NCS Interview with Stu Ashton
Name:
Stu Ashton
How long have you been DJing:
For about 9 – 10 years. I started collecting records before then but eventually got my first decks in 2000.
Web address/contact details:
stu_ashton@hotmail.com
http://solidgroovesocialclub.blogspot.com/
Nationality:
British
Town/City:
Washington
Your style:
A very mixed bag of disco, soul, deep house, and re-edits played at a slow ‘chuggy’ tempo (along the lines of 90 bpm up to 120 bpm)
Favorite DJ:
This changes frequently, but at the moment:- Benji B, Craig Smith, Theo Parrish, Metro Area, Phil Asher, Dam Funk, Mr Scruff and The Unabombers. If I had to pick one from recent gigs and such it would have to be Phil Asher
Favorite producer:
Another tough one… Mark E is one I always look for also Metro Area
Favorite Label:
Jisco
Favorite artist/band:
I can’t name one really, but here are some influences and some of my favourites:- Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, The Isley Bros, Prince, James Brown, Stone Roses, The Jam, Paul Weller, Bob Marley, Gilles Peterson
Favorite ever record:
Really can’t answer this, but one that never leaves the record bag is Mark E- Scared
Favorite ever album:
Songs in the Key of Life is up there with my favourites
Top tune right now:
World Premiere- Share the Night, Rainer Trueby- Ayers Rock, Super Value Edits, Eddie C- Make it Better, Mark E- Freakin’ Shriekin’, Curtis Mayfield- Never Stop Loving you
What are you up to right now:
Promoting mine and my friends' (Jimmy Johnson and Kev Hutch) night ‘The Solid Groove Social Club’. We’ve recently had parties with Phil Asher, Craig Smith, Paul Stuart, Steve Dunn, and Craig Whitfield. It’s a new night but its going very well and we’re planning more parties for the end of the year and the New Year. I’m also regularly doing the back room at Shindig in Newcastle. The most recent Shindig event had Dennis Ferrer in the main room and we have two more dates for November and December planned. And pretty much getting as many spots as we can for The Solid Groove Social Club. I also have a regular spot at Rocksteady Sundays in Newcastle, which is a laid back Sunday soul night in a bar called Tokyo which takes place on the terrace.
At the minute I’m also trying to get into production, but I haven’t spent a great deal of time on this at all, it’ll come one day though.
Your tipple:
Anything that’s cold, or warm in the case of sambuca
Favorite club to play:
Shindig back room
Best ever gig:
Playing in the back room at Shindig when Dennis Ferrer was on in the main room. It was packed and everyone was feeling the music we were playing (even though its not usually the music that is played at Shindig), just a really top night.
Your system set up:
2x Pioneer CDJ 200’s, 1x Denon DNS 100 mixer, 1x turntable, Sony MDRV700’s. I really need to upgrade my turntable and mixer but it does the job.
What piece of advice would you give to anyone getting into the industry today:
Just keep plugging away, it’s a tough nut to crack, especially in these times. My best move was organizing my own night with my friends, its lead to shed loads of gigs and means I get the chance to play out more.
What is your view on the current situation in the industry, and where do you see it going:
I think every man and his dog thinks they are a DJ now, so I like the challenge of trying to sound original and digging for tracks, but also keeping the crowd happy. I think it will get more difficult to put on events and such but people will still keep plodding on.
Your thoughts on NCS…!
Really good site. I’ve been a member of the forum for some time and its always a decent place for some chat and advice. The reviews of your nights I read always seem to be positive so keep up the good work lads!!
Deep Beats & Disco Treats Vol. 5
1.??? (Super Value 12")
2. Crazy Penis- Keep On (Daniel Wang & Brennan Green's Vas Diferance Mix) (Sonar Kollektiv)
3. U Truth- Showtime (Edit) (Super Value 12")
4. Quantic Soul Orchestra0 Pushin' On (Situation Edit) (Disco Deviance 12")
5. Tameka Starr- Going in Circles (Super Value Edit) (Super Value 12")
6. Ashley Beedle- Everything is ok (Ashley Beedle Love Boogie Edit) (Cosmic Boogie 12") 7. Bill Withers- You got the Stuff (Disco Edit) (cdr)
8. Eddie C- Make it Better (Jisco 12")
9. World Premiere- Share the Night (Epic 12")
10. ??? (Super Value 12")
11. Cambouche- Ipso Facto (Peter Herbert Remix) (Under the Shade)
12. Red Rack'em- Place for me (Autodiscoteque 12")
13. Daniel Wang- In the Street (Rush Hour Holland)
Link for mix ---> http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NX2VX2DJ
Link for art ---> http://i34.tinypic.com/swcv12.jpg
Link for my pic ---> http://tinypic.com/r/4t5buv/4
