Dj Erica, Birmingham, England - The Official Interview

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 started 10 years ago on a pirate radio station called Fantasy 98.6FM based in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. I used to play rare grooves, funk and disco.

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?

A combination of all of the above! My mum was into funk, disco and reggae, my step dad was into punk, mod stuff like The Jam and then Style Counsel, and all other indie stuff like The Smiths(England). I used to make mixed tapes of songs on the radio amd my fave show was 'John Peel on Radio 1(England).' The best part of church, was the gospel choir and musicians - they rocked esp. the bassist! I did study the piano for about 7 years, that has helped with my production work.

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

As an 80's kid, I loved Madonna(Usa) - her dancing, her sassiness and attitude - she was so different compared to artists at the time. Also Prince(Usa) was pretty funky. I listened to James Brown(Usa) at home, a lot - he totally rocked!

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.

Although it's not the first club I've played at or ran completely. My current residency at Double O, Melbourne (Australia) has been a great learning experience. I've played pretty much every Saturday a 4-5 hour set for the past 3 years. So I know the crowd, the venue, the staff and it rocks!!!

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 you 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 still? In short what do you think of the Pirate radio set-up within the London area? Do they serve a purpose, or have they out stayed their welcome?

Pirates definitely serve a purpose and I think are vital for the underground side of the music industry. I started on a pirate so I love them, except all the bitchiness that goes on - but then I've never had a job that didn't include some politicking - people are people.

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?

UK Garage - all the underground stuff like the Nu-Step (Breakbeat Garage) sound. But I like to drop classic tunes into a set from different genres - like Rare Grooves, House or an Old Hardcore number, but only when the timing is right & the crowd are up for it.

6. When you are at home relaxing what do you prefer to listen to Truthfully now!!

Deep House, classical music, Rare grooves, funky stuff and UK & US Garage.

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 favourite club

I'm currently based in Melbourne, Australia, although I'm a British Ex-Pat. I've played in Perth and Melbourne over here, in England as well as France. I love playing in Australia, 'cos the audiences haven't been so exposed to dance music as Europeans or Americans - they are very enthusiastic. I think you can play a more eclectic mix of stuff, rather than sticking to just one genre. But to be honest I like to play a mix of stuff wherever I am.

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?

I love it, it's fresh and exciting. It evokes the heady days of the early 90's when rave started happening. I get that same excitement when I hear UK Garage that I did when I first started going out to raves and dance parties.

8a. More on 2-Step Garage music scene. Within Australia. Is this music becomming more accepted? Is there still a long way to go with regards to an truly Australian scene coming out for the rest of the world to hear? Are Australians keen on hearing new sounds with House music? Or is the scene still dominated by the other forms of House - Trance, Hard House and Techno??

House and Techno music are still the dominant forms of dance music. Melbourne - (Australia) is the UK Garage capital - with 3 venues offering 3 nights of tunes! Compared with over 100 venues offering House 7 nights a week. Sydney (Australia) (although the largest city) only has 1 regular UK Garage night. That's it for Australia. I think the punters are into trying something new, but the promoters aren't. They are running a business, and not into taking risks.

However this year, has seen MJ Cole(England) come out and DJ which was great exposure for the genre and with the Nu Step sound there has been more interest from promoters and punters alike. Australians like their music HARD - so the lighter, more soulful end of UK Garage isn't too popular and unfortunately most people think that is all the music is about. But I've been working really hard to change that. I think we still have a way to go, yet.

8b.Are there any new breeds of Garage crews Dj/production teams coming out of Australia, at the moment with regards to 2-step Garage music. Can Australia add their own flavour to the music which will again give the longevity to 2-Step Garage whom many said wouldn't last 1 x year? Will we see releases from your area of the world reaching the Uk this year?

I've been in the studio for the last 12 months producing tracks that are flavoured with 2-step beats but aren't exactly UK Garage. I call it Australian 2-Step Garage. I've had interest from a label in England - so I'll keep you posted. Some of my tunes out here are quite big anthems on our scene.

8c. Still on 2-Step Garage music. Alot of people have come around to liking the Soulful approach to 2-step Garage music. But they cannot get their heads around the use of the Mc within 2-Step Garage raves. For a lot of people they are claiming that the Mc's are spoling the development of the music. What is your views on the use of the MC within 2-Step Garage music? Have they taken over the music, and the dj playing the music become secondary? Is the Mc killing 2-Step Garage or enhancing it?

Depends on the MC - a good MC can definitely enhance a night, help everyone get on the same wavelength and make the night not just good but special. We don't have many good MCs over here, as they don't understand the music and tend to do HipHop style MC-ing, which doesn't work. Also, a good MC knows when to shut up!

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 caning 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 Garage remain Underground for long?) Will the majors move in, in a big way to take their share of the profits? What are your thoughts?

These things are always cyclical - it's inevitable that the majors will want a piece of the action - they are businesses after all. Artists need to be smart in how they sell their tracks and not be too seduced by the money. There will always be an underground scene that moves along at its own pace regardless of what the overground is doing. Something always filters through commercially - it's life - not point fretting over it really.

10. Do you like the travelling that is involved in this type of work. It seems glamourous going from one town to the next but is it? What are your views.

In Australia going from one town to the next usually involves an aeroplane - so that's pretty cool. I get a big buzz from travelling - definitely.

10a. Coming over to England every so often are you suprised by the UK's love of this music at the moment. What so diffferent if there is any, about the Uk, and the Australian when it comes to Dance music. Is it the accessible angle that we have to dance music? Or is there something much more noticiable than that which only you can tell us now living in Australia?

The dance music generation of kids in Australian mostly grew up with rock music and the whole band culture. Whereas British kids grew up with Soul, disco, funk, reggae as well as rock and indie music. So that makes a difference, particularly if you talk about older music, most people may not know what you're on about. For those who do know, they may have read about it but not experienced it.

The other major reason why I think the Brits love dance music so intensely, is the quality of life issue. Basically Australia is a nice, sunny country with a very high standard of living for a lot less cost. Imagine in Perth you could have a nice 3 bed house with swimming pool for 60 pounds a week and you see that living conditions are very different. So going out in Australia is not such a big deal, because your daily life is pretty stable and pleasant. Contrast that with living in the West Midlands (or wherever) where you are struggling to get tokens for meter, can't afford to put the fire on, waiting for a bus in the pouring rain, got a shit job. That the weekly weekend ritual of going out is a release from the pressure of daily living. Then combine music and drugs - and going out in England is pure escapism.

11. BBC Radio 1(England) 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? What is the state of play with regards to your country (Australia) and Dance music in general over the airwaves...???

Not much dance music on the airwaves. Generally it's pop/chart music - however some stations will allocate a certain number of hours per week to playing 'club music'. Also I should say that 'dance music' isn't really called dance music over here - it has a few names 'electronica', 'Techno' 'club music' But the station that I work on 3RRR has about 12 hours a week of dance shows.

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?

I love long sets. I play 4-5 hours at my Saturday night residency but 2-3 hours at my Friday night residency.

13.Dubbed the New Ibiza by music critics and fashion experts alike. 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.? Has Australia, from a dance/clubber point of view heard of Ayia Napa -Cyprus...???

Australians haven't really heard of Ayia Napa (Cyprus). I thought that the Cypriot authorities are quite strict compared to the Spanish - so I don't think it will get too out of hand.

14.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 still buy a lot of vinyl, from London mainly (thanks to Mark @ Rhythm Division - London, England). However I get sent promos through my radio show - I rarely play them, 'cos they're rubbish.

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?

White - is my favourite label!

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 mix and blend & chop and change - depends on the club, the crowd, the vibe, the sound system and my mood!

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?

No, not yet...

18.Deep House maybe isn't your cup of tea. However, this form of House music is probably the most followed style in House and Garage 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....???

Yes definitely - I'm a fan of Deep House. I have a segment of Deep House on my radio show and am learning loads about it. I'm still a novice, so I can't name any labels. But I enjoy listening to mixed CD I get sent like - Nitelife 05, Lazy Dog (fantastic!!!) DJ Deep Respect Is Burning, Ibiza 04 - Phil Mison etc.

19. Has Austrialia truely woken up to the Garage or Soulful House sound, traditional or otherwise. Or Is the club scene still dominated by Techno, HardHouse and Trance scenes in your country?

Australia is just starting to wake up to the more soulful sounds that are around. However, they haven't had the history of listening to soulful music - so they don't react the way English or Americans do when you put a classic track on. For example the other night, a friend played 'There's Nothing Like This' by Omar(England) and we were the only ones going off - everyone else (all Aussies) completely ignored it.

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.

Simon Grey from Polyester makes quite soulful stuff, his bass player is the session bassist for Jamiroquai. Cameron Kennedy who is an absolute whizzkid on computers and also talented musically - a great combination. His tunes are very mellow and chilled. I like Grant Nelson's remixes and MJ Cole's earlier tunes esp. with Ramsey and Fen (England). In terms of DJs, there are a couple of old timers/collectors PJ Rourke and Dave Sinclair (ex-pats) who have amazing record collections and brought black music to Australia in the early 80's. DJ Dean Smith from the UK (Groove Garden) - is also pretty good, he plays a nice eclectic selection of tracks. DJ Stephen Mallender (from Kuling Bros) plays great Deep House he's now based in Perth, Australia(another ex-pat)

21.Todd Edwards (New Jersey, Usa) is a constant inspiration to many people around the world especially with the Uk Garage/2-Step Garage fans. Is he a inspiration to the Dj Erica or is there someone else that hold your fasicnation within the House and Garage world. Please tell us???

I like some of Todd Edwards stuff, he has a very distinctive style. But at the moment I'm right into the Nu-Step Garage stuff (Breakbeat Garage), it's pretty hard, moody and dark - like DJ Zinc, Freq Nasty, The Hackney Soldiers and Shut and Dance among others. There's no one person really - I like the harder style of the genre probably because I'm old raver and junglist.

22.What's your most favourite House and Garage track. You know the one that gives you goose pimples when you hear it at the moment?

US Garage/House-wise I love all the tracks on Disc 2 of the Lazy Dog CD. UK Garage-wise 'Pick Me Up' by DND and 'Check It' by FOS Project - they rock each and everytime !!

22a. Where's the next event that we can see Dj Erica perform? Have you got a residencey for instance?? What's the future hold for Dj Erica?

I have 2 residencies Fridays at Club UK and Saturdays at Double O both in Melbourne Town. I also play every Saturday night on Radio 3RRR before my Double O gig. For the future, I will be in Japan and the UK this summer. I am currently in the studio working on 2-step flavoured tracks.

23. 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 they should adhere to!

Club Owners - don't tell DJs what to play just brief them on the crowd and the vibe you want to create - if they're professional DJs they should be able to take it from there. Pay up on time, everytime.

DJs be professional in your approach, try to turn up at least an hour before your gig, so you can soak up the atmosphere and feel the mood of the venue. Be nice to the staff. Be different, don't just play crowdpleasers - turn records you love into crowdpleasers. Finally, watch what the girls are doing - make sure they're happy and dancing, 'cos if not then you'll have a shit night on your hands. If there are only boys on the dancefloor - it creates a strange vibe (don't know why) and it scares the girls off.

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