The Jackathon boss and Radio 1 resident happy as the queen of the underground
You grew up in Ontario, Canada just over the border from the birthplace of techno – Detroit. Your house however was filled with the sounds of rock, blues and folk which your father loved. When did the dulcet tones of dance music start to attract you…?
“It was in 1996 when I met Richie Hawtin. We’re from the same city. We met, became friends and he introduced me to a whole world I knew nothing about. The energy of the music sucked me in…and the fact that I had a great teacher.
You still have a massive love for rock music – who are the artists you are listening to at the moment and what has been the best ever rock gig you’ve been to over the years?
“At the moment I listen to a variety of music. Mostly chilled stuff. I really love the band Warpaint, I’ve also been listening to a lot of old hip hop. Been rinsing all the Tribe Called Quest albums and Wu Tang Clan and on a different note the new jack white stuff. I really like his band Dead Weather for a more raw, sexual vibe. As in the best rock gig I have ever been to…I would have to say Prince. Seeing that man perform live for the first time brought me to tears. I never thought i would be one of those women in the audience…but I was. He is hands down my favourite artist of all time.”
You moved to London towards the end of the 90s, just as the UK were about to witness a real lull in dance music. How did ‘an outsider’ feel London’s dance scene was on your arrival?
“I moved to London in 1997…and that was the time of drum & bass. I was really influenced by all of that music. You can hear it when I DJ. I’m very base driven. I really loved DJ Hype and Grooverider. As well as the whole Roni Size Reprezent posse. That album was mega for me. I remember when I moved back to canada for a short stint he came to play in detroit. The gig was half empty but I everyone that was there was going completely mental. That music was very foreign in the birthplace of techno. It never really took off there.”
How important were the M.A.N.D.Y. guys in the beginning to you?
“They were very important for me. I met them around 2004. That was when get physical records first started and the sound of house music was changing into what everyone labelled “electro house” I went to see them DJ at a night called foreign muck up in Kings Cross. We met and totally clicked and became friends pretty much instantly. The fact that I was running Phonica Records also helped as they were hungry for hot new music. They invited me to DJ in berlin shortly after. At that time I didn’t even know how to mix. It took me a few years to get the hang of it. They took me under their wings and i started to play with them a lot and then BAM. It was like overnight. I had to start learning how to play in front of 1000 people. It was a pretty crazy point in my life. They are my brothers. I will always love them dearly.”
Who else were your early DJ heroes?
“Besides the obvious Richie Hawtin and John Aquaviva. Andrew Weatherall definitely. I went to all the Haywire nights in London when I moved back in 2000. I was also really into that heavy proper Detroit sounding electro…like Model 500 and underground resistance. Andrew played so many different styles. He literally had me sweating for hours and this man was playing “dubstep” 7 years before it was called that. Same goes for Derrick Carter. I also went to all the Classic Records nights at The End. That man made me get down. It’s so nice to call them my friends now and play alongside them. They are both true gentlemen and deserve every bit of credit that they are given.”
You used to live in Berlin – a city that has had it’s peaks and troughs over the years, but the city seems to be buzzing again. Who are the producers in Berlin right now that are creating havoc at the moment?
“A duo from Poland who have lived in Berlin for a while…well at least one of them does and that is Catz n Dogz. They are absolutely killing it at the moment with their new label Pets and many of their remixes and own productions. Shit Hot DJs and producers.”
You started your night The Jackathon quite simply, because you were tired of going to clubs and being bored with the music. With nights under your belt in cities such as Berlin, Paris, Manchester and London, you are no moving to Sankey’s Ibiza. Sum up what makes a night at The Jackathon so good…
“The artists that I pick have to have a good energy about them. A family vibe and I need diversity. I like all the people I invite to sound quite different from each other. Keeps the night fresh.”
What Jackathon parties have stood out for you in the last 12 months?
“All of them!”
You rocked Sankeys in Manchester last week, how was that little night?
“Do you mean how was the night? Because it wasn’t little…It was brilliant…and extremely sweaty.”
What has been the anthem of the summer to date?
“The Amine Edge Remix of Nina Kravitz “Ghetto Kravitz”, that’s been my fav. Not sure about anyone else’s!”
You’ve been playing in Ibiza already this summer. With the exception of a handful of nights, the island seems to be overloaded with perhaps too many great nights and events there this year. How have you been finding it?
“I think it’s great that people have the choice now to go out and hear underground dance music at a variety of clubs. A few years ago this was only possible in a few places.”
How important to you has your Radio 1 residency been? What have been some of your proudest moments?
“It’s been very important. I get to play whatever I want and champion new sounds and fresh artists to a big audience. People need to know that there is better music out there besides this commercial shit that is clogging the airwaves. Every show is a proud moment. I don’t compare them to each other. I’m so lucky to have been given this opportunity.”
Reading through some of your old interviews, I get the feeling you would rather be DJing to a small crowd in a low ceilinged warehouse rather than 60,000 people in a field?
“I enjoy both experiences. It’s a different feeling obviously when you can literally touch the crowd in front of you and see their expressions on their faces and have their sweat drip on you to being on a big stage far away from them. But when you look out and can see thousands of people with their hands in the air dancing and screaming it can really blow your mind too. The energy is electric in both places and knowing you’re in control feels pretty intense. sensory overload. I love it.”
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
“A roast with friends in my local pub.”
What is the record that changed your life?
“Prince – the Purple Rain album.”
The one thing I would change about myself is?
“I can be really impatient at times.”
From a DJs perspective, what are the pros and cons of being a worldwide DJ in 2012?
“The only downside it being away from my friends all the time. It can be a lonely road out there at times. I’m by myself and trying to have a relationship is really hard when you are only in your city 10 days a month. But the upside is that I get to travel the world and do what I love. I have met some wonderful people on my journey and been to some magical places.”
And finally, you once said…”it’s like tumbleweeds in the DJ booth. I’ve never been approached by any groupies in the last, I don’t know how many years.” What though has been the craziest request a clubber has ever said to you whilst DJing?
“Well when I was DJing in Turkey a few years ago I had at least four men ask me when I was going to take my top off. They thought I was like one of those “Russian DJs” It was pretty awful. Let’s just say i finished my set early.”
‘Heidi plays Carnival @ Sankeys Ibiza on 18 August’
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