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What did you do before you started DJing and how
old where you when you started and why?
I was a student in college. I had always been very into music and
when discovered house music, it was really life changing. I was 19
when I started buying records and I had no thought or goal to "become
a DJ". I just thought it looked fun and I wanted to just do it.
Being a DJ then wasn't at all like it is thought of today. All the
things that set a career as a DJ in motion were really by chance.
There was no circuit of infrastructer like there is now. But as things
in the scene began to grow and expand, I could see the opportunities
and I just kept moving toward them and forward in general.
How would you describe the style of music you play?
House music, it is all house music to me. I play some more techy things,
progressive things and trancey things, but it is all derived from
house. My aim is to play good music, not a style of music.
Who has influenced your DJing the most if any?
In the begining of my career, I was heavily influenced by Kimball
and Dave Cannalte in Orlando. But a few years later, we discovered
Sasha and then Digweed. As we all became friends, I
made even more of a connection with Sasha and John. I think both of
them have been a large influence on the mentality of djing and approach
as well as having the "whole package" including djing and
production.
What's the situation of US club scene at the moment?
Things are in a weird state now. Alot of clubs have run into financial
problems. Many of them are going monthly instead of weekly, so that
is posing a problem for some. It is really having a strong effect
on growth of these clubs and the growth of young DJs raising their
profile. Alot of clubs are going with the tried and true approach.
But saying that, there are a good number of clubs that are as strong
as ever. They arent the obvious and well known ones though. the crowds
have been good at all my gigs this year. We will just have to see
what happens. Some of the things arent in our control right now.
What about the future, playing or making music?
My main focus this year is my tracks and remixes. Last year was consumed
with my Bedrock album. This year I am concentrating wholely
on making tracks again and of course djing. I had a very heavy year
last year, so this year I am going to take my time and choose the
right things and the best things that I want to do. I have alot of
tracks and remixes done that will come out this year. And I am looking
very much forward to them.
When did you first play in Europe and where?
The first gig I did was in scotland in 1996. Then the following year
I did an extensive tour with Jimmy
Van M in the UK that was set up by Digweed. We did clubs like
Cream, Sugarshack, Babelicious, Scream,
Rhumba and Slinky. I also did a long tour of the Scotland
and Ireland with a label I was signed to at the time. I also played
in Germany a few times too at a club called Vibrations. I started
going back to the UK very frequently. The last 3 years I have been
coming over at least one weekend per month playing clubs like Bedrock,
Colours, Renaissance, Prologue, The Cross, Promise as well
as numerous great clubs throughout Europe.
How would you compare the club scenes in Europe and US?
Well I think that the usa is going through so many growing pains.
Alot more then I think Europe had to endure. Because of the size of
the country, it makes things extremely tough to get some continuity.
We are all trying bad, that is what Balance Promote Group is about.
having a collective of djs and minds pushing together for a common
goal. I do see things growing further here, but it is going to take
more time. we are doing it though.
Tell us about Balance Record Pool?
As i just mentioned, Balance is a group of like minded DJs that are
interested in furthering the growth of dance music. There are 2 parts
of Balance. one is the agency and the other is the record pool. I
run the pool side of the company. Basically we work with labels all
around the world to promote their releases in North America with North
American based DJs. We aim to be a driving force for promotion of
records and help labels outside of America understand our market and
hopefully tailor their releases with america in mind.
Any new mix compilations or tracks coming up?
No plans as of yet for a mix cd. We have a few offers and options,
but I am not looking at them seriously right now. Maybe at the end
of the year (2003), but for now, my concentration is on tracks. I
have a new single called "whateveritis" coming soon. And
I have remixes for pqm, Lovesky, First Life, Expressed Soul and I
just finished fortunato and Montressor - Imagine for Bedrock. Will
have a 3rd solo single done before WMC. And another EP of original
material done and released in the summer.
Do you know anything about Screen club? :)
I really dont. My friend Jimmy Van M just played there and I have
heard great things. It will be my first time in Helsinki too. So I
am really looking forward to it all.
25/02/2003
INTERVIEW BY MICKO
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