DJ Special K - Drum and Bass Producer Interview

November 2002

Interview with DJ Special K, drum and bass producer and Vinyl Conflict label manager.

How old are you?

27

How did you get into the drum and bass Scene?

Through getting made redundant in 1993 and setting up the record shop Vinyl Conflict.

What did you do before you started djing/producing music?

I used to work in a television warehouse.

How did your record shop Vinyl Conflict come about and have you any plans to expand?

I basically opened my shop using redundancy money when I left my old job in 1993, I will expand as far as setting up the internet side of things a full on line store I'm also talking to few people about online clothing as well.

How often do you go out clubbing?

Not as often as I used to (every Thurs/Fri and Sat) Only when time allows now, but I try to at least once a week.

What is your favourite club or event?

I haven't got a favourite, as long as the venues are clean and have good sound systems then you can have a good time!

What's it like playing abroad and what's the atmosphere like?

Playing abroad is good in a different way, I usually find that people are a lot more open minded about the way they listen to stuff, there is hardly any politics and you can pretty much play what you like and not get too dictated to. Also you get the opportunity to play longer sets which I think most djs will agree they prefer!

Playing abroad is good in a different way, I usually find that people are a lot more open minded about the way they listen to stuff, there is hardly any politics and you can pretty much play what you like and not get too dictated to.

DJ Special K

What is the best foreign rave you have played in?

There have been so many good ones all for different reasons.

What equipment/software do you use to make your music?

I have got an akai sampler, an Apple Mac G4 computer, a Mackie mixer, lots of outboard (i.e. compressors, effects etc…) and also I use the Mackie powered monitors as they sound really good to me!

How much time do you spend a week in your studio (on average)?

Roughly about 4 to 5 days probably 50 working hours.

What are your musical influences?

All good music influences me I obviously like drum and bass, but can take inspiration from pretty much any form of music - house, soul, disco, R&B, rap… mainly dance music in any form.

Do you have a favourite tune of all time?

I have favourite tunes for different eras so no not really.

Which artist would you most like to work with?

I would be happy to work with any artist who I respect musically.

Which artist/tune would you most like remix?

There's a few funk bits from the mid 1970's that I think would make good drum and bass tracks, also I like Alicia Keys voice a lot I think that would be cool.

What are your music plans for the near future?

At the moment I am quite heavily involved alongside D'Cruze in a project for Peshays label Cubik Music, we have an album and two singles in the pipeline plus lots of tunes for Vanguard with Darren Jay and also more with D'Cruze for any of our labels.

What's the new Vanguard project?

Vanguard is a new label started by myself and Darren Jay for the tunes that we produce, it is a joint project so it was best that we co-owned the label between us.

What other producer do you rate at the moment?

There are far too many to name them all! I rate The Neptunes, Dr. Dre, Roni Size, Peshay, Marcus Intalex all the usual drum and bass premier league.

What does the future hold for yourself?

Who knows?

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