HHA Preview with Steve Hill - one of the most popular DJs around
Reported by benz
/
Submitted 31-01-05 23:11
Steve Hill is undoubtedly one of the most popular DJs and producers in the history of hard dance. His ethos is simple – it’s all about euphoric, uplifting, happy music. His production career has seen him record under numerous guises – from the bouncy hard house of Mr. Bishi!, to his cheeky Voltswagen bootlegs, and his gorgeous hard trancers under his own name. Hailing from Wellington in New Zealand, he surely ranks as the most successful Antipodean dance music export to these shores. His DJ sets are the stuff of legends, receiving plaudits from across the board for their peak-time energy and joyfulness. His fan base is massive worldwide, and when you hear him play you understand why people love him so much. It’s all about putting smiles on people’s faces as far as he is concerned. It’s been a year since he last appeared at his former home-from-home, Hard House Academy, and we are lucky enough to be graced by the man’s presence once again at HHA this February 26th. His appearance will no doubt be one of the highlights in a massive line-up including 4 of the world’s leading hard dance acts, and rooms dedicated to filthy hard house, bounce, and house. I caught up with Steve to catch up on what he’s been up to since last February…
Over the past few years, you have divided your time between your home country of New Zealand, Australia and the sunny shores of England. When did you come to London, and what was your initial plan? How long did you end up staying?
I arrived in England in May 1997 hoping to stay for 2 years. I’d just finished my honours degree at University, had residencies at all the top clubs in my home town and hosted a radio show. I decided it was time to make the move – I never thought I’d end up staying for 8 years though!
Having made so many friends in both countries, it must be very difficult to leave either one. Do you find you miss one more than the other?
Without MSN I’d be more torn between the two! I get to tour Europe 4 times a year so I still get to see everyone, albeit briefly. And although I live in Sydney in 2004 I only played here 9 times because I was playing different countries and cities every weekend. So no matter where I base myself I never get enough time to hang out with my mates!
What’s the best and worst things about each country? Would you ideally live in an amalgam of the two?
Sydney rocks. Period. I miss the buzz of London but not the weather. London is more vibrant talentwise, but I still find Sydney really stimulating. They have a different taste in music here so I feel my productions will be fresher now than when I was living in London as they incorporate a bigger range of influences.
I think Sydney is a marriage of Wellington, my home town, and London. The population and size of London, with the attitude and vibe of Wellington.
2004 saw a big resurgence in the world of bouncy hard house. Under your Mr. Bishi! guise, you churned out numerous slices of classic bounce. I hear you have been incorporating the sound in some of your newer production work – please tell us more!
I love bouncy Hard House. Always have. I’ve never really been a nails boy. Always into the euphoric side of things. Jon Langford and I have made a stack of new bouncy records, basically for no other reason than we wanted to. Cheeky samples, uplifting riffs, crunchy loops…it was great fun! Now it’s time to start releasing them.
I’m still a Hard Trance DJ by trade with a passion for Bounce…basically I’m a lover of all things euphoric. If one of my sets lasts 2 hours now I’ll visit Hard Trance, German, Hard Bounce and uplifting Hard House. Variety is the spice!
Which of your productions have you been most satisfied with? Are there any tracks you have made which make you feel really proud of yourself?
I’ve now made over 120 productions that have been released. I looked at my discography and went some of those would make a good solo album. So I picked my favourites and came up with a 3 CD set which I’m going to call: My Past, Your Present, Our Future. The first disc, My Past, is my favourite 20 tracks from 1999 – 2003. The second, Your Present, is 20 of the current tracks I’ve released. The third, Our Future, is 20 unreleased tracks I’ve been working on due for release in the next 12 months.
Not many people know but I’ve recorded under the following aliases in my time:
Mr. Bishi, Kumara, Masif DJ’s, Nylon, Neon Lights, Volts Wagen, Phlash!, DJ Meister, Nu Renegades, Digitale, Zander…and others I can’t mention…
So I can’t really pick one favourite out of all that lot unfortunately!
Which other artists do you collaborate with, and how does working with each one differ?
Over the past couple of years I’ve worked with K-Series, James Lawson, Matt Williams, Gaz West (Dark By Design), Lock N Load, Club Caviar, Guyver, Paul Maddox, Shark Boy, Rob Tiserra, Prime Mover, D10, Base Graffiti, Ian Bland, Technikal, Mark Kavanagh…gees I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone! Some take a week to make, some a day, some less! Each producer has their own way of working, which I find refreshing because each tune is organic.
I’ve never had a bad experience in the studio with a collaboration – some I work with better than others, sometimes the chemistry is better with certain people – but the result I’m always happy with. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the most talented people the past few years!
If there were others I’d love to collaborate with it’d be Steve Blake, K90, and Vinylgroover + the Red Head…
If you had the chance to work on something completely different from your usual styles of music, what would you make, and who would you make it with? Have you got any plans for an artist album for instance?
One thing I always wanted to make was an Acid Jazz album. I used to collect it in a big way before I moved to London. I have the first 100 Talkin’ Loud 12” promos in order in my vinyl collection!
I met up with a couple of musicians in London, who’ve just written 5 tracks for the forthcoming X-Press 2 album, and over a few beers, came up with the name Luxia, and embarked on an Acid Jazz / Chillout album. It’s finished now and two majors are bidding for it. We’re working on the second album now. I’ve been asked to co-produce a couple of albums along the same lines since people have heard it too which is flattering. As for the artist album…My Past, Your Present, Our Future is due for release Summer 2005.
What is your musical background? Were you ‘classically trained’ so to speak? Do you think you can notice a difference in the production skills of people who have such backgrounds, or do you think if the talent is there it emerges in any case?
I think the biggest talent in 2004 was Technikal. No classical training, but an enthusiasm and desire to write great records. That’s all you need. I’m not ‘classically trained’ but have managed to sell over 150,000 vinyl in 6 years! I can read music, play a few chords on the guitar, but I ‘play riffs by ear’…it's what sounds right that counts. When I sign a record, I sign the idea. You can always tweak, re-master, re-arrange a great idea. You can’t polish a turd. You can try, but it’ll always be a turd!
February 26th sees you return to your natural habitat – the main stage at Hard House Academy! How often do you come back to England to play, and do you get very excited every time?
Ah. Brixton Academy. Sends shivers up my spine already. There’s nothing that compares to the main stage. Due to diary commitments I haven’t made a Hard House Academy in a year – so I’m definitely looking forward to Feb 26! It’s also 15 years to the day I bought my first set of Technics!
Does New Zealand or Australia have a regular event on the same scale as HHA?
They have big events everywhere…Chemistry, Auckland (4,000), Dreamscape, Cairns (3,500), Twice As Nice, Adelaide (4,000) etc which I played at in 2004, plus outdoor festivals. The closest event to HHA is Transmission in Sydney where I’m now resident – events between 4,000 – 7,000 people! Nothing beats the Brixton Academy for atmosphere though!
The hard dance scene in Australia is pretty well documented, but I for one know very little about the scene in New Zealand. Can you fill me in please?
New Zealand I think has a stronger Hard House scene than Australia at the moment. Australia is more influenced by German Hard Trance. There is still a good underground following though!
I just can’t say a bad word about the NZ scene – they have supported me for years – long may it continue!
How did you get your first gig with Frantic, and where was it? Were you well known on these shores before you hooked up with Frantic?
I first DJed for Frantic in 1997! Second room at Bagleys – we called it the Red Zone. The main room was so rammed they needed a room for everyone to spill into. So why not get them dancing while they were in the extra room! We used to play all the funky Hard House like Freak + Mac Zimms, Jas Van Houten and the like…ah the memories.
How well known are you at home compared to back here? What do your relatives know about your work as a DJ?
I don’t have a problem filling my diary. Wellington is my fave place in the World. You walk into the DJ booth and they go mental from the off. Many internationals who’ve been have experienced it. Nothing like it. My home town and proud of it.
As I’m on tour every week sometimes I don’t get to let everyone know where I’ll be – so the first my mates hear of it is when they see the posters around – then I get the e-mails! So yeah they know…it’s all good!
What do you do besides DJing and production? I remember hearing that you were involved in the music industry in another way…
From 1997 – 2003 I ran a number of labels at Pure Groove, most notably, Tripoli Trax and Y2K. Then moved to Sydney and have been Business Manager for Central Station Records. Have since been poached by another company. I have 4 record labels; Masif, VWR, S-Trax and Mr Bishi Records. I will be adding one more to that shortly. Have a publishing company and have 1/3 shares in a touring / compilation / label management company in Australia.
In 2005 I’ll be finishing my Masters Thesis on Marketing In The Music Industry which I hope to turn into a book!
Finally, what are three things that Steve Hill couldn’t live without?
1. My girlfriend, Alexis.
2. Music.
3. Rolling Rock.
With thanks to Paul Underhill for photos.
Hard House Academy LIVE
|
|
On:
|
Saturday 26th February 2005
|
|
At:
|
Brixton Academy [map]
|
|
From:
|
20:00 - 06:00
|
|
Cost:
|
Limited Early Bird Tickets £13+BF
Saver Tickets £16+BF
Standard Tickets £19+BF
More On the Door
|
|
Website:
|
www.franticuk.com
|
|
Ticket Info:
|
Ticketweb 08700 600 100 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
NeverEnough 07813 684 399 / neverenoughmaria@hotmail.com
Frantic HQ 07949 618 035 / amanda@franticuk.com
ClubTickets 0870 246 1840 / www.clubtickets.co.uk
E-list 079092 809 077 / www.e-listlondon.com
|
|
Buy Online:
|
Click here to buy tickets
|
|
More:
|
After a lengthy 5 months of hibernation, HHA is back to keep you warm for the tail-end of winter! It’s all about the Live PAs, with performances from the big 3 in the main arean – Lab 4, K90, and Nuw Idol – as well as the devastating talents of the Organ Donors in the foyer! A very special appearance from Mr. HHA himself, Steve Hill, will be another main room highlight, as will the on-stage breakdancing and capoeira! A special tiered stage will also be installed for the live acts, so expect the on-stage antics of this HHA to be like never before.
The Foyer plays host to ‘I Love The Hoover!’, with the best of hard-edged DJs such as D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Karim, Justin Bourne, and Ed Real showing why the filthy foyer sessions are so damn good.
The Corridor will once again rock to the sounds of sexy and dirty house music all night long thanks to those funky brothers at 4Clubbers, Thirsty DJs and Groove Factory, and The Balcony Bar sees the country’s leading bouncy hard house promoters, Bring Back The Bounce, take over for some unparalleled madness! A very special mystery guest will be supported by Rachel Auburn, Strange Dave, Kernzey & Klemenza, Red & Blue and others to ensure that we’re all dancing like chickens for the duration!
What else? Well Brixton Academy doesn’t have any sound or light equipment in it…which means that we have to install Funktion One throughout the venue, the massive spiky inflatables in the main room, the immense lighting rig, the projecter screens for live VJing… it’s quite a job and takes 2 days to get it all set up!
HHA is such a world-renowned event that we get clubbers from all corners of the world – including 300 Dutch nutters who come over especially for the event! This event will be filmed for the forthcoming Frantic DVD, to be released this summer, featuring footage of our key events, and interviews with clubbers and DJs. Come and be a part of hard dance history and find out why HHA was voted as The Number 1 Hard Dance Club in the country by the readers of Mixmag.
|
|
|
| |
![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1.gif)
