Portsmouth based label 10Ton Recordings launches with two releases from Sekklow and Bournemouth outfit Audio Sleaze on the 11th October…
SEKKLOW – TRANSMIT
AUDIO SLEAZE – MAN ON THE MOON
DJ/Producer Sekklow drops his most recent blend of dubstep/drum and bass/jungle upon us this month with a fresh mix entitled ‘South Exit’.
Known to many as ‘CK’ and for his vinyl scratching skills (and those Kings of Leon remixes :p), Chris King got involved with spinning records from the age of 13 in his home town of Bedford. He started mixing House, Garage and Hardcore which led to playing a variety of venues/illegal warehouse/forest raves as well as intimate house parties. His reputation grew within the hardcore scene, often playing on the same bill as SY, Breeze & Styles and Hixxy back in the day.
“My fave set ever was the STS free party at Chicksands woods. That was huge! There was hundreds of people who followed the convoy waiting for music to start. Had police helicopters flying around lighting up the place and I dropped Praga Khan – Injected with a Poison Digital Orgasm remix as the first tune. It was wild. I did an hour of old skool and techno. By then there were 7 different sound systems set up around the forest. Best set ever.”
During the hardcore days he began to flirt with drum and bass and incorporated it into his sets, commanding a crowd of 1800+ people to go nuts. Hardcore promoters began to frown upon this and CK stuck his two fingers up in retaliation. He was addicted to drum and bass. Getting involved with Breakneck in 2005, turned out to be, and still is, Portsmouth’s number one drum and bass event. Playing alongside Adam F, Pendulum and TC to name a few, he became a well known fixture alongside the resident DJ’S SDM, Triple M and Charge.
After a quiet period, he got acquainted with various styles, and concentrated on the production side of music, delivering heartfelt dubstep tunes and remixes on the down low and a few drum and bass. He decided to start afresh under the name of Sekklow. After an over whelming response to his tracks, he was persuaded to step out and start djing again.
Sekklow is currently producing his forthcoming EP, as well as representing Portsmouth’s biggest Dubstep and Grime club night 10 Ton on the regular which looks set to be back in action from early October. His last release ‘Be Alright’ under High Rankin’s Suicide Dub label, caused some much needed dance floor rave hype across the UK (released in July). His next release will be out on 10 Ton Recordings.
DOWNLOAD SEKKLOW – SOUTH EXIT MIX
SPLIT TRACK ZIP FILE SEKKLOW – SOUTH EXIT MIX
TRACK LISTING
1. Chase & Status – Let You Go (Nero Remix)
-> Chasing Shadows – Dream On
2. Rusko – Hold On
3. Siren – Summertime In Oakland
4. High Rankin – Cut You Down
5. Swindle – Airmiles ft. MC Skibadee
6. Laid Blak – Red (Chasing Shadows Remix)
7. Twist & Torqux – Fuck Face
8. Drop Top – Machete (High Rankin Remix)
9. Hazard – Machete VIP
10. DJ Stretch – Papa Lover (Serum Remix)
11. Amit – Immigrants
12. Tremourz & J. Rabbit – Energy Legs
13. Skream – Metal Mouth
14. Skream – Raw Dogz
15. Where’s Huey – Stay (Specimen A Dubstepin Remix)
16. Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do For Love (DZ Remix)
17. 16 Bit – Chainsaw Calligraphy (Jakes Remix)
18. Sub Focus – Last Jungle
19. Caspa & Rusko – Rock Bottom
20. Sub Scape – Nothings Wrong
21. D Double E – Bad To The Bone
22. 501 – Somewhere In Time (High Rankin Remix)
23. Rusko – Hold On (Sub Focus Remix)
Photography – http://matthewmaber.com/
Funk lover and badminton addict, Stephanie Jane Bennett shares with us her musical interests and how she got started with this DJ malarky using vinyl…
Miss Funky Fox! What first inspired you to take up Djing?
I have always been a huge music fan, ever since I was young… I used to love making mix tapes of dance music for friends’ parties from the radio – my Sony walkman used to travel everywhere with me back then. I am also a big fan of dancing, and used to dance for a club called Candystore many years ago. Anyways, in terms of Djing for real it all started at a bar called ‘Cuba!’ in Plymouth in 2000. I started work there behind the bar, making cocktails, but one day they needed a Dj – I volunteered initially half joking, half serious – but it took off – I became the resident Dj there for 2 years! I soon came to realise that I absolutely loved Djing, and decided to take it a bit more seriously. I bought a pair of 1210s second hand from a friend, and started to build up my vinyl collection. Djing at bar Cuba! definitely opened many doors for me, and led on to some further 6 years of Djing in and around Plymouth until I left there in 2008.
What were your musical interests as a kid?
Having grown up in a musical household (my dad plays in Bristol comedy folk duo ‘The Willbees’) my family were very supportive of my passion for music. I got a clarinet at 10, and an alto saxophone later when I was 19. I played in numerous bands at school; jazz, woodwind, clarinet (where I would play the bass clarinet) and was even in the school choir (n.b. I can’t really sing!). I did G.C.S.E. music and even wrote a few tracks using the then fabulous Atari ST (which I still have.). After I left school, I played in Plymouth university orchestra for 9 years and also with the Plymouth City concert band for a few years –playing both clarinet and saxophone. A few years ago, I played Clarinet with The JMW Band live on a track which I really enjoyed doing. Last month I was approached by Hed Kandi to do live saxophone at their club nights – I told them I would love to do it, but would need to do lots of practise first as I haven’t played for a while, but you never know it could still happen – watch this space!
What can you remember about your first proper DJ gig?
Ooh it was such a long time ago! Not much really, but I do remember my excitement of going to Dj at Bar Cuba! not having to wear my work uniform, and being able to drink whilst ‘working’! I also remember having to deal with a lot of banter from guys who were not used to seeing female Djs!
What are your sets like?
My sets can be quite diverse, but they invariably include huge amount of vinyl and Funky tunes. Most of my records are either Funk, Soul, old-school Breakbeat, Hip hop and Reggae, or Funky house. Favourite record label is still Defected and Fluential (which is also Defected but a little tougher).
First record bought …
Don’t Go by Awesome 3 (Luvdup Remixes, 1994).
What’s been your favourite set you’ve played?
This is a tricky question! There have been many, but I think one of the most memorable nights was when I was Djing in The Treasury in Plymouth in 2006 and Jazzie B from Soul II Soul was in the crowd dancing all night to my tunes – Epic!
What tune are you loving right now?
It’s been around for a little while now, but ‘Why don’t you’ by Gramaphonedzie is just awesome, a great crowd pleaser!
What events have you played at outside of Portsmouth?
Maker Sunshine Festival in Cornwall, Marisco Club in Woolacombe, Joe Dafloes in Southampton, Dorset House in West Sussex. Also Djed for a Red Bull Mountain Bike competition held at Plymouth University, and for Billabong. Numerous bars/clubs in Plymouth (Cuba!, Ride Cafe, Bar 38, The Roundabout, Annabels, Fuel, The Treasury etc.)
What’s the hardest part of being a DJ?
I don’t think there is anything to complain about! I would love it if vinyl was a little lighter to carry though.
What artists do you find yourself listening to the most?
I love listening to Fat Freddy’s Drop, Groove Armada and Bonobo… and any remixes or production by Masters at Work, Will Quantic, and Faithless are just incredible.
Fill in the blanks please…
When I’m at the bar I like to drink … Real Ale (or JD & Coke).
I’d give my last Rolo to … My sister Natalie; she has helped out on numerous gigs I have done, and arranged some awesome parties for me!
If I could have a pet it would be a … A Duck. Ducks have a lot of personality. And they taste good too.
When I grow up I want to be a … Erm, well I haven’t grown up yet, so it’s looking unlikely. But doing more of the same – I work for local charity Down Syndrome Education International as a psychologist. I like to work out ways of incorporating music into my work wherever possible. We have a number of adults with Down syndrome that work at our charity, and they absolutely love music, dancing and singing. I love Djing for them, as they really know how to have a good time at a party!
I like to watch on TV… I’m not a huge TV fan but I love Flight of the Conchords, Peep Show & Top Gear… also like watching sport – Tennis, Snooker, Golf, Cricket… find it very relaxing.
I get offended when … People lie about stuff… being a psychologist I can usually spot it! ;0
My fave film is … Empire Records
What head-liner you’ve been on the same bill with has impressed you the most?
Pete Isaac, (who co-runs the legendary Jelly Jazz with Dj Griff) Djed once on a night I organised for my birthday – he is fab, I am very envious of his vinyl collection!
What do you like to do before a set?
Get my records organised, get a drink .. the usual!
How many records do you own roughly?
I have about 300 that I would admit to owning.. haha
What do you think about DJs mixing digitally?
It’s becoming more and more popular now, and my sets are also changing – I still have a huge preference for vinyl, but I also use CDs and my laptop if I am doing a long event – sometimes I Dj for 5 hours!
What events in Portsmouth do you go on a regular basis?
10Ton, Jub Jub, Hip Hop Karoke! ;o
What’s your favourite place to eat out in Portsmouth?
Sopranos on Palmerston Road
What’s in store for Miss Funky Fox in the future?
I Dj for DavidIan Productions, the musicals company – so there will be more events for them later in the year in London and the South East, which I am much looking forward to! I was lucky enough to occasionally Dj with a fab percussionist (King Konga) which was always great fun, so I am looking to incorporate that element into the events I do here. Dj Illustrious and I are also currently in talks about arranging an all girl Dj night in Southsea – so keep an eye out for that!
Thank you Steph, you sound like an interesting DJ. Anything you’d like to add?
I am loving the Proper Serious site, keep up the good work!
SUNSHINE MIX
RETRO MIX
Photography – Amber McCarthy
Supporting
