 |
|
|
|
|
DJ Cameron – Put the Needle on the Record!
With a musical background that involved playing indie music in a band in and around Birmingham it almost seems odd that DJ Cameron would end up playing ‘ouse music in Sydney, Australia. Then again when you consider Camerons zest for fun and approach to life – perhaps not.
DJ Cameron began mixing professionally in 1995 when, armed with his first set of 1210’s, a mixer and a growing collection of House music, Cameron started developing his own distinctive style - Pure, driving, funky house. By the late 90’s he had begun playing regular gigs at the internationally renowned Miss Moneypennys where he has played alongside DJs such as Smokin Jo, Norman Jay and Farley Jack Master Funk. With a C.V that further boasts residencies at legendary UK club nights such as ‘Fuel’ and ‘Clique’, Cameron has also devoted time to putting on his own parties at a night called ‘Smile’. Smile which began as a small party for a friend has since grown to an over 1, 000 strong crowd with people happily queuing for hours to get in!
Recently Cameron, who used to have a penchant for wearing leather slogan emblazed jackets in his indie days, has relocated to Australia with his fiance for work related committments. In the DJing department however, things are already moving along nicely - he recently played the closing set to the just re-launched Sydney–based Miss Moneypennys and his upcoming gigs include the next instalment of the Sydney institution Clean and Serene – Sydney’s biggest house party in a bar.
Resident Advisor recently caught up with DJ Cameron to discuss his move to Oz, his obvious passion for moving a crowd through music and his plans for the future.
1. Before you discovered a true love for house music you actually started out playing indie styled music. What was it about house music that attracted you?
I remember I used to really love the Shamen when they first came out and stuff like that. I used to listen to a lot of SL2. When I was very young everybody always wanted to be in a band, but then it changed and people were like “I’ll get a set of decks and see what I can do!”
2. Define your sound/ style in one sentence?
Driving and funky - I like to play funky music but I like it a little bit tougher and less vocal.
3. Finish this sentence… “I DJ because….”
Because I love it. No other reason! I don’t do it for money. I have never ever, ever deejayed for money. I do it because I love it and… well c’os I can get my mates into clubs for free!! (laughs)
4. Birmingham seems to be the international capital for funky house. Do you agree?
Absolutely. Definitely. Although the Birmingham club scene – and I’m glad I’ve come away from it now - is very (what I see as) a big “tune” town. You have to play all the ‘big’ popular, funky records…
5. What’s bought about this move to Oz?
32 years of looking at Spaghetti Junction made me realise that there’s more to life than just Birmingham. I’ve never lived anywhere but Birmingham so I got offered the job and even though it’s in Newcastle (!) I could see it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I took a risk on the DJing front because I was a known face in Birmingham… but I just thought that well… EVERYONE I know would love to live in Australia!
6. You’ve managed to land yourself some notable gigs in a short space of time. How much do you know about the Sydney scene?
I’d like to play anywhere that appreciates funky music. From what I can see and from what I’ve read; as I’ve only been out a few times in Sydney, I’ve tried to read a lot on the forums there seems to be a lot more people knowledgeable about house music and a lot of diversity [in musical styles]. I was a little worried that there didn’t seem to be much of a funky house following but since I’ve gotten here I’ve found that there is quite a good funky house following!
7. You’ve played alongside some notable DJs. Is there anyone you’re keen to appear beside?
Roger Sanchez played at Moneypennys and I was out having a drink with my mates. Moneypennys rang me to say that he was going to be an hour and a half late, so I was over the moon because they said ‘Would I play before him?’… I sped off home, grabbed my records, raced back into town, finished my drink and I was just about to leave for the club when they rang me to say that he’d just arrived. So I went down to Moneypennys and had a go at him and told him next time to turn up late! (laughs).
8. How did you learn to DJ?
I had no decks, I had a load of records and my friend worked in a bar in Birmingham. I approached the Manager and said “I can DJ!” and he let me play. He was like, “Well nothing happens on Thursday nights here”…. It was quite funny – because I had no decks I was absolutely atrocious! DJing is very easy if you know what to do! But it took a long time for the penny to drop! For about 2 years I’d be mixing on the quiet bits on a record and then all of a sudden the penny just drops! It was self-taught…DJing is all about counting to four really! (laughs)
9. What is it about promoting that draws you to it?
When we did 'Smile' it started off because it was a friends birthday and we just thought “We’ll play the music we like playing and we’ll do this as a one-off party!”. We had 125 people come and we thought, “That’s wicked! We just invited 125 people – most of which we know – but they bought friends and they bought friends. We’ll do another one next bank holiday!” That 125 turned into 200 – 250 and people were queuing up to get inside. It just started as party and people wanted to come and enjoy our party!
10. You’ve been heavily involved in dance music for over a decade. Now that you’re living outside the UK how has your perspective started to change?
I think I’ve got a bit of learning to do. It [Australia] is definitely different to the UK and definitely much, much different to Birmingham. I think that Birmingham is an easily pleased crowd and it might be a lot more harder here – because there’s such diversity here… I’ve got to either change the way I think or try and understand more what people like around here. Scott [from Moneypennys] said to me, “Have you been out often?… You’ve got to get out there and understand what Sydney likes to listen to!”. If I want to get anywhere close to (my profile) in Birmingham I’ve really got to start getting out there! But it’s going to be fun!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Published / Wednesday, 18 September 2002
 Post a comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Features
|
|
|
