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DJ Sw@t Interview

I wasn’t aware that an underground DnB scene was growing in Winnipeg, Manitoba until Sw@T sent her first mix my way. I was so impressed by her talent and passion for music that I wan’t to feature her on the site. Make sure you check out her latest mixtape featuring the vocal talent of NEX MC.

So how did it all begin?

A friend brought me to my first rave when I was 18 years old. It was a great time and one particular side room interested me the most. A local DJ was playing drum & bass and I just couldn’t leave that room! A few months and a couple parties later, I was hanging out with friends that were basically bedroom DJs playing records. When I asked them to let me try it out I was told, “No, this is way too technical for you!”…

Being the stubborn person that I am, the next day I tracked someone else down that had a set-up and asked them to let me come play around. I was instantly hooked! I started buying records right away, knowing I’d get decks soon enough. A few short months later, I had my own set up and started learning.

Where was your first gig?

At a friend’s house party in front of *very few* people. I wasn’t very good yet, but I don’t think anyone noticed at the time. My first club gig was about 8 months later at a local drum & bass night, “Extra Strength Saturdays” run by the now defunct Extra Strength Crew in Winnipeg, MB.

How did you get involved in your local drum and bass scene?

I just put myself around people who loved the music I loved. I got involved with our local club nights and the different crews, learning everything from those I respected. I did my research and tried to learn as much as I could, as quickly as I could. I played at different club nights, raves and locally broadcasted radio shows such as “Rinse Out Radio” on BassDrive.com & “Bassline Dropouts” on our local university radio, 101.5 UMFM.

What else are you currently working on?

Well, recently I teamed up with a vocalist, Nichole Amundsen (a.k.a.: NEX MC.) We’ve known each other for years but never took the time to get to know each other until just recently. Considering our mutual love for music, this was the perfect time to get together. We’re a great match and we really feed off of one another’s energy. I have been working with production a lot lately with both dubstep and drum and bass alongside DJ DEXX, half of the duo “Lucky Souljahs” (Indajungle Recordings)

When you play is it a pre-planned set?

No! Never. I have tried to put sets together in the past, but once I get to the show I usually take my cues from the audience as to what I should be playing. I do however have certain track combinations that I love to drop every now and then that always get the crowd hyped up. At the end of the day, I prefer to keep my sets open.

Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’

“Ladies Night” V.I.P. Mix by Demo & Cease; it’s a wicked tune and rocks the dance floor every time I drop it!

What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Producers/Promoters?

Well, like Julian from the Trailer Park Boys (Canadian television sitcom) once said “Life isn’t about getting drunk and eating chicken fingers!”

Play what you love, and love what you play. Believe in yourself and in what you are doing, because no one else will unless you do! I can’t even count the number of people I’ve converted to junglists because of the excitement I approach this genre with. There are a lot of people out there that are going to try to tell new DJs or producers what they should be playing and producing. People will tell promoters what acts they should and shouldn’t bring out… when it comes to music that you love, I think that if you don’t bring out acts that YOU really want to see and if you don’t play or produce music that you really love, you’re taking all the fun and passion out of it.

NEVER do something just because someone else tells you to, do it because you WANT to!

For those of you that want a career in the music industry, I say: GO FOR IT! You’ll always do better in a career that you love or have a passion for, so why not? Also, don’t let people bring you down. There are some people who will be jealous of any of your success and will do everything in their power to try and knock you down, it’s a given. Just don’t let those people make you doubt yourself ever. You’ll regret it!

What are your life goals?

I want to buy a house, get married… and be a massive SUPERSTAR DJ (kidding!) I do hope to get married soon and to have a home of my own to decorate with my own odd tastes. So far as my career in DJing & production, I have new goals daily. For every one I achieve, I’m setting five more. I have endless ambitions so far as this goes, but I want to get a few tracks released. This is my newest goal.

If you had a time machine what year would you go back to and why?

I would go back about… three and a half years ago to when I first started spinning and make sure NOT to leave records sitting out in the sunlight to warp beyond belief! I would also make sure to buy multiple copies of all the classic vinyl I loved so much.

Anything else you want to say? Any shouts?

Oh totally! BIG shouts to the Viper Recordings family - Futurebound, Metrik & Inside Info (to name a few!) You guys have really helped me along, hooked me up with the tunes and the inspiration to keep forging on. Also shouts to DJ B.traits - you have been so supportive over the years and have been a true inspiration to female DJs all over the world! To Konsta Muffler, DJ Panik and Drumsound for setting me up proper with killer dubs and much love. My wonderful boyfriend Kelly for putting up with my countless hours spent doing radio shows, online promotion & gigs. You have been nothing but a sweet heart and I love you!

Make sure to catch me on
http://www.KrisisDnB.com Thursdays nights 6:00pm-8:00pm CST and
http://www.ProtokolRadio.com Friday nights 8:00pm-10:00pm.
http://www.djswat.com
http://www.myspace.com/djswat

Don’t forget to check out my exclusive mix in the podcast section of DJVIBE featuring NEX MC.