Shane D – “On The Fly”
Hailing from the South Coast in Durban, Shane D has he’s fans transfixed with his unique sound. It is little wonder that people are standing up and recognising this remarkable DJ’s talent.
Shane’s musical aspirations go back to when he was just a young boy, introduced to music by he’s dad, who is a bass guitar player. Shane however, followed a different musical path and it was in high school, playing truant, where he really discovered he’s passion for house music.
Shane is testament that practise makes perfect.
Landing a fate driven gig at a Durban nightclub at the age of 16, Shane’s destiny began to manifest itself and while he happily admits that he “sucked” at that first gig, Shane is testament that practise makes perfect. Knowing this is what he wanted, Shane strived for perfection, and perfection, in need, is what we get out of he’s sets played and music produced today.
As a DJ your talent is indisputable, what can you tell us about Shane D the person?
I’m just a normal everyday dude, really, who enjoys more or less the same sort of things that most people do. I’m a very big movie fan, more so of 80’s films like the Back to the Future Trilogy, the Indiana Jones films, Ferris Bueller’s Day off etc. I’m very into Home Theatre and I’m an avid DVD collector as well, with around 1500 titles in my current collection, and still growing. I’m also a HUGE comic book fan, with DC comics being my favourite stable and Superman being my favourite character. I’m not very fashion conscious as far as wearing big branded labels and things are concerned. I really, really like good food.
Which of the Durban clubs do you play?
I’ve played at just about all the venues in Durban at some point or the other. Some of the more mentionable venues I’ve had the pleasure playing at was the legendary 330 for the Absolute Chaos event, Tilt for the Stereo Sushi event, Panama Room, The Lounge, and of course Skyybar, where I held a 3 year residency from 2003-2006. In the past year, I’ve been added to the regular 330 line up for all their Durban based events at various venues.
What’s your favourite place to play?
Anywhere where people are in to House music, but I do prefer playing for events at locations as opposed to clubs. I feel that holding a genre driven event at a certain spot guarantees you will reach that specific audience, which is always great, because as a DJ you can really relax and enjoy your set, knowing that the crowd you’re playing for is going to enjoy it with you. With clubs, especially in S.A, there are very few genre specific venues, as most clubs are catering for the general public, so musically, all tastes are catered for, which is sometimes a bit of a challenge for a House DJ when asked to play at a venue that is more or less commercial in it’s musical nature. I do enjoy the challenge sometimes, but it does get a little annoying when I’m playing my usual stuff and someone pops up and asks me for Britney Spears or the like.
You just recently won The Soul Candi House Remix Competition, congratulations! Do you find these competitions have a significant impact on a DJ’s career?
Thanks. It certainly does, but more so if you’re a producer that’s making music as opposed to just DJ’ing. It depends on the individual. Not all Dance Producers are DJ’s and vise versa. The competition was actually run by BPM Magazine, in conjunction with Soul candi. These kinds of competitions are a great place to get, not only exposure, but honest criticism from everyday people and producers alike, which is something every aspiring artist needs. Soul Candi is South Africa’s gateway to Dance music, in my opinion, so having their name attached to something a DJ or Producer has done, can only be a good thing. It was also great to have the opportunity to remix a track by such a successful act like the Ananda Project. That on its own makes for an impressive resume.
You are also a producer, where do you find you are most creative, in your producing or playing a club?
Definitely producing, although I do my fair share of technical bits behind the decks as well. Things like “on the fly” remixing, putting in Acapellas and beats during a set. As far as DJ’ing and being creative in the club goes, it’s great having tools like the CDJ1000’s around nowadays, because from a creative aspect you can let loose a bit more on those things as opposed to vinyl decks, which I was exclusively on up until a couple of years ago. On a side note, I also really admire guys like Ready D. who are able to do some pretty insane things with the turntables. Serato is also quite cool, although I doubt it’s something I’ll use for DJ’ing. The thought of browsing folders looking for tracks versus flipping through CD’s and Vinyl is just not appealing to me. I think it sucks some of the fun out of DJ’ing. It’s a great product and no disrespect to the guys that use it, but it’s just not for me.
What have been two major highlights for you as a DJ so far?
I think the biggest highlight in my DJ career was playing on the same stage as Grant Nelson, who is my hero, both in production and DJ’ing. I got to do that on 2 separate occasions, which was just surreal. Second to that would be my time spent as a resident at Skyybar. As far as House music went, there were very few clubs that came close to the kind of stuff that was being played there at the time, and the crowd at that point was just incredibly in to the music, which is always a great feeling. I owe a lot of thanks to the old owners of that spot.
Is DJing and producing your only passion in life, what are your other interests?
I wouldn’t say they’re my only passions, but they are certainly the greatest and most time consuming of all my interests. I definitely don’t enjoy long walks on the beach!
Technology, and keeping up with it has turned into a passion. I’m quite passionate about my movies as well.
What would your dream gig be?
Something similar to the gig Fatboy Slim threw at Brighton Beach (UK), except the line-up would include my favourite International and Local DJ’s – Grant Nelson, Brian Tappert, Martin Solveig, Yass, Jamie Lewis, Steve “Silk” Hurley, Martin McHale, Roger Goode, DJ Fresh, Claude Monnet, Richard Earnshaw and … ME ïŠ all playing in front of an audience in South Africa. I’d gladly hang up my headphones after that, should it ever see the light of day.
What is it that inspires you as DJ?
I think the style of music that I play, which is very funk and soul orientated, is what keeps me going, and the fact that I’m very reluctant to change that sound. We had this whole Electro revolution that dominated the clubs and airwaves for a long time, but the funk and soul was always there and is now coming back in a big way, thanks to labels like Soulfuric, Swing City, Purple Music etc. all delivering some really top drawer house music yet again. The thing that inspires me the most, is the fact that no matter what sub genre of House surfaces, eventually, at some point in time, it all goes back to its truest and most basic form, which is essentially the reason I fell in love with the genre in the first place. I think that’s one awesome phenomenon, and that’s enough to keep me interested in DJ’ing.
Who are your favourite DJ’s locally and internationally?
Locally — Roger Goode, Martin McHale, Mimi Kesaris, Brett Jackson, Lady Lea, DJ Fresh, “The MixMan” who has been my good friend for many years, and although they’re not DJ’s, I really, really dig Goldfish’s live performances, pure class, all the time, every time.
Internationally — Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Carl Cox, Grant Nelson, Simon Dunmore, Brian Tappert, Dj Gregory, Steve Hurley.
Do you have anything in the pipeline, which we can look forward to?
Yeah, quite a bit actually. I recently remixed a track for Durban based band Rise, which comprises of band members Colin Peddie, Martin McHale and Kerry Wood. The track’s called “Summer’s Gone” and the remix will feature on their next album due this year. I’ve been asked to remix another tune from their upcoming album as well. Then there’s the Ananda Project tune that I remixed, “Let Love Fly”, which will be released on Soul Candi’s imprint. I’ve also just signed 2 new EP’s to 2 different International labels, one in the UK and the other in Belgium. The “Return To Funk EP” which is a 3 Track single will be released on Boogs Music (UK), and “The Refunked EP” which is a 4 Track single will be released on Soulheat Records (Belgium), who have featured on the Hed Kandi releases. Both are out sometime in June and will be available to purchase from Traxsource and other download stores. I’m also putting the finishing touches on my artist album which will be available on CD at all good music stores exclusively for the S.A. market. Look out for that mid 2009. I’ve just finished a remix for Olga Wozniak aka Lady Ola, who is a great Neo Soul artist based in Eastern Europe. The track’s called “Q&K” and it will be featured on her upcoming album. I currently have 2 new projects on the go as well, one featuring Kerry Wood from Rise, who’s performing the vocals for me, and the other featuring Donna Hidalgo, who is an incredible American soul vocalist, doing the other. Watch out for those, also dropping in 2009.
Article by Kim Simpson
Click here for Shane D’s Profile
Article by Kim Simpson
