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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - 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! |
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How to Pickup at CyberKitten HardLine
Reported by Lucy Fur
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Submitted 04-07-07 18:56
Winner of Best Small Club at this years Hard Dance Awards, CyberKitten continues to go from strength to strength. Presented four times a year, CyberKitten HardLine showcases the hard dance scene's freshest, most fierce, male talent with the July show certainly no different featuring several of the industries rocketing DJ/producers and of course Matt Pickup
Gracing the CK decks for some time, this Friday sees Matt celebrating his official residency party. As Matt's co-resident and personal friend, I spoke to the hyperactive legend himself to find out more ahead of the big day.
Everyone starts somewhere! Where did it all begin for you and how did you get into DJing? Why Hard House?
I got into DJing when I left school and started clubbing. I bought some decks and spent some serious hours playing on them. I’ve always loved dance music, but back then I was more into trance. Trance was the ‘in’ music to listen too in 98 – 99, until I stumbled upon Insomniacz @ the Corporation, after Gatecrasher @ The Republic (RIP). After seeing Lisa Lashes and Anne Savage back to back well I was hooked. Hard House was the way forward and the rest is history!
Is there a story behind your name or are you just lucky?
My dad gave it me - haha - fortunately or unfortunately which ever way you look at it, I was blessed with the surname Pickup.
For those that haven't had the opportunity to see you play, how would you describe your sound as a DJ?
I would describe my sound as upbeat, energetic and fun. I hate boring repetitive music. I only ever play tracks that have got something about them. I’d like to think to that my style is a little bit different too. Hard House for me has always been about fun, it makes people smile, and that’s what I try to express and fit into my sets.
Your official CK residency bash takes place at their upcoming HardLine event. Being made resident for any promotion is always a very euphoric experience for a DJ. CyberKitten has supported you regularly over the past two years. How does feel to be made a resident?
Amazing! Like you said, it is honor to become resident at any night across the country, but having played for CyberKitten regularly over the last 2 years, and knowing its clubbers and the crowd, I’m genuinely over the moon about it.
In the two years I’ve played for Cyberkitten I’ve seen it go through very challenging times (venue loss), to great times like winning Best Small Club at the Hard Dance Awards, but the effort put in behind the scenes was always strong throughout both times. There’s also an awesome focus on the part of the promoters and the crew. It’s always a brilliant atmosphere at CK. Happily as resident, I’m looking forward to many more great nights in the future with CyberKitten.
Matt Pickup @ CyberKitten Room at Heat, Koko Club 2006
CK’s July HardLine is a dedicated showcase of DJ/producers. Your residency set sees you sharing the stage with co-residents Steve Gillen (DTW), Nasty Neil E, Andy Rise (Hard Up Digital) and guest regulars Karl Davis (Hard Sounds/Pure NRG), Riggsy (X-tension Records/Nil By Mouth). Kauz n FX and debut guest DNG (Ricochet Recordings). How important do you feel DJ/producer parties are?
Really important, without the producers the music scene would not be able to progress. All the producers that are on show at HardLine this Friday are all top quality Hard House producers, but all different in their styles. Over the last few years, Andy Rise and Steve Gillen's productions have come on leaps and bounds, some of the stuff they’re knocking out at the moment are destroying dance floors. Riggsy has constantly been producing quality stuff ever since I got into hard house but I’ve really been caining some of the collaborations he has recently put out with Frank Farrell, Mini Minx & Lefty. I also think it’s really good that people like Karl Davis get the opportunity to come over from Ireland. Also that DNG is given his debut set at this particular CK. Karl and Tim (DNG) are playing a versus set, they represent two completely different styles of Hard House, which is good because it will add a different spin within the party and it’s all good upfront material instead of the run of the mill nonsense. Well done to CyberKitten for leading the way with this kind of event.
Congratulations by the way, on your recent Deprivation release with Jon BW (Beijing). I hear you've been busy in the studio again recently and that we have some more vinyl to look out for?
Yeah I was really pleased with the signing to such a big label in the industry. I’ve recently been very busy in the studio again and I’ve got three more tracks due to be released on vinyl, all engineered by Tom Parr. Peer Pressure is due to be released on Nosebleed Records, it's certainly not for the faint hearted. Funky Music, which I can guarantee is not funky music in the usual sense, is also due out soon. I’ve another collaboration with Andy Rise and Tom under our guise of Secret Society called Psycho which is due to be released on Adam M’s new label Oktane Records. So it’s all good in the hood on the production front at the minute.
Last year saw the launch of your digital label UFC records and recently you've been very busy with CyberKitten resident Andy Rise, starting up some more exciting new digital labels, can you tell us a little more about these and what we can expect?
Yeah me and Andy have recently set up two new online labels: Hard up Digital and Hard Up Funk. Hard Up Digital is for the harder end of hard house and the Hard Up Funk label is the groovier, warm up untidy dubs sound. The first three releases on Hard Up Digital are out now, with the first three releases on Hard Up Funk due out soon. We recognized how difficult it is these days to get tracks pressed on vinyl with the digital revolution taking over, with a number of great up and coming producing talents across the country not getting an opportunity to get their tracks heard, so we started the labels to help new producers get spotted. Since we started we’ve been sent some great tracks, so watch this space for some new quality up front stuff. The labels can be found on www.tidydigital.com and www.trackitdown.net.
Which up and coming DJs and producers are making you sit up and take notice at the moment?
I think at the moment Hard House is brimming with new quality DJing talent both male and female. Cally Gage never fails to impress along with your self Lucy. As for male DJs there are loads that are really on top of their game at the moment Andy Rise, Deano, Morgan, Steve Gillen, Paul Batten and Sam Townend to name a few. It’s fair to say Hard House is in good hands for the future. Producer wise, same again to be honest. Loads of good young talent Jon BW, Riggsy, Frank Farrell and Tom Parr are really producing some quality material of late.
Can you tell us who are your firm favourites from the established players?
Justin Bourne, as the guy is a mixing machine. For me, Andy Farley is the daddy of Hard House, I’ve never seen him play a bad set ever. Ben Stevens is an absolute quality DJ too.
What are your stand out tracks of 2007 so far?
Beatniqs – Kick It (Barney Stout mix) really loving this track, and it’s due to be released in a couple of weeks on Vicious Circle. Paul Glazby – Genetically Modified is an absolutely corking track as well.
Matt Pickup @ CyberKitten for Storm Vs Frantic at The Emporium, Coalville
Must be asked – the vinyl versus digital debate. What’s your word on this? As a DJ and as a producer?
Vinyl will never die, but it’s all about Digital. How could I run two digital labels and say vinyl (lol). As a producer it does make it harder to get tracks pressed and make any serious money, but as a DJ it’s much easier to get upfront new material so it’s a catch 22 situation. If I had to pick… It’s all about digital.
Fair to say, for those who know you, you’re an absolute animal behind the decks, full of energy and ballsy enthusiasm. How do you drive up and down the country each weekend and cope with 12hr shifts at work?
I can tell you now, not easily!! People at work know now not to speak to me when I’ve been playing the night before - haha. But needs must, if I didn’t do it I wouldn’t get to play. I love Hard House, love everything about it and I am very passionate about it. So I guess it’s the passion and the hundreds of cans of Red Bull that get me through!
As a solo DJ you are clocking up some great gigs, but you also pair up with Mr Andy Rise a fair bit. As well as both playing solo, you’ve done many memorable back to backs together at CyberKitten. As a duo, you’ve also played out a number of other promotions. How did you two meet, and when did you start playing together?
Quite luckily really as I’ve known Andy for years, we were really good mates before we could mix. So it’s been great both gaining recognition within the scene at the same time, we’ve been able to help each other. It’s not something that me or Andy kind of pushed, playing back to back, it just happened. I can’t remember the first time we played back to back, but I do remember an early one playing at Ground Zero @ Keele University and I can honestly say we were rubbish! Over time we’ve played hundreds of back to backs, so I guess you kind of learn what the other person is going to do next. Even though he does surprise me with some of the crazy stuff he does! I do prefer to play on my own and think that if you asked Andy the same question he would give you the same answer, but I do love playing with him, as we do cause some right trouble on the dance floor, musically of course!
Do you have any spare time between DJing, producing and working, and if so what do you like to do with it?
Wish I did!. I do love sport in general, in particular football. I try and get down to watch my beloved Blackburn Rovers when I can.
The buzz on HardLine is immense, looks like quite the date to get made resident. Right Mr Pickup! What can we expect from this set? Will it be fast and furious, which is what we have come to expect from you or...?!!
To be honest, looking at the line up its going to be fast and furious from start to finish, but you can definitely expect a lot of fun and energy from my set. I’m looking forward to it, see how many tracks I can squeeze in an hour - I love a challenge. Bring it on!
CK’s renowned for their hosted rooms on tours but for clubbers who haven’t had the chance to experience a CyberKitten home show in Northampton, what’s the atmosphere like?
One of the best in the country! Without a doubt! For me, for atmosphere, there are two leading clubs in the country - Parlez Vous? at The Mill in Bradford and Cyberkitten at Fever, Northampton, luckily I am resident at both nights. It’s a real family affair at CK, all the clubbers, the DJs, the promoters - Yojo and Colin, they all make you feel really welcome. I love playing at Fever too, wicked club, wicked sound system, ideal for CyberKitten. I’ve never had a bad night at CyberKitten, always top quality stuff. There is a reason why they won Best Small Club!!
Where does your fashion sense come from? You certainly have an individual style that fits like a glove, especially the legendary neck scarves! Are you a fussy shopper?
Am I a fussy shopper? Ah …….. YEP! I’ve no idea where my fashion sense comes from to be honest, but you have got to love a good neck scarf! It’s all about scarfs! Trust me, buy one, put it on and see how good you feel! 2007 – The Year of the Scarf!!
Your girlfriend and best friend are both being dangled by rope from a 100 storey building - both are seconds away from falling as the rope is breaking. What superhero powers take over and describe how you would rescue them both!?
Well for a start I would put on my super hero saving scarf! You would not believe the powers you get from wearing one, you can do anything! Then I’d probably eat a banana just like Eric, become Bananaman and fly up catch them both and bring them down to safety. Just think what Bananaman would have been capable of if he wore a Scarf instead of a cape! Amazing!
Chess, Checkers, Monopoly or ..
Without a doubt would have to be JENGA
Best words of wisdom?
Sleep is for sleepy people! So let’s get a kebab and go to a disco!!!
Matt Pickup & Lucy Fur: CyberKitten residents
Matt, you are truly an inspiration to any budding DJ! Congratulations on your residency, and I just know you are gonna rock at Cyberkitten on Friday! Lucy Fur x
Photos copyright Colin Davies and Matt Pickup, not to be reproduced without permission
Catch Matt play this Friday at CyberKitten HardLine:
CyberKitten presents HARDLINE!
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On:
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Friday 6th July 2007
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At:
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Fever [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 04:00
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Cost:
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£6 advance, £8 OTD, £5 Nus
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Website:
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www.cyberkitten.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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£6 advance, £8 OTD, £5 Nus
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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CyberKitten presents HARDLINE in association with HardDanceAddict.net. Dj/producer series - no 3 and official CK residency party for Matt Pickup! Features P&L's Kemikal R.e.l.i.g.i.o.n. (club wear). Special guests Dirty Shine residents vs DirtyFlirty!
Chargers an' groovers!
Produced four times a year, CK's thrilled to present our next HARDLINE party! In the main frame, a fire-power posse show-casing some of the hard scene's fiercest talent. Definitely the purr-fect date to celebrate Matt Pickup's Official CK Residency!
Joining CK's man of the hour, the mighty MATT PICKUP (Hard UP Digital) are rocketing dj/producers - CK residents STEVE GILLEN (DTW Records), ANDY RISE (Hard UP Digital), NASTY NEIL E an' spesh guests KARL DAVIS (Hard Sounds / Pure NRG), RIGGSY (Nil By Mouth / Xtension Records), DNG (Ricochet Recordings), KAUZ + FX an' DUBLE TRUBLE. Get ready for our fast lads to take you on a roaring ride, creamin' yer jeans with pumping Hard House classix, teasing you with thumping chunky hard chargers, expect to be thrashed with full on thrapp, an' finished off with smokin' Hard NRG an' furious Filth! Hell's freeking bell's! This knicker evaporating line-up's not for the faint-hearted! Lock up yer lasses an' hide yer daughters! The men are fuelled up an' READY TO MOTOR!
The evening's party action equally features a stand out sexee affair in CK's Courtyard! Get poised for full on filthy groove with our spesh guests - DIRTY SHINE Residents vs DIRTYFLIRTY'S Rude House Groovers! oo la la! Bad ass boys SI GRIFFITHS, NICK J, BREAK FAST BROS, DRUNK DJ, HAYDN HAYDN are set to rock yer pretty clock an' put yer steely thighs on a high. Beauty up, bust yer moves an' shake yer booty to a gang-bang of lusty beats! Minimal techno, rude house, twisted electro an' squelchin' breaks. (Nick J / courtesy of Xstatic Notts).
It's definately all about the lads this July! After last month's brilliant launch at HardKiss with Pen & Lolly's gorgeous clubwear line, P&L are back again this month to introduce thier new menswear range KEMIKAL R.E.L.I.G.I.O.N. It's time to get juicy an' shine up yer dancin' shooze! All the Jill's - get gorgeous an' dress to thrill! A mental party in honour of our jumpin' mad Jack's, CK's HARDLINE is one sexy frenzied night - NOT TO BE MISSED!!
" Say it to my face, read my lips, let's kiss .."
Mwah xx
CyberKitten
Winner - BEST SMALL CLUB
Hard Dance Awards / Feb 07
HardLine - Home Show No 44
2003 - 2007
" .. CyberKitten was consistently rocking all night with an authentic vibe and atmosphere that most people thought just didn’t exist in club land anymore .. "
4clubbers review (nov 06)
" What would the scene be without the tireless energy and hard work from people like Yojo and Colin? It’d be crap! I salute you guys .. "
Ed Real - HF (dec 06)
" CyberKitten .. fantastically enjoyable .. as long as they keep throwing bashes like this they have a glowing future .."
Mixmag Big 3 Review (feb 07)
" Regular appearances at Frantic and Storm, plus some high-profile shows at huge one-offs such as Helter Skelter, Heat, Sundissential and Polysexual have taken CyberKitten to a deservedly strong position in the hard dance world. Injecting the scene with much-needed energy and sexiness ... Cyberkitten also bring an energy to their distinctively informal parties, which some of the more established names frankly gave up on a long time ago .. "
Guardian – Saturday ‘Guide’ (apr 06)
Copyright - CyberKitten Events UK 2003 - 2007
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Other Features By Lucy Fur:
The Real Deal: Ed Real gets the Lucy Fur treatment ahead of CyberKitten's 5th Birthday!
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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![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1-xmas.gif)
nice interview! 
well done guys, fab read..... 
loved every second of every set i have heard you play and there is no time for boring during your set 