House Gospel Choir

House Gospel Choir is a London-based collective consisting of a diverse cast of well over one hundred singers, musicians, DJs, and producers. True to the group’s name, the HGC performs rousing, uplifting renditions of classic house, garage, and gospel songs, emphasizing the spiritual, communal qualities of dance music and the club-going experience. The group’s 2020 debut full-length, Re//Choired, featured collaborations with house legend Todd Terry, and included versions of songs by artists like Candi Staton, Crystal Waters, and Disclosure. After releasing tracks with the likes of Marshall Jefferson and Oliver Heldens, the HGC released second album Love Is the Message in 2024. The group began when vocalist/producer Natalie Maddix casually made a post mentioning the idea of putting together a house choir. Following a debut rehearsal in Hackney, East London in 2014, the group was booked to play at the Glastonbury festival, and after a few months of rehearsals, they had amassed over 30 vocalists and musicians, performing songs such as Barbara Tucker’s “Beautiful People” and Kirk Franklin’s “Up Above My Head.” They held a monthly Mass Choir, open to the public, and continued performing at festivals and clubs, eventually touring across the world and playing concerts in Singapore, Australia, Denmark, and Ibiza. They also backed artists like Loyle Carner and Emile Sandé during televised events, and appeared on albums by Boy George & Culture Club, Zak Abel, and HONNE. House Gospel Choir’s 2017 debut single, “Deeper,” featured Riton and MNEK, and was followed by a 2018 cover of Wookie’s “Battle,” produced by the U.K. garage pioneer himself. “Salvation” (with Adelphi Music Factory) appeared in 2019, and several singles led up to the 2020 full-length Re//Choired, including the Todd Terry collaboration “My Zulu,” Disclosure’s “Latch,” and “Gypsy Woman (Place to Stay),” a Crystal Waters cover that additionally interpolates Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam.” The release reached number four on the U.K. Christian & Gospel Albums chart. The choir performed with Kylie Minogue during her virtual concert Infinite Disco. In 2021, House Gospel Choir were featured on Blinkie’s single “Stronger,” as well as the U.K. Top 100-charting “Risk It All” by Ella Henderson and Just Kiddin. They also appeared on Duane Harden’s remake of “You Don’t Know Me,” his classic anthem with Armand Van Helden. HGC were featured alongside Nile Rodgers on Oliver Heldens’ 2022 cover of “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by KISS. Additionally, they guested on Marshall Jefferson’s “FWD,” along with Rudimental, and performed at John Cale’s 80th birthday celebration, as well as the BBC One New Year’s Eve special. In 2023, they guested on “Your Love” by Shouse, and released the single “Angels” with MORGAN. Singles with Kaleena Zanders (“Save Me”) and Will Clarke (“Weekend Love”) appeared in 2024, preceding the arrival of second album Love Is the Message. Guests on the album include Joe Smooth, Janice Robinson, and Beverley Knight. ~ Paul Simpson