Click here to read the Kutski & The Yofridiz interview
The Kiddfectious debut at the world renowned Warehouse Project will unveil a different side to the brand. The older and more elegant sister of the Kiddfectious family has come home to Manchester, hand in hand and all loved up with trance superbrand Judgement Sundays!
Being a massive passion of the Kiddfectious team, we can’t wait to unleash the freshest and most inspirational of today’s trance and tech dance on the Warehouse Project. Accompanied of course, by the most twisted of harder beats in typical Kiddfectious fashion.
To give you a sample of this euphoria-loving alter ego of Kiddfectious, we caught up exclusively with two of the most exciting trance and tech dance artists on the lineup.
MAIN ROOM MAESTRO – SIMON PATTERSON
Simon Patterson is arguably the most exciting DJ and producer to emerge from the UK trance scene in some time. 2009 could not have been much bigger for him and with the backing and support from the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk and Judge Jules its pretty clear to see he’s set for even bigger things for 2010.
2009 has been one hell of a year for you Simon with a multitude of things to celebrate! It’s hard to know what to ask you about first!
Let’s start with Top 100 DJ Poll. Last year’s arrival at no64 was pretty impressive, but this year you slammed in at no42! I bet there were some celebrations in Camp Patterson that day! Where were you when you heard the news and what was your reaction?
A mixture of complete surprise and incredibly happy!! I was at home in London when I first heard I had made it in. My management called me to say I had my Top100 interview locked in and to be free the next day. At this point I still wasn’t sure of my actual position but there was a leaked list doing the rounds and I was placed at #42. When that poll position was finally confirmed, I was just blown away by the result being real. I thank absolutely everybody that voted for me!
Production-wise, you’ve now clocked up a very respectable eight consecutive no1’s on Beatport. How would you define your production style and what is it that makes it so damn successful?
I don’t like to pigeon-hole music so let’s just wrap it under a tech-trance tag. As for the success of the music itself, I am still trying to work this out to tell you the truth! Whether as a DJ or not I have a real passion for the dancefloor and love to create/play/listen/buy music that rocks a dancefloor, so I put this down as one of the major contributing factors behind my music.
You’ve been an influential figure of the trance scene for longer than people may realise, as one half of Dogzilla. Tell us about your Dogzilla days.
My time with Dogzilla were some of the most memorable of my career so far. Working with Rich (Richard Kayvan) was a real inspiring period and was perhaps why in such a short amount of time we managed to put together some amazing tracks. Taking those tracks to a ‘live’ show in such an early part of my career was both a lot of fun and also a learning curve for what is now my own solo production career. From playing countries like Russia and Holland to having the honour of performing in my native Northern Ireland, as Dogzilla we squeezed some incredible festivals in to that time we had together
What was it that prompted your decision to close the door on Dogzilla and concentrate on your solo work?
Direction with my DJing - It was becoming apparent that I needed to invest time into just one out of the two projects, in order to make it work to its full capacity. As DJing is where my heart lies then I felt the time had come to move forward with that instead of Dogzilla. It was an extremely difficult decision, especially considering the level of success we were having but for me it was a case of follow you heart – and for me my heart has always been with DJing.
One of your first solo productions was the mammoth (and very aptly entitled) ‘Bulldozer’, which literally did bulldoze its way onto the trance scene back in 2007! Would you say this was a bit of a defining moment for you?
The success of ‘Bulldozer’ was down to a lot of luck and timing. I think the scene had become a little stale around that point and I was fortunate to put together a piece of music that delivered something a little different at just the right time. Whilst I think the track is an extremely strong single on its own and, I hope, would have worked at any other release point. I do genuinely think the timing of its release back then was at just the right point for it to cause the effect it did.
Your biggest hit this year has got to be ‘Thump’, which is certainly one of the most innovative, standout trance tunes of the year. It marries emotive euphoric trance with full on driving tech beats with a panache that it really refreshing. Do you see the trance scene moving to a more tech-inspired direction?
Not really. I think a part of the trance scene has been in a tech inspired direction for quite some time now. I do believe there is still a lot of cheesy, under-produced trance music being made which still taints the scene heavily, but outside of this there is a mass of stunningly produced trance music being created. 2010 is going to be a very exciting year for our scene because I believe the demise of the minimal bubble will see more clubbers searching for a more soul fuelled, emotive edge to their music. Whether that’s vocal house music or euphoric trance it will hopefully break down some barriers and widen the dance net.
Last month saw the release of the Euphoria Trance Awards album, of which you mixed one of the three CDs. What angle were you going for with your mix and how do you feel it represents you as an artist?
The CD is a reflection of one of my sets as if listened to from the dancefloor instead of from the comfort of your own living room. For me all too often mix compilations deliver a lacklustre affair of tunes that are just on there to shift units. What was great about mixing this album was we were encouraged to dig deep and showcase the freshest sounds the scene has to offer.
As if you hadn’t scooped up enough in 2009 to add to the Simon Patterson Record of Achievement, you’ve also just been invited to produce your debut Essential Mix for Radio One! How did the planning for this go and what has been your personal favourite Essential Mix of years gone by?
Was a little stressful with the late arrival of baby Patterson and my North American tour being literally a week and half before the mix went out but after a few panic moments, the whole thing came together. I was sourcing music all the time via my label and had certain tracks of my own all but finished for it, so was just a case of completing the final tweaks before going into the studio for the mix. Because this was my debut mix I decided to showcase what my sound is about instead of delivering something that was a false representation for a cool, new audience.
On top of everything, you’ve recently become a dad! Which is more challenging – your new role as a Dad or being an international trance superstar?!
Haha, being a dad wins hands down. It’s both the most difficult thing I have ever done and also the most rewarding too.
Kiddfectious Quick Fire Round!!
SP tip to win X Factor?
Would have been JedEdward (not for music ability may I add) but now I hope they all get sacked for polluting our ear drums each week.
Fave album to listen to while in the bath?
Surely whale noises?
Most treasured bit of kit?
Right now it’s my iPhone
Four guests at your fantasy dinner party?
All the judges off X factor...and a large shotgun!
Any pets in the SP household?
Watch this space
Most random SP fact?
I am king at body popping!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A footballer
LISTEN AGAIN TO SIMON’S BRAND NEW ESSENTIAL MIX HERE
TRACKLISTING
Freigeist — Genesis (Dennis Sheperd Edit)
M.I.K.E. — Sunrise At Palamos 2009 (Gareth Emery Remix)
Adam Nickey — Callista (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
Filo & Peri feat. Aruna — Ashley (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)
Matt Hardwick vs. Gulf — Impossible (John O'Callaghan Remix)
Markus Schulz — The New World (Guiseppe Ottaviani Remix)
Simon Patterson — Taxi
Simon Patterson — Miss You
Dogzilla — Without You (Simon Patterson Remix)
John O'Callaghan — Don’t Look Back (John Askew Remix)
Simon Patterson — Always
Simon Patterson — New Life
Simon Patterson — Backstab
Garry Maguire — Standing Still
John O'Callaghan & Giuseppe Ottaviani — Liquid Fire
Nick Sentience — Electrify
Vascotia — Verano (Sean Tyas Remix)
Melle Baker — Lost Sun (Matt Skyer Remix)
Activa — Transmission
Nick Sentience — Meridian
JamX & De Leon — Can U Dig It (Paul Webster Remix)
Having caught the eye and ear of Alex Kidd some two years ago, the Technicians have developed quite a following. With an ever developing tech sound interwoven with euphoric trance breaks, energy-fuelled rave riffs and their very own wedge of out and out quirk, these boys are ready to revolutionise!
So let’s start at the beginning lads, how did it all start for you...Were you sabotaging your parents’ stereo system from being toddlers or did your passion for music come after your childhood years?
Danny: We always loved dance music from a young age.. mainly happy hardcore in the early school years, then as we got into our teens we started buying trance, hard house, garage. Yeah, stuff like Euphoria, DJ Luck and MC Neat , hard house anthems , all sorts of tripe!! We used to blast it on my mum’s good stereo in the front room when she was out!!
Gaz: The DJ bug came a lot later, when we were about 20 and had jobs and could afford to buy some turntables. That’s when the fun started and here we are today, still absolutely loving it!! We both used to look forward to going the Spin Inn record shop in Manchester spending every penny we earned on vinyls off Alex Kidd, Rascal and Fake DJ Joe who all worked there at the time!! Come to think of it they sold us some pretty banging tackle! Just collecting dust now…
Sum up what the Technicians are all about and just what it is that makes you different!
Gaz: For a start we’re twins! There are some wicked double acts out there doing what they do best, but never have we seen twins. Although we argue like cat and dog, which can slow us down sometimes we definitely have a special connection; on the decks, buying music, in the studio...we’re very in tune and are always happy with the end product whatever it may be.
Danny: DJ-wise, we try and make our sets fresh with new tracks, edits, bootlegs some EFX chucked in there.. We never get stuck in one style of music either, we play all sorts from tech house, techno, tech trance, trance, tech dance. Anything techy and driving, that’s what the Technicians are all about!
What was the first clubbing experience?
Danny: Hahaha, that’d be Bowlers @ Trafford Park, Manchester..cheesy happy hardcore raves! Loved it back then when we were 16, we even got on one of the videos in the queue. Was well chuffed!! Dodgems, Mark EG, M-Zone, Ratpack, DJ Sy, it had the lot under one roof! 10 years ago now like, needless to say our music taste has changed quite a bit in those 10 years!!
Do you think being twins gives you an added edge over any other DJ double act?
Gaz: That’s a hard question to answer because we don’t know what it’s like not being twins! Like we said earlier, we definitely have a strong connection. Whether that’s something that no other double act has is impossible to say.
I hear you’ve been spending a lot of time beavering away in the studio recently? What have you been working on?
Danny: Yes we have! This summer, we had our first ever release go straight to number 1 on trackitdown techno chart, which we were well happy about. We’ve been working with a good friend Aka Carl who owns Subcult Records, ‘beavering away’ as you put it whenever we get chance to. That’s on the techno side of things, we also have a few more releases on the way with Carl as well as other techy madness in the pipeline..watch this space!
Is the production side something you’ve always aimed to get involved in or has it just been a natural musical progression?
Gaz: Yes we’ve always wanted to make our own beats, but never had the knowledge or facilities to do so. But through DJing, meeting people and understanding the music a lot more, we have started doing our own bootys and edits of tracks. We bought Fruity Loops years ago but could never get our heads round it properly, then got Ableton a couple of years later. We’re really getting there now with our knowledge and understanding of music and are learning new stuff all the time.
Would you say you’re pretty equal in your decision making as the Technicians or is it a case of typical brotherly Chinese burns and wedgies to win arguments?!
Danny: As equal as it gets...after the Chinese burns and wedgies, haha! After the arguments and bickering we normally get things sorted without any injuries!
Gaz: So far anyway!!
As part of the Kiddfectious All Star Squad, you’ve proudly contributed a generally trance and tech inspired sound to otherwise very hard lineups. Are you lovers of the hard stuff?
Gaz: We used to be real lovers of the hard stuff, that’s what we learned to mix on vinyl. We were always at Goodgreef listening to the likes of Eddie Halliwell, Alex Kidd, Scot Project bangin it right oot! As years have gone buy our style has changed mainly to the tech trance and driving techno sound. Still love some of the hard DJ’s out there that mix it up a bit and keep it fresh though..we’ll jump all over it!
What, where and alongside who would be your dream gig?
Danny: From what we’ve seen and where we’ve been from a clubbers perspective, it would have to be Dance Valley in Holland. They really know how to throw a party, whatever style of music you’re into..we thought it were mega!! To play alongside is a tough one, we’ve played with some massive DJ’S already in this short space of time.
Gaz: We love so many different DJs who play all styles of music; we could easily give you ten dream gigs who we’d love to play with!
DOWNLOAD THE TECHNICIANS EXCLUSIVE MINIMIX
TRACKLISTING
Mr Sam – Dominator (The Technicians intro edit)
Mr Sam feat T4L - Rydem Koba
Lee Osbourne - E Swing
John Karagiannis & Paylipservice - Techno 350 (Thermo remix)
David Moleon - Mole On
David Moleon & Iago De La Vega - Fear of Gods
Bootek 22a Prodigy - Everybody in the Place
Bootek 36b Audio Bullies – There’s Things I Haven’t Told You
John O'Callaghan – Rotterdam (Bryan Kearney remix / The technicians looped edit)
Rapid Sense – Evolution (Ehren Stowers remix)
© 2009 Kiddfectious