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LISTEN TO MIX: download listen
Hey Stevie! First off, massive respect for all the cool artists that you have helped bring to
the forefront through your record labels and all the productions that you’ve had a hand in.
Thanks also for the killer mix you sent to CITP! How's life over at Bear headquarters and
are you working on anything exciting at the moment?
Life is good at the moment we are about to enter a period of hibernation so we gathering in
enough food and wine to last us until the beautiful sun comes back.
How many labels make up the Bear family these days and do they all have different
missions?
Well there is only Bearfunk and Hairy Claw with artist based stuff and the moustached wonder
that is the Ambassadors Reception (for our chop action). Yes I suppose they do have different
missions I suppose it's a reflection of my own needs at different times and different occasions.
I always like to disco but equally it's interesting hearing new takes of the disco influence with
the Bearfunk stuff and I always like to hear good deep house which Hairy Claw will be doing
more of in 2009
Any upcoming releases we should keep an eye out for?
Yes I think so on Bearfunk we have The Diaphanoids LP that is in the shops now! Soon to
come Arturo Capone's LP and single with Max Essa remix which is a great package. We also
have a new Lusty Zanzibar EP and Max Essa's début LP 'Continental Drift' will be come out in
Feb 09. Actually 2009 is looking very fruitful for the bears.
Rools For Rules II is nearly finished. I've done a few special collaborations too. The recordings
are a secret for now but that's just until there properly finished. Max and I also have a little
comedy disco side project with lots of spoken word and silly songs the project is called
Soiree. We have a mountain of new singles to release on Bearfunk in 2009 I'm excited.
Then with Ambassadors we have Loud-E with Loud-Efied Vol.1 CD and 12's which are filtering
out as we speak! Another compilation by me focusing on dismissed disco diva's and some
crazy splice action from Tako and Albion .
Oh yeah the new Afrobutt new LP Wunderbutt on Electric Minds early next year.
If your productions are any indication, you seem to always have been into leftfield dance
music ... deep, dubby disco influenced stuff. What would you say influenced you to pursue
this route and how did you get into DJing and production?
I think hard to say what influences your ignite your musical taste buds. I think it's easier to filter
the stuff I don't like from my brain. I like all kinds of music it's just about getting the right blend
for the right moment. I was influenced by many things to pursue production which was mainly
based upon raving with my buddies. Paul 'Mudd' Murphy and Tom Lee (Akwaaba) all partied
hard back in the day! so we were inspired to try our hand at making music we were into which
mostly was deep, dubby disco influenced stuff.
You have released music as part of the groups Chicken Lips and Akwaaba, have had
collaborations with Max Essa and solo releases as Hairy Claw, Dark Fader and so on. Are
there any lesser known monikers out there and who would you like to still work with?
Yes there have been many aliases over the years that's just a bit of fun with stupid names etc,
with Chicken Lips we have new LP coming in 2009 and we are starting a new label called
Lipservice which is going to be hot! With Max we have Soiree stuff coming out and with
Akwaaba there is talk of doing a remix LP in the future.
Do you still represent Chicken Lips as a DJ?
Well represent is the wrong word! I have been involved with Lips since 2002 and have done
the tours and compilations and production, but logistically it's hard to work on music all the
time as they live 150 miles away from me.
How did that happen?
It just came together naturally, spending time talking about music and just having the same
musical outlook.
You travel a lot and DJ all over. Do you enjoy being on the road and what’s your favourite
club to play at?
Yes I do enjoy it. Who wouldn't enjoy playing records for people? I'm lucky to be able travel but
I do miss my family if I'm away for too long so i try to do long weekends or a week at the most.
There are so many clubs that have something different about them which makes them special.
I like Japan for pure musical freedom, but there is great clubs all over! Too many to mention
here.
Would you say your DJing style has evolved over the years and is it possible to describe
where you think you are at the moment?
No it's always been the same I am proud of that! It depends on the situation, the people and
what the expectations of the club are, but I still like the same styles of music I did 18 years ago
I just have more of it now.
What do you think is the most important part of DJing?
Having you own style, having fun, taking risks and a healthy liver!
You are based in London , right? Have you always lived there?
Yes I have always lived in or around the London area.
Would you say the leftfield / underground dance scene in London is pretty healthy at the
moment?
Yes it's always been, People say this and that about London ! But I have travelled many places
and I'm yet to find anywhere like it.
What other producers or DJs do you find inspirational?
70's / 80's disco productions really do it for me. There are loads of DJ's I like to listen to in
different situations but guys like Loud-E and Beppe Loda are both great. Also Albion is a really
nice DJ check him out!!!!
Would you describe yourself as an avid record collector? I know you have released some
compilation CDs …
Yes I am always searching for records it never stops! The compilations are good to do but very
limiting, it's hard getting everything you want to say on 78 mins, but I love doing them.
Do you collect anything else?
Parking tickets
What 5 records are not leaving your record box?
Epsilon 'Wake up'
Baila Funkyland ' Fonkadoo'
Chappy 'Sultana 86'
Nazia 'Disco Deewane'
Don Ray 'Got to have love'
What do you think will make the world a better place?
If we all held hands in big circle that stretched around the world listening to the knights in white
satin LP by Giorgio
Would you like to give a shout out to anyone?
Amber & Felix my kids for waking me up at 6.00 every morning! Thanks guys I love you...
Who can people contact for DJ bookings?
The Agency or Backroom Entertainment
