DJ Maximus interview by Adam Cotier
Now sit back, relax and prepare to be ‘schooled’ !
Max Van Morrison has seen the Shoreditch club scene grow into what it is today, living in Brick Lane back in 1997 when only the Vibe Bar was there Max has witnessed a true musical revolution, Shoreditch stand tall!
Q: Could you tell us a little about yourself, how long have you been DJin, what made you get into it?
A: In 1989 I had my first real musical influence watching a 1988 DMC Mixing Finals video tape, on this I saw the amazing cutting & scratching skills of DJ Cash Money, this is what inspired me to become a disk jockey. In 1991 i got my first decks, an all in one with rotary knobs and no pitch controls plus 30 Acid House & Breakbeat records. Among these were “House Is Mine” on Rising High and “Edge 1” an early work from Blame.
Q: When was your 1st live gig, and how did it go?
A: Wow, my first gig…. about 19 years ago, we used go along to illegal parties anywhere we could back in the rave days, that was my first live set but I’d say my first real payed gig was in Nottingham playing Jungle in 94 or something. Ive been DJin every week somewhere ever since so it’s hard to remember back then! In 98 I started working for Fabric and by chance one Friday DJ Legend Fabio couldn’t make it so they asked me to fill in and I done so well they gave me a residency playing with all my heroes of the time such as Goldie, Grooverider, Hype, Ray Keith etc. this was a real kick start for me!
Q: As you are originally from Manchester, could you tell us about the scene up there and how Shoreditch differs?
A: It’s a little crazier up there, Londoners seem to play it a little cooler in my opinion. There’s some great clubs up there and a real history of clubbing, however you cant beat the diversity of London
Q: How would you describe the Shoreditch club scene?
A: Shoreditch is like the new West End, its all about the ‘Shoreditch Triangle’ Brick Lane up to Old St then back round via Liverpool st!! It’s more like the Bermuda triangle some times though as you can still manage to get lost! I think one of the best moments in the Shoreditch scene was when Herbal & Sosho were open, they were my favorite places to party… real underground vibes and people that differed to other establishments in Shoreditch.
Q: What/Who are your biggest influences and why?
A: I’d have to say my biggest influences would be my back catalogue of vinyl, I’ve been collecting music for years whether it be hip hip, soul, funk, rare groove, Motown, jungle, hardcore, techno, house etc, I draw my inspiration from all good music old and new!
Q: Favourite DJ/Producer?
A: It’s so hard to pick a ‘favorite dj’ i’d just have to give props to all the hard working DJs out there playing good music, however I do have a bit of a soft spot for Laurent Garnier after seeing him do a 7 hour set at Fabric that just was breath taking… I don’t think he even took a piss the whole night! That’s intense!
As for producers, at the moment I’m loving Dexter Kane, Cozzy D, ALex Raphael and of course Maceo Plex and Jamie Jones!
Q: What has been your best & worst experience as a DJ so far?
A: Best moment as a DJ for me, seeing the crowd dancing and smiling week in week out, it doesn’t get any better than that. Worst moment, lifting the wrong needle of in the middle of a packed club… classic DJ fail.. if you haven’t done it you cant really call yourself a DJ!
Q: Anything else to add?
A: Just wanna give a big shout to all the Cant Stop Wont Stop family, too many to mention, big up the Fabric crew and all the real DJs out there doing their thing, Mad Love!
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You can catch DJ Maximus every Friday 7pm-9pm on www.trollyedradio.com Also every Sunday at Club Aquarium, Old St.
You’ll also catch him playing at many of the bars around Old St and Brick Lane on any given night/day as he’s always about town! Check places like Traffik, Roadhouse, 333, Vibe Bar, Public Life and you might just spot him!
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I recommend listening to his latest mix ‘Lofts & Basements Vol. 1’ on Souncloud, click here to listen. This mix for me perfectly sums up Max’s style and everything about the house scene at the moment.
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Social Media/Contact links
Facebook: Max Van Morrison
Twitter: @maximusdeejay
Email: djmaximuslondon@yahoo.co.uk
