Rachel Wallace's 'I Feel This Way' is undoubtedly one of the biggest - and most instantly recognisable - anthems from the old skool rave era. What better way for Moondance to bring in the New Year at SeOne than with a live PA from the lady herself? Now working with Stereo MCs amongst other things, 'I Feel This Way' and 'Tell Me Why' ensured that her powerful, uplifting voice has a much-loved place in rave history. We took a trip down memory lane to the Golden Era of the rave scene when we spoke to Rachel recently...

When did you first get involved in singing professionally?

I first started singing professionally for a group called Kreuz when I was 15; we did a talent TV show for ITV...at the time we didn’t win! But it lead to us getting a production development deal, to record etc. I wasn’t too happy in the group and went to a rave one weekend in Lea Valley heard the music and was utterly hooked and I knew that I didn’t want to sing R&B ever again! Dan Donnelly from Suburban Base records was there we spoke and then in the following weeks I started recording tracks in the studio for M&M and other acts

How different was the club/dance/rave industry back then?

I suppose it was a lot more exciting because on the weekends you would tune into the radio and then the DJ would give you directions to this secret rave somewhere out in the sticks! And there would be this convoy of cars heading in the same direction...it was so funny! Also it was new, the beginning of something really cool and the fact that you were apart of it made it even more special.

Which DJs and producers did the business for you back then?

Oh god I’m terrible with names! But DJ Hype was always wicked and still is, I used to love the Ragga Twins, Nicolette. UK Apache and Shy FX – ‘Original Nuttah’ was one of my favourite tracks and Origin Unknown’s ‘Valley of the Shadows” I mean there were so many great artists back then it would be impossible to name them all cos they all did it for me!

Tell us the story behind ‘I Feel This Way’...

That song came to me really quickly, I just popped into the studio one night the backing track was running and the lyrics just came out! The song wasn’t written about anyone in particular just about the feeling you get when you’re into someone....the same feelings always come up!

Did you used to be a keen raver back in those days then?

Of course! Once I discovered rave music I was out every weekend going to some rave not coming back home till daylight! Moondance, AWOL, Raindance and the others were wicked!

Does dance music still interest you in 2007? What kind of stuff gets you going?

Of course it does, I still go out! I love the music that Ram Records, DJ Phantasy, Tru Playaz and Digital Soundboy put out - especially Benny Page. Obviously I’m into the Stereo MCs (who I work with), and I like the sounds of Diplo and MC Gringo.

You were born and raised in the now rather trendy area of Shoreditch in East London. What are your thoughts on how your area has changed over the years?

It has changed a lot - I remember when they used to have Blue Note [where Metalhedaz was] down in the square, a nice little dark club now there’s loads of clubs and bars. I don’t hang out there a lot anymore my mates still live around there but I sometimes pop into Herbal.

Tell us about what you’re up to with Stereo MCs...how did this hook up come about?

I met the Stereo MCs years and years ago, while doing vocals for this Belgium group down at Terminal studios. I moved to Germany for a few years and they always kept in contact with me, so when I came back to London, I recorded tracks with them but only started touring with the group a few years ago, and it’s absolutely wicked! I’ve been in the studio just recording and we start touring again next spring.

You’ll be performing ‘I Feel This Way’ at midnight on New Year’s Eve at Moondance at SeOne...do you have any memories of Moondance parties from back in the day?

I’ll be honest with you I can’t remember! It was such a long time ago! What I can say is that back in the mid ‘90s it was the best! Everything was fresh and exciting because it was the beginning of a new sound of music! And it’s the same for people now who are experiencing it too! I cannot wait to perform at Moondance I’m looking forward too seeing all the other DJs, catching up and getting smashed!

What’s your best New Year’s Eve story?

Last year I spent New Years Eve on a beach in Barbados - that to me was the best!

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Interview by Ben Gomori at Evolution99 – ben@evolution99.co.uk