When you mention the North-East of England there is one city that stands out, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Although it's mostly known for it's crazy night life, women,alcohol and the unpredictable weather,there is one thing that never gets mentioned and that is the music scene(yep! I know you are suprised). I've lived in Newcastle for a few years now and recently I've noticed a change in the night life, there is a lot more underground (shout to the CooLaid massive) events now and it's like the city is split in two.With all of this going on there is one man that has always being at both ends and that is DJ LKP, he is what I would like to call a double threat! a smooth operator on the decks, having sold out events on a weekly basis in different clubs all around Newcastle and also a great singer. Had a chat with him over the weekend and we talked about his music and djing, these are some of the highlight.
FIX:Tell us a little bit about ya self?
Im LKP, a DJ and singer from Newcastle
FIX:When did you start making music and what inspires you?
Started singing in bands when I was 15, same time I started DJing, and in terms of inspiration, Im pretty self motivated. I see a lot of people doing stuff, and I think I can do better, so I give it a shot. Good music inspires me to play and try to make good music!
FIX:For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 1 word?
Soulful RnB with commercial elements
FIX:if you can compare ya sound to any artist who would it be?
Errrr…. I don’t think Im good enough to throw myself in with my idols who I take such a chunk of my style from, but if you are a fan of Dwele, Jon B, Donell Jones, Musiqsouldchild etc, I reckon you will like my CD! It’s a free download from lkpmusic.bandcamp.com, so u got nothing to lose!
FIX:what is your favourite song on your album golden era and why?
Its between Roll The Dice and Golden Era, they are my 2 favourites… Roll The Dice as I got to work with DC Jossph on that one, and Golden Era just cos I love that beat, courtesy of J-Palm..
Its between Roll The Dice and Golden Era, they are my 2 favourites… Roll The Dice as I got to work with DC Jossph on that one, and Golden Era just cos I love that beat, courtesy of J-Palm..
FIX:if you could collaborate with one artist who would it be?
Little Brother…. Id love to do a hook for them, and Mick Boogie in terms of doing some gigs and mixtapes together
What is you favorite song?
That’s a canny question…… lol. Ill name a few, cos I listen to so much different stuff nowadays! Fave of 2010 Hygher Baby – Let U Go , MJ Cole – Sincere is up there, Souls Of Mischief – 93 til Infinity, Dwele – Old Lovas and Donnel Jones – U Know Whats Up…… I could go on, terrible at making decisions!
FIX:If I was to turn on your ipod right now, what five artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?
I don’t own an iPod… shock horror… but the last five records I bought were the Night Slugs Allstars album, the new 10 Thousand Yen record (a really good new label for garage-y productions) , the Chromeo DJ Kicks LP, the Dam Funk and Computer Jay record and the Riddim Box compliation on Soul Jazz…. If it was looking thru my mp3s, I guess Dwele would come up the most, he’s a bit of a hero to me.
I don’t own an iPod… shock horror… but the last five records I bought were the Night Slugs Allstars album, the new 10 Thousand Yen record (a really good new label for garage-y productions) , the Chromeo DJ Kicks LP, the Dam Funk and Computer Jay record and the Riddim Box compliation on Soul Jazz…. If it was looking thru my mp3s, I guess Dwele would come up the most, he’s a bit of a hero to me.
FIX:So,what’s your favourite thing to do when you aren't writing/producing/djing etc?
I don’t take much time off from those things, but I don’t produce just yet (that’s one of the resolutions for 2011!) I just like chilling with my dog, cooking good food, Im a pretty laid back guy. Im always looking for new music tho, gets me in trouble! I also like my tees and my photography, so maybe theres another career option, and I can put my degree to use a bit more!
I don’t take much time off from those things, but I don’t produce just yet (that’s one of the resolutions for 2011!) I just like chilling with my dog, cooking good food, Im a pretty laid back guy. Im always looking for new music tho, gets me in trouble! I also like my tees and my photography, so maybe theres another career option, and I can put my degree to use a bit more!
FIX:What are the five things you can’t live without
My missus (she keeps me sane) Soundcloud (lets me share my mixes so I don’t have to stick to my club style all the time), my Technics ( I have a few thousand vinyls), my earplugs (seriously the best DJ purchase ever) and music in general, be it bad or good in my opinion, I think you can thake things from every song and get inspired in a positive way.
My missus (she keeps me sane) Soundcloud (lets me share my mixes so I don’t have to stick to my club style all the time), my Technics ( I have a few thousand vinyls), my earplugs (seriously the best DJ purchase ever) and music in general, be it bad or good in my opinion, I think you can thake things from every song and get inspired in a positive way.
FIX:what do you think about the music scene in the North-East of England.
Its at an interesting crossroads… with tech being so much cheaper now there are a lot more people do9ing it which leads to a bigger scene, but I think the quality is still lacking occasionally. There are people pushing boundaries all the time, and its certainly taken more seriously than it was 10 years ago up here, which can only be a good thing.
We have artists making music with big name American artists (Steesh, Devon, DC Joseph) and also a nice movement in terms of Keep The Faith, who are working hard to get decent live hip hop nights together.
FIX:I know you do alot of djing, if you were asked to choose between djing and singing which would you choose?( this one might be hard, you don't have to answer it.lol)
If I only sang, Id be broke, haha…. I sell some music, but 10 years behind the decks carries a lot of experience, and as it’s the thing that’s brought me the most success, Id say DJing. However, there are too many djs nowadays with no vested interest in DJing (ie, borrowed hard drives, never touched an actual record, slim knowledge of music they play outside they club), and I know I can actually sing live, so maybe Ill grab the mic while Im on the decks too.
Its at an interesting crossroads… with tech being so much cheaper now there are a lot more people do9ing it which leads to a bigger scene, but I think the quality is still lacking occasionally. There are people pushing boundaries all the time, and its certainly taken more seriously than it was 10 years ago up here, which can only be a good thing.
We have artists making music with big name American artists (Steesh, Devon, DC Joseph) and also a nice movement in terms of Keep The Faith, who are working hard to get decent live hip hop nights together.
FIX:I know you do alot of djing, if you were asked to choose between djing and singing which would you choose?( this one might be hard, you don't have to answer it.lol)
If I only sang, Id be broke, haha…. I sell some music, but 10 years behind the decks carries a lot of experience, and as it’s the thing that’s brought me the most success, Id say DJing. However, there are too many djs nowadays with no vested interest in DJing (ie, borrowed hard drives, never touched an actual record, slim knowledge of music they play outside they club), and I know I can actually sing live, so maybe Ill grab the mic while Im on the decks too.
FIX:is there any moments in your career that stand out?
Being on 1Xtra and Radio 1 whgen I was singing with the group InFamUs, singing in London, DJing in Hong Kong, and getting to play some of the places I always wanted to play when I was growing up in Newcastle.
Being on 1Xtra and Radio 1 whgen I was singing with the group InFamUs, singing in London, DJing in Hong Kong, and getting to play some of the places I always wanted to play when I was growing up in Newcastle.
FIX:do you think hip hop is dead?
Nope… its sleeping as a mainstream artform, but hopefully it will arise this year… lots of good artists are getting a buzz now (Jay Elec, Big Sean, J.Cole etc etc) so if they can keep their buzz going, maybe things will happen for them. Zilla and Baron will bring it back for the North East!
Nope… its sleeping as a mainstream artform, but hopefully it will arise this year… lots of good artists are getting a buzz now (Jay Elec, Big Sean, J.Cole etc etc) so if they can keep their buzz going, maybe things will happen for them. Zilla and Baron will bring it back for the North East!
FIX:what can we expect from you in 2011
More music, hopefully gonna stuck a mixtape out in the first few months of the year, then go from there really. I have a weekly radio show, and aI am starting the Mixuplooksharp podcast to go with it, so a half hour mix every week on iTunes.
Follow DJ LKP on twitter Here
Download album for free Here
Catch DJ LKP on air @ NE1fm friday nights 11pm-1am
Listen and Download Mixes from Here
More music, hopefully gonna stuck a mixtape out in the first few months of the year, then go from there really. I have a weekly radio show, and aI am starting the Mixuplooksharp podcast to go with it, so a half hour mix every week on iTunes.
Follow DJ LKP on twitter Here
Download album for free Here
Catch DJ LKP on air @ NE1fm friday nights 11pm-1am
Listen and Download Mixes from Here
