DJ Dave Angel
Dave Angel – Techno Wizard
We find ourselves away from the Jungle and deep
into the land of Dave Angel’s Techno. Lets find
out more about one of the men who is introducing
a different style of music on today’s Rave
Scene.
Where do you live and how old are you?
I live in Clapham, London and I’m now 27.
How long have you been a DJ?
About 11 years now.
How did you get started?
When I was a kid my Uncle had his own sound
systems and I sort of grew up into it, and later
on I got my own records and decks.
What was your first big break/event?
It was at the Pirate Club, The Castle in Camden.
It was at the time of my Eurythmics ‘Sweet
Dreams’ remix, which brought me work from R & S
Records in Belgium. Word soon spread to Germany
after my first two releases with R & S. I had to
hire a Manager to cope with the demand.
What was the best event you have ever played at?
Technodrome in Scotland. It was the first really
big event in Scotland and the atmosphere was
amazing.
Why do you play Techno?
I am a music lover. I have a musical background,
my Dad was a Jazz musician and I was a drummer
at the age of 8, and I just get a bigger buzz
from programming a drum machine you can tell the
identity from the sound, you don’t even need to
see a label to know what it is whereas some
hardcore and breakbeat has no identity like
that, it is just more to my personal taste.
So what are your opinions on breakbeat and
hardcore?
To me breakbeat is not a sound of the future,
putting, for example, a 25 year old beat through
a new machine and saying it is something new
doesn’t make sense to me. There is no identity
to the track.
What do you think of the current scene and where
is it going?
Breakbeats are just another passing phase. It
will be like others that come and die quickly.
I’ve tried bringing in some Detroit techno but
it doesn’t seem so popular with the kids.
People over 24 for example seem to appreciate it
more, I think it will last longer. The younger
people are bringing in new phases such as their
version of trance which comes from Germany.
What is the Euro Techno scene in contrast?
In Frankfurt, trance is becoming popular which
is an offshoot of progressive house. In this
country wannabe techno listeners are making
their own version but it is not the real stuff
coming out of Germany. But some of the German
stuff can be too fast so I tried to introduce
some Detroit techno recently, but the Germans
didn’t really take to it, they like hard and
fast bpm’s.
You’ve played at both ends of this country, have
you noticed any differences in taste and
attitudes of those in the North to the
Southerners?
Definitely, the ones in the North, in general,
seem to enjoy it. They are there to dance and
enjoy the music. They seem to get more out of it
and make the most of it all. The authorities in
Scotland are less oppressive and I’ve even seen
quite old and really young people making use of
the side attractions such as fairground rides.
Everyone seems to appreciate everything up
North.
Do you think there should be more purpose built
venues like the Sanctuary in Milton Keynes?
Yes. I think more money should be invested in
raves like in Germany, raves are sponsored by
different companies which brings more publicity
and money.
Do you think it would reduce the number of
illegal/free raves?
No they will always go ahead. People who run
them and go to them wouldn’t want things to
change.
What is the best thing about being a DJ?
I used to think it was the travelling because
sometimes I got to Europe up to 3 times a week,
but it gets a bit lonely being amongst
foreigners and strangers. I think the
opportunity to buy records while abroad is good
because some are special editions which no one
can get hold of here. Of course the money and
buzz from playing to the crowds is another good
thing about the job.
So are you pleased with your career so far?
Yes it wasn’t really my ambition to become a DJ
it just sort of happened. I was involved with
the music and moved with it.
Any future plans?
I’ll probably spend another 2 years as a DJ and
then move on to producing for my new record
label Rotation.
Any advice for aspiring DJ’s?
Be diplomatic, not too pushy. Take it easy,
don’t tread on anyone’s toes and be dedicated.
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