Date: 06.10.07
Interviewer: Tom Golden

Hi Justin, you well? Where are you and what are you currently up to?

“Hey guys… All is chilly chill over here in the windy city... how’s things with you? At the moment I am chilling in the studio taking a break from beat surgery…”

First off, Chicago, the Windy City… your hometown and one of the pioneering cities in dance music. How did you get involved in the music scene in the city, and what were your early influences?

“I always had a love for music ever since I was a wee kid.  My 1st real dive into dance music was in the mid 80’s when I was in the car with my mom returning from the grocery store and I was fiddling around on the radio when I came across WBMX which was the station where Farly Jackmaster Funk, Kenny Jammin Jason and the rest of the Hot Mix 5 were resident DJs on.  The song ‘Cant Stop The House’ was on and I had heard nothing like it and from that moment on I was caught in the trap!  After that I’d stay up all night and record mixes to audio cassette and then listen back to them over and over...

When I started High School there was an all ages juice bar called Medussas where they played a lot of acid house, industrial and early techno (Warp Recordings, Joey Beltram, Energy Flash and stuff of that nature), they would never play these jams on the radio much so that is when I decided I wanted some turntables so I could just listen to these songs at the house whenever I wanted to hear them.

House was all around back then in Chicago… It’s not at all like that anymore but it was what this city was all about! This city was house!  There was no place to hide from it!

Some of my most early influences include - Derrick Carter, DJ Rush, Bad Boy Bill ( WBMX days) and Spencer Kincy.”

You run your DotBleep imprint in conjunction with Leeds institution 20:20 Vision, how did this partnership come about?

“Ralph (Lawson), Tristan and Andy are all true Jedi’s and good friends for a long time! It was just something that came together like 2 pieces of a puzzle… It just made sense.”

Sticking with the label, what treats have you got lined up for release soon?

“Up next we have the Prztz ‘Nutdisco’ release with a Duckbeats remix (Chris Duckenfield) and after that Style of Eye remixes of ‘Mumble Mouth’… and much more to come! But I can’t let all the rabbits out of the hat ;)”

You have played all over the globe at some of the worlds best clubs, which are your favourite so far, and why?

“It’s hard to say at this point what club or night is my favourite because every party is special in its own way and for its own vibe! There are wicked shows all over the world! Each party has its own character and its own crowd!  I have actually been very surprised a lot of times!”

You've also played and visited Manchester on numerous occasions before, what’s impressed you with our wet and cold city?

“There is so much musical history in Manchester.  Growing up I was a huge Joy Division fan and I remember the 1st time I played at Sankeys (which was my 1st time there), I ended my set with ‘A Means To An End’ and I was nearly in tears!  I mean the history is amazing... Warp Recordings, Factory, The Hacienda, Happy Mondays, you can go on for days!  Also the fact that there are huge warehouse parties that still kick off there is also sick!  I could only wish for Chicago to rage like that one more time! I’ve had a few wicked meals there as well, met a lot of very cool people and the record shops are dope!”

Back to your side of the pond now, being a Chicago resident tell us in your opinion the best place in the city to eat, best place to rave and best place for buying wax…

“Best place for wax hands down is Gramaphone... no comp! (www.gramaphonerecords.com).  Best place to rave... again hands down is Smartbar (www.smartbarchicago.com).  Food… man that’s a hard one!  Off hand, Wishbone, Heaven on 7, Superdog, Wildfire and Pauline’s.  But if I really had to only pick one it would be the Bongo Room (1470 N. Milwaukee Ave).”

If you could change anything in the music business today, what would it be?

“More public focus on electronic music and a little less on radio hip pop!  Also change the bar laws from 21 to 16 here in the States so everyone can enjoy good underground music like we did growing up!”

Thanks for your time Justin… just one last question… Man United or Man City?

“Man United! :)  I don’t know much about your football but I’ve seen them play a few good games while I have been over!

Justin plays at Stylus on Saturday 8th September 2007

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