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Features
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Introducing Cyberkitten’s rising star: Steve Gillen
Reported by K8-e
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Submitted 29-06-05 18:27
The last year has seen Steve Gillen bag a Cyberkitten residency, have eight tunes signed and play at the biggest New Year’s Eve event in the UK. The artist formerly known as Stevie G has a lot to be proud of. I met Steve about a year ago and was impressed when he played me ‘Paradox’, a tune he’d been working on with Craig Main and Riggsy. A CD of his material followed and I was totally hooked! As well as being a thoroughly nice guy this bloke makes some seriously phat tunage spanning a variety of different sounds from techy to filthy to uplifting. I was so distraught I couldn’t play his unreleased material in my sets I started saving for a cd deck. I caught up with Steve to find out what’s been going on in his world.
Cyberkitten resident Steve Gillen
Firstly let’s clear up the name change. You are definitely now Steve Gillen for dj’ing and production work — so what happened to the old Stevie G?
Ha! Yeah it’s something that I had to think long and hard about doing. It certainly wasn’t an easy decision that I took lightly. About the same sort of time I started making progress within the scene and getting regular bookings, another dj with the same name started doing the same thing, with the main difference being the styles of music we play. He is a trance dj. It was starting to cause some confusion so I decided to take the plunge and start using my own name Steve Gillen. I’m happy with the decision and feel it works out best for all concerned! I’m going use my own name for all dj bookings and all future releases (although I’m still Stevie G on Harder Faster — just to confuse things!
You’ve been into dj’ing for about 5 years now and when you started mixing you played hardcore. How did you end up playing hard house? Was there a turning moment when you decided this was the genre for you?
Ah yeah the good old days of hardcore. I first discovered dance music through hardcore.
Although I don’t play it these days, I will always have a certain respect and so many fond memories of the scene back then. It is where I have come from and I won’t forget that. I still draw musical influence from my background, and you can hear it a fair bit in some of the tracks.
I was taken along to my first ever rave — Helter Skelter — by my best mate and was hooked on hard dance music from that point forward. The thing is, my taste has evolved quite considerably over the years. When I first got into hardcore it was the vocal stuff I liked. Over time, this changed and my preference went into the harder end of the spectrum and this is when I started dabbling in hard house. It was not something I jumped head first into. There was a long period where I was unsure which direction I wanted to take things. However, the more I started going out clubbing to hard house & NRG, the more I discovered I was starting to prefer it. The genre has a broader range of producers, which in turn meant a more diverse range of music. I think the turning point for me was going to a night called Progress in Derby @ the Gatehouse (I think it was the Gatehouse, the venue was a converted bank). I didn’t know anyone on the line up at the time. That night I saw Karim play for the first time and it truly blew me away. His style had so much power, energy and impact, the perfect combination. That set had such an influence on my taste and style. The guy is a true inspiration. NRG all the way!!
New Year’s Eve saw your CyberKitten residency announced and well and truly cemented with a blinder of a set following on from legend Andy Farley (at LIFE in Milton Keynes). What was going through your mind that night? Was that the biggest gig you had played to date?
LOL!! Yeah what a night that turned out to be! That night has to be the highlight of my career so far for a couple of reasons. I got my residency for CyberKitten that night, prior to that I had been booked to play on a fairly regular basis for them over the course of 2004. Working alongside with the promoters Yojo and Colin and the rest of the CK crew has been a fantastic experience. The relentless energy and commitment shown by CK’s promoters is tops and their vision’s exciting and unique. I have the utmost respect for CyberKitten as a promotion, so being made a resident was a dream come true!
The LIFE event was presented by ‘HELTER SKELTER’, so to get a chance to play for the night that first got me into dance music was so exciting and very surreal. It’s really fun how things work out in your life sometimes. I really do believe that everything happens for a reason. Another Brucey Bonus that night was that the whole thing was being hosted in our home city of Milton Keynes. This meant that so many of our local clubbers, supporters and good mates where there to party. To play a set for that crowd was a truly amazing feeling. Getting the opportunity to come and play the biggest set of my life after a star like Andy Farley was excellent and somewhat daunting. To say I wasn’t nervous would be lying! But that set taught me a lot and was a massive mile stone in my career.
This year has been a bit of a whirlwind as well hasn’t it? CyberKitten have gone on tour bringing their unique brand of mayhem (and troupe of loyal clubbers) to BBtB in Birmingham, WildChild, Bedlam and X-Static events @ the Fridge, plus the recent hosting of the mighty NuBreed room at Hard House Heaven for Frantic. They’ve finally settled in at their new home at the Empire in Milton Keynes. Have you had a defining moment this year that’s stood out?
It has been excellent fun going out on tour with CyberKitten across the country. We have had the opportunity to play for some of the leading promotions around, along side some of top players in the scene. It has taught me a great deal and been a real eye opening experience. It’s also been a complete blast to be honest! The defining moment for me had to be the home coming party in our new home @ The Empire. The turn out was amazing. CyberKitten’s really built up a loyal following of crazy clubbers. What more can you ask for, getting to play a set of your favourite music to a home crowd of up for it party people?
Steve Gillen —CyberKitten Arena @ Polysexual, Birmingham
Let’s talk about your production work. You’ve got a track coming out at the end of June with Craig Main and Riggsy on Twisted Traxx called ‘Paradox’ and a string of belters (http://www.discogs.com/artist/steve+gillen & http://www.discogs.com/artist/stevie+g) fast building up behind you. The majority of your work has been with Fidget head-man Barry Diston. How did you get involved with Fidget? What do you both bring to the table when you make a tune?
Ah it all seems so long ago now yet it only happened about 2 years ago! I had heard of the promotion Fidget (Midlands’ Sunday morning afterparty club) from a few mates and seen it advertised on various flyers. Keen as always to get a set, I contacted Barry via email and sent him through a demo. On the basis of that I got booked to play a warm up set at the following month’s event. From playing there I got to meet a lot of the other Fidget djs including promoter Barry) and the regulars. The set went well and a string of other ones followed from there. On New Year’s Day, 1st Jan 2004, I was made Fidget resident which I was over the moon about.
From playing alongside Barry and hearing some of the tracks he was making, I developed an interest in production. I have made the majority of my tracks with Barry at his Fidget Studios in Coventry. I highly recommend his services as an engineer; he has such a talent for music. We are quite different in our general styles, Barry being more on the uplifting tip, and myself darker driven NRG. I think this combination of tastes fuse well in our production, and give quite a unique sound.
What sort of sound can we expect from a Steve Gillen track then?
Production wise, I try and vary my style a bit to keep things interesting. It is very easy to fall into the trap of knocking out tunes that all sound the same. I strive not to let that happen. This is the main reason why I work with a number of different people for collaborations and different engineers. I work with people like Dan Dyson and Kam-Pain for darker nastier tunes. These tend to be the harder end of the spectrum and appeal to a very specific niche in the scene. I have done two tracks with this duo, the first one ‘Hells Paradise’ and more recently ‘Here Is Punishment’. Both have been signed up and released on Passion Records. They are by far the hardest tracks I’ve made.
Another very talented engineer that is starting to get the recognition he deserves is Riggsy. I’ve worked with him on two different tracks. The first was ‘Unleash The Fury’ and that was made with my long term friend Simon Vegas. This was both of our first ever release which came out on Redemption last year. This set the benchmark for things to come in the future. The second track I did with Riggsy was a collaboration with another talented dj Craig Main. The outcome of that little project was the tune you mentioned earlier, ‘Paradox’, on Twisted Traxx. We did this track quite some time ago but it's due for full release this month with a hard as nails remix by Twisted Traxx bosses Space Sentinelz. The sound created with Riggsy is still hard NRG but with greater depth and a more uplifting feel and, as I mentioned earlier, the sound created by myself and Barry is quite unique, a hard house/NRG cross over that has plenty of drive yet keeps that uplifting edge.
Set wise….
Ah well... that really depends on the time of night I’m playing to be honest. I do like to keep things tough and driving, but not so over the top that it batters the crowd into submission! I like to build my set starting off tough and building things up from there. I would say my sets are a combination of the styles of tracks I make, sometimes with a bouncy edge, other times outright filthy. I mix it up a bit to keep things interesting.
Steve Gillen @ Purple Turtle, London
So have you been in the studio recently? What have we got to look forward to?
Yeah I’ve just finished off two new tracks recently. The first one is with Brad Duke. We have done a track called ‘I’ve Seen Things’. I’m very pleased with this, a stomping hard houser, with plenty of welly. The second track is called ‘Reach Out’ made with the queen of filth and CyberKitten co-rezzie Lucy Fur. This was her first production effort and she certainly hasn’t disappointed. We are both very pleased with the finished result of this monster! I’m confident it will be signed up soon enough.
Who would you like to do a track with and why?
That is a very difficult question to answer believe it or not. I think given the choice out of anyone, I would have to say Ian M. I have so much respect for this guy as a dj and producer. He’s got such a wealth of experience and knowledge. He doesn’t just bang out the tunes for the sake of it, just to be in the latest batch of releases. But when he does release a track people sit up and take notice. Listen to his track ‘Dreamer’ on Tidy. It came out years ago, and still cuts it with the best of them these days, sounding as fresh as the day it was made.
What’s in your box? Top 3 tunes you won’t leave home without please:
1. Glazby — ‘Kick It’. I’ve played this in nearly every set since I got a copy 2 years ago! It never fails to go off big time. I hear that the main man Glazby has done a 2005 rework of the track too due out on Vicious Circle later in the year. How good is that?! Can’t wait to hear it. I’m also very impressed with the Paul Janes remix of it, and would happily sell my left leg for a copy (you heard the man people, anyone want a left leg?  )
2. Lab 4 — ‘Candyman’. The original mix of the tune is such an anthem and quite unlike anything else I have ever heard.
3. D6 — ‘Red Pill’. A monster tune, I have started so many sets with this bad boy. When it kicks in the place always explodes. It’ s innovative and still sounds fresh.
CyberKitten is 2 and will be celebrating its birthday in style at the Empire, Milton Keynes on July 2nd. In an excellent twist Yojo has engineered a boys vs girls bonanza (see full line up below) that will run all night. You are playing with HF regular (and boys vs girls winner from the comp last year) Julez. Have you played B2B with Julez before and what can we expect from your set?
I’m very excited about this set! I’ve been following Julez for a while now and she is coming along leaps and bounds, a very talented young lady indeed. I think generally she plays slightly harder than me but on the whole our sounds our quite similar. I’m looking forward to this back to back. It will be the first time we have played together but I’m sure it wont be the last. Expect plenty of full on NRG with a twist... no holds barred — ha ha!
What do you think makes a good B2B?
The ability to adapt to the person you are playing with mainly. A true back to back I think is one on, one off. Tune for tune. This makes it a proper head to head set and will allow things to develop as the set progresses. If every tune put on is done with a view to bettering the last things really take off. I think b2b sets always work well if the people try and bounce of each other. When solo it is sometime difficult to constantly interactive with the crowd. But a b2b set gives both people the perfect opportunity to get more involved with the crowd while the other is playing.
Steve Gillen CyberKitten Room @ BBtB, Birmingham
Which djs do you tip for success?
Out of more established ones I think Lucy Fur and Cally Gage will really come into their own over the next 12 months. Both are developing strong followings and I can see big things happening for them both. Out of the more recent up and comings I would have to put my money on CyberKitten’s very own HyperVixen. She’s such a natural talent behind the decks and a driving enthusiasm for what she does, and has such diversity in her style. HyperVixen is proving more and more that she is a force to be reckoned with.
And finally a few quick fire questions…
Favourite non-hard dance tune?
Green Day — ‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’. Such a great tune. I want this played at my funeral.
Takeaway or home cooked food?
I’m a big fan of takeaway food to be honest, Chinese & Mexican being the favourites, although you can’t beat a good home cooked meal either.
Favourite movie?
I’m a big fan of horror movies mainly. Although the best film I have seen in a long while has to be ‘The Butterfly Effect’. That film really did make me think and illustrated perfectly that everything that you do in your life, no matter how insignificant, has a knock on effect. Every action has a consequence. Always worth bearing in mind….
Cats or dogs?
Neither. Am not a big fan of animals to be honest. Cats are OK although I couldn’t eat a whole one.
And finally your favourite words of wisdom?
Anything is possible if you try hard enough. But life ain’t going to hand you it on a plate. You will need to work hard for it.
Also you will meet lots of people in your life time, but true friends are hard to come by. They are the ones that will always be there for you, no matter what.
Well a big thanks to Steve for re-introducing the phrase ‘Brucey Bonus’ to my vocabulary. It’s been missing too long. Seriously though, I’m pretty excited about what’s to come for this young man. ‘This Filth’ & ‘In My Sleep’ with Barry and the as yet unsigned ‘Call it What U Will’ (with Miss XS) have all featured heavily in my recent sets. I’m looking forward to hearing the tunes with Lucy and Brad and getting my copy of ‘Paradox’ — I’m sure they too will become regular plays. His productions are a breath of fresh air to the scene and his sets the stuff legends will be made of. Check him and his tunage out, he’s definitely one to watch.
All photos courtesy of Colin Davies, Cyberkitten.
Steve Gillen will be appearing at the following events...
CyberKitten's BIG 2nd Birthday Bash!!!
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On:
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Saturday 2nd July 2005
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At:
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Empire Leisure Plaza Complex [map]
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From:
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10pm - 4am
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Cost:
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£8 before 11pm - £10 after 11pm
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Website:
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www.cyberkitten.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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For those mad happy peeps wishing to celebrate with us at our sexy mental affair...
Tickets on door
Advance - 07849375534
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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CYBERKITTEN'S BIG 2nd BIRTHDAY BASH w SOULSUGAR vs KINKY U!!
Happy Birthday CyberKitten/SoulSugar Clubbers!!!
My o' my!! We are 2!! How time fly's when yer havin' FUN!!
Hold onto your hats an' git ready to have yer body rocked an' yer head clocked! It's party time good people! CK STYLEE!!
In super celebration of our 2nd Birthday - an' the symmetry of the gorgeous number 2! All hail! A monster mash up of stormin' m/f b2b's! Frickin' hello sailor! Mad n mental! Bold n beautiful! These devastatin' duo's are comin' at ya! Double-barrelled an' ready to raise the fooking roof!!
Firing up this spesh night with upliftin' hard dance an' awesome classix - rezzie Ajay b2b with dj K8-e (CK debut) - rezzie Brad Duke b2b Miss BPM 'aka take you higher' delight with a blend of euphorific hard trance beauties - Nasty Neil E b2b Hannah Wild (CK debut) serve up a foxy hybrid mix of funky techno an' hard house - witness CK's HyperVixen b2b Garbo (CK debut) deliver a supermix of tough bouncy energetic hard beats - chargin' in rezzie Steve Gillen b2b Julez (CK debut) expect a 100% pure nrg stonker - final set honours go to CK ressie Lucy Fur b2b Matt Pickup - expect to be slayed with no less than a thunderous filthy close! You've been warned!
OMG! (tee-hee)..just the way we kitten's like it... xx
More good things come in 2!! Holding court in CK's VelvetRoom is our very own sexy SoulSugar VS the naughty Kinky U! A first time pairing of these cheeky house promotions! Expect a full on frontal of deep dirty n dee-licious - funky chunky beats an' acid tribal trix - delivered by the some of scene's top groove masters an' up n comin' mistresses - oo la la stylee!
Representing Kinky U are hot house hero's Egoiste an' Curtis Rolph along with new feline-fine funkee duo - Emj & Sykes!! SoulSugar struts with killah Kid Lopez b2b Ashley 'Soul Avenger' Roberts - SS's feirce n funky bad boys - Gary 'gee-tar Stewart b2b Mikey Feel Goode an' spesh guests - Audio Jackers do thier nast-ee thang on the decks - dishin' up for Global Gathering! Dirty double treat?! You betcha!!
To accompany the nights tasty offerings - the gorgeous energetic CyberKitten Dancers storm the podiums - fuelling the danceflo' with funny fresh sexed up folix an' hi jinx!
Oh ya.....
Smiles! Stalls! Attractions! Prizes! Give-aways! YOU!!
And one of the the maddest! Most mental! Most friendly an' up for it crowds in clubland!
Onna danceflo'......yahoooooooooooooo!!!!
A micro story of 2..
" Kitty Kitty..Double Bubble..Twin Peaks..Kiss Kiss..Two Sugars..Bob & Bob..Chop Chop..Siamese Sisters..Twinkle Twinkle.."
Double your pleasure - double your fun?!
Sure. Why not.
Yxjx - CyberKitten
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Other Features By K8-e:
The One and Only Eddie Halliwell
PunchFunk & Geushky Presents "Let's Make Rave" with Ian Void & Chris Vaux
Cream @ Amnesia - Ibiza 2010 - Reviewed
Pure Gold: Interview with Will Gold
Turning the Corner - Interview with IAMX
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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Comments:
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From: DIRTYBITCH on 29th Jun 2005 21:12.41
Well done babes.... You have done so well this year, you really deserve it...... your tracks are wicked...
From: Julez on 30th Jun 2005 08:55.26
 Wicked interview! Nice to see talent being recognised and rewarded. A pure legend and a genuine person to boot. Well done mate! 
From: karl davis on 30th Jun 2005 09:03.49
well done dude
From: Kamora on 30th Jun 2005 09:27.12
Time to check out some of Steve's tunes
From: gav the try hard on 30th Jun 2005 09:27.33
get in there stevie lad quality interview, saturday is gonna be a blinder
From: KennyKen on 30th Jun 2005 10:24.53
wkd interview
From: HyperVixen on 30th Jun 2005 11:52.46
Fantastic interview babe, with a hint of comedy... just how I like it. Hope everyones keeping there eye's on this one, he's moving fast!!! :o)
From: space sentinelz on 30th Jun 2005 12:04.05
superb interview,keep up the good work
From: brad duke on 30th Jun 2005 12:33.13
Wikkid interview guys!! Catchya both on the 2nd!! :thimb:
From: Redrum on 30th Jun 2005 13:51.38
What an interesting read! Well done Steve.Wow so that gig at Life New Years Eve was the turning point for you.That was an amazing set.Best of luck to you in the future.
From: Cally Gage on 30th Jun 2005 14:14.56
Quality interview babe and thanks for the mention, lol!
Just like to say that I think you are an amazing DJ and producer with a great passion for this scene, and to top it all off you're a great person as well.
Go Steve!
From: Yojo - Cyberkitten on 30th Jun 2005 14:32.11
Col and I couldn't be prouder - Steve's a hard working top lad with a ton of talent (ready to explode) 
Excellent well rounded interview Kate 
ROLL ON SAT  xx
From: Lucy Fur on 30th Jun 2005 14:43.58
Go Stevie
From: cuppels on 30th Jun 2005 16:30.06
top stuff
From: Neil English on 30th Jun 2005 20:10.23
Loving your work Steve! see you soon
From: Miles Gorfy on 30th Jun 2005 20:43.25
Good work fella, see you soon
From: marcopilf on 1st Jul 2005 08:23.43
lock, stock, the f..king lot! well done fella!
From: No Fit State on 1st Jul 2005 13:43.28
Keep it coming! And see you at CyberKitten tomorrow!
From: Steve Gillen on 1st Jul 2005 13:56.41
Thanks so much everyone! your support is truley appreciated.
Looking forward to celebrating the 2nd B'day tomorrow!!
cheers, Steve !
From: Steve Maynard on 1st Jul 2005 16:42.48
nice 1 Mr G
From: K8-e on 2nd Jul 2005 11:40.16
From: bennett on 6th Jul 2005 09:24.01
good work fella! 
From: Lana M on 6th Jul 2005 13:30.11
well everyone above has nicked my words! Brilliant Interview babe, nice one You deserve the reconition (cant spell) that you get, your a fuking gr8 dj and producer im glad your doing so well for yourself, your lovely babe and deserve it. 
From: Lunar chic on 7th Jul 2005 01:41.12
A proper star! Go on Stevie you BAD BOY!
From: Devastatin Dan Dyson on 7th Jul 2005 07:41.44
Well done steve...cheers for the mention too
From: Steve Gillen on 7th Jul 2005 10:17.11
Thanks again everyone for your kind words. Means a lot
From: SuperSexyBlondie1 on 10th Jul 2005 17:32.34
wikked interview mate!! Well done!
From: mad miss hell on 10th Jul 2005 21:10.25
wkd stuff mate
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