Slade is a DJ who thinks that it’s a little bit more than just playing other people’s music. Throughout his life, music has always been a prominent factor with early influences of jazz shaping his current penchant for the progressive sound. Having been mixing now for almost two years, Slade has recently been appearing at a number of venues and events across our city.

For those of you who have not yet heard Slade play, let’s just say his sets are synonymous with flowing progressions and intellectual navigation. With his unique musical taste and ability to weave a number of styles so smoothly within a set, Slade is one local DJ you should definitely check out!

 

I’ve heard many DJ’s describe how they first got into dance music. For some it was hearing a single track, an album or even attending an event. What was it that initially got you hooked on dance music?

Throughout school I learnt the clarinet, so I was heavily influenced by jazz music. I was into bands such as Jebediah and Something For Kate as well, but jazz was always the primary musical influence in my life. Anyways, I was listening to RTR FM one night back in high school and I heard a program called ‘Black & Blue’ that was playing all this compost records material such as Truby Trio and United Future Organisation and being the jazz freak that I was, I was amazed to hear such modern, forward thinking interpretations of the jazz sound. So I delved more into this thing they called ‘electronic music’ which led me to the progressive CD’s of Digweed, Darren Emerson and Nick Warren. I’ve found myself mad about the progressive sound ever since.

 

So how did you end up as a DJ? Where was your first gig and what was it like?

Ever since I was a kid I was always sharing my music with other people. No matter what kind of music it was, I always wanted other people to experience what I was experiencing. I even helped DJ my sisters 21st birthday party when I was 11 years old!

I’d often record songs from the radio or cd’s and make up tapes and CD compilations of different songs that I was enjoying all the time and give them to family members and friends. So I guess the whole dj-ing thing was a natural development of that.

The first ‘gig’ I ‘played’ was a friend’s backyard party in Subiaco. Apart from the incredible amount of train wrecks, I was able to learn a lot from the other guys playing that night.

 

You have been playing out for a while now and you have quite a few gigs upcoming. What was your progression from your first gig to your current one? How long have you been DJ’ing for?

I started collecting vinyl at the start of 2002 but I didn’t start messing around on the decks until October 2002. Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to gain 3 residencies and appeared at various venues around Perth. I’ve also started up my own not-so-often night known as ‘Evolve’, which usually happens down @ West End Tavern.

 

Describe the ‘Slade’ sound..

I have trouble pinpointing a particular adjective to describe what I play. At the end of the day I’m just playing music that I love and enjoy and that I think will work in a particular atmosphere, and if people can join, share end enjoy what I’m doing then that’s awesome.

 

You are obviously into progressive and tech house. Are there other genres that you enjoy also?

Those two genres are primarily what I like to play, but I’ll try and keep things interesting by playing anything from breaks to deep house to tribal to progressive trance and anything in between. I don’t really like to play too much of one particular sound. I try and keep things fresh and vibrant and not get too bogged down in the monotonous rhythms that sometimes lends itself to progressive sets . 

 

Who are some artists or DJ’s that influence or inspire your chosen sound?

Sasha & Digweed, Truby Trio, St Germain, Propellerheads, Hybrid, Laurent Garnier, Phil K, Tony Thomas, Deep Dish.

 

What tunes are rocking your crate at the present moment?

Kriece & Jeff Bennet – Moral Compass – CDR

Was given this a while ago, but it truly is an outstanding track. Hopefully it gets signed soon. Local business.  

A Matsumoto & Dj Yoshi – Dreamer (Luke Chable Mix) – Precinct

Chable was getting a bit same-ish with some of his stuff lately, but he certainly is right on the mark with this remix.

Monkz – Nu Bluez – Alternative Route

This track has a bass line to die for. Bring this shit on.

Nils Hess – Circling The Sun (Bill Makris Mix) – Eukahouse

Another awesome bass line number.

Blackwatch & Greed – Gentle Rain (Remixes) – Sog Chrome

Another set of good mixes of this truly amazing vocal track. Nice.

 

Within the local arena there are so many talented DJ’s and producers. Who would you say has impressed you and why?

Dj’s… Tigger, Chad D, Law, Adam Kelly, Micah, Choice, Lanithium & Jon Noonan 

In terms of production in Perth at the moment, I don’t think you can go past Kriece & Greg Packer.

 

Perth sometimes misses out on headlining acts and big name DJ’s at festivals/events due to its location and size. As a result many of the local events/club nights held are quite reliant on local talent and support. Do you think this has a positive or negative impact on the development of the scene?

I can’t see how local events can be bad for a scene. Personally, I’d like to see more local nights in Perth, whether they are on weekends or mid-week, it creates more diversity, vibrancy and culture in a city I think. Although, I think Perth lacks appropriate venues sometimes.

 

Have you ever done any production work or do you plan to in the future?

I’m currently working on some acapella and lyric projects with some friends of mine, but no track production just yet, apart from the odd experiment, but nothing serious. I do hope to make some tunes in the future.

 

When you’re not cranking the tunes what else do you do besides Dj-ing? Do you get much spare time and if so what do you do for fun?

Chilling out with mates, going to movies, etc. I’m also a fairly sport orientated person so I like to try and keep active whether that be by swimming or playing hockey. I also enjoy babysitting my 3-½ year old niece and 2-year-old nephew!

 

Food and drink wise, what is it that cranks your tractor?

Mum’s roast lamb dinners always get me excited! In terms of beverages I don’t think you can go wrong with an ice cold Stella Artois.

 

What have been your favourite gigs that you’ve been to and/or played at?

Probably the Soda Room Sessions opening that we organised last year @ The Pallas. We managed to get the 3 rooms of The Pallas packed and cranking at midnight on a Saturday night. Drum n Bass in one room, breaks in the other, and myself playing funky prog in the RnB Room! People were loving it! It was just a shame licensing circumstances forced 2 of the rooms to close early. Chad D & Law playing to a packed mad for it Pallas main room later that night was awesome too.

Coming a close second would be a house party where I got to play back to back with Clint W & Cee. Truly a religious experience; being able to play with, and learn so much in one night from those 2 guys.

 

So, what’s next on your agenda? Do your future plans involve dance music?

Unsure at this stage. I’ve started working full time now, having only just withdrawn from university. So I’m looking to new paths and different possible careers ahead. I don’t place too much importance on my Dj-ing. It’s something I love doing, but it’s just a fairly important hobby to me at the moment, so I like to keep things in perspective. I’d definitely like to share my sound around Perth a lot more and possibly over east…     

 

 You can check Slade out at any of his upcoming gigs:

Oep & Trafik – Up & Comers @ Heat, 3rd July

Oep & Trafik – ITM Members Party @ Heat, 17th July

Virtual Energy and Antistatic – Blackjack XXI @ The Kitchen, July 24th

and all upcoming funkintimate productions events.