The new 2004 series of interviews re-starts with an Interview with Ian Stuart - who joined DJU just before Xmas. Although new to this forum, Ian has many years experience as a DJ and here he shares some to the high's and lows of the industry.


How long have you been DJ'ing?

It’s now over 17 years – I started in December 1986.

What inspired you to become a DJ?

I always used to like seeing DJs at Discos when I was a young lad attending various Cousins weddings etc; I thought it seemed so exciting! Then in October 1983 The Rocksteady Crew charted with “(Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew”. Once I’d seen the video for the first time my brother, some mates and me formed our first Breakdancing Crew there and then. I’m not sure the younger members on the forum can imagine quite how exciting those times seemed to a 16 year old lad, seeing mixing, rapping and scratching for the very first time on UK TV; they were unheard of. Nowadays it’s the norm with seemingly every kids “pop” record having a rap break or similar.

The likes of Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Fab Five Freddy and so on were a big influence to a white middle class kid from a posh part of Surrey (just like the Bronx you see, I could really relate to them ?! erm…..)

Anyway, it transpired the others in the Crew were much better at the dancing than I was so I very quickly went over to producing mixes for us to perform to. We used to give demonstrations at roller discos etc (Jesus that dates me) and I’d provide the tape for the DJ to play.

What type of "Do" was your first gig?

After a couple of years practicing mixing in my bedroom I decided to buy some equipment (halving the costs with a friend of mine) and start to earn some money out of being a DJ. The very first gig we did was an Xmas party for a Bank.

How much did you charge (Mikeee please convert this from Shilings and pence to decimal when its your go..)

I can’t really remember but I think it was around £40.00.

What equipment did you have to begin with?

It’s laughable really, I’ve had a good laugh remembering it! How did we have the cheek to charge people? - One record deck off my hifi (a Sansui), one off my mates hifi (a Technics), a ghetto blaster for the tape deck (make unknown), a cheap Tandy mixer, a very cheap Tandy mic, a mono 200 watt amp and two crappy speakers made by a shop in Whitehorse Road, Croydon (it may have been called Saxon, but I’m not sure now).

My mates Dad made us 4 light boxes (which lasted years by the way) and we were off. Actually it wasn’t that bad; a lot of DJ’s at the time had complete mobile disco packages bought from their Mums Great Universal Catalogue on easy weekly terms, you should have seen the record decks on those! We did buy some more, better gear as soon as we could!

What’s the worst/most embarrassing thing you've done in front of an audience?

1. Fell off the stage about 4 feet onto the floor while talking on the mic – I was sober too !

2. Blew all the fuses in a big pub in Bromley, Kent when I switched all the Disco lights on at once. The landlord had no idea where the fuse box was and it was about an hour before he found it. The girl who’s 21st Birthday it was was sobbing her heart out.

What is your favourite type of function now? EG: Wedding, 18th Birthday party, funeral wake..

Personally, I only really do Weddings and “oldies” type 60’s, 70’s and 80’s gigs nowadays, apart from things like Xmas and New Years Eve when I can’t resist the money! I’ve always enjoyed Weddings and 40th Birthdays etc more than 18th’s, as they are usually a recipe for disaster with all the young pi$$ heads giving you grief, I know, I was one once!

I’m lucky that via the Entertainment Agency I’ve recently set up, I can take on any type of gig and get some of the younger DJ’s to cover stuff I couldn’t or wouldn’t want to do myself……. Karaoke in a pub in Macclesfield; no thanks, I’ll leave it to the youngsters, I’ve been there and seen all that !!!!

Is there anything that you include in your show now, that you wish you'd done/known when you started? (Not equipment, but in human/performer terms)

I wish I’d been more aware of the “proper” way to do things back in the day but then I guess I did have a certain youthful exuberance and enthusiasm that carried me through. I got away with saying a few things that with experience, I know I should never have done!

What do you feel you offer your public, that makes you a better DJ than "the next guy/girl"?

Experience, experience, experience.

Have you ever bought something for your show that you wish you hadn’t and why?

A strobe light; I never used it without complaints from the punters. It must have been switched on for a total of 3 minutes in the 15 years since I bought it!

What’s your next DJ purchase likely to be?

Some more lighting; scanners, moonflowers etc. I’m having to divide up what I’ve got between a larger and smaller rig at the moment and if I’m honest, it’s not quite enough to go round.

If you could get someone to invent a new piece of disco equipment for your show, what would it be?

A rig that assembles itself and wires itself up! It would also be good if it packed itself down and loaded itself away! Dream on…………

What do you think is the best thing about DJ'ing.

The buzz of having a room full of people who are having a great night out, all thanks to your efforts. Also, it’s great not to have to lug huge boxes of vinyl around anymore.

What do you think is the worst thing about DJ'ing.

Drunken Muppets who think they know best; I don’t hover around their work and tell them how to make a Big Mac ! Also, lugging the equipment about hasn’t done my back any favours.

What would make you stop DJ'ing (if anything).

When I no longer find it enjoyable and just view it as a chore (or when my back finally says “no more”).

How do you think DJ'ing will change, in the next 5 years?

The ambiguity and lack of clarity regarding playing music off a computer and legally downloading it will be resolved by the Govt, most DJ’s will then abandon CD’s and vinyl. Let’s pray something’s done to clarify the laws anyway.

Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig?

“Have you got any Napalm Death as everyone’ll love it!” at a function where the average age was around 40. The guy was serious. Just in case you don’t know, Napalm Death were a thrash metal group in the late 80’s and into the 90’s.

Best advice you were ever given by a fellow DJ?

Don’t be afraid to “dump” a song part way through if you’ve mis-judged the audience and they’re not going for it; get one on quick that they like!

And worst advice you were ever given

Buy a strobe, it’s a really good value effect…………

Name 3 songs that 95% of the time will fill your dance floor!!

Abba – Dancing Queen. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGHHHHHHH not again!
Lou Bega – Mambo No.5.
Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup.

Age

36

Location

Cheshire

Martial status

Divorced – I’ve been living with my wonderful partner for the last 6 years. Might get married one day, might not.

Education level

6 “O” Levels; couldn’t be bothered with 6th Form & Uni, I wanted to get out there and earn some money. Regret not going to Uni………… Oh Bum.

Mode of transportation

Gig transport – my girlfriends Mondeo. I’m going to have to buy a van soon, but I’ve been saying that for years.

What equipment do you currently use?

Larger Rig – Peavey Pro Messenger 15 Subs with Peavey Pro Messenger 15 Cabs (2 Kw Total). Behringer Europower EP2500 amp (750 W per channel @ 4 ohms). Soundlab Graphic EQ, Mixer, Shure Mic, PC with OTS DJ on it, separate portable hard drive and a CD walkman type player as a back-up in case the PC goes belly-up. Various (mainly Sounlab) lights on T-bars plus controller.

Smaller Rig – Idex 300 Watt full range Cabs on nice brushed ally stands. Soundlab amp giving around 250 Watts a side into 4 ohms. Soundlab Graphic EQ (essential as without the EQ there’s far too much “middle” in the Idex’s). Soundlab twin CD decks with anti-skip, mixer. Shure mic, PC with OTS DJ on it. Various (mainly Soundlab) lights on T-bars plus controller.

I also have a whole load of stuff in my home studio but I won’t bore you with all that !

How much have you "invested" in equipment?

I’d guess the current lot’s worth around £3k (excluding the studio stuff). I dread to think what I’ve spent on equipment over the years; SL1210 mkII’s etc etc.

What was your reason for becoming a DJ?

I loved mixing and re-mixing music when I started; then I loved the idea of making some money out of it while having a great time.

Approximately how many gigs have you done to date?

I’ve been trying to work this out but it’s a struggle. I’d estimate around 1,500 excluding pop and trivia quizzes and 2,000 including them.

Great interview!

Nice one Ian!

Great interview, nice one Ian.

Great interview

Respect to you Ian

Good interview

err Mr Mo! you made need to give some Lessons to the unknown on here!

I enjoyed that. Good one Ian

Now what was the question again?