Interview with DJ Swat

We fire some questions at the girl spreading the DnB and Dubstep in Canada and North America.

DJ Swat has been DJing since early 2005. In the past, she has held down a club residency at the successful and long-running "Extra Strength Saturdays" in Winnipeg MB, and has toured extensively across Canada. DJ Swat webcasts weekly (live) shows on Krisisdnb.com & ProtokolRadio.com, and is featured on Pushradio.com (pre-recorded) monthly (last Thursday of each month) as well as regular guest spots on Winnipeg's own "Rinseout Radio" on Bassdrive.com.

Now we are in 2009 and she is currently promoting her own production company "Hi-REV", and she intends on showcasing the depth of musical talent in Winnipeg's ever-growing club-scene, as well as featuring global acts. Miss Swat has certainly become one of the hardest-working DJs in the Canadian D'N'B scene. Always pushing her name and sounds, DJ Swat is well intent on global domination - and won't stop until she achieves her objective. If you haven't heard of her, we are pretty sure you will soon. Check out the exclusive mix she recorded for us which will give you an idea of what you can expect from a live performance.

We put some questions to the lady and this is what she said...

You have been on the scene for four years now and word is spreading fast. You are particularly well known at home in Winnipeg and throughout Canada & the U.S. What is it like as a female trying to get to the top of what seems to be a male dominated profession?

Sometimes I wish I was a boy in another life so I could tell you the real difference, but I have yet to do so. All I can tell you is what I know. I am doing what I love and I am having a lot of fun. I get to prove the stereo type wrong, which is fantastic. As well as show people that I can keep up with the boys and the girls. There are people in your life that will tell you, " You can't ... You'll never make it in this scene... It's too complicated for you." That is simply when my brain clicks on and says " Yea, we'll see about that. "

You got into DJing as a challenge to a friend. How soon after did you decide that being a DJ was the path you were going to take?

It was kind of a fluke. I tried it and loved it! Starting buying records and a few months later financed some turntables. I don't tend to invest in something I am not serious about. If I like it, I'm going to do it and I'll do whatever it takes to succeed in it (morals and dignity in check). Like an addiction to caffeine or cake, I'd think, " I MUST have more of this. " It's like when you meet the one you want to stay with forever. Sometimes, you just know.

What was your life like before you became a DJ?

I guess not too much different minus all of the travelling. I have always been the life of the party entertaining/hosting. I'd always bring music to parties and get everyone dancing. My life was working jobs in retail such as: video store clerk, working at a salon, serving even sales at a furniture store. I think that the only real difference between now and then was that I wasn't yet pursing a long term career.

London UK is the birthplace of Drum and Bass. Although from personal experience it's big in Canada. Tell us a bit about the scene in Canada?

I can only tell you about the scene based on what I've actually seen in my travels. Toronto has got to have the biggest scene for Drum and Bass in all of Canada. Montreal has a tight scene of wicked talented artists and DJs. I played one of my most favorite shows at one of the events out in Montreal. The crowd was very responsive and loved every style I lay down.

As for the west coast, there is still love for Drum and Bass however I find a lot of Junglist are producing and playing more dubstep. As well as throwing more dubstep/glitch hop parties. The Prairies aren't huge on Drum and Bass, however Winnipeg does have a fairly decent scene for it's size. Me along with a few others have been working hard to get it back where it should be. It's seen a lot of different clubs/crowds through out the years. I am by no means a veteran to my own local jungle scene. There were many before me and there will be more after me. I hope it stays alive through out the years. Sorry I'm trailing off... next question!

Do you have any connections with the UK Drum and Bass/Dubstep scene?

My connections are with artists and labels in the UK. Both friendships and business. I am in constant talk with many well known and up and coming talent from the UK. Always trying to keep my sets fresh and fun, I rep a lot of different UK dubs out here in Canada. I've made some really wicked friends and plan on meeting and working with a lot of them this year during my travels.

Have you ever performed in London UK or do you have any plans to come and see us in the near future?

No I have no yet been to the UK, however I am flying out there in August and will be available for dates between Aug 10-30 of 2009. Hint to promoters *wink*

Having listened to quite a few of your mixes and music, we particularly enjoy your 'mash up' style of mixing. But how would you describe your sound?

Depends on the setting and weather it's radio/promo/live/lounge. I play many forms of Drum and Bass. From The high rolling anthems to the more techy and dark tunes into dubstep back into drum and bass with anything from liquid/funk/reggae jungle and back into the dubstep and maybe some bass-line house to get things a little funky. I like a healthy blend of old and new tracks. I also like to keep it fresh with lots of exclusives. You know your in for a treat when I play. I am also feeling a lot of of old school dub & reggae tunes. I'm a drum and bass head at heart, but I love to switch it up. I like to make sure it's a nice flow and not just randomly place through out the set using many different technics to get the seamless effect.

What other artists do you rate in Canada? Any new comers we should look out for?

Canadian Drum & Bass artists I would recommending checking out are people like Marcus Visionary, Bombah and L(3) and NC-17. When I thin of Dubstep I think of guys like DZ, Datsik & Excision. Phatcat has been getting a lot of notice as well as Ebloa Soulja from Victoria.

Tell us about your favourite artists worldwide?

World wide I am a huge fan of anything from KJ SAWKA, DIRTYPHONICS, MUMBLZ, MUFFLER, FUTUREBOUND, SHOCKONE, INSIDEINFO, AC SLATER, BAR 9, VACCINE, KOZEE, ULTRA VIOLET and the list goes on and on.

Out of all the artists you have played alongside, who did you enjoy working with the most?

By far the BEST act was KJ SAWKA. The guy is so entertaining, extremely talented and has the best attitude. His live act with acoustic drums while loops and producing set on the spot MUST be seen LIVE!

I also must mention this one emcee from Montreal. Qubiq MC'd one of my sets back in December of 08. Smooth transition from French and English, ill skills and amazing rhymes.

We read that you are currently promoting your own production company Hi-Rev. Could you tell us all about that, what it is. What it iinvolves and what we can look forward to/what you hope to achieve?

Basically I've been running this production company by myself, throwing parties, bringing in various djs/acts/producers. I've book some of the local talent as well. I have mad respect for the talent out here. I hope to throw more parties again soon. I may be taking Hi-Rev to another city in the near future. I've got a lot of travels for the next few months including a tour featuring myself MC XYZ and KJ SAWKA. Who knows where my journey may take me.

Having DJ'ed for the last four years you must have played some awesome gigs. Tell us about a few that stick in your mind for size, atmosphere and your own personal enjoyment?

Again my show in Montreal back in December 09. One of my favorite crowds to play to. Responsive and rocked out to every genre I laid down. It's great when you and the crowd can really feed off of each other.

Checking your myspace, you have some good tunes up on there. Are you working on anything exciting at the moment?

I am working with an artist from Foul Play Records named Adverse. He is based in the U.S. The track is called, " Basscase ". Originally it was more of a hip hop track I made and also produce/sang with another artists locally, " Abstract Artform.

I'm traveling to the UK to work on my new album with a couple of artists. I hope to gain some inspiration whilst I am there. I think it will be good for me to travel to a new country and really expand what I am listening to and producing. I'm also interested in working on tunes with many different producers, making music I might not usually be exposed to. Many exciting things to come so watch out for new tunes on my page.

You have recorded us an exclusive mix. Talk us through what you have included in it?

I have included a couple of my own personal production to show you all what it's store. I have included some of my favorite producers at the moment that always get me dancing, Dirtyphonics, Camo, Krooked and many more.

Your house is burning down and you can choose one track to take with you. Which one do you save?

I'd be tossing all my vinyl out the damn window... we all know that. If I had to choose only one I'd have to say " " rel="rokbox">Moodswings - Dom&Gridlok "

Finally, any shouts dedications you may have?

Big shout outs to the Cyber Groove Family, lots of love coming your way.
http://www.cybergrooveprod.com.

Kelly, for you awesome love and support. My friends for believing in me. The people that motivated by giving me a reason to prove them wrong. Or motivated me by simply reminding me that we can do and have whatever we really want in life. We just have to believe in it first!