It’s a been a good year for Darren Styles, just when you thought this headlining ‘Hardcore Hero’ could not climb any further up the ranks of both the underground rave and commercial cross over club chart scenes as he smashes everything from compilation chart positions to ticket sales on a fair few of the events he’s headlining for; Darren returns to the forefront of the scene with his latest release, one disc of the three disc compilation that is, Clubland Xtreme Hardcore.
Since his humble beginnings in 1992 to the dizzy heights of helping to pioneer present day UK Hardcore phenomena, Darren’s been a very busy boy indeed, working over that time in the studio with the likes of Force, Breeze, Hixxy, Re-Con and company, whilst holding down many DJ residencies with big hitting brands such as Hardcore Till I Die, Slammin Vinyl, Helter Skelter and many more.
With a string of awards to both his and his production partners respective credits, including most recently – Best DJ at Slammin Vinyl’s Hardcore Heaven Awards 2007 and proudly sporting the title of first ever Hardcore DJ’s (along with Force) to get an Essential Mix on Pete Tong’s legendary BBC Radio One show back in 1997. Of course, this doesn’t include his many productions with the Nukleuz and Raverbaby labels and a string of Top 40 hits through All Around The World writing material for the likes of Ultrabeat and Dannii Minouge!
On Friday, he’ll be dropping by The Mud Club in Bognor Regis to headline an early set at High Velocity along with Radio One’s Kutski and Fusion residents Clodhopper and Project Bosh before preparing for another whirlwind New Years Eve; but before all of that, a quick chat with the man himself about music, 2007 and James Bond.
As Christmas comes hurtling at us at a hundred mile an hour pace and the year frantically draws to a close – how has 2007 been for you? Give us the round up.
This has to have been one of the quickest years yet. I can’t believe its Christmas again already, seems like yesterday it was New Years Eve. Luckily, it’s been another amazing year for me and hardly feels like my feet have touched the ground. In short, there was the Australia tour, release of (singles) Save Me and Sure Feels Good’, The (Hardcore Heaven) Weekender and HTID In The Sun (at Lloret De Mar in Spain).
Picking up Best DJ at The Hardcore Heaven Awards again was also a highlight and really just living in the studio trying to finish off my solo album and X-Treme 4! I did manage to have one weekend off this year though and one holiday, so I didn’t do too bad.
Xtreme 4, as you call it, is of course the latest offering from All Around The World’s Clubland brand – Clubland Extreme Hardcore 4; which see’s you once again mixing the first disc along with partners in crime Breeze and Hixxy on discs two and three respectively and I have to say I’m most impressed with your disc. What went into the process of both track selection and production on that album?
We’re all so chuffed with this one! It’s been out just two weeks and already sold over 50 thousand copies. It’s quite a long process for me as it’s in the back of my mind all year when I’m writing new material and judging reactions from tunes I play in my sets, so it’s really a representation of what I would play in my sets at the weekend with some tried and tested slammers and some upfront material also.
You have a solo album on its way also which has been seemingly a long time in the making, what’s the story there? How’s it coming along?
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finished now. The hold up has been because of various reasons, mainly because of clashing release dates. All Around The World didn’t want to release it too close to ‘Xtreme 4’ and the Ultrabeat album, so it’s now due out early March 2008.
The format is going to be 2 CD’s. The first being fifteen tracks of hardcore (unmixed) and the second being club tracks and a bit of experimenting with different genres in dance.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s nearly Christmas! Are you all geared up and ready to roll? What’s Christmas Day like at the DS family HQ?
I’m pretty much ready for Christmas now. I finished off the last of the shopping yesterday and the tree is up so I’m good to go. I’m having two Christmas Day’s in one this year, I’m with my family first, and then round to my Girlfriend’s family. So double helpings of Christmas pudding for me then! Lots of presents, food and drink and hopefully a James Bond film in there somewhere, you know you have to watch an old Bond movie on Christmas Day!
On to DJ’ing and all that jazz – besides your early headline set this Friday at High Velocity’s Xmas Bash, what else is on the schedule and in closing, your favourite DJ’ing experience of 2007?
This is my last weekend of DJ’ing before NYE, so I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t played at the Mud Club since summer 2006 so it should be good fun!
It’s hard to pick a favourite set out of so many amazing experiences in one year, but if I had to choose it would have to be the set I played on the Wednesday night in Spain for HTID In The Sun. It was rammed and the atmosphere was just amazing, it was also the first time I dropped my remix of Cruisin which was pretty special.
I’d also just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who’s supported me in 2007 and in past years and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!
Thanks for the chat DS! We’ll see you Friday night for some Christmas Hardcore mayhem.
Darren will be appearing at High Velocity at The Mud Club, The Esplanade, Bognor Regis this Friday, 21st December alongside some very special guests. Clubland Extreme Hardcore 4 is available now at all good record stores from AATW / Universal Music.
Early Bird Tickets Only £5!
Tickets for this upfront Christmas Extravaganza are available exclusivley from www.dontstayin.com at an unbelievable early bird price of £5 for a limited time only. Standard ticket prices will be £8 on the night before 23:00pm and £10 thereafter.
Darren Styles & Radio One’s Kutski Confirmed To Headline Round Two Of High Velocity
Fresh from their triumphant launch party in October, High Velocity returns with very special guests Darren Styles and Kutski to the Mud Club in Bognor seafront on Friday 21st December. Running from 21:00pm until 03:00am, High Velocity Round 2 – The Christmas Bash will feature three rooms of UK Hardcore, Hard Dance and Old Skool within the venue and include performances from not only the two key international headliners for the night but also some of the very best homegrown talent that the South Coast has to offer in terms of up and coming DJ’s and fast rising future stars.
Continuing in the tradition of ensuring at least two established talents for the headline of each event, High Velocity present All Around The World and Clubland Extreme Hardcore star Darren Styles and Radio One regular Kutski to lead the proceedings. Darren has established a career through working very closely with many labels over the years including his current outlet – Raverbaby, owned and operated by Hardcore champion Hixxy.
In addition to this he is also responsible for several commercial chart and club releases and remixes through international dance label All Around The World. Boasting a proud catalouge of tracks and remixes to his credit (not forgetting various remixes on other labels such as THC, Quosh and Resist); Darren is a full on force not only in terms of production, but also as an internationally recognised DJ. A resident for Hardcore Till I Die and a regular performer at Raverbaby, Hardcore Heaven, Fusion, Uproar and numerous gigs organised by reputable brands it comes as no suprise that talk of his upcoming appearence at High Velocity’s Christmas Bash has already started a wave of excitement throughout the raving community.
Fans are to be made aware however on this occasion to arrive at the gig early as Darren will be playing an earlier set than usual (23:00pm) - miss it, miss out!
Styles will receive full support of course from a handpicked collection of UK Hardcore favourites which boasts the talents of the Fusion residents – the thrashtastic Hardcore bad boys Project Bosh and the aptly titled ‘Queen Of Hardcore’, Clodhopper. Also starring are the Rush crew Vapour and Digital and the Main Room’s shenanigans will get under way with an opening set from FingerZ.
Taking pride of place at the front of the stage will be mic wielding vocal warriors Teejay, Princey, Mayhem & Trauma bringing some MC action to the night's frivolities.
Kutski headlines Arena Two in the Star Bar, slamming out 90 minutes of his famous mash-up style covering his interests in all things Hard Dance and Hardcore. His CV extends to mentioning recording work as a Producer and Remixer on tracks with Ministry Of Sound, Raindance, React and Dos Or Die and his DJ schedule takes him all over the UK with regular performances at Tasty, Elevate and Slinky to name but a few. He also has a regularly downloaded (on ‘Listen Again’) Radio One show as part of the station’s In New Music We Trust series, which he uses as a platform to regularly play upfront UK Hardcore and Hard Dance.
Also in the Star Bar, Relentless’ Donna DD kicks off the party followed by Prophecy, Defective and Fusion regular Jason Ireland, Cyber Kitten’s K-8e and High Velocity promoter and Fusion and Defective regular Stu-E.
The VIP room will be open to clubbers wishing to go ‘back to the Old Skool’ with the return of Drum n Bass and Pre 94 Old Skool specialists Subbass FM as hosts. Phatone, Cunning Stunt, DJ Hoody, DJ Dubya and Flashback provide a soundtrack of up for it classics in a DJ showdown reflective of their online radio station that is evergrowing in popularity.
So set the date in the diary, get everything sorted for Christmas early and then give yourself Friday night and Saturday off and set the Sat Nav for the seafront as Mud present High Velocity Round Two – The Xmas Bash, your first and foremost destination for an almighty Hardcore and Hard Dance Christmas mash-up with Darren Styles, Kutski and guests.
Words & Compilation: Jon-Brown
Travel Information
By Coach
South Coast
COACH & VIP ENTRY (No Queuing) & (No Booking Fee)
Club Tours Coach Service – Ernie 07973 551171 / ernie@southcoastflyers.co.uk
Pick Up Areas: Chichester / Portsmouth / Fareham / Southampton
By Car
Set Satellite Navigation for The Mud Club, The Esplanade, Bognor Regis. PO21 1ND – Tel: 01243 861 286
By Train
Nearest Train Station – Bognor Regis, less than ten minutes walk from the venue.
Region:
SW England
Music:
Hard Trance. Hardcore. HardStyle. Old Skool. Hard House. Jungle.
DJ's:
Mud Club: Hardcore
Darren Styles
Project Bosh Clodhopper
Vapour b2b Digital
Fingerz
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