Dj Roo, Hemel Hempstead - Official Interview

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"Carl's Garage and House Website"

Dj Roo, Hemel Hempstead - Official Interview

Name:

Richard Lee

DJ Roo

Age:

22 years

Present Location:

Hemel Hempstead,

England

Occupation

Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today?

Well Hip Hop is what really turned me on to music in a big way. I used to breakdance when I was younger and gradually developed into Hiphop music. I used to listen to Tim Westwood religiously and was a total Hiphop head up until about 1991. It was at this point that I went to "Orange" in Camden Palace, London, and was blown away by the whole scene. I remember listening to DJ Hype cutting up the breakbeats and was memerished by the music until I started hearing tunes like "Narre Mine", Made in 2 Minutes and We're are E and the other pre Jungle Ragga breakbeat stuff.

How did you get into the World of Djing?

7.Was it through taking part in school party ?
8.Djing at a relatives party
9.Or at a local youth club in your area?
10.Where?

From my initial divulgence into pre Jungle tunes of 1991/92 I became so hooked on the sound that I decided to get my own decks and started practicing every minute I could. Around about 1993 the scene started splitting into 2 different scenes. Dark and Happy.

10.What styles of music do you prefer to play today?

Around about 1993 the scene of Jungle, started splitting into 2 different scenes. Dark and Happy.

I didn't really like either so I started veering into the direction of Garage and Deep House music. I started putting on my own parties after sending many tapes out I finally started to get regular club work in and around London, but I was still in rut. I loved to play Garage but the crowd wanted it more banging so I started playing a lot of the British stuff on Nice and Ripe, Grooveyard, Smokin Beats, etc and pitching up a bit. I was happy, the crowd was happy, now this music has become known as the Sunday Scene Sound or Speed Garage. I love this music because it combines Garage, House, Jungle and Hiphop successfully so everybody's happy (usually)

11. Who was you first musical Hero?

I guess it would have to be Public Enemy, they were the first group I ever got obsessive about and I used to play their albums all day long. I still listen to a lot of Hiphop now but as far as I'm concerned Public Enemy are and always will be the greatest Hiphop act ever.

12.What was the first club that you played that allowed you to gain vital experience that is invaluable to you today?

I suppose it would have to be my own parties because I had to do everything. From making the flyers, to hiring out the sound system. I can remember at he first one I thought no one would turn up. One minute it was empty, and then all of a sudden people just came piling in through the door, and it was rammed. The first proper club I played was Cameden Palace, London. I had only ever played to 200 people before and most of them were friends so to play in front of 2000 nutters that I didn't know was quite scary to say the least. But I managed to pull it off and really enjoyed it in the end.

13.Being a DJ why is it that you love playing this music so much now?

I suppose I play mainly London Underground Garage styles of music, but I still manage to play and buy shiploads of US Garage and Deep House music. I suppose I will. At the end of the day, if you like a tune and I think it will work with the crowd, then I 'll play it regardless of where it's coming from.

14. Where do you play nowadays.

The Chunnel Club, London,(London Underground styles of House music) N0.4 club, Kingston,(US Garage music) Powerhouse, London,(London Underground) Luvism, Hemel Hempstead, (London Underground/US Garage/Funky House) GISM, London,(Funky Uplifting House) Hi Spirit, Luton (London Underground) and Traffic, Baldock (Funky House/Garage).

I am a resident at N0.4 club in Kingston, England every Friday, but apart from that. I'm free and east

Have you traveled aboard to work?

Yes, but in Tenerife, but I didn't really enjoy it that much. It was more a case of playing to a "Gary boy" lager crowd, and they just wanted to hear "Living Joy" and "Dreamer" all the time. I enjoyed loafing around the beach though!!!

What is your favourite country to DJ in, and the favourite club.

The Chunnel Club, London, because it has a cool friendly atmosphere, and they appreciate good music.

What is the scene like in your part of the world?

Its excellent in London at he moment because Garage is becoming more and more acceptable in the clubs even if its the London Underground stuff. I think true Garage will begin to thrive because of this. DJ's such as Matt "JAM" Lamont and Karl "tuff enuff" Brown are starting to produce soulful sides of the music. So it can only can get better if people follow their lead.

Who's had the greatest influence on you within the world of Garage and Deep House music?

People from London scene like Matt "Jam" Lamont, Grant Nelson, Karl "tuff enuff" Brown, etc for pioneering a fresh and exciting movement which gives Banging House and Jungle/Hardcore a run for its money. I also have lot of respect to the DJ called Gramae Park (England) because he's always stuck to his guns and played what he believes in.

What do you think of other country involvement within the music of GARGE and House music? For instance France (Shazz and St.Germain), Germany (Mousse T, Boris Dglusoch and Tonka) and Italy (Joe. T. Vannelli and Don Carlos)

As far I can see the Europeans are running things at the moment, and people are actually taking us seriously as Garage producers and DJ's. Where as a few years ago certain people would probably sneer at the thought of either UK or European Garage music.

If given the chance who would you like to work with in the world of Garage or Deep House music?

I'd love to get in the studio with…Grant Nelson and Mousse T, because they have such punchy crisp production and I'd love to nick some of their drums loops. As far as the Americans go, it would have to be Jazz n'Groove because they're my favourite American producers. I'd also like to meet Todd Edwards, so that I could tell him to get of his ass and start producing some more stuff for me to play!!!!

Who do rate as ones to look out for in the future? Who should we keep an eye out for?

R.I.P Productions, re going to be massive, and I think that Mateo and Matos, are making some really nice stuff at the moment. The whole London Underground scene is going to blow up big time in 1997. I just hope that it doesn't go too overground. Now that would be a shame…..

Richard is one of the new breed of DJ's that are really coming through thick and fast in England. If you have any questions about this interview then please give me a E-mail.

carl@garage-music.com

What is Garage? || What is Deep House ||
What is Speed Garage? || What is 2-Step Garage

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