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DJ's are just human jukeboxes. Do you agree or do you think it's something a little deeper than that?
I've was once told that I am a indeed Jukebox by a lovely patron once - I asked her to press all my buttons!
DJing is a job - you're paid to entertain and it can be hard work at times. It's obvious to play venues with your kind of people if you don't, it's just harder or without increased effort you can expect trouble.
DJs should always try to expose fresh new sounds and it's equally important for patrons to listen and try and get into it - everyone should be there for a great time, a spirit celebration.
What is it that can best describe what you play?
The genres include hip hop, jazz/ original breaks, afro, latin soul, funk, house and techno.
When out I typically spin these sounds with a 4/4 beat and house it up. You'll also hear a few broken beats and some
techy bits from me too. My latest mixes can be heard at
www.exagroove.com and are updated fortnightly.
Do you think that in the long term, your style will play a much bigger part in the scene than it does at the moment? Are you in a transitional period as you experiment and develop your sound further or do you intend to stick to your current sound?
I hope for the best.
I am effectively starting from scratch again after an extended break and look forward to meeting a lot of new punters,
owners and DJs and reacquainting with the old crew. I want to bring something new and fresh to Perth as I have done in
the past (e.g. Ohm NRG, VIBE @ Greenwich and contributing to RTR FM's Rhythm Fix and Full Frequency programs as a presenter).
Nowadays I am going out of my way to play only fresh sounding quality soulful music that can perhaps add to people's
life experience: give them songs that they find meaning in, melodies that they can hum and the memory of great times and
experiences with friends and people here in Perth. It's not like this doesn't happen at all. It's just a more important
part of my particular focus. My current sound doesn't always push patrons along onto the dancefloor - it invites them!
I hope people get into it - it is a different kind of ride. It's the old school approach from New York - key clubs and
parties like The Loft (I was first intrigued by David Mancuso some 15 years ago!), Paradise Garage, Zanzibar,
The Gallery etc. All I ask is for people to come down and try it. If you like tell your friends - bring them too.
If you're not sure come back at least once again. I've also got some pretty cool ideas and technology for sound system
design too!
Who are some of the artists that have inspired you over the years?
Stevie, Marvin, ELO, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Yello Magic Orchestra, Caberet Voltaie (Sensoria & Don't Argue), GMF & Furious 5,
Grandmixer DST, Parliament/ Funkadelic, BDP, James Brown (met him!), The Meters, Donald Byrd, Larry Mizel, Alphonse Mouzon,
Idris Muhammad, Bernard Purdie, Black Jazz Records, Roy Ayers, Sly & Robbie, Melbourne Old School Homies, DJ Peril, Larry
Levan, Arthur Russell, Herbie Hancock, Salsoul Records artists , Gwen Guthrie, Jocelyn Brown, Minnie, The Blackbyrds,
Philadelphia Records artists, Kraftwerk, New Order, Depeche Mode, FK, Tony Humphries, Timmy Regisford, Afrika Bambatta,
Heard/ Owens, Blaze, Steve Hurley, Cajmere, Eddie Fowkes, Chez Damier, Ron Trent, Roy Davis, Masters at Work, Derrick
Carter, The Clash, Derrick May, Juan Aitkins, KMS, Mr Monday, Madchester, A Guy Called Gerald, Beltram, UR, Moodyman,
Sounds of Blackness, Gilles Petersen, Patrick Forge, Phil Asher, Ashley Beadle, Marcos Valle, Joyce, Tamba 3, Deodateo,
Fela Kuti, Manu DiaBango, Basic Channel, Frankie Knuckles, Red Ember, Dave S, Ultimate Beats & Breaks, Electro Comps………
plenty of new guys and girls.
Name five releases that have left their mark on you, and tell us why they did.
Saturday Night Fever ST -Honestly, I loved the tunes on this as a kid was about 6 at the time. I could never work why 1-2 years later no one wanted to listen to it.
Public Enemy 1st Album - It about '87 and hip hop is my life. The writing, the music the dancing. The music went flat for about 6-12 months (this was at the end of the old school era) and then out comes this album along with RUN DMC and Eric B… Whoa!
Derrick May - Strings of Life 12" -this record was one of a kind and when it came out the term "techno" didn't even exist - it was simply a house record not from Chicago but Detroit. It was a blinder! It was rave before rave. Look out for a 2004 reworking by Danny Krivit and Funky Lowlives.
Jam and Spoon - Stella 12" - Have great memories of hearing DJ Sasha dropping this at Berlin (in 92?). Moby's GO was mixed in on either side of it. What a track and part of a night to remember!
Braxton Holmes - People Everyday 12" - Big VIBE Thursdays @ Greenwich record. Punters were genuinely happy, ecstatic and joyful every time this was dropped. A real anthem for the (then) new school.
Name the worst record you own and why.
I got a few UK house attempts from the late 80's that were useless compared to the US product at that time.
Back in the day a couple of club clowns in Melbourne paraded around like Beastie Boys and released a rap album they were
called Tricky J and Gumpy - we paid out on them continuously. I was given a copy - don't know if this counts.
Who in the local scene impresses you the most and why?
Ben Stinga - always, but where is he??? I am pretty proud of all the old VIBE DJs who have made name for themselves t
here's at least 10 out there working hard and going strong. I like the old cats that are still kicking especially Hutcho
and Greg Packer, the perennial Dave Jackson. I like the fresh D&B/ Jungle guys mixing in more soul/ jazz/ latin sounds
into their sets - go for it experiment, keep it fresh.
Quick 5 questions:
Favourite Perth Event: I saw Dr Alex Patterson from The Orb in 2004. Dropped some wicked (proper) techno in the first half of his set. Poor event but the only one I've attended in Perth this year.
Hottest Chick In The World: My daughter Alba - just like her mom!
Favourite Animal: She-She (not chi-chi) friend's poodle.
Favourite Perth Pub: Inglewood, Belgian Beer Café, Queens - you gotta do a few! Does Hudson on King St count? Great potential there.
Worst Movie Of All Time: Toxic Avenger - but in a good way!
Finally, with the turbulent nature of the Perth music scene at the moment, how do you see things evolving and changing over the next few months, and where do you think you will be amongst it all?
4 the better & on top!
Anyone who wants to reach me you can do it though www.exagroove.com
Last modified 27/10/2004
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