I’ve read you were actually a b-boy and a visual artist. How did you turn into DJing?
I started b-boying when I was in high school and then became interested in DJing. When I first saw scratching I knew it was something I had to learn. When I went to university for visual arts, I was combining my dancing with video and printmaking. I worked for one year with a dance company fusing b-boying with ballet, then returned to finish my art degree. It wasn’t until I finished school that I became really serious about music as we started the Peer Pressure parties here in Montreal just over three years ago.
How much did they pay you for your first gig?
My first gig was at my sister’s bar mitzvah. I couldn’t tell you a single song I played but if you can find out what 12-year-old girls were into in 1998 you’ll have a pretty good idea of the vibe of the party. I’m pretty sure I didn’t get paid anything since my parents were the ‘promoters’.
Do you have your own favourite mix?
I don’t know if I have one track that I think is my favourite – to me I keep learning more and more about music production so I think my work keeps getting better and better. I’m constantly trying to keep a diverse sound and do new things, so I don’t know if I really have a favourite song, but people here seem to love [Intoxicated’s] Burn it Down the most.
But I like the Chromeo mix – and the way you play with the cover art. Truly some fancy footwork.
The Chromeo track was a fun one to do because I got to record one of my good friends, Teki Latex from TTC in Paris. He dropped a great bilingual verse for me and it made making the remix really fun. The cover art is actually done by Liam Thurston so I can’t take credit for his genius, but I did give him some conceptual guidance (laughs).
Do you like Chromeo yourself?
I love Chromeo. They’re great dudes and make great music. I know them but they’re rarely in town so we don’t hang out very often.
Name us a few tunes for this fall?
My fall 2008 top-five: Jokers of the Scene’s Baggy Bottom Boys (JOTS Remix – Hatchmatik Edit), Cicada’s Falling Rockets (Moulinex Mix) (Critical Mass), Bart Bmore’s Bingo Players (Diplo Remix), TI Ft, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne’s Swagger Like Us and DJ DLG’s Paramount (Rogerseventytwo Remix).
Not sure if you notice this… it seems you tend to write in capital letters. That’s the case on your web site, MySpace and bio. It hurts people’s eyes…
HAHAHA I LOVE CAPS!
Hatchmatik will be spinning along with DJ Enso and DJ Miss Yellow for this month’s Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy at CLIQ on September 26. Doors open at 10:30pm and entry is $200 with one drink.
Beat‘nTracks
spinning round the clubs
September 18
Afro Caribbean Fever Party@Makumba. 48 Peel Street, Central, 2522 0544.
September 19
Disco Step Child@Volar. Free entry for all on the guest list before midnight, for non-members it’s $200 after 12am. B/F, D’Aguilar St, Lan Kwai Fong, 2805 0028.
Pure Carnival with Tee spinning funky and electro house@Beijing Club: starting at midnight, entry is $300 at the door. 5/F, Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington St, 2526 8298.
September 20
Heavy Presents Bloody Heavy d’n’b@Sammi’s Kitchen. Special guests are Teem from Magnetic Soul, MC Didjelirium and The Arkham. Doors open at 10pm and entry is $100 with one drink. G/F, 137-139 Connaught Road, Sheung Wan, 9867 1678.
September 25
Ministry of Sound presents We Are Not Cool!@Beijing Club. DJ May and Anil Ahuja support. Be ready to go at midnight – entry is $220 at door
September 26
The last Kongkretebass presents BBQ Sessions@Veto Club & Bar. The crew spins from 7pm till late. Entry is free but the barbecue costs $80. (3/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central, 2201 4585)
September 27
DJ Niina@Dragon i. The door charge for the night is $300 and the gig starts after midnight. UG/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, 3110 1222. |
