With a consistent 3 year residency at renowned music festival Cream, music producer Steve Parry has been making noise for himself in the techno realm. The DJ and promoter made headway in the DJ sphere with his sessions called ‘Alderaan’ nights which took place between the late ‘90s to early 2000s, just above the influential DJ venue Lemon Lounge. Years later, Steve Parry can be seen performing alongside acts like techno luminary John Digweed and renowned house music producer Nick Warren. We are delighted to present an exclusive mix from the DJ and producer. Packed with a ‘90s attitude, the producer pays homage to his routes in Liverpool.
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
I always loved music. And I was always fascinated by DJs – both radio DJ-ing and clubland. I just followed my heart and slipped fully into this, and I’m very happy I did.
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
Always the vibe. I have a rough idea of a direction that I want to go in, and I always bring a few tracks of ideas that I want to use as references – maybe I like the style of the beats from one track, the feel of the bassline from another track, and then I start piecing ideas together. They never sound like the tracks I use as references, but it gives me a starting point and then start to develop.
Does your material feature any collaborations?
I have a few collaborations on the go currently (and forthcoming). I’ve been back in with Dave Seaman making new tracks under our Nunchi Coup guise.
What’s on your current playlist?
Lots of Selador exclusives (of course!). My taste is far and wide, and I love to play all kinds from deep vibes to peak time bangers, and so that reflects in the music that I love. I suppose currently I’m loving music from Sasha, Gorge, Pig & Dan, Joyce Muniz, Toto Chiavetta, Carl Craig, Alican, Marco Resmann, Timo Maas, Patrice Baumel, Freedo Mosho… the list goes on and on.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
I’m certainly not flamboyant behind the decks. I do dance though. I’ve got to make myself dance if I am going to try and make others dance.
What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
Getting the sound right is very important. I always use a lot of automation too when producing, to really get the most of sounds, I find this keeps the music interesting too, as something is always happening in the track.
Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
I used to go and sit on with radio DJs from aged 14/15 to watch them do their live radio shows. That had me hooked big time. But when I first went to Quadrant Park Under 18’s night and saw Dave Ralph DJ (this was around 1987!), that’s what really switched my lights on to wanting to be a club DJ!
What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
I usually have a beer, some water and my phone (for a torch or filming vids!)
What gets your creative juices flowing?
I make music for myself to play in my sets. So I am always influenced by the music that I am playing (be they old or new tracks).
Another thing that gets me in the mood is when Dave Seaman (who I run our Selador label with) has made loads of new music – I get a bit jealous and feel like I need to make new music to keep up with him haha.
Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.
I use Ableton, and push it’s very creative for me to work like this. I like to explore and fiddle,so this really helps my workflow. It also drives anybody who I am working with at the time crazy as it takes ages with me fiddling – but you just never know until you try!
Any side projects you’re working on?
I have new collaborations coming up with a few artists that I love (later this year!) but I won’t tell much about those yet until the tracks are done!
How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
Every day is a learning curve. Musically, technologically and learning the skills for djing, alongside everyday industry life. Luckily I love to learn. And I also like change. I think it’s good to evolve constantly.
I’ve learned most skills for DJing by listening, dancing to and watching DJs that I admire. I notice sometimes when I am playing, that I have picked up a few little things from certain DJs, and it makes me smile inside.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
Seladoria, our new music and visual tour is going Global, with Australia, New Zealand and USA already in the bag. This is a very exciting new audio and visual experience that we have been working hard on since the beginnings of lockdown.
Famous last words?
I’ll just have 1 beer.
Tracklist:
Morpei – Siente El Rhythm
NOCUI – Basic – Atomnation
Gorge – Never Stop
Dole & kom – Ties (Uone Remix) – Flow
Shizma & Kieran Fowkes – Howling Moon feat. Kieran Fowkes (Shimza’s AfroTech Remix)
I Promised Mom – Aux Amours Oublies (Kotelett remix) – JEAMON!
Chicks On Speed – Good Weather Girl (Joyce Muniz Remix) – PERMENANT VACATION
Malaria MW – You You (Acid Pauli’s YoYo Mix)
Kadosh – Never Too Late (Ft. Moodintrigo & Melödisch (Sam Shure Remix) – MOBLACK.mp3
Nunchi Coup – Coping Mechanism – Selador
Murat Uncuoglu – Blanca – ISOLATE
Follow Steve Parry:
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Soundcloud
Image credit: Annemieke Goldswain – Hein Photography
