Movement interview: Heidi

Movement interview: Heidi

22 May, 2009 | 3.03AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: get physical, heidi, movement

Heidi stands tall in a scene full of male bravado and techno snobbery, her curly hair and constant smile as much a breath of fresh air as her sexy, soulful deep house and tech house music.

Her talents have been recognized by many in the scene, including Get Physical who she regularly tours with, BBC Radio 1 who she hosts a monthly show for, and Paxahau who have Heidi playing at their high profile Movement festival tomorrow.

In this interview, Heidi talks about her radio show, her life in Berlin, her former position at London’s Phonica record shop and how her performance at this month’s Movement is something of a full circle for the Windsor girl.

You’re one of the hosts of BBC Radio 1’s In New DJs We Trust program, which happens every 4th Friday of the month. What’s the concept behind it?

The concept is to showcase new exciting music and producers and I get the chance to basically play whatever I want. I always drop a couple of oldies in there too for good measure. I also have a guest every month come on and talk about what’s rocking their world at the moment and have them talk about what they are up to and what inspires them to do what they are doing. It’s such a great opportunity to bring underground electronic music to a wider audience.

What are the challenges to doing this monthly radio show?

Keeping it fresh and not giving away too much. I always like to save a couple of secret weapons for when I play in the clubs. It’s actually quite hard to pick two hours of music every month as I’m really picky. There is sooooo much out there and I do spend hours and hours downloading tracks and listening to promos. I’m trying to find the next big thing.

As of late, which artists do you think are on their way to becoming the ‘next big thing’?

Seth Troxler for sure. That guy is a smooth operator. He makes super hot tracks and I love his style of DJing. I’m really into these guys from Brazil called Click Box too. I was just sent a bunch of their new music and they are all insanely good.

I’m also really into Lauhaus because his music is great and his remixes are proper jams and Justin Martin is a little jem. He’s not churnin out the tracks but when he makes one or does a remix they are killer. He is also such a hot DJ...really fun and jackin’. Right up my street.

Like Seth Troxler and others, you’ve defected to Berlin – how is the techno climate treating you?

It’s great. It’s such a lovely city and much more chilled than London. You’re not dodging a million people in the street and I can walk everywhere. They have a proper summer as well and this city comes alive when the sun is out. It’s also really social. I bump into friends all the time in the street. It has a real warmness to it.

I do still play vinyl but I’m playing a lot of CDs now. I was robbed before Christmas and some asshole stole two full bags of all the records I’ve been collecting and playing over the last five years.

You were once very involved with Phonica Record store in London as an owner/manager. Since your move, are you still involved, and in what capacity?

I’m not involved anymore but I still shop there and hangout when I’m in london. Those guys are my family. I also DJ at Phonica nights which are always a good time.

What do you miss most about Phonica?

I miss working with my boys and I also miss not hearing all the records. I miss out on stuff now. I had my finger on the pulse when I worked there now I’m back on the search again.

Are you still playing mostly vinyl?

I do still play vinyl but I’m playing a lot of CDs now. I was robbed before Christmas and some asshole stole two full bags of all the records I’ve been collecting and playing over the last five years. So I’ve had to buy some of them in mp3 format.

Most of them I will never find again. I’ve been playing in America a lot recently and they just don’t cater to people who play records. So I’ve started on the CD thang.

Who played the stand-out set for you this past year at WMC?

DJ Harvey was fantastic at the Innervisions party. Super sexy disco mania, and Gaiser live at the Minus party was great.

You’re originally from Windsor, a tunnel away from Detroit and grew up near where the DEMF/Movement festival is held. What’s your impression of it now and the impact it had on the city of Detroit?

I adore this festival. I went to the first one right before I moved to England and I’ve been to about four more since then and it’s always a good time. The music and the artists that play there are such a part of what Detroit is all about. Really positive energy.

I’m really happy that they kept it up. Detroit should not be forgotten like a lot of cities in America are. I think the people need it. Times are tough at the moment and nothing brightens up people’s spirits than a good old fashion techno hoedown.

Who are you most excited to see play at Movement this year?

I’m really excited to see the Innervisions guys do there live showcase and looking forward to Benga as well. I really love all the dubstep stuff coming out at the moment. I’m a little dissappointed Rich Hawtin isn’t closing the festival this year. He’s done it every year since it started and he always rocks the shit out of that place. But I’m sure whoever is closing it this year will do the same.

We heard you’ve been working with your mate Jesse Rose in the studio again. Can you reveal more about what you guys are working on?

I’m trying to finish this track we started before Christmas but were both so busy and travelling a lot that it’s hard getting time in to finish it. It is however almost done.

We just have a few more things to tweak and then it’s all yours to play with.

What are your plans to conquer the world in 2009?

My plans are to basically not sleep, tour the world and try and get as many people to listen to my radio show as possible. Oh yeah, and try to invent a product for curly hair that doesn’t involve me having to blow dry this shit every damn day!

Heidi play the Beatport Stage on Saturday, May 23rd

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