Radio Frequency

Jay West

AlkatrAz meets Jay West

AlkatrAz catches up with a supremo of Jackin House and Funk, Mr. Jay West. Straight out of Candy Town, Argentina with a loose rainbow cannon, Jay West is touring Australia right now with dates in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Those of you into the Jackin/Deep House scene will be familiar with his funked out selection and producions if not check his myspace @ www.myspace.com/jaywestarg

While on a long stayover at an airport Jay takes time out to answer a few questions from Radio Frequency's own principal crackerjack of all things jackin, DJ AlkatrAz.

What was the first track you bought?

Well, when I started buying music you couldn't just buy one track, so I'm sure my first purchase was an album... probably Dire Straits - 'Communique' comes to mind, but then again it could be the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson or even Aerosmith! Probably my first vinyl piece was Boney M or Tina Charles... I've always been a fan of collecting albums, even casettes as a kid...

What was your first or most memorable club experience?

All my first gigs were outdoors underground parties in my city. Nothing compares to that feeling Ð surrounded by friends and good vibes. I still try to play one of those every once in a while since I like that sort of atmosphere Ð we used to go until 3pm the next day playing marathonic sets!

Pacha Buenos Aires and Creamfields are probably the coolest club and festival experiences, it's good to be in my own country and rockin a huge system in front of a massive audience, but then again, nothing beats the underground!

What’s your favourite platform/format to perform on? Views on vinyl vs CDs vs MP3?

My favourite has to be vinyl, but lately I've been travelling with just CDs. There's less and less music coming out on vinyl so it has become more like a collector thing for me. MP3s made things easier for everyone but we definitely lost a lot of quality Ð pretty much nothing is filtered qualitywise anymore, so its harder to find the right tunes, with no mention to the damage it did to the industry with piracy and digi-sites taking over.

I will always be a vinyl freak, but sometimes you need to adjust and just be practical.

What events would you advise our readers to go to?

Well as far as the UK goes I've always had a good time playing there. Off the top of my head I can recommend Fruity Antics in Bristol, great vibes there, of course Fabric, and the Smokescreen free parties in Nottingham.

Which artist/s do you think we should listen out for in 09/10?

Crazy P is back with style, they always hit my spot. Candy Music also has very interesting projects for the future such as Manuel Sahagun, Tovar, Unclesound, Christian Malloni and the Candy Dealers.

Top 5 tracks rocking the dance floor?

Colors Sound System - 'Yeah Mate I Hate' (Manuel Sahagun Mix)
Christian Malloni - 'Oh Yeah' (Neighbour Mix)
Larry Fives - 'Another Way'
Jay West - 'Let It Ride' (Random Soul Mix)
Mousse T - 'All Night Long' (Dimitri From Paris Dub)

...and some other secret weapons that just can't be revealed!

Where do you see the scene going in the not so distant future?

Well I can see the crisis taking a hit at the scene right now, but we DJs should be able to adjust and keep making things easier for promoters and clubs. I think people will always go out and party, we just have to keep making music for them to dance to and everything else will happen.

If you could have anything to eat and/or drink right now what would it be?

I hate airport meals! So I guess I will just go for big fat chocolate! Candy is always the best choice!

What is your favourite piece of footwear that you own?

My black and white Converse sneakers, just because someone special gave them to me on my birthday :)