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Drew K – Neon Nights
Although relatively new to the Melbourne DJ scene, Drew K is already in very good company. With a growing list of credentials that include a radio show and residencies alongside Melbourne’s best, he is certainly a rising talent to keep your eye out for. I caught up with Drew K to have a chat about his past, present, and very bright future.
What is your first memory of music?
That would have to be the Sesame Street theme song, and what a tune it was. I believe its still getting remixed to this day, it’s either that or Play School, but the bear in there loses out I’m afraid, Sesame Street has longevity behind it.
You have been playing around the Melbourne scene for a little while now. How did you get started?
My introduction to electronic music was through a friend who was into the whole BT, Paul Van Dyk, Sasha and Digweed sound and eventually he got me to a party at the docklands in 1999. The rest as they say is history. Before this period I didn’t really enjoy dance music at all, how that has all changed.
I pretty much live and breathe it now, my Dad even thinks I need to seek help. I’m still trying to get Mum to a gig though, she would no doubt give some people out there a run for their money.
Describe the style of music you play and why you chose to move in this direction.
It’s pretty broad; it can range from tech to minimal, progressive, deep and even dirty house on its day. My taste seems to be evolving all the time, which I think is good as it keeps you inspired and keen to look for fresh music. However it can occasionally get very annoying. When you have a whole heap of tracks sitting there ready to mix and you want to create something for a promoter, it’s hard to find direction and what’s going to work best to showcase your style. This is something I think the truly great DJs of the world do so well and it’s something I’m still trying to nail perfectly.
Who are your biggest influences in both the local and international scene?
By far the biggest influence on me now internationally is a DJ/Producer/Edit Specialist by the name of Can Costa (aka Ricky Ryan) who is based in Argentina. I have been following his work for a number of years now and the boy is just getting better and better. His attitude and taste in music is truly amazing, his sets continuously blow me away. On the production front, Luetzenkirchen, Audiofly, Catwash, Pablo Bolivar, Stuart McKeown and Darius Bassiray.
Locally, well we all know how good we have it in Melbourne! Shall I go through the names? Maybe next time, but what we have in Melbourne is really exceptional and it will only continue to get better.
You have recently scored a residency at a new night called ‘Neon Elektrik’. Tell us more about the night and the idea behind it.
It really came about as the result of three DJs recognising the need for something a little bit different in the dance community. The concept was born and all that was left was to find a suitable venue that was both intimate and warm as well as having that little extra something.
We think this is going to be a great way for people that want to go out and hear some cool and interesting sounds in an oversized lounge room with kick-ass sound and some extra couches. They do a jaw dropping Long Island Ice Tea plus many different styles of Cocktails.
The music policy is going to be that of an underground house, tech and funk persuasion, and will have plenty of room to boogie. It will be every second Friday of the month and I am extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to play.
Last year saw you play regularly alongside Melbourne greats Sean Quinn and Dan Mangan at ‘Pressure’. Will this night continue in 2006?
Yeah absolutely! Andi Red and I have just finished finalising the details for our re-launch party, which will kick off on March 10. We have our full list of residents playing which includes Sean Quinn, Dan Mangan, Keltec and Jono Fernandez. We also have some big guests lined up for the year and have just confirmed Rollin Connection, who played some outstanding sets last year, its safe to say that I cant wait to see what everybody’s going to deliver.
Another big aim of our party is to introduce some new talent from the local scene, nowadays every man and his dog is a DJ and we are looking to give some of the newcomers a chance to have a spin in a club environment.
Alex Mckenzie is one such guy we’ve brought on, he is extremely enthusiastic and has a natural ability to spot a good tune. I have noticed that in the last few months his confidence has grown and his mixing has improved tenfold. 2006 looks to be pretty special
Fiberline Audio has given you the opportunity to present your own radio show and get involved with their label. How can listeners tune in to your show?
It was by chance really that a couple of the bosses stumbled across a few of my mixes that I’d given to some friends overseas. At around the same time I was chatting to a few producers based in Holland and Spain who had worked with Matthew Dekay and was lucky enough to get them signed to the label.
I then took on the role as Artist and Relations Executive for Australia and am on the look out for new up and coming and well established artists. There is absolutely no boundaries musicwise which makes my job a lot easier.
The show was an offshoot of the label to gain exposure and is broadcast every Thursday on the progressive channel at www.etnfm.com between 5-7EST. There are no real limitations with the guests that I can put to air which is fantastic. We’re in the process of updating the website with full bios and pics, and I’ve just realised that 90% of all photos I have of DJ’s and friends aren’t appropriate to advertise on worldwide forums.
I have to admit, it is rather difficult for people over on this side of the world to tune in because of the time difference, (think it airs at like 3am on Friday morning) but it’s a lot of fun, and I will soon look at hosting some of the best mixes throughout the year on a soon to be built website so the guys who have their mixes on the show can get more exposure.
What do you hope to achieve with your music in 2006? What is your main goal?
I have procrastinated about this for so long, but am currently taking baby steps into the world of production which has been a goal for the last year or two. I think it’s just a matter of applying yourself long enough and sticking with it. From the people I have spoken to it’s probably going to take a year or so to really get the sounds I’m after, maybe even longer, so I think if I’m dedicated enough I believe it’s achievable. I would love to play a remix or an original composition to. There aren’t too many better feelings than someone acknowledging your work and saying ‘hey, that tune absolutely turned me sideways, I loved it’
It is your last day on earth and you are granted one last tune before you enter the “afterlife”. What track would you choose?
I’d choose the original version of Cruel Summer. Its one tune I’ve liked since I first heard it on Karate Kid and still remains one of my favourite movies of all time. Wax on, wax off!
Neon Elektrik is on at A Bar every second Friday of the month.
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Published / Tuesday, 21 February 2006
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