Q) Which one of the following names in not on the front cover of the latest copy of the Guestlist Network?

A) Example

B) Randall

C) Pat Sharp

Ahead of Snowbombing 2012, Rompa’s Reggae Shack launches in London on the 4^th Feb 2012 at Les Oubliette, 281 Kingsland road in East London. DJs on the night include Snowbombing veteran and tracksuit party DJ and promoter DJ Tayo. Also behind the wheels of steel are Markle and JBliss representing 2^ND Drop Records. Other DJs on the line-up are SL1, Savage Henry, Daddy Nature and Fattie Boom Boom taking up residence duties. Other special guests joining us on this launch night include Neas and DJ Dark representing DPM.  Head down to Les Oubliette on the first Saturday of the month to catch Rompa’s Reggae Shack in 2012, expect some big names passing through in the next coming months. This night is dedicated to reggae in all its forms and is about pure vibes. Music is a mission, not a competition.

Don’t forget book Snowbombing through Urban Nerds to receive you ltd edition t-shirt worth £34.99 follow the link to book your ticket: http://www.snowbombing.com/urbannerds

Rompa’s Reggae Shack – Snowbombing 2012 – DJ Tayo Mix by Daddy Nature

With a well-deserved place on the BBC Sound of 2012 list, Dot Rotten, previously known as Young Dot, has made a storming start to the new year with new single ‘Are You Not Entertained’ being named Zane Lowe’s ‘hottest record of the week’. Counting a diverse range of musical influences including Sting, Bob Marley and ‘Lil Wayne, the south Londoners sound is leading the UK’s grime scene and crossing over to mainstream and chart success. Already a hailed MC and producer (Tine Tempeh, Wiley, Ghetts) Dot Rotten now sits of the brink of big things in his own right. This is one show you will want to witness.

To enter simply email david@urban-nerds.com with “Converse” in the subject line and include your full name. Please note that all entrants must be over the age of 18 and we will notify all winners between 3pm and 3:30pm tomorrow afternoon.

We have recently been hearing your tracks played on BBC 1Xtra. What releases do you have planned?

I’ve got a track out at the moment called ‘Morning Alkaline‘. It’s a cheeky bootleg getting a lot of support from Djs like Doorly, Seb Chew and Urban Nerds resident Marcus Nasty. Also DJ Q so will be keeping the ball rolling with tunes all through the year. You can keep up to date with my production on my soundcloud page

What else can we expect to see from you in 2012?

It’s been a great start to the year, the last Wednesday of every month I will be co-hosting a show on Rinse FM with Cause & Affekt and Mr Limey as part of Marcus Nasty’s 7pm – 9pm slot. In Birmingham I work closely with The Rainbow venues to co-promote 2 popular events FACE & 02:31 after-party which have been going going really well. In addition, I will be hosting a show on Rainbow’s very own internet radio which will be launching very soon. Lots of interesting stuff happening to keep me busy.

Do have any production collaborations coming up?

Marc Spence and I are working on a new project called ‘Don’t Panic’. Its about recapturing that early Detroit Techno and Chicago House feel of production. It’s so much more fun using hardware to produce authentic sounds.

Tell us how much the UK bass scene has changed since you have started and how important is it to stay current?

Always been a big fan of the UK Garage sound. So much of the stuff I loved back in the 90s were tracks by UK producers such as Tuff Jam, Jeremy Sylvester, Anthill mob, Dj Zinc, Sol Brothers and Harry Lime. I see the term ‘UK Bass’ spring up and its no difference to the UK sounds back then, It’s simply been re-vamped, refreshed and evolved. Music from the Boddika & Joy O collaborations sum it up for me. Im enjoying a lot music from the UK Bass dance music although some of the music is’t very easy to dance to. I play tracks that suits my style of mixing sounds new and old press from my local scene. I think UK Bass is a term to describe lots of sounds from the sub genres of the UK underground dance music scene.

With so much competition around, How have you maintained the reputation as one of the hardest working DJs in the West Midlands?

I’ve always played a mixture of styles in my DJ set which has helped me become a resident for cities biggest parties like Bigger Than Barry, GLAS and FACE. So I guess that helps keep up a good rep for me. I advise any new djs looking for regular gigs should be making connections with promoters for residencies. All the greatest dance music clubs like Amnesia, Ministry and the Hacienda all have built reputations through the resident DJ’s. There are times where I have to show commitment and dedication which means I may not get to play out of town as much. I really enjoy creating a vibe in a venue week in week out because people don’t forget that.

How does your production sound influence your DJ sets?

When producing I mix of loads of elements from my favourite music genres so I guess thats kind of like my DJ sets.

Tell us a bit about your studio set up and what equipment do you use?

I use a Macbook with Logic and Ableton with multiple VST’s and control it with a Midi keyboard. Quite recently I have been using some Roland & Korg hardware its very nostalgic hearing those classic sounds again. I am currently in search of a TR-909 drum machine.

Which producers music are you loving at the moment and what tracks do you keep in your set no matter where you play?

Music from Hackman, Joy O, Lazaro Casanova, Lorenzo , Cause & Affekt, Mike Deliquent, Disclosure, TEED, Canblaster, Zinc, Snuff Crew, Subb-ann, Jook 10 and Huxley.

Where can we see and hear you DJing over the next few months?

You can hear me on Rinse FM on the last Wednesday of every month 7pm – 9pm. If your in the midlands catch me at SNO on Thursdays in Solihull also at The Rainbow venues Im promoting and DJing at FACE and 02:31 afterparty on Saturdays. Lastly I am at GLAS on a Sunday which is one the most popular Bank Holiday raves.

Lastly, how tall (or short) are you?

5’9, I think.

Download the guest mix of Tom Shorterz alongside Cause n Affect on Marcus Nasty’s Rinse Fm show.
RINSE FM GUEST SHOW – Shorterz, Cause’n'Affekt, Mr limey by Tom Shorterz

Listen to Rinse from 7pm on Wednesday the 25th January to catch Tom Shorterz Live.

After four days in Berlin last week I managed to witness four clothing trade shows, five parties, a lot of booze and the giving out of a big bag of Urban Nerd’s t-shirts and vests to a lot of lucky people. First up was the Bread and Butter trade show with thousands of people in attendance this trade show showcases brands from Barbour and Canada Goose to New Era, Addict and a lot more. After catching up with team Addict and having a productive chat with New Era we headed over to the Pony stand where we were invited to interview photography legend Ricky Powell who is currently working on a collaboration with the brand who are celebrating 40 years in the game. After settling down with a couple of beers we put 10 questions to the man in 10 minutes. In his heavy New York accent Ricky set about providing some answers.

Q1) How did the collaboration with Pony come about?

A) Well there was this girl who I wanted to bang real bad in LA and she happened to know someone who worked for Pony, so the rest is history really. It’s become a mutually beneficial relationship now; it’s a good thing.

Q2) What’s your tune of the day?

A) Jungle Fever by the Chakachas

Q3)  What was the first record you ever brought?

A) The first album I brought was – That’s the way of the world by Earth, Wind and Fire

Q4) You have photographed some true musical legends, is there anyone who has made you star struck?

A) Good question, well there’s this black chick who works round the corner from me in this deli, she’s so God damn fine and she plays me like I’m a scrub, I think her name is Clitonia (laughs).

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Q5) Favourite pair of trainers?

A) What the hell are trainers?

Q) Sorry I mean sneakers.

A) Ahhhh, well I’d say high tops, anything that’s casual, simple and not overdone.

Q6) If you could have photographed anyone from history, deal or alive who would it be?

A) Yvonne De Carlo who played Lily in the Munsters, I’ve got a thing for her!

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Q7) Right you’ve got one word, your favourite word what is it?

A) Ridonculous

Q8) Who’s hot on the music scene for you right now?

A) This may sound weird but that chick Adele, I like her; I like them plump and juicy

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Q9) Anything else to add?

A) Yeah, I want to help bring up new talent and I want to do this through an imaginary University I made up called the Rickford Institute – it’s about bringing through people who are good people.

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Q10) Ok, last one, can we get some words of wisdom from Ricky Powell

A) Act right, don’t act like an arrogant piece of shit and create your own universe.

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Massive thanks to Ricky Powell and Kash Sethi from Pony for hooking up the interview!

Exclusive Mix by the Urban Knights K*A*N*E and DR SPECS for Snowbombing 2012 feat Brand new music from Nero, Redlight, Urban Knights, Sub Focus, RackNRuin, Zeds Dead and Youngman.

SNOWBOMBING OCCUPY 2012 MIXED BY THE URBAN KNIGHTS by URBAN KNIGHTS

Tracks

RackNRuin – Soundclash
Nextmen – Lions Den
Redlight – G.O.M.H
RackNRuin – Midnight Loving (Heavyfeet Remix)
Dj Shadow – Midnight ( K*A*N*E Remix ) – Urban Knights
Pendulum Vs Emalkay – Heroics Set on Fire ( K*A*N*E Redux )
Drake – I’m on one (KillaGraham Remix)
Nero – Reaching Out
Pyramid – Cruel feat Julie Thompson (SkisM Remix)
Eyes – Tonight ( Urban Knights Remix )
Zeds Dead – Bassmentality
Forward (Dubfreq Remix) – Urban Knights Feat Gaika Taveres
Sub Focus – Falling Down
The Cataracs – Bass Down Low
The Streets – In the Middle (Nero Remix)
SBTRKT – Wildfire
D Double E – Street Fighter Riddim
Subscape VS Katy B – Nothings Wrong On A Misson ( K*A*N*E Redux )
FreQ Nasty vs Bassnectar – Viva Tibet (East and West Mix)
Youngman – Who Knows
Subscape – Apple Candy

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www.myspace.com/urbanknights

Resident DJs playing at the shack include Daddy Nature, Dusty Lungs, The Farm Yardies, Raffle Mafia and Sai. There are also some extra special guests booked in to play throughout the week so keep an eye out for Tayo, Barry Ashworth, Marcus Nasty, Oneman and Sgt Pokes and more to be confirmed. Make you you get in the mood with this exclusive mix recorded for Rompa’ Reggae Shack shack by DJ Tayo posted below.

The Snowbombing experience is always 10/10 and this year promises to be no different, if you want to come along make sure you book with Urban Nerds to qualify for your FREE limited edition t-shirt worth £34.99. Book here: http://www.snowbombing.com/urbannerds

Rompa’s Reggae Shack – Snowbombing 2012 – DJ Tayo Mix by Daddy Nature