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? ...Please inform us who you are???

OK, I'm a devoted clubber/house music lover that moved on to Djing about 5 years ago. I run a website www.SwedishHouseCrew.com together with Daniel S and are currently working on setting up an international house community www.handsonwax.com

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?

A combination of all I guess. I grew up in the countryside, so wasn't exposed to underground music and culture when I was a child. I did play the piano, really enjoyed it especially when I didn't have to play according to the notes but could just "play around" with it to find melodies and chords that worked together.

I don't play as much anymore though, playing other peoples music took overhand when I got into broadcasting radio at age 15. I soon found myself listening to music quite different from what most of my friends listened to and I got more and more into different styles of black dance music including soul, funk, house and so on.

One night in Tokyo, Japan, in 1995 I ended up in a club with only house music, the music really lifted me and since then I didn't want to listen/buy anything else. I'm still in touch with one of the DJs who played on that night, unfortunately he's moved on to progressive house by now.

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

I don't think I ever had one. Music has always been a love or hate thing to me, but when I was younger I never had any posters on the wall or bought things just because they were by a certain artist or in a certain genre.

My first love when I felt I had to choose a particular kind of music was house music, and the house records I bought years back still sound very simular to the music I play and buy today.

3. Are a DJ/Producer now, or are you just a Dj?

I'm ONLY a DJ, however I hope to get into producing a few years from now.

4. Did it take you a long time to gain the skills worthy enough to be considered a Dj?

I believe it's a life time commitment!! You always have to work on improving your skills. It probably took me about 2 years behind the decks before I started thinking of myself as a DJ and not only a music lover with to many records.

5. I posed this question to quite a few Dj's across the world and now I'm going to pose it to you. Have you been given the chance to play on any Pirate Radio Show's within your country? Are there any around you, or within your country?

Nope, as I'm aware of there aren't any pirate radio stations in Sweden. However I've had different radio shows at our local radio station since 1993, focused on house music since 1996, so I feel quite fortunate anyway.

6. Staying with the subject of Radio for a little longer. It seems that BBC Radio 1 here in England, seems to be championing the cause of dance music. But is this fools gold? Is this only a case of dance music being so fashionable that the BBC are panicking and getting pressurised in putting on these Soul, Drum and Bass and Soulful House music shows in fear of getting left behind? Do you ever get the chance to listen to the BBC'S I XTRA Shows that can be heard over the Internet for instance?

Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to catch any of those radio shows.

6a.What is the state of play with regards to your country (Sweden) and Dance music over the Radio..???

Not to bad, the commercial radio stations don't play house music but our national radio station has a pretty good music policy. Its mixed genres, but fresh, quality music. Also there are a few local radio stations that are more open do different sounds.

At the Radio Eskilstuna were I broadcast we dedicate quite a few hours to various styles of club music.

7. When you are at home relaxing what do you prefer to listen to truthfully now!!

I live, sleep and eat house music!! However I try learning more about the earlier sounds of house, soul and 70ies disco as well since I got into this game fairly late.

8. Djing has allowed for you to travel abroad? What countries have you Dj in? What is your favourite country to DJ in, which you always seem to have alot of fun and enjoyment in playing there?

So far I've played in Italy, UK, Australia and Sweden. Every club or party has a different vibe and I'm always excited before a gig, doesn't matter where, what size of the venue or how many people I'm playing to. As long as the crowd is into house I know the night will be a blast.

9. Do you like the travelling that is involved in this type of work? It seems glamorous going from one town to the next, but is it?

I think my biggest problem is that I want to spend time feeling the atmosphere when I go places, I've never been into just jumping from one city to the next.

10. Have you visited England, before? Was it on a Dj assignment. Or were you just over here on a holiday? What did you think of England? ( Honestly now!)

My first trip to England was 11 years ago, I went on a language holiday and stayed with a wonderful host family just outside Banbury. I totally loved it and didn't really want to go back to Sweden.

Since then I've been to the UK a couple of times, played some private parties in the London area, did a guest session at Life FM and always end up going home to Sweden with enormous amounts of records after all the shopping and blagging;)

11. Do you keep in touch with old Dj colleagues that you used to work with during the early parts of your Dj Career. Or have they gone their own separate ways!

Well, I haven't been doing this for THAT long so I really haven't had time to loose touch with that many people. I'm happy to still be in touch with some DJs from before I begun Djing, when I was just grooving on the dance floor. They have always been very supportive towards my later choice in carrier!!

12. There seems to be a love for Soulful House and Garage music right across the world at this moment in time that resembles the early days of how Hip-hop music got started within the USA. Labels are being sought after, the pirates and Internet Radio shows are spreading the vibe of the music across the globe.Underground clubs via word of mouth are becoming "Sought after places to visit".

Is the bubble going to burst soon though do you think? Or is the music going to grow even further. It seems like it going to especially over the Internet. What are your opinions?

To be honest, it's always been there!! The only thing is that it's easier for people to reach out and get in touch with each others, spreading the message now because of all the technology! In times like this, however, I think we need to push the sound more than ever to make up for all the bad vibes in the world.

It's a delicate balance though, but I love the music and I certainly wouldn't mind it getting more exposure.

13.If it were possible, would you prefer the playing of the long, long sets that are given to American DJ's such as Danny Tenaglia, Tony Humphries, Masters at Work, Danny Krivit, etc - of what Uk/ European DJ's can only dream of.

Many European Djs usually get the customary 1 or 2 hours to complete their Dj sets. What is the state of play with you? How many Hours per set do they give you?

In clubs I've played from 1 hr to 6 hr sets so far. The longer the better, after all soulful house is about the TUNES, not just about me getting technical on the crowd as when you compare it to how battle djs or techno djs usually play.

14. 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?

It doesn't matter how many promos I get, I would never give up on record shopping!! Some people assume I make good money on this but I can assure them that everything and more is still going back to the labels and the shops!

15. 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?

Soulfuric, Subliminal Soul, Yellorange, Wave, SuSu, Sole, Distant, Distance, Chez, Chilli Funk, Black Vinyl and many others. There are however so many great releases on new or more unknown labels, so I usually listen to basically everything when I go record shopping. It's more a matter of choosing what's not worth listening to than what I should listen to.

16. 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?

Ehm… I'm a dancer at heart!! I hate when I get unpleasant surprises when on the dance floor, I try to play in a way that would appeal to me if I was on the dance floor and not just grooving in the DJ booth. That means no bad surprises and as smooth as possible.

17. Are you now running a label of any kind? And if so, who have you got signed to the label? Or is this label, just used for you to be able to release what ever you want to put out with out having to create a hit single all the time? Any important Releases that we should keep a look out for from you label?

No.

18. Have you ever appeared on any TV, or Talk radio shows about your craft, or in general about House and Garage music?

No. I've been featured on quite a few radio shows, but then I let the music do the talking!!

19. Deep House seems to be your cup of tea. This form of House music is probably the most followed style in House and Garage music in the world. Who at the moment is the person who is doing it for you within the World of Deep House music?

I love all styles of quality house music (non tech, non progressive)!! There are lots of people playing a part and doing great things for the scene, just choosing one wouldn't be fair. Respect to Marcel at Khaimar, Louis Benedetti and Helena from Soulshine, the Yellorange crew, Basement Boys and many others!

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.

Sweden: I hope no one have missed our talented producers SUMO, Marcus Enochsson, Rasmus Faber, Spånka and Physics!

US: DJ Will from Automagic!! We all know their production skills are great, but DJ Will is one of the DJs that really knows what he's doing too!!

Australia: Illya supertight Sydney DJ, probably one of the most sought of djs here, but could see him rocking dancefloors across the globe and not only at his recidency at the Globe!!

21. Blaze and The Masters at Work, seem to go from strength to strength as does Larry Heard. All of these artists are in the Garage and Soulful House of Hall of fame. Is there anyone else that you would like to place into this House and Garage hall of fame?

What I love about house music is that everyone that plays a part in the scene is equally important to keep it healthy and growing.

I think anyone that supports and care about the future of the house and garage scene deserves a place in "the hall of fame". It doesn't matter if you're a clubber, a dj, producer, vocalist or someone that "just" feel the music. I don't believe there should be any "pop star" attitude involved in house music, it's too beautiful for that!

22. What's your most favourite House and Garage track. You know the one that gives you goose pimples when you hear it? Everybody has one. Mine's is "Nightlife" by Kim English (Masters at Work mix) and "Can you feel it" by Larry Heard...What's your's????

Great choices!! I'd choose anything by Jasper St. Company or Urban Blues Project!!

23. Where's the next event that we can see Miss Ingela Borgefjord perform? Have you got a residency for instance??

I currently don't hold any residency and my radio show in Sweden is on hold until I get back. My upcoming gigs include World Bar (31st Of March, Kings Cross, Sydney) and Family (5th of April, Seven Nightclub, Melbourne)

24. If you had a chance of Dj with someone (within the House and Garage music field), who would that person be?

I love playing with anyone with a simular vibe, in the future I hope to be able to play alongside some good friends and fantastic djs such as Marcia Carr and Tony Wilson.

25. 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!

Ask yourself if you're willing to put a lot of time and devotion into it.
If you are - JUST GO FOR IT!!

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, (Ipswich, England) and Ingela Borgefjord (Sweden). If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.

HOME || THOUGHTS || CLUBS || RECORDS || INTERVIEWS || ADVERTS || EDITOR