Don’t Ask Them “if They Can DJ in Heels”
Few musical genres have a more male-dominated persona than the heavier end of the electronic music spectrum, where you’ll find Drum and Bass (DnB to its friends). As inherently British as Punk, the DnB sound evolved out of late 80s, early 90s breakbeat hardcore and jungle, influenced by Jamiacan dancehall and reggae. Rave culture gripped the UK, and a generation became addicted to sub bass through the soundsystems, the visceral kind that you feel in your chest. Today DnB is a global phenomenon, the 6th best-selling genre on Beatport behind house, techno and its sub genres.
Hospital Records and its festival outfit Hospitality has been at the forefront of promoting female artists within the genre over the last 23 years, stating publicly that, “we recognise the gender imbalance within drum & bass. We want to be at the forefront of pushing through a positive change for the scene and music that we all love, towards a more representative community that creates equal opportunities for everyone.” They pledge, “to continue our efforts to sign and expand our roster with talented female artists and release as many outstanding tracks produced by female artists as we can. Furthermore we pledge to increase the number of female DJs performing at our flagship Hospitality events.”
We met 3 of their top DJs, who happen to be women.
Sweatpea
When did you start listening to DnB? Who are some of the artists that inspire you?
I first started listening to DnB in my teens. I took a real love for it when I got to 18 and was able to go to London and go clubbing. Musically, early Icicle, Alix Perez and Spectrasoul were quite big inspirations. I was an avid buyer of Critical, Shogun Audio and Dispatch vinyl when I first started out back in 2008.
I really looked up to ‘Feline Crew’ who were a female collective in the scene at that time. It was made up of DJ Storm, Flight, Alley Cat, Miss Pink, MC Chickaboo and Deeizm. I remember watching DnB Arena videos on You Tube of their live mixes, it was great to watch as a young DJ.
How did you get into DJing?
A friend of the family used to mix UKG in their basement. I always enjoyed watching her, and the day she asked me if I wanted to have a go I couldn’t resist. I had my mind set on getting some decks and I saved up my paper round money (I was 12) for a whole year. It was a long wait but finally had enough to get some Numark TT1550 Decks in a Box.. exactly what is said on the box. Good old Belt Drive turntables. Not quite Technics (they came later) but it’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it.
What do you love about the DnB scene?
I love how much of a family vibe DnB is, everyone is very friendly, encouraging and welcoming. I’ve met some lifelong friends through the music and I can confidently say that I (and anyone) could go to a DnB event anywhere on my own, and know I would be looked after and would meet some great people.
Which track could you listen to on repeat forever?
That is a hard question! I chose this one because I think I did listen to it on repeat when I got it, and it’s sneaked its way into my bag again 🙂
How would you describe the kind of music you play?
It has some Drums and a heck load of Bass.
Have you ever experienced chauvinism in the male dominated dance music industry?
I’ve been very lucky to have been surrounded by very supportive and encouraging male friends. I have found myself come up with issues with promoters when it comes to money – not being paid enough or at all, when other artists have been. It’s all a learning curve and just makes you have a little bit more of a savvy business head. Money isn’t the easiest thing to talk about, but is one of those things you need to… and at the end of the day you are providing a service.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve been asked as a female DJ?
“Do you work here? We’ve run out of paper towels.”
Where do you think D&B is headed as a genre?
It will continue to grow and change, as it always does. Every year the music just gets better. I can honestly say its thriving at the moment. It seems jungle is becoming more accessible to a commercial audience, which in hindsight isn’t a bad foot into the DnB scene if you’ve never heard it before.
Complete this sentence: “Good D&B should make you feel….”
All the vibes x 100 🙂 Like everyone in the room becomes one.
DJ Storm
When did you start listening to D&B? Who are some of the artists that inspire you?
I started listening to what was called ‘Hardcore’ in late 1988. It was a mix of house, techno and acid house. My first piece of vinyl I bought in that era was ‘Alright’ by Sterling Void. Joey Beltram, Frank De Wulf, Todd Terry, Carl Craig, Masters at Work, Kevin Saunderson are just a few names we checked for anything on Strictly Rhythm, Nu Tone, R & S, Underground Software – to name them all I would be here all day!
How did you get into DJing?
I got into DJing through my obsession with the music and wanting to be in the music 24/7: so, my best friend Kemi and I decided we would try and become DJ’s.
What do you love about the DnB scene?
I love so much about the DnB scene, but mostly, I am so proud of this UK-created music that has managed to become a worldwide genre that has sustained through all kinds of adversity. This is when you know all the DJs, MCs, labels and promoters that have kept this music alive are in it for the love and belief of it, because let’s be honest, DnB makes you feel good!
Which track could you listen to on repeat forever?
Boy, that’s a tricky one because there are so many over so many years, but today I am going to say ‘Silver Blade’ by Dillinger. It never fails to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
How would you describe the kind of music you play?
I mix and blend straight up Drum & Bass. I play a little piece of everything – a rollercoaster of sounds and beats. Kemistry and I were always given this tag of a “rough to the smooth style” and that kind of sums my sound still today.
Have you ever experienced chauvinism in the male dominated dance music industry?
Yes, I have, some subtle and some very blatant. My advice is to stand up for yourself where needed and in some situations don’t sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day, if you have something to bring to this scene, you are determined and you have skills, then they will shine through no matter what sex you are.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve been asked as a female DJ?
“Can’t you mix then love?” It still rings in my ears lol!
Where do you think D&B is headed as a genre?
DnB is headed where it always has been: onwards and upwards.
Complete this sentence: “Good DnB should make you feel….”
Good DnB should make you feel like getting up and getting down.
Photo credit Giulia Spadafora
DJ Dazee
When did you start listening to DnB? Who are some of the artists that inspire you?
It began around 1991/92 when I shared a house with like-minded people. We used to hunt for free parties and raves every weekend and I remember being at a warehouse rave in Bristol. I think it was Sublove (Jody and Die) on the decks and it was just when jungle techno was emerging as a sub-genre of rave. Cupid’s arrow struck and I completely fell for the sound of the pitched up breaks and deep subs. Basically ever since that first enlightenment, I was on a mission, or “jungle crusade”. I founded Ruffneck Ting club nights with Markee Substance in 1993 and we were putting our tunes out on the label by 1995. We were totally inspired by trips to AWOL and by DJs like Randall, Kemistry and Storm whom we then brought to play in Bristol. It was and still is the energy and vibes and huge musical spectrum that has kept me hooked all these years.
How did you get into DJing?
I think it was inevitable. I was always the pest asking the DJ to play this or that every time I went out. Before I even thought about being a DJ I’d make dodgy “mixtapes” on my dual cassette recorder compiling stuff I’d taped off radio shows like Jeff Youngs Big Beat and early Pete Tong. While I was doing my art degree I had friends with decks and I loved it when I had a go. Then quite soon after I had a motorbike accident and got insurance which I immediately spent on decks: that was it! For months I don’t think I did much else, every penny I had was spent on vinyl. I was going to be called “DJ Sticky Glue” at one point because I wouldn’t get off the decks.
What do you love about the D&B scene?
I love the DnB and Jungle scene at the moment because I feel it’s evolved, come through a bad patch and then back to how it was originally. The younger generations now have knowledge and respect for the foundations unlike ten years ago when it got a bit chavvy. There’s a feeling of family and unity and a mad little joyful energy on the dance floor that no other dance style has.
Which track could you listen to on repeat forever?
PFM – One and Only.
How would you describe the kind of music you play?
A bouncy mix of jungle rollers and steppers with a peppering of jump up and classic vibes: the sound that my label Ruffneck Ting records is known for.
Have you ever experienced chauvinism in the male dominated dance music industry?
To be honest, I can’t really remember experiencing chauvinism as such. I’d say I experienced music-ism (if that’s a word) more than chauvinism, and I had to fight my corner for my music when it was really underground. I also had to stand up for myself and queue up for sets at raves and free parties when I was starting out. I had to prove myself with tune selection and mixing skills like everyone else – nothing to do with gender. Maybe I was too busy trying to prove how good I thought the music was to notice any chauvinism. I did get people offering to carry my record box especially when I used to wear skimpy skirts and long boots but I think I mostly declined the offers.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve been asked as a female DJ?
The most bizarre memory I have is from the late nineties or early noughties when I was asked to be part of a female dj promotional tour. A well known hair product company was sponsoring it and most of it was good – we had nice hair for a start. Lisa Lashes and Mistress Mo will remember this too…But there was one photo shoot where we were asked to pose semi naked behind purple cushions. Never did quite work that one out…?
Where do you think D&B is headed as a genre?
I think it’s as established now as house, techno, reggae, soul, funk or hip hop (all the influences that it evolved from) and it’s always going to maintain a lot of the elements it has now. People have come back round to the more organic sample-based jungle sound rather than the big EDM power-chord style that was popular for a while. I think little ebbs and flows of retro DnB or jungle styles will come in and out of fashion but always with a new twist. For instance, some of the jungle being produced now has a stripped-out tribal edge. Ruffneck Ting has pretty much stayed constant with its musical ethos but new standards of production continue to take it forward, which you can really hear with our current release from The Force.
Complete this sentence: “Good D&B should make you feel….
…energised and emotional.
Hospitality In The Dock returns on Friday 10th April 2020 where they’ll be taking to east London’s Grade 1 listed venue Tobacco Dock once more for another instalment of their well renowned drum & bass event within the capital.