Miss Kelly Marie Interview

When did you first start DJ’ing and how did it all begin?

"I have always had a passion for music and was lucky to have had music all around me. Growing up with my Dad playing bass in a rock band, his love for music and my Mum's love of 70s and 80s soul and disco were definitely a big influence on me...  my Mum also used to work as one of the door security at some of London club circuit from 86-95 so I got to hear the music in clubs from an early age but the actual whole DJ thing really kind of happened naturally.

I really got addicted to house music around 94 when one of my close friends had always been collecting vinyl then he played me some US imports from artists like Masters At Work that got my viynal addiction started.

A friend of mine managed to convince my Dad it would make an amazing birthday present to get some decks (I think it was so I could stop going over and using his). Grateful to him anyway on my 18th birthday I got hooked up with a set of 1210s and an imitation mixer...

Everyone thought it was another one of my fazes as I hadn’t stuck to piano and all the other things I had tried to do.. I had no idea at that point it would turn into a full-on career jetting across the globe and working with amazing people along the way…"

 

Best gig of all time, either as DJ / punter, and why?

"Mmm that’s hard as all  the gigs I have done stand out for different reasons.. If I had to pick it would have to be a few…

Japan is amazing I loved playing at Air Tokoyo for Hed Kandi, the club has a real underground feel, we were totally looked after and the crowd were very cool..

Brazil is amazing, I have played a few times and all events have been amazing I think at Sunrise Party this year could be one of the biggest events I have done it was an amazing experience to play till sunrise..

New Year's Eve at MOS Egypt this year had I think over 3000 people and a totally up for it crowd. That night is going to stand out to me as we got to perform brand new tracks live with Martay we really enjoyed the response we got and had such a great time.."

 

Which are you best three clubbing cities worldwide?

"For me its London, Ibiza and Brazil."

 

Give us your first impressions of the Ministry of Sound Red Sea venue?

"I was so pleasantly surprised.. to be honest when I was asked to do Egypt I was really interested in going, but had no idea what to expect..

I was really impressed with hugarda, the weather is always hot!!, you have beautiful sea and not forgetting you get to swim dolphins and hang out with camels..

I then didn’t expect to play in a beautiful beach bar with a huge capacity all open air and to meet a warm and lovely family that run the business.."

 

With Ministry of Sound Red Sea and Hed Kandi Beach Bar both running successfully in Hurghada, Egypt – do you think we could be talking about a serious clubbing destination, either at present or in the near future?  If so what else is required?

"I really think a serious clubbing destination can be created. Its a great place for us Brits in the winter, it is still affordable but they need to sort out the flight situation there - it's enough to put anyone off going.. but I hear Easyjet is going to be flying directly, which should hopefully make it as easy as nipping to Ibiza for the weekend…"

 

What was the team at Hed Kandi Egypt like?

"Really love them all! I am always looked after and have a great time when I have been."

 

How was the actual club-night you played at?

"You have to check out the footage that was put together. There was a great atmosphere and such a mixed crowd which was good to see in Egypt for New Year... I also couldn’t ask for more to see about 3000 people still partying at the Ministry Beach Club before I came on… Thank you groovas.."

 

What tunes got the biggest reactions on the night?

"We did a lot of our own tracks last time I was at MOS but things that stand out reaction wise was…

Bring Out The Freak feat Martay (MKM and Kosmetiq)
Cloud 9 Over & Over feat Martay (Soul8 Productions)
Freak - Sandy Rivera (Defected)
Stand up feat Katherine Ellis- Clarke & Wilder - Hed Kandi
Justice - We Are Your Friends- Kosemetiq Remix
Stand up - Extended Mix
Believe - Jocelyn Brown
Feel It On The Four feat Martay (Wez Clarke & Miss Kelly Marie)"

 

How did the crowd differ from your normal clientele?  Their response, musical preferences etc?

"Again every time I have played there has been a real mix of people (ie; locals, Europeans, Russians etc) musically they seem to go for it all but I would say there is has been more of an electronic influence which makes the Kandi Bar a refreshing chance to bring more soulful music to Egypt. Not everyone wants to listen to just electronic sounds all night.. Do they?"

 

What other events and projects are in the pipeline for you in the near future?

"I'm very much knuckling down this year, I plan to finish off music for 'High On Heels', a collaboration of talented female artists working together and work more on a live music element.

I will continue to spread the Hedkandi and Stereo Suhi love.. DJ John Jones and myself have a stereo sushi radio show on MOS. So for all you underground people in the house please come show some love on www.MinistryofSound.com/Radio Sundays 8-10 am

And I would like to send a big thanks to anyone that came to the Hekandi Bar or any of the nights - thank you for grooving and come see us again… Much love, Kelly Marie"

www.MySpace.com/DJKellyMarie / www.MissKellyMarie.com