Page 36 - Zone Magazine Issue 030 - Lexicon Avenue

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Your best year so far?
To be honest, something I’ve learned in music is that it pays to avoid taking stock of achievements or accolades. I’ve had some really enjoyable years to date, at certain times I’ve found myself in scenarios that were pipe dreams as a teenager, which of course is great. I’m happy in what I do and it’s nice to stop and smell the roses every now and again, but I do feel it’s important not to take stock too much in an industry as fickle as this industry. What’s important is that I keep pushing things forward, and even more importantly, that I enjoy doing it in the moment. Every year seems better than the last to date, so hopefully I’m doing something right.
How would you describe your sound?
Hmm, it has been described by a lot of others as bright and busy and is predominantly techno. Generally speaking I like to peddle music that challenges me, music that is slightly alien to my own personal existing schema in some way, original music that excites me I suppose. Most shows will include 5 or 6 different genres of music at least and personally I think it’s important not to pigeonhole yourself into a stagnation or a defined role creatively speaking. That’s why I don’t wear a mask!
What music did you like growing up?
Various latin cuts could often be found blaring out the back garden during the Summer when I was a child. I guess I didn’t lick the love for funky and tribal sounds off a stone. My sister got a keyboard for Christmas one year. There were many evenings where I would sneak in and start playing it with the headphones on and hope that I wouldn’t get snared (Sorry Lorraine).
I started really exploring electronic music when I was a young teenager. Back then when I was learning to mix, I used to play deeper sounds, the darker side of prog' house which I guess at the time was reasonably popular
in electronic music, some would say a golden age. I really wasn’t all that aware of techno as a young teenager until I heard it live. I recognised certain segments and sounds in the genres I was listening to that really peaked my interest and I followed that interest and that’s what led me to it.
I listened to a lot of different music growing up though, hip hop, grunge, pop, rock. I’m still growing up really.
Tthe first dance track you liked?
It was probably The Prodigy “Jericho” which was the first track on their first album cassette. Shout out to my good pal Dodger for that one! That was that rabbit hole entrance.
What was your first clubbing experience?
I had played at local raves and parties a good bit when I was younger, anywhere I could, I would, but my first real taste of attending a bigger production was Creamfields Ireland. I was quiet young, long before I could legally enter a bar or a club. Creamfileds back then wasn’t what you see it
as today, I know..ok boomer. I spent all day and night at Bugged Out with Dave Clarke, Justin Robertson, Jon Carter, Laurent Garnier, it was magic.
It was only much later that I started going to clubs
with friends, Tripod in Dublin, Horan’s in Tralee, Kerry and The Forum in Waterford city were three regulars. I’ve always had a huge love for the people in Waterford. In spite of an ongoing resistance they had and continue to have, some of the best club nights in the country. There is real passion for electronic music down that way.
How did you get into DJ'ing?
As a boy, I grew up listening to 2FM every Friday and Saturday night in my bedroom. Mickey Mac, John Power, Mr. Spring ect.. I’d get blank cassettes and having done my homework, I’d have labels and stickers with the relevant info and fill out the information as the show went on, so I knew what tracks were what.
At the time it was so exciting to me. I felt I was part of it, even though I had another 6 years to go before I could enter a club. From the start, electronic music always held a mystique, sort of an unspoken draw for me. There was some sort of a deeper connection going on and that’s what drew me in and led me to explore the world of DJing. Older family friends noticed my passion early on and started lending me cassettes of different local and international DJs and I was pretty much committed to getting myself a used set of rubbish Kam belt drive turntables from that point onwards.
Getting that first break - how did it happen for you?
A few years ago I got the call up to play with Rebekah and Jamie Behan at Bastardo Electrico, Ireland’s longest running techno night. Sharing the stage with two major players at that was definitely a turning point for me. Jamie is one of the most gifted selectors I know. Music needs more Jamie Behans.
Tell us any gigs you have coming up?
I’m really looking for to March in particular. Cabal are hosting “No Eircode”, a large scale event in a secret location on March 16th spanning over 4 rooms. You can catch me in “The Sanctuary” going b2b with Prospekt’s Trail of thought along with Myler, Aeron, Dan Sykes, Chaz Moloney, Senan Moore of RoomTwo and about 40 other artists across different areas.
The day after, March 17th, Paddys Day. I’ll be at Pharmacia in Limerick city with JoeFarr, Trail of thought, Millhouse, Thirteen, Remedy and Terrorizor. Mindscape are powering that one and I always love working with them because I know everything is going to be on point on the night. As sound and lighting goes, they are in a different league to everyone else.
There’s a couple of trips to Europe planned as well. Berlin being one of them, but I can’t talk too much about that one right now only just to say that I’m really looking forward to getting back there again in June.
Current Top 5
1. Sleeparchive - 10"-Archived 3 (Archived Holland) 2. Sedvs - Stray Dogs (Analogue Greece V/A)
3. King Krule - Man Alive (XL)
4. Lag - Time, Blood and Ego- The New Social Norm (Upperberry)
5. Norbak & Temudo - Jack and Verge (Modularz