Rebekah’s love affair with electronic music began at the tender age of 16, going out and listening to legends such as Derrick Carter, Richie Hawtin and Billy Nasty gave her a first taste into the world of deep house and techno. Fifteen years on and Rebekah’s passion is still burning, while her residency in Birmingham for the Eclectricity events has seen her play for Cocoon parties alongside Sven Vath, Dubfire and Luciano.
She has also become a regular feature at Global Gathering warming up in the Circo Loco, Cocoon and M-nus Arenas consecutively, the latter being one of the standout sets of 2009. This Friday sees Rebekah’s returning to The Gallery at Ministry of Sound, playing alongside Hernan Cattaneo, Henry Siaz and Nick Warren. Come with us as we catch up with her ahead of the event!
Hi Rebekah! How has 2010 been treating you so far?
Everything has been great so far, got all settled in my new home and I have been working hard on new music and enjoying every second. Last year was spent doing my final year at college with my production course so it’s nice to have my weeks back to fully devote to the studio - so yes….buzzin’!
Lets start from the beginning – how did you get into music in the first place?
As most children, I enjoyed pop music, Michael Jackson’s Bad and Madonna’s True Blue albums were my first purchases. At school I played the flute working my grades and I could say I was always really talented with music but I am unsure playing Greensleaves and playing scales has actually made any impact to my DJing and producing! It has helped with the theory side of things and understanding how music is arranged but most DJs can feel this naturally after years of playing.
What or who inspired you to want to start DJing?
I started going out in Birmingham when I was a wee nipper and fell in love with the house and techno scene after visiting Atomic Jam and other nights at legendary venue The Que Club in Birmingham. From there I just wanted to DJ and find all this amazing music I was hearing. Seeing Dave Clarke, Derrick Carter, Billy Nasty and Richie Hawtin play there really has given me good a innings. I struggled mixing it when I first started out but now, 14 years on, the music is a more polished.
Being a female artist, how hard was it breaking into a male dominated industry?
I still don’t think I have “broken” in but I just do what I do and hope people enjoy this. The female’s that are kicking it have been in the industry for many years and have worked hard to achieve what they have done.
Why don’t you think there are as many girls than boys in the scene?
I think there are lots of girls coming through now. To be taken more seriously the girls need to do what the boys do which is produce and be self sufficient. Being just a DJ whether female or male just doesn’t cut it anymore, you need to be giving more to the scene.
How’s your productions going?
Getting there! It takes such a long time with production, your ears have to change to learn what sounds good and this only comes with making music and not something that happens over night. Every track gets better and I really love making music and the challenge it proposes.
What bits of kit couldn’t you live without in the studio and what are your studio habits like? Are you really organised or pull all-nighters to get things finished?!
I am pretty much DAW based with my music so I couldn’t live without my Mac! I recently started using Ableton Live more so the Akai APC 40 is wicked in the studio and saves me loads of time in all aspects of Live. I tend to get into the studio around midday after lunch and work till early evening and then break for dinner and head back in till around midday. Not every day is the same but I do as much as I can as my time in the studio is very valuable.
You are playing The Gallery @ Ministry Of Sound on 12th March. What have you got in store for the Gallery faithful?
It won’t be my peak techno set so I am carefully selecting tunes that will work well at the time I am playing, warming people up and getting them into the vibe of the night before Nick and Hernan play. I’ve been so excited to play the box, it’s almost too much to handle!
What tracks have been going off in your sets at the moment?
Lots of tracks and remixes by Hermanez and Re:Axis and loads more. There’s so much great music out there at the moment. The Martinex remix of Hurt by Seth Troxler[ and Mathew Dear is pretty special too.
Have you ever had any technical disasters whilst being behind the decks or any funny things that have happened whilst playing a set?
All the usual horror stories - dodgy CDJs that stop playing. Picking up the wrong needle of the record, pressing the wrong eject on a CDJ. Most recently I have moved to Traktor and there’s a whole host of new things that can go wrong, so I tend to be over cautious and stay away from the booze whilst playing.
Your tour schedule is looking ramjamma over the next few months! What gadgets do you take on the road to stop you getting board whilst travelling?
I have my Pacemaker, which is a great little device, mixing and sorting tracks and seeing what will work whilst in the air is lots of fun. Reading is my favourite whilst travelling, I love biographies and positive thinking books, they keep me company and focused whilst away.
What else are you involved with asides from music?
I do music full time, my weekends are spent performing; then the weeks are in the studio, sorting promo’s and finding tunes. I am really lucky! Recently I have been asked to return to my former college as a “Guru”, mentoring three young producers, giving an insight to what I do and what they could be doing to get noticed and to get on to labels. I’m really excited about this! When I was younger I never really had this and feel that the opportunity for young producers coming into the scene to have this extra information is awesome. The courses available on production are great and I would advise any aspiring DJ / Producers to get on one.
What’s the soundtrack to your downtime?
Feist, Zero 7, Joni Mitchell, Nirvana, Hot Chip and Florence & The Machine to name a few.
Where in the world is the best place to party right now?
Eastern Europe is really kicking off at the moment; people are down to earth and just up for the party, Ukraine especially. There’s no pretence about genre’s and they are genuinely appreciative of the scene they are building.
What’s next for Rebekah?
Lots more of the same: gigs and producing, then refining my sound and technical abilities by learning new software and finding ways to express my music.
Catch Rebekah @ The Gallery Friday 12th March alongside Nick Warren, Hernan Cattaneo, Herny Siaz and DAT Soundsystem. For more info / tickets: http://www.thegallery-club.co.uk/
Photos courtesy of Rebekah and Cyper PR. Not to be reproduced without permission
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