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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 love dance music and like all 11 year olds (which is the age I was when I started) I had all my heroes and was lucky enough to meet them in Ayia Napa 2000. After meeting them I got a chance to show them what I could do and things have gone from there really (thanks to CKP, Blakey and EZ).

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?

My mum and dad have always listened to soul and dance music so I have been bought up with it being a big part of my life.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists... Or just any particular artist/s?

As far back as I can remember it would be, Bob Marley, Will Smith and Naughty by Nature.

3. You are a DJ?. 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.

Abyss in Ayia Napa, Cyprus - yes I do go back and will also go back again next year.

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'm a bit young to know much about pirate radio but I do listen to some and think I will be doing some "pirating" this year.

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(*Uk Garage music), Soul, Rnb or Funk! Or all the above mentioned?

At the moment I play UK Garage/2-Step Garage but I am going to start doing Drum and Bass, Rn'b and Hip Hop later this year, but I will always mix garage (cos I luv it!)

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

Freelance at the moment.

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

Yes I have played in Ayia Napa and it was a great success. I think it's because everybody is on holiday and so they are out for a good time! Plus when in Napa I get to see and work with all the top names in the industry where we are all in the same place at the same time.

8. Moving into depth within the Scene(2-Step Garage music) there is a divide and there can be no hiding under the Carpet of this. "Breakbeat Garage"is the term being used to describle the latest fusion within the Uk with regards to 2-Step Garage music. Are you a fan of this new Hybrid? Is this style the way forward of 2-Step Garage music as a whole do you think?. Or are you from the Old School when it comes to 2-Step Garage music. Are the Arftul Dodger and M.J.COLE's of this world the way forward for 2-Step Garage music; or is future bright for the young and up and coming Breakbeat Garage dj/producers such as Solid Solid Crew, Pay as go Crew or the Hearltless Crew.

I think there is room for both, I mean who wants to listen to the same thing all the time. The thing is both types of music, old school or 2-Step, the result is the same, great music.

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 the Underground favourites for long?) Will the majors move in, in a big way to take their share of the profits? What are your thoughts?

I think things will change in the Garage scene, but, who knows what will happen. It is hard to say it's underground when it's topping the charts each week. I believe and hope Garage will be around for a while yet.

10. Kiss 100 Fm Radio station (London, England) London's former favourite pirate has come in for a lot of stick for a couple of years now. From 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. Are you a listener to Kiss.. Has things improved??

I do listen to Kiss but only when the shows I like are on (e.g. EZ).You do have a choice and there are a lot of good stations out there.

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 Radio 1 have had to change to keep up with the new stations that have come out in the last few years, but they have some good shows. Like I said in the last question I only listen to the shows I like. Dance music is where its at.

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?

Yes - the more good stations out there the better.

12a.If it were possible would you prefer the playing of the long, long sets that are given to American DJ's such as Danny Tengliaof what Uk/ European DJ's can only dream of at places like the "Tunnel" in New York, etc, etc. Then the customary 1 or 2 hours that is given out to most European DJ's?. What is the state of play where you play. How many Hours per set do they give you?

When I'm older I will probably want longer sets but at 12 years old 1 to 2 hours is enough then I like to have a break. I usually do 1 hour sets but have done 2 hour sets back to back with Masterstepz in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.

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)?

I love Ayia Napa, we have been going there since I was very young. I don't think that the Cypriots will let their inland be spoilt.

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 seen the year 2000/01 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. What were your views.

I have seen them and do appear in some of them, if people don't like them the answer is simple, don't watch them. They can get a bit boring at times I must admit though its good when I see myself on TV.

14a. You yourself have played out in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. What were you lasting impressions of the place?? Was it the good music that was being played or just the gorgeous weather. Please give us your views as to why Ayia Napa is so popular.

There is not any one thing about Napa that makes it great it's the music, the sun, the people and the clubs etc etc etc!

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 still buy some music but not as much as I used to in the early days (thanks dad) but I do get lots from the record labels, but I could do with some more!!

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?

Yes - I like music from Middlerow, Locked On and Relentless.

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?

I mix, I only drop records if I really have to!!

18.Deep House maybe isn't your cup of tea. However, this form of House music is probably the most followed style in the Soulful 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....???

I'm not a great lover of House music but maybe I will get to like it more as I get older (I don't hate it or anything) it's just not my favourite.

19. The recent Mobo awards of 2001 here in England, highlight the appeal of UK Garage in this country. It has be asked many time/s. But I will ask you. Can Uk Garage music break the Usa via the mainstream?. Or are we all fooling ourselves? Will Uk/2-Step Garage music be properly accepted by the Americans in your opinon?

Well, I think it is hard not to accept the music, it's working all over the world and I hear Craig David is going down a storm in the USA!!

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.

Me of course!! At the moment I DJ but I will be producing in the not too distant future. But for now I like Scott & Leon, EZ, Masterstepz, Ed Case, Wookie and Pied Piper.

21. What do you see the future for Soulful House and Garage music and the 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. Also the rise and rise of Rn'b/Soul music is taking hold in some areas of England. Are you happy with all this is happening?

Yes - this is great for me, remember when I do a set at an under 18's venue I am playing to the crowds of the future and I can definitely say they love it, I love it, and there's lots of young DJ's and MC's ready to take it in to the next generation.

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!

Yes - keep things going and try to promote the under 18's because that's the future.

23. Where can we next see Little Charlie in England next?

Sunday 21st October - Stevenage, Monday 22nd October - Royals - Uxbridge, Wednesday 24th October - Royals - Uxbridge, Sunday 28th October - Matrix - Reading. This is what I have on until the end of the month.

"Charlie would like to say and huge great big thank you to everyone in the industry who has helped him get where he is today, there are too many of you to list but I am sure you all know who you are!!

He would also like to say a big thanks to Adidas for sponsoring him, Andrea of Next Generation Artists for getting him all his bookings and to all the people who go and see him in the clubs and support him, he will be around for a long time, so keep clubbing!"

Thank you Carl and Solomon for supporting Charlie as well it means a real lot to us. Interview conducted by Charlie Johnstone

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