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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! |
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SWAMP: the 2nd Birthday Interview
Reported by spacekitten
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Submitted 09-05-04 16:57
Underground hard dance club Swamp started as a surprise party for a friend organised by DJs Mattie C and Mad Phil - but everyone had so much fun they decided to continue the parties. Today, Swamp is still a party for friends ... Mattie, Phil & co just happen to have collected a hell of a lot more of them over the past two years!
Swamp has a fiercely loyal following of clubbers who love the music, the friendly underground vibe and small club feel. Whether it’s the small size of their 'home', Club 414, the unpretentious atmosphere or the fish tank gracing the lounge area upstairs, I’m not the first to make the observation that going to one of Swamp’s parties is more like turning up to a house party than a club….
One of the many things I love about Swamp is that you can see the DJ which makes for a much more personal clubbing experience. Swamp's resident and guest DJs are a friendly bunch; you’ll usually find them on the dance floor or upstairs in the lounge area before and after their set, and always happy to have a chat.
The past two years has seen a procession of London’s best underground DJs behind the decks at Swamp including Ed Real, Mark Sinclair, Slacky, Kevin Energy, Andy Vinal, Beamish, Fabry, Raymondo, Tom Allen, Latex Zebra, Psycho, Flip, BSE, Chris Vincent, Shaf De Bass, Tin Tin, Jim Wild, G-Whizz , RedCaT, Greg Cosford, the Future Sound of Elvis, The * Ting *, Little Miss Fox, DR Duzzit and Matt N Joy.
They’ve all ripped up the dance floor with a succession of quality tunes from pretty much every hard dance genre, leaving a trail of exhausted but happy clubbers in their wake.
Swamp celebrates its second birthday at Club 414 on Friday 14 May, bringing together all of the residents in a massive celebration of music and friends. In what may well go down in history as "the interview with the most participants", it seemed an opportune time to get them all together to answer a few questions Smash Hits style….
How long have you been DJing?
Mattie C: I've been playing on the scene for about two years, but had been mixing at home for six years or so before that, originally progressive tribal trance.
Mad Phil: I’ve been playing out for just over two years, but I was a bedroom DJ for a year before that!
Group 185: We’ve been playing together in this format now for about two years, but altogether for about four.
Flake: I’ve been playing out for about a year and a half, been mixing for about six years……
Pascal D: I started playing in July 2000 as a bedroom DJ, did a few house parties which got me hooked, then I played in a DJ comp in 2000 after six months sponsored by SX Magazine and Frantic at Purple Turtle. I didn’t do much after that until I got my first set with Swamp in February 2003, and boy have things got better since then!
Littleman: For about five or six years now.
SP: Same here, about five years or so now.
LK: I've been playing on and off for about 13 years, ever since I could get my hands on a pair of decks, but only playing out for about two years.
What style/s do you play?
Mattie C: I play a lot of styles ranging from progressive tribal house/trance through to more hard trance and freeform. Most commonly, hard uplifting trance. But whatever style I play there’s always a strong trance and sometimes more progressive influence!!
Phil: My music style is more of a fusion of hard trance / pumping hard dance, with a bit of NU NRG!
Group 185: We play dirty hard dance with plenty of energy; you'd have to see us 
Flake: I play (when I’m allowed to ) a mixture of techno, hard trance & hard style……I’m really getting into my tech trance and breakbeat at the minute……
Pascal: trance, hard trance, a bit of techno, hard house & nu energy. Mix everything together and you have mayhem !
Littleman: I can play progressive/trance/hard trance and techno, whatever the occasion calls for really.
SP: A twisted blend of hard trance, techno and breakbeat.
LK: I play anything from hard hi energy trance/hard house, hard euro trance, hard style, techno, acid … you get the picture.
Where did you discover your passion for hard dance and DJing?
Mattie C: My DJing originally started from happy hardcore, but my main influences for what I play today come from clubbing and the many crazy weekends I've had over the years.
Phil: Er, as soon as I started to practice! A lot of the influence came from Freedom @ Bagley's, and speaking to other DJ's there like Trixta & The Sandmen!
Group 185: Generally from being around the scene and going to clubs (Mike 185) & being on the free festival scene and seeing it all emerge; I don’t DJ at all but Mike does (Dave 185)
Flake: My passion for mixing started when it clicked on the decks! I’ve always loved the darker acidy trance stuff, unfortunately they don’t really make it anymore, so I’ve been really getting into my German & UK techno…quality stuff, but I do like most styles of music…
Pascal D: I’ve been in the clubbing scene for about 10 years now, and was bitten by the bug from day one. Would you believe I used to be a coffin kid before? Those were the days.
Littleman: I first discovered my passion for the scene when I started clubbing, when I was about 16. I knew then it was something I wanted to get involved in.
SP: When I started playing on World Dance Internet Radio station and also from happy hardcore raving with Mattie, when we weren’t even old enough to buy fags!
LK: When I was about 14, back in 1991, going to my local youth club and finding someone had brought their decks down with a P.A system and was banging out hardcore and techno. Since then I’ve been hooked and started going to Spiral Tribe and Fear Teachers free parties across the country. Things were very exciting back then and I’ve just never lost the feeling for it.
What influences have helped shape your sound?
Mattie C: I think my love for progressive tribal trance does come though in what I play today, but my main influences are some of the DJ's on the circuit such as L.K and Ed Real.
Phil: My sound is mostly built from the uplifting anthemic trance & hard house I used to listen to, now its sort of joined somewhere in the middle, fu*kin hard, but uplifting!
Group 185: A little of everything really … but nothing in particular, we just start jamming and it comes out as a tune!
Flake: Well, originally being well into my heavy metal, I always go for the moodier darker kinds of goings on…….
Pascal D: A bit of everyone really, but the person that really got me hooked was Mark Sinclair; my hairs stand on end when that guy comes on, then there’s Jace (Pendragon), Beamish, Oberon, Juno, Kevin Energy, my list is just too long.
Littleman: I’d have to say the reaction of the crowd to different styles and noises in certain tunes have been the main inspiration for me.
SP: Darren Pearce/ Peach and Twisted
LK: So many, i've got a long long list!
Who do you find inspiring?
Mattie C: Over the years, all sorts of people for all sorts of different reasons, but they have all helped me learn more about the industry we are in. But friends, family and the crew have been the best support.
Phil: A lot of inspiration came from the CD's that I used to listen to, also my girlfriend, and Mattie C!
Group 185: Kylie, Yoda and the people who make rizzlas…
Flake: Anyone who can drink a shitload and then smoke gear…….
Pascal D: Ed Real, when I watch him play and mix from record to record, its like ‘shit, where did that come from?’ He is a master and an inspiration.
Littleman: Lab 4 and Mark Sinclair because they have been in the industry for so long and still have the same passion about it now as when they started.
SP: Darren Pearce and Sasha.
LK :There’s been so many over the years, but the ones that stand out are people like Jeff Mills, Nico, Underworld and, in more recent years Uberdruck, Dj Wag, Fast Floor… the list goes on and on.
What are your goals and aspirations?
Mattie C: To concentrate more on the record shop and DJing. As Swamp has become easier over the years with help from Mad Phil and the crew, it has allowed me to spend more time on other projects and to get in the studio as much as possible.
Phil: I wanna get into producing, but I'm so busy promoting, designing flyers, posting on websites, out at the weekend and so on! But I WILL get down to it one day!
Group 185: To brainwash the entire world into becoming our total slaves with our secret brainwashing machine and becoming supreme dudes… either that or just getting a few tunes released and having a bit of a laugh while we do it; we really are into playing out live though
Flake:Gonna make Hooked On Records as successful as possible, even if that does mean working with Matt… just joking !!
Pascal D: To get more involved in production. I haven’t had many opportunities except for one a few months back. My biggest goal is wanting to become a super star DJ (don’t we all) … seriously, I love playing my tunes and having a good time, and I would most definitely like to become international and to travel the globe; it’s been my dream for years now, and I’m doing the best I can with the resources that I have at hand. Things will come to those who wait and work hard at what they do. I’ve never worked as hard as I do now on my DJing.
Littleman: It would have to be to make my own records and play out to larger crowds.
SP: To start producing and writing my own tracks and also work on some collaborations.
LK:To convert all clubs to using Vestax instead of Technics or convince all European producers to please add a bit more speed to their tracks (it would make life much easier). Either that or just getting a CD done some time soon!
What collaborations have you been involved with, and are you working on any tracks or had any released?
Mattie C: I’ve worked on a few tracks with other people and have spent some time in the studio at home. I’ve given it a rest for the past few months since setting up www.hookedonrecords.com but I have a number of dates put aside for the future and have also moved my studio from home into the record shop office so now myself and Flake can sit down and get some tunes down if things get quieter. But we shall see?
Phil: Not yet! But when I do I'd like to do something with either Dave or Aaron from Prime Mover!
Group 185: We did a couple of collaborations with Fordy, including one called ‘Cained’ that was played in Australia to packed floors; Eryk Orpheus did a remix of it that was just filthy, pure evil. We’re working quite closely with him at the moment as we really love the way he gets things sounding, and he's producing several of our tracks that have attracted interest overseas such as ‘Party Dirty’ a collaboration we did with Type 1 DJs . We've worked with all these guys on and off now for a while, we do stuff with DJJD too, he was on our released tune ‘J.D's Hog’ which is out soon on nunrg label.
Flake: As Matt said, there’s now a studio set up in the office so there’s definitely gonna be some action on that front in the near future….i’m gonna try and resurrect acid trance!!!!
Pascal D: Yes, Dan Dyson and myself worked on a track called ‘The Beginning’ which has been played out quite a bit but has not been signed on any label as yet, there has been a remix done by Sam Hudson which has a wicked acidy bass line and still needs some refining, but as a first tune I can't complain!
Littleman: Only my own personal demo CD's but I don't think that counts…
SP:Not just yet but I'm just starting to do so...
LK: I’ve been a bit slack in that department but I hope to start some thing in the near future.
Tell us one funny story about something that’s happened at a gig, or a point of interest about yourself…
Mattie: There have been so many funny stories I could tell with this bunch of idiots as Crew. But there are few that stick out in my mind, the power cuts at Swamp, Daz’s car driving through Brixton with the roof down and mountains of staging hanging off the back, when Group 185 were playing and needed the stage and we couldn’t get hold of a van. And a certain member of the crew throwing his mobile in the bin, thinking it was an empty coke can. One way to lose your phone, the fact he had £80 stuck in the back of it still makes me laugh.
Phil: Believe it or not, I'm the ONLY sober one at Swamp! Just high on the copious amounts of Red Bull that I drink! (I should be sponsored!)
Group 185: Our advice to anyone thinking about doing this is to think very carefully about it. We were both wealthy and had long hair when we started out, now that we are successful we are bald and skint, Mike often loses his way home from the top of his garden and I’m not sure now if I am a large fish with a cats head. Is it time for my medication… help… please send all your money...
Flake: Someone once came up to me after a trance set and said: Flake, what the fuck was that all about??
Pascal D: What makes me different???? Hmmmmmmmmmm! Well, I’m an ugly motherfucker.............nah, I’m just me, I do my best when i play out, really mix my tunes up. I’m always trying something new and I love to try and do new tricks. I am exceptionally privileged to play out, that’s the best part. I’m always friendly and will talk to anyone who comes up to me. At the end of the day I am human. Respect.
Littleman: I once witnessed someone obviously totally on one at Fire in the morning having it large in the middle of the dance floor whilst eating two Pot Noodles at the same time, Chicken and Mushroom if I remember rightly.
SP: Once we had a power cut when we blew the main fuse in the club and I was unable to play my set. But, as in most of my sets, by the time I’ve realised what I’m doing the sets almost over anyway. Why they keep playing me last I don’t know!! LOL
LK: I'm probably one of the quietest people you’re likely to meet, getting more involved in the behind-the-scene things rather than being a front man, and when I was asked to play at the first Swamp I was under the impression that it was a one-off, but two years down road I’m still trying to work out where the time has gone and how I got involved in the first place, but I’m glad I did as its been a lot of fun, and seeing people having it on the dance floor makes it all worth while.
Where to now for Swamp - year 3 and beyond?
Mattie & Phil: Well there’s still a large number of great DJ’s that we all want to have down to play for us, both bigger names as well as some quality up and coming DJ’s who have caught our eye recently. We have a double back to back weekender planned with Vinyl Zoo on October 1st & 8th, where we will be doing a party together with them two weeks running. That should be fun as we have done parties with them before and they're a great bunch. So we're really looking forward to that.
We're also starting to plan the next Obsession, our sister party, as the last two have been excellent fun. We're taking a break for a few months and should be back at the end of June.
We’d like to do more live broadcasts with Harddance.net as well, and really just keep on having good parties and meeting new friends!
What special treats will you be putting on for the party?
Mattie & Phil: Lots!! So make sure you join us – we’ll have CD Giveaways, sweets, ice poles and much more!
Visual Reality will be providing some stunning laser and lighting and we will also be broadcasting the event live on www.harddance.net. This is a first for us and a first for Harddance as well, we’re really excited about our party going out to a global audience, our friends around the world will be able to enjoy the party too !
And finally, in true Oscars fashion, is there anyone you'd like to thank?
Mattie & Phil: Yeah, loads of people! Very special thank-yous to Abi, Justin, Candice, Taz, Helen, Daz, Rudi, Harry PT, RedCaT, Elvis and the 414 crew and many many others who’ve helped make Swamp the great party that it is.
Huge thanks, too, to everyone who comes down and parties with us – there wouldn’t be a party without you !!
It may be Swamp’s birthday but it’s the clubbers who are going to get the goodies! Make sure you don’t miss out!
Swamp website: www.clubswamp.co.uk
Swamp's 2nd Birthday Party!!
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On:
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Friday 14th May 2004
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At:
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CLUB 414 [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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£10 OTD - £8 cons/Paying guestlist
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Website:
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www.clubswamp.co.uk
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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For £8 paying gueslist emailguestlist@clubswamp.co.uk with full names by Thursday May 13th at 8pm.
After 2 years of some of the best underground hard trance parties and having made some excellent friends along the way, we are proud to announce the line-up for our 2nd Birthday on the 14th May 2004. We bring all the residents together who have helped to make this the great party it is today including our Resident LIVE PA Group 185.
Big thanks to everyone who has helped over years both friends, promoters and DJ’s to make this party so much fun. Special thanks to Abi , Justin, Candice, Taz, Helen, Daz, Rudi, Harry PT, RedCaT & Elvis and the many others for keeping the vibe alive and also to Tony and Louise at the 414 and all the friendly security Steve, Glen and Simon, for being so great to us over the years!!
We have seen some great DJ’s play for us over the past year including Ed Real, Mark Sinclair, Slacky, Kevin Energy, Andy Vinal, Beamish, Fabry, Raymondo, Tom Allan, Latex Zebra, Psycho, Flip, BSE, Chris Vincent, Shaf De Bass, Tin Tin, Jim Wild, G-Whizz , RedCaT, Greg Cosford, Future Sound of Elvis, The Ting, Little Miss Fox, DR Duzzit and Matt N Joy.
But they wouldn’t have been such good parties with out all you lot, thanks you!!
We will be broadcasting the event live on www.harddance.net and Visual Reality will be providing laser and lighting! Along with CD Giveaways, sweets, Ice poles and much more!
Look forward to seeing you all there!!
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Trance. Acid Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Nu NRG. Hard House. Acid Techno. Deep Techno. Techno. Breaks.
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DJ's:
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All the residents...
Group 185 (LIVE PA) - (Swamp, Atomic Energy)
Phil Lankester - (Swamp, Obsession UK)
Littleman - (Swamp)
Matt Church - (Swamp, HookedOnRecords)
L.K - (Swamp)
DJ SP - (Swamp)
Flake - (Swamp, HookedOnRecords)
Pascal D - (swamp)
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Other Features By spacekitten:
Dirty vibes for filthy minds
As Above, So Below: it all comes together at Atomic Energy’s 6th Birthday
True to Type: an interview with that bangin' duo Type 1 DJs...
More than hardcore: an interview with MC, producer & DJ Sharkey
Welcome to the zoo: interview with the Zoology crew
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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