Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:43
Ryan Stent
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:43
John Steward
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:43
Mark Tillotson
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:43
Paul Taylor (Retro)
Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:43
David Dunne's Back2Disco Sampler by Venus Manchester
How old are you?
Old enough to have bought Bohemian Rhapsody on 7 inch single from Woolworths when it first came out!
How long have been djing?
I started playing at school discos, when I was 17, because I had more records than anyone else in my class. I'd started buying records when I was 7 and from the age of 11, bought some vinyl every single week. DJ-ing with the records was a logical extension of that, really. I started DJ-ing two or three times a week, when I went to Uni as I found out you got 30 quid a night and free drinks (which is more or less what I still get now!) I started playing House on the radio back in 1988 and my first club gig was in 1989, at Subterranea in London.
What got you into djing?
Apart from the answers to the previous question (!) I suppose I always thought I liked good music and fancied playing it for other people. I started playing house because as a punter at The Hacienda and the Number One in the late 80's, it just hooked me - I wanted to be in that box playing that amazing music. I was lucky enough to be on radio then too, and really wanted to get that music out there on the airwaves. At that time, the only person playing house music on the radio regularly in the whole of the UK was Stu Allan, who featured an hour of it on his Sunday Night show on Piccadilly Radio. He encouraged me massively to badger the bosses to get my own house show on air. I owe him a lot.
How long have you been playing for Venus?
You know, I can't remember the first time I actually played for Venus - I know that I first played at the old club back in 1995, and then played there a fair few times up til the move - I made my debut in the new club on August Bank Holiday 2011. What a Night!
Who would you aspire to dj with?
I've been lucky enough to share a DJ booth with some legends over the years, but there really isn't any famous name that I'd love to DJ with - though I'd warm up for Frankie Knuckles any time he wanted! I just love playing with DJs who do it for the right reasons - because they LOVE music and love making people dance and have a ton of enthusiasm for what they do. The Venus team all have those qualities, and then some.
Who is your favourite dj and why?
Blimey...who should I insult by leaving them out!? I have a long list of people who inspire and impress me - but the DJ who I've played with more than any other over the last 17 years is the wonderful Andy Daniels. He's always on the money, always smiling, and makes me play better.
What advice would you give an aspiring dj?
Practice. A LOT. Then when you;re ready to DJ in front of people, take any gig you get offered, cos that's how you REALLY learn to DJ. And be prepared for lots of knockbacks and lots of obstacles. Don't go into it expecting a career, just do it because you love it and you're good at it. Play music you love, not what you think you should play. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, the rest will follow....
What does 2012 have in store for you?
I have absolutely NO idea! Hopefully, more music, more radio and some bloody good gigs at Venus!
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