DJ K
INTERVIEW TAKEN FROM WWW.RAGGA-JUNGLE.COM.UA NOV 2008 link
1. Andrew, you are one of the biggest person inna world jungle culture, when did you start your career?
I grew up in Ottawa Canada listening to breakbeat and jungle as it was starting on the university radio stations here. In the late 90's I was producing a ton of breakbeat music and putting them on mixtapes for friends and promoters, and was attending a lot of local raves where jungle & hardcore really caught my attention. By 1999 I bought my own decks and had a small vinyl collection started and began playing shows in my hometown. My style & selection was much more danceable and aggressive than what other dj's in my city were playing at the time and immediately I started becoming a well-known name in Ottawa, headlining raves and weekly afterhours clubs. While drum & bass was normal to hear, I chose to produce jungle that was an updated throwback to the 94-95 style that was so influential to me growing up. Dropping them into the peak moments of my live sets and sending out demo CD's, soon some songs were picked up by N2O & Big Cat and before long I started my own label to be able to release my own tunes. At the same time my mixtapes were becoming focused on unreleased jungle and ragga jungle and with digital recording and high-speed internet becoming more common, they started making their way across the world. Between the mass distribution of vinyl and the online mixes, the response from all different countries has allowed me to become recognized in the world jungle culture, and I have enjoyed connecting with everyone who appreciates the same music as I am making.
2. Why exactly ragga-jungle?
In my opinion, ragga-jungle is the best music that has ever existed. The feeling it gives satisfies my hunger for aggression, vocals, sweet melodies, grooving basslines, a good beat, complex patterns, and has a real honest organic feel to it with samples and cuts that just fit right with me. To be able to offer something to the world of ragga-jungle is a dream come true, I am honoured to be a part of it.
3. DJ K... how did you find your dj-nickname?
My parents gave me a middle name "Kay" at birth. I still don't know the origins. It sounded cool and just felt right to me when people would shout me out as "K", so I went with it and it stuck.
4. What role does vinyl play for you? What do you think about digital technology?
I've switched entirely to digital technology. To be able to play all my own dubplates and those sent to me by other producers, it was essential and this was the best option. I miss the days where I spent months tracking down the perfect vinyl, packing my flight case and being able to spin 12 inches, but it just wasn't possible for me anymore as I started to often play exclusively unreleased music. Collecting and playing vinyl is definately the most rewarding experience as a DJ, and this is why I still believe in it and continue to press it.
5. What your next plans in music?
The dubplate production hasn't slowed down, so I have a ton of new material to unleash on the next tour - the killa tour 2009 has been taking shape and I will be playing across Europe with Mighty Melody for several months, official details are on the killa website. There is also a b2b mix we did for download there. The podcasts have been steady, I finished 5 since returning to Canada, and these will continue to be produced, showcasing new music and producers indefinately. KILLA003 vinyl is set to go, just finishing up some final details on production and distribution. It will be Grind & Brighter Dayz, audio clips also on the website. I am taking the first steps to put a killa digital release out soon, watch for that. Celestial Conspiracy will be releasing one of my newest tunes on vinyl in January, also watch for that. What I've been spending most of my time doing is meeting and talking to producers and junglists around the world, planning shows, updating my website, having fun. I've also been contributing in my hometown as a co-promoter and designer for a series of jungle events that have been taking place here. The next one is Konkrete Jungle Ottawa 1, Nov 21st and it's my official send-off party before heading to Europe, we expect it to be packed! I love jungle, so I keep trying to do all I can to get involved.
6. Can you give some advice for young producers?
Don't get discouraged, don't be afraid to try anything, and do whatever you feel is right. There are so many young producers with wicked talent that can make tunes that would kill the dancefloor but somewhere along the way when building confidence they get knocked down and gave up. Being inspired to make music is one of the most amazing unexplainable phenomena in this world, and it has the power to change yourself and affect everyone who hears it. When I first started producing, having quite a difficult life with no money or reputation or feedback, I dreamed of being able to have 1 person tell me that my music made a difference in their lives. I never imagined that I could have so many people show their massive appreciation as they have over the years. I'm just a person like anyone else who had that inspiration and never gave up on what I wanted to give to the world. I pushed for many years often with no results but I just believed in what I was doing enough to keep trying until the right time came along.
7. And last question. Please say something for our massive and growing website - ragga-jungle.com.ua
I love you Kiev. Thank you for the unforgettable memories, I nearly lost my mind to the good vibes and massive support last tour. I look forward to returning in 2009. Bigup Stepkillah & Anna, all of those I met there who reached out to me: O.R.B., the 2 Anna's & the crew that came to Prague, Oxana, MTV Ukraine, all those who I can not remember the names, those who I took photos with and spoke with, I really look forward to spending more time to meet you all again. Bigup ragga-jungle.com.ua, keep jungle moving forward!
peace & respect, DJ K www.killarecords.com