Amber D – tidy.com interview by Ru Curthoys

How excited are you to be going to Ibiza again to be part of the Tidy line-up? Are you looking forward to it?

Really excited! There is something about that Island that makes people enjoy themselves even more than they usually would in the UK! I love playing there, and feel very privileged to be doing so.

Did you ever imagine that you would be headlining in Ibiza when you started out Djing?

I always hoped that I would get to play in Ibiza at least once, so to be out there 4 or 5 times is mind-blowing for me! Last year I even ended up bumping into Alex P at Bora Bora, and ended up a few weeks later playing at his Birthday Party at Space which was amazing!!!

You’ve got some pretty impressive gig experience such as Gods Kitchen Global Gathering, Creamfields and of course the legendary Tidy Weekenders, do you prefer the big festivals or smaller club nights?

Bigger Festivals are great because after my set I can go and listen to a few of my mates sets, and as I have a wide taste in music, I can go into a different tent and go and listen to someone like Plump DJ’s / Angello and Ingrosso etc.

What has been your favourite set so far?

Playing Live on Radio 1 for my Essential Mix definitely!

At the tender age of 23, you have already achieved so much, where do you go from here?

It’s been a mad few years for definite. Now I am looking to continue with the Hard Dance, but because I am so interested in all other genres, I am getting into Tech-House, Electro and Tech-Trance a lot now too. It’s a good idea not to let yourself get pigeon-holed in this industry, and I definitely will not be allowing that to happen! Also I have a studio at home, so producing is where I am taking my career now.

You have a number of mixed albums under your belt, which is your favourite one?

Well there’s been Keep It Tidy 4, Magna Live, Hard Dance Republic and Extreme Euphoria. They’re all special to me to be honest! I have also just finished my 5th album which is called Tidy Ibiza and is available in Ibiza, and internet too I think.

How is the Amber D EP coming along?

Yes! All done! There are 4 tracks for the EP. These are; Attack Warning (The Sound), Kirei, Voodoo, and Kiss & Tell. The EP is up for release in August!

How did it feel to be voted “Mixmag Future Hero”?

Absolutely amazing. I somehow managed to bag it two years in a row, which was really surprising and humbling… It’s good to know that my efforts are appreciated!

You’ve been playing the world over, from Russia to Bahrain, do you have a favourite country to play in? How do audiences differ from country to country?

Oz was fantastic, just so far away… I got very homesick! (I’m such a girl). I’ve just got back from Dubai, which I loved so much. Very hot though. Russia was a totally mad experience – they are really into their psy-trance there. Canada and America are both amazing, but my favourite place to play has to be the UK hasn’t it?!

We at Tidy know you for your superb hard house skills, but you are also a classically trained pianist, do you ever think you would be able to combine the two somehow?

Well, on top of the piano training, I also have a Diploma in Music Technology, and have a studio at home, so the next step is producing, which comes naturally to me. I am a total anorak when it comes to my music!

What do your parents make of your musical direction? Have they ever seen you play?

My mummy’s in heaven now but I am sure she is very proud of everything I have achieved. She never got to see me DJ as she died before I got into it, but she’d definitely be proud. My dad is an old hippy, bless him, and he loves coming to my gigs! And my brother, Andrew (or “Slick” as he is now known) is a heavy rocker, so when he comes to my gigs in his long black coat and dark glasses he tends to get funny looks from the cyber kids!

How would you describe your style of DJing to anyone who has not a hard-house DJ play before and knows little about hard-house?

Its energetic, groovy and makes you wanna shake yo’ ass!

What is the most unusual request you have ever received as a DJ?

50 cent – In Da Club – I mean… come on…….

There has been some debate about a north/south hard house divide, do you think such a thing exists?

Yeah, I think it’s more the “London sound” though. There are DJ’s that play regularly in London, and have a massive following that probably haven’t been heard of that much before by people further up North. And vice versa. The M25 is definitely a musical barrier!

Have you ever had any nightmare gigs?

Yeah, you get things happen all the time… Turntables not working, needles wrecked, Monitors broke or none existent, CD’s skipping the works… Through the years though, you learn how to deal with these things and just try to do your best. Worst thing you could do would be to storm off!

How do you wind down after a banging hard house set?

Get a massage off Lee (Haslam)! Lol Probably by having a bit of a dance myself, then get home with a Kebab.

When you go out for a girls night out, do you go clubbing or do you prefer to do something else?

We go to cheesy clubs. It’s great.

If you were asked to promote a one off club night where there was no budget limitations, who would you ask to play and where would you hold it?

It would be at Space in Ibiza, and I would have all the Tidy lot play, and also Fergie, Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes, Angello and Ingrosso, and loads of up and comings!

When you are driving what sort of music would you normally listen to?

I listen to the radio a lot, and also Red Hot Chilli Peppers, some electro and house. A lot of the time though, I am playing Hard House CD’s I have had through the post.

If you could choose one person to be stranded on a desert island with and not be rescued for 24 hours who would it be? . .. and if it wasn’t Lee Haslam, who else would you choose?

Hahahaha…. Oh god, if it wasn’t lee, it would have to be my best mate.

If you could interview anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you interview and what would be your main topic of questioning?

Tony De Vit and the topic of questioning would be where he got his inspiration from for all the wonderful tracks he’s left us with.

What is the one invention or gizmo you could not live with out?

I’ve just bought a Novation Supernova synth for my studio so I’d say that.

There is a new club-night in London called Starkers where all the punters and staff are naked (although I believe they are allowed to where shoes) – would you be up for DJing there?

Ummmmmmm maybe if they put me on for last set then I would clear the club.

Are there any interview questions that you hate?

That one.

Did you have a celebrity crush on anyone when you were younger?

Oh my god… flashback… yeah I used to fancy Roger Moore! Oh my god.

Would you ever consider being a contestant on Big Brother?

Noooooooooo!

If you were producing a one off music television show (like Top of the Pops for example) which six artistes or groups would you invite to perform?

Madonna, Kylie, Artic Monkeys, Magic Numbers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robbie Williams.

What ring-tone do you have on your mobile phone?

It WAS Untidy Dubs – Funky Groove. Now its one of my new tracks, Attack Warning (The Sound).

What was the last film you saw that made you cry?

All films make me cry! Think it was probably “stuck on you” and that’s a comedy!

If you were re-incarnated as a fruit, what would it be and why?

I already have been a banana and an apple. This time it’s a kumquat.

What is your ultimate dream?

To be healthy, happy and have lots of kids!

Finally, please tell me a joke!

I don’t know any!

Thank you to Ru Curthoys at Tidy.com.

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