Exclusive – Urban Knights, DJ Vajra, Ralph Lawson, Lottie, Yves larock, Da Lukas and Bassmonkeys
Exclusive DJ mixes straight from the studios of the biggest names in dance music.
This week live and direct…
Urban Knights
DMC 2011 World Champion DJ Vajra
Ralph Lawson
Lottie
Yves larock
Da Lukas
Bassmonkeys
Urban Knights
The Mix:
{http://soundcloud.com/urbanknights/dmcmix}
The DJ:
Where is home:
East London and Bristol
When did you start DJing:
Dr Specs: I started when I was 19 and K*A*N*E has been DJing since he was 16
Describe your DJing style:
Well we both come from hip hop backgrounds, so we always like to incorporate some in to our set. But we are in the iPod generation and everyone is walking around with a min of 6 GB of music on shuffle. So we like to take the mash up approach to our set with Dubstep, Crack House/Electro House, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass – mix it up, keep it fresh
What are the 5 biggest tunes you are spinning at the moment:
Urban Knights- Ruffest Gunark Remix
Signal – Rack N Ruin ft. P Money & Koast
Alex Metric – Raveaggedon
Knife Party – Save The World Remix
Afrojack – Prutataaaa
Anthem of the summer:
Congorock – Babylon ft. Mr Lex – Bashment And Filthy B Line
Favourite DJ of all time:
That’s hard. Don’t know of all time, but Jazzy Jeff is defo up there
Best Hip Hop album ever made:
Another hard Q. I love Hip Hop too much to say one album, but I can say I stopped listening to hip hop after 2002 because it got shit. Ha ha. When Nas said Hip Hop was dead “we wept like little school girls…
Finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
Ohhhh you guys are really putting it out there – Soul Clap Remix of Extravaganza
Current studio plans?
We have had are heads down making lots of music, mainly dubstep and big beat house. And we will be launching lots of tunes in the new year. Our new tune is out now ‘Ruffest Gunark’ Urban Knights Remix in iTunes and all good stores ha ha
Favourite country you enjoy playing in:
We always enjoy playing Snowbombing in Austria – a massive festival. Every country we play has a different vibe and that’s what makes it fun playing around the world
Maddest night out in 2011?
We play lots in Switzerland – always big vibes. The last time in Zurich it went off and I got a little too drunk and it took the hotel management and K*A*N*E three hours to wake me up resulting in missing the flight chaos. Rock and Roll eh?
What is each other’s most annoying habit?
We have been mates and working with each other for seven years so think we are both unware of our annoying habits. We just annoy each other!!! We catch a lot of jokes together
Where will you be on New Years Eve?
Urban Nerds & Eastern Electrics GOOD NGHTS
Not many people know this, but Urban Knights are very good at…
Hopscotch & Skipping Rope & Run Outs Champions 2000 to 2004
Aims for 2012:
Get a top 40 hit and make more big tunes
Ralph Lawson
The Mix:
{http://soundcloud.com/ralphlawson/the-music-factory-years-91-94/s-ldzqw}
The DJ:
At 9.30pm on November 23rd 1991 I played the first ever record at Back To Basics in Leeds. I had no idea it was going to last to be possibly the longest running weekly house music club in the world. I have completed the first mix which goes some way to documenting the start of the club at Rockshots (later re-named The Music Factory. Of course the mixes are not an accurate representation of a mix from a night in 1991. For a start we could hardly mix back then! Secondly, the selection covers the time period we spent at each venue, not each night. It was actually a pleasure to re-visit these records with the DJ skills and technology I now have. I could never hope to give you a definitive work in any one mix so I decided to do mixes where I just chose the next track from the box and followed where it took me. At The Music Factory from 1992 onwards I played two sets. I would start the night at 9pm (changed from it’s original opening time of 9.30pm to allow for people to get in quicker) and play until the guest came on at 11pm. I would then take over for the last hour to make sure everyone went home happy (hopefully). This led to me developing differently from most DJs as I learnt two very different skills; warming up a club and closing a club. Part One of the Music Factory mix represents what I would do from 9-11pm. I got a little excited though and carried on longer so it is around 2.5 hours long. Enjoy…
DJ Vajra
The Mix:
This is for all my B-Boys and B-Girls!!! An uptempo mix of funk and hip hop, cut up, mixed and sliced by the World Champ…
{http://soundcloud.com/djvajra/the-b-boys-best-friend}
The DJ:
How has winning the DMC WORLD DJ CHAMPIONSHIP changed your life?
It has given me credibility that can never be taken away. Nobody can ever tell me that I “suck” ever again
Q-Bert, Ca$h, Craze, the late Roc Raida all made great careers for themselves on the back of their DMC successes and Shifty has had to interrupt his academic career to accommodate DJ work. What, in an ideal world can you see Vajra doing for the next few years?
I am very focused on making the most out of the opportunity that has been presented to me. My goals are to get out and play a lot more shows and also to represent the DMC brand by being present at all of their battles worldwide
To win the DMC’s require years of refusing to go out and hang with your friends, instead annoying the neighbours with the bass drifting through the walls. Did you find it easy to resist all these normal teenage activities and what did your family think of where your head had gone?
It was easy for me to stay in and practice all the time. I just can’t seem to get enough of it. It’s my favorite thing to do. My parents were supportive once they saw that it was a catalyst for me to stay home and out of trouble
What was the moment you knew you had to get some turntables under your fingers?
I tried to experiment with scratching off and on since I was 9 years old, but it wasn’t until I was 17 and saw my first DMC video that I realized that was what I wanted to do with my life
Describe a typical day for you?
Wake up, do an interview, get on the decks, pick up my kids from school, take my lady out to dinner, then get back on the decks until I pass out
If you had to point to one element of the art which catapulted turntablism forward, where would you point that talented finger of yours?
Scratching. It is infinite in it’s combinations and ever expanding. Music to my ears
You backed off at the final stage of the 2011 DMC Online DJ Championship, why when you were so near to winning? Did Uncut frighten you?
The only reason I entered the online competition was to try and earn a spot in the World Finals. Once I had won in NYC, I was already in, so I didn’t want to give away my set to the public at that point. Unkut is an amazing DJ, but I am not scared to battle against anyone. I have never approached a battle as me vs. anyone else. I always just try to do “me” to the best of my ability, and if that’s enough to win a competition, then so be it
Did you agree that Uncut won, shall we say, hands down?
Absolutely
What do you think of the variety of styles displayed throughout the ONLINE CHAMPIONSHIP, should for example pure turntablism be segregated into it’s own contest or compete against technology?
The online competition should stay as it is. Turntable based, with added technology. I love it
What do you say to those who criticise DJs advancing more and more towards digital equipment?
Those people need to get with the times. Vinyl is always going to be relevant, but digital is so much better in so many ways. Limiting yourself as an artist has never been a good approach
Can they remain as visually exciting as the turntablist DJ?
Yeah, I think so. As long as people don’t use the technology as a crutch, or an excuse to be lazy, it is definitely a beautiful thing to watch
What’s your own favourite piece of equipment?
The Rane TTM 57 mixer
Where can we find your music?
http://djvajra.com – or type DJ Vajra on iTunes to subscribe to my free podcast, or buy my album ‘The Required Taste’
Best night you have had since winning the DMC World Final?
The Beauty Bar in Denver threw a party for me to celebrate the victory, and it was AMAZING. So many people came out who have supported me over the years, and the energy in the room was unbelievable
What is your current top 10 you are spinning…
B.O.B. – Strange Clouds
Lil Wayne – Megaman
Sebastian – Love in Motion (Skrillex Remix)
Skrillex – Bangarang
Noisia – Tommy’s Theme
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close (Nero Remix)
Consequence Feat Kanye West & John Legend – Whatever U Want (Jwls Bootleg)
Chiddy Bang – Mind Your Manners (Dirty)
Phonte – We Go Off (feat. Pharoahe Monch)
Rick Ross feat Meek Mill – Perfectionist feat Meek Mill (Prod by The Alchemist)
Who are your DMC hero’s?
Q-Bert, Mix Master Mike, Craze, A-Trak, Roc Raida, Klever, Shiftee, Tigerstyles, C2C, Kireek, Izoh, Kentaro, Dexta, Babu, Total Eclipse, Precision, Spryte, Kico, and many more
Aims for 2012?
To get my name out and build my brand as much as possible
Lottie
The Mix:
{http://soundcloud.com/djlottie/01-lotties-deep-november-mix}
The DJ:
Where is home:
Between Burnham and Taplow out in Buckinghamshire. We decided to move out of London to have some countryside around us but we’re not that far from the Big Old Smoke
Describe your DJ style:
Electronic house
The big records you are spinning right now:
Cajmere/Russoul – ‘Let’s Dance’ Cajual Records
Boys Noise/Erol Alkan/Jarvis Cocker – ‘Avalanche’ (Ewan Pearson’s Hall Of The Mountain King remix) Phantasy
Noir/Haze – ‘Around’ (Subb-an remix) Noir Music
Green Velvet/Phil Kieran – ‘Michael Jackson’ (Mic Jack in Version) Phil Kieran
Mark Fanciulli – ‘The Tide’ (Joris Voorn edit) Rejected
Tim Green – ‘Swamp Girl’ Rebellion
Tune of the summer:
Maya Jane Coles – ‘What They Say’ (Dyed Soundroom mix) Real Tone
Show of 2011:
Space, September 11th on the Terrazza. It was incredible, as good if not better than when I was playing there without the roof a decade ago
Current studio projects:
I’m busy with Serge (Santiago) in his East London den of iniquity. He’s totally on the same tip musically as I am and he’s so fast getting great sounds down. We’re on our third track now and I’m just delighted to be producing again
Tell us about your new London residency:
It’s at LOW club near Piccadilly on Thursdays. It’s a dark basement painted black with red leather booths and most importantly a big ass soundsystem. All my deeper stuff sounds fantastic in there and it’s got a Studio 54 kind of vibe, its a long time since my missdemeanours residency so I’m looking forward to making Thursdays the night to go out again
Album of 2011:
Metronomy – ‘The English Riviera’. I LOVE this album an unhealthy amount, I had it on loop the whole Summer
Favourite DJ you have seen in 2011:
Without a doubt Justin Martin and Claude Von Strokke playing back to back at We Love… Space. I was bouncing around like a right tool but I loved every second of it
What song can’t you get out of your head right now:
Kate Bush – ‘Wild Man’
Not many people this, but Lottie is really good at…
Well I do like a dance, but the less said about that the better
http://www.facebook.com/DJLottie
http://www.twitter.com/DJLottie
http://soundcloud.com/djlottie
Yves larock
The Mix:
{http://soundcloud.com/cyc-production/dmc-mix-yves-larock}
The DJ:
Where is home:
At the moment I am travelling a lot between Paris and Neuchatel (Switzerland) but when I am not touring I spend most of my time in Paris
Describe your DJ style:
Groovy, melodic house music. But I really adapt to the crowd. My job is to make people dance and to make people happy…so depending on the club or festival, I will adapt my DJ set
First break into the music industry:
2003 with my track “Zookey time passes quickly it seemed yesterday but now that I write this, I realize that it’s been 9 years now…
The tunes of 2011:
Swedish House Mafia – ‘Save The World. And if I would mention one of my tracks I’d say ‘The Zoo’
DJ heroes:
None. I come from the world of hip hop. We don’t have heroes
Top 3 records you are spinning right now:
Digitalism – Circles (Eric Prydz Remix)
Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects ‘Walking Alone’
Yves larock & The Cruzaders ‘If You´re Lonely’ (Swanky Tunes Remix)
Your best DJ set of 2011:
Space – Ibiza
Finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor:
Daft Punk ‘Around The World’
Best club you have ever been to:
Kaufleuten, Zurich
Guilty pleasure song:
Madonna ’Material Girl’
What have you planned for us in 2012:
Many things…new productions, maybe a new album, trying to visit fans in countries I have not been too yet, being a good father to my new born child, cooperating with some really great singers…
http://www.yveslarock.com
http://www.twitter.com/yveslarock
http://www.facebook.com/page/YvesLarockMusic
http://www.myspace.com/yveslarock
http://www.youtube.com/yveslarock1
http://www.egomusic.net/
http://www.youtube.com/user/egoitaly
http://www.facebook.com/EgoItaly
http://twitter.com/#!/ego_italy
Da Lakus
The Mix:
{http://soundcloud.com/da_lukas/da-lukas-dmc-magazine-dj-mix}
The tracklisting:
Jocelyn Brown – Somebody Else’s Guy (Vinyl Dream)
Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real (Columbia / Sony Music)
Dr. Don-Don – King Of The Stars (Ego)
Alan Braxe – Running (Vulture Music)
Real 2 Real – Jazz It Up (Erick Morillo Project Mix) (Positiva)
DKS – I Must Be Doing Something Right (Hysterical)
DKS – Babarabatiri (Dub Mix) (Hysterical)
DKS – That’s Jazz (Hysterical)
APDW feat. Vlada Tomova – Izlela Neda (Zombie Disco Squad Got Garage Remix) (Hysterical)
House Republic – Nuggetz (Ego)
Crazibiza – Back2House (Original Mix) (PornoStar Records)
DKS – Baby (Hysterical)
Kraak & Smaak – Let’s Go Back feat.Romanthony (Chocolate Puma Remix) (Jalapeno Records)
Cajmere – Jungle Jazz (Casual Rec)
Chad Jackson – Hear The Drummer Get Wicked (Big Wave)
The DJ:
Where is home:
Italy
Describe your DJ style:
Basically house music. But I spend my attention bringing the more musical side of any song/track/sounds, so if is it right for the dancefloor at that moment that’s cool
First break into the music industry:
My remix for Jakatta, Who Da Funk, Psycho Radio
The tunes of 2011:
I love Depeche Mode, but i don’t like so much their “dance” remix, anyway the “Never Le me Down Again” Eric Prydz Remix is an amazing work.
DJ heroes:
People of the dance-floor 🙂
Top 3 records you are spinning right now:
1 Tone Float “Blue Velvet” (SudBeat)
2 Analog People In A Digital World feat. Vlada Tomova “Izlela Neda” (Alt Mix) (Hysterical)
3 Da Lukas “Hot Chocolate” (Snatch!)
Your best DJ set of 2011:
My private party at Favigniana Island – a great atmosphere and location. And Jon Hopkins live at the Animal Social Club Roma, An easy and minimal live setup, but very powerful sounds and performance
Finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor:
Many records in my mind, but the most finest is Beanfield “Tides” Carl Craig Remix still works like the first spinning
Best club you have ever been to:
Take me somewhere with a great sound system around nice souls and it’s just the best club
Guilty pleasure song:
Depeche Mode ‘Never Let Me Down Again’
What have you planned for us in 2012:
To improve all my projects with other productions, remix, and gigs. After so many years my passion is always hungry for music.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Da-Lukas/35895770871
http://www.myspace.com/djdalukas
x
Bassmonkeys
The Mix:
{http://soundcloud.com/bassmonkeys/bassmonkeys-dj-set-november}
The DJ:
Where is home:
The decks and in the studio
Describe your DJ style:
Uplifting
First break into the music industry:
‘Let Go” – a hard house track signed to Warner Records in the 90s
The tunes of 2011:
Nadia Ali & Alex Kenji – ‘Pressure’
Sanya Shelest – ‘Holding Remote’
Vince Moogin – ‘Play Dem Vibes’
Bingo Players – ‘Cry (Just A Little)’
Avicii – ‘Levels’
MYNC & Ron Carroll – ‘Don`t Be Afraid’
Pink Fluid – ‘So Much Love’ (Crazibiza)
eSquire & Di Scala – ‘If U Wanna’
“Too many…a great year for house music”
DJ heroes:
Tony De Vit
Top 3 records you are spinning right now:
Bassmonkeys Ft. Lyck – ‘Embrace My Heart’
David Guetta & Avicii vs Bassmonkeys – ‘In The Sunshine’ (Bootleg)
Rob & Jack – ‘All My Love’ (Frederik Van Hooft)
Your best DJ set of 2011:
Rogue Dance: Stallion, Chasers Club, Melbourne, Australia
Finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor:
Jaydee – ‘Plastic Dreams’ (Original Mix)
Best club you have ever been to:
Has to be Ministry Of Sound
Guilty pleasure song:
Rihanna & Calvin Harris – ‘We Found Love’ (sorry)
