Earlier this year, our sister publication, Wunderground, set about on a tour of some of Europe’s hottest festivals in an ambulance.
Yes, you read that right, an ambulance. Now, before you start speculating about whether they’ve swapped goading tech house DJs about their floral shirts or claiming all sound technicians are reincarnations of Saddam Hussein, for a career in paramedics, it’s not what you think. They haven’t thrown in the towel or retrained as emergency response professionals. They’ve actually done something much crazier than that and converted an ambulance into a fully mobile, Void-powered festival stage.
Having driven the ambulance across five different countries so far, the Wunderground Rescue stage has been bringing some of the brightest emerging talents in the dance music scene to some of the best festivals on the continent and letting them play to the crowd through the greatest sound system known to man. So, we’ve decided to chip in by picking the cream of the crop and featuring them as our new Emerging Artists series.
First up we’ve got MKEY, a London-based Scotsman who has been making some real waves recently with appearances in some of the Europe’s biggest clubs, including Studio 338 and Hï Ibiza. He spoke exclusively to Ibiza Club News.
You’ve been selected as an ICN emerging artist, tell us about your journey to where you are today?
My journey has been a bit of a whirlwind! From taking the step into the club scene not too long ago to playing alongside some of the biggest artists in dance music has just been an unbelievable experience. That along with being able to play and release my own music has rounded off a really fantastic 12 months.
“I’ve always found people relate to you if you’re genuinely focused on your aspirations but are there to help others out at the same time.”
What words of wisdom would you give to other artists who want to do the same?
Just be completely true to yourself. Don’t worry about what other people are doing around the scene and focus on what’s important for whatever goals you are trying to achieve. Also, make sure that you don’t cut any corners because you’ll soon get caught out in the long run. I’ve always found people relate to you if you’re genuinely focused on your aspirations but are there to help others out at the same time.
Talk to us about the set you put together, how did you prepare, what do you like about it and what can our listeners expect?
Normally, I plan a few genres in different playlists because you never know what kind of route the DJ before you is going to go down. Luckily for me, when I stepped on the energy was quite high so I settled in to the exact sound I wanted to play. It did range throughout a deep tech feeling, coming down to some nice feel good house music and I managed to get some of the good tech house rollers in for good measure. It was the closing set after all!
This set was recorded in the Wunderground Rescue ambulance, tell us how that was?
Ahh it was wicked! Being the closing set, I was actually just starting to play when one of the main stages closed and everyone was heading for the exit. That was the prime opportunity to keep them locked in. I really enjoyed the whole set and I think because the crowd wasn’t used to seeing a DJ throw some big sounds out a Void system in an ambulance it helped keep the vibe up.
In your opinion as a DJ, how important is it to have a good sound system when creating a vibe at a party?
I think it’s extremely important. It’s important for the dance floor to be able to feel the music the way the artist had made the track to be felt. A lot of the deep tech music that I play, and incorporate in my transitions, you really do notice the difference in the crowd when the sound system is on point. We’ve all been there when the low end is a bit flat and it kind of loses its momentum. Equally in the DJ booth, a good monitor is essential so that you can relate as best as possible to what’s happening out on the dance floor, especially in a larger club.
Out of all the club sound systems you’ve played on, what’s been your favourite?
Without a shadow of a doubt, it has to be the Void system at Studio 338 in London. I believe the system was custom made for the venue and it was just an absolute delight to get my hands on the controls there.
What is the one piece of kit you always make sure to have at your gigs?
I’m not a massive one for large external kit being taken with me, as I’m usually bouncing about before and after gigs, but I’ve always got my ear protection from Cluistrom and my Evermix box to record my set when possible.
What are the top 3 tracks you are playing at the minute?
Top 5 tracks in order at the moment are:
Where can our readers see you play in the coming weeks/months?
August 24th I’m looking forward to making my debut at The Steelyard in London playing for Summer-ized sessions. I’ll then be joining Deeper Purpose (Repopulate Mars) and REME (Hottrax/Solid Grooves) at 5 miles in London. September I have a few appearances across Shoreditch before I head over and join the Bodyworks lineup at Hi Ibiza and then I have a headline set of my own in the beginning of October back in the city!