Interview With Clodhopper

Sometimes, this industry can be a bit like a sharp game of chess. How is it that one person can go from bedroom to main stage platform in a limited number of moves? One girl has managed just that and like a lot of her publicity material dictates; is playing just about everywhere at the moment. She really never is off of a DJ console be it north, south, east or west and now the Bournemouth based fast rising star is about to take to the console of Electrik hardcore’s arena at this weeks Fusion Phase 3 in Westbury.

Ahead of the gig this Friday, I caught up with Clodhopper to talk about why she loves playing hardcore as much as she does.

You appear to just be everywhere at the moment, in your mind why do you think that is?

I personally feel quite lucky to have got the bookings that I have had so quickly. I like to think that I have got them because I bring something different to hardcore through my style of mixing.

You’ve had the pleasure of many a gig working with some very big brands such as Fruit Club, Uproar and Who’s Hardcore you have almost achieved in one year what most DJ’s can take three or four years to develop. What’s the secret? Is it a question of ruthless self-promotion, an agent or does your reputation precede you?

Secret? Erm I really don't know...when I first started DJ’ing I didn't know anyone in Hardcore so I promoted myself through giving out demos and meeting people at events I wanted to play at and it all kind of went from there really. I've never had an agent. Currently I still do record demo CD’s as I enjoy making them and my friends often ask for them for something to listen to in the car, but I think I get most of my current bookings through other events that I have played at.

You’re a fan of all hard styles but you chose to mix in particular in hardcore, why is that?

Ever since I discovered Hardcore it has been the music for me, I instantly loved the energy that it has and being able to sing along to the tunes. I appreciate other genres of hard dance and have spent many years going out to Hard House and Trance events as well; however I find Hardcore suits my personality and is more fun to mix.

You are quite creative in your sets; it’s definitely not a case of one tune then another and so on. I’ve noticed you like to explore the mixer a bit and get creative, tell us a bit more about what gives you that flair?

My style of mixing evolved by accident. I used to get bored waiting until the end of the tune to mix, so would sample a bit of the next tune in the gaps of the tune I was already playing. Then one day, in a club, I sampled a tune that I did not want to play next and quickly mixed another tune in, it seemed to get a good response...that was where it all began. I try to keep my mixing as varied as possible, as the element of surprise seems to work well in a set.

Who are your idols?

I take a lot of my influences from Hard House, and have always been a fan of Lisa Pin-Up. In hardcore I have never really had a particular idol as I like different elements of each of the DJ’s styles.

You are essentially still in your first year professionally playing, do you still hold down a job, or have you made way for full time DJ’ing yet?

I'd love to be able to give up my job for DJ’ing but I have a mortgage and as much as I would love to have more time to put in to producing and DJ’ing, in a year I couldn't expect it to pay my bills. I currently lead a bit of a double life, where in my weekdays I'm quite a boring and sensible 9-5er but my weekends are crazy, outrageous and involve a lot of miles!!

The eternal DJ argument…. vinyl or CD’s?

I think it doesn’t really matter what you use as long as you use it well. I like to think a DJ is there to entertain the crowd, so getting it right so the crowd have a good time is all that really matters to me. I can mix using both CDs and vinyl, however I personally prefer to use CDs as I feel it gives me more options to make my sets more interesting!!

Do you feel that hardcore has become so big now that there are two many DJ’s out there? Or is there always room for one more; especially if they have that unique flair and style such as you do?

There can never be too many DJs as long as each DJ brings something new to the scene.

The female hardcore DJ collective, are they all quite friendly and happy to party with each other like a lot of the guys do, or can there be an air of competition and maybe even slight cattiness in some cases?

There can be a competitive element to DJ’ing whether you are male or female!! I have met most of the other female DJ's that are in Hardcore at the moment and personally I feel I have always got along with all of them. I definitely think that Hardcore needs more female DJs though.

It’s your first gig for Electrik at Fusion, what are your thoughts on the Fusion brand on the whole; are you excited? Is it somewhere you would like to play as a resident?

Do I want to be a Fusion resident? What do you think? Of course I do!! Not only is Fusion a South Coast event, my home, but it is also one of the original raves and has done a lot for the scene. It has a wicked vibe and is night that has always felt really welcoming...the Fusion crew certainly know how to put on a party. I've played for Electrik at its home in Southampton and have also found it to be one of my favourite South Coast events. I was really touched to be asked to play for Fusion vs. Electrik in Westbury and I'm so excited it's unreal! Bring it on!!

Clodhopper will be playing in the Electrik arena at Fusion – Phase 3, this Friday 24th November. The event will be at Club Ice in Westbury from 8pm – 6am, have a look at the event HERE for more information or go directly to the website www.fusion-clubbers.com. For more information on Clodhopper, go to www.djclodhopper.co.uk.

Interview By Jon Brown