STYLE: PROGRESSIVE & UPLIFTING TRANCE
I really got into dance music when I was at University in Hull in the late
90’s. I was going out more than ever, just as the trance boom hit the
UK in
1997/98. Listening to the likes of Judge Jules and Graham Gold on the radio,
as well as the many Paul Oakenfold Essential Mixes really got me hooked on
trance, and I started to buy a lot of CD singles when my favourite tunes got
released.
As my collection got bigger, I thought I’d better do something with
them, so bought a mixer and a twin CD deck and started mixing. My first gig
was at my own 21st birthday house party about a week after buying my decks
– the enthusiasm was there, but the skill wasn’t!! Still, I got
the buzz of
playing to a crowd and that’s something that I’ve never lost.
As time went
by, I got frustrated with the lack of upfront tunes on CD, so sold my CD
decks, bought a pair of turntables, and started buying a shed load of vinyl.
At University, my DJ career took off when I landed a weekly radio show on
the University’s station, Jam 1575. Playing a blend of uplifting trance
and funky house, I also landed various gigs at the student nights at various
clubs in the town, as well as at the University union.
Leaving University meant leaving all the mailing lists I was on as I moved
back down to the Midlands, and DJing was briefly put on the back burner as
I started my working life. However, I then had 3 mixes reviewed in
International DJ magazine, and was compared to my hero – Paul Oakenfold.
On the back of this exposure, I landed gigs at Evolution in Liverpool, and
a residency at the Metrobar in Derby. Bookings at St.John’s Motion and
Rubic nights followed, as well as regular archived mixes on www.bpmradio.co.uk.
In June 2002 I was selected to play in the final of the Pasion/M8 search for
a DJ competition – however, the final fell on the same night as my wedding,
so unfortunately I had to cancel. The eventual winner, Jon O’Bir, has
never looked back since that competition, and whilst he thoroughly deserves
it, I can only think of what might have been for me.
Despite missing out on that competition, it did land me a monthly slot at
Baby Passion in Loughborough, as well as various other bookings around the
country, and guest mixes being aired on radio shows as far away as Oban in
Scotland. In 2003 I aim to build my profile and secure more gigs without having
to compromise the style of music that I love.
ALL TIME TOP 5
1. Moogwai – Viola (Platipus)
2. Gouryella – Gouryella (Tsunami)
3. Solar Stone – Seven Cities (Hooj Choons)
4. Chakra – Home (WEA)
5. Paul van Dyk – For An Angel (Deviant)