The lovely people at DMC have asked me to write a revealing report every fortnight about my er, interesting life as a DJ, what happens behind the scenes, my views on fashion, tunes, favourite clubs and anything else that floats my boat! So let’s begin…
Summer, if you can call it that, has been quite eventful starting way back before the rain appeared in May. It was definitely a great month gig wise kicking off with a stomping techno fest at the infamous Que Club in Birmingham. Yes the legend has opened it’s doors once more after a 6 year break and oh boy, it’s still as naughty as ever with plenty of corridors to roam around and the opening of a new top floor to have even more variety of music. Cocoon’s ‘Sound of the Eighth Season’ was my first point of call with techno bad boy Sven Vath! Main room at the Que was filled to the rafters with Sven doing a 3 hour stint and lifting the roof with his unique style. On warm up duties was yours truly, this was a great honour and a chance to play some of my more deeper tunes. ‘Concrete’ hosted the after party with Sven playing an impromptu set for a further 3 hours, we literally had to pry his hands off the decks with a crowbar at 10 in the morning when the party finally finished!
Next up was a trip to the Netherlands for ‘Awakenings’. Kidnapping a friend, we set off on the adventure which lived up to its name by not letting us get a wink of sleep. Factory 10 in Rotterdam, a converted, well you’ve guessed it, factory hosted a four room techno slogathon with Joey Beltram, James Holden, Tony Rohr, Alexi Delano all headlining. This was probably one of my best gigs ever playing in the minimal and new school techno room just before Jon Gaisers’ live set. Tony Rohr was my favourite – he was just off the hook, a great energetic live performer.
Charity work always appeals to me also on a spiritual level – I believe we all should give something back whether its your time or donations. Breast Cancer is an unfortunate disease effecting women and men, yes – we know how much boobies mean to you guys! Working closely with La Vita who run a charity club night, my friend and I organised a one off gig in sunny Birmingham with an all girl line up to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Research. Mistress de Funk, Janette Slack and Nickelle were just a few of the wonderful girls who came down and gave their services for free. To my surprise, a few other DJ girls, not mentioning names, actually wanted paying to play which I thought was outrageous and proves who is in this for the money – and those who are in it for the love. On a nicer note, a massive thanks to everyone involved and all the clubbers that came and supported the event helping us raise over £1500…
Summer time equals festival time and 2008 in the UK broke records of having the most amount of time dancing in fields since time began! You could not get away from them, every weekend there was one or more on and I am sure everyone’s pockets have felt a lot lighter because if it. I managed to get to one (I know very rock n’ roll) – firstly because it’s on my doorstep and secondly I was DJing there. Friday seemed, to me, to have the best line up on the techno front with Laurent Garnier, Dubfire, Sven Vath and Adam Beyer playing – naturally I was in my element and quietly wished we could have amazing line ups like that in the Midlands every week, I wouldn’t have to do so much mileage then. The after party was back at the hotel which caused the poor hoteliers some discomfort. Having international DJs unaware of our smoking ban was hilarious with people blatantly puffing away whilst being told off like naughty school boys by the management. Tom Novy proved very entertaining, proudly showing off his ‘weeing like a lady’ trick and Tiesto cracking on to my friend was also quite amusing for me rather than her, poor girl! For anyone who we disturbed I apologise – and yes it was us doing gymnastics on the front lawn at 7am….
August took a more serious turn for me when an appointment came through for an operation I needed. The cancellation of 3 gigs including my residency at Frau Marleen in Italy was necessary. Dust collected on my decks for a whole three weeks but slowly the wounds are healing and motivation for music has come back. With up and coming gigs and a fresh new year at college, those 3 weeks have become quite sacred as the time I sat on my arse and played Grand Theft Auto IV until my hearts content. Happy Days!
My Big Top 3 Tunes Of The Moment…
Riddim – Mark Broom – 2020
Big percussive techno monster – love it!
Boxes of Black – Phil Kieran – Flying Cabbage
Kieran doing what he does best, filthy monstrous industrial techno.
Fragile – Monika Kruse – Terminal M
Deep and moody with a middle eastern feel