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Guestlist Interviews Low Steppa on his Ibiza grind and greatest gigs
House | Wednesday 19th August 2015 | Christina
The Simma Black label boss has had quite the summer – he’s played regularly at The Redlight nights at Sankeys Ibiza as well as at festivals across Europe, he’s just dropped a joint EP with Martin Ikin on his own label, with another project, this time with Taiki Nulight, due at the end of the month. With more of that signature, bass-heavy music to come, we called Low Steppa up to chat about the Ibiza grind, old school house and his greatest gigs.
Hey, how is everything going?
Yeah really good, Ibiza I’ve been out there most weeks, that’s pretty intense but it’s good. Loads of gigs, loads of remixes, so really busy. I don’t really ever chill out ever more to be honest.
With Ibiza were you flying backwards and forwards or were you living out there?
No I literally get there about 10 at night, have dinner, go to the club, and then I’m back at the airport for 10am.
Oh god, that’s intense!
Certainly is. The only bad thing about it is the people [laughs]. On the way there it’s horrendous, I’m flying on Ryanair a lot because I think all the good flights went early, so I’m with all the idiots.
I can imagine! I went to Ibiza last year and we had a ten o'clock flight on EasyJet and it was like the party had started on the plane.
There was a fight on the flight the other day on my row and we got arrested when we landed.
Oh that’s not good.
And it’s weird as well because you have got some families on there too. It’s just dead weird. Maybe I was like that once.
You’ve been playing at Sankeys a lot so how has that been?
Yeah it’s really good, I think a lot of people are talking about it because I think eve though it’s kinda normal, [The Redlight] is a bit different to all the other nights out there, there’s a lot of techier stuff in Ibiza. This is kinda like an English party but over there. It’s really good and the crowd is always good as well. Every week’s sorta different, which is weird but it keeps it interesting, like you never know what you can play but that’s good really, you just gotta gauge it.
How have you found it in general this season? Do you think it’s different or not?
You know what I’ve had a big break from Ibiza, I haven’t been for a few years, I didn’t play once last year, so it’s gone from that to me being there, I think 13 I’ll do in total. So I can’t compare it to last year.
What was the reason for taking a break?
I think I was going quite a lot years ago, and then I spent a lot of time in America the last few years, and then I started doing the Low Steppa thing and I guess I hadn’t built the profile up in time for last year. And then obviously Sankeys has given me loads of dates this year.
So your EP has just come out, it was released on Monday, so how has it been? It seems like it’s getting a lot of love on Twitter and Facebook.
Yeah it’s been one of those that a lot of people have been asking for for ages, and I think it’s already in the release charts, which is really good. I’ll find out more later on how it’s doing but it’s up there in the charts for the releases, so hopefully it will go quite high up, which is pretty cool. I feel quite confident that it’ll do well because there’s two names on it, it’s me and Martin Ikin, so that’s always good, and I think it’s been good that people have had to wait for it for a little while. It was coming out on a different label and then that all changed, and it’s come out on my label in the end.
And how did it originally come about, the collaboration?
I met Martin in Birmingham when he was playing at the 10.31 parties, we’ve just been mates ever since, you just click with some people don’t you? We actually got in the studio ages ago and it took so long to finish the track, so we started it months ago, I dread to think how long that was. The name’s quite good, it’s called About Time, so it’s perfect really.
It’s a good name, now you’ve just said that it makes perfect sense.
I think we’re working on the follow up actually, that won’t take so long.
Is that gonna come out on your label as well?
I’m not sure what the plan is for that, hopefully if this does well. I like to put my music on my label but it’s up to Martin as well really.
And what else have you got coming up on the label? Is there stuff from other artists that you can tell us about?
So we’ve got Robosonic for the 50th release with KRS-One, which is massive for us, so that’ll step things up for the label, definitely.
How is everything going with the label? Are you enjoying that side of it?
Yeah but I’m lucky really, I’ve got a guy, Wez Saunders, he also works with Defected, and we run the label together, but basically that means he does everything [laughs]. We choose the tracks together but he does all the dirty work. To be honest I was doing it myself originally but a lot goes into it, so I was struggling to do it by myself and Wez is awesome at it, it’s what he does for a living, so it’s really good that I got connected with him.
I’ve also heard something about a collaboration or collaborations with Kenny Dope and Todd Terry, can you give us some details?
Yeah so Todd’s been supporting my stuff massively, it’s overwhelming really. He sent me some bits, so I’m currently working on that. And the Kenny Dope one, because I did the ‘Deep Inside’ remix, him and Louie Vega were playing that, and then next thing I know Kenny’s left me a voicemail on my phone, and I was like “wow”, I think I nearly passed out. So I’ve sent him some bits so the ball’s in his court now, he’s going to be working on that, it’s actually a remix of his track, The Bucketheads – ‘The Bomb!’ So both of those are in progress. But it’s pretty cool because that’s what I like, the old school people supporting the music, that’s more special to me than say like Oliver Heldens is playing my track, that’s cool but for me it’s like old school people is more special. It’s what I grew up listening to.
And you’re doing a show on Rinse FM, how did you become part of the family over there?
I did a few one-off’s for them, I think they contacted me and I did an hour here and there, I think I did one on New Year’s Day a couple of years ago, and then they just asked me if I wanted to do a monthly show. I mean a lot of work goes into it, I do really like doing it but quite a lot preparation goes into it, the tracks and then putting it all together. It’s really good because I have people from America and everywhere, hit me up saying that they listen to it.
That’s cool. Would you say it’s more work doing the show than it is to prep for a set?
I would say definitely the radio show is more work. There are shows that I put quite a lot of though into, but normally I just turn up with my tunes and just DJ. I don’t really plan my sets because I don’t really think that’s Djing as such. Some people probably know which 12 tracks they’re gonna play in what order but then I get drunk and it all goes out the window. They’re the best ones to be honest.
I agree, it should always be going off the crowd and whatever people are responding to.
You never know what’s before you either so it’s best just to have loads of tunes.
We kinda talked about it a bit before, you mentioned remixes, you’re getting quite known for them, so what would you say the secret is to producing a really good remix?
Yeah I’ve done a lot of edits of older tracks and I think without sounding arrogant you gotta make sure you’re gonna do it justice. There’s a lot of remixes of big tracks but a lot of them, there’s no point for them even existing because they’re not really doing anything different. I think I’ve just beefed up a few tracks that I would have played anyway, and just made them so they fit more with what’s going on now. And I think that has really helped, it’s definitely a good thing to do to get your name out there. I mean I’m trying to do sort of less of that now and focus on original music but it’s definitely a good way to get your name out there in the first place.
Would you ever start producing music or playing again under the different names you’ve worked with in the past or are you just focusing solely on Low Steppa at the moment?
Yeah this is all I’m doing. In the past I’ve been doing several things at once, and this is the first time I’ve ever really just done one thing and it totally pays off. I’m hoping that this is it, this is my thing now, and won’t ever have to build anything up again. This is what I’m happiest doing. In the past I’ve done stuff my heart hasn’t really been in. This works because it’s what I’m into.
Absolutely. So where’s your favourite place to play in the whole world?
I do like Los Angeles, that’s always good. I think obviously Ibiza’s got to be up there as well, apart from travelling there.
Is there a particular spot in either LA or Ibiza, like one particular club that really stands out?
Last time I was in LA I did Sound Nightclub, that was really good, that was for the Night Bass party. That was dead good, hopefully I’ll get to do that again. Ministry of Sound is always good in London. I love the Egg actually, I’m doing that on Friday. I think I prefer the smaller places to be honest.
In America how do you find the crowds because house music has really become a massive thing again over there? Do you find it different to the crowds you see in Ibiza or the UK?
I think they can be more up for it and energetic but then on the flip to that, I love playing in England where I feel people are more clued up but they might not be as crazy, so it’s a bit of both. In America it’s more like kids going nuts but either one is really good, as long as they’re enjoying themselves.
And where’s your favourite place to party, not necessarily to play?
Oh that’s a good one. I’d say Birmingham. It’s sort of home and I know people and it’s always good to see everyone.
That’s a good answer.
To be honest I missed Birmingham off, I think a good gig in Birmingham is amazing. I forgot to say my hometown!
Yeah a gig in your hometown is always going to be pretty special I think.
Yeah definitely. And I feel this kind of music, a lot of it stems from Birmingham, we’ve been doing this bass-y house for years because garage has always been quite big in Birmingham, it never went away.
What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the year?
Ooh, I think the closing parties in Ibiza, Redlight, that’ll be good. And then I’m hoping to start throwing some parties for the label as well. I don’t know if that will be this year but that’s something I’m looking at.
So that’s your main goal, the next step for the label?
Yeah and then maybe a mini Low Steppa tour in England, just a few cities like Manchester, London, Birmingham. Manchester’s really good as well.
I love Manchester, I went to uni there so it’s a special place for me.
Oh awesome. I’ve done Sankeys a couple of times lately, that’s really good.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Downing loads of shots [laughs] I don’t really no. I do a funny thing when I take off on a plane because I’m scared of flying, so I have to touch the armrest several times, it’s a bit weird. No I haven’t got any pre-show rituals other than getting drunk. I actually did Boardmasters the other week and I was sober, that was strange.
How is that Djing sober versus after a few drinks?
I don’t like it but Boardmasters was amazing, that was probably the best gig of the year. The crowd was incredible and the stage was half full when I went on and by the time I finished there were people outside the actual area that couldn’t even get in, so it was pretty mad.
I guess it depends on the set or the place you’re playing and the time.
Well EZ was on at the same time and I was a bit like “that’s not good” but it obviously didn’t affect it at all because EZ’s having a bit of a moment isn’t he?
Yeah I wouldn’t wanna play the same time as EZ if I was a DJ! So what’s your go-to track then to really get a crowd going?
I’ve gone blank! I’ve done an edit of Azzido Da Bass – ‘Dooms Night’ and that’s going off. Bit arrogant to pick one of my own but I am playing a lot of my own music now, which is good, I’ve never done that before in other projects. That’s why I’m loving this thing that I’m doing because I am playing a lot of my own tracks.
Why did you not do that before with other stuff?
I think because I thought the music was shit, even though I made it [laughs]. What I like about this, this is all based on the music that got me into DJing the first place, around 1999 I started, so I think I’ve gone full circle and this is very true to what got me into it in the beginning.
So it’s music that you love?
Yeah, which I think helps!
What’s the first record you bought, if you can remember?
It was actually a Tuff Jam record, and I think bought a few records before I even had any decks. I think one of them was a Wiseguys record, I don’t know if you remember them? It was Fake Blood back in the day. You’d know one of their tracks if I sang it to you but I won’t do that.
What’s been your proudest moment of your career?
There’s been lots and it’s kind of an addiction, like radio plays and things like that. There’s probably a great one but I can’t think of it.
Yeah I’ve put you on the spot a bit with that one.
I think playing at EDC in Vegas, that was pretty special for me because I’d always wanted to do that one, and then getting asked to do it and doing it as Low Steppa, I’d say that would be up there definitely. I always wanted to be on Top of the Pops but it’s finished now.
If you could fill a swimming pool with anything, what would it be and why?
Muller Yogurt.
Which one?
I’m quite into the Eton Mess one at the moment. Have you tried that one?
No I haven’t tried that one. I like the cherry one.
Go out and get that one, it’s good. I don’t know if anyone would come swimming with me though.
If you had to start a new life in a different country, where would you go?
I’d probably give Australia a go.
Why Australia?
That’s a good question because I hate spiders. I like the people there, the weather’s good, I think people are more relaxed. People are so uptight in England.
It’s because we can’t get to the beach, that’s probably what it is.
Yeah. Canada’s good actually, they’re good people.
What’s been the most important lesson you’ve learned over the years?
I think because I’ve sort of had ups and downs and now I’m doing well again, I’ve realised you’ve got to always remember where you come from. There’s people that get such an ego but you’ve got to always think back to when you were DJing and you got given £20 and you thought it was amazing to get paid to do it. It’s always important to remember how good it is to be doing what we’re doing.
Yeah, very nice. I’ve got one last question, what would you do to make the world a better place?
Well it’d be nice to just erase terrorism wouldn’t it? I think they all need to listen to more music to be honest. But yeah it’s a scary world. Is that a bit of a serious answer?
No it’s fine, I mean it was quite a serious question!
Sweet.
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