NEWS
EVENTS
Shadow Demon Coalition Sly & Shaydee sit down for a quick word with Guestlist
Drum and Bass | Tuesday 17th March 2015 | CHEF
After many years of hard work earning their stripes on the UK jungle and DnB scenes, we got to hear from the infamous East London crew that is Shadow Demon Coalition. We sat down with two lads who have proved their worth, DJ Sly and Shaydee.
DJ Sly and Shaydee, how’s it going?
SLY: Coolguys
SHAYDEE: It’s all good in the hood right now!
For those that might not have heard of you, can you give a short introduction to our readers?
SLY: I am DJ Sly the Shadow Demon DJ, also half owner of Higher Stakes Recordings and part of the Low Down Deep Recordings team.
SHAYDEE: East London MC/artist/songwriter and your all round general friendly neighbourhood superhero!
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Shadow Demon. Knowing you’re originally a fan and family member of the SDC, what are your three favourite SDC events of all time and why?
SLY: For me the 10 years SDC open air event in Birmingham is defo one that stands out - the hard work that went in to it, and to pull it off was amazing. The event we did with Low Down Deep at Indigo 02 in London was massive event for us and selling out Indigo was big for us, 2000+ people came out to support us that night. Big ups! Finally I would say mine and Shaydee’s first bash at Bristol O2, to fill up the O2 for the first time was a buzz.
SHAYDEE: Demon Coalition 10 Years open air event in Brum was LOCO, and BassMan birthday bashes, take ya pick! Probably my most fave event was myself n Sly's maiden birthday event at Bristol O2. That’s our slice of history.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who gave it to you?
SLY: Too many big names have given me advice, but one that stands out the most was Bret from Telepathy. He told me to be myself, work hard, to come with my own style, don’t watch people and to stand tall.
SHAYDEE: My pops always told me, “Son never blow bubbles in the fish tank." Do the math!
What are your thoughts on live drum and bass acts?
SLY: I like lots of live acts if they have done it right. I don’t get these live acts where all the MCs are just chatting over other people music and not their own.
SHAYDEE: I am all for live DnB acts and it’s 100% something I am planning to get into if the ingredients are right!
What does 2015 hold for Sly / Shaydee?
SLY: I’m working on lots of projects not just DnB. This year will see a DJ Sly EP on Low Down Deep, also a Higher Stakes Rock2art album, a Pretty P single and EP, 3 singles from Trigga, a Ragga Twins EP, lots of music with Shaydee aka Capo, a bag of remixes, DJing all over the world, and our SDC tour all over 2015. Defo busy year for us.
SHAYDEE: Our work rate as a combination is second to none, and with the team and our label, all this is channelled into everything we do, so probs not enough space to tell ya but the proof is in the pud!
How would you describe the music you make?
SLY: Good vibes to make you feel good and on the other hand makes you want to do a bass face!
SHAYDEE: We make a lot of music across the board now so it all depends on the specific genre and concept, but as an overall for myself it’s real #CouncilEstateOfMind for the hood and from the struggles!
Do you have any production advice for those budding producers out there?
SLY: Be yourself. Don’t copy anyone’s style, just take note on what’s going on. And one big point, LEARN YOUR TOOLS.
SHAYDEE: I don’t touch the buttons much but any music I make, I’m there throughout the whole process and have max input, cause I am meticulous about my music top to bottom, start to finish!
Who or what are your biggest inspirations? SLY: My mum is defo massive inspiration, and all those I work with, and my close mates.
SHAYDEE: That’s too big a question with too little space for me personally to give you the multiple answers it would require to really do it justice!
What have been the key moments in your career so far?
SLY: Getting that first gig for Telepathy, being part of Kool FM, meeting Shaydee, Trigga and Bassman - being part of Shadow Demon means a lot. Starting a label with Pacso, being connected with Low Down Deep, and playing at events all over the world.
SHAYDEE: Working with people like Bassman, Ragga Twins, A Guy Called Gerald, Curtis Mantronix always reminds me how far we have come. WestFest main stage as the first underground DnB crew, #Mythical.
What do you get up to in your spare time away from drum & bass DJing/MCing/production?
SLY: I make all types of music so I’m always in the studio. If I do have any spare time I’m chilling, having a day off doing fuck all!
SHAYDEE: What spare time, you kidding right?! My musical brain never takes a day off and I don’t know that Ferris Bueller dude neither. Any time I get goes to raising my daughter!
We usually try to get a funny story from our interviews, has anything happened recently that has amused you?
SLY: Too many to just pick one, but one story from many years ago. Before I got my driving licence I was driving this little Metro. Shaydee, Chef and myself were doing a pirate station somewhere and the motor broke down, the lads jumped out to give me a jump start, the car took off, and I didn’t see this massive kerb, and the car flew through the air like it was Knight Rider on a turbo boost. When I pulled up, them two were on the floor crying with laughter at me and from that night/morning I was the stunt car driver. Funny times!
SHAYDEE: Earlier I literally heard about a new DnB dude called MC Mr Shadey, and I found that HIGHLY AMUSING, I can’t lie! So because I’m the original and I’m big like that, I thought I’d give him a shout out and ask him is it really worth it?!
Thanks for your time guys, hope to see you on the road at some point over the next few months.
★15 YEARS OF SHADOW DEMON COALITION ★
Powered by RC1 Sound, Easter Saturday 4th April 2015
BOWLERS Warehouse, Manchester
Tickets here
