The most exciting new producer in the UK right now? We think so.
Dan Prince checks in with the northern producer with the world at his feet. 2015 you have been warned…
Denney a massive welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?
“Thanks for having me, I’m currently sat in my studio in Leeds keeping warm!”
Well dude, what a way to start the year! A No. 1 in the world famous Buzz Chart…and it’s only February! Please talk us through the sound and history of ‘Low Frequency’. We are loving the rave stabs and acid sounds…
“It’s been a crazy start to the year, incredibly honoured to be No.1 in your Buzz Chart so firstly I just want to say thanks so much for the support. Around the time I made the record I was going back through my old vinyl and found loads of old Todd Terry Sound Design records and just loved how he used to use rave stabs in them so decided I wanted to make a track that incorporated those type of sounds. I make a lot of Acid house so the acid stabs were just second nature I guess and just seemed to be fitting for the type of record it is. It came together pretty quickly and in all honesty I was unsure if people would be into it, I sent it to Jamie and he came straight back saying he loved it and then signed it a few days later to Hot Creations, which then made me think ‘ok maybe we are onto something here’.”
You readily admit that the track is a party record made specifically for the dancefloor…which is what you are all about. You grew up in the north east of England and now live in Leeds, how old were you when you caught the dance music bug…you got your first decks when you were 13 right?
“Yes I was 13 when I got my first decks, before that I had two old hi-fi stack units with record players on top and used to fade the volumes out of one and in on the other trying to blend the tracks together. I actually got into dance music when I was 10, my big sister bought me Smash Hits 1994 on tape and there was The Prodigy ‘No Good (Start the Dance)’ on there. I had that track on repeat non stop much to my parents annoyance! I then got totally into The Prodigy and ‘The Experience’ album was like something I had never heard before. I then started collecting records with my pocket money and I managed to persuade my parents to buy me a cheap pair of belt drive Soundlab Decks and Mixer for my 13th birthday. Which led me on to DJing Rave and Happy Hardcore at my school discos and the rest as they say is history!”
Was music always going to be the career for you…was there anything else you feared you were being pushed into by your family?
“I have to say this, without my family I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have the most supportive parents anyone could ask for. My Mum trawled around the north east when I was 15 to find me a pair of Technics 1210s (which I still have today) and my Dad is an old musician himself and from since I can remember he has always told me to follow my dreams. They have both supported me fully and still do to this day. I can’t express how much that means to me.”
You earnt your disco badges dancing to the likes of Carl Cox, Roger Sanchez, Yousef and Derrick Carter. What was it about these guys that captured your imagination and made you wish you were on the other side of the ones and twos?
“It was the sheer energy of how they played and also they used to blow me away technically. 3 Decks on the go, using acapellas, FX units, double copying…they just used to always be doing something but totally commanding a room and loving it. I always got excited when I knew I was going to see them play…in fact I still do!”
When I told king of the Buzz Chart Guy Garrett that I was interviewing you today he shouted down the phone…”we love Denney at Buzz Chart HQ – a new Acid House legend has been born!” Thoughts on that little comment?
“Wow that has absolutely blown me away, I don’t really know what to say other than thanks so much for the kind words…that really means a lot.”
You are part of an exclusive band of DJs playing the best house nights the UK has produced in years. Basics, Paradise, Shindig, Circus and VIVA Warriors are just some of the nights you are a firm favourite at. After a few years in the wilderness, this is a real halcyon time for British clubbing, producers and music. It must feel amazing to be part of the VIP club?
“I’ve never actually thought about it like that but I do feel incredibly privileged to be playing so many amazing nights in the UK and also have such a great relationship with them all. The scene at the minute is so strong, so many great new artists breaking through and incredible music around…it is definitely an exciting time right now.”
“I’m a massive sucker for a 303 bassline.” Throw some tunes at us that influenced you from back in the day…
Da Posse – “In The Heat Of The Night (Acid Mix)
Steve Silk Hurley “Jack Your Body”
Tomboy – She Hit My Head
Alex Kid – Don’t Hide It (Vocal Acid Mix)
X-Press 2 “Music X-Press”
You admit that your ‘Pimp Out’ EP was massively inspired by the Back to Basics dancefloor where you are now a resident DJ. Why is this club and head honcho Dave Beer so special to you?
“It’s just been somewhere I have basically grown up and got my musical education, I know you have a long history with them also so are well aware that being on a Basics dancefloor is like nowhere else in the world. It is pure loved up mayhem to the soundtrack of the best music with the friendliest people in the world. My relationship with Dave goes far beyond the club and we are incredibly close friends, like brothers! The whole Basics crew is something else though we actually are one big crazy family.”
Nice words dude.
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
Mark Jenkyns feat. MC Chickaboo – On Me
“Mark is a really good friend of mine and this track has been bubbling for a while now. It is coming out on Hot Creations soon and really works on a dance floor, I think it will be a big record around Miami.”
Geddes – Baby (Alex Kid Remix)
“This is coming out on Nofitstate soon and the whole release is wicked, this particularly is an absolute killer acid groover…I can’t get enough of it!”
Burnski – Your Love (Feat. Beckford)
“This is going to be released very soon on Constant Sound which is the new label by 2 of my best friends Burnski and Jon Woodall. It’s got that typical amazing Burnski vibe to it and is a straight up groover perfect for a dark club or daytime party in the sun.”
Hauswerks – Look At That Ass
“This tune i have been caning every set since New Year and i can’t see it leaving for a while, a straight up jackin’ club monster by a fellow Leeds producer as part of his EP on VIVa…huge!”
The Prodigy – Your Love (Denney Edit)
“I did this edit last year of one of my favourite ever records and has been gaining massive support from the likes of Nic Fanciulli to Pete Tong. We are currently waiting to see if it is going to be released as an official remix by The Prodigy camp. It is one of the most requested records I get at the minute when I play it.”
A celebrity you would not want to get stuck in a lift with?
“Perez Hilton, the polar opposite of the kind of person I want to be around.”
When was the last time you pressed rewind and listened to a track over again because it was so damned good?
“Just the other day actually. There is a Drum and Bass track by MC DRS called ‘The View which I kept listening to which is off his upcoming album I believe.”
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Tell us 3 bucket list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime?
1. “See the Northern Lights.”
2. “Go to Machu Pichu and do the Inca trail.”
3. “Meet Keith Richards.”
A tune nestling in your set that just won’t go away from last year?
“Andre Bratten ‘Trommer Og Bass’
“I think as long as you are true to yourself then however you approach something it will be the right way.” Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
“I would say my family and friends. Without those I wouldn’t be who I am today. Whenever I have had a wobble they have always been there to make sure I keep going.”
A famous quote from you…”I make some downtempo records occasionally and would like to do an album under a different name at some point.” How is that little project coming along?
“It is something I have all intention of doing but just don’t have time at the minute, I have made a few tracks which are shelved at present. A project like that really needs my full attention so is absolutely in the pipeline, just not sure when it will be right now.”
Newcastle Upon Tyne. May 2nd/May 3rd. Shindig XXIII : You starring alongside the likes of Lawler, Beyer, Chandler, Plex, Dixon, Green Velvet, Hot Since 82, Dumont, Carter, Mac…it’s the party of dreams huh?
“Yes I’m so excited for this one, I am old friends with the Shindig boys and when I don’t have a gig it is always my favourite place to go for a night out in the UK. This party is going to be off the hook, the line up is absolutely amazing and guarantees to be a special weekend.”
You started 2015 with three amazing sets at the fabulous BPM Festival in Mexico where along the way you bumped into one of your idols Mr Danny Tenaglia – the nicest man in dance music. What was that like?
“I had actually met him when I was 19 in Satellite Records in New York randomly, but this time got introduced properly through Steve Lawler. We had a long chat and all hung out at the Paradise party and I just thought he was such a nice guy. The man is one of the reasons I do what I do so it’s always nice when you meet someone you look up to and they are totally welcoming.”
What else can you divulge from that memorable week in the sun?
“Not a lot other than I had the best week I’ve had in ages, it was my first time over there and I fell in love with the place. I got to play some amazing gigs, catch up with lots of friends, listen to amazing music and have loads of fun. The highlight has got to be bringing the sun up over the ocean playing back to back to back with Steve Lawler and Detlef at VIVa Warriors at Blue Parrot.”
You love the island of Ibiza, who doesn’t? How difficult is it for you to keep a strict line between work and play when you are there with your crew?
“I absolutely love the place. Normally I end up going mad as soon as I get there and then chill out. I’m living there for the whole summer this year so I’m sure I will find a balance…probably around September haha.”
Highlight of Ibiza 2014?
“Playing VIVa Warriors over there in September for the first time and also myself and some friends all got a villa together for the week…non stop fun!”
Looking ahead, where are some of the festivals you cannot wait to get your teeth stuck into this summer…?
“Really can’t wait to get back to Secret Garden Party and Gottwood Festival, I played both of those last year and had such an incredible time, they are definitely 2 things in the diary I am looking forward to the most.”
A young producer we should be looking out for in 2015?
“Luke Gibson is making some great music at the moment, keep a watch out for him!”
More exciting news swung your way late last year when Bushwacka asked you to be A+R for his legendary Oblong and Plank Records which are getting relaunched this year. You started to look for material straight away…what is the latest?
“Yes that’s right, I’m working alongside Matt and 2 other fantastic people on the labels and have already started looking for music. We have already been getting great demos and also got some big artists who will be getting involved in releasing with us. Watch this space, there is going to be some amazing music dropping.”
And finally – what is coming next from you personally studio wise?
“I have new music forthcoming on VIVa Music, Poker Flat, Knee Deep In Sound, Ministry, Nervous, Under No Illusion and just tying a few more eps up. Lots going on studio wise right now!”
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*Check out Pete Tong announcing ‘Low Frequency’ as his Essential New Tune on Friday night…”Massive thanks to Pete Tong for making “Low Frequency” Essential New Tune on BBC Radio 1 last night. Having been listening to the show since I was 13, I am seriously buzzing about this! You can listen back here…http://bbc.in/1xpiKpO
More info…https://www.facebook.com/DenneyMusic
