The Nukleuz DJ Agency Showcase: Interview with Lisa Porter
Reported by HarderFaster
/
Submitted 06-05-04 11:06
As Nukleuz's Head DJ Agent, Lisa Porter's life is an extremely busy one and with the Agency recently adding a whole heap of fresh new talent to their books, including Andy Whitby. Cally & Juice, Caroline Banx, Guffy, Lisa Pinup and Rob Tissera all taking their place alongside existing stars BK and Phil Reynolds, it's an exciting time for Nukleuz and the agency as a whole. We caught a few words with Lisa in advance of the Nukleuz DJ Showcase this Saturday night at Hardware vs Liberation...
Lisa with Anne Savage
Firstly Lisa you must be extremely busy so thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You’ve been around the UK Hard Dance scene for some time now. Can you tell us how you specifically got into DJ management?
I started clubbing years ago going to Escape from Samsara, Freedom and Strawberry Sundae. I heard people talking about a new club called Frantic so decided to give it a go and went to my first one at Bagley’s in ’98. I would go clubbing every weekend to different places but never missed a Frantic after my first experience there. I would spend all my spare time rounding up friends to go and would meet up with Will to collect the tickets, usually over a hundred each time. Around this time I had given up my full time job and gone temping so I could go out every weekend and not have to stress about going to work on a Monday. It was about March 2000 when Will approached me and asked if I was interested in working for the Nukleuz Agency which he and Peter who owns Nukleuz Records had just started. Of course I jumped at the chance.
You’ve recently signed some of the hottest stars in the scene such as Caroline Banx & Andy Whitby to the agency. For an agency that prides itself on quality not quantity what immediately caught your eye about these artists?
It’s an exciting time for the agency. Bringing on fresh talent is a necessity, not only for the agency but for the scene as well. What we liked about Caroline was her attitude to wanting to play filthy hard house. The combination of this and her sense of style was something unique and set her apart from most female DJs. Andy Whitby is an addition who is completely different to the other DJs on the agency and the combination of his charisma, energetic music style and technical ability is something not to be missed.
Nukleuz represents some of the biggest names in Hard Dance including BK, Lisa Pin-Up & Rob Tissera as well as some of the brightest lights including Guffy, Caroline Banx, Andy Whitby & Cally & Juice. How do you go about managing them and making sure all the logistics are in place for so many top names?
Keeping their diaries organised is very important. With so many gigs coming in I need to ensure everything is in their diary so that I don’t double book or organise two sets in one night with set times that are practically impossible to make. It’s also important to keep bookings for the same DJ in same area with a bit of distance between them so that each promoter gets the maximum benefit of playing them.
Regular meetings and conversations with the DJs are important as each one likes to work differently and I need to keep them in the loop on what bookings are coming up so they can prepare for each set and for them to also let me know their wish list, which is a list of clubs/countries they would like to play at. It’s good to have targets to aim for as this keeps everyone motivated and hungry to be even more successful.
Lisa with Guffy
Managing artists is sometimes compared with being a parent. Would you say this was true?
It’s more like being a foster parent. They join the agency, I look after them and some move on.
I always ensure I am available to them pretty much 24/7 if they want to discuss anything with me from a professional or personal side of things. Whatever they need really I’m here to help make their lives as easy as possible so they can get on with being the stars.
This Saturday sees the first ever Nukleuz DJ Agency Showcase in London at Liberation vs. Hardware at the Scala. How does it feel for you to have a dedicated event to showcase your artists’ talents?
It’s a great opportunity for the agency and the DJs to show what they are all about. I’m really happy with the DJs we have on the agency and they all have their own special qualities which makes them stand out from the rest.
For all you promoters who are possibly interested in booking any of our talent this is a good opportunity to see most of them on the one night. Email me on lisa@nukleuz.co.uk and I’ll arrange guestlist for you.
For any up & coming wannabe agents what attributes do you feel a successful DJ Agent should posses?
You should build good working relationships with the promoters and be approachable at all times. Listen to both the DJs and the promoters needs and work it so that both parties are happy when it comes to the fee, the set time and music style.
Again organisation is a key factor to the smooth running of the agency and being a successful agent but most importantly your roster needs to be good quality DJs that are ambitious and are hungry to succeed. A proactive DJ and a successful agency is a good combination for moving forward with their careers.
You’ve developed a strong reputation in the Hard Dance community as a no nonsense, highly professional agent. In an industry primarily dominated by males has this something you have had to learn or does it come naturally to you?
I used to be such a nice girl….
When I started on the agency 4 years ago it was hard work, not because I was a girl but because the agency was new, the DJs only just starting out and most of the clubs around at that time didn’t know who we were. Over the years we made more of a name for ourselves and promoters knew that once a DJ was booked and contracted everything was in place for them to then promote their event and they didn’t have to worry about a DJ doing a no show as everything was in place our end.
Lisa with Robyn from Tidy Trax
You’ve travelled across the World with your artists. What place you’ve been to as an agent has blown you away?
I’ve been to Tokyo, Istanbul, Finland, Ireland, States, Canada and Australia and each tour was wicked. It’s great to see what the clubbing is like all over the world and what each territory likes music wise.
Events that have blown me away are the Dance Valley events in Holland. I don’t think there is anywhere else on the planet that throws events quite like them. I’m heading over there for Impulz on 26th June to see Cally & Juice play and then again on 7th August to see BK play at Dance Valley.
The Nukleuz Agency is one of the most successful solely Hard Dance agencies in the world. What in your opinion has been the key to its success?
It’s all about working with a group of people for us it’s the record label and Frantic events. The label will look at the DJs production and guide them where they can and one example was when they offered Caroline Banx an album deal which has helped her considerably. Frantic help by putting them on their lineups with good billing order.
For the agency it’s lots of hard work, determination to succeed, being professional and no sleep.
You must have some amusing stories about the artists on their travels – anything you’d like to share with us?
Phil Reynolds went to an after party in Auckland and some girls went up to him and asked if he would like them to kiss each other. He was like “yeah ok” and then 5 girls all started snogging each other. Very rock and roll.
BK was playing at a club and a girl went up to him and asked if he would shag her friend. When he said no, she got quite rude with him and yelled “She come over 20 miles to shag you”.
With thanks to Rowan from Gurn.net for the use of their photos
For one glorious night Liberation and Hardware go head to head at the unbeatable Scala in London’s Kings Cross.
Hardware has quickly established itself as the most talked about afterhours sensation of 2004 with its focus on the rising stars of the Capital’s full on party scene.
Liberation breaks the mould by showcasing all those anthems and classics that you’ll never forget and always love!
Joining them will be lifeblood of our underground Hard Dance scene. Over the past 3 years, websites from Harderfaster to Clubtheworld and Clubbinginlondon have helped build a community of clubbers into the harder, more exhilarating sounds of Hard Dance.
We have chosen a DJ from each of the top 8 sites to go head to head for one night of Web Wars!
Tom Allen (www.harderfaster.net)
Phil B (www.clubtheworld.com)
DJB (www.gurn.net)
Gordon Darley (www.peachyravers.com)
Raymondo (www.clubbinginlondon.net)
RFO (www.clubithard.com)
Paul Wilkerson (www.niteclubbers.net)
From: Frantic Dickonon 6th May 2004 11:26.56 Nice work Lis! Your professionalism and dedication makes our lives and god knows how many other promoters lives alot easier.
From: Richard Launchon 6th May 2004 12:25.14 Lisa, you are indeed a champion. Thanks for all the laughs and support.
From: Stevi Don 6th May 2004 12:54.27 Hey Lisa, good to see you still keep things nicely under control nice one babe xx
From: Mariaon 6th May 2004 13:57.21 Keep it frantic!!!Thanks for all your support.
From: Shaunon 6th May 2004 14:39.08 Quality girl and one of life's true auhentic nutters.
From: Danny Luuon 6th May 2004 15:21.08 Keep up the good work Lisa! Just don't forget that you're NEVER to busy to find a Prince Charming
From: Reece Ellioton 6th May 2004 15:40.16 Fair play Lisa, number 1 agent in the UK!! Looks like you've attracted the attentions of Mr Danny Luu!!
From: Danny Luuon 6th May 2004 15:49.38 Oi! Lisa, don't listen to him! He's just a WIlDcHiLd... (see what I did there, did ya?)
From: carl nicholsonon 6th May 2004 16:17.36 Danny, u said there would be no other special persons in your life!:0(LMFAO
From: Zana Millson 7th May 2004 09:38.49 Very clever Danny! Nice interview Lisa - see ya on Saturday!
From: Tidy Robynon 7th May 2004 09:44.04 Porter you ROCK (aaaaaaye!)
From: Lucy Furon 7th May 2004 19:30.28 Bless you Lisa!!! See you sat x
From: cdon 9th May 2004 11:17.50 You are indeed a lee-jund porter!
![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1.gif)
Lisa, don't listen to him! He's just a WIlDcHiLd... (see what I did there, did ya?)
