O2 Chat: DJ Swerve

Mavado> I'm interested in becoming a DJ but I don't know where 2 begin. I have a turntable set at home but I never use them. what songs should I start mixing as a beginner?
DJ Swerve> One thing I was taught, is to get two records that are exactly the same, and practise mixing them together. One of the problems is cueing records, but when you do that, you don't have to worry about the speeds. That's a good place to start.

Jokn274> Hi! At what age did you get your 1st decks? Where did u play in public for the 1st time? Thank u!
DJ Swerve> I started on my parents stereo, when I was about 14. I got my first turntables at about 16, but they weren't very good, but they did the job. I saved up and got a pair of Technics when I was 18 - I worked during the school holidays and got one and my parents bought me the other one. I played at a Scout hall the first time in public. It was an event that I put on with my friends, we sold tickets and promoting for it. I was very nervous.

Dave62> Is it hard 2 become a DJ?
DJ Swerve> Yes and no. It's easy in that the equipment is more affordable and accessible. There are more DJ's now than ever before, it's popular. You still need luck to be in the right place at the right time. Everyone who wants to be big needs that.

Txtmegirls> Wot advice would u give 2 an aspiring bedroom DJ thinking of makin a break in2 the DJ world! Danny from Portsmouth
DJ Swerve> Hmm, Practise is always important. When you are actually DJ'ing, it's important to play what the crowd wants, even if it's not what you want to play, but your job is to entertain the people who paid the money to be in the club. Always be professional in how you carry yourself . Turn up on time, be professional, do a good job, rock the crowd.

Sxychic2> What inspired u 2 DJ?
DJ Swerve> I think it was scratching. A combination of hearing someone scratch vinyl and hearing a tune called 'The Lessons' by Double D and Steinski. It was a mixture of a whole loads of records. I heard it on the radio and I thought WOW what is this?! It blew my mind.

Ant181> How are you finding going solo?
DJ Swerve> It's easy now but at the beginning it was kind of scary because I am so used to the guys being around. Being solo has not been very much different from when I was with them. It's fun.

Kelis101> What's your favourite track off the First Lady album?
DJ Swerve> Err...it would have to be 'Life'. It means a lot to me. The reason why is because it's the most true story about DJ Swerve. It's about my daughter and how I have come through a relationship to work hard for what I want.

Babezy> Is your album based on things you've been through?
DJ Swerve> Yes. I think that's the only when you are writing an album for the first time because if it means something to you then it comes across much better.

Cuttooth> DJ swerve, I wana b a DJ n iv got da decks but I cant seem 2 match my beats up properly. My fav dance type is Hard House, any tips? Thanx, frm DJ BLUECHEW
DJ Swerve> Get two copies of the same, so that it's easier to mix in. You don't have to worry about pitch and cueing too much, and practise. Start as basic as possible and then step it up. Dance is easy to mix as well.

Nell3> Hi wots it like playin front of hundreds of people and wot wud u say is the best club uv played?
DJ Swerve> It's a mixture I suppose. Some of it is slight nerves. I've DJ'ed with Mis-teeq in front of thousands. There's some excitement as well. I think if you can get any number of people rocking no matter how big, it's a real good feeling. I don't know if I have a favourite night, but I have had some nights where everything has worked really well, and I remember those ones. You tend to remember the really bad ones more, although I have not had very many, they have always been mostly very good nights for me.

Bigga2> I listen to your show a lot. What's your favourite song/tune at the moment?
DJ Swerve> As DJ favourite songs are always hard as you get so many tracks to listen to all the time. You get one that's good and then you want the next one. That's a tricky one. I like Outkast's the way you move. The new usher track is also hot. There are too many to mention really.

Ed23malegl526sb> Whats the most embarrassing moment you've had on a set?
DJ Swerve> There've been a few....umm I think picking up a needle off a record that's been playing when I wasn't paying attention and was talking to a friend of mine. It was during a warm up chat I have to say, so it wasn't that bad. You can say that pretty much that every DJ has done it at some point. If they say that they haven't, then they're lying.

Steve18> What's ur best most memorable moment?
DJ Swerve> Probably travelling to places I would never go to if it wasn't for DJ'ing. I've been to Dubai, New York, Japan with Mis-Teeq, Taiwan. That's one of the perks of the jobs. Going to places like that.

cat03> Whose the bitchiest of the Mis-Teeq girls??
DJ Swerve> None of them. They are honestly, honestly very very nice girls. They made me feel very much part of their family when I was working with them. You can't help but like them. They are nice, straight talking, very nice girls.

danakane> Whose your favourite Mis-Teeq girl?
DJ Swerve> I haven't really got a favourite. All of them have different characters and are very funny. They will get you back if you try and play with them, but it's nice working with them like that.

Mellao5> When are you going on tour with them again??
DJ Swerve> Possibly during the summer. But they are going to the US first. They had good reaction for 'Scandalous' - Carson Daly from MTV's TRL really likes that track.

Boyard1> What's ur favourite music?
DJ Swerve> Difficult...probably hip hop, rap if I had to pick one.

Elty> Why did you decide that hip hop was your music??
DJ Swerve> I like hard beats really, bangin beats. But hearing a heavy club track gets me most excited.

Lfc6> Hiya DJ swerve, You do some great tunes but what was your tune of 2003??
DJ Swerve> It would be easier to say an album than a single. That's 50 cent, although I have gotten a bit tired of hearing 'In Da Club' now. Lol. I can't pick a single because all the good ones get played so much.

Loonytoon> What do you think is the best type of music in the club's today?
DJ Swerve> It would be a mixture of RnB and hip hop. When you get sweet vocals and a the tough beat with a guy rapping, that's probably the ideal right one for people. That's how a lot of stuff is going.

EvilD> How do u feel about the level of mainstream hiphop & RnB has crossed over in the past couple of months?
DJ Swerve> I'll be going there tonight! As long as the music isn't being overly diluted then that's good for everyone. I saw in the states that when you combine rap and RnB, it's outsold rock. It's like the new pop. As long as the integrity is not changed, it's good for everyone.

Ed23malegl526sb> Who's you're favourite artist of all time that you've played?
DJ Swerve> I would say LL Cool J. I like his older stuff more than his newer stuff. But to have had 10 albums out is amazing, no other artist in hip hop has done that.

mustnine> Who is your favourite DJ?
DJ Swerve> Old skool; I can't choose between cash money and Jazzy Jeff. Nu skool, Qbert for his awesome technical ability.

skilla12> What's the worst thing that's happened while on the radio?
DJ Swerve> The CD player dying on me. The whole point of live radio is reacting, so I just joked about it and got on with it.

Jasonn99> If you didn't play RnB and hip hop what would u be playing?
DJ Swerve> I have a confession. I am getting into 80's pop at the moment. Like Duran Duran, Mister Mister, and I'm going to be doing stuff with those soon. I won't say no more. There are elements in that are relevant in music today.

Gold2> DJSWERVE hi ya.. Wen u going t DJ in one of our club's? Soon i hope.. Dee. X x x soz im in southsea nr portsmouth. Oops
DJ Swerve> Damn I didn't bring my diary. I'm doing an old skool hip hop night in Southampton soon..February or March...it may be at the Academy at the top of my head. Sorry I forgot my diary.

Boyard1> u wasnt a DJ, what other job wood u like 2 b doin?
DJ Swerve> Probably managing an up and coming artist. So doing a and r, but for an independent rather than major.