" last year I played in the spike bar in the glade at Glastonbury, it was a special moment, as the bar was packed and I received an ovation at the end of my set "
Tell us about Sammy. I grew up in Warrington, Cheshire. My dad was a guitarist in a band in his spare time, so we always had music on and tried to learn different instruments. Tell us about how you got started in the dance scene. My neighbour who was a year older than me, took me when I was 16, to a club called Legends in Warrington in 1991, I had never experienced anything like it. I went back the following week on my own as she couldn’t make it, I saw some of the people I had met the week before and made new friends. I basically went every week and danced on a podium behind the DJ with a girl called Tracey who I am still friends with now. First DJ equipment and when? Why? So, having given up piano lessons and failed miserably at guitar lessons, I decided I would give playing vinyl a go. I started going into Hott Waxx records in Warrington every week. By this time I was 17, I had a part time glass collecting job and earned about £17 a week. Most of it went on records. The shop keeper used to keep them for me until I could afford to pay for them. I for the life of me can’t remember how I paid for them, but I managed to get the money to buy a pair of Technics 1210’s and I bought the old mixer from the record shop when they got a new one. Festivals, Super clubs, Small clubs, or House party? And Why? Festivals during the day, preferably in the sunshine, because everyone is happy and you can see amazing outfits and smiling faces. Tell us about your feelings on Female DJ’s and how they are seen in the scene? Are they treated differently? I regret not trying harder when I was younger as I now have my age against me in some respects, but it’s also working in my favour in terms of my knowledge and ability. I think the recent influx of influencer and model DJs has not helped our cause, there are a lot of men saying we they get booked for our looks. There are a lot of talented female DJs and they don’t normally come with big egos attached and have more fun behind the decks. I would like to see an all female line up without anyone pointing out that it’s all female. tunes, it scratches, ends up back in the wrong sleeve, you can’t find the track you want when you want it etc etc. Best club you have played and why? The best club I have played and not for being a great club as such, but because it was my first proper gig and the crowd were amazing, was a Wobble event in Birmingham at the Hockley Social. What do you think about all the fake DJs, so blatantly getting caught out, and that whole future in the scene? It’s good they are getting found out, it’s not great for the scene as it gives the wrong impression. There are many factors to being a good DJ and they should put the work in to be one. Best place you have played and why? last year I played in the spike bar in the glade at Glastonbury, it was a special moment, as the bar was packed and I received an ovation at the end of my set. You are the only person left on earth after the apocalypse, you find a set of decks, a mixer, and sound system, and 5 vinyl. what 5 tracks do you find to play the rest of your life? And why? Joe Smooth - Promised Land – One of my all time faves, Nothing beats this and my kids have instructions to play it at my funeral. John Summit – Thin Line – Reminds me of his boat party at Defected Croatia 2021, the vibe on that boat was amazing and one of the reasons I pushed myself to DJ. Todd Terry – Jumpin – Again one of my favourite feel good classics. Bicep – Glue – I played this at 9am in the morning at a beach party in Croatia and it was a special moment. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel – White Lines – For sheer entertainment and rapping contests. Worst gig you have played and why? I would prefer not to answer any negative questions as it is not good karma, but of course there are times where I haven’t performed at my best or accidentally loaded the same track twice or accidentally turned the wrong deck off. It happens. Vinyl, CD’s, Or Digital, or a mix? And why? Digital for me. I do love vinyl as it has a warmth to it, but vinyl is heavy, you can’t carry the same volume of
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