Confessions of a DJ

Confessions of a DJ The Squatters

We speak to Alex Powell, one half of DJ/producer combo The Squatters, major contributors to the Leeds nightlife scene who regularly play at Mission

What got you into music in the first place?

I’ve always been in to music for as long as I can remember. My parents listened to a variety of music while I was growing up such as the Eurythmics, Howard Jones, Ultravox and others, and the electronic sound interested me. From then I always wanted a synthesizer and I started to play the keyboard when I was 12. It all seemed to go from there.

Where did your name come from – are you real squatters?

Ha ha! No, course we’re not! Well, we are in a fashion. When…

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Confessions of a DJ Angel Lee

We speak to Leeds DJ Angel Lee about new dance music night Chi Chi, held monthly at Oracle

Chi Chi launched last month; how did the first night go?
It went really well, everyone who came down had a great time and K-Klass rocked it for us.

What does Chi Chi offer that other nights in Leeds don’t?
Well I think there are so many dirty electro and minimal techno nights going on, which is great, but it’s nice to have an alternative and listen to some of the old classic tunes. Chi Chi is more about hands in the air good times, where new music sits alongside a few classics to create a perfect…

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Confessions of a DJ DJ Debstar, Wire

We find out why Wire is a top choice for your New Year's Eve celebrations

When did you first start DJing and how long have you been resident at Wire?
I started DJing in March 2000 at ThinkTank, which was taken over and became Wire, so I’ll have been resident at Wire for ten years next March. The night I started at ThinkTank and kept in Wire, Fuzzy Logic, is also ten next May, so Wire will be having a couple of parties in 2010!

How would you describe Stereotypes to a newcomer to Leeds?
Stereotypes is a night for people who don’t fit any stereotype themselves, an alternative club night that recognises…

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Confessions of a DJ Marc Dennis, Glasshouse

We look ahead to the 13th birthday of house legend Glasshouse

DJ and promoter Marc Dennis will be taking to the decks at the Glasshouse 13th birthday, which you can celebrate at Mezz Club this fortnight. Here we find out the secrets to the night’s success.

What can we expect at the Glasshouse 13th birthday night?
Well what can I say… with the Trophy Twins, Justin Harris from the Freaks and local heroes Simon Frost and Phil White, the line-up is massive and we always have an amazing crowd in Mezz, so the atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric. Plus with all the usual messy ravers that keep Mezz rocking…

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Confessions of a DJ Rob Tissera

We speak to Rob Tissera ahead of the Kissdafunk Bank Holiday special

This fortnight the O2 Academy plays host to the Kissdafunk Bank Holiday Blow Out, with an extra special line up featuring David Guetta, Laidback Luke and Rob Tissera. Rob takes time out of a busy schedule to answer our questions.

How does DJing in Leeds compare with the rest of the world?
I’ve played all over the world including Ibiza and I can honestly say some of the best atmospheres have been in Leeds. Leeds is very fortunate in that it attracts a sexy crowd of people who are also very clued up about their music.

Do you find…

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Confessions of a DJ Jack Sparrow

Rob Dale speaks to Jack Sparrow, a Leeds-based DJ making waves on the dubstep scene

Dubstep has been established in Leeds for some time now - the Exodus and Subdub nights are epicentres for bass-driven music and the vibe they created is reverberating across Europe. Here Rob Dale catches up with Jack Sparrow, a dubstep DJ who has captured the attention of Radio 1’s Mary Anne Hobbs and has been signed up to DJ Pinch’s Tectonic label.

Can you describe your style of dubstep?
It’s hard to explain. No tracks ever sound the same, they each have their own character. My tunes are quite dark, but I like to put some uplifting bits in…

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Confessions of a DJ Cormac, System

The house DJs talks to us about System

Cormac is a resident at System, the Mint Club’s ever popular in-house club night. Here we catch up with him to find out the secrets of System’s success.

What’s great about the Mint Club?
I think what makes the Mint Club great is that you have top DJs playing on its kick-ass sound system, the atmosphere is fantastic and the LED lights are ace!

Why’s System such a successful night?
System is so successful because they have consistently hosted great nights, such as Cocoon and Kompact, and behind the scenes the promotional boys graft their asses off. Hats…

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Confessions of a DJ Marc Kershaw

Whiskey On The Shelf is a night a rockabilly, rock'n'roll and more at Huddersfield's Peacock Lounge. We talk to co-founder Marc Kershaw

Marc Kershaw is a DJ and founding member of Whiskey on the Shelf - an exciting new night with a country flavour, which you can catch one-off nights at top local venues like Sela and North Bar and a monthly slot at The Peacock Lounge in Huddersfield.

What kind of music do you play at Whiskey on the Shelf?
It’s a mixture of rockabilly, jump blues, rock’n'roll, hillbilly and a splash of country twang. That’s all played alongside the guest live acts.

When did you first get into those genres?
I’ve been into the rockabilly and rock’n'roll stuff…

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Confessions of a DJ DJ Lubi

Leeds' latin maestro talks to us about his new night at The Wardrobe

In Leeds we’re very fortunate to play host to regular appearances from DJ Lubi, a foremost expert in latin music. Here Lubi takes time out from a hectic promoting and producing schedule to give us some exciting news about a huge salsa gig at the Wardrobe this fortnight

La Excelencia at the Wardrobe is an exciting prospect - what can we expect from the night?
It’s the biggest salsa concert in the north of England this year. The band are from New York, all in their 20s and they play heavy salsa 1970s style - no over-slick cheesy rubbish…

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Confessions of a DJ Danny Savage

The Filth DJ takes sometime out from Ibiza to answer our questions

Danny Savage promotes and DJs at Filth at Mint Club, and this summer he’s taking the night over the Mediterranean and into Ibiza. Here he talks to us about Filth’s ethos, future plans and ice cream vans.

What exciting stuff have you been up to lately?
Where do I start? Well, we’ve been so busy this year it’s unreal. We came back from a wicked summer is Ibiza last year and since sold out almost every Filth party at Mint Club and at Sankeys in Manchester. We’ve also bought our own ice cream van, which is currently in the…

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