that stand out?
Any party when you’re on the dancefloor and you look around and see how much everyone’s enjoying it, that’s why I do it.
How do you see the Adelaide scene right now?
I definitely feel like over the years the scene has its ups and downs, but there’s something really good happening right now.
I think that has stemmed from festival culture bringing more people into electronic music, and what’s happening with things like Sanctuary has helped push that into a bigger audience in Adelaide.
Across the board, I think promoters are feeling good. It’s more often that you hear of shows having good attendance and doing well. Adelaide’s in a good place at the moment. I feel good about it anyway.
What do you want people to experience at an Inside Out party?
To be able to have a good time with their mates, not feel out of place, and not really have to think too much. Just enjoy one another’s company, the music, the sound, and leave the party being able to tell your friends that it was a good time and that you want to go to the next one.
Inside Out with Bradley Zero: Friday 5 June 6pm-1am // Oddio, 31 Drayton Street, Bowden 5007
Inside Out Dance Party: Instagram
