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1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, UK Underground music could you tell us how you got started in this game?

I got started in this game threw a friend of mine called Richard St Claire who gave me my first ever club booking after he used to hear my dj tapes and attend the house parties that I played at.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

I was influenced back then by original soul music and early R and B.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene Motown, The Sound of Philadelphia or Stax Records artists Jazz artists Or just any particular artist?

I think the first musical act/artist that had a very very big impact on me was probably Loose Ends in the mid 1980's.They sounded like nothing else back then (and still do today) cutting edge Uk soul !

3. You are a DJ/Producer. What was the first club that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now; and have you gone back to play there from time to time? What was the first Club that you ran completely.

My first ever club booking was at a night called Funkin pussy @ the Loft club in Clapham (London) around 1987. After a few weeks I soon become weekly resident alongside "Jasper The Vinyl Junkie".

4. I posed this question to quite a few Dj's across the world and now I'm going to pose it to you. Have been given the chance to play on those famous/infamous Pirate Radio Show's within your area of the world; any of them at all? Would or will you play on them if the answer is no? In short what do you think of the Pirate radio set-up within the London area? As you actually there it would make interesting reading. Do there serve a purpose, or have they out stayed their welcome? Is there such a set up where you are based now. What are the penalties for getting caught running such a station in your area of the world.

I have played on pirates(illegal Radio stations) but i would no longer do so ! I feel they do serve a pupose but alot of them are very sloppy & unprofessional and sometimes mis-represent the true sound of my end of the garage scene. They need to fix up (or maybe just grow up).

5.Still on being a DJ. What would you considered to being the music that you like playing the best. USA Garage, Deep House, Disco House, Jazz House or 2-STEP Garage, Soul, Rnb or Funk! Or all mentioned?

As I Dj I love to play both Uk garage and 2-Step Garage (which is now my prodominent sound) and of course USA garage/house which is what I originally started playing when entering the garage scene.(unfortunately the 2 no longer mix).

6. Are you a resident DJ some where, or do you work Freelance? (Only write down if its applies)

I am resident dj for a night called "Best of the Best" in London & also semi resident for S'move @ the Ministry of Sound in London.

7. Have you traveled abroad to work? ?(Only write down if its applies) Where did you play..what country? Was it a success?? What is your favourite country to DJ in, and the favourite club.

I have played abroad many times in places such as Ibiza, Cyprus,Greece, Tenerife, Germany, Switzerland,Gran Canaria and Island. The most memerable trip was playing @ Clockwork Orange snd Miss Moneypennies in Gran Canaria. The venue was outside in a dome shape natural canyon (the setting was amazing).

8. What are your thoughts on the music such as 2-Step Garage music that is busting out of London? The music has bulldozed its way into the Garage world. Its the newest hybrid of the music within the scene. Some people hate it. Some people love it. What are your views on the scene and the music culture?

2-Step Garage music now has many sides and styles,like any form of music it just evolves constantly. I am not a musical snob so if I like a tune snd I feel it has a sense of quality about it and works in a club then i will play it regardless of its catorgory.

We have to keep it upfront snd fresh otherwise it will get boring and non inventive just like so many other forms of dance music have in the past.we just gotta keep it kinda real but at the same time look to the future and create new styles and formulars.

9. There seems to be a love for GARAGE at the moment that resembles the early days of Hiphop within the USA. Labels are being sought after, the pirates are canning the music. Underground clubs via word of mouth are becoming " Sought after places to visit". Is the bubble going to burst soon though do you think? Can Garage (especially UK Garage remain Underground for long?) Will the majors move in, in a big way to take their share of the profits? What are your thoughts?

I think 2-Step Garage music is here to stay it is now fast becoming the new British Rn'b/Soul. It will remain underground but of course the bigger tunes out there will be snapped up by the majors and pushed to a more commercial audiance.(I just hope they do there best to invest in music which has been approved by us the true creators and foundation layers of the scene and not just set there industrial cogs rolling behind a piece of shit tune that completely mis-represents what we have been doing and creating for the last six years!)

All it takes is for some dum arse A and R man to splash out 150k on one track that could fall flat on its face then suddenly we may find many music journalists stating that uk-g is a flop (just to cover up the major/majors blunders).

10. Kiss 100 Fm Radio station (London) has come in for a lot of stick a couple of years ago for moving away from its dance music ethos in favour of a more commercial and pop orientated sound, which has infuriated a large amount Londoners. What are your thoughts.

My thoughts on Kiss fm, London are - they are a business and have to make money so I cannot blame them for there switch in music policy.

Also, whats the %^"! is Streetboy doing representing 2-step Garage music on a Wednesday night (prime time)

When "Matt Jam Lamont" got moved to 2am on a Thursday morning (This does piss me off & if you listened to some of the crap strettboy plays it would you to !)

11. BBC Radio 1 seems to be championing the cause of dance music. But is this fools gold. Is this only a case of dance music being fashionable so the the BBC are panicking and getting pressurised in putting on these soul, drum and basss and garage shows in fear of getting left behind?

I think the BBC have no choice but to provide the public with the sounds that are big in clubland & as a business this will only make them money (it makes sense for them).

12. Whenever I am in London, I tend to think to myself I wish Girls Fm (Pirate Station) were still about. They played all forms of House and Garage music, which I thought was great. Do you think that the London pirates should be taking more chances then just playing one style of Garage music. Would you like to see a Girls Fm styled pirate station on the London airwaves again?

I would love a pirate station in London, England, that proffessionally covered all angles of todays club culture (even bangin house & trance,which i cant stand).

13.Dubbed the "New Ibiza" by music critics and fashion experts alike. Do you fear for the islands (Ayia Napia, Cyprus) beauty? Do you think that the island will attract all the wrong types of people? Watching the film called the "Beach" starring Leonardo Da Capiro. We all saw what could happen if rules are bent and relax to accommodate wealthy holiday makers. Do you think that Ayia Napia, as a holiday resort could be spoilt.? What are your views as a Brit (Uk)?

My opinion of Ayia Nappa is:
1.It does not have the same feel & aura as Ibiza does.
2.Alot of people who go are just piss heads & trouble makers not like the masses of music lovers who flock to Ibiza year after year for well recognised cult clubs & parties.
3. I think most of them who claim there love for Garage music who go to Cyprus are just kids who recently bought the latest mix cd with Ayia Nappa plastered all over it from HMV(Record Store!!).
4.If it is to grow and remain a new holiday club island, then alot of people need to fix up there behaviour because the authorities out there are alot more strict than the Spanish and wont tolerate too much crap.

14. The programme called "Ayia Napia -Fantasy Island" shown on Channel 4 (UK television documentary) shown towards the ending of 1999, was a huge success on British Television. Have you seen the show at all? Have you been see the year 2000 version of Ayia Napa -Fantasy island lately. If so what did you think. There was a few complaints here in England, via the Cypriot community that found the show distasteful. If you have been given a video copy of the show, and did manage to watch it. What were your views.

I haven't seen the Ayia Nappa programmes (sorry).

15.Do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? When you play out?(If you play out) A lot of DJ's nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

I rely alot on receiving vinyl threw the post but I still go to the record stores also to get those little numbers on white which get tucked under the counter for me, I go every week.

16. As labels go..Have you a favourite. One that you always stop by as you flick through the piles of Records in your specialist record shop?

I don't have any favourite labels as on release could be good and the next shit you never no with A and M men. My tip for the future is Solo records as I have input to what goes on there.

17. Record mixing. Your technique when playing out. Do you use a style of blending when you playing out; or are you a person who like to jump straight in and out of a track without warning!!! What styles do you like to use?

When I am playing 2-Step Garage music I mix in many different ways depending on the tracks im playing & the crowd in front of me. When i am playing traditional style house & garage i naturally mix and blend the music seemlessly.

18. Are you running a label of anykind? And if so, who have you got signed to the label? Any important Releases that we should keep a look out for?

As mentioned on answer 16 i have input with what goes on with Solo records. I am also gonna start my own label soon when i find the time (watch this space).

19.Deep House maybe isn't your cup of tea. However, this form of House music is probably the most followed style in House music in the world. Are you a lover of the music? Do you listen to tunes from the labels such as Paper, Guidance, Glasgow Underground, Wave, Yellow, Panhandle, Naked Music, Red Melon, Track Mode at all....???

As a rule I don't mind some deep house but I rarely have the time to listen or buy much of it.(I gave up buying tunes that i dont or cant play out a long time ago)

20. Who do you rate as one to look out for in the future (DJ Wise?) Who should we keep an eye out for! From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer and from what you have heard or seen from abroad? DJ/ music artist/s producer.

There is alot of good Dj talent out there but to be honest there's only one Dj who I concern myself with and thats me I just do what I do and don't watch or realy listen to that many others (time factor again) therefore i cant realy forecast the next big dj.

21. What do you see the future for Soulful House and Garage music and he scene in this country? Is it Healthy, and will continue to attract even more people to it. I've noticed that there are more and more parties and events that are being staged the London with regards to Usa Soulful House and Garage music. Are you happy that this is happening?

Personally I feel both Uk/2-step Garage and Usa House and Garage music are here to stay and I would love to see more of a mature music appreciating crowd like those that follow the (very small us club scene) in the Uk 2-Step Garage clubs, it would also be nice to see the second room at some of our bigger 2-Step Garage events being used by USA House and Garage Dj's and not just the same old thing like Drum and Bass/Rand B/Old Skool underground.

I feel this would make the whole night and event a far more enjoyable time (but what do I know I'm just a dj who's getting old)

22. Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!

Finally my advice to any young aspiring dj is - just be yourself and do your own thing. Don't just play all the big tunes that everybody knows (be individual) this will get you noticed.Learn your tunes inside and out also dont be afraid of breaking new tunes especially ones you believe in;and dont expect to make a proper career out of dj'ing for at least 5 years of starting (consistency is the key word) not just a year at the top aim your sights at earning a living from it for many years (coz it is very possible to do so).

Work your bollox off and good luck (and remember it involves a whole lot more than just turning up at a club playing your set and getting paid). My final advice is go legal instantly (I.E pay your taxes coz them fuckers watch every move you make !)

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