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Features
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Astral Circus interview with Hamish from Further Progressions
Reported by Nikki S
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Submitted 20-10-13 20:01
With some of the biggest psy trance festivals in the world under his belt, and the who’s who of the psychedelic scene vying to get their records signed to his label, DJ Hamish aka Further Progressions label boss, took some time out of his jet-setting busy schedule to catch up with us ahead of his upcoming London show at Astral Circus on Friday 15 November at Jamm.
Hamish @ Boom Festival
Hi Hamish, thanks for taking some time out of your very busy schedule to catch up with us. It’s always very exciting to come across such great UK talent, and the UK seems to be overflowing with it!
As Further Progressions label boss you have signed and released tracks by some of the biggest artists in the psy trance world including Ace Ventura, Liquid Soul, Zen Mechanics and Dickster. Tell us more about the label and what it’s done.
Well, Furthur Progressions came into existence when Mark Bedouin and I were partying and DJ’ing together in 2006–2007. A lot of the progressive trance we were playing came from Europe, Israeli, and we were keen to represent the UK in any way we could. So Furthur Progressions was borne out of this desire to support and promote talents from the UK and beyond!
Our first release was London Landscapes (CD & digital) that a lot of the artists we were fans of agreed to support. From there we have been busy with releases and events. Most recent is the debut album from Cimi called White World Bridger.
As label boss and A&R for Further Progressions you must come across a lot of great new music and new artists. Who are the artists that are really rocking it at the moment? Is there anyone we should keep an eye out for?
My favourite artist, and has been for as long as I can remember, is Ace Ventura. He consistently finds the right balance between psychedelic, energetic and spacious music. Recently the stuff he has been doing with Zen Mechanics as Zentura has been getting regular airtime in my sets.
In terms of new and upcoming artists definitely check out Lifeforms, a UK and Israeli duo who are really doing well. And Solar Spectrum, aka Ralph from Braincell, who is producing some of the most intelligent music I have heard in a while (shameless plug of his new EP coming shortly!).
Hamish @ Indian Spirit Festival
You started your DJ career running events in Leeds and London back in 2001. Over the years you have been a key figure in bringing some pretty big acts to the UK for the first time. Can you tell us more about your events, and how they came about?
I first started out in events when studying at Leeds University. Three great friends came together with a passion to put on great parties, where we built all the décor, and supported friends. We were helped by having access to the best venue I have found in the UK – the West Indian Centre – where Rastafarians would be playing dominoes while a fully psychedelic party was happening around them! Never seen anywhere like it since....
From there our parties grew, eventually moving to London. There we had the scope to do events in venues such as the SE1 and Coronet, which took the sheer scale to another level! That said, I only ever go in to organising an event to create the best possible environment for people to enjoy themselves, and this builds it own vibe. You can tell when a party is done for the right reasons and the crowd responds to that. As Astral Circus will be!
Your first international gig was at Universo Parallelo in 2007. Tell us about your experience of playing your first gig out on the international circuit. Where have the gigs taken you since then?
Universo Parallelo was an amazing experience. Over New Year on a beach in Brazil, one of the most idyllic locations. I was lucky enough to be supported by Shane Gobi to get a gig there, and with Bedouin also playing it was quite an introduction for us to the international circuit.
My travels have also taken in festivals such as Burning Man in the US, Boom in Portugal, Ozora in Hungary, Fusion in Germany, to name a few. It is an honour to be invited to play at any party, and there have been some pretty good ones over the years!
Hamish @ Fusion Festival
That’s a lot to experience in such a short time ... impressive! I know you have a healthy line-up of festival offers coming up next summer that you have to choose from, but are there any key or favourite festivals/events that you would like to play?
Glastonbury – the ultimate gathering. It is not your typical trance festival, although there are stages for every type of music. It will happen. Sometime…
So let’s talk tunes and production. You’ve released 2 compilation albums and numerous releases on your label. What releases do you have coming up? Are there any more compilations in the pipeline? And do you have any plans to get in the studio yourself, to produce your own tracks?
We have EPs in the pipeline for the next few months, the first of which will be from Solar Spectrum called Random Structures. I’m really looking forward to getting that out into people’s hands. We are also planning a follow up to London Landscapes VA, which is an exciting task to complete.
In terms of getting in the studio myself, it has happened! I have some incomplete (and very private) works on my computer. Unfortunately I simply don’t have the time to dedicate to understanding the programs – it has always been the case that I would sit down with an idea, and it’s lost within 5 minutes as I try to figure out a synth! That said, I have been part of two released tracks – ‘Green and Orange’ made with Tom Real, which is a progressive house monster, and ‘The Flying Scotsman’ with Cimi that I was very chuffed to see on his album!
Hamish @ Ozora
Over the years your sound has evolved with the times, and expanded with the crowds and countries that you have played in. Can you tell us about this progression? What have been your main influences? And what can we expect to hear from you at Astral Circus?
The first time that a genre or style of music really clicked for me was at an unexpected visit to Tyssen Street Studios for a psy trance party. I found something that I truly loved. As a DJ this is where I started. Over time my music has slowed in terms of BPM (getting older and slower!) but that has opened me up to other experiences. I love having the opportunity to DJ some wobbly psychedelic techno and house. I try and fit the mood of the party, and then focus it more.
Influence-wise, any track or artist that has a thoughtful feel about what they do, who tell a story. At Astral Circus I will be bouncing between proggy, techy electronica. Who knows where it goes!
Back in 2006 you were snapped up by Shane Gobi and signed as a label DJ for Alchemy Records. How did this come about?
We had Shane up to play at our closing party in Leeds. He must have had a good time because he reciprocated and invited me to play at an Alchemy Records party in London. This was my first gig in London, so I was pretty nervous! I ended up playing in the second room for 4 hours, winding my way through so much progressive trance. At the end Shane asked me to be part of the Alchemy set-up.
Alchemy is one of the forefront trance labels in the world, so I was bowled over. Since then Shane has become a close friend, and we have embarked on many crazy adventures together. It is very safe to say that without him I would not be where I am today.
Hamish @ Ozora
Video of Hamish playing at Ozora
As a globe trotting DJ featuring on many enviable line-ups, a label manager signing the biggest artists, and an experience event promoter, do you have any advice for the aspiring DJs and producers out there?
Get out there. Meet the people that love your music. Be passionate. And have fun!
Now … you’re a local in the Brixton area, and a regular at some of the most kicking events London has to offer like Babies Events, Halcyon and Elixir of Life. What have you heard about Astral Circus events? What are you most looking forward to? And why should everyone that loves psy trance come down?
Astral Circus involves some of the best people in the scene at the moment. This shines through in the events and it is clear to see everyone involved, whether organising or partying, has huge fun. I’m looking forward to hearing what Dickster has been up to, and Monk3ylogic. And I will be front centre for Nikki S’ set! Can’t wait to be part of the whole thing!
Thank you Hamish for catching up with us... we look forward to catching your set at Astral Circus, London on Friday 15th November!!
Come and join us on FaceBook:
www.facebook.com/events/584172964976813
For more information please check out:
www.astralcircus.net
www.facebook.com/AstralCircus
www.facebook.com/djhamish
www.facebook.com/furthurprog
www.soundcloud.com/furthurprog
Images courtesy of Hamish Further Progressions. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Astral Circus presents AMD * Dickster * Aphid Moon + many more
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On:
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Friday 15th November 2013
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At:
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Jamm [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 08:00
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Cost:
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£5 early bird/£10 advance/MOTD
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Website:
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www.astralcircus.net/
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Ticket Info:
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Cash sales from Access All Areas: 30c Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AL. Phone: 0207 267 8320.
http://www.astralcircus.net/
http://www.onlinestall.com/cgi-bin/stall2.pl?act=ep&id=4689
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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ASTRAL CIRCUS presents AMD ★ Dickster ★ Aphid Moon ★ Monk3ylogic ★ Continuem ★ Many more! ★ 10pm - 8am ★ Brixton Jamm
After 3 sell out parties the Astral Circus crew returns with another night full of psychedelic magic and creative energy.
Astral Circus is a realm of self-expression and mutual insight. We endeavour to cultivate an interactive experience that stimulates beyond the senses, and unlocks the innate creativity possessed by each and every one of us.
Let's animate our vision - together!
We are very excited to bring to you the next edition of Astral Circus, 10pm - 8am Friday 15th November at the Brixton Jamm, and we're very happy because we'll be running 2 hours later than last time!
★★ UV decor & old school projections by Cognitive Dissidents
www.facebook.com/cognitivedissidents
★★ Intelligent LED lighting & stretch lycra installations by Geo-Matrix Designs
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geo-Matrix-Design/269799729763271
★★ Visuals by Nikki S & Psyentific Visualizations
www.psyviz.co.uk
Info & guest list: info@astralcircus.net
Websites:
www.astralcircus.net
www.accessallareas.org
www.brixtonjamm.org
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OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY from 8.30am til late at the 414 Club,
414-416 Coldharbour Lane London SW9 8LF
Line up to be announced soon.
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TRANSPORT
Underground: Brixton (Victoria Line)
Rail: Brixton mainline station
Bus: 2,3,35,37,45,59,109,118,133,159,196,250,
322,333,345,355,415,432,P4,P5
Night bus: N2,N3,N35,37,N133,N159,250,689,690
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
Join us on www.facebook.com/astralcircus
Check out the event page for news & updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/584172964976813
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Flyer:
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Other Features By Nikki S:
Mechanimal’s Digital Nature album preview at London’s Psymera Summer Boat Party
Let me hear you say Waio
Nikki S interviews Vini Vici ahead of their London debut at the Astral Circus presents Psy-Fi Festival London Launch party
Nikki S looks at making Babies, ahead of London Landscapes 2 at Ministry of Sound
Nikki S interviews Sinerider - one of the psy scene's fastest rising stars
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: Tara on 31st Oct 2013 04:48.11
Great to see Further Progressions flying the flag for UK prog! Nice interview Hamish and Nicki! Can't wait to see you both in action at Astral Circus 
From: Nikki S on 31st Oct 2013 20:52.26
Thanks Tara! .. Looking forward to having Hamish down to play at Astral Circus!! whoop whoop
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