Bailey

World famous DJ!

MAXIM: What got you into Drum n Bass, where did it all start for Bailey?
BAILEY: It was during the late 80s/early 90s that I was drawn to the emerging rave scene that involved new sounds for this (then Hip Hop loving) South Londoner. The Acid House, Techno and Hardcore parties were a pleasant departure from the moody Hip Hop parties I'd go to. Ultimately the breakbeat element in house music was what caught my ear and when it separated from the house beat in the mid nineties, I followed it into the Jungle era which led me into Drum & Bass.

MAXIM: The Drum 'n' Bass scene is considered by some to be quite exclusive and difficult to successfully break into, many rely on their production. You did it on DJing alone, what's your secret?
BAILEY: I gained momentum by doing mixtapes for friends, playing wine bars, dance halls and pirate radio stations. I was also out at clubs every single weekend as I still am now meeting new people and making new links. From one person you meet another then another and another. It's like having a string of recommendations. It's like that old saying 'It's nice to be important but it's important to be nice'. You never know who does what and being friendly with everyone (even if they're off their heads on life drama's, booze or whatever) doesn't hurt.

MAXIM: Your show on BBC 1xtra has been going since 2002, in that time, how has the scene progressed?
BAILEY: The Drum & Bass fraternity has always pretty much been well organised and as time goes on it's getting even more professional with artists that can offer full, live, festival worthy bands via names like Chase & Status, Pendulum and others. I'd always felt that the UK music press had treated us D&B folk like the bastard sons of Hip Hop and Techno preferring to rant about the good old days of punk music but it's hard to ignore the staying power of this music and the amount of talent coming out of it. We're here forever.

MAXIM: The DnB scene has established DJ/Producers that have been going strong for many years, how is the new talent coming through shaping up?
BAILEY: There's an abundance of new talent coming through because most labels are looking for the next big artist. You need only look at recent names such as Netsky, Commix and Sub Focus to see the investment made in these artists. Even though it may seem to many that it's hard to break through, this isn't necessarily true. ONE big tune can kick start a career just like in earlier days and budding producers are well aware of it. On average, I get sent 150 new tracks per week. So many many new names are on the horizon.

MAXIM: Do you have any more productions on the way?
BAILEY: I recently did a remix for Chipmunk's single 'Take Off' feat. Trey Songz, a D&B version of 'Nah Mean' by Nas & Damian Marley, and a house track with Melissa Molinaro from the film 'Honey 2' and P.Diddys 'Making The Band'. I'm currently working on a track for Lee Scratch Perry to celebrate his 75th birthday and there are other projects being negotiated as we speak. In a word 'Yes' haha!

MAXIM: You've had a spin on the Hercules DJ 4-mx unit, what's the verdict?
BAILEY: Pretty damn impressive! The touch sensitive jog wheels make all the difference. Add four deck mixing, sexy looks and pretty lights and it satisfies all my needs bar giving me a kiss when I get home from work. It's a great machine.

Check out Hercules on the web by visiting www.HerculesDJMixRoom.com