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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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Insekt preview: interview with northern star, Sam Townend
Reported by Toomz
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Submitted 06-07-05 11:55
This month’s Insekt welcomes Leeds lad Sam Townend to warm things up with his unique brand of hard dance. From the tender age of 16, Sam always had it in mind to live the dream and after working hard over the last few years is now doing exactly that. Holding down six residencies in his home town and a rapidly growing production career which has created the recent hits ‘Underground Funk’, ‘Incoming’, ‘Get Down’ and ‘Pervert’, Sam is definitely going places and getting there fast. The latter two of those tracks appeared on the first release of Sam’s new venture Shroom Recordings, which has been a massive hit with some of the leading hard dance jocks. Fusing tough, funky, techy beats with some evil synths and cheeky vocals, the next release is always feverishly anticipated and brings something a little different to a scene often criticised for becoming stale.
Sam Townend kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about how it all started and what drives him on, leading up to his debut set at July’s Insekt.
You started mixing at the tender age of 16. Who, why and what inspired you to take up dj’ing?
It was pretty weird how I first got into dj’ing really. I started going to clubs from about the age of 15 and was hooked right from my first night out! Obviously because of my age at the time I was still at school and it was around the time that the whole career thing starts getting pushed on you by the teachers etc. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, so because of my new found love of clubbing, I just said I wanted to be a dj. I didn’t even have decks at this point! All the teachers where telling me that this was not a real career option and I should be a plumber, electrician or get a ‘proper job’, which really spurned me on to prove them wrong and to get into it properly.
My mates took me to a club called Uropa in Leeds just after we left school. It was the first place I had been to that played proper dance music. I was really taken by the atmosphere and the fact that people where there for the music, and not just for the beer, being out to get laid or whatever else. I started going there regularly. It was just when the hard house scene was really taking off, and I began to see djs such as Anne Savage and Andy Farley, and realised it was really what I wanted to do!
Your first and most successful residency has been at the popular Housewive’s Choice in Leeds, which has elevated you to one of the North’s more established djs on the circuit. How did the residency come about and do you think this has contributed to where you are today?
The residency at Housewive’s came about when the night moved venues about two years ago. When Steve (the main man at HWC) decided it was time to move to a bigger venue from where they were at the time, he wanted to bring some new ideas and some fresh sounds to the night so looked at bringing some new faces on board. I was just starting to do really well on the Leeds circuit, and had played for Steve before. He rang me up and asked me if I would fancy working for them, not only as resident but to help out with promotion and to advise on line ups, etc, and I’ve been there ever since. Although I don’t help in the promotion anymore as I’m quite busy with other projects, It’s definitely helped me along the way. Because the night has been so successful. Its been going for about six years in total, which for any night is a massive achievement, so obviously people know it as a respected hard dance night. When you can get something like that behind your name it gives you quite a lot of credibility.
Your sound is a fusion of techno, hard dance and dirty house. Do you think this has helped set you apart in a fairly stereotypical genre?
Yes, definitely. I think a lot of djs on the scene tend to stick to the same old tunes and formula with the music they play and the sets they create. That’s all well and good but when there’s a million and one people doing the same thing, it’s hard to get noticed and stand out from the crowd. I just try to bring in some new sounds and ideas by playing a mixture of music from different genres. There is a lot of music out there that is still relatively hard and works well on the harder floors, yet I think a lot of people overlook this just because it isn’t branded as typical hard dance.
You have recently started your own record label Shroom Recordings which has been receiving rave reviews and even Radio 1 airplay. How did the decision for this business venture come about, what is the impetus behind the label and how has it all been going?
Shroom started off because I was getting bored with all the music that was coming out about a year ago. There was a distinct lack of tracks that would work on harder dance floors, yet with an element of funk. Music that didn’t take itself too seriously without being labelled as ‘cheese’. Everything that was coming out around that time was just as hard as people could push it, and it was starting to piss me off! I had been in the studio with Alex Calver and Chris Impact and made some tracks I was really happy with, but they didn’t seem to fall into any other labels sort of sound. So I just thought “f*ck it,”!! I’m going to take the plunge and start my own label up. It’s been hard work as I didn’t know a thing about selling records, etc, but everyone has been very helpful and now I think people are beginning to give us recognition, and realise what Shroom is all about. So I’m very happy with the way it’s all going.
What artists and tracks can we expect from Shroom over the next few months?
The next release on Shroom is SHR04 which is by Withenshaw & Moloney entitled ‘Umbongo’. It samples the old advert for the soft drink ‘Umbongo’ (Umbongo’ , Umbongo’ they drink it in the Congo, etc!), on paper it sounds like an absolute nightmare, but this has probably been one of the strongest tracks I have been playing over the last few months. The reaction so far has been really good, so I’m very excited about this release! Also, we have tracks from myself, DMF, DJ GRH and a Chris Impact EP coming out so some very strong releases lined up. You can listen to the up and coming releases on www.shroomrecordings.co.uk
With the recent development of MP3 download website, is this a direction you will be taking Shroom in the future? Do you feel this is the time for labels to make this transition?
It is inevitable that MP3 downloading in the future is going to be a main source of output for labels. There’s always going to be arguments for and against it all, but in the end I think it’s a positive thing. It’s just so much easier than releasing vinyl, it’s more accessible to a much larger audience and is much cheaper to buy as well. I think some real effort needs to be put into anti-piracy though and I don’t think it will overtake vinyl for many years (if ever!) as people need to fully accept it. Shroom already has tracks available for download on Trackitdown.net and we are in the process of sorting out tidy digital. We’ve also got a new forthcoming MP3 project from Out Order, so look out for that!
Aside from your own label, you have recently had two tracks signed to Tripoli where you collaborated with close friends Ben Stevens and Alex Calver. How did you find working with the boys and in particular Ben, who’s style is at the opposite end of the spectrum to yours? Did you find it difficult to find that middle ground in sound?
Working with people whose musical tastes differ from your own I think is essential for your own progression. To take on board their thoughts and views can lead to creating a much more interesting track. Working with Ben and Alex was good. We’re good mates, and getting in the studio with friends is always a good laugh! Working with Alex is obviously different because he’s got so much experience writing tracks, whereas me and Ben are pretty new to it all (well, we were last year when the track was written). We wanted to make a track that obviously combined both our styles, and with those styles being so different, we thought we might come up with something pretty original. We were both really happy with ‘Underground Funk’ as it’s exactly what we intended to do, it fits in nicely at the end of my sets and the beginning of Ben’s, so that’s the exact middle ground we needed to find!
Do you have any other tracks lined up for release on other labels and also do you have any future collaboration plans?
At the moment I’m very busy on the production side of things. Myself and Chris Impact have just finished a remix of ‘Narc – Mashed’ for the new label Operation 9, which is due out in August. There is a remix that I’m working on coming out on Housewive’s Choice Recordings of a Leigh Green track entitled ‘High’ which is sounding really good, it’s totally different to any sort of hard dance that’s about at the moment, it’s almost like hard speed garage, which should be interesting! Also there’s a couple of cheeky bootlegs kicking about due for release on white label but I can’t really say any more on them! Collaboration-wise I have been talking with Caroline Banx about doing a track. She is really into psy trance so hopefully we can come up with something interesting! I’m doing quite a bit of stuff with Mark Maitland at the moment as well.
We hear of some exciting upcoming bookings for you at Tidy’s 10th Birthday at Magna, Sundissential and London’s Insekt. Where else can we expect to see you in the coming months?
I’m pretty much booked up now till the end of September which is good! The gigs I’m looking forward to most are at Parlez-Vouz? in Bradford, which I’m always excited about playing at because it’s a really underground venue with wicked people and a good sound system. Plus you take your own booze in as there is no bar, so bottles of vodka all round!! Also there’s a new night starting up north called ‘Industry’ in Wakefield which I’m playing on the opening night, so looking forward to that one. I’m also just waiting to confirm some dates to play out in Poland towards the back end of the year which should be wicked!
Having played in both the north and south, how would you say that the crowds differ? Who parties harder, the north or the south?
In the last couple of years I think the Southern crowds definitely had the better thing going on. The clubs always seemed to be busier and the people where much more up for it, however, the scene up north has recently had a bit of revival so hopefully it’s the start of better things! Southerners seem to be able to party for longer, London is just 24/7, but I think Northerners party harder and burn out quicker, there aren’t that many after hours clubs up north !
Being involved in the more techno influenced hard dance, how do you see this sound growing and evolving? Where do you see the whole genre moving towards in the next year or so?
It’s definitely all about the funk. I personally can’t see how the genre can go anywhere else really as we have taken it to just about as hard as we can go, without going into hardcore or gabba territory, so we’ve gotta go the opposite end of the spectrum and start putting the groove back in there. I think there’s going to be a lot more house influenced tracks coming out in the next few months, which can only be a good thing
It is quite often we see your name associated with the ‘New Breed’ tag. Who else in your eyes deserves some recognition for coming through the ranks?
Production-wise I would say Chris Impact, Mark Maitland and Chris Hoff are doing some really good stuff. They are taking influences from different styles of music and putting it into there sound, so they have some really fresh sounding music going on. On the dj front I think Deano from Parlez-Vouz? and Housewive’s deserves a mention because of the amount of energy the guy has behind the decks. He really interacts with the crowd and gets them going, that’s very important. I think it’s missing from a lot of djs who just stand there, heads down mixing away!
Holding down your impressive six residencies must keep you pretty busy. Aside from spending time in the studio, what do you do on a rare weekend off?
If I’m not playing or in the studio I’m chilling with mates and normally spend quite a bit of my spare time in the pub! It can get pretty hectic at times, so whenever I get chance I try to see as much of my friends as possible.
You are making your Insekt debut alongside such heavyweights as Ilogik, Justin Bourne and Superfast Oz. How does it feel to be part of such a massive line up and what have you got in store for the night?
I’m really looking forward to playing at Insekt and very pleased to be playing alongside the rest of the guys on the night. I’m hoping to bring something new down there, but at the same time stick within the ethos of the night, just do my own thing really and hope people are getting down with it!
Photos courtesy of Sam, ana-logue and help from Clarticus Maximus
Insekt
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On:
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Saturday 16th July 2005
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At:
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Fire [map]
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From:
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10pm - 5am
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Cost:
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£8 advanced tickets, £9 Paying Guestlist, £12 on the door.
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Website:
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www.insekt.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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For £9 paying guestlist please email:
insekt_guestlist@yahoo.co.uk
Advanced tickets available from:
Maria 07813 684399, neverenoughmaria@hotmail.com.
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More:
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Insekt are proud to welcome Ilogik, owner of Elasticman records, on his debut artiste album showcase tour: ‘My Definition of Sound’. Ably assisted by the returning Superfast Oz with fellow Insekt resident Justin Bourne and Shroom’s main-man Sam Townend, this is set to be a genuine musical journey.
Crystal-clear soundsystem, chill out area, colour laser.
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Nu NRG. House. Hard House. Funky Techno.
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DJ's:
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Main Room:
Ilogik (Elasticman)
Justin Bourne (Insekt/Short Circuit/’Drop The Dime’)
Superfast Oz (InsektOD404/Kaktai)
George-E (Insekt/Deprivation/Feersum/Elasticman)
Sam Townend (Shroom/Housewives Choice)
Firepit:
Craig Daniels (DTPM/Trax)
Dave Owens (Toolbox/PureFilth!)
Stefan (Insekt/Byte)
Allen TG (Insekt/Byte/Torture Garden)
Jacob Moss (Proactive/Byte)
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Other Features By Toomz:
Insekt preview with Simon Paul & Housewives Choice.
Insekt preview: crowd rockin with Ben Stevens
An interview with Flash Point's quiet man Jupe.
Insekt preview: interview with George E
From Oz to AM: a look at the past year & 2006 with James Nardi
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: James Nardi on 6th Jul 2005 12:53.22
Wicked interview.
Looking forward to having Sam play for us.
From: Jennie B on 6th Jul 2005 14:33.03
Love Sam's sets at the PT...looking forward to seeing what he comes up with at INSEKT!
From: Jacob on 6th Jul 2005 19:22.18
Got some of Sam's recent tracks on CDR- fu**ing excellent stuff! Looking 4ward to the 16th.
From: Hannah Wild on 7th Jul 2005 02:33.50
Gwaaaarn Spam!! x
From: karl davis on 7th Jul 2005 08:22.50
great stuff
From: George-E on 7th Jul 2005 09:17.49
Waheyyyyyyy! Mr Townend will surely be keeping it deep down underground... 
From: paul jack on 7th Jul 2005 14:56.13
top stuff -
From: Hannah Wild on 13th Jul 2005 21:42.08
See you on Sat CrAzyKiDz
From: Mark Maitland on 21st Jul 2005 22:40.42
Nice moves Youth
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