Chattering Classes #11 - De-twist
, or 'Paul' to those who know him that little bit better, is one of a collective of DJs and producers in Northern Ireland doing something a little bit different. Like his fellow residents at monthly club night , De-Twist is all about the bass. He's also about pushing boundaries and making electronic music that rebels against predictable minimal techno or lazy house, by just being that little bit more... interesting.
Ahead of what will no doubt be another rib-shattering, sweaty, sell-out at Ecker this Friday, the man himself was subjected to an MSN chat with our Rigsy...
1:04pm De-twist says: Getting me ok?
1:04pm Rigsy says: yup. hapnin? where are ya?
1:04pm De-twist says: ahh im just in work
1:04pm Rigsy says: same here. but lucky for me my work is talking to YOU. so judging by your soundcloud and the track 'Lao' which we played on monday, hard to pin down what to expect from you. how would you describe your, um...'sound' at the moment?
1:05pm De-twist says: I'd say the stuff im doing at the minute is a mish mash of elements of my favourite music through hip hop, dubstep, garage, house and classic techno
1:07pm Rigsy says: what are you making music on? do you have the luxury of a home studio or are you at the mercy of decent software on a single laptop?
1:08pm De-twist says: I make my stuff on my trusty lappy and a few little midi devices. I also have my turntables which i would use for sampling old records etc. special props to the botanic charity shops for those gems
1:09pm Rigsy says: turntables? what are they etc
1:09pm De-twist says: big CD players mate
1:09pm Rigsy says: and when playing out, are you that bothered about the live element or do you just wanna get the tunes out there? surely with the type of music you play the soundsystem is more important than what particular buttons you're bashing in the dj booth?
1:10pm De-twist says: No, I'd still really just be a DJ when playing out. It would be nice to do something live further down the line but to be honest I like playing other people's music and i like hearing other people's music
1:11pm Rigsy says: speaking about decent soundsystems. menagerie's new set up is sounding great. which is important for you guys and ecker
1:12pm De-twist says: yeh. the menagerie is great for us and hopefully likewise. The reactions we have been getting from people during the last few shows has surprised us and it just keeps giving us more & more faith in what we do. the sound system is important, we have Simon Mateer to thank for that. He stands tweaking the soundsystem for the whole gig and always seems to get some extra uuummmpphhh for us.
1:13pm Rigsy says: to try and sum up what ecker is about. electronic music where the bass is in charge, yeah? so bitta dubstep, dub, hip hop...maybe some techno...that sound about right?
1:15pm De-twist says: Yeh i suppose we don't really know ourselves. For anyone arriving early at Ecker, they would hear hip hop, house, garage, dubstep, techno, acid... but i think the core for all of us is the bass
1:16pm Rigsy says: ecker seems like the type of night for real fans of electronic music, of something progressive and interesting. without sounding like a hippy, it's more about the music than other clubs, where cheap booze, the average attractiveness of punter etc is more a priority. but that can seem almost... intimidating for some people. so stand up for... your people (ha!) ecker has a very welcoming vibe, yeah?
1:19pm De-twist says: I suppose people can be intimidated but we are probably the least intimidating people about. We have all noticed that the majority of the crowd are people who arent direct friends of ours and they are standing with big smiles on their faces. To encourage people we'll do a few free hugs on the door
1:19pm Rigsy says: sweet. count me in. i'll probably slip the hand though, i always misread casual forms of affection.Ìý before you go tell us in a nutshell what to expect on friday night. what happens to punters when they walk in the door of the menagerie.
1:21pm De-twist says: First thing will be the rattling of every bolt, bottle and no screwed down surface in the place. Second will be a free hug
1:22pm Rigsy says: last time i went to ecker the bass made me experience an unplanned bowel movement which was very distressing for all concerned. so the hug was appreciated (not really).
1:22pm De-twist says: Third will be Deadman and Kab Driver playing some of the most interesting and groovy stuff you'll have heard in recent times!
1:22pm Rigsy says: and de-twist - whats yr plans for the year as an artiste?
1:22pm De-twist says: Keep on producing tracks and sending them around people. I also have a few remixes which i'm looking forward to and an EP coming out on HSuan Records sometime in the summer
1:23pm Rigsy says: great stuff. cheers for this dude. times up...laterz!
1:24pm De-twist says: take it easy man, im away for a sandwich
De-Twist joins fellow residents T-Polar and Bloom and guests Kab Driver and Deadman for Ecker, at The Menagerie, this Friday night (April 9). You can download a number of tracks and keep them for ever and ever by visiting .
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