MARITIMES - LOCAL ARTISIT SPOTLIGHT
NAME:
DOUG KEMP
HOME TOWN:
HALIFAX
CURRENTLY RESIDES:
HALIFAX
FACEBOOK:
TWITTER:
MIX CLOUD:
DJ MAG CANADA: Get us started with your history as a dj in the
maritimes ?
I got my first gig in the halifax club scene just days after turning 19
back in the late 90’s. This also happened to be the peak of halifax’s
underground party scene. After my shows i’d head to the afterhours
parties and soak up as much new music and different dj techniques
as i could. I was instantly hooked on the sounds of funky house and
breaks and the amazing vibe that filled the rooms at these all night
parties. I knew this is what i really wanted to do. Extra money went
to buying records, spare time went to practicing mixing and
developing my own unique style, and i eventually landed my first
afterhours show. Fifteen years later i still get the same rush from
rocking a dance floor that i did that first night.
DJ MAG CANADA: Having witnessed you perform at different
venues here in the city, it’s obvious your versatility musically
is one of your strongest assets. Share with us a little on this
approach to your sets.
From my early days of playing nightclubs in halifax i really learned
a lot about reading a crowd and building energy in the room.
Whether it was funk, dance, or hip hop, i found good sets usually
had the same type of structure. Drawing from my many musical
influences growing up such as jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, and later,
house, breaks and techno, i try to give every crowd a balance of
tracks that they know and love and introduce them to music they’ve
never heard before. That’s my only agenda really; a bit of music
education for the crowd... The rest is all about making sure they
have a great time.
DJ MAG CANADA: You’re the founder and owner of awol
productions here in halifax. What have been some events you
have put on in the last while in the city?
Since starting awolproductions.Ca in 2011, i’ve been fortunate
enough to bring some of my favourite artists to halifax including
hector moralez, jesse saunders, jason pelletier, and team up with
other great promoters like team nova scotia to bring names like
sonny fodera, jason hodges, tommy largo and many others. Giving
back to the city that exposed me to the music and scene i love so
much, and providing opportunities to other local djs are a big part
of why i do this.
DJ MAG CANADA: Despite what other canadian cities might
think, halifax has hosted some of the biggest names in the
business over the years. What’s the scene like now days in that
respect and what do you foresee for the future?
Well, i think the underground scene in most cities around the world
has slowed down since the big boom in the late 90’s. We’ve had a
bit of a lull here for a few years as far as big guest djs go, which was
why i started awol productions when i did. Currently it seems to be
picking back up and we’re seeing some great underground nights
back in the clubs and international djs on a monthly basis again. I
think the future of the scene in halifax is looking better and better
these days thanks to some of the younger cats like the junior squad
and home bass, picking up where others left off. We have some big
things in store for halifax this year.
046 djmag.com
FUNKY HOUSE, DEEP HOUSE, LOUNGE
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DJDYAZZ
WWW.TWITTER.COM/DJDYAZZ
WWW.MIXCLOUD.COM/DJDYAZZ
DJ MAG CANADA: We have noticed that filter disco house is
alive and well and living in halifax. Shed some light on why
you believe this style of music is so strong out here especially
with the newer, cutting edge types of house music being
played all over the world.
For many haligonians, house music was the first style of electronic
music they were exposed to back in the early party days. Guest djs
like farina, heather, derrick carter, terrance parker and countless
others, along with our amazing local talent helped mold our strong
foundation in funky house. We’ve never really been a trend following
city music wise. And who doesn’t like funky beats?
DJ MAG CANADA: What’s your greatest moment as a dj in
halifax over the years? Who, what, when, where?
I’ve had so many great experiences djing in halifax but one of my
favourites was quite recently actually and it wasn’t opening up for
a huge international dj, but rather two of my biggest local influences.
In november i got to play with sean keating and andrew duke
(cognition audioworks) at a club called reflections. Back in the day,
this was the place to be on a friday night if you wanted to hear
cutting edge house music and see the worlds biggest djs. They had
a weekly night called baseline which was resurrected last year, so
when i got the call to spin, i truly was honoured to play an event that
had such a huge impact on making me the dj i am today. The night
was amazing; great dancefloor, great vibe, and straight bangin sets
from two of my faves. Definitely a night i won’t soon forget.
INTERVIEW BY JONATHAN DAVID
D-YAZZ
GENRE:
djmag.com 047