I had a fantastic opportunity to work with a fellow podcaster Bazooka Joe and host a guest mix on his show, including an interview. Be sure to check it out at solipsisticnation.com
I would like to thank Joe for the opportunity to do the interview and guest mix, I had a lot of fun producing a mix which truly shows the diversity of The Electro Show.
The Electro Show host Nathan Phelan caught up with Kissy Sell Out following the final broadcast of his weekly residency on BBC Radio 1, to discuss his time with the BBC, his charity work, record label, future plans and he even took some time to answer some fan questions….
The Electro Show (ES):
Before I begin I would like to say that I am honored that you have taken the time to give us a little insight into ‘The Life of Kissy Sell Out’. As of March 30th your residency at BBC Radio 1 on Thursday nights came to a close, what did the Kissy Sell Out Show mean to you and your career?
Kissy Sell Out (KS):
Cor blimey, we’re diving straight in with that one haha! Well….it’s been a tough week. The funny thing is that my family and friends have got so used to me locking myself away in my studio each week for endless hours, rethinking and remixing the music for that show, that it all came as a bit of a relief for them when the end came! Even my radio producers must be a little relieved it’s over – although, both the girls got very upset on the last night bless ‘em!
The people around me who book my DJ gigs and work at my label etc, are all really pleased that I can finally go away for longer than 6 days and visit places I should’ve gone to years ago. I think I’ll snap into that way of thinking after a few weeks too, but I’m still making the transition.
Put it this way, it’s been about 5 days since the final show and I’m still receiving hundreds and hundreds of letters and comments each day from fans about the show – so many in fact, it’s become quite traumatic just checking my emails!!
You’d expect me to say I loved doing that show but it’s more complicated than that. It became incredibly personal to me. Many of the fictional computer-voiced characters, for example, were named after my family or friends, and when things were getting me down you could definitely tell from some of the ambiguously emotive things they’d end up saying! If you’ve been listening for more than a year then you will have definitely spotted some of those occasions!
ES:
Looking back on your time on the air, what were some of the things you liked best about being a host on Radio 1?
KS:
When I started I was trying to prove a point by how wacky the show was but as soon as I noticed how much the audience cared about the show, and also how much it meant to new producers on the scene when I supported their tracks, it stopped being about me and more about the community. I truly loved the concept of it being like an after-school youth club – but for everyone, no matter who you were or where you lived.
ES:
There is no remix quite like a Kissy Sell Out remix, and every week you filled 2 hours with brand new remixes of the latest & greatest tracks. Were the remixes prepared tracks or did you produce The Kissy Sell Out Show in the same manner you perform your DJ sets, with 4 Pioneer decks and a mixer?
KS:
Oh they were definitely pre-prepared!!! You have no idea how many hours I spent working on all those Kissy Klub Versions – they weren’t just full studio re-edits but they were all properly mastered at San City High too!! My manager has said many times over the years that I should be doing 2 or 3 remixes a week for the show MAXIMUM! But….the show was what it was and I couldn’t bear the thought of it being less than I imagined it could be.
My live sets have always been very different in tone from my radio shows. The theatricality and weirdness of the radio show doesn’t work in so well live so my live sets are far more epic and BIG! For every classical music edit I did, for example, there would be 2 versions, one for the Kissy Klub and a tougher one for the clubs.
A DJ’s live DJ tools are a very sacred thing! Giving all my live secrets away each week would give people no reason to come to my live shows!
ES:
During your final broadcast you stated that The Kissy Klub will live on, what can its members expect from their boy?
KS:
Well the reason I made the Kissy Klub Versions in the first place was because the BBC have strict restrictions on producers playing their own music (tax-payers money and all that) so the whole point of Kissy Klub Versions was that no one else could have them. Now ofcourse, it’s over. So, with about a thousand remixes to release in to the wild as individual tracks and special podcast DJ mixes, my Soundcloud page (soundcloud.com/kissysellout) should be producing some fireworks regularly from now on!
Kissy Klub can now be used as the name of the club nights we put on too which I’m very excited about! The first one will be at XOYO in London on the 27th of April – come down!
ES:
In the past you have been a big supporter of Charity Work, in 2008 you were involved with the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, are you still doing what you can to help not-for-profit organizations?
KS:
I’m still involved with many things, the BAAF in particular. I don’t really do things like that to look cool, I just think they’re good things to help with if you’re capable. I recently did a magazine feature and a gig to promote a male suicide awareness and prevention charity called CALM which I think is a very worthy cause. The statistics they have on the number of young men killing themselves are truly shocking.
ES:
San City is a label you started and not only features yourself but also some very notable producers such as Zeds Dead, Art vs. Science and Hot Pink Delorean, what was the motivation behind starting the label?
KS:
Believe it or not, the label was the first thing I started – before Kissy Sell Out even started making music haha!! The idea is simple really, we were just some of the first to start doing it. Give all the artists 50 percent of everything and only sign them for the track (s) that are on the single release. Then they hopefully get some good exposure and go on to better things. It’s been wonderful seeing so many of my crew go onwards and upwards – Zeds Dead are huge now!
ES:
You are a big supporter of unsigned artists, much like The Electro Show, can you give us a little peak into the future, one or two artists people should be checking out?
KS:
Well times are a changing and everyone is talking about different people but right now I’m digging Valymo, ETC!ETC!, CODE:MANTA, Saint Saviour (I’m remixing a track called “I Call This Home” from her new album), Stuff Ya Disco, Munchi, Hackman, DYP, Krywolf (still) and hmmmmmm…..Mak & Pasteman and Danny Westcott.
ES:
Last May you released your 3rd Album Wild Romance, preceded by Youth (2009) & Introducing Kissy Sell Out (2010, North American Only), with more time to focus on your music and performance, what can we expect from Kissy in the near future production wise? (Remixes, Singles, A New Album?)
KS:
“Introducing..” was more like Nirvana’s “Incesticide” album really in that it was bits and pieces I had left over and needed the world to hear.”Wild Romance” is like a greek titan in comparison and is the 2nd album proper haha!!! With the extra time my radio show-free life has I desperately want to release a slew of banging singles to get my tracks back into the night clubs again as I’ve been unable to work on anything significant for ages… : ( I have about 6 new projects which will come out as singles on San City High across the world as soon as I finish tweakin’ em! They include collaborations with DJ Taku, Queen Of Hearts, Saint Saviour, TAI and more (don’t wana give too much away!!)
ES:
Referring back to the massive amount of tracks you have remixed or put your own touch on over the years, will there ever be an album or series of albums featuring your remixes?
KS:
…oh man I would still LOVE to do that! I’m so proud of my official remixes in particular because they are the ones I spent most time on and I’ve never let one out into the wild unless I thought it was the best remix I’d worked on at the time. I’m sad to see that my second remix for The Noisettes of “Wild Young Hearts” or my remix for Acoustic Ladyland of “Cuts & Lies” aren’t even on iTunes!!!?! They are some of my favourites and I’d love to put an album like that out so hopefully I’ll get the opportunity….you never know!
ES:
Do you have any advice for aspiring electronic music producers or DJ’s? (perhaps a tip or bit of knowledge you wish you had of known when you were trying to get off your feet)
KS:
It feels like a spit this line out so often that it’s not such a new idea anymore but I still think it’s the best advice I could ever give.
Here it is….. In life everyone has their particular interests or hobbies – it might be fishing, painting & decorating, snowboarding, or whatever – but some of us care more about certain passions than others. In fact it’s the special thing that most “creative people” have. Over the years I have discovered that whether in my own experiences or from meeting other people and hearing their unusual life stories, if there is something that you care about so much that you have been practicing that thing every single day since you can remember and you know everything there is to know about that one subject. ……chances are, that you already possess a talent that far exceeds that of most other grown-ups who already get paid to do it!!
I have literally met a guy who fished for England because he knew so much about fishing as a child. A friend of mine studied computer science (or similar) at University and for his dissertation he documented 2 different ways of successfully hacking into the website of a HUGE multi-national corporation. Once he’d done the project he sent it to the corporation and is now head of international I.T. for them!!!!!!?!
The moral of this is that if you have made a tune and you truly believe that it is the best thing you have ever done – based on your exceptional knowledge of modern music – then go for it! Email EVERYONE. Give a CD to EVERYONE. Invent a Facebook, Myspace, Soundcloud, Twitter, Bebo, Tumbler…do EVERYTHING…….and if you really are that talented then amazing things will happen! ….I should’ve saved that for a million dollar book deal haha!!
ES:
Do you have any advice for any aspiring broadcasters?
KS:
Not really! Kissy Klub was a one off. The only reason I personally was any good had more to do with my production abilities than my knowledge of radio if I’m honest. I just picked up the presenting stuff along the way!
Fan Questions from twitter:
DJ Setlist Service (@djsetlists) : How many times do customs pull you to one side at airports when they say “I’m a DJ”?
KS:
It’s not the “I’m a DJ” moment that gets you in trouble with customs. It’s looking scruffy! They’re looking for people with bags of weed in their socks and stuff so if you look clean, nice and put on a smile as you go through – you’ll be ok!
Jim Emery (@tuetonicmusic): my question would b is it better to b on a label, or fly solo. Is there any point in labels anymore?
KS:
An independent label is a great way to release your first material, but never sign an album deal! Do the big things yourself.
Mike Sperry (@xMassiveDynamic): Do you have any easy mastering tips for producers?
KS:
Put a good compressor and a brickwall limiter in your master channel and master the track as you work. Make sure the release on the compressor is allowing the kicks to come through and don’t blast it into the compressor too loud just to maximize the volume. You can do that with the limiter.
ES:
Personally I have been listening to you for the last 3 years on BBC Radio 1 on Thursday nights, and quite often throughout the week on the iPlayer, your energy and demeanor is outstanding and I always knew if I was in need of a boost before creating an episode your show was the first I would listen to. On behalf of The Electro Show and its fans I want to thank-you for taking the time to do this interview, and best of luck in the future, and LONG LIVE THE KISSY KLUB!
KS:
Thank you – what a wonderful interview to take part in! X x
Kissy Sell Out Links:
Website: http://kissysellout.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kissyselloutpage
The Kissy Klub: http://www.facebook.com/kissyklub
RSS: feed://kissysellout.com/rss.xml
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kissysellout
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kissysellout
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/kissysellout
Be sure to check out The Electro Show Podcast available on iTunes
I am proud to announce that affective today, The Electro Show can now be heard every Monday and Saturday at OutRageFM at 3pm EST.
Tune in and enjoy, the show will be available for download following its airing on OutRageFM at all the usual sites!
- Nathan
Conga Records Interview
Conga Records, an electronic music label, based out of Bologna, Italy was ‘born from the desire to discover new musical talents, trying new sounds and influences.’ We caught up with Andrea Muleri to learn more about Conga.
The Electro Show (TES): Andrea, your website states that Conga Records was ‘born from the desire to discover new musical talents,’ how has Conga Records developed since its creation?
Andrea Muleri (AM): Conga Records was born a year ago with the idea of creating a launching pad for musicians still little known but very talented. In the past Conga Records offered Hip Hop and Electronics before moving permanently to electronic music in any kind of form.
TES: The Electro Show has featured a number of great artists on multiple podcasts with the likes of Jookay, 13, Madness E, and Banditude. How would you describe amount of artists Conga Records represents?
AM: The artists we promote are many, however, we have a group of musicians more oriented towards the publication of songs with our brand.
TES: How would you describe the relationships and interactions with artists on your label? What do you do to help Electronic Music Producers?
AM: To promote new music we give our artists the chance to have a custom cover for their song and promotion on our channels. For Albums and Compilations, our task is to find and choose the artists, creating the cover and promote in our channels and our work in electronic music sites.
TES: After reviewing the Conga Records Soundcloud page its easy to see that it does not matter the genre, all electronic artists are welcome from Progressive House to Dubstep, Techno to Dark Ambient, is there an electronic music genre Conga Records doesn’t represent…maybe one your just waiting to add?
AM: We are open to every genre and style of electronic music, including combinations with other genres. We love electronic music 360 degrees!
TES: The label has released a number of compilation albums Neutral Point of View, Sound of Silence, along with monthly soundcloud sets, is there a method to creating these compilations, themes or otherwise?
AM: For the creation of albums and compilations, part of the projects is looking for musicians or songs just for the product we have in mind.
TES: Would you say Conga Records has any headline artists, if so who would they be?
AM: Congarecords can count on a group of artists who are part of the project and are more established; Jookay, Robin G, Clusta, Planctophob, IIMUSE.
TES: Who are some new signings that fans should watch out for?
AM: There are many new artists to watch out for, what’s most difficult to make sure that people hear what is presented.
TES: If an artist is to submit tracks to Conga Records is there any requirements, or recommendations you have for them?
AM: We listen to all proposals that are made to us when we find an interesting song or musician we are ready to promote it in the best of our ability.
TES: Best way to submit tracks to Conga Records?
AM: Just send us tracks using the DROPBOX on our soundcloud page: http://soundcloud.com/congarecords/dropbox/profile
Andrea thank-you so much for this look into Conga Records and what artists and fans can expect from Conga. The artists you are promoting are very good and I look forward to hearing
Conga Records Links:
Website: http://congarecords.wordpress.com/
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/congarecords
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CongaMusicRecords
Lee Mortimer - DJ, Producer, Label Owner
The Electro Show, Nathan Phelan (ES): Lee, in the last 2 months you’ve released a great remix of the legend Roni Size and a collaboration with Autokratz, for the young up and coming artists out there what kind of steps do you have to take to remix a track from a legal stand point?
Lee Mortimer (LM): You just hope the sample police don’t come knocking really! That did actually happen when me and Foamo sampled an old disco track for our tune ‘Superman’. The owner of the recording got in touch and I ended up paying to clear it.
ES: For your collaboration with the Autokratz, do the three of you do a studio collaboration, or was it created through multiple correspondence (email, AIM, etc.) and could you describe the process a bit for us?
LM: I’ve not actually met the chaps in person! I said to the guys to work on a melodic breakdown which they do so well. They emailed me an absolute cracker and I came up with the bassline and arrangement. I sent back what I’d done and they added some new synth and touches. That was pretty much it for that one. It was pretty quick.
ES: What can we expect from Lee Mortimer in the near future in the way of releases?
LM: My remix of Olivia by Maribou State has just come out on Fat! Records. It’s been getting some support from Laidback Luke and Steve Aoki I believe. I’ve also got a remix coming out on Dim Mak which features vocals from Romanthony. Remixes of Ferry Corsten and Speaker Bomb (who I’ve signed to Wearhouse Music) are on the way too. I’ve been working on a lot of originals as well which will see the light of day soon. These included collaborations with Laidback Luke, Crookers, Dave Spoon and Tai. Loads of goodies!
ES: Tell us a little more about Wearhouse Music the label you manage, what led to its conception?
LM: It started off as a way to release my own tunes back in 2007. There was quite a gap between the first and 2nd releases as my vinyl distributor was rubbish frankly! They’ve gone under now so that tells its own story. From the 2nd release onwards it just became a digital label as I could control everything a lot more easily.
ES: Who should we be watching for in the future from Wearhouse music?
LM: Speaker Bomb, who I mentioned have been sending me some really good turbo-funk. They’re Italian guys and must’ve been taking some hints off of Reset! I think. They’ve got one EP out now and another on 27th of Feb. Decibel has been making some waves with his unique take on dubstep. I don’t usually delve into dubstep on the label but this guy has got some tricks up his sleeve and has been getting some good support all over including (BBC) Radio 1.
My latest signing is a guy going by the name of Digital Switchover. Proper big room bass goodness.
ES: The festival season is coming, is there any particular events you are looking forward to most this summer?
LM: I’ve got Glade Festival in the diary already. Chew the Fat! are hosting a stage and have asked me to play. The last time I played there it absolutely bucketed down so let’s hope it’s sunny this time! That’s what you get for DJing in an ice-crean van… true stury!
Shooting Gallery:
A) Most inspirational DJ/Producer(s) growing up?
Derrick Carter
B) Who would you most like to tour with right now?
Metronomy
C) Synths or Software? If so what are you using?
Software: Reason, Ableton, Massive, Razor.
D) What track is getting the most play on your earphones these days?
Can I say BBC Radio 6 Music? Just did.
ES: Thank-you for taking the time to give your fans some great insight into the life-and- times of Lee Mortimer.
For more information on Lee Mortimer be sure to check out the following links:
U|S|B - Lobster EP
Techno has been driving the Electronic Music industry since the late 1980’s and U|S|B have created a diverse evolution of the genre that would do the Belleville Three proud, along with a few other innovators. The roots of techno are well represented with strong 4/4 bass, and that classic Techno hi-hat sound, yet U|S|B have added a wonderful unique twist of their own. From the soothing Acid sounds in Snap Dragon to the driving Industrial lead of Sandcastle, White Out’s classic 4/4 to the injection of Hard Techno in Calculator. Even the high tempo energy in the title track Lobster would get any crustacean off their shell and off to the battle grounds of deep ocean discothèque.
Signed to London based Neon Skyline Records U|S|B’s February 2012 EP Lobster is a definite add to any Techno and Industrial lovers wish list.
Nathan Phelan
The Electro Show
http://www.twitter.com/TheElectroShow
For more information on U|S|B visit Neon Skyline Records:
U|S|B - Lobster Available on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/lobster-ep/id501481577
8 Bit Weapon – Bits with Byte
Are you tied up stopping an alien invasion and saving the planet? There’s a soundtrack for that you know, ‘Bits With Byte’ the latest album release from 8 Bit Weapon. Chiptune, Bitpop or Nintendocore call it what you will, but all are genres of electronic music created with an 8-bit computer sound in mind, and 8 Bit Weapon is leading the pack. Since 2003 the duo Seth & Michelle Sternberger have been creating music inspired by classic video game soundtracks.
Track by track Bits with Byte is adventure after adventure, sending you digging through your closest for your NES just to play this album while you and RoboCop save the city. From 80’s infused Remixes to Smithsonian Anthems 8 Bit Weapon have indeed created an album with ‘Byte’. Every track sends you into an instant day dream, on quests to rid the world of parasitic robots or to save the princess, ‘Bits with Byte’ takes Chiptune to a new level.
Nathan Phelan
The Electro Show
http://www.twitter.com/TheElectroShow
For more info on 8 Bit Weapon visit:
To Purchase the Album ‘Bits with Byte’:
The Electro Show 2nd Day of Podcastmas Playlist
Playlist
Artist – Song – Genre
Erasure - I Lose Myself - Synthpop
La Roux - Bulletproof - Synthpop
Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf - Synthpop
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls - Synthpop
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express - Synthpop
The Postal Service - Brand New Colony - Synthpop
Please note all the mixes on this site are for promotional use only.
Please support the music we all love by buying the tracks featured in the mixes. If your music is featured on any mix and you do not share my view that this is good promo for everyone, please contact me and I will remove it immediately!
The Electro Show 1 Day of Podcastmas Playlist
Playlist
Artist – Song – Genre
High Contrast – If We Ever – Drum & Bass
Sub Focus – Timewarp - Drum & Bass
Shimah – Electro Step - Drum & Bass
Tantrum Desire - Reach - Drum & Bass
Wickaman & Hoodlum – Na Goin Fool Me Again - Drum & Bass
Netsky – Tomorrow’s Another Day - Drum & Bass
Please note all the mixes on this site are for promotional use only.
Please support the music we all love by buying the tracks featured in the mixes. If your music is featured on any mix and you do not share my view that this is good promo for everyone, please contact me and I will remove it immediately!
The Electro Show Indie Artists December, 2011
visit The Electro Show website: http://www.electroshow.ca/
Playlist
Artist – Song - Genre
Mi Disguise - Scary People & Mi Disguise - Dubstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/mi-disguise
Teutonic - Sands - Electronica
http://www.soundcloud.com/teutonic
Manolis Moumouzias - Tired of 01010101 (U) - Bitpop
http://www.soundcloud.com/manolismoumouzias
Learning - Guns Around Here - Experimental
http://www.soundcloud.com/learning
Just Like Ammy - The Pharyngeal Reflex - Industrial Dubstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/justlikeammy
Joanpi - A Day at the Beach - Trance
http://www.soundcloud.com/jonapi
Arecibo - Saved - Progessive House
Ill-iteracy - My Neighbourhood - Hip Hop
Digiwobble - Rockcity - Dubstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/digiwobble
Breeze Squad - Tomorrow (Might Not Come) - Bitpop
http://www.soundcloud.com/breezesquad
Nick Bruno - Knowledge is the Past - Dubstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/nickbruno
Seven7hwave - A Simple Conversation - Electronica
http://www.soundcloud.com/seven7hwave
Tingle In The Netherlands - Prostitutes Handbag - Electropop
http://www.soundcloud.com/tingleinthenetherlands
Heffay - At Night - Dubstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/heffay
Djae Aroni - Sybarite - Dubstep/Synthpop
http://www.soundcloud.com/djaepunk
Eroticore Stench - Whompin and a Whompin - Drumstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/eroticore-stench
Abezilla - In THe Grip of the Neurosis Ped - Jungle
http://www.soundcloud.com/abezilla
DJ G-Mix - Mr. Swag - Electro House
http://www.soundcloud.com/dj-g-mix-1
Rival-Re - Sunshine - Dubstep
http://www.soundcloud.com/rival-re
Papercut - Dirty Dirty - Progressive House
http://www.soundcloud.com/papercutofficial
DON’T FORGET TO SHARE THE SHOW WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
LEGAL:
Please note all the mixes on this site are for promotional use only. Please support the music we all love by buying the tracks featured in the mixes. If your music is featured on any mix and you do not share my view that this is good promo for everyone, please contact me and i will remove it immediately!
