DJ Upfront in the Q&A seat for Moondance's Summer Festival

2007-05-29 08:47:22 Reporter: Frantic Benz

Moondance's massive Summer Festival at SeOne London is fast approaching (June 16th!) and Epidemik are hosting the hardcore and hardcore breaks room. A certain Upfront is in tow, playing with Dave Skywalker and MC Rizla Dizla...and accordingly, we fired so

What formed your introduction to the great wide world of hardcore?

When I first started school, there were loads of rave tapes flying about. I think one of the first tapes I listened to was the infamous Fantazia (I can’t remember what DJ it was now)... it just blew my mind and I fell in love with the music and the scene. That was definitely the beginning of the journey for me.

What have been the biggest moments in your career? The gigs that got you noticed and so on?

One of the biggest moments of my career was the NYE '06-'07 Moondance, which I had the pleasure of playing a 1-2 set in the Epidemik arena. One of the best crowds I’ve ever played to - totally up for it. The atmosphere was electric. That particular event did get me noticed, as in a lot of interest and bookings to follow, as well as Raindance, Uproar, Tasty, Epidemik all giving me the exposure a hardcore/ hard dance artist needs.

How do you feel about the current state of hardcore? Do you have any major grievances about the scene?

Ah mate, I’m lovin’ it! Hardcore has these certain stages, introducing new sounds, artists, producers, singers etc...also it has its ups and downs like everything else. Hardcore is just about having fun and not about following the pack. All in all, it’s on the up - no major grievances at all!

Do you think the intimacy of the hardcore scene enables true talent to shine through easier?

Easier maybe for someone who wants to produce, you can get nearly a whole studio software package for your PC now which gives you your own time and space to create a sound that is generated within yourself. If you do have a unique edge that stands out from the rest, people will start to recognise that, and yeah, it does enable true talent to break through more quickly, supported by a lot of hard work.

Have you been cooking up anything in the studio recently?

Been in the studio with some top producers and engineers – I don’t wanna say to much about that at the mo! You’ll have to wait and see.:-)

You will be playing alongside Dave Skywalker at Moondance on June 16th at SeOne. Have you played alongside him before? How does the partnership work?

Yeah played alongside dave a few times now. We've had old skool sets, old hardcore, upfront hardcore and even a jungle techno set down at Ministry of Sound which went down really well. Dave and I have different styles in the music and mixing abilities which go so well together.

You’ve also got MC Rizla Dizla on microphone duties. Why does he seem like the perfect choice to compliment your beats?

Rizla Dizla is one of the very few MCs in hardcore that can MC properly. It’s so annoying when you get an MC that shouts over ya mixes or over vocals. Rizla doesn’t do that. It’s such a relief when you can perform at your best with an MC that promotes you as the DJ and connects with the crowd.

Can you remember the last time you went to Moondance? What happened? Who played? What were you wearing?

As a raver? Blimey, years ago...I can’t really remember! I know I got smashed out of my face, I think Slipmatt was playing...I never miss him doing an oldskool set. Probably wearing what I always do - jeans, t-shirt, trainers!

OK musical trends time – what do you make of the following:

Rave breaks?

It’s been in the circuit for years, but yeah lovin’ the rave breaks. Slipmatt and Bunter are pushing at the moment.

Minimal house/techno?

I don’t get the time to listen to house or techno really, but when i do, Darren Emerson and Erick Morilllo – they’ve both been in the business from the start. Techno....Eddie Halliwell, Mauro Picotto...

Scouse house?

Yeah scouse house...haha, I actually like it. I know it’s big up North - the sort of music you go to the pub and get beered up with your mates to ha ha!

Which producers are really floating your boat at the minute?

Brisk and V.A.G.A.B.O.N.D. are always my top producers. Getting into DJ Kurt a lot lately – he’s got a twisted sound which just goes down a treat.

What DJing related idiosyncrasies do you have?

I suppose I have 3 things that you would definitely hear me do when I’m DJing. First is I believe tracks have certain positions in a set. It sounds strange I know, but if you don’t put that tune in the right place of your set I don’t think it would come across as well as it should of. Another of mine is fast mixing - try not to play the whole tune as it sometimes gets a bit boring. I love stepping it up a gear, teasing, and keeping my sets exciting. The third is the old fashioned scratching. I used to practise about 6 hours a day when I first got my decks...not as much now ‘cause I don’t get the time, but worth the practise and dedication.

[i]Full details of Moondance can be found here:{/i]
http://www.ush.net/ravin/events/index.php?task=view&id=6593&nextid=&search=&limitbyinterest=#6593[/url]

Do you have any interesting news for the hardcore world?
You can add it here if you have a discussion board login.

ush.net
Drum n Bass
General (114 news items)
Events (125 news items)
Releases (41 news items)
Hard House
General (161 news items)
Events (198 news items)
Releases (129 news items)
Techno
General (154 news items)
Events (194 news items)
Releases (66 news items)
Hardcore
General (597 news items)
Events (543 news items)
Releases (517 news items)
Old Skool
General (188 news items)
Releases (113 news items)
Events (226 news items)
ush.net specific (259 news items)
General scene news (613 news items)

www.ush.net Contact us - Please read disclaimer - Adrates on USH
Did you know? There are two credit cards for every person in the United States.