 Kandi_Bar got the scoop on English DJ, C-Kay! Who shares his moments and experience (and advice) in the UK dance and rave scenes!
What is your real name?
Colin Knapp (C-Kay, get it?) :)
Where are you from?
A town called Chelmsford in Essex, England
How old are you?
26
When did you start DJ'ing?
I started out listening to Hardcore back in 1992, i was given a tape called 'Rave 92', which had all the old skool classics on, then in 1997 i found a CD mixed by Force and Styles and instantly fell in love with the sound, so started raving and buying records in 1998, and just messed about on mates decks once in a blue moon, but it wasn't until 2002 that i got my own pair, a nice set of Soundlab DLP32's.
Why did you start DJ'ing?
Just from going out to raves i guess. I used to listen to the reaction the DJ's got from the crowd and thought 'i'd love to be in their shoes'. I'd been collecting records for a while and used to play them on my dad's record player. I then moved into a flat and bought myself a set of decks to keep me occupied rather than going out wasting money on nothing. I never thought for one second i'd be any good at it, but my mate asked me to DJ at his house party, where i was heard by a DJ of a local pirate radio station, LUSH FM'. I was offered a show there and then, and it was through Lush and playing on the radio every week that got me noticed and got me into playing in clubs.
What style do you play?
Pretty much anything, i dont like sticking to just one style. I'm a huge fan of piano's and vocals, so i play alot of the happier side of hardcore, but also Freeform, Nu-Style and even the odd speedcore track. Basically, if i like it, i'll play it.
First gig, how was it? (describe in detail)
My first proper gig, in a club, was back in November 2005 at Club Zest in Ipswich, England. Two huge London Garage promoters (Thong City & Nookie) were putting on an event, and my local record shop were hosting a room there. They had heard me DJ on 'LUSH' and booked me for their room. I arrived at the club, only to find i'd been booked to play Hardcore in the Hard Trance & Techno room. I absolutley shit myself to be honest, it was my first go on a proper rig as well, and i soon found out how much difference there is between playing in your bedroom and playing in a club. The set went very well though, and when i dropped Force & Styles - Heart of Gold mid way through my set, the whole crowd were singing it, that's something i will never forget - Hard Trance & Techno ravers singing to cheesey hardcore, haha :D I even got a few more bookings from this gig, so i must have done something right.
What is your favourite track to work up the crowd?
Very tough question, it changes every month or so. At the moment it's Jamie Ritmen - Amnesia on UKDance Records, everyone just loves it, it's an amazing piece of work. Although, if i had the choice, and could get away with it, i'd happily drop Force & Styles - Pacific Sun in every set i play.
Who is your favourite producer/DJ and why?
I have 2 - The world famous Force & Styles. Every track they ever made were just stunning. They had a very unique talent, in which they could write tracks at a stupidly fast rate, every track sounded different to the next, using different sounds, instruments and arrangements, but you knew it was a Force & Styles track as soon as you heard it. UKDance is my all time favourite label, every release was just amazing, from instrumentals such as Frankees Lead & All Systems Go, to the vocal anthems such as Pretty Green Eyes & Pacific Sun. Their sets used to blow my mind, the crowd noise when they came on the decks was incredible, that was what made me want to start DJing. It's great to have them both back in Hardcore now, all i'm waiting for is them to hook up again in the studio again and i will be a very happy boy :)
Highlight of your DJ'ing career?
That would have to be playing at Moondance New Years Eve 2006/2007. Moondance were putting on raves long before i got into the rave scene, my older sister's boyfriend used to go to their nights when he was into hardcore and used to tell me stories about the night before, so to be playing for them, on New Years Eve. on the same line up as Vibes and Livelee
and Billy Bunter, who i had been raving to for years, was quite a moment. and having my fellow Essex boy and good friend MC RizlaDizla on the mic, in a rammed room at the S E One club, where i had attended many events, i couldn't have asked for more.
Hardest thing to over come when you were starting off?
Basically getting myself noticed, there's so many talented DJ's out there who are in the same postion as me. Sending out demo's and not hearing anything back can get you down and make you want to give up at times. Also getting used to not playing in your bedroom on a set up you know. You have to adjust to any system pretty quickly or you will get into trouble with mixes, so gaining the experience to be able to do that was pretty tough.
Who is your inspiration?
Again, it would have to be Force and Styles, see favourite DJ/Producer question for reasons ;) i wouldn't have stated DJing if it wasn't for these 2, and i take alot of influence from them into the studio when i make a record. More recently, i take influence from Fracus & Darwin, 2 extremely talented guys who will be huge in years to come.
What do you love about performing?
I just love playing music, whether it's to 15 people or a few hundred. I get a huge buzz off seeing people dance to what i play. I dont take any of it seriously, i look at it as a night night out, i have fun doing it, i get to play what tracks i like at a stupidly high volume. Love it.
Have you had any embarrassing incidents while DJing?
Just the usual, taking the wrong record off after a mix, leaving the rave in total silence. I've also managed to completey cut the system out for a good 2/3 minutes, turns out i hit a button on the mixer that i shouldn't have. ooops!!
What are your goals as an artist?
I want to appear on the same line up as Force & Styles, that was what i aimed for when i first started, i'm still hoping to do this before i call it a day. I also wanted to make a record, and have managed to make 2 so far, one called 'Come & Save Me' with Audioscpae & Kelly C, which is due for release very soon (check www.myspace.com/ckaydj for audio), and another track called '5am', which is a cover of an old Darren Styles track, so watch out for that. I have also started my own night, Hardcore 4 Essex, which kicks off on 10th August 2007, alongside my mates night, Flabbergast. I want to build that up into a regular thing, as we have no Hardcore at all in Essex. It's a risk, but someone has to take them :)
Advice to all people aspiring to be a DJ?
Firstly, i'd say dont take it too seriously, just go and have fun wherever you play. That's what it's all about for me.
Secondly, dont get disheartened if you dont hear back from promoters you send demo's to, everyone gets knock backs. When you have a demo, take a copy to the raves you want to play at, and personally hand it to the promoters. It shows you made the effort, and also support their nights, it seriously speaks volumes.
Thirdly, don't copy other DJ's mixes, create your own style and dont play what everyone else is playing. Make yourself stand out :)
Hope that helps!
http://www.myspace.com/ckaydj Posted by: bek, 8 Sep 07, 10:09
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