Electronica

DJ Sy Interview

When did you start DJing, and why?

In about 1983, after hearing Hip Hop & Electro being mixed on the pirate
radio stations of the time in London. I wanted to mix & scratch like the
guys I heard on the radio!

How did you first get into the Hardcore sound, and why?

Hardcore evolved from the acid house and rave music of the late '80s, so it
was more a case of the music finding me rather than the other way round

Describe the feeling of getting into the charts with your remix of 'Let me
be Your Fantasy'?

Not really that bothered, cos it was only a remix, and actually there was no
financial reward to be gained from it charting. We made more money from the
white labels of it before it was signed to London Records. More frustrating
than satisfying from that point of view I guess! Much rather chart with an
original hardcore tune, un-altered and at 170 bpm!

What do you think of Hardcore's current status, and do you feel there is a
risk of over-commercialisation?

The more exposure for the music the better, so there's little risk of over
commercialisation. After all, no hardcore tracks in their pure, 170 bpm
form, have ever charted. Hardcore is wicked at the moment - loads of new
talent biting at the heels of the more established artists, making us work
ever harder, which can only be good. The atmosphere at all the recent gigs
I've done has been fantastic. I just wish there were more people into it!

What moment do you remember most in your musical life?

Probably tuning into those pirate radio stations I mentioned in the early
1980s, and hearing this raw, percussive music that just sounded so fresh and
funky compared to the drivel on Radio 1 back then. I can't begin to describe
how wicked that music sounded back then, and there was absolutely no media
coverage or exposure for it in those days. It was like a truly unique, and
completely individual, discovery.

What is your most memorable moment of madness? Eg// what is the maddest
thing you have done?

Probably driving from London to a gig in Exeter, and then to one in
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and then back to London, all in one trip with my
brother in about 1992, with no breaks or stop overs. I'm sure you can
imagine the speeds we were doing to complete the journey on time. Other
moments of madness have been highly illegal, so I won't go into them.....

How do you produce your tracks?

Err, can't answer that without writing a book.

Did you ever think Quosh records would be such a successful label when
starting out in 1994?

Well I suppose it had a good foundation, what with my (this sounds really
conceited) status as a dj, and Chris Unknown's talents. Actually sales on
all hardcore labels have dropped since 1996, so it depends on how you
measure success.

Any plans for other collaborations or new labels?

Not at the moment. We're concentrating on releasing material from new
artists, and thus giving the new breed a chance to make a name for
themselves. The scene will become stagnant again if the new breed is not
allowed to flourish!

Thanks again to Sy, click here to return to the homepage


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	DJ Sy Interview When did you start DJing, and why? In about 1983, after hearing Hip Hop & Electro being mixed on the pirate radio stations of the time in London. I wanted to mix & scratch like the guys I heard on the radio! How did you first get into the Hardcore sound, and why? Hardcore evolved from the acid house and rave music of the late '80s, so it was more a case of the music finding me rather than the other way round Describe the feeling of getting into the charts with your remix of 'Let me be Your Fantasy'? Not really that bothered, cos it was only a remix, and actually there was no financial reward to be gained from it charting. We made more money from the white labels of it before it was signed to London Records. More frustrating than satisfying from that point of view I guess! Much rather chart with an original hardcore tune, un-altered and at 170 bpm! What do you think of Hardcore's current status, and do you feel there is a risk of over-commercialisation? The more exposure for the music the better, so there's little risk of over commercialisation. After all, no hardcore tracks in their pure, 170 bpm form, have ever charted. Hardcore is wicked at the moment - loads of new talent biting at the heels of the more established artists, making us work ever harder, which can only be good. The atmosphere at all the recent gigs I've done has been fantastic. I just wish there were more people into it! What moment do you remember most in your musical life? Probably tuning into those pirate radio stations I mentioned in the early 1980s, and hearing this raw, percussive music that just sounded so fresh and funky compared to the drivel on Radio 1 back then. I can't begin to describe how wicked that music sounded back then, and there was absolutely no media coverage or exposure for it in those days. It was like a truly unique, and completely individual, discovery. What is your most memorable moment of madness? Eg// what is the maddest thing you have done? Probably driving from London to a gig in Exeter, and then to one in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and then back to London, all in one trip with my brother in about 1992, with no breaks or stop overs. I'm sure you can imagine the speeds we were doing to complete the journey on time. Other moments of madness have been highly illegal, so I won't go into them..... How do you produce your tracks? Err, can't answer that without writing a book. Did you ever think Quosh records would be such a successful label when starting out in 1994? Well I suppose it had a good foundation, what with my (this sounds really conceited) status as a dj, and Chris Unknown's talents. Actually sales on all hardcore labels have dropped since 1996, so it depends on how you measure success. Any plans for other collaborations or new labels? Not at the moment. We're concentrating on releasing material from new artists, and thus giving the new breed a chance to make a name for themselves. The scene will become stagnant again if the new breed is not allowed to flourish! Thanks again to Sy, click here to return to the homepage