No-one can say that Sam Young’s career to date has lacked variety. He’s collaborated with Adidas on a pre-Brit Awards party earlier this year, was DJ ambassador for Red Bull at their Monaco Grand Prix party, and has played at everything from Royal weddings to celebrity bashes (such as Elton John’s birthday) to Film Premieres (most recently Sex & The City and The Golden Compass).
We caught up with the two-time winner of Best DJ at the London Club & Bar Awards to get his take on the music industry and what it means to be the first European DJ to be signed to the prestigious US agency SKAM.
What are the main factors that influence the production of your music?
When I make original music I am usually influenced by an old record or sound. I will then build something around that idea and see where it ends up. If I am doing a remix for someone I tend to want to make it better or different to complement the original track. Music is a funny thing – you can start off with one idea and from that end up with 20 more.
What would you say are your top 3 performances to date?
That’s a hard question as I have DJ’ed so many great parties and clubs over the years. But in no particular order:
- DJing my first Boujis Ibiza beach party in 2008. Everyone danced all night until the sun came up – it was pretty epic!
- When I was younger I used to DJ a weekly Thursday night at the Bristol Academy to 2,500 students. It was wild and they loved the music.
- Last year I DJ’ed a friends wedding with Mark Ronson, and by the end of the night we were going back to back and it was great fun.
What have been the highlights of your career to date?
Winning Best DJ twice at the London Club & Bar Awards in 2010 and 2007 was a highlight. And being responsible for the signing of one of the UK’s biggest bands, Kasabian, has to be the other.
How has technology affected the music industry?
Technology has affected the music industry in a bad way I would say. Because of the internet and file sharing, a once booming business has shrunk and major companies have had to close. Technology has made it easier for the musicians to get their music directly to the fans without a major label behind them (look at McFly, Simply Red, Blue etc). And DJing has changed dramatically. Back in the day I used to carry around 3 bags of records and spend all my time searching for tunes. Now, due to software like Serato, Traktor and Ableton, a kid can use his iTunes library and probably learn how to DJ in a month or so.
Which bands or producers should fans look out for next?
Round Table Knights, Bag Raiders, Grum, Aeroplane, Heavyfeet, Zombie Disco Squad, Glytch…
What’s your favorite hidden gem in London?
A guy I used to buy records from now his store up in Camden Market right outside Proud Galleries. If you want some good music…
What do you enjoy doing on your day off?
Seeing friends & family, the cinema, bowling, paintballing, playing football, eating out…
Added, I enjoy your blog!
Superb weblog, I must say i look ahead to fresh news by you.
I enjoyed those music tips, especially Bag Raiders… thanks!
i like this, will pass this on
I’m not easily ipmerssed. . . but that’s impressing me!