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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! |
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3 Amigos: Ed, Garbs and The Kidd take on the Hard Dance Awards
Reported by HarderFaster
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Submitted 20-02-08 15:09
Take 2000 noisy clubbers from all over the UK and the world. Add a gaggle of top name celebrity DJs. Throw in the thoughts, hopes and nearly 10,000 votes from music lovers everywhere. Stir up and pour into one of the UK’s swankiest new clubs. Ladies and Gentlemen this is the 5th Annual Hard Dance Awards powered by Trackitdown.net!!
After a few years of wowing in the nation’s capital, the time has come to share the love and travel up North, so this year’s event will take place in Sheffield’s amazing Plug. Already touted by some as the club to go to for 2008, what better way to get to know the venue then to fill it with some of the best DJs hard dance has to offer (and hand out a few awards in the process). Joining Ed Real this year to distribute the plaudits is a team of superstars lauded in their own rights. We got Ed and two of his crack squad together to reminisce, predict and think about pigeons.
Ed Real
Tell us about your love affair with hard dance, when, where, why, how etc.
From the age of 16 in 1991 when I first heard the album First Chapter on XL Recordings I have been hooked on hard beats. Over the years the styles have evolved but the vibes remain the same – hard, fast and frenetic are the way I like my beats. I appreciate all styles but have always been drawn towards the techno, hard house, hardcore and drum and bass sounds for some reason. Maybe it’s got something to do with my character!
Who do you work with / for now and how did that start?
I started promoting events in Portsmouth in 1995 to get DJ gigs and that lead to the job as A&R at Nukleuz which put me and a lot of other acts on the map. After five successful years doing that I branched out to run my own label and events under the Riot! brand and started Europe’s first dance download store www.trackitdown.net. Somewhere along the line, myself and business partner Nolan launched the Hard Dance Awards which is now in its fifth year and the official start of the year in the world of hard dance!
What are the changes to the presenting team this year?
For the last few years I’ve presented but in order to involve more key players in the project this year I’m hosting the ceremony which essentially entails introducing the acts and the presenters who’ll be reading out the awards on the night. I love the whole anticipation and excitement that surrounds the awards and it really makes for a night to remember!
The HDA has been in London the past few years. What do you think of it moving up to Sheffield this year?
Apart from dreading the journey home – which is going to be a mission – I’m looking forward to new faces and atmosphere that only the North can provide. It’s going to be mental and I’m really glad that we have such an organised and professional event partner in the form of GoodGreef, who are used to doing massive events in the region.
Which awards are you most excited to be handing out?
It’s got to be the big one; Best DJ – it’s such a hotly contested category that is really setting the old guard against a raft of exciting new talent, and I really don’t know who is set to take the title this year. Good luck to everyone and we’ll see on the night who is set to be crowned by the dancefloor.
Who are you tipping for HD stardom this year?
As the promoter of the awards I’m not really at liberty to plug people but I think there are lots of new faces that certainly deserve recognition for breathing exciting new life into the scene – we salute you!
What key / funny / amazing thing happened for you in HD last year?
I nearly got blown up by pyrotechnics! There was so much equipment on the stage at Brixton Academy and its pure adrenalin being in front of so many people that you really forget everything that the stage managers tell you. Luckily I survived unscathed and here we are ready once again for another battering!
Quick quiz:
Fish and Chips or Pie and Mash?
Fish and chips for me!
Pigeons or Greyhounds?
Greyhounds – I’m a big fan of canine kind
Nelsons Column or The Angel Of The North?
Although I’m a southern shandy drinker the Angel of the North is definitely something to behold and the few times I’ve seen it I’ve had my breath taken away.
Top hat or Flat cap?
Top hat of course!
Dinner or Tea?
Tea.
Grim up North or Soft southern jessies?
Erm, those up North certainly know how to party!
Alex Kidd
Tell us about your love affair with hard dance, when, where, why, how etc.
It started from shopping and then working at Spin Inn Records in Manchester, I used to serve up all the DJs there like Eddie Halliwell, Andy Whitby, even Big Brett and Marc Grey back in the day, haha! I was clubbing a lot at Golden and then Gatecrasher as well as other raves and events, but I soon got hooked on Sundissential and that’s when I really started to carve my sound. After a year or so my tastes turned to the European sounds like hard trance and hardstyle whilst still following the techno music scene and even still buying drum and bass. My whole life has been pretty much about dance music in general but the hard dance scene just seems to be where I have settled and focused on.
Who do you work with / for now and how did that start?
In the studio I work with myself, Kidd Kaos, BK, Organ Donors, Dark By Design and I’ve got some plans to hook up with Kutski in the very near future. At AKHQ I work with Fake DJ / Joe Asbridge who is by far the most talented person I know either in the office or on the decks. Then there is MrBishi for my online PR, Emma who is my part time PA, Novacaine who is my part time designer, Jay who does my A&R and then various mates have been working for me lately and helping me to the gigs and doing office errands because I’ve been banned from driving and I’m stuck at the moment!
Then my management is Barry and the rest of the GoodGreef crew, Ben, Simon, Nat, Beorn and Amy. All of us have a great relationship and we really are like on big happy family, happy most of the times anyway!
You're presenting at this year's awards ceremony, how does it feel to be on board?
Yeah, it’s a nice thing to get involved with, it makes me realise that I have come a long way in the past few years and it’s a pleasure to be helping out on the night with such great peeps like Ed and Nolan behind the ceremony.
The HDA has been in London the past few years. What do you think of it moving up to Sheffield this year?
I think it’s about bloody time, it definitely levels it out a bit fairer for all us Northerners and I believe the new venue is spectacular this year so I cant wait to get in and have a nosey round.
Who are you tipping for HD stardom this year?
Morgan.
Who do you think could break through and be a star next year?
Kidd Kaos without a doubt. I’m 100% behind him yet he doesn’t need me to be behind him. He’s a unique and rare talent that I’m excited and proud to work with.
What key / funny / amazing thing happened for you in HD last year?
Erm, key thing I spose was coming second in 2 categories, best resident and best track (Boot It Up)..
Funny was climbing the rafters of Brixton Academy during my set, I ended up being stuck on the pillars of the foyer without a clue as to how I was going to get back down, somehow I managed it in time for the next mix though!
Quick quiz:
Fish and Chips or Pie and Mash?
Fish and chips.
Pigeons or Greyhounds?
Greyhounds.
Nelsons Column or The Angel Of The North?
Angel Of The North.
Top hat or Flat cap?
Flat cap.
Dinner or Tea?
Dinner.
Grim up North or Soft southern jessies?
Northern monkey.
Look out for a full interview with Alex coming soon to HarderFaster!
Garbo
Tell us about your love affair with hard dance, when, where, why, how etc.
My love affair with hard dance came from simply buying the old Extreme Euphoria compilations when I was about 15. Then at 16 I started going to Friskys in Northampton and watching the likes of Lisa Pin-Up and the Tidy Boys. I was also well into my trance at this point, but as I got older I started to like the banging stuff and used to venture to places like Sundissential at the Sanctuary in Birmingham and it just grew from there really.
Who do you work with / for now and how did that start?
I run Storm which is based at the legendry night club, The Emporium in little old Coalville, Leicestershire. I got booked a couple of times as an up & coming DJ doing the odd warm up set, then that progressed into me becoming a resident for the night. Myself and Daley got asked to then start having a bit more of a hands on role with the brand, then eventually I got asked to come on board full time and take control of the brand. It’s the best job I have ever had!
You’re presenting at this year’s awards ceremony, how does it feel to be on board?
It was a great honour to be asked to be one the presenters at this year’s Hard Dance Awards, it’s a great night. Of course Storm won the award for the 'Best Large Club' last year, hopefully we can repeat that this year.
I'm really excited about the event as a whole as it’s such a fantastic way for every one to come together and celebrate the scene we love and last year was just amazing. I’m confident that this event will be even better!
The HDA has been in London the past few years. What do you think of it moving up to Sheffield this year?
I think it’s a good move, the scene does not just revolve around London and clubbing in the Midlands and up North is on such a high at the minute, so I think it is fitting that the awards ceremony reflects that and is hosted outside of London Town.
It also keeps it fresh especially with a venue that not every one is familiar with, including myself and that just adds to excitement. From what I have been told the venue it self is amazing, one of those clubs you can wonder round all night and lose yourself in. I think we should embrace the awards being in the Steel City.
Which awards are you most excited to be handing out?
To be honest I am yet to be told which award we will be presenting, I really hope though it is 'Best Small Club' just from my point of view being a promoter myself and winning the Large Club award last year, so fingers crossed on that one.
Who are you tipping for HD stardom this year?
Rodi Style - The guy is incredible, easily the most technically able DJ in hard dance right now! He makes it look so effort less, forget what you have seen in the past, this is guy has to be seen to be believed.
He is so committed to what he does, he is even moving from his native home in Canada to the UK to further him self as a DJ and producer. Rodi Style is probably the most exciting and ground breaking DJ to come out of hard house in the last 4 years! He is a name that is hot on every promoter and clubbers lips right now having generated huge interest from all the major players in the scene and having all the top DJs talking about him.
The best hard dance DJ I have ever seen! So I feel extremely proud that Storm was the night to bring him over to the UK and give him the exposure he duly deserves.
Who do you think could break through and be a star next year?
With out a shadow of a doubt, Scott Fo-Shaw!
We have just made him the one of two new residents at Storm, the guy is destined for big things and we at Storm are going to support him and push him when he needs it every step of the way. Hopefully now we have giving him the platform to play, he can take full advantage of it and (like he always does) deliver the goods.
The lad is barely 18 years old, but his hunger and passion shows in his productions and the presence he has when behind the decks. We need more people coming through like Scott to feed our scene. He has already had the likes of Tidy and Frantic, along with ourselves, showing a massive interest in him.
So remember the name - Scott Fo-Shaw!
What key / funny / amazing thing happened for you in HD last year?
Key - Storm winning the 'Best Large Club' Award at last years event, it really made people stop and take note of us, and now we are leading the way in hard dance!
Funny - Scott Fo-Shaw turning up to Storm for his first night as a resident with a Tiara on and holding a vinyl copy of Prince's album – Let’s Party Like It’s 1999, as it was Storm Classics back in Jan, haha!
Amazing - Storm NYE, what an event, I'm still recovering!
Quick quiz:
Fish and Chips or Pie and Mash?
Fish & Chips every time.
Pigeons or Greyhounds?
Greyhounds, pigeons are rank.
Nelsons Column or The Angel Of The North?
Neither, I’m from the Midlands, haha!
Top hat or Flat cap?
Top hat - Only because I always win at Monopoly with the Top hat!
Dinner or Tea?
Dinner
Grim up North or Soft southern jessies?
Most definitely Grim up North, haha!
Check out details of the HarderFaster coach trip to this years HDA - Click here for more info
Photos courtesy of the HarderFaster archive. Not to be reproduced without permission.
The Hard Dance Awards
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On:
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Friday 29th February 2008
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At:
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Plug [map]
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From:
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2100 - 0600
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Cost:
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£15
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Website:
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www.harddanceawards.com
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Ticket Info:
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Ticket Web
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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The 5th Annual Hard Dance Awards powered by Trackitdown.net have got off to an unprecedented start.
Thousands of Hard Dance fanatics from a staggering 42 countries have already cast their vote and with so many new names making their mark in the last year every single vote counts towards this poll of polls for the scene we all love!
The Hard Dance Awards is a celebration of the biggest and the best in the world of banging beats from the past 12 months. Featuring 14 categories voted for by the public via online portal www.harddanceawards.com , the 5th Annual Hard Dance Awards Powered by Trackitdown.net is yet again set to be the first massive event in the calendar for the industry and fans alike!
The main event and ceremony is happening on Friday 29th February @ Plug in Sheffield. It’s pay day weekend and the day in the leap year where girls are allowed to turn the tables and proposition the boys so there’s no better excuse to attend alongside all the movers and shakers from the world of hard dance.
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Region:
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N England
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Music:
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Hard House.
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DJ's:
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Guests include:
Lisa Lashes (Lashed), Andy Whitby (AWsum), BK b2b Scott Attrill (Riot!), Alex Kidd (Kiddfectious) Kutski (Radio 1) vs. Organ Donors – Audio Surgery Live, Nu Energy Collective Live, Ed Real (Riot!), Dark by Design b2b Phil York (Hardtimez), Andy Farley (Red), Cally Gage (Frantic), Kym Ayres (Slinky), JP & Jukesy (Deprivation), Ben Stevens (Vicious Circle), Garbo (Storm), Tidy DJs b2b Morgan (Tidy & Goodgreef), Avaline (Tranzaction), Vandall (Trancewarez), Jason Cortez (Nuclear Puppy), Rodi Styles (Storm), Mark H (Polysexual), Brian M & McBunn (Bionic), Steve O’Brady (Parlez-Vous), Jimmy Dean (Xstatic), Marc Johnston (Flashpoint Records & Tripoli Trax), Lucy Fur (Cyberkitten), Neal Thomas (Native), Steve NRG (Sundissential), Tony Duzzit (Extreme Euphoria), Andy Jackson (Mayhem)
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Other Features By HarderFaster:
HarderFaster Awards 2016 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2014 - The results are in!
Lashes, Dimples and the Brighton Music Conference
HarderFaster Awards 2013 - The results are in!
HarderFaster Awards 2012 - The results are in!
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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