Breaks Of 10

We’re already hearing big things but what does 2010 look like for you?
I’m working hard at the minute so it’s looking more attractive than previous years! This year I really want to get stuck into as many aspects of this industry as possible whether it be producing, DJing or the more business orientated side of things. I’m in the early stages of working on a side project called Jader which has more of a down tempo electronica feel, I’ve just completed a remix of Oliver & Gil’s “Dusted” which is a different sound to my normal way of producing, There’s a lot more sampling and texture involved and I’m taking influence from Electronica, Chill-out,  Disco, and Funk. After being exposed to so many different musical flavours last year, I really wanted to start fresh and open up new doors in terms of production and the Jader project has allowed me to do that.

More time in the studio?
“Yeah, definitely. I’m currently spending every spare minute working on tracks and new ideas. Sounds weird, but I’m also listening to a lot more music now. With the label I obviously get sent loads of demo’s but I’m also always on look out as to what’s going on out there, not just in electronic music but anything really I like to see what new labels & artists are about. There really is some quality new stuff coming out every day.

You seem to have been on the move constantly over the last two years, how has this impacted your music?
Yeah I’ve pretty much come to point in my life where it’s time to (excuse my French) shit or get off the pot, so I decided to start shifting about to see what’s out there. I’ve been to some amazing places such as Thailand and of course Ibiza over the last two years and everywhere I’ve been I’ve tried to take something creatively from the experience. I got into the way of constructing DJ sets for not only the night times but also the day times too. I’ve so much respect for the chill out DJ’s out there because when its executed well it has such an amazing impact on the listener. Just because people aren’t going mental and shaking your hand every five minutes doesn’t mean you’re not giving them an amazing experience. There’s a technique to creating the perfect daytime to early evening / sunset set which I am definitely still in the process of learning!

Suppose you can make music anywhere in the world now and ensure it reaches people!
Yeah it’s amazing what you can do with just a laptop nowadays innit! There are some unbelievable bits of music software out now that allows people who don’t have the space or just simply can’t afford all the equipment, to make music on the fly. I’ve got a few choice bits of kit at home but I just can’t take it all with me so DAW’s such as Ableton Live and Cubase allow me to do what I do wherever I am. In regards to getting the music out there, It does help to have your own label! My label TRIPTIK which was started around two years ago, has been a massive learning experience for me. I love researching into new artists and releasing their music. I have a policy that if I like ill put it out there, I don’t care if it’s House or Scandinavian Ragga Dub Pop! I’m getting sent more and more different kind of stuff all the time now which is great.

Where did it all begin? Newcastle… what or who inspired this musical creativity.
Like most it probably began with listening to what your folks listened to when I was a youth, as much as I hated it at the time it must have engrained on my brain! Bands like Tears For Fears and Duran Duran where always getting played so there was always a good bit of 80’s synth pop knocking around. Later on I did find myself front and centre in a few discotheques in the toon. The main one was definitely Shindig back when it was at a club called Foundation (RIP). There was something special about that weekly Saturday night, I’m not sure if it was because I was new to it all or the fact it had the best DJ’s on but something made me keep going back week in, week out for about two years! That night accelerated my love and respect for electronic music for sure.

Do you intend on staying in Ibiza this summer?
In the words of that bumbling, retarded leprechaun Louis Walsh, “One million percent yes!” It’s a truly beautiful place, most people don’t get a chance to get out of San Antonio or Playa D’en Bossa but up in the north and also the south of the island there are some unbelievable beaches and authentic little towns which sounds a bit boring but when you’ve had four months of nonstop noise it’s a welcome break and it’s nice to know they’re there! Ibiza is a wicked place to be over the summer, it’s obviously known for its clubbing and for a music lover such as myself there’s no better place to be. I’m based in Playa D’en Bossa so I’ve got Delano down on the beach where I have a residency and  just around the corner is (in my opinon) the best club in the world, Space which hosts a few wicked weekly nights such as Carl Cox, Kehakuma, and also the monumental We Love Space on the Sunday. People come to Ibiza because it has all the top DJ’s and live acts in the world playing over the summer of course, but to me what is the true back bone of the success of the Island is its resident DJ’s. These guys play every night and always work hard to sound fresh and give the public the experience that they came for. The DJ’s that mostly influenced me last year and who I think people should look out for this year are We Love Space’s Alex Wolfenden, Ian Blevins, Jem Haynes and Mo Nunez (aka Mo’Funk) these guys have contrasting sounds and are always forward thinking in their approach.