(: %()88 ("ll Nltl MR SCRUFF Trouble at Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Fri 15 Dec.
‘If you listen to a lot of DJs these days,’ opines Andy Carthy, aka venerable cut-up supremo Mr Scruff, ‘you get the impression that their knowledge of music’s history doesn’t go beyond last week. For me, it’s about reaching back. Whether that’s playing a new tune and then playing the record it samples, or a crazy new cover version, there are all sorts of ways to take something and put it in a different context. That’s the fun of music, it’s a limitless world, and so many DJs are much too narrow in their choice of music.’
It’s a manifesto which is borne out with a look back over Scruff’s career, which has seen his name enshrined in the pantheon of modern dance’s most eclectic and adventurous spirits. A youthful fan of 2- Tone and electro, Carthy’s Stockport childhood saw
[his issue:
other week
Kate 1 (ll‘fl/OI
crude bedroom tapedeck mixing progress to the real thing, first in Manchester’s Dry Bar in 1994 and then at Manumission. As a producer he signed to Ninja Tune in 1998, and his definitive Keep It Unreal album inspired his club of the same name.
With a variety of mix projects on the table (including the latest in his Keep It Solid Steel series for the label of the same name), Scruff keeps his hand in by touring his best-known night at home and abroad. ‘The width and the height of the stage at Cabaret Voltaire means I can’t bring Keep It Unreal’s full audio/visual show,’ he says. ‘I think this night will more resemble my Dry Bar residency in Manchester, which I actually prefer. It’s a pitch black basement with a great crowd and a mixture of my own music and the sounds which inspire me from the past five or six decades. Speakers, music, people and beers, it’s a winning combination.’
(David Pollock)
Colours and Hed Kandi are joining forces once again this Hogmanay for a huge glam house party with names like Tom de Neef, Rob Wilder and 2 Many DJs (Edinburgh only - sorry Glasgow). But one of the more unusual names appearing is Big Brother’s Kate Lawler. We chat to her about her new DJ skills.
Do you think the reality TV connection has made it harder to be taken seriously as a DJ?
‘Most definitely lhere are people who say "she only gets gigs '(;os she's been on lV." In my defence I'll say that's complete bollocks: 99% of promoters have wanted to hear my (ll) before they have ()I‘JEH me a gig. so it l':oiil<ln't l).J l wouldn't get gigs. Also. people presume | play (I()llllll()l(ll£l| music Some hellenzl actually asked me tor the [inmate/i theme tune the
I nearly knocked him outl'
Looking forward to playing Scotland on Hogmanay?
“()an't tucking ‘.'.’£lll. the Scottish know how to party so hung on the boom lol)\.'iously after my set has liiiislie<ll.'
So what can we expect on the night?
'lv‘ly style can vary but I love playing (lir'ty electro house and I tend to get a hit more dark and techy as the set moves on. I love (:luhhers who wanna he taken on a journey ol house music and not just listen to anthem alter anthemf ll lenry Northmorel
I Kate 1 aw/ei p/ays Hed Kandi/Colours Hogmanay Party, the Tunnel, Glasgow. Sun 3/ Dec; City. Edinburgh, Sun 3/ Dec.
Name: Patrick Pulsinger Occupation: DJ/Producer What’s the skinny? Well, Mr Pulsinger is basically one of those peeple that can produce. compose. play and remix virtually any genre of music and make it sound like the best thing you've heard since you grew ears. Can you give me examples? Well he set up the label Cheap with pal Erdam Tiinaken in 1993 and produced such talent as ChristOpher Just and the great Khan. He has also remixed artists such as Pet Shop Boys. DJ Hell, Grace Jones and David Holmes and his releases have appeared on labels as diverse as Disko B. Mo'Wax. Kitty Y0 and Hell's International Deejay Gigolos.
So, the guy has a pretty broad record collection then? His DJ sets are world renowned. He was a true German techno kid back in the day but his interest in vintage music and production values meant that he was always experimenting with different types of sounds in his DJ sets long before it became fashionable to be eclectic. You are just as likely to hear disco and funk mixed in with the more obscure end of house and hip hop as techno.
Anything else I should know? He has also worked with pop pixie prodigy Patrick Wolfe on his third album The Magic Position and not one to put all his eggs in one basket he has worked on film scores for independent films and animations and has dipped his toe in the art world by working on sound installations in Vienna with sculptor and painter Tobias Pils. (Sandra Marron)
I Patrick Pu/singer DJs at Kinky Afro at the Sub Club, Glasgow Fri 29 Dec.
l.’.l)e<:1)(l(lt3 .1 Jan .)(l(‘i.' THE LIST 51