Two uber-hot properties on the house music scene, Brad and Ben are both residents for the fiercely funky night UP^^ that has been causing havoc all over the capital over the past two years at venues like Ministry of Sound and Hidden. This Saturday sees UP^^ host it's very own 3-room event at Turnmills - we got the lowdown from Ben and Brad.

So guys, you are both residents for UP^^, which is taking place at Turnmills this Saturday. How did you manage to get this residency in the first place?

Ben: We had to sleep with a lot of people to get this residency (hee hee!)…seriously, we’re fortunate to be managed by Matthew and Yvonne Duffield who run seditiondjs agency and co-run UP^^ (with Will and Amanda). We knew it was a recipe for success after its brilliant parties @ Ministry last year which rocked…and its hard work has resulted in UP^^ hosting the main room of Turnmills! We’re just chuffed and excited to be a part of such a fresh and popular night!

Brad: Working closely with Sedition and the rest of those involved with UP^^ has been an ongoing project. When it started at Ministry we’d hoped that it would progress to this and Ben and I have been along the whole way. We put a lot into so are really proud of this.

What’s the idea behind UP^^? What’s the ethos of the music?

Ben: Kinda of a night that is on the UP^^ in my eyes! Its music is straight up cutting edge house music with a funky edge to it…or ‘fiercely funky’ house music as it is stated! But don’t be fooled as there is a dark side element to our sound…especially with me and Brad closing the main room…a lot of surprises in store!

Brad: UP^^ is all about that upfront, kicking, jacking, dirty housey sound. Our first few parties were one of the few to make a feature of grittier, darker music and so it was a fairly new thing to the then funky house saturated market. Everyone’s on the right tip these days – I suppose we owe part of UP^^’s success to that evolution thankful shift in music.

Ben Dela-pena

Describe your colleagues sound in 10 words…

Ben:….unique cutting edge, sassy, sexy, upfont, addictive, flawless house music!

Brad: Jacking, funky (in a non camp way), sweaty and ‘avin it.

Which guest DJs are you particularly excited about seeing perform on the night? There’s some really big names coming down…

Ben: I have to admit that this is one of the most exciting line-ups I have seen for a long time and it’s great to be apart of it. Shane Watcha is constantly good and experiments with his style, Trophy Twins are hot at the moment with their pumping sound (and their Radio One ‘Residents’ show is proof), Shapeshifters for the unique uplifting sound (of course) and not forgetting 212 - cause he’s Canadian and is full of surprises (ha ha!) ,he’s brilliant when on form….all in all the whole line-up is phat!

Brad: The whole lot actually. Ben and I are chuffed to be closing the main room after such legends... I’m going to be keeping a close eye on all 3 rooms for sure. I have to say I dig Shane, he’s always a pleasure, but obviously Shapeshifters and Full Intention.. bring it!

This is the biggest UP^^ event yet, with 3 rooms of Turnmills all going off to its sexy house beats. How have your previous experiences DJing at Turnmills been?

Ben: Really good actually, I remember making my debut for the launch night of Going places (Tania Von Pear) with Inland Knights, a b2b sessions with Jon Blond (one half of Cheshire Catz), playing for the FilthyhouSessions 7th Birthday with Shane Watcha and Timo Garcia and more recently again for Going Places 3rd birthday with Oliver Lang, Tania and Sykes ‘n’ Sugarstarr (all nights have been memorable). All held in the T2 room which is always good for its unique intimate space, perfect for a house party feel!

Brad: Brilliant! The vibe at Turnmills is ALWAYS amazing... it’s still my favourite venue – both as a DJ and a partier. Those who know me might say I like to get a tad crazy at times and Turnmills has been the crime scene of many a mental weekend for me – I love it.

T2 is a great room to play in…but did you always crave to smash it in the main room?

Ben: T2 is without a doubt one of the best 2nd rooms but I’ve always craved to play Turnmills main room. Turnmills have hosted unbelievable nights with the formidable DJs they bring in. It’s a buzz to know that I will make my main room debut for such a legendary club and exciting new night!

Brad: I’ve had a few chances of playing the main room while a City Loud regular a couple years ago. I got to warm up for some big names but haven’t really been able to relish a full-on closing set in that room yet. This weekend will be extra special indeed.

Brad 212 Finlay

What other projects are you guys busying yourselves with at the moment?

Ben: I’m running my night ZIPCODE which is in its 3rd year and just started its bi-monthly residency at PLAN-B in Brixton in February, it was a great launch party and I have so many hot guests to play so watch this space! I’m assisting with new music website beenseen.com which helps me learn more about the industry. Also, after a few delays I hopefully will have a few tracks released by the summer, an exciting LOST SOULZ project with Tom Heron, working with Sophiedj, Timo Garcia and 212 of course - def watch this space!…exciting 2006 to look forward to and getting in as many gigs as I can in the U.K and abroad.

Brad: Well I’ve just finished a 2 track EP with Timo Garcia (of Berwick Street Records) and we’ve got some serious interest from two major labels - we’re hoping we can get some of their female staff to duke it out naked for us. I won’t spoil the surprise but keep an eye out for the Garcia & 212 EP!

What else has been really exciting you recently?
Ben: Well, besides this exciting UP^^ residency, promoting my own night ZIPCODE and the production taking off…Me and my lovely girlfriend Sarah became parents to a beautiful baby girl called ‘Maya Anna’ (5 weeks old)…she’s perfect! So 2006 has started like a dream and the music hopefully will get better for Ben Dela-pena.

Brad: The Olympics! Canada was brilliant and watching the US loose to Russia in Men’s Hockey was a particular thrill (Soz Toxic)

London has been enjoying some sunshine and bright blue skies recently…Summer is on its way! Got any plans yet?

Ben: Be the best dad I can whilst pushing the pram through the park (ha ha!). Musically, get my tracks released in time for summer and take ZIPOCDE to the next level…with a few trips to DC10 in the summer! Bring the sunshine please!

Brad: This summer I hope to get over to ‘beefa’ – I’ve got a pipe dream of a villa and a pool for the summer. Any takers?

www.brad212finlay.com