Urban World

Interview with DJ EZ

1.How did you get into dejaying?

It was a love of music from an early age really and I wanted to share it with people. It used to make me excited to play people music, so I guess it came from then. When I was 13 years old, after soaking up the pirate station DJ's skill of mixing 2 records together, came the inspiration, and some might say obsession, to attempt mixing 2 tracks together. Unlike today's budding young DJ's with all their tech, my bedroom equipment consisted of one portable radio/tape player, an amplifier and a tape deck. After loads experimenting I managed to pull off a few mixes from audio tape to audio tape!! After a few tries I became very good at locking 2 songs together. But for my first break into djing though, I recorded a mix and sent it to a few different pirate stations. One of the stations I gave it to called me and said I could have a show, that was Dance FM and I have never looked back.

2. What has been your best experience to-date?

There really have been so many that it seems unfair to choose. My work has taken me all over the world; Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Japan… the list goes on. That in itself is amazing. Most recently I have played at Glastonbury, which was absolutely incredible. It's such a legendary music festival that to even be asked to do it was such an honour.

3. what's the biggest myth about a dJ that people don't know?

That dj's get all the girls, categorically untrue… or maybe that's just my experience? Hahahaha. I always go to a club, play my set and leave straight away, so maybe that's the reason. But I guess that's my answer because it's not true for me.

4. What's your prediction for this Christmas number one?

I only really follow music within my genre, so I couldn't even tell you what's in the charts right now. Ummmm… Mr Blobby?? Is he still about??

5. If you could perform in front of anyone who would it be and why?

Most definitely it would have to be my entire family. They never get the chance to see what I do, so I would love to perform for them. Infact I might even try to set that up now you've made me think about it.

6. How has the British dance/rave scene change over the years? Back in the day the raves were on a much larger scale. Huge venues with crowds of 1500-3000 people, with loads of different DJ's on a line-up. Nowadays the clubs are much more intimate and generally there is only one headline DJ performing on a night. I do try to keep the old formula of raving alive with my Z Uncut and 4x4 events, they are always 2000+ people. Back 2 95 do the same thing, they are always great events and it is like taking a trip back in time. Love it.

7. What skills do people need to follow in your musical footsteps?

I don't know about skills, I think all you need is passion, drive, determination and belief.That's how I got my to where I am, so that's all of the advice I can offer. Don't give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about.

8. Who's your greatest inspiration?

I have to be honest and say that my inspiration was simply music… Not an artist, not a group, not a producer or a genre… just music in all it's forms.

9. What keeps you smiling? Last thing that made you laugh?

Seeing people's reactions to my sets always makes me smile, I love it when people just wanna dance and are enjoying what I'm playing… The last thing that made me laugh… hmmm… probably a bird flying in my car, but it wasn't funny at the time. Hahaha.

10. If you had to choose an album and an artist for the sound track of your life, who would you choose and why?

The soundtrack to my life would have to be all of Todd Edwards productions, I couldn't possibly choose a specific one as his music has been there throughout my career. I love everything he's ever produced and his music definitely marks out different times in my life.

DJ EZ joins Matt Jam Lamont, Booker T, Mikee B (Dreem Team) and Carole Sylvan at the Back To 95: Legends Of The Old Skool party on Firework night Saturday November 5th at Pulse in Southwark. For all info please go to http://www.urbanworld.co.uk/events/id/9340/dt/05-11-2011/BACK-TO-95%3A-Legends-Of-The-Old-Skool, www.backto95.com or facebook back to 95