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've been playing records for about 8 years now, mostly focusing on genres from the Chicago and Detroit area, first with Techno, then deeper into the House sound which I stuck with for quite a few years. It's these roots I draw on when I'm playing Garage.I started listening to UK Garage which my friend Casper introduced me to a few years back but it wasn't until early 2000 that the UKG sound had me hooked so bad that I decided to stop playing other styles and dedicate my time to this genre.

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 would have to say mostly my parents. I didn't watch much television as a kid - there would usually be some music playing, all over the spectrum, from classical to soulful to folk (they were children of the 60s!!), and I took music lessons from a fairly early age.

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

My very first musical hero that I can remember would probably be Stevie Wonder. I can't remember how old I was but I remember being totally fascinated with the Talking Book album, the depth and feeling of the songs and how they transported me to another place.

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.

The first club I ever played at was originally called Mars in Vancouver, Canada at a night called Wonderland. I was given a break by some friends who were established DJs and allowed to open on one of the city's best sound systems at the time. The club has changed names since then as clubs around here tend to do and the scene that is there now isn't really my thing, unfortunately.

Over the years I've been involved with organizing many renegade and outdoor rave style parties that have met with incredible success. My first foray into running a club night is WIGGLE which started in mid 2000 and of course is run by the Wiggle Kru of which I am a founder.

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 would love to play on a pirate, however, there are none in my area. There was an attempt to start a pirate back in '93 which was shut down pretty quickly by the CRTC cops. The penalties are pretty severe from what I've heard, but they usually let you off the FIRST time with just a warning. As far as my plans, I have been looking into transmitter kits recently but that's all I'm going to say!

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?

Definately UK Garage, mostly the 2-step but sometimes the 4/4 variety, as long as its got the feeling, the swing and a rough bassline.

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

Resident at WIGGLE, I also play out at raves and guest spots on various radio shows.

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've played in the USA a few times, which is much the same as playing in Canada.

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?

Some people are always going to defend the status quo and some people are going to break new ground and push the boundaries. I think the 2-Step Garage sound is special because of the way it can draw in people from so many different scenes at the same time, from house to drum and bass to breaks to dancehall to r&b. Everyone has something different to contribute and it reminds me of the early days of rave when there was a real feeling of synergy.

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/2-Step Garage Garage remain a Uk thing for much longer? Can you see other countries making this stuff and sending it back to England?) Will the majors move in, in a big way to take their share of the profits? What are your thoughts?

In terms of producers I think that it's already happening - I've heard some very good UKG tracks from Germany, where I understand they are nuts for the sound, I'm visiting there this year and I'm really interested in checking out the scene. Also I'm currently organizing a compilation CD of 2-Step Garage tracks done by North American producers which should be out in the Spring, look for information on that on the Wiggle and Heavyweight Sound sites.

But the sound came from the UK, so I think whatever the original producers are doing over there will be the basis for comparison for what's going on anywhere else.

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. Do you have Radio station (Legally or illegal) that is geared to playing dance music of anykind in your area of the world?

Not really. Our local university stations are the only real outlets for underground dance music. In Canada it is much the same situation as in the USA, all of the stations are owned by a few corporations who have computers rotating songs in some genre designed for some demographic. However the influence of Asian money in Vancouver, Canada is having an interesting effect on the radio landscape and one station in particular 96.1 Planet Aaj has been carrying the torch for high quality late night sessions lately.

11. BBC Radio 1 (Uk) 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? Could this happen in your country do you think? If Dance music was tobecome as popualr as Hiphop or Rock could you see your country Radio stations following suit as what has happened in the Uk?

If the suits thought they could make money from it, the stations here would adopt it in a heartbeat. Maybe subvert would be a better word, in general popularity seems to ruin things in the long run.

12.If it were possible would you prefer the playing of the long, long sets that are given to American DJ's such as Danny Tenglia of 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?

That is definately not the norm in North America, only a few DJs get that sort of treatment. The usual set length is 1.5 - 2 hours in most places I've been to around the continent. An hour is considered kind of insulting,as its generally what you give to beginners that cant carry a set much longer.

I hear more about marathon sets by UK/European DJs like Sven Vath or Sasha than I do about our own talent. Personally I prefer a 2 hour set as it allows you to paint a richer picture than with shorter sets.

13.Dubbed the "New Ibiza" by music critics and fashion experts alike within 199 and the 2000. 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?

Never been there, can't really comment. I would hazard to guess that it largely depends on the vigilence of the islands' inhabitants and their ability to balance the future well being of their regions with the $$ that popularity brings. In BC this is a constant struggle, our province is largely pristine wilderness but our largest industry is tourism (but not of the clubber variety).

14.Changing the Subject.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 buy all my records, which is a sigificant cost as any vinyl junkie will know. Since Vancouver,Canada is almost exactly on the other sideof the planet from London,England it its fairly hard to get any attention from labels here, although there has been some collaboration in the Drum and Bass world with some local producers releasing on Formation.

We're working on promo packs to send to the labels to try and draw some attention to our efforts out here so hopefully they will recognize that the sound is growing steadily out here.

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?

Sidestepper, Locked On, Bug, Global Garage, Soul2Soul to name a few..

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?

I'm definatly a blender I pay very close attention to the structure and key of the tracks I'm mixing, but I also make sure to mix up the mixing and do some fast cutting, a little scratching, maybe a spinback or two. Too much of the same thing is bad no matter what you're doing. With more radio or vocal oriented tracks you don't have much choice but to mix quickly because there are too many elements to layer smoothly.

17. 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?

Nope (not yet anyway)

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 I mentioned I came from this area and the labels I followed were Perscription/Balance, Guidance, Cajual and the like...

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.

So many to mention-

My mates Knightrider and Mako inVancouver, Canada
Casper in Chicago,Usa
Marcus and Sassa'le in Toronto,Canada
Mikebee, Gabe Real, Dom and Monty in SF, Usa
Essential and Sonic in Pheonix, Usa
Aaron Bliss, John Dove, Signore Veloce, Easyrider and Natosha in the Midwest, Usa
G White, Entropy and Oron Haus on the East coast

22. Canada, looking at it as a person from the Uk seems to a culture that has the best virtues of Europe, and yet the best virtues from the Usa. Is it that feature of Canada, why you think that 2-Step Garage music has been taken more quickly by your ravers then by the Usa. Or this is not the case?

Is it its association with the Uk, and its similarities in the sense with its large Jamaican community seems to have allowed the music to do well especially in the cities. Is Canada getting the 2-Step Garage bug do you think?

I think that is the way most Canadians perceive ourselves as well, that we fall somewhere between the USA and Europe in terms of attitude and perceptions, so yeah I think that has contributed to the more rapid acceptance of UK Garage here.

Also, as Canadianswe are used to picking and choosing what parts of other cultures we want to participate in whereas in the Usa there can be a bit of a "not made here" attitude.

I would say that in Toronto in particular the similarities in racial diversity to London definately has had an effect on the popularity of the sound since the beats draw strongly on music from those communities.

23.M.J.COLE seems to caputered the hearts and minds of many people with his melodic approach to 2-Step Garage. Now we have the Artful Dodger, Sunship and E d Case and Tj Case following suit. Do you think that the more melodic sounds of 2-Step Garage are going to have more of an impact than the "Darker Sounds that are busting out of London?

My friends and I talk about this subject a lot. Personally I think that a lot of the releases coming out lately are really pushing the limits as to whether you can even call them Garage at all, they have more in common with breaks or rave than Garage.

The main point to remember though is that these tracks tend to be more popular with the kids than the soulful stuff that resonates with an older crowd, and the young crowd largely defines what is popular.

The original Garage sound will never die, and if it went back underground due to the new stars in the scene that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing in my opinion.

24.Known as "Breakbeat 2-Step Garage music" there have been many arguments as to how the music should be moving towards. Are you a fan of the Soulful 2-STEP Sounds or the the Darker "Breakbeat 2-Step Garage sounds. So say Garage should stay close to its Soulful Roots, other wholove the Ragga, Breakbat approach dissaggre. What are you thoughts looking in???

I don't think there should be a certain set of rules specifying what you can and can't do in a 2-Step Garage track, but at the same time the term "Garage" has to mean something. I'm all for playing around with different elements and I think it's great that there are Ragga and Breakbeat and R&B elements all involved in this style - what holds it together is the feeling, the swing, the playfulness and upbeat feeling that it shares in common.

What I would hate to see is an "us vs them" rift develop, so hopefully the number of people who can recognize that we're really one big happy family outnumber those who think theirs is the "one true way".

This is part of the problem with gaining popularity too fast, because suddenly there is this huge influx of people whose definition of the scene has been gained from commercial radio and TV and those trying to "keep it real" can be simply overwhelmed.

25. What do you see the future for SoulfulHouse and Garage music scene in your country? Is it Healthy, and will continue to attract even more people to it. Or are we going to see a down turn in the music.

Its still on the rise here in a big way, many people are only hearing it for the first time when I play out - and the responses are always without fail really really good. I'd say 2001 is going to be really big years for 2-Step Garage in the NorthWest- Canada. It's always a challenge to convince club owners to gamble on an unproven form of music, but persistance pays off and crowds are all that matters.

26. 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!

Put your energy into whatever sound makes you move - support the producers and crews in your area - and remember that in the end its all about having fun so don't take it too seriously!

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