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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! | | Goa based party animal and artist extraordinaire Nirmal talks punk concerts, metal sculptures, flying and rippin' it up on a High Tide! | | DJ Wired talks to us about the Rise of the Hope and parties, ahead of his upcoming set at Tribal Village on 14th January 2022! |
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Welcome to the revolution: interview with the Digital Kid
Reported by K8-e
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Submitted 15-06-06 20:48
Most recently playing for Digital Fusion’s Terminal, Supernova, Extreme Euphoria and in the CyberKitten room at Heat, earlier in the year, Digital Kid has definitely started to make waves on the London circuit. With upcoming bookings at future Frantics, Crasher and Nu-Religion, two new residencies under his belt and an array of tunes to his name I thought it was about time I pointed the spotlight on this talented young man.
Hailing from Lincoln originally Paul Beesley’s production came to the fore through the much loved Genero Project. I absolutely love his trademark sound, which features cheeky cut up vocals over funky ass grooves (for starters!), and it seems I’m not the only one. With plays from the likes of Andy Farley, Superfast Oz, Whitby, Amber D and the Tidy Boys (to name a few) and support from the Frantic and tidy camps, the Digital Kid revolution is definitely on its way!
Paul, welcome to HarderFaster. Thanks for taking the time to chat. I hear you have moved recently, are you all settled in your new place?
I’m certainly trying, the worst thing you can do is move house in my opinion, I didn’t bring a lot of stuff from my old place so one big major shopping session is in order.
I’ve only moved 45 miles up the road though to near Peterborough so it’s not that bad, not too long a trip home to see the family and my old chums.
There is an ongoing debate that surfaces every so often on HF about using real names vs made up dj names. Why did you decide on Digital Kid?
I decided on it basically because everything is going digital, so being one of that generation I thought I’d call myself that. Digital Man doesn’t really have the same ring to it!
You’ve been producing for five years now, were you always a producer or did djing come first? Where do you feel most at home?
I first got my decks at quite a young age, I was about 12/13 when I swapped an old motocross bike I had (Yamaha YZ80 for those that are interested) for my first set of decks. Kam things they were, I thought they where the bee’s knees then but it all started from there really.
Dance music has always been in me so through growing up I was always on things like music on the Playstation, Dance Ejay etc. trying to make the odd tune that you think’s brilliant but really isn’t (admit it we’ve all done it!).
The djing was definitely first for me and the production came later for sure, but now I think I am equally comfortable with both, and being able to play your new tune out at the weekend and watch the reaction is really an added bonus!
You run your own label Beat Teknique and Infekted with Danny B, sister label to Corrupted. Tell us a bit about your involvement and what’s been happening?
Beat Teknique had its first release out in March and I’m just working on the second release now, which will be a Digital Kid & Edwin Van Cleef EP. Ash (EVC) is a very talented lad and I expect to see a lot more from him in the future also.
Danny is a mate of mine who wanted to start a label. We got together and made some trax and Infekted was born. We are also about ready for the next release on that too, featuring Matt Smallwood, Danny B and myself.
Other than that I’ve been really busy lately working on stuff for Deprived Of Funk, the new Deprivation offshoot label, (which Jukesy lovingly calls Deprived of Digital Kid), which is the sound I seem to be really making my name with right now.
Digital Kid’s Beat Teknique label
Let’s talk about your sound then. I’ve heard quality tunes from you covering funky techno/hard house right through to the hard stuff in both genres, which is pretty impressive. What inspires you across the different genres and do you have a favourite style to produce?
My favourite style has always been funky hard house, the Untidy Dubs sound is one way of describing it or basically music that makes you dance. Hard house can sound so hollow at times sooooooo . . . stuff with groove that makes ya move! Ha ha!
It really works on the floor and over the last few years we have seen a big change in the style where everyone just wants to go fast and as hard as possible, but at the end of the day that’s not what it’s all about. There’s a time and a place for everything and like you have said, I do make the harder stuff myself too, but let’s not forget where it all came from in the first place, not everything has to be 160 BPM!
Like some other major talents in the scene today you use FL Studio to achieve your sound. Do you ever come up against any musical snobbery over this and what’s your response?
LOL Yes, to be blunt.
All the time you come across musical snobs. Most of the time, especially when people come to work with me or ask me what I’m using and I say Fruity Loops, they can’t believe it. If they can’t believe it then I’m doing something right or maybe it’s not to be disregarded as a learners toy like some people seem to think. The old ones maybe, but lately FL5 & 6 have been top class IMO and I don’t see a reason to change, it’s certainly doing the business for me and plenty of others I know.
Your first Tidy release (‘Dirty Hoe’) with Chris Hoff, featured alongside his tune — ‘Shut Up’ and is soon to be available on the Tidy Ibiza album mixed by Amber D. If that’s not enough you also have a solo EP in the pipeline with tidy, you must be feeling pretty pleased? I hear it will be featuring one of my personal favourites of yours — ‘Get Warm’? When can I finally get my hands on a copy?!!
That’s a great achievement for me, throughout my growing up tidy was the name everyone knew in hard house (not hard dance, hate that description!) so for me to be doing my own EP and also to be signed with Tidy Publishing is a great honour. I am working on a 4 track EP to show the variety of the tracks that I make, I am not certain ‘Get Warm’ will be on there Kate but I will let you know as soon as I do . . . (You’ll just have to wait a bit longer!).
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
You are good friends with Chris Hoff. One of my favourite promo mixes from last year was one of your B2B sets, are there any plans for playing out together in the future?
Chris and I have played out quite a few times already this year, we also have a few more things in the pipeline. Our next event is June 23rd @ Early Doors in Manchester where we make our Manchester debuts alongside Ben Stevens & Justin Bourne B2B amongst others so that should be a corker. Get down there people!!
We have a few other things being lined up at the moment but I am just waiting on confirmation.
Asides Chris of course, who would you most like to play a B2B with and why?
Hmmm that is a good question, well I have a set lined up B2B with Jukesy soon as a Deprived of Funk vs Deprivation set, so that will be cool. I would probably have to say Andy Farley though just because he’s as good as it gets in our scene, a true legend.
You’ve engineered for JP & Jukesy and Amber D to name a few and remixed the likes of Calver and Marc Johnson/DMF (check Digital Kid’s full discography here: www.digital-kid.co.uk). If you could work with anyone who would you like to make a tune with? And is there any tune you would love to have a go at remixing?
Another corker, errr, I’d love to make an electro hard house crossover tune with someone like Switch or Steve Angello — that would be interesting!
You’ve introduced me to the wonderful Edwin van Cleef, whose tunes frequently feature in your sets and mixes. What other up and coming producers should we be looking out for?
Ash Howarth (EVC), like I mentioned earlier, will go far. He’s really carving his own sound now with his techier productions and I very rarely play a set without at least two of his tracks in it, definitely one to look out for . . .
Other than that obviously Chris Hoff, SQ, and Jon BW seems to be making quite a name for himself. Adrenaline Dept have sent me a few bits lately which have really impressed me.
Digital Kid in the CyberKitten Room @ Heat, Koko, March 2006
Recently you’ve had two major residencies announced: Digital Fusion pres: Terminal, which will see you resident alongside Phil Reynolds and Alex Kidd) and Nuclear Audio (with Amber D). You are also booked to play at multiple forthcoming Frantics and an electro set at Gatecrasher too. How did all this come about, and in such a short space of time?
I think I was just in the right place at the right time, everybody seemed to go in a phase of playing as hard as possible all night long. Going out, that really did start to get monotonous, the same music all night. So I tried to go against the grain a little so to speak and not follow everyone else. Obviously I’m not the only one doing that but it really seems to have paid off for me and ultimately, made me stand out a little more at this moment in time.
The Frantic thing is really something I’ve always aimed for. Obviously for events they’re as big as it gets in the UK, so to play at Brixton Academy and then be told that they are impressed and would like me back is something I am very proud of. To play at Supernova was a great achievement in itself, and I would say it would be to any dj.
Nuclear Audio is looking really exciting. It’s at the Masque in Liverpool, the venue has a wicked reputation and there’s some awesome stuff being lined up for that. The residency just came about after the promoter Mackie got in touch with me and basically offered me the residency. With Terminal it was pretty much the same: Vince, one of the promoters, heard one of my demo CDs, then heard me play and asked if I would be interested and that was that really.
I do also produce electro and electro influenced house so I am playing for Funk Deluxe at the upcoming Crasher Bank holiday event, which by the way looks like being awesome!!
How are you finding the London crowds as opposed to playing up North? Is there much of a difference or are we all just out to party the same?
I think I find up North the crowds are more like people you see all the time, with London being such a big place the crowds are always so different and varied. That can be a good thing though as you never know what to expect; up North I think you kinda know what you’re in for most of the time.
You went out to Canada earlier this year to do some production, have you got any other foreign travel in the pipeline? Are there any countries you are keen to visit?
I am planning on touring Australia, that’s all in the pipeline at the moment so I can’t say too much on that yet. I have just been sorting out another production/djing trip to Miami which I am looking to do sometime in October; that should be awesome as I’ve always wanted to go there. And last but not least I have some dates coming up in Holland and again more on that soon.
Do you have a day job? If you weren’t djing and producing what do you think you would be up to?
I engineer and make tracks most the time, so you could say the engineering/producing is my day job.
I can’t even contemplate me not making music or djing?!!
But if I wasn’t djing and producing I guess I’d be at the football a lot more often on a Saturday for one!
OK, to finish off, some quick fire questions:
Favourite film?
Green Mile, Butterfly Effect
Top 3 tunes of all time?
Errrrr, so many I don’t know where to start! Pass . . .
Favourite label (not one of your own!)?
Deprived of Funk, tidy, Terminal . . .
Marmite . . . love it or hate it?
Hate it.
Finally, I’m off to the bar, what you having?
If you’re paying, one of everything!
For booking & engineering/remixing info please contact digitalkiduk@hotmail.com
Photos copyright Colin Davies and James Garside. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Catch Digital Kid playing at Frantic Vs Storm in the CyberKitten room this Saturday (17th June):
Frantic Vs Storm
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On:
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Saturday 17th June 2006
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At:
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The Emporium [map]
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From:
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2200-0600
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Cost:
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Tickets £12.50+BF
Call 0871 220 0097 Or book online at www.theemporiumuk.com
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Website:
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www.theemporiumuk.com
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Ticket Info:
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www.theemporiumuk.com
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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We give you 7 reasons why this is going to THE Hard House Gig in the Midlands and the North for the WHOLE of 2006:
1) We live for the NEW! New DJs, New Tunes and the New Hard House Fightback. Tired of funky house, bored of breaks we give you a chance to take your nightlife that little bit faster, and a lot harder! The new Hard House takes the best elements of Hardcore, Hard Trance, Hard House, Techno and Hardstyle to give you a new way to spend your Sat nights!
2) Our Heroes, Your Heroes: Andy Whitby, Cally Gage, Proteus, Alex Kidd: These ARTISTS are putting the fun and the PASSION back into our beloved Hard House Scene! Frantic vs Storm gives you your only chance outside the mighty HHA to see all our Gods on the one line up!
3) We never FORGET! It’s not just about the new. Like the Rave Scene we know how to respect our HISTORY! We bring you a Classic Set by the mighty K90 and a Midland's and Northern EXCLUSIVE with Lab4 performing a Public Choice PA, where YOU get the chance to vote for your 10 favourite Lab4 tracks of all time!
4) The New Hard House Tribe! Yes our scene may have got smaller, but before your eyes the seeds of a new Hard House Revolution are being sown. Only a year ago DontStayIn and other sites were all about Funky House, but day by day WE are joining and now it’s all about the colourful Hard House community. From Cardiff to Birmingham, London to Norwich, Leeds to Brighton the Hard House Tribe is growing!
5) Some come, some go, but Frantic and Storm still fly the flag for Hard House! With 15 years living the HardLIFE no one puts on a show like us! We are covering the Emporium Rave Palace with Frantic and Storm Decor, brand new visuals, a very LTD Edition Signed Andy Whitby Mix CD that WILL ONLY be available FREE to the First 200 Arrivals on this night and then be deleted forever!
6) CyberKitten! UK’s fastest rising Hard Dance promotion has taken the nation by storm delivering jet fuelled parties featuring the cream of the scenes hot an’ hip emerging talent! Get yourself ready for the CyberKitten Experience as it lands in the Red Room for the stellar event! Expect hell’s bell’s madness as CK presents a searing line up showcasing 12 of the freshest Nu Breed stars! In a b2b frenzy witness Lucy Fur, Steve Gillen, Digital Kid, Elvis, Matt Pickup, Booth, HyperVixen, Simon Vegas, Nasty Neil E, Andy Rise, Brad Duke and Jenifa - raise the freekin’ hard roof! CK’s madcap tours are legend, expect CK’s travelling band of looney toons, cyber babes, dirty dudes, filthy diva’s, fast lads an’ disco dollies. Ready to ROCK IT!
7) Funkylicious! Bringing you some of the most diverse fresh house and electro DJs in the land, combining Jacking House, Twisted House and Filthy Electro these boys know how to make people dance! Having already hosted rooms at the Brunel Rooms and at Nu-Religion’s launch party, Funkylicious never fails to deliver an unforgettable house experience.
Frantic vs Storm will only happen once in 2006! This is not a regular club. This is not even an EVENT. This is a PURE and UNMATCHED Hard House Rave!
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Other Features By K8-e:
The One and Only Eddie Halliwell
PunchFunk & Geushky Presents "Let's Make Rave" with Ian Void & Chris Vaux
Cream @ Amnesia - Ibiza 2010 - Reviewed
Pure Gold: Interview with Will Gold
Turning the Corner - Interview with IAMX
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: SQ on 15th Jun 2006 21:56.34
top interview K8-e!
Sound bloke...totally down to earth and his music totally rocks! has carved out unique sounds!!! will rise and rise even more in 2006!
on a personal note, i feel privileged to be mentioned in the same league as ad dept. , chris hoff (legend) and john bw
NICE ONE 
From: karl davis on 15th Jun 2006 22:03.54
good stuff keep it rocking
From: karl davis on 15th Jun 2006 22:07.06
good stuff keep it rocking
From: DJ Lusty on 15th Jun 2006 23:08.21
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaarp!!
;-)
From: Mark. on 16th Jun 2006 01:53.53
Excellent interview.
Cool guy, cool tunes. Going to go to the top. 
From: Adrenaline Dept on 16th Jun 2006 09:23.29
Cheers for the mention on here m8y!  Keep up the great work and keep those excellent tunes coming!
From: JP and Jukesy on 16th Jun 2006 10:44.12
top guy, top tunes!!!
DVRFUNK002 out now, DK & Elvis EP
Get ya groove on!!
From: *cheeky chick* on 16th Jun 2006 11:13.24
nice interview
and Digital Kid you better get used to me snapping away when you're playing in london 
From: mattpickup on 16th Jun 2006 14:42.20
wooooooooooooooooo Thats what its all about spot on mate !!!!!!!!!! Great interview
From: Edwin Van Cleef on 16th Jun 2006 18:05.29
wicki-wicki-wild-wild-west
From: NICE_GUY_DANNY on 16th Jun 2006 19:20.01
good shoveling titchy squid!!!
From: Matt Smallwood on 16th Jun 2006 19:23.24
Nice one Squidders, looking forward to 'Nyla' hitting the shelves soon :o) Feel da funk!
From: Steve Gillen on 16th Jun 2006 20:25.14
good stuff fella
From: Yojo - Cyberkitten on 16th Jun 2006 23:15.09
Excellent interview Kate
All the best to D K - look forward to hearin' you ROCK it again for CK tomorrow night!
 xx
From: Scott Fo-shaw on 16th Jun 2006 23:39.48
nice one buddy!!
From: brad duke on 16th Jun 2006 23:58.53
Top T'interview... FL studio all the way!
From: Digital Kid on 17th Jun 2006 20:36.04
Thanks everyone!
From: twist on 20th Jun 2006 13:06.04
I was very impressed with the demo. DK might be a brave new talent.......
From: sexyminx on 20th Jun 2006 21:55.08
Wicked interview, nice one  DK wicked to have met you Keep up the good work
From: HyperVixen on 21st Jun 2006 20:22.56
Great interview Hun, Was great to see you at Storm too, I hear you rocked it!! Looking forwad to what you have in store soon.....
From: HyperVixen on 21st Jun 2006 20:28.27
Greatr interview too K8-e, your a muse with your words.... mwah
From: Arnold on 27th Jun 2006 23:54.50
HAHAHAHAHA!!! One of everything??? some things never change!!
Sweet interview tho!!!
From: Digital Kid on 28th Jun 2006 13:43.09
Well wouldn't you if it was free? lol :P cheers mate!
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