Eye Magazine (Bristol & Bath) interview November 2010
By Renny C
HI READERS, I’m back after a short break in Corfu where the drinks tasted better in the sunshine…there was a lot of that there plus a lot of “Spin time” as I like to call it. Let me introduce you to Bristol Promotions trio New City Sound or NCS for short.
To read the full article in the online magazine please click here, it will open in a new window as a PDF magazine - go to pages 36-37!
So how did it all begin?
Matt: I’d wanted to put on a decent House night for a long time, something with a bit of class designed to last. I’d worked on a few other projects with some not so reliable people. Dan saw a flyer for one of my events and gave me a shout. That was back in 2005 and so by early 2006 when NCS launched, we’d already got to know each other.
Where did the name come from?
Dan: Matt came up with the name and logo in fairness, we all sat down and discussed different names and styles, but we felt this was the strongest. It represented what we were saying and didn’t seem like a fad name.
What gave you that initial push?
Matt: A real desire to do something with the music I love before I got too old!
Dan: I’d contacted stacks of promoters before hooking up with Matt, but we clicked. I could see we both wanted to achieve something.
Simon: I came in a couple of years ago. I bumped into Matt and Dan at a gig and there was a spark. They helped me out covering a few gigs when I was double booked and I was soon on board as a resident.
Who’s throwing the best parties at the moment?
Simon: New City Sound! Seriously, whether it is one of our club gigs or if we are just booked to play, I’ve not seen a better outfit. I’ve been playing for over 20 years and what we have drawn together is special. This year alone we’ve put on The Shapeshifters, Danny Rampling, KKlass, Junior Jack & Kid Crème and Joey Negro. There is no other independent night in the area putting this much effort into bringing global A list acts to Bristol.
Which other countries have you played in/put parties on?
Matt: We’ve been fortunate enough to play all over. Café Del Mar was special. Our pod cast and radio appearances go out to every continent and countless countries.
What was the first event you ever played at/put on?
Dan: The first ever NCS gig was at The Cotton Club in Newport on February 4 2006. We had some fun finding our feet there as a team, but the club was constantly pushing us for more commercial music so we moved on. We tried to tell them they needed variety, including quality underground nights, to survive long term, but they wouldn’t listen. The owners went out of business.
Where can we find more info about you guys?
Matt: Our website is great www.newcitysound.co.uk, there’s all the info you need, the pod cast link is there to download loads of free music, there’s individual pages for all the members and a forum for promoting and chatting. We get really good feedback on the site. We’ve also got a private function section on the site – we’ve done all sorts of fashion show work, weddings, birthdays, product launches, and worked for some high profile people and companies. Don’t call us for a cheesy disco though please! Bespoke only.
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
Simon: Spending time with my wife and kids.
Matt: My wife is British born Indian. Visiting my in laws is great – ice cold Stella and proper Indian food. A good bottle of red wine on the sofa with the Mrs too on a Friday night. Bliss.
Dan: Relaxing at home with my fiancé.
So how is the scene in your eyes at the moment?
Dan: It’s tough, but we are thriving.
Matt: Yeah, so many nights have struggled and folded over the years. We’ve got a good foundation and team in place though, so we are really confident. There is an awful lot of terrible music out there – every one with a Mac book and a loop function suddenly thinks they are a producer. We search hard for good music and that’s what people have responded to. We’ve just launched our own record label too – New City Sound Recordings – and we’ve taken the same approach in terms of quality control. We’ve now got some incredible tracks signed. Our first release was on 23 August and we have a record ready to release every two weeks from hereon. Check us out on Beatport, Juno, Traxsource, iTunes, our own website, etc.
What do you do outside the music scene?
Simon: It’s mad, we all work full time. Dan is a plumber, Matt is a lawyer and I’m an account manager. We really have to coordinate ourselves, delegate and manage carefully. We run a very tight ship. The other residents are really supportive and know what needs to be done.
What advice would you give to up and coming djs/promoters?
Matt: Work your nuts off. Never stop. Ignore everyone who tells you not to.
Dan: Yep. Team work too.
Simon: Get in touch.
When was the first time you visited Ibiza? Was it to holiday or play?
Dan: I think I went on a family holiday years ago. I was only 14. To then go back with NCS a couple of years ago was great.
Matt: A couple of holidays there in the mid 90’s and then nearly every year since for gigs. Check the island if you have never been. Just avoid the West End and you will have the best time ever, whatever your age or tastes. The food, wine and scenery are fantastic, aside from the music.
How do you see the scene five years from now?
Matt: I hope that download sites stop accepting total crap from every kiddie with a Mac book. If they do it will mean the return of less throw away music and that will drive the quality of the scene as a whole. Venues, artists and agents also need to think carefully about their fees – the paying public is not out there like it used to be. Perhaps the recession is a good thing in that sense – only the real quality will survive or come through and in five years the scene will be thriving again, I hope!
If you had a time machine what year would you go back to and why?
Simon: I wouldn’t change were we are right now actually! NCS is looking good, we are fully booked into the New Year, the label is doing well and we have some superb production in the pipeline!
Renny C.
