Wildchild preview: interview with Tara Reynolds & Amber D
Reported by Wildchild
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Submitted 04-02-05 11:32
Tara Reynolds and Amber D represent two ends of the spectrum of Hard Dance. Tara has seen and done it all, being one of the first ladies of the scene, and has paved the way in London over the last few years, making waves at Frantic events and Tidy parties since she joined their roster in late 2002, which saw her branch out across the UK and beyond.
Amber’s been one of the rising stars of the scene, making her mark over the last 2 whirlwind years that saw her catapulted from relative unknown in 2002 to Mixmag Future Hero, playing the likes of Creamfields and the Tidy Weekender less than a year later, and joining Tara at Tidy in 2004.
Now both fully fledged producers and DJs, Friday Feb 4th sees them playing their first sets for Wildchild at Heaven, going back to back in the Star Bar, where Passion’s harder brand Storm meets Wildchild’s own Hard Dance superstars. We caught up with them to see how they’ve fared so far in 2005….
It’s almost a month into 2005, what have you been up to since New Year?
Tara: I've mostly been painting! I am currently redecorating my bedroom so I've been very busy with that. I've also been doing a bit of studio preparation as I'm in with JP & Jukesy this month. The most exciting thing I've done in January is go to Old Trafford to see Man United and Aston Villa play. It was ace!
Amber: Since new year I’ve been lucky enough to go and play in Norway with Paul Maddox, which was great fun! It was for an event called One Floor from Heaven. Also I've been planning more dates in the studio and I am getting my own studio together now at home.
This Friday you’re playing back to back at Wildchild v Passion. Have you ever played back to back with each other before?
Tara: Yes a few times. If my memory serves me correctly this will be our 4th back to back. I love playing b2b with Amber as our musical styles work well together and we always have lots of fun. Amber and I are really close friends which makes a difference I reckon.
Amber: Yeah we have! We both always say how well we play together. Neither of us has to worry about what record to put on next as we compliment each other totally! It’s as if we know what the other one is thinking!
How do you usually prepare for a back to back set? Have you been in contact to plan anything?
Tara: That's the great thing about playing with Amber - our music goes really well together so we usually have a discussion just before our set commences. Some back to backs I've done have been quite difficult because the other DJ has had a very different style to me, but it’s not like that with Amber.
Amber: We play so well together that we don’t really need to do much planning! I suppose we will do the usual thing of checking what time we're playing etc, so we know how hard we can go!!!
If you open the set what tune will you kick it off with?
Tara: Hmmmmm probably a great little tune called 'Toxic' (yes, the Britney Spears one!) by Claire DC and Jay Richards. It’s been going down really well recently.
Amber: Ooooh! It all depends really! I’ve got some really cool new stuff from Maddox, so possibly will start off with a tune like Maddox and Rumble - 'Party People'. It really is the dog's danglies.
Do you have any new productions ready to unleash on us this weekend?
Tara: I have recently rediscovered a tune I made about 18 months ago but haven't played out very much so I will be giving that a whirl.
Amber: Hopefully my new collaboration with Lee Pasch will be done by then. We just need to make a few final adjustments and mix down and render. So fingers crossed!
Do you find having another person to bounce off during a set adds to the creativity or makes things harder?
Tara: It depends a lot on who the other DJ is. With Amber it’s easy because we work well together, but I have had some back to backs that have been plain hard work.
Amber: It makes things more creative and interesting definitely! You can’t just do it with anyone. You need to be compatible. I’ve also been doing back to backs with Charlotte Birch too, and these have always been fantastic sets.
This is your first set for Wildchild at Heaven. What are you looking forward to most about the night?
Tara: I love Heaven so I'm looking forward to being there again, and Wildchild has a reputation for putting on great parties so the combination will make for a great night.
Amber: Yeah and about time too! I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I am so happy I’ve been booked to play! I am mostly looking forward to getting on the decks with Tara and getting our bangers out!!! Haha. In a musical sense though of course!
Lisa Lashes is playing a ‘dirty breaks’ set on Friday. What other genres of dance music do you like and if you could play another style what would it be?
Tara: I love tough dirty electronic house so I'd play that if I didn't play my hard stuff.
Amber: I play funky house, trance, techy, hard trance and house classics as well as hard dance. I like to keep my options open!
What tune’s been blowing it up for you so far in 2005?
Tara: I'm still caning 'Loops & Kicks' - it always gets a wicked reaction and everyone sings along with it which is great! The tune I mentioned earlier, 'Toxic', has also been getting a great reaction.
Amber: Definitely the Maddox and Rumble tune - 'Party People'. And also Tim Clewz's new tune called 'Chaos Theory'.
What were your new year's resolutions and have you broken any yet?
Tara: I don't do new year's resolutions! I do set myself goals though.
Amber: Haha.... I’ve given up trying to make new year resolutions! I think the only thing that I will be doing this year is concentrating a lot more on production. I am to be going in the studio with Nick Sentience and James Lawson very soon, and I am extremely excited about that!!!
Who’s your tip for the top this year?
Tara: You can't deny the hype surrounding Andy Whitby. He is fresh and exciting and he has really captured the clubbers' imaginations. In terms of production, I know they're not new to the scene but Ingo and Colin Barratt, separately and together as Gravity Trapp, will go all the way I reckon. Such talented youngsters!
Amber: Definitely Kernzy and Klemenza!!! Watch out for their new label, Submatic. www.submatic.co.uk
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WiLDCHiLD - Passion - Lashed Album Tour!
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On:
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Friday 4th February 2005
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At:
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The Royal Halls Of Heaven
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From:
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22:00 - 07:00
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Cost:
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Earlybird £12.50 Tickets - WHILE STOCKS LAST
Standard Saver £16.00 Tickets
WARNING: DOOR TICKETS - £20.00
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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After the run away success of our Last Sell Out London Event – WiLDCHiLD is back set to explode once more moving faster than a rocket with more twists and turns than a roller coaster:
- Bass In Your Face London
- Unleashed for ’05 at our spiritual home – Heaven!
- 9 Hours of Heavenly sounds!
- 40 DJs spinnin’ the very best music in the World!
- 5 Arenas of Super-Sonic Sound
- 2 Huge Headline DJs
- 3 Genre Defining Live Acts
- The Launch of the Brand New Get Lashed In The UK Album from the greatest female DJ to grace the planet.
- London’s finest venue production in every arena
- The Launch of Nu-Nrg ‘Dreamland 2005’ – The greatest Trance Record Ever is Back!
- Totally FREE Soundshaft After-Party open to all
- Tickets on sale right NOW!!!
- GUARANTEED TO SELL OUT!
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