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N.e.o. Dirty House, Funky House, Tech Trance, Hard Trance, Techno, Electro, Old Skool Piano House, Hardstyle, Nu Skool Breaks Manchester, UK
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N.e.o. is musically minded and a DJ with real talent.
Having decks from the age of 16, N.e.o. moved out of the bedroom & in to the public eye after two years. He began developing his crowd skills at his year long residency for Bar Coast in Manchester back in 1998, having such an eclectic taste in dance music a wide range of bookings followed for many different clubs in and
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around the North West of England, during this time N.e.o. began to work on his scratching technique, now mesmerizing crowds with his Dj skills his name slowly began to spread, with his own following now in place N.e.o. decided to launch an event of his own. Earth was born in July 2003, showcasing the cream of local talent Earth was an instant success, The formula of combing classics of yesteryear with future anthems played by some of the most exciting Dj's from the North West forced the event to move to a larger venue within 3 months of opening. Earth continues today to be one of Manchester's successful monthly offerings.
There are now new challenges on the Horizon for N.e.o. He has recently completed a music production course at one of the UK's finest music colleges & can now be found making music in his own studio most weekends. Once he has honed his production technique N.e.o. is hopeful of setting up his own record label to showcase his tracks & many of the other talented unsigned producers.
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This interview was conducted by EDM Spectrum Team Member, Ashley, and was conducted via Instant Messaging.
EDM SPECTRUM:
ok, so lets break the ice... can you tell me a joke?
N.E.O.:
I usually do really long ones with funny voices but i don't think will work on MSN... Ok, - Two fish in a tank, one says to the other "d'you know how to drive this thing?"
...
EDM SPECTRUM:
haha... ok took me a min... but i got it... LOL... you're right... jokes are kind of hard on instant messenger
N.E.O.:
I think british humor is different to American humor as well... we're much funnier!
Only kidding!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
LOL... thats ok... i thought it was funny once i got it... I told you I'm slow! lol
N.E.O.:
Well you didn't need me to explain so you're not that bad..
EDM SPECTRUM:
i personally like the muffin joke i posted in the EDM Spectrum forums... too funny ... but anyways... lets get serious now
N.E.O.:
I'll have to check that one out again, I did read it but have forgot... Ok hit me!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
People can see by reading your bio how you progressed as a musician from age 16, but is there anything else you'd like to add? Maybe who your musical inpirations were and/or why you purchased your first set of turntables
N.E.O.:
I do love music but I'm also a really big show off! To me, when I was 16 there was nothing better than going to a club of 3000 & seeing so many people losing it, it was incredible. I began to almost worship the DJ's that I would hear week in week out. I used to go to a record shop in Manchester to buy Tape packs as the music I was listening to at the time wasn't available in shops,
It was there that i saw racks & racks of vinyl of music that I really liked, before that I never knew where I could get hold of a vinyl with music i was interested in, I bought a few singles & used to play them on my mums HiFi System, much to her discontent
Whilst I was in Spain visiting my dad & grandparents I was telling my grandad about how i'd bought some vinyl, It wasn't a common thing to do back then as the CD was the new medium & practically all music shops no longer sold vinyl
He took me out to his shed & pulled out a technics deck, It was a 1970 model & even had pitch control on it. I took it back to the Uk & hooked it up with a my mums turntable & it went from there...
So I guess it was my grandad who first got me on my way. Unfortunately he is no longer with us, but just before he passed away in 2001 I was able to get back over to see him & I showed some pictures of one of my events with me djing there, he was so proud. It brings a tear to my eye when I think about it...
EDM SPECTRUM:
thats awesome! and i'm sure he was proud! you're very talented!
N.E.O.:
Thank you.
EDM SPECTRUM:
so thats what you were using then... what kind of tools do you use now? DJing and Producing...
N.E.O.:
Anything & everything!! at the moment DJ wise i use 3 decks, A Vestax PMC Pro 37 mixer, Stanton Final Scratch V2, when i play in clubs I use Pioneer CDJ's as well. Production wise i'm currently into Cubase SX2, Reason 2.5 & about 50 different VST's, my favourite being Vanguard at the moment.
(Decks are Technics 1210's by the way)
EDM SPECTRUM:
you have recently gotten into producing.... so take me through the steps you use to make a track... emotionally, technically, or whatever the case may be
N.E.O.:
Oh my! I really feel out of my depth with production as I've only been at it for about a year, i need lots more practice! As i'm always listening to music I try to listen to what other people are doing & try to emulate that, emotionally I'm always worried. When i do sit down though I throw a beat together first then add the bass I then start playing around with instruments until i get sounds I
like, they go in & I usually start attacking the whole mix with filters & effects! Then the mix down & then mastering... I'm very clinical at the moment I guess. Hopefully as I get more productions behind me I will start to develop my own style
EDM SPECTRUM:
just keep at it sweetie... i hope that someday you will let us showcase your original tracks on our site...
N.E.O.:
definitely! I'm sure i'll get there eventually. I think my problem is that I have very high standards when it comes to my audio. I'm my own biggest critic So unless I like it, It won't be shared!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
yes... i understand that... but at the same time... one of the great things about our site is that you can showcase your music and ask for feedback... so i hope you consider getting our family and visitors constructive feedback once you're comfortable with your sounds... we always love to hear new music and share our thoughts
N.E.O.:
i'm currently working on the liquefaction remix, so hopefully you will get to check that out.
EDM SPECTRUM:
oooh! thats exciting! we're very ecstatic about these remix competitions
N.E.O.:
I really (love) the stuff Liquefaction are doing, Kindel's voice is amazing!
EDM SPECTRUM:
yes...i agree
ok so you have been performing in events all over your neck of the woods... have you ever performed in the states?
N.E.O.:
No, i'd really really love to as well, i'm getting such amazing feedback from the states & canada about my music at the moment. I've had a couple of chats with a a few different people but nothing serious has come about yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed something may happen in the future.
EDM SPECTRUM:
well we wish you the best of luck and we'll keep our fingers crossed too... I definitely enjoy your mixes... in fact... I'm listening to your newest one at the site right now ... its very good...
so about your shows.... right before you perform live... what goes through your mind?
N.E.O.:
How i'm going to smash it & make the Dj who was on before me cry...
lol only joking!
EDM SPECTRUM:
LOL
N.E.O.:
I'm always focused on the crowd, I feed off them, I'm always watching them & noticing what kind of vibe they are enjoying from the previous guys set, then i'm just going through my mind of what tracks I think will work.
EDM SPECTRUM:
is there anything you do every time right before you go on stage to help you prepare of get hyped? and superstitions?
N.E.O.:
i'm not really a very superstitious person. I guess I always make sure I've got my Scratch sample vinyl to hand... that gets me hyped as i know i'm about to unleash & make a few jaws drop, that gets me in the mood!
EDM SPECTRUM:
cool!.... so you've been involved for a while.... what do you think of the current state of the music industry today?
N.E.O.:
I wish I lived in the states, the scene seems to be so much bigger over there than the UK, Trance music is shrinking in the UK & there aren't the same opportunities for me over here, It's more a case of who you know rather than what you can do which is a shame so I guess to sumarise I would say "Fickle"!
EDM SPECTRUM:
well then get your butt over to the states!! I'd definitely come out to see you perform
N.E.O.:
I would be on the next plane If I new it could work! I have a young Son & a house & am currently setting up my own Garden Services business so music is more of a hobby for me than a full time commitment. so I guess i have to be sure things would work out before I'd be prepared to commit. I'm hopeful of being able to make it to a WMC one year though if I can get a set sorted somewhere.
EDM SPECTRUM:
aside from WMC... if you could perform at any other club or event in the world, where would it be, and why?
N.E.O.:
I would love to play at the berlin love parade, that would be unreall,
over 1 million people losing it! oh yes!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
oh man! i wish i could just attend that!! i bet its amazing!
N.E.O.:
i've never been but it's on the list of things to do!
EDM SPECTRUM:
ok now lets have a little fun
N.E.O.:
cool!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
if your house was on fire, and all of your loved ones have already made it out safely, but you had time to run in and grab three things, what would they be?
N.E.O.:
My PC with all my music on it, oh this is supossed to be fun isn't it... errr... my 70's affro wig & the red furry trouser press i've never owned!
EDM SPECTRUM:
LOL
no fun? ok how about this one... if you could be someone or something for one day, who or what would you choose to be?
N.E.O.:
Tough one... i'd have to go with Angelina Jolie's Thong...
EDM SPECTRUM:
hahaha
who is your favorite cartoon character, and why?
N.E.O.:
Eric Cartman. He has to be the funniest creation I have ever witnessed. I wish I could be as self centred as him! sssshhhwwweeeetttt!
EDM SPECTRUM:
what's your biggest pet peeve?
N.E.O.:
I would never keep a Pea as a pet they are round green & very very nasty
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol... ok moving on... what is the first job you ever had?
N.E.O.:
I worked in a really rough traditional british pub as a glass collector, I used to get abused by the middle aged toothless women... it made me the man I am today!
EDM SPECTRUM:
LOL!
awesome
do you have any tattoos?
N.E.O.:
I do, I have 2, one on my arm/shoulder & one on my lower back streching side to side. I'll have to post pictures of them on the EDM forum!
EDM SPECTRUM:
yes! i'd love to see them! in fact... i'm a big fan of tatts... my tatt across my lower back is my avatar on the EDMS forums what are your tatts of?
N.E.O.:
The one on my shoulder looks kind of like a dagger from a Fantasy/Celtic story. the one on my back is a bio-hazzard symbol with a kind edging around it. I still haven't had that fully finished though. It's been like that for ages now, I need to get my ass into gear!
EDM SPECTRUM:
hehe... it will come eventually... i'm sure it will look great when its finished
N.E.O.:
definitely!
EDM SPECTRUM:
so what's your favorite food?
N.E.O.:
I constantly eat pasta but I love spicy food as well, Mexican & Indian are up there
EDM SPECTRUM:
and what's your favorite quote?
N.E.O.:
Av it!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
what does that mean?
N.E.O.:
it's a northen english phrase for "have it". When you are out clubbing and really losing it you are "avin it"
EDM SPECTRUM:
ah ok
lol
ok... choose one or the other....
here or there?
N.E.O.:
right here!
EDM SPECTRUM:
right or left?
N.E.O.:
right
EDM SPECTRUM:
black and white or color?
N.E.O.:
definitely black, it's by far the coolest
EDM SPECTRUM:
star wars or star trek?
N.E.O.:
Star Trek, I love it
EDM SPECTRUM:
peas or carrots?
N.E.O.:
aaaahhhh Peas!!! definitley Carrots
EDM SPECTRUM:
LOL oh yeah... i forgot!
Chelsea or Arsenal?
N.E.O.:
You offend me!!! Manchester United all the way!
EDM SPECTRUM:
HAHAHAHA JUST CHECKIN!
it was meant to be a joke... i knew who you would really like
N.E.O.:
*smile*
EDM SPECTRUM:
ok... no deep thinking... just tell me the first thing that comes to mind when i say these words....
N.E.O.:
ok
EDM SPECTRUM:
money
N.E.O.:
I want lots of it
EDM SPECTRUM:
picture
N.E.O.:
painting
EDM SPECTRUM:
power
N.E.O.:
electricity
EDM SPECTRUM:
fun
N.E.O.:
wahoo!
EDM SPECTRUM:
style
N.E.O.:
me... lol!
EDM SPECTRUM:
cat
N.E.O.:
mouse
EDM SPECTRUM:
bass
N.E.O.:
wub wub wub
EDM SPECTRUM:
happy
N.E.O.:
sad
EDM SPECTRUM:
change
N.E.O.:
good
EDM SPECTRUM:
if you could be anywhere else in the world right now where would it be?
N.E.O.:
djing for you in a massive club
EDM SPECTRUM:
for ME??? why thank you! i'm so there!
N.E.O.:
*smile*
EDM SPECTRUM:
what else should i ask you?
N.E.O.:
I can't think of anything right now, you've done a really good job with the questions
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol ok well here's a few more and then we'll be finished...
N.E.O.:
no worries
EDM SPECTRUM:
what advice do you have for other aspiring DJs and Producers?
N.E.O.:
You need to practice more than anything you have ever done before in your life, hard work will reap it's rewards
EDM SPECTRUM:
what do you think of the EDM Spectrum? and is there anything you would change about it?
N.E.O.:
The EDM spectrum is a wicked site, it's becoming better than I ever thought. We need to get more interest in the forums
EDM SPECTRUM:
haha yes! we agree!... thank you for the kind words... we're very happy at the way things are growing....
Neo... its been a pleasure... thank you for taking the time to let me interview you
N.E.O.:
You are very welcome, You should be very proud of what you are doing, it's coming along nicely
EDM SPECTRUM:
thank you! we are very proud... especially of all of you
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