Skape D’Jear interview

Skape D’Jear interview

9 August, 2007 | 10.31AM

• Section: Music News
• Written by: GavSeamless

Earlier in the summer Brighton-based DJ and producer Skape D’Jear released his debut EP on Bargrooves Records. The lush and lounging ‘Spanish Love EP’ [check it out in the player below] showcased his up-tempo smooth house production talents to the world, earning him praise from heavyweights like Richard Earnshaw, while the likes of DJ Hot Hands gave the track a large amount of playlist appearances on his widely syndicated radio show.

We took a few moments to get to know the man with the plan, Andy Perrett.

Where does the name Skape D’Jear come from?

“I’ve had the nickname Skape going back over 20 years now, that stemmed from when I dabbled as a graffiti artist and needed a name, and have used that as well as ‘Andy Perrett’ as a DJ name for the past 15 years.

“And as those DJs who have had to endure long sets will know, after a long set you can get an aching eardrum - I call it DJ ear.

“Put the 2 together and there you have it.”

What inspired the Skape D’Jear sound?

“My inspirations range from lots of different genres really.

“I grew up in the acid house days when everything was analogue sounding and when house gave you wicked high frequency sounds that kept you hanging on for more.

“Then in the mid 1990s, I loved the heavy basslines that you could feel vibrating through you on the dancefloor.

“So I suppose I love to try and make music that reflects all my musical experiences and memories.”

The ‘Spanish Love’ EP on Bargrooves is your first release. Are you apprehensive about it, or excited?

“I am very excited and think that ‘Spanish Love’ has a real sun worshiper’s stamp on it, with a happy feel good vibe and there are some nice bass undertones in ‘You’ve Got The Move’.

You spent a long time on the DJ circuit before you started producing. What are your most memorable DJ moments?

“There have been too many to name, but I loved playing a seven hour set to a huge crowd on Dahab beach, Egypt and I also loved playing at all the house parties over the years.”

What is the most rewarding for you? Producing or DJing?

“They’re both rewarding in different ways I guess.

“I love DJing for the crowd interaction side of things, but I also find it rewarding to produce music that is my own creation and a contribution to the music scene.”

Do you feel you need to produce to really make your mark these days? Is being just a DJ enough any more?

“I have been a DJ for a long time now and always get satisfaction and a good reaction when I play, but I want to put more of my time into the production side of things for now.”

What do you think of the UK scene at the moment?

“I am loving the whole 1980s element that is back in dance music these days - it’s really working.

“But people need to stay musical. I think there are a lot of people that know how to press buttons but aren’t necessarily musical.”

What is your all time favourite track?

“There are too many to name, but a few are the Darren Emerson mix of Gat Decor ‘Passion’, ‘Acperience’ by Hardfloor, ‘Rise’ by Ascendance, Joey Youngman ‘I like It’ but my all time favourite has to be Morecombe and Wise ‘Bring Me Sunshine’.

What other tracks are currently doing the business for you?

“The Sound Diggers ‘Don’t Change EP’, Alibi vs Rockefeller ‘Sexual Healing’ (Freemasons vocal mix) and Mauro Picotto ‘Maybe Maybe Not’ (original mix).

What can we expect from Skape D’Jear in the future?
“I am currently working on some exciting material that I look forward to releasing in the near future.”

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