Episode 47 is a mix of breaks, synths, and techno from Manchester and Bristol-based DJ Bradley West. Check out the interview below.
Hey Brad, thanks for coming on the blog. Let’s start the interview with a bit of background about you. What does your DJ journey look like? When did you start DJ’ing and what spurred that decision?
Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure to be on the blog! DJing started for me whilst I was in my 3rd year of uni (what a perfect time to start…) although I reckon the foundations were laid for it way further back. When I was a kid I wasn’t really into electronic music that much but I was digging and exploring a lot of stuff by more ‘traditional’ bands and trawling through their back catalogues to find gems. I started getting into electronic music just before uni but I’ll openly admit that what I was listening to then was shite (Editors note: We’ve all been there!). Over time I started going to more events and watching a lot of recorded DJ sets online as I was really intrigued about how everything all worked. When I was listening to my own music I started hearing tracks that would work together and that was when I decided that if I wanted to hear those tracks played together then I had to be the one to do it! Since then I’ve learned loads and my tastes have changed a lot, but that means that I’ve got a broad base to draw from!
Are there any artists or club nights out there that have really left their mark on you? Do you have any DJ’s or producers you’d say have been really influential for you?
As far as artists/producers are concerned I’d have to say Hodge has left a huge impression on me. He’s got such a consistently good output and so many of his releases are a collaborative effort with some amazing producers. I think that’s something that’s really valuable because it brings a huge variety to the things he puts out.When it comes to club nights I think that the biggest impact on me has come from the clubs themselves over who’s putting the night on. I tend to favour smaller venues as even though this sounds paradoxical, I reckon there’s so much more to them than huge ones although there’s a definitely time and place for both. I’d call out Soup Kitchen as being a pretty seminal club for me, as it’s just such a lovely intimate space where they put on brilliant DJs and live acts, and tickets are always so reasonably priced making a night there really accessible.
You’re going to be splitting your time between Bristol and Manchester in the near future are you excited to experience the musical influences from both cities? How has Manchester helped you develop as a DJ?
I am indeed, I’m super excited to try and blend the two together, there’s so much talent in each city, especially around some of the smaller independent labels that exist like Pressure Dome in Bristol and Kaizen & Banana Hill from Manchester. Without realising it my taste has been informed by Bristol for a while (I’ve been obsessed with Livity and Timedance for ages), so it’ll be interesting to see how spending more time there changes things. I credit Manchester as being the sole reason for why I got into doing this though and its influence has definitely led me to the point I’m at now. There’s just something about being somewhere with such a rich musical heritage as well as such an active and easily accessible scene where you can really immerse yourself in what’s going on, and see some interesting and challenging approaches to music. All of that pushes you on and there are some really lovely and supportive communities built around music here, independent radio is such a great example of this. I’ve got a show on Pie Radio and you can really feel it there, but there’s also Limbo, Reform, NTS and there was also MCR Live too. It shows how much people here are willing to start projects based around a shared passion and the sheer amount of them is a credit to the influence that Manchester has.
Tell us about your mix? Your selection is a mixed bag of breaks, synths & techno. Is this sound ubiquitous to your sets and what is it about this type of music that you like so much?
That statement describes it better than I ever could! I always want my sets to be a mixed bag as I want to keep myself and other people on their toes. I reckon if you can easily predict what’s coming then I don’t think a DJ is doing their job right. In the past 9-months I feel like I’ve found my niche and it’s definitely got breaks, synths and chopped up techno at its core. I think there’s absolutely a place for 4/4 and I’ll still play a load of it, but choppy shit and breakbeats make me happy so as long as they put a smile on my face they’ll be the core of what I play.
Are there any standout tracks in the mix you’d be happy to share with our readers?
Yeah, there are 3 that I’d definitely call out:A New Dawn – AceMomaThis one has a really nice hi-hat that stays with you right through the track, the drums are really driving and make you want to jump around, and the synths have a class low end and swell up and down during the track. I defy anyone not to like this tune. ATAXIA_D1 – Rian TreanorI really like this cause it feels like it shouldn’t really fit. The synths are really saccharine and a bit squirrely, and the drums feel like they’re from a pitched up hip-hop track but altogether it all falls into place and sounds ace. Not the News (Overmono Remix 1) – Thom YorkeThis is an excellent closer. It manages to be really atmospheric and melancholic whilst still being danceable. I’m a big fan of both Overmono and Radiohead, so this was a must-buy when I saw it.
Finally, what’s on the horizon for Bradley West, have you got any gigs, radio shows or projects lined up you can tell us about?
I’ve got my own radio show running 8-10pm on the second Friday of every month on Pie Radio. Every month I have a brand new guest on to have a mix and an interview. I’ve already got 12 months of ace guests programmed to come on who play a really wide range of stuff. It’s a great format and I know I’m biased, but I’d definitely recommend tuning in!
