John Askew is one of the UK’s leading tech trance DJ and producers. With a string of hits on his own Discover label as well as numerous others, John’s weekly Monday evening show on London’s Kiss FM (syndicated to various radio stations internationally) broadcasts the latest and greatest trance hits to the world. As well as his role as head of A&R for Discover and Discover Dark Records, his residency at The Gallery where each month he plays alongside the likes of Tiësto, Armin, Ferry and Oakenfold and his relentless worldwide DJ schedule, John has also taken time out this year to finish his debut album ‘Lower The Tone’ a triple (yes triple!) album. On Saturday 3rd December John will be bringing his unique sound to the launch party of Tekelec Record’s new event Yes! We caught up with him to get the lowdown on all things Askew over a nice cup of tea...
Hi John, how’s tricks? I read that you used to be in a few bands in your teens, how did the change from guitars to green lasers occur and what were your earlier dance music influences?
Well I always wanted to be a guitar player in a band, but the problem always was that I could never find a group of musicians who were as passionate and as into it as me. So after an argument with the last band when I was in my teens I went to a rave to drown my sorrows and generally forget about the ongoing frustrations caused by the less committed members of the group. It changed everything for me in one night. I saw a way of being able to perform to a crowd on my own without loosing the sonic power that 5 musicians could generate. My early influences were the djs I saw at Universe raves — people like Gayle San, DJ Dag, Sven Vath, Carl Cox, Billy Nasty and Jeff Mills.
It’s been a pretty incredible couple of years for you, with your show on Kiss becoming more and more popular and DJ bookings taking you all over the world! Is there any set or event that really stands out as a firm Askew favourite?
In the UK at the moment I have to say I always adore playing at The Cross and for The Gallery in London. Those crowds are always very receptive and understanding of my sound. The same can be said for The Escape in Swansea which is also definitely in my top 5 in the UK — along with Passion in Coalville. When that club is rocking it can be truly a magical place.
How about when you’re playing, are you known to have a few beers and get amongst it or do you remain the consummate professional?
I like to have a drink or two, but I never forget why I’m there. I have seen a few djs ruin everyone’s night by getting so fucked they can’t stand up let alone mix. If you are being paid good money to play and people have travelled to come and see you play then you should have the decency to prioritise things so that the music and the performance come before your own personal desires to get smashed.
Any scary moments ejecting the wrong CDJ in mid-set?
Well there are a few stories like that from the Technics/vinyl days. People knocking into the decks, needles breaking, scratched records jumping, beer blowing fuses, wooden dj booths swaying, but luckily the CDJs have helped eliminate most of these annoying aspects. However I remember once at Turnmills when I went to shake someone’s hand over the top of the decks and as I grabbed their hand they simultaneously slipped off the stage and pulled my arm at such an angle that my sleeve caught the pitch control and dropped the speed by about 40 bpm, but I dealt with it as quick as possible.
I saw on your website that you’ve played in Egypt. Now that’s a country that musically a lot of people aren’t aware is alive and kicking, how was it over there?
The gig was really cool. Matt Hardwick and I played back to back at a club called Summer Moon which is right on the beach. The crowd are pretty up for it over there and the scene is really new and fresh which always means the music is still the focal point ahead of any politics. It was a very interesting weekend indeed.
What kind of sound can people expect to hear from you at Yes!?
Trademark Askew stuff. Banging and acidic trance and techno with cool melodies and no cheese for those people that would rather dance than wish wash around for hours in clichéd break down after break down. Something along those lines.
The lovely Kate Lawler and the gorgeous DJ Rebekah are both playing in the electro house and breaks room at Yes! (two very talented DJ’s I might add) on the same night as yourself, so you’re up against them both. This sounds like every man’s dream, do you think you’re up for the challenge?!
I know Rebekah plays very different stuff to me, so I think maybe we will have slightly different crowds in each of our rooms. I am not aware of what Kate plays. Is that the same Kate Lawler from Big Borther?
How are your labels going at the moment and what future releases do you have lined up for us?
Things are going really cool at the moment. I’m loving the little family we have put together. I use the word family quite prominently since we have a very strong relationship betweens us with a very clear cut set of ideas and plans of where we are going in the future. The artists we sign have to be people who not only make great music but who share our views and our ideas. Working with people who don’t can be a fucking nightmare. In terms of releases John O’Callaghan and I have just released a track called ‘Game Over’ on Discover which will be followed by my new single ‘All or Nothing’ and then a wicked track from Greg Downey called ‘K.I.A.’ which comes with a banging remix from Marc van Linden. On Discover Dark, our more techy label, we have a new single from Russian trance legends Sensorica, which I think is in the shops now, called ‘Equilibrium’. That also comes with a stunning track on the flip called ‘Train of Thought’. Then we have ‘The Dark Arts EP’ which has another huge track from O’Callaghan called ‘Vendetta’ and a dark club banger from me called ‘Nail Gun’. I think all of these should be out before the end of the year. You can always find out more about all the labels at www.recoverworld.com
Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘Lower the Tone’ album?
It’s 3 CDs of entertainment. CD 1 , ‘The Singles’ features loads of club tracks which are on there in full, and are unmixed so that CD DJs can have a bunch of stuff to play about with. Then there is a mix CD called ‘Live as Fucking Fuck’ which I recorded in August at The Gallery, Turnmills, which has crowd noise and stuff. I wanted to include a dj mix, but I am personally not a fan of these bland computer generated ones and wanted to give my fans more of a “dirty mix tape” vibe. There is loads of shit we could have done to the recording to make it sound better but that goes against what I was trying to achieve — a totally live unedited mix recorded at one of my fav clubs. The final bonus CD is called ‘Mixed Emotions’. It features all kinds of strange bits based on experiences of anxiety, anger, delirious humour etc etc. There’s ambient tracks, breaks, acid, sound effects, poetry, and some spoken word which I hope will all act as the perfect “after club audio entertainment” system for those post club sessions where talking can become a little difficult.
We’re aware that you’ve been very supportive of the early Tekelec releases, are you looking forward to having label head honcho Ali Wilson doing a guest mix on your show?
For sure. He is a big talent for banging techy stuff. I am a big fan of his productions but have never heard him dj so its pretty exciting to hear what he’s like.
And finally, some random quick Fire questions!
Eastenders or Corrie?
Niether. They are both an insult to British television, which when you travel a lot you really do realise — is the best in the world. Oh fuck it, who am I kidding — now that Grant’s back… Eastenders.
Pie and Mash or Sunday Roast?
I do love a good Sunday roasting.
Harry Potter or Lord of The Rings?
Lord of the Rings. Although I am keen to see how they do the next Potter movie now that young Harry has grown a few feet and generated facial hair while Herminone appears to have grown a respectable rack. I presume they won’t be asking them to act out the role as 10 year olds any more? Will we see some Wizard on Witch action? My god I hope so.
Lemons or limes?
In what context? To go in drinks? To throw at old people? To use as “bedroom accessories”? For the former I prefer lemons, but limes can be often be easier to “retrieve”.
Thanks for your time John, we look forward to seeing you at YES! December 3rd!
I can’t wait. See you there!
Tekelec Records present Yes! on Sat 3rd December @ Hidden (formerly Studio 33) 10pm– 6am! DJs include John Askew, Electrilogy (Ali Wilson, Matt Smallwood and Lee Osborne) Ian Betts, Kate Lawler, Rebekah, Tom Real, Jonty Skrufff, Max Cooper and many more!
JOHN ASKEW, IAN BETTS,
ELECTRILOGY
(A.K.A ALI WILSON, LEE OSBORNE & MATT SMALLWOOD)
KATE LAWLER, REBEKAH, TOM REAL,
MAX COOPER Vs RAW HEDROOM, JONTY SKRUFF, 2PHUNKEDUP & MORE!
On Saturday 3rd December Tekelec Records present Yes! at London's brand new club Hidden for a night of intense funky and rolling electro-tech grooves. Yes! is a hybrid club concept mixing the best tough and funky electronic sounds today
Room One brings you the sound of Yes! all-night long! Featuring the king of tech trance John Askew alongside Tekelec’s new collective ‘Electrilogy’ (AKA Ali Wilson, Lee Osbourne and Matt Smallwood) One of London’s unsung true heroes Ian Betts alongside 2PhunkedUP and Matt Kaycee.
On the Terrace we welcome the future sounds of electro house and breaks with Kate Lawler (London Exclusive!) Rebekah (Serious DJs/ Dusted) Nottingham’s deck wizard Max Cooper Vs Radio 1 favourite Raw Hedroom, Tom Real (Riot!/ Functional Records) electro dude Jonty Skrufff (www.skrufff.com) alongside Lee Lincoln, Si Barber and Tony P.
Tekelec Records is the brand new label from pioneering DJ/ Producer Ali Wilson that has already been making big noises across club land with it's super fresh output. The Godfather of dance music Carl Cox has been supporting the labels first releases across the world from Tokyo to Ibiza and beyond and with support from the likes of Anne Savage and John Askew the future looks very bright indeed!!
FULL LISTINGS DETAILS:
EVENT NAME: Tekelec Records Present Yes!
DATE: Saturday 3rd Dec 2006
TIME: 10pm – 6am
VENUE: Hidden, 100 Tinworth St. London, SE11 5EQ
DJS: John Askew (Kiss 100 / Discover Records) Ian Betts (Six:Thirty Records) Electrilogy (AKA Ali Wilson, Matt Smallwood and Lee Osborne) Kate Lawler (London exclusive) Rebekah (Serious/ Dusted) Max Cooper Vs Raw Headroom (The Gallery/ Radio1) Tom Real (Riot! / Functional) Jonty Skrufff (www.skrufff.com) 2PhunkedUP (Ibizan Tech House Set) Matt Kaycee (Perfected) Lee Lincoln (Floating Fandango) Si Barber & Tony P (The Key)
ADMISSION: £10 Early Birds, £15 on the door, £8 email CLUBYES@HOTMAIL.CO.UK
DRESS CODE: Dress up to get down.
NEAREST TUBE STATION: Vauxhall
MORE INFO/ TICKETS: LEE 07908 022 105
OR MARIA-NOT ENOUGH: 07813684399
From: K.A.R.L.on 23rd Nov 2005 12:35.15 One of my favourite dj's & producers, and Vendetta & Game Over are superb tracks.
From: Holly-Annaon 23rd Nov 2005 13:08.46 Can't wait to hear whats played, going to be an amazing night!
From: Beckaon 23rd Nov 2005 13:49.17 Looking very foward to this, great interview!
From: JC-TAKTIKALon 23rd Nov 2005 13:57.10 Really looking forward to John's set at YES! we've worked really hard to secure at such short noticed! Xmas has come early people!!!
From: Beckaon 23rd Nov 2005 14:17.57 Indeed it has
From: Mariellaon 23rd Nov 2005 15:05.48 wicked interview!! but then this man can do no wrong in my opinion!! bring on the 3rd!! (see you there diddy )
From: Beckaon 23rd Nov 2005 15:11.56 see you there mariella!! Its going to ROCK!
From: Lee Osborneon 23rd Nov 2005 15:19.19 This man is a legend cant wait to have him play for us! Just say YES! People BOOWAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Matt Smallwoodon 23rd Nov 2005 20:17.24 John's a total legend and I can't wait to hear what he's got in store for us on the 3rd, Boowaiii!
From: Jurraneon 23rd Nov 2005 21:04.39 Superb producer, superb DJ and one of the extremely talented guys beyond the hottest trance label on the planet right now IMHO. In short - Legend.
From: Toxicon 23rd Nov 2005 23:01.39 Legend indeed! His Kiss show is fantastic (as is his djing!)
From: Mariaon 24th Nov 2005 12:42.41 Really looking forward to see John at YES. I was listen to his Trance Republic CD yesterday. Quality!!!
From: Lee Osborneon 26th Nov 2005 13:33.20 Only one week to go!! cant wait oi oi
From: onthebasson 27th Nov 2005 00:15.39 One of my fav producers. Always consitent and would love to see him play out. Top interview
From: Holly-Annaon 29th Nov 2005 12:26.43 Not long now! This has come round so quickly!
Cant wait for this!
Hoooiiiiii Ooooooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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