Confessions of a DJ Kissy Sell Out
Simon O'Hare speaks to Radio 1 regular and hot electro DJ Kissy Sell Out
Confessions of a DJ: Kissy Sell Out
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Kissy Sell Out is a DJ and producer who presents his own show on Radio 1 every Friday night, and he recently finished work on his eagerly awaited first solo album as part of his San City High project. Dance music fans have the exciting opportunity to catch one of his high-energy live DJ sets in Leeds this fortnight.
How did you make your big break into professional DJing?
There was no big break for me, to be honest, I just worked hard, turned up on time, played for little to no money and made sure the crowd felt the vibe. Those early days were important for me because I’d been able to mix perfectly well since I was a teenager but I had to learn how to work a crowd in order for things to kick off on the dancefloor.
Is the rise of the internet and digital music a good thing, or does it threaten the income of labels and artists?
It’s bad news for major labels living in the stone age who spend horrible amounts of money on courier bikes and personal assistants, but for the rest of us it’s a great thing! I’m a great believer in musicians reaching success by being able to offer a unique service with their extraordinary talents, rather than having an expensive marketing campaign wining and dining the media for them.
What can we expect from the San City High album and how long did it take to make?
My album is called Youth and took about a year and a half to make. It’s all about my childhood growing up in Essex. The overall sound of the album is very post-modern, which I’m very proud of, as there are some specific things taken from moments in musical history, like the 80s synths from Tears For Fears and Simple Minds, but the vocal style is more staccato, like modern indie vocals. And the tracks have all been mixed and compressed in the Kissy studio with insanely complicated melodies and no guitars. I wrote the songs on the album with my cousin Danimal Kingdom, who provides the lead vocals. The album captures a real snapshot of time in my own life and is very personal - I already don’t think I could write another album like this, which is quite a special feeling!
Have you played Leeds before?
I’ve had several great DJ shows there in the past, my last one at Insomnia was the best, though, I came on in between Eric Prydz and the Audio Bullys and tore it up big time to an amazing crowd!
We hear you’ll be support DJ for Prodigy’s UK tour - were you a big Prodigy fan growing up?
Hell yeah! I was a big fan of the Experience album when I was at primary school! It’s funny because I wouldn’t say I got into dance music until I was about 13, yet I’d already been listening to the Prodigy for a few years by then - I guess that shows that they are just something else!
How have your musical tastes evolved?
There’s a big difference between what I listen to on my iPod in comparison to what I play in my DJ sets - which I think is what keeps my radio show so interesting. I still buy old records on eBay, as well as supporting artists on digital sites like Beatport and Junodownload.com, which is important to me. My taste in music has been very broad for many years now. At home I’m really into experimental gothic drone/doom metal - by artists like Swans, Khanate and Sunn O))), but I’m just as likely to be listening to some vintage speed garage vinyls too or some bluegrass mandolin instrumental CDs by Chris Thile, so it’s a hard one to answer!
What’s the best live music or DJ performance you’ve ever witnessed?
Probably one of my early gigs moshing on the front row, ha ha! I’m a massive fan of Late Of The Pier, there are lots of time signature changes throughout the songs which make my jaw hit the floor repeatedly! On a more personal note I remember standing in the rain at Glastonbury watching Maximo Park on the other stage with my girlfriend at the time and being in heaven - if a little cold!
What do you like and dislike about working at Radio 1?
I like everything about working at Radio 1. I suppose the fame side of things is a little weird, getting recognised in Tesco’s is a very strange experience!
Tell us a surprising fact about yourself.
I’m really good at roller-skating! No, really I am! It was one of the few ways to meet girls when I was about 14, so I’d down a bottle of 20/20 outside the venue and then hit the rink with my moves.
29 May, Leeds Academy, 55 Cookridge Street, LS2 3AW, 0113 242 7272, 11pm
Posted on Wednesday 27th May 2009
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