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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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There’s more to Luca Folco than being Dirty, Hard and Fast
Reported by Tara
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Submitted 18-01-10 20:24
When Luca Folco relaunched DHF at Mass in September 2008, many London clubbers had never heard of this infamous Devon night. Yet for those passionate about all things dirty hard and fast in the South West, it was the return of an institution. Bringing DHF to the capital was always going to be a challenge, but Luca has successfully risen to the occasion and in the process, started to make a name for himself DJing as Candyman01. With DHF: The Free Edition this Friday 22 January at Hidden, HarderFaster raised a few glasses with Mr Dirty Hard and Fast himself.
When did you first get into DJing? Was it something that you always wanted to do, or did you get into it through clubbing?
Definitely through clubbing. I’ve clubbed for over 12 years now and three and half years ago I decided to get into DJing and promoting. My friends have been doing it for such a long time and I was always itching to learn from them. Call me lazy, but I never quite got round to it, then I finally decided to give it a shot and starting playing around at home. But I thought what I was doing at home wasn’t really correct, so I attended a couple of courses and found someone who taught me to DJ properly: John Taylor, an amazing nu rave electro DJ and producer. He’s basically taught me the little tricks of the trade, but I still have quite a lot to learn from him. I like going to see him and learning new things and going to record my mixes there, he’s got an immense studio.
I’d also love to learn to produce off this guy and it’s obviously the next step in my DJ career, to get stuck into making what I really love. So I think 2010 and 2011 I’ll be full-on into my music and I want to get to the point where I can dedicate my whole time to it and that’s when I think my production is really going to start kicking off. Production requires a lot of time, so it’s obviously more complex and more intense to do.
I think European hard trance is really getting to a stage and a level where it’s starting to kick off again and I’m gradually seeing it happen, which is great. I’m really looking forward to watching it become like it used to be!
Who were your key musical influences growing up? And now?
I must say Mark EG has had a massive influence on me. When I was younger, some of the hard trance DJs from Switzerland like Noize from Zurich, Nonsdrome and DJ Dream. In the UK, Mark EG, M-Zone and Sharkey were my main influences. I’ve always been a massive fan of my main resident at DHF, Nick The Kid, and I’ve seen the guy grow exponentially and I’m very proud of him. Also DJ Louk who’s a DJ, producer and journalist and, when DJs take it to that level, production-wise and as journalists too they’ve really reached their peak. Also Wragg & Log:One who are my other residents, they’re really taking it to another dimension with their productions. Thee’s Kidd Kaos as a producer and Busho without forgetting the mighty Nutty T, these are the people at the moment who I’m really looking up to and I play a lot of their stuff. I’m also a big fan of Jon the Baptist and Chuck-E for European hard trance.
For up and comings I like Shock:Force, especially their newer stuff as it’s a lot harder, still melodic but less fluffy from their earlier stuff. They’re definitely going to do well in 2010. As I mentioned above, One of my biggest inspirations as a DJ and promoter was and is Nick The Kid, who’s had a massive influence on me. The guy works really hard and I really respect people when they put that much effort into their work. What I like about Nick is you can always rely on him for an honest opinion; he never beats around the bush. When you find someone who’s very straightforward and upfront like that you have to really treasure them. In this industry you find a lot of people who’ll say things to please you, but never tell you the whole truth.
What have been you highlights for 2009, personally as well as for DHF?
Definitely carrying on doing DHF. There’s been a couple of knocks, but that’s quite normal when you first start promoting, especially in London where the competition is huge. You just have to keep putting in the effort and it eventually pays of. You have to be patient and it will happen.
Playing Frantic NYE, which was definitely quite special! The reward of having people coming up to me after my set and asking, “Are you Candyman01? Cool music dude”; that’s nice, when people appreciate your set. It was a good way to finish the year and start 2010 revved up and enthusiastic about things again — that was great!
Being recognized a little more online and having people asking about DHF. The fact that I changed the logo has had a massive impact, as people can understand what DHF really means. There’s just three words in the letters of the logo and that gives the dimension to my night. As I said earlier, there’s a massive scope for Euro hard trance to come back. I usually do two parties a year, so this one on 22 January is a bit of an exception. I spoke to Nick [The Kid] about my May line-up and he agrees it’s one of the best hard trance line-ups out there. He said if it doesn’t go well I may as well pack it all in, because it’s a dream lineup. He said, “Keep at it till May”, so I am. I just want to see it grow and see people having fun and enjoying themselves. I’m so into the music and I just want to create that atmosphere. That’s what I’m about really, it’s all about the music.
Where does the name Candyman01 come from?
I loved the horror film Candyman that came out a few years ago and wanted to give myself a fun DJ name. Some DJs like calling themselves by their own name and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to do something a bit different.
You’ve recently recorded a couple of hard trance and techno demos, as well as playing an uplifting trance set at the Freedom Festival of Love party last December. How would you describe the Candyman01 sound?
I want to show promoters I can play other styles, such as trance and techno, but obviously Euro hard trance is going to be my main choice. I can play hardstyle and there’s a lot of intelligent hardstyle out there that’s quite melodic, with really good breaks and awesome riffs, so I don’t mind playing that as well! I love playing my funky hard techno so I hope any promoters out there can see that potential. I want promoters to see that I can play more than one style and that I’m quite versatile.
You’re currently promoting DHF with Bubs and Golly and you’ve done three events. How did you first get involved with DHF and why did you decide to bring it back?
DHF was an old concept started 10 years ago by my friends in Devon, but obviously those days are long gone. My friends have now moved up to London, so I thought, “why not move DHF to London?” But to be frank, my friends aren’t into the harder sounds anymore: they were quite enthusiastic to start with, but times have changed and they felt there wasn’t really space for Euro hard trance now, which I don’t believe to be the case. I believe there’s a really strong revival and it’s coming back like a storm!
I asked one of the co-founders if I could use the DHF name and logo again, because it was his baby and he completely agreed. He basically let me take it and restart the promo all over again. I’ve re-tweaked the logo so I use the old concept and have re-freshed it. So that’s where DHF is at the moment really.
A special mention goes to Bubs who’s been supporting me a lot from day one. She always gets stuck into it 100 percent, doing online promotion and helping with the nitty gritty and putting up with me when I’m stressed out. She’s been a real star and an angel and definitely a shout out must go to her.
I’m also really happy to have Golly on board. She speaks very directly to people and gets the message across. I know sometimes you have to be diplomatic and sometimes you have to put your foot down and she can help me with that. She’s very creative and very proactive and she’s always online. She’s got her fingers in every pie, especially for the harder beats and she’s definitely out there. I’m giving her a lot of time and respect at the moment. But of course all the people that help out at DHF I have a lot of time for!
What’s the main philosophy behind DHF events?
It’s got to be quite hard but also with deep and cool riffs. It has to be melodic but fast! I love music played fast. The logo speaks for itself and I do like my beats quite dirty and hard and fast.
You’ve brought some of the top names to London that are rarely seen here and had them play at one of the most intimate venues some of them will ever play in. What’s been your favourite DHF so far?
Mass was definitely an experience. I’ve always wanted to book Mark EG and Chris Liberator, so to have them both at the first DHF re-launch party was awesome for me. I have a lot of time and respect for Chris and I’m definitely going to book him again and again. I would ideally like him to become our techno regular and look after the techno side of things, or at least be able to book him often to represent techno at DHF, just because his sets are so energetic! I just love his music, it’s so powerful, so driving and his aura and style — there’s always a really happy atmosphere when he plays.
I also loved the DHF at Hidden with Cally & Juice; again these are DJs I’ve always wanted to book and the moment I actually managed to get them in that line-up and on the flyer was simply amazing.
But all my DHFs, I can’t really pinpoint any of them as they’ve all been incredible! Obviously the first one will always remain in my heart, being a no-one and being able to book Chris and Mark was amazing. But as headliners like Nick The Kid, Cally & Juice, Ed Real and Alex Kidd at Hidden were mind boggling.
Hidden is a fantastic venue. My dream would be to have a night where I could have all three rooms but the night is still growing! But since I moved from Mass to Hidden DHF has just grown so quickly, so definitely a shout out to the Frantic crew and a massive thank you for giving us the opportunity to let us start promoting there and for making DHF possible there. A big thanks to Will Frantic for seeing that we have the passion.
Your next big party is going to be in May. Can you give away any of your line-up yet?
We’re hoping to get Mark EG (tbc), Nick The Kid, Wragg and Log:One, Jon the Baptist and Chuck-E. I’ve also got an international DJ confirmed, but I don’t want to give that away just yet. There’s also going to be Shock:Force, Nutty T, who’s my new resident, and myself.
You’ve already had some of the top names down to DHF like Mark EG, Chris Liberator, Cally & Juice and Alex Kidd. If you won millions in the lottery tomorrow and money wasn’t an issue, where would be the perfect place for a DHF party and who would you put on the line-up?
Matter would be amazing, its location isn’t great, but technologically speaking the club is designed for any kind of dance music and to be able to put a line-up on in the main room and have a techno room upstairs, well that would be amazing. I also like Area, it’s a fantastic venue. I like the fact it’s all on one floor, so you don’t have to go up and down. The smoking ban was a massive shock to the club scene, so to have easy access to the smoking area is a major plus for a club and Area is one venue where that’s been perfectly thought out.
I’d love to do something like Nick did for the Hindsight 10th birthday bash and get the cream of the Euro hard trance DJs. I’d definitely have Mark EG back to back with M-Zone and book some of the top Italian hardstyle DJs, like Technoboy and Tatanka. I’d have a back to back Chris Liberator and D.A.V.E, the Drummer followed by a live set, then Cally & Juice, Frisky, Dark by Design, Phil York, Kevin Energy and Sharkey. Oh my God, I’m not into hardcore much anymore but definitely Scott Brown playing some of his hardest hardcore. So we’d start off uplifting and progress to some proper gabber at the end. And we definitely have some of the Euro hard trance DJs: FJ Project, Andrea Montorsi, Luca Antolini, Sam Punk, Ed Real and Scott Attrill.
I think Ed is quite legendary in the business, the guy has achieved a lot and is someone I really respect for all his hard work and what he brought to the industry — he’s explored every field of hard dance and he’s got an amazing website! Plus he’s a lovely guy! I remember him playing at Monastery back in the day in Torquay when he was really just taking off and it was amazing. Seeing him evolve, he’s such a versatile DJ and I would love to be the same one day. That’s why I think Ed in some ways is a chameleon as he can change styles so easily. Obviously TiD has really helped him gather so many styles together, but the guy just eats and breathes dance music. He’s one of my greatest inspirations, alongside Mark EG, Chris Liberator, Nick The Kid and Louk. These people are for real and they do it for the music more than anything.
Friday January 22nd sees you hosting DHF: The Free Edition at Hidden. Is this your first big part of the year?
Yes it’s a free pay-back party and I just want to have a big celebration to kick of 2010 with pretty much the same vibe as 2009. Of course I want to spread the word even more and the free party should hopefully do that. Booking the Organ Donors is another dream come true; their technical skills are amazing and their production is right up there! They’re very hard but that fits with DHF perfectly!
To get in free before midnight please email me at: lucafolco@yahoo.co.uk, otherwise it’s £5 on the door after midnight or without email confirmation. And of course there’ll be the DHF legends/residents Wragg & Log:One, Nutty T and of course Curious George, Akira, eL.E.DJ and myself and special guests D4RK, Shaun T and Dean Zone.
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Photos courtesy of Luca Folco, Annaliegh, AVC and TJ Smith. Not to be reproduced without permission.
DHF - The Free Edition
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On:
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Friday 22nd January 2010
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At:
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Hidden [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 07:00
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Cost:
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Free b4 midnight with Email confirmation, £5 otherwise
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More:
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We hope you’ve all recovered from Christmas and New Year!!
Now you’re all fully aware that January is the skintest month of the year, but that shouldn’t mean a month of consuming Tesco value baked beans just to enjoy a weekend out!
So…to kick off the launch of 2010, we’re helping you dance away the winter blues!
Presenting
DHF: The Free Edition
Friday 22nd January 2010
2200 – 0700
Hidden, 100 Tinworth Street, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5EQ
FREE before Midnight if you email your names to lucafolco@yahoo.co.uk
£5 after Midnight on the Door / £5 without Email Conformation
ORGAN DONORS
WRAGG & LOG:ONE
NUTTY T
D4RK
SHAUN T
DEAN ZONE
CURIOUS GEORGE
AKIRA
EL.E.DJ
CANDYMAN01
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Flyer:
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Acid Trance. Euro Trance. Hard Trance. HardStyle. Acid Techno. Techno.
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DJ's:
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Organ Donors
Wragg & Log:One
Nutty T
D4rk
Shaun T
Dean Zone
Curious George
Akira
EL.E.DJ
Candyman01
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Other Features By Tara:
Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast!
Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project
A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden
Telling Cosmic Tales with DJ Strophoria
Tom Psylicious aka EarthAlien takes 50 Spins Around the Sun: Raising Awareness Through the Power of Music
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: paul jack on 18th Jan 2010 23:46.16
go luca go!
From: pam@pam on 20th Jan 2010 18:12.58
Grande Luca...!! Go Go Go....!! XXX
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