Sam Townend & Deano, Leeds Based Hard House Dj-ing duo are the latest additions to the already jam packed tidy New Year Weekender line up. Nicki Mac was sent to track them down, find out what they are all about and the truth behind that shower scene!

So boys, TWX: The Mission was your first weekender dj-ing, so what does it feel like to be on the other side of the decks this time after visiting so many times as a customer?

Sam – It’s great, I first popped my weekender cherry at the 2nd one and ever since I have been itching to get behind the decks at one of em, there definitely one of the best events from a clubbing and dj-in point of view!

Deano – aye, my first time was the 3rd one. Playing down there has been one of my ambitions so I’m chuffed to be added to such a prestigious line up!

Your set in the Queen Vic rocked it on the Friday, following on from Kutski’s highly technical and somewhat diverse set must have been tricky, was it everything you expected, how did you manage to keep the crowd there, you didn’t blackmail clubbers with free drinks did you?

Deano – Free drinks and our stunning good looks helped keep the girls there, and if the girls are there then the boys will stay! But seriously, we just played to the crowd and had a good time which is the most important thing!

Sam - To be honest we where a little thrown when kustki finished off with a drum & bass track. But we had a few beers and got into the swing of things! The atmosphere is buzzing down there on a Friday anyway so it’s hard not to pick up on that!

The bods at tidy hq speak very highly of you, for the rest of us who might not be aware of where you have come from, could you let us know some of your background? Who has influenced you throughout your dj-ing careers? What styles of music do you prefer to play?

Sam - Glad you guys think highly of us, if only you knew what we said about you ;) I’m 24 years old, live in Leeds, I have been DJ-ing now for about 8 years in total, but only the last 4 in clubs, and I got my main break at the legendary Leeds night Housewives choice (R.I.P). My main style of music is funky hard house / techno with a hint of jazz and my influences range from Engelbert Humperdink through to Scooter!

Deano - We especially like to talk about how bad Kieran is at pool, shocking!
I’m 25, Leeds born and bred, been Dj-ing for around 7 years, the last 4 in clubs. I broke onto the scene by promoting a night called incision In Leeds.
Apart from the funkier stuff I like the tuffer end of things but nothing too relentless!

You play regularly at Parlez-vous in Bradford, a night which seems to be growing from strength to strength, what makes it so special?

Deano – It’s hard to say, its just one of those clubs where you walk in and the atmosphere is unique. The people are always up for it and from a DJ’s perspective its one of the most responsive crowds around, there literally stood on top of you, there was even one time when a certain up and coming DJ leaned over the decks in an intoxicating state, thought he was actually playing and pulled Ian M’s record off mid mix!

Sam – Irish Dave (the promoter) makes Parlez-vous special as he is a very special man. That and the fact you can take your own booze, cheap nights all round!

It has been said that dj-ing as a duo has its drawbacks, both going after the same admiring fan, a differing choice for the next track? One being jealous of the others looks, that sort of thing, when it comes to an argument who normally wins?

Sam – It does have its draw backs as people keep mistaking us as being brothers which can get quite confusing!

Deano – When it comes to putting on the next track I mostly put any record I want on, then tell him I put the wrong track on, make that bitch work for his money!

Sam – We would never argue as Deano is scared of my sister

Deano – She would wup my ass!!

There are a few dj’s on the scene playing as a partnership and especially in London there are more and more back 2 back sets being advertised, what makes you different to all the rest? Do you have any views on B2B sets? Something new and different, or old hat?

Sam - We are different to all the other B2B duos as we aren’t actually a B2B duo, we never Started DJ’ing together, it just sort of fell into place when my mum started paying Deano to be my friend!
Jokes aside we play back to back quite a bit but we still play individual sets, I like the more techno influenced sounds while Deano likes to take things a bit harder than me.

Deano – We are just greedy, we like the best of both worlds!

Away from the world of dance music, who is your biggest influence?

Sam – My Mum and Dad are my biggest influences, bless their cotton socks
Deano – My Mum as well, she’s done a lot for me, where both just mummy’s boys!

You are recent additions to the almighty tidy NY Weekender line-up, was that a bit of a shock? Any tricks up your sleeves?

Deano – We where really chuffed when we got the call asking us to play, we have a few tricks up our sleeves but your gonna have to be there to see what they are

Sam – I have a wicked card trick that I have been practising especially for this event!

The theme for this weekender is the tidy time machine and will be seeing out the old and bringing in the new with some of the finest names in hard house from the past, present and who tidy are tipping for the future, are there any particular dj’s you really want to see?

Deano – I’m looking forward to seeing Steve Thomas as he’s defiantly one of the legends of the scene and shaped it into what it is today.

Sam – Paul Maddox live is the one for me, love his productions as well as his boyish good looks!

Who do you tip for success in the future?

Sam - DJ wise I think Morgan from Good greef and toast fame is gonna be massive, that kid has got skills behind the decks. Also Steve Maynard from London has impressed me. Production wise Jon BW is hitting all the right buttons with the tunes at the moment.

Deano – Yeah, definitely Jon BW on the production front, can’t fault him at present! Dj wise its Matt Pickup, its not often you see DJ’s put in the amount of effort he does.

If you had a time machine, what would you do with it? Are there any 'sticky' situations you would like to correct from your past? Nothing like being caught in the shower wearing nothing but a smile and a flowery cap perhaps Deano? I’ve heard there’s pictures! Would you care to shed some light on this?

Deano – I don’t regret doing what I did, and I would do it again if I want. Any way it wasn’t a flowery shower cap, it was pink. You can view the photos at www.dj’sintheshower.com/deano. hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed making it!

As well as Dj-ing most weekends, and you both juggling full time jobs, you still managed to have find the time to set up Shroom Recordings in 2004, what has been the high points so far? Do you have any treats in store for us in the near future?

Sam - Shroom is a project I set up by myself to showcase my productions and collaborations with various other artists and friends. There has been many high points with the label, the main one being the first release getting played by Pete Tong on Radio 1! I have been pretty quite with the label lately as I have been concentrating on other projects but I'm just about to hit back hard with a load of releases lined up in next few months so watch this space!

You have collaborated with artists such as Ben Stevens and Alex Calver, who would you want to work that is yet to experience the delights of you both?

Sam – I would love to get in the studio with Andy Farley and Paul Janes, there tracks have always inspired me.

Deano – I’m yet to get into the production side of things properly, but someone who I have always admired is BK.

Sam – We could also do with getting an original track done together sometime!

Obviously times have changed and the digital age is now upon us. Do you still release on vinyl?

Sam – I have just had a release with you guys on the Tidy Tools ep 3 which is out on vinyl, but with regards to Shroom, I’m mainly going to be concentrating on the Digital side of things

Ordinarily the next question would be CD or Vinyl, which do you prefer? But let’s face it, that’s a bit old hat now, so in keeping with the NY theme, what do you see DJ’s using in 10 years time?

Deano – If the price of the VDJ equipment becomes more reasonable to afford, I can see that really taken off, I know its something I would like to try. That and also with more DJ’s being producers, the live PA thing is definitely coming of age.

Sam – I think air guitars are the way forward.

Ok, nearly done with you now, last few quickfire questions for you both…answer honestly!

Obsessive female fans, easy lay or go away?

Sam –Easy lay, then go away. hahaha

Hard House or Hard Dance?

Deano – Hard house all the way

Malibu and Coke, Girly or Gay?

Deano - Girly

Sam – If that’s all that the bar has, I’m up for looking camp!

Roadchef or Welcome Break?

Sam – Neither, there both rip off artists,

Deano – and the food is shit, my mums sandwiches are much better

You can see the gorgeous Sam Townend & Deano at tidy's New Year Weekender, I know where i will be!
For tickets and info go to www.tidy.com/nye