Graeme Lloyd has risen through the ranks of London’s club scene and is starting to gain well deserved recognition both as a DJ and producer. As well as playing regularly at The Gallery at the Ministry of Sound, he’s played further afield in Russia, Ukraine and China among others, while his latest track, ‘Waveform’, is out now on Stripback Records.
‘Waveform’ is the third release on Stripback and maintains the label’s reputation for forward thinking and energetic progressive and tech house. With its well crafted percussion, rolling synth lines and acid touches, it’s a dancefloor bomb that builds and builds but never loses its essential groove. A strong remix package sees Stripback’s other signing I:AM – the duo of Fabian Chui and Hannibal Soares – take ‘Waveform’ deep into electro house territory for some serious big room action. Hotly tipped techno producer Tommy Four Seven takes the track in a whole new direction with immaculate production and a clever twist at the end, while Dan Cat creates a deep tech vibe full of electronic strangeness for those after hours sessions.
Next up on Stripback is ‘Cabassa (Life Changes)’, the debut release from Romanian DJ and producer Sean Jay Dee with vocals by Lizzie Curious. Sean Jay Dee is one of the leading lights of the Romanian dance scene and there’ll be remixes from Graeme and I:AM. ‘Cabassa’ has already been sent to selected DJs with a full release to follow in August…
Graeme’s next date at The Gallery is on July 17th when he’ll be making his main room debut, while this summer will see him flying out to play in Romania and Russia. Check out the Gallery website at www.thegallery-club.co.uk for their latest podcast mixed by Graeme too.
We recently caught up with Graeme to find out more about what he’s been up to and here’s what he had to say.
How did you first discover dance music and then become a DJ?
“I’ve been into music from a very early age. I was a professional dancer before I got into DJing working with bands like All Saints and Robbie Williams. If you go back through a lot of the big dance tracks in the 90s that appeared on Top of the Pops you will spot me in there!”
You play regularly at The Gallery at the Ministry of Sound – what’s the story?
“The Gallery was one of the first clubs in London I went to back in the day. I was even in the video shot there for Tall Paul’s ‘Camisra’. I use to watch the DJs play in the main room and once I started playing there myself, it really was a dream come true. The night has evolved massively and I think it has found an amazing new home at the Ministry.”
You've also doing the latest Gallery podcast – what can we expect to hear?
“The podcast mix is what I would call a proper Gallery mix. It has a mixture of tech and progressive house tracks, and a couple of my own in there too”
What are the favourite moments from your DJ career so far?
“I would have to say playing Cream in Ibiza and playing at the Ministry on New Year’s Eve this year. Of course, the first time I ever played the main room at Turnmils was pretty special too.”
How did you start getting into producing?
“Production is a natural progression from DJing, I guess, and I had already been working with other producers and engineers without actually getting my hands dirty. I love making tracks and love the fact that as a producer you are always learning and developing.”
‘Waveform’ is your new single but what else have you released?
“Last year I had a track out called ‘Candiru’ on Playtime Records which did really well and ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll on Stripback Records. I am really looking forward to ‘Waveform’ being released as it has had some great support from top DJs and producers like Axwell, D.Ramirez, Mason and Dubfire. It has a really strong remix package too and Tommy Four Seven, Dan Cat and I:AM have all done a wicked job – I think there’s something there for everyone.”
How would you describe your sound?
“I guess I would have to say progressive tech house, but it really depends on my mood when I am making a track.”
“What do you after a hard night behind the decks?
“I like to chill out in the club for a while. I’m always a bit tired after I play as I think I must use up lots of energy jumping around! Then I see where the rest of the night takes me. When I am abroad I tend to party more as I know I have a nice hotel room waiting for me and room service.”
‘Waveform’ is available from Beatport, djdownload.com and most major download stores. For more information on Graeme Lloyd and Stripback Records visit www.myspace.com/djgraemelloyd / www.myspace.com/stripbackrecords
