There’s no introductions needed for this Perth DJ, unless of course you have been living under a rock for the past few years. Having proved himself a true stayer in the Perth scene over the 18 years he has been playing for, Kenny L has gone from strength to strength, particularly in recent years, cementing himself as one of Perth’s most popular and versatile DJ’s. His skills behind the decks supersede most others and teamed with his impressive ability to read the crowd and then deliver the goods, Kenny L has become an entity unto himself, a force not to be reckoned with! He has recently been booked to perform at ‘Fast Forward’ which is a massive event in Holland in August of this year. Constantly featured on all of the major events and festival line ups, one off events around town as well as his residency every Friday and Saturday night at The Church Nightclub, Kenny L has been getting some major exposure to the people of Perth for quite some time now. No wonder he took out the numero uno position last year. ITM reporter miss munnee catches up with Kenny L, as he reflects on the year that was, 2004.
A year has nearly passed since you won the Technics inthemix #1 spot in WA. How has it felt knowing you were WA’s ‘official’ favourite during this time?
I don’t believe, and I’m sure many other key industry people and punters alike would agree that I simply couldn’t be everyone’s favourite DJ; due to the genres of dance music I’m renowned for playing. In saying that I would be lying if I said I was anything other than beside myself knowing that the vast majority of Western Australia’s dance music community had registered their vote and made their opinion be known. Showing their appreciation in the best possible way for my hard work behind the wheels of steel.
Do you think it has changed you or things in general in any way?
Not really. I don’t think it has changed much or anything at all except maybe that people who had not heard or seen me perform before have made an extended effort to come out and do so; either at my residency on the weekend or at one of the many larger events/festivals that I have graced the stage of at some point over the past twelve months. It’s been great getting out there and meeting and talking to many punters who have nothing but good things to say to me about my work. This in turn has driven me to work harder again at doing what I love – playing dance music to entertain and get the masses shakin’ their ass and stompin’ their feet!
What have been some of the most memorable moments you have had over the last year?
A few memorable moments from the past year that really stand out for me would have to be, firstly, my set at Two Tribes at Mulberry Farm earlier this year. It has been my most memorable set without doubt. From the moment I dropped my first record, the tent came alive and punters seemed to flock in like seagulls to hot chips on the boardwalk at the beach. This saw the atmosphere quickly build to heights I’d never seen it reach ever before at such an early stage of the proceedings at any day event/festival. Better yet, it was in reaction to a local DJ’s set.
Secondly, witnessing The DJ Factory and Cybergroove team’s dedication and hard work pay off when our Ministry of Sound Hard NRG event (which sold out prior to the event) lifted the roof off Monkey Bar on Easter Sunday this year. The atmosphere was absolutely electric! I was overwhelmed by the amount of punters that stopped as they wearily made their way out the door at 6.15am in the morning and made a point to make sure they expressed their heartfelt gratitude to us for such a memorable night.
You have played at so many of the big gigs throughout the year. What would you say have been your favourites and why?
Two Tribes without a doubt would have to be the most memorable set I have played this year so far. The atmosphere in the Trance/Hard Dance tent totally enraptured me. After a few minor issues (getting lost and being minutes late) before getting to the decks, the day couldn’t of gotten underway any better. During my set, I even had one of our international guests, DJ Ed Real (Riot! UK) letting out bellowing screams of approval. Then there would be Slinky. Although this event didn’t attract the numbers that were expected, given the stacked line up consisting of three of trances biggest international artists (Agnelli & Nelson, Above & Beyond and Scott Bond), it was still another one of my most memorable events. It was an absolute honour to have graced the same stage as all of these artists, and at one event for that matter, let alone to be given many compliments on both my music selection and mixing skills; by all of these artists whom I had already and continue to hold in extremely high regard.
Why do you think you were voted as W.A’s best and what do you think it takes to be a successful DJ?
I think I was voted as W.A.’s best DJ for various reasons but overall it would have to be my 110% commitment and dedication to the music and the scene. I always like to ensure that every single punter on the dancefloor in front of me at anytime, in any club or at any event is having the time of their life. To be a successful DJ, it takes a lot of hard work and serious dedication. I’ve worked extremely hard over the past 18 years to get to the position I now am in my career. I’ve been noticing more and more recently that a lot of younger DJ’s coming up through the amateur ranks in the scene think that DJ’ing is more about their own ego and the glamour, rather than about their love for the music. They seem to forget that it is their job to work for and with the punters to ensure they’re dancing and having a good time, one that they will remember and cherish for sometime.
In terms of music, what would you say have been your absolute favourite tracks throughout the year?
I play so many different genres and although I’m not known in certain circles within the scene for doing so due to being pigeonholed, there are a variety of tracks in various genres that have so far become some of my favourites this year. These include:
???? – Cosmic Freefall : a tech-trance booty originally done by an artist who shall remain nameless which I received just hours before I was to play at Science Fiction ‘04. It has since become so popular that it was licensed and officially released by Cosmic Gate (it is their track that provides the base for this popular unauthorised mash up).
Young Parisians feat. Ben Lost – Jump the Next Train: a massive trance anthem that is building momentum at the moment in a similar way to Motorcycle – ‘As the Rush Comes’ which I don’t think is going to leave the front of my bag anytime soon.
Jam X & De Leon aka Dumonde – Blue Monday 2005: I first heard this track fresh from the studio on CDR way back in February 2004 when the boys played at the Adventure World 18+ Splashdown pool party. I almost died and went to heaven when they dropped this new mix, which stays very true to the original track but has given it just the update it required for the dancefloor in 2005.
Mr Timothy feat Inaya Day – Stand by Me: this is a hugely popular track produced by Australia’s own house master Mr Timothy from the Vicious Vinyl stable. A seriously funky, jumpin’ n pumpin’ house excursion.
Aaron Smith – Dancin’: this track caught my attention after hearing it on a sound system being played by one of my partner’s behind the decks, DJ Riki. It’s on a US Label (who says I don’t play/like US house!) called Moody Recordings and also features a remix by JJ Flores & Steve Smooth. A booty shakin’ tune for the ladies who like to move it.
Freestylers – Push Up: I know this one rates kind of high on the cheese-o-meter now after being flogged like a dead horse by the commercial radio. But, it doesn’t detract from the fact that Aston Harvey and the Freestylers team delivered an absolutely awesome party breaks tune, which is guaranteed to rock the show at any club/venue in Perth. Ya know it!
Chemical Brothers – Galvanize: after attending my first Big Day Out this year, I was totally mesmerized by this track (or maybe it was the retina burning lasers :p) which had punters reaching for and hanging from the rafters in the Boiler room. I prefer the original instrumental mix but the vocal mix featuring Q-tip isn’t too bad either. It’s not often a vocal is added to a dance track that doesn’t ruin it totally, this is definitely an exception to that rule.
You get booked for the big gigs around town as well as having your residency at The Church every weekend. How do you find playing to such a range of different crowds on a regular basis?
I always look forward to playing to different crowds in different venues. It keeps things interesting because I have to immediately adapt to the different surroundings and atmosphere within the given club, bar or event. I then assess the punters, what they’re getting into, what they’re not and then from those judgments, I make my tune selection and begin taking them on a musical journey. After DJ’ing for so many years it’s ever so easy to get stuck in a rut. Especially when you’re playing at the same venue every Friday & Saturday night, week in week out for weeks, months or even years on end and to the same punters within that venue. I especially look forward to the one off club nights, events and festivals as punters are attending because they are expecting something different. A new and refreshing experience, a change from the usual atmosphere they would otherwise immerse themselves in on a regular basis.
Your sound and style seems to have developed and changed over the year. How would you describe the Kenny L sound these days?
I agree. This year my music has taken a different direction but in regards to my style I don’t think it has changed too much. I admit while I still like to scratch it a little when I get the itch, I have also been re-introducing some of my old DMC battle skills to brighten things up a little; some rather risky beat juggling, phasing and delay mixing as well as some great tunes. Musically I’m still the same extremely versatile DJ everyone has come to recognize. I could be playing anything from UK and US house and breaks whilst also playing at the other end of the scale moving into all things trance and NRG. No matter what I’m playing, I still like to get the party jumpin’ and pumpin’ from the first needle drop.
Who do you think is in contention for the award this year? Has there been many local jocks that have impressed you and if so why?
That’s a very hard question to answer. There are so many local DJ’s and artists out there, who and for many different reasons, I think would definitely be in the running. But in my opinion it’s very hard to gauge overall, as there are so many genres and many DJ’s within these that have had much exposure throughout the past twelve months. I guess we will all just have to wait and see!
You can catch Kenny L at his residency at The Church Nightclub every Friday and Saturday night as well as many other events and clubs around town. As mentioned earlier, he will also be playing at his first international gig in Holland for Fast Forward in August.
>> Don’t forget to vote in this year’s Technics inthemix50 – cast your vote at http://www.inthemix.com.au/50/
