SA Music Blog

Nick Warren started djing in `86, playing more down tempo and laidback music compared to the sound he has adopted over the years which has evolved into what most of us would call `progressive house` quote `not as how it is seen but rather for it being forward thinking music in it`s own right`.

Utilising Mac as opposed to the conventional PC, Nick has also been mixing in key for about a year now (www.mixedinkey.com). Nick recons that the perfect `dj set` has to be kept interesting and would consist of more than one specific genre being covered and the person playing around with key`s and pitches.

Starting off with playing lp`s and being able to associate a song with a picture, the problem most dj`s are facing at the moment is that using mp3`s, there is no easy way of getting to know the music considering that you have a ever increasing database and no way in which to visibly identify the music.

Nick will only be in South Africa for the weekend quoted saying… `I need to go home, my lawn needs mowing`.

Nick thought that it was fantastic that he has once again been invited to come do a gig in South Africa.

Being on the road for most of his time, Nick still spends up to 5 hours every day attending to new productions and remixes using Ableton (www.ableton.com) as well as listening to all the new music that gets sent to Hope Records (www.hoperecordings.co.uk) .

New way out west album has been finalised and has been sent off to studio in Germany to be mastered and should be released in September. The album steered away from the normal progressive sound and this album is more synth based and contains alot of male vocals, clearly deviating from the norm.

He is considered to be at the top of his game and taking in consideration the fact that he insists that `a person should put back what you take out`, his record label `Hope Records` is a prime example of how his philosophy has changed the dance scene to what it is today. The label has a strict policy of signing up and coming talent.

`Dj`s being ranked means nothing to me`, dj`s are being ranked against each other from different genres and this is like comparing apples to pears which cannot be done if you think about it.

When asked about his set his reply was, `it is definitely going to be nice.`

The club scene being the way that it is has a lot to do with the club owners. They are under the impression that they can do everything from start to finish without spending a cent on anyone and that is basically where the problem originates. Promoters need to be involved to be able to promote the actual event and focus strictly on that.

Advice to aspiring djs producers is to `always believe in your taste` if you like something play it` and if the people don`t like it tuff!

`Take it slowly and if it was meant to be it will happen!`

Both Johannesburg and Cape Town events were graced with top notch music, an up for it crowd and sound to die for!

We are all really looking forward to the next installment of I.C.E…

Peace out

ShaunK