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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - 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 |
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Punk by name, punk by nature: interview with one of the dirtiest, hardest & fastest of them all
Reported by Tara
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Submitted 01-09-10 19:27
Sam Punk is one of the original heroes of hard dance. Literally living and breathing dance music, he worked for other music companies and labels before starting up his own distribution, promotion and publishing companies, as well as his own studio and record labels. He’s back in London for a rare appearance at DHF’s 2nd Bday Bash on Friday 1 October @ Hidden, so we caught up with him for a long overdue chat...
DHF — short for Dirty, Hard and Fast — is fast approaching the terrible twos and who better to headline than one of the stalwarts of the hard dance scene? Playing alongside Scott Attrill, Luca Antolini, FJ Project and the DHF ressies Wragg and Log:One, Nick the Kid vs Louk, SHOCK:FORCE and Nutty T and Candyman01, who are playing together under their new Dirty Demons guise, this promises to be one of the biggest hard dance line-ups of the year to hit London.
When Luca Folco aka Candyman01 decided to relaunch Devon-based party DHF in London two years ago, even he had wasn’t aware of just what a monster he was about to create. Starting at Brixton’s Mass and moving to Hidden, nearly two years on he’s had some of the top names in hard dance down to play. But it’s not just all about the music at DHF: Luca and co-promoter Bubs make sure they put on one hell of a party, from the décor and lighting to the goodie bags, the best possible night out they can.
With the excitement mounting ahead of the 2nd Birthday Bash, we managed to get hyperactive workaholic Sam Punk to sit down with a vodka and answer some questions for his London fans…
You’ve been in the music game for a long time. When did you fall in love with dance music and what inspired you to start mixing records?
1986, when I bought my first singles and maxi singles. I then tried to mix them on my Thorens Turntable.
Your music is described on your website as “a mixture between hardstyle/hard dance, tech-trance and hard trance.” Please describe your sound.
Modern techno with influences of all styles to rock the dance floor.
As well as DJing all over globe most weekends you’re also one of the world’s leading hardstyle producers. How did you first get into making your own music?
It’s now over 21 years ago. I can’t remember anymore — too many bottles of vodka have passed through my brain!
You’re originally from Slovenia, where the oldest musical instrument in the world was found in a cave in 1995. Do you think this contributes to your interest in music? Who or what were your musical influences growing up?
My dad was a street musician. It’s in my genes!
I know from speaking to you when I was working on Upfront magazine a few years go that you are indeed one of the pioneers of the hardstyle scene. Was hardstyle a deliberate choice for you, or something that you fell into naturally over the years?
Hardstyle is for me only a part of hard dance. Now it’s a part of the scene. I was NEVER a pure hardstylist, I like all kinds of pumpin bass.
You’ve been playing at gigs and raves since 1989 and have toured everywhere from Canada to Croatia; what have been the dirtiest, hardest and fastest parties you’ve played at over the years?
My own nights in 1990–1992! There were no rules…
You founded hardstyle label Steel Records in 2004. Now the digital age has completely changed the way music is made, played, marketed and sold, what do you see as the pros and cons of being a label owner?
It is good that more music today is free, but it's only a promotion to get bookings. For me it's OK as I'm making tunes and getting bookings - so I'm getting vodka and earning respect.
As well as being a label owner, you also run your own marketing and promotion agency, distribution company, production studio and music publishing businesses. How do you ever get time to breath?! Again, how has the digital age affected the way you do business?
You grow with things and changes. I don’t think too much, you’re better off doin doin doin…
What’s your favourite piece of kit in the studio at the moment?
My old PC, my Doepfer Drehbannk, my old YAMAHA CS1X and my old school coffee machine!
Your Hardbeatz compilations are some of the biggest selling hardstyle CDs in Germany and you’ve released over 200 tracks on your own and other labels. What do you think makes a great track stand out from the rest?
Soul.
What are the dirtiest, hardest and fastest tracks in your CD wallet at the moment?
I like A.S.Y.S., Louk and Kidd stuff. But still a lot of classics and of course all Uberdruck stuff!
Does your Mum know that you’re the “Motherfuckin terrorist of bass”?! But seriously, are your folks happy with your career choice? Did they ever sit you down and try and talk you into becoming say, an accountant?
My Mom loves it! She wears a terror shirt!
Are you punk by nature as well as by name?
Yes — 25 years ago… oi oi oi punk!!!
What do you like to get up to in your spare time?
Spending time with my lovely girlfriend and our dog Zeus! Relaxing and having a good time.
You’ve recently played in the Tunnel Area at the legendary Nature One festival, and at the Sounds of Nature festival in Sezana. How’s the festival season treating you so far?
It’s OK. I’m doing more studio stuff this year to hit the market with megablast in 2011!
Who are the dirtiest, hardest and fastest DJs and producers that you admire the most?
Lenny Dee & M-Zone. Both are legends in my eyes.
Touring the world as a full-time musician and working as a label owner you’re constantly exposed to the best music around. What up-and-coming DJs and producers have caught your attention recently?
Busho, Robin Clark, Louk, Log One and of course FJ Project.
You’re one of the lucky few who can make a living doing what they love. What advice
would you give DJs and producers reading this who want to make it in the music business?
Learn, work and earn respect.
On Friday 1 October you’re coming to London to headline the DHF 2nd birthday bash, where your fans will have the rare luxury of seeing you play in a smaller more intimate venue. Will this change your set at all, or will you still bang it out like you would in an arena?
I never play the same set. It’s always a question of the energy. Live DJing is like sex.
What dirty hard and fast treats do you have up your sleeve for your London fans?
Don’t believe the hype and let’s say our prayers to the people who lost their friends @ the Love Parade 2010.
Finally, if we see you at the bar, what should we buy you to drink?
Vodka and orange juice.
Thanks for your time Sam! Looking forward to finally meeting you on 1st October!
Photos and artwork courtesy of Sam Punk. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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DHF 2nd B-Day Bash
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On:
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Friday 1st October 2010
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At:
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Hidden [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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TBA
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Ticket Info:
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Tickets are available from the following outlets
More on the Door
Ticket Web
The Ticket Sellers
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More:
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1st of October, the DHF Crew are back for the B-day Edition with plenty of exciting things to look forward to and celebrate...DHF styleee!
Make sure you save the date, its going to be a birthday bash to remember!
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Other Features By Tara:
Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast!
Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project
A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden
Telling Cosmic Tales with DJ Strophoria
Tom Psylicious aka EarthAlien takes 50 Spins Around the Sun: Raising Awareness Through the Power of Music
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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