UK house and free party scene pioneer Pete 'Woosh' Birch has died
He was a founding member of Nottingham’s DiY Soundsystem, a crucial element in the UK’s pioneering free party scene going back to 1989. He also helped run their labels, Strictly 4 Groovers and DiY Discs, in the ’90s, and was one half of the DJ duo Digs & Woosh.
As Big Shot Mag reports, Birch was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2015. Last year, he started the 52 Card Trick project, a series of weekly releases each featuring three tracks from various producers, with proceeds going towards cancer charities.
For more on Birch’s history in the UK dance music scene, read his January 2020 piece for LeftLion about DiY Soundsystem.
Listen to a 2016 set from Birch.
A number of dance music figures have paid tribute to Birch on Twitter.
Shout to #PeteWoosh . Thanks for the music. Love to his family and close friends. In peace may he rest. One of my fave tracks of his. #DIY was / is a label and a movement. x Digs, Woosh & Mr Ski – Rumpfunk (Original Mix) https://t.co/y90DQ89MCs via @YouTube
— DJ Heather (@djheather) October 3, 2020
Sad to hear about Pete Woosh, had many a night at DiY https://t.co/xB9jcECrST
— TheBlackDog (@TheBlackDog) October 3, 2020
RIP Pete Birch, aka DJ Woosh. Digs my cousin, and Woosh were founding fathers of the DiY soundsystem, a free party collective that brought a deep groove US influenced House Music to tens of thousands of party people… pic.twitter.com/DhbTIbYPY2
— Groove Armada (@GrooveArmada) October 4, 2020
RIP Pete Woosh. Such a good man and a great DJ. Love to the DIY crew. I had some beautiful times with you. X
— Justin Robertson (@robertsonjustin) October 3, 2020
