Mr.Kris Lopez, London, England - The Official Interview, 2002

Name: Kris Lopez
Age: 19
Sex: Male
Born: North London, England
Location: North West London - England

1. 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?

Through listening to pirate radio at a very young age. The influence of my father, and the music that he collected has been extremeley influentual to me. From there that inspired me into collecting records and going on to DJ, promote and produce.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists... Or just any particular artist/s?

When I was a kid I remember my father playing Inner City records such as Good Life, What You Gonna Do With My Lovin to name but a few. Through this I found myself in love with House music. From there producers like Masters At Work, Frankie Knuckles, Todd Terry and even some of the early UK Garage flavas from producers such as Grant Nelson and the early Tuff Jam sounds.

3.You are a DJ and only recently a DJ/Producer. However, 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, or is it a pile of dust? If it is still there have you gone back to play there from time to time?

To be honest I have always learnt something from the clubs I have played at. One of the first major clubs which I did play at was Hanover Grand (London, England).

There was over a 1000 capacity at the time. Whereas I was used to playing out to 200/300 people. As you can imagine my nerves where going crazy. After this experience I was much more confident playing in clubs.

4.Still on being a DJ. I have read in your development in becoming a DJ, your father had a huge influence in shaping you. Was it through the record collection that he had generally? Do you still "Talk" about music with your father. What does he "think" of your style of music?

Yes his influence has helped me alot as he is a "Soulman" who also loves his Jazz, Funk and Mowtown. So by listening to his flavas, it has helped me to develop my style. To this day I enjoy Vocal House and Soulful Grooves.

As for what he thinks of the about the style of music that I play. I know he understands it as the production is 100% quality, full of live instruments and soul.

5.What were the first major musical styles that you started up with when you started playing out as a dj?. Was it Soul, Funk or was it a different of music other than Dance music?

All sorts, when I first started collecting records I never kept to one style. I played Hip Hop, Jungle, Funk, Soulful house & garage and even a touch of Jazz.

6.Record mixing. Your technique when playing out. Do you use a style of "blending" when you playing out; or are you a person who likes to jump straight in and out of a track without warning! What styles do you like to use?

That really depends on what sort of club I am playing at, and what I have been requested to play. I love to mix and blend, and really try to crete a intense build up in the mix to create a uplfting atmosphere.

6A. Was beat mixing something that you found some easy to do? Did it take you some time to master?

Learning how to mix beats is not the hard part, its knowing what tunes to play together that sounds good, bringing in the mix at the right time to crete the right build up.

7. Trying to gain Dj - spots in clubs to play out to is always a killer. How did you manage it, and especially in London, England? The worlds capital for dance music.

I still believe to this day that you make your own luck. From meeting one person, you meet another, and as long as your business minded, and start to network, then anything is possible.

Trust me when I say I have had to go on missions to meet promoters - even doing early hour sets in the morning on pirate radio stations across the other side of London just to push your name at a young age.

8. What was the style of music you were playing when you started to make headway's in the clubs. Did you play just Soulful House and Garage music? Or did you touch on other forms of Garage and House music hybrids?

When the work slowly started to come in I was playing House and Garage (the early UK stuff) as well as a bit of Jungle. To be honest all I wanted to do was to play the music that clubbers/ravers wanted in order to establish my name.

9.From the research that I have done on you,even at an early age - it appears that you tried your hand at running a few of your own club nights. How did that come about? And were they successful?

I started promoting my own nights at around 14/15 years old as I was not getting a lot of Dj work coming in. I liked the idea of it as well. So I linked up with a few dj mates and it started from there really.Overall, it has been going very well but I have lost a fare bit of money as well.

10.I've posed this question to quite a few dj's and DJ/producers for more than a couple of years now, and I'm going to pose it to you. Have you been given the chance to play on those famous Illegal Pirate Radio Show's; especially here in London? any of them at all?

Did they help you in anyway? In short what do you think of the Pirate radio set-up within England? Do they serve a purpose, or have they out stayed their welcome?

I have had quite a fare share of the pirate radio experiences in the past. For example I tried to set up a radio station at the age of 14, but it flopped due to me being unexperience.

At the age of 16, I started playing on one of London's biggest pirate stations to ever hit the dial - FLEX FM. I also have done guest shows on the pirate circuit around London, as well as recently joining up with London's premier ICE 88.4 FM, which I host a set every saturday night 10pm-12am.

I think pirate radio is very important, and has become a feature of young London today. The only criticisim I can say about pirate radio, is that its all about money now. It does not have the same vibe and attitude as it did 8 years ago. And those MC'S have helped to "sufficate" the music with bad attitude/s.

11. Have you ever experimented with other styles of House and Garage music in the past? I know of alot of dj's that have tried experimenting with a harder breakbeat approach to their styles of Garage and House music. Did this happen to you? Where you happy with the results?

Yes I have experimented with harder forms of music such as Breakbeat, which I found was not really me. Mind you, it has given me a wider range of knowledge of music which I believe has helped me in the long run.

12. After doing more research on you. Its seems as if you had a bit of luck come your way when you met up with the person that you like to call "Big Tony". What did he give to you that has allowed you to be the DJ that you are today? Are you still in contact with one another today?

Tony has shown me the more sophisticated as well as the more underground side of clubbing to House music. It has also given me a chance to really experience within the music.

As being only 19. I missed out on the huge raves, and the warehouse parties of the late 1980's and early 1990's. But there are some exclusive places where you can meet the people who were there, and enjoy the vibe (even though half of them don't no what day of the week it is).

I still keep in contact with him (*Big Tony) as we run our own soulful house night every month which has been named one of the best nights to go in Rewind Mag(London, England)

13. You have been touch with the Samba Casa boys(London) for some time now. I know how dedicated these boys are to the sounds of Soulful House and Garage music here in England. I have been to one of their parties in London myself. How did you meet up with them?

At first it was just seeing them around in clubs. Then I first met up Chris Allen when we were helping out the Genius Cru, and Kris Mason promote a new night in South London. I guess from there really, thats when we started to network.

14. Even your girlfriend - Aimee has had a hand in trying to turn you into a DJ Superstar. What is her role in helping your musical development?

To be honest Carl, she(*Aimee) has helped me alot for example keeping me on the straight and narrow (not going into much detail). Aimee is now starting to deal with my bookings as well as organising meetings with various producers and record lables.

15. Are you producing now? If so how long have you been doing this? Do you prefer producing to Djing? Or will djing always be your first love?

I have only started producing recently, but I am confident my music will do well. I always use live instruments, and keep everything nice and tidy. I could see myself in a few years time coming to spend over 70% of my time in the studio, and about 30% of my time djing.

16. What is your latest release? Please give us the low down. Who does it feature - vocalists, etc, etc....

The latest release/s are two tracks entitled, "Bittersweet", and "A Better Place". Bittersweet is pure soulful House track that is chilled out and the content of it is really smooth.The vocalist for "Bittersweet" is Miss Janna Tyrell.

The one track that I am really happy with and will be out soon is entitled "A Better Place". To which every person that I have played it to, who is musically educated, has given me good feed back, including some quality UK producers and some international DJ's.

17. When it comes to making up a new tune for yourself. What tends to come first? Do you write up the lyrics first, then come along with a "groove". Or is it the other around?

In most cases Carl I would have my vocals written down, then I would start to produce the music, and then lay the vocals on it after. But I wouldn't like to go to far into the style that I can't use to build tracks. I like to keep my style of building tracks on a down low (lol)

18. I have heard that you have also set up your own record label. Is this true? If so what is it called? How long has it been running for?

Yes this is true.I have recently started up a record label entitled "Beautiful Recordings". The first release will be out at the end of October, 2002. I will keep you posted on that.

19. What are your thoughts for the music called UK Garage /2-Step Garage music. Alot of people have mentioned on the fact that the music has lost its Soul.

Others claim that the music is progressing, and developing like any other. Do you like the Soulful aspects of the music by artists such as M.J.cole, T.J. Case, Sunship...?? Would these creep into your box?

To be honest Carl, I would rather not go into to much detail as to my opinion of UK Garage today. I have a lot of friends within that scene, and they may take my view's offensively. On the other hand there are still some amazing producers such as M J Cole, the Artful Dodger, Matt Jam & Karl Browm, Nathen Locket, Real Deal Productions and Sunship.

When I listen to these producers I now realises that these artists have not lost the most vital ingrediant within dance music and that is - SOUL!

20. Out of all the artists, DJ/producers within the music of House and Garage that you have heard over the years which has become your favourite? Any in particular?

Thats an inpossible question to answer there are so many DJ/Procuder's out there the list is endless.

21. Its seems that you have a successful Soulful House and Garage night running in London as well. How did this come about? Did your girlfriends Aimee help in the set-up of this? Who is it aimed at?

Like I mentioned earlier on. I have been promoting since the age of 14/15 years old. So to set up a night once a month has been pretty easy for me. This night is called "Beauitful People", which takes place every first Thursday of the month at the Trinity Bar, Station Road, Harrow North West London.

The launch of this night took place on Boxing Day 2001, and we will be celebrating our successful 1st Year Annerversary this December, 2002. This night is aimed for the older more mature clubbers out there looking for a good night out. The night is run by Big Tony and myself, and to answer your question Aimee deals with the bookings.

22. What are your ambitions and goals within this business? You must have some?

To become as successful as possible and to be respected within the industry, and of course to try and do better than my heroes.

23. Lastly but not least. 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!

I'm still up and coming, and have still got a long way myself. But my advice to up and coming DJ's out there is to have your own style. Look presentable when playing out in clubs as your image is so important. Finally don't let any promoters try and take you for a mug.

Interview conducted by Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Kris Lopez, London, England

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Kris Lopez, London, England.
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