Ian blevins “I studied with were listening to DJ’s on the radio like Danny Rampling, Roger Sanchez & Pete Tong”

1 – When and how did you get your interest in electronic music?

I suppose it was around the time I was at college when myself and a few friends from home and who I studied with were listening to DJ’s on the radio like Danny Rampling, Roger Sanchez & Pete Tong. I’d always been into the more soulful, disco sound and scene. As I grew up, I began going to nights like Shindig in Newcastle. The Southport Weekender, and spent summers in Ibiza at clubs like Space and DC10 which started to expand my tastes a great deal into deeper music and alternative music.

2 – How did you decide to dedicate yourself to production?

It had always been something I’d wanted to get more involved but had always been a little overwhelmed by it. Where to start? All this different software? Equipment? Though the more I wanted to pursue DJing, this more it seemed like a good kick up the arse to get started. At that time, it felt like to get more high profile  gigs you also needed to produce. Unless you had something else to really back you up, such as a label or popular radio show. So this was incentive enough to begin in the world of production.

3 – How do you assess the trajectory you have had and what were the reasons that led you to start it?

I don’t know I’ve had a trajectory at all. My own flattened curve perhaps, with a few nice jumps 🙂 The reason whatever started, is that I love playing and sharing music. And I’m grateful and happy to any of the people over the years who’ve gave me the opportunity to do that.

4- What was your criterion when producing your last EP?

I didn’t have one. A lot of the music I want to initially release on my label is from a batch of music I made around 3 or 4 year ago now, give or take. And are some of my favourite bits from that time that I haven’t found a home for, or kept them to myself. I tried to pick a lot of my favourites from that period and put them into what I hope are well balanced EP’s.

5 – Could you recommend a set that you are especially proud of, and that we can see on your Soundcloud or on YouTube?

There are a lot of mixes on my Soundcloud you can check and I like them all for different reasons

This one though is one of not so many live recordings I have, and was apart from the ESP Institute nights at Cocktail D’Amore in Berlin. One of my favourite labels, and one of my favourite favourite parties. It was a real honour to open up that main room.

6 – What can you tell us about the scene of your city? What would you improve?

I now live in Berlin so i’m pretty lucky with the scene I have here on my doorstep. We’re all aware of the state of the planet at the minute but can probably see a return to safe dancing sooner than most places. 

It’s not music related but more public toilets, and a solution to the amount of cigarette and rolly butts strewn across the floor. That boils my piss to put it lightly. I sincerely hope someone is working on biodegradable alternatives, and if they point me in the right direction as i’d like to support this.

7 – Finally, what can you tell us about your present and future projects?

At the moment I’ve got my eyes on the next few HCCC releases and the remixes to accompany them.

I have a track out on the compilation ‘Una Vida De Barrio’ that was put together by Gratts. It’s related to a football group here in Berlin which I played in when I first moved here.

The wheels are in motion for my next EP with Not An Animal also. I’m really excited about this one, and the remixes that will come with it. But more on that at the time 😉

I have a track with Man Power too, that will feature on another fine MeMeMe compilation soon.  In the meantime you can check out this very worthy release with all profits going to NHS Charities Together. 

And why not revisit the EP i put out last year whilst you’re at it 😉

NY*AK has a very fine EP coming soon on City Fly, and a track that we made together features on this release too. 

There are a few other things in the pipeline too I’m really looking forward to but I’ll not jinx but mention now.