Date: 22.09.07
Interviewer: Tom Golden

Hi Kelvin, hope you are well, first off, where are you and what are you currently doing? (aside from silly interviews :)

"I am in Brighton... currently sitting at work for Clickgroove... we work in the same office as the Mr. Bongo crew... always good banter."

You grew up in the bay area of San Francisco, this must have had a huge influence on your musical tastes?

"Yeah. That started for me in ’91... basically we were one of the first places in the states to get what was already kicking off over here in the UK…because we ended up getting exposed to a lot of the early Chicago acid House and U.K stuff, mostly from a group of UK djs who moved over to SF and started the Wicked posse, I was lucky enough to get exposed to some great music and djs early. Then, of course, SF has produced it’s own style and a great selection of djs... all of that definitely had a lot of influence on my life."

What originally inspired you to become a DJ?

"My friend. He was the one who really brought it on – I was spending a lot of time in the clubs, where I was working and just hanging out. One day he brought home some decks and we went shopping for records that weekend... they were run down old decks, not 1200’s or anything – once I got the bug for buying records and trying to mix them at home I was hooked."

You worked for a while as the Studio Manager at the World famous Moulton Studios, alongside some of the best producers in house music, tell us a little bit about this time...

"Well when I look back on it it was a pretty special time... but we were in the middle of it and it didn’t seem so big to me on the inside looking out. I knew I was working around a lot of talented people, and I was just trying to soak up as much as I could... Jay-J and Chris Lum really ended up taking off and they were really busy in the studio at that time. And then, of course we had Loveslap across the hall, and Miguel Migs was coming in all the time... loads of producers and djs were coming thru the studio and it was buzzing. Those were good times and I think we all made a contribution to the music in our ways."

What have been your most memorable moments DJing? Good and bad...

"Hmm. Well like anyone I have had my share of both. I really enjoyed playing the Nordic Trax party this year at WMC and the response was great... I’ve also had some good times playing at the Endup in SF, which is an institution really. I played a great gig on the beach in Bulgaria recently that was really amazing scenery. And, of course, I have had the crap bar gigs to pay the bills with people bugging me for cheesy pop records, or showing up for a gig with an unrecognizable 30 year old mixer etc, haha."

You have had a couple of releases out on Luke McKeehan’s Nordic Trax imprint over the past fews of years, how did you get involved with the Vancouver based label?

"Luke’s a good person and I try to surround myself with people like that. I did a few trax with a friend and we sent them to a few labels and Luke picked it up... the rest is history. I continue to try and work with him because he’s always been fair and upfront with me, which is really important. Besides, we get on with the footy banter and I can look past the fact that he’s a Gunner!"

Lets get into what’s records are currently rocking your gigs at the moment, and what track never leaves your record box?

"Well – without getting into specific releases I generally tend to lean towards the deeper sound or more what I would call “old school” House – music from guys like Kerri Chandler, DJ Romain, Marlon D, Scott Wozniak, Rasoul, Gene Farris, Ron Allen, Alix Alvarez, Jon Cutler, Dennis Ferrer, Mark Grant – you get the picture. I do like a lot of the good stuff that’s more bumpy Chicago style too – Iz & Diz, Mark Farina, Derrick Carter etc. Basically just good house. Classics I always have with me: K.C. Flight – Voices, Dannel Dixon – Dance, Dance, 808 State – Pacific."

When your not DJing, Producing or being involved with dance music, what do you like to do?

"Well I love footy. I’ve been following it and going to games since I was little with my dad and basically I am a junky. I also like food and cooking. Hanging out at the pub. Having some quality time with my wife. Normal stuff I guess."

Lastly, one of the most important questions... one that could shape your whole stay in Manchester... United or City?

"City without a doubt!!!"

Kelvin plays at the Stylus 4th Birthday on Saturday 13th October 2007

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