Just Garage talks to one of the pioneers of the modern day UK Garage scene, The man behind the Stereohype Recordings label: DJ Charma
First off, how would you describe the garage scene at the minute?
First off from me, big up the Just Garage family, always good to see new web & blog sites dedicated to the scene we all know and love!
UKG is at a bit of a funny stage at the moment. You’ll be amazed how many different opinions I hear about it. The main reason for that is due to how many names people have given our music over the last couple years. On one hand one of those names could be perceived as doing really well, but on the other hand another could be seen as going a lot slower. The frustration from my point of view is that it’s still all under the umbrella of UK Garage so there’s no need to go off creating new brands!
The scene has always been diverse, as it is now, and which ever name people give it we always seems to come back to that original tag of ‘Garage’, as that’s what the public want. The scene is at a unique stage right now and I think we could all do with listening to the public a bit more closely. We’d all be a lot better for it that’s for sure.
The great thing is that Garage is as exciting as it has been for a good few years. A number of producers are remixing for a lot of new artists which is always a good sign of how thriving a scene is. There have been more CD compilations and tracks getting signed in the last 6 months then the last few years put together, and the recent chart successes have all helped to put UKG back on people’s minds again. It’s an exciting time that’s for sure.
* Secondly, What does the future hold for both yourself as a DJ and for the Stereohype label?
The DJ side is going real well. I probably enjoy it more than I have done for a few years as I’m now able to go to most places and play the music I play on my radio shows. Up until recently I wouldn’t be able to play the latest remix hot off mixing desks like DJs used to in the good old days, but now with the exposure of the scene recently the club reactions are the same, if not bigger, than the classic garage tracks from 10 years ago. It’s been a long time coming, but the shift back to fresh music in garage is definitely happening, and that makes being on the decks so much more enjoyable.
As for Stereohype, the Label is 3 years old in 2008 so it really is just the beginning. We’ve come a long way in a short space of time and I’ve developed the label to act as more of ‘Partner’ for other new garage rather than just a single label. There are now over 15 labels that work closely with Stereohype in getting new music out to the street, and often I treat all the other labels in the same way as I treat my own. I’m proud to be involved with so many different artists and producers, and I really feel the ‘community spirit’ is what Stereohype is all about. There is so much more to come that’s for sure!
* Thirdly, who in your opinion should the readers keep an eye out for in the future in terms of artists, producers, mc’s, dj’s etc
Artist & producer wise look out for a 3rd MJ Cole album at the end of 2008 – MJ is back in the lab over the next couple months with a load of great vocalists and I can’t wait to hear what they put together. Midnight Circus are currently under the microscope of major labels who are just waiting for the right time to pounce on them, so keep an eye on them, and a load of producers such as Danny Dubbz, Control-S, and One Dark Martian just continue to develop their own awesome sounds.
DJ and MC wise, keep an eye on DJ Kane and DJ Burns. Both of them have skills and know how to get the dancefloors bubbling. Majestic is my man on the mic, his gig guide is looking really healthy, unlike the size of his belly!
* If you were to release a ‘Best Of Stereohype” EP which tracks would be featured on there?
Good question, can I have a double pack?
Alright 4 tracks. Even though it’s not come out yet, MJ’s remix of Just a Dream would feature, alongside the 2-step mix of Love On The Rocks, the original mix of Complicated, ODM’s vocal mix of Crazy, or due to the amount of support its getting right now, one of the mixes of You’re The One.
I’m liking this idea, may have to put that EP together one day…
* Through the label, you’ve released tracks from artists such as: Midnight Circus, Mr Pud, Duncan Powell, Danny Dubbz to name a few, who would be the one artist/producer you haven’t currently been involved with that you’d like to get involved with in the future?
Funny you ask as I was thinking only last week of producers I’ve not been involved with yet. I’ve been talking to Ez recently about him going back in the studio, and once he finds time away from updating the speed camera feature on his TomTom, he’s promised he’ll be back on it. We’ve already spoken about Stereohype being involved which would be great, and I’ve always wanted to get Wookie to remix a track on my label so we’ll see what happens there.
* Finally have you got any advice for people out there, who are looking at starting their own independent label?
The key is to find a few artists you can focus your label around rather than just finding a track you like and sticking it out. A lot easier said then done of course, but you’ll be surprised how many talented vocalists and musicians you can find out there. Attend open mic nights over a few beers and keep your eyes peeled to sites like MySpace. It’s very important you have a good product to take to the scene. Play it to a few of your girly mates first. If they like it then you’re probably on the right track!
Once you feel you have a product you can market, test it out with a few of the named DJ’s – most of them are contactable by email these days. Don’t be afraid of going to their gigs and talking to them either. You’ll be surprised how much notice is given to people who visibly make the extra effort to get their music heard. I once had someone waiting for me outside a club in Russia who walked through the snow and managed to get in the same taxi to spend the next 10 minutes telling me why the CD he was about to give me would be the next big thing on Stereohype. I still remember his face!
The money aspect is a minor because you can get a small loan knowing that all the reactions of the EP so far means you’re confident that it will sell out there, so the loan can be re-paid easily. Get to know a distributor who has a good reputation and knows how the scene works, and then once you let your product go, tell your artist to get back in the studio and get making the next big hit. Big Labels aren’t created by one release, they take a good handful and a lot of time and dedication, but believe me, it’s also a lot of fun!
Just Garage would like to thank DJ Charma for answering our questions and wish him the best of luck in all future projects. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/djcharma also get yourselves over to http://www.stereohyperecordings.com/. Check back here in the near future for a full Stereohpye Recordings review.
First off, how would you describe the garage scene at the minute?
First off from me, big up the Just Garage family, always good to see new web & blog sites dedicated to the scene we all know and love!
UKG is at a bit of a funny stage at the moment. You’ll be amazed how many different opinions I hear about it. The main reason for that is due to how many names people have given our music over the last couple years. On one hand one of those names could be perceived as doing really well, but on the other hand another could be seen as going a lot slower. The frustration from my point of view is that it’s still all under the umbrella of UK Garage so there’s no need to go off creating new brands!
The scene has always been diverse, as it is now, and which ever name people give it we always seems to come back to that original tag of ‘Garage’, as that’s what the public want. The scene is at a unique stage right now and I think we could all do with listening to the public a bit more closely. We’d all be a lot better for it that’s for sure.
The great thing is that Garage is as exciting as it has been for a good few years. A number of producers are remixing for a lot of new artists which is always a good sign of how thriving a scene is. There have been more CD compilations and tracks getting signed in the last 6 months then the last few years put together, and the recent chart successes have all helped to put UKG back on people’s minds again. It’s an exciting time that’s for sure.
* Secondly, What does the future hold for both yourself as a DJ and for the Stereohype label?
The DJ side is going real well. I probably enjoy it more than I have done for a few years as I’m now able to go to most places and play the music I play on my radio shows. Up until recently I wouldn’t be able to play the latest remix hot off mixing desks like DJs used to in the good old days, but now with the exposure of the scene recently the club reactions are the same, if not bigger, than the classic garage tracks from 10 years ago. It’s been a long time coming, but the shift back to fresh music in garage is definitely happening, and that makes being on the decks so much more enjoyable.
As for Stereohype, the Label is 3 years old in 2008 so it really is just the beginning. We’ve come a long way in a short space of time and I’ve developed the label to act as more of ‘Partner’ for other new garage rather than just a single label. There are now over 15 labels that work closely with Stereohype in getting new music out to the street, and often I treat all the other labels in the same way as I treat my own. I’m proud to be involved with so many different artists and producers, and I really feel the ‘community spirit’ is what Stereohype is all about. There is so much more to come that’s for sure!
* Thirdly, who in your opinion should the readers keep an eye out for in the future in terms of artists, producers, mc’s, dj’s etc
Artist & producer wise look out for a 3rd MJ Cole album at the end of 2008 – MJ is back in the lab over the next couple months with a load of great vocalists and I can’t wait to hear what they put together. Midnight Circus are currently under the microscope of major labels who are just waiting for the right time to pounce on them, so keep an eye on them, and a load of producers such as Danny Dubbz, Control-S, and One Dark Martian just continue to develop their own awesome sounds.
DJ and MC wise, keep an eye on DJ Kane and DJ Burns. Both of them have skills and know how to get the dancefloors bubbling. Majestic is my man on the mic, his gig guide is looking really healthy, unlike the size of his belly!
* If you were to release a ‘Best Of Stereohype” EP which tracks would be featured on there?
Good question, can I have a double pack?
Alright 4 tracks. Even though it’s not come out yet, MJ’s remix of Just a Dream would feature, alongside the 2-step mix of Love On The Rocks, the original mix of Complicated, ODM’s vocal mix of Crazy, or due to the amount of support its getting right now, one of the mixes of You’re The One.
I’m liking this idea, may have to put that EP together one day…
* Through the label, you’ve released tracks from artists such as: Midnight Circus, Mr Pud, Duncan Powell, Danny Dubbz to name a few, who would be the one artist/producer you haven’t currently been involved with that you’d like to get involved with in the future?
Funny you ask as I was thinking only last week of producers I’ve not been involved with yet. I’ve been talking to Ez recently about him going back in the studio, and once he finds time away from updating the speed camera feature on his TomTom, he’s promised he’ll be back on it. We’ve already spoken about Stereohype being involved which would be great, and I’ve always wanted to get Wookie to remix a track on my label so we’ll see what happens there.
* Finally have you got any advice for people out there, who are looking at starting their own independent label?
The key is to find a few artists you can focus your label around rather than just finding a track you like and sticking it out. A lot easier said then done of course, but you’ll be surprised how many talented vocalists and musicians you can find out there. Attend open mic nights over a few beers and keep your eyes peeled to sites like MySpace. It’s very important you have a good product to take to the scene. Play it to a few of your girly mates first. If they like it then you’re probably on the right track!
Once you feel you have a product you can market, test it out with a few of the named DJ’s – most of them are contactable by email these days. Don’t be afraid of going to their gigs and talking to them either. You’ll be surprised how much notice is given to people who visibly make the extra effort to get their music heard. I once had someone waiting for me outside a club in Russia who walked through the snow and managed to get in the same taxi to spend the next 10 minutes telling me why the CD he was about to give me would be the next big thing on Stereohype. I still remember his face!
The money aspect is a minor because you can get a small loan knowing that all the reactions of the EP so far means you’re confident that it will sell out there, so the loan can be re-paid easily. Get to know a distributor who has a good reputation and knows how the scene works, and then once you let your product go, tell your artist to get back in the studio and get making the next big hit. Big Labels aren’t created by one release, they take a good handful and a lot of time and dedication, but believe me, it’s also a lot of fun!
Just Garage would like to thank DJ Charma for answering our questions and wish him the best of luck in all future projects. For more information, check out www.myspace.com/djcharma also get yourselves over to http://www.stereohyperecordings.com/. Check back here in the near future for a full Stereohpye Recordings review.
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