Taking us into 2024 with our first mix of the year is Manchester DJ Watteh. He’s put together an hour of upbeat house and disco to kick off the year right and keep the mood up even when it gets dark at fucking 4pm.
Hey Watteh, thanks for coming on the All my Friends blog, putting a mix together for us and kicking off 2024 with your ace mix. I always like to start these interviews by asking guests to introduce themselves and tell us a bit about how they got into DJing. Can you share your story with us.
Hello everyone! Honestly, I don’t know what to say here other than I am my music I use my mixes to express my feelings. I found myself behind the decks for the first time after my mental health took a turn for the worst, leaving me at my lowest. Meanwhile I found myself working in the legendary South nightclub surrounded by all kinds of music, this encouraged me to work more to be surrounded by what felt right. My manager Kyran then showed me the basics of mixing. From then on, I knew where I wanted to be and did what I could to progress within my career.
Your mix is a nice mix of funky upbeat house, disco house with some lovely vocals sprinkled in there too for good measure. Is this your usual DJ style and do you look to any DJs or producers for inspiration when you’re mixing?
This is what I find myself drawn to, however I do play most subgenres of House/ Tech house.
Who do I look to is a very interesting question as I take inspiration from a lot of different artists as everyone has their own style some of these artists are but not limited to, Altoro, for his perseverance and ability to adapt to situations even with the worst equipment to deliver the perfect sound also of course the one and only Clint Boon, With his unique mixing styles and connection to the audience. Including so many countless others.
Can you tell us abit about how you put this mix together? Do you tend to meticulously plan your mixes or do you take a bit more of a hap-hazard approach to putting a mix together?
This mix in particular was planned track to track. However I usually plan multiple sets before an event and play a mix between them depending on how the room feels and responds to each song and adapt towards what is best for the audience. I find every night is different depending on many individual factors of the night.
Are there any tracks in the mix you really like at the moment? Any you play time and time again? Can you share a few of your favorites with us?
London Headache Remix by Purple Disco Machine has to be one of my most played currently as I love the tribal feel to the track.
Lastly, what’s in the pipeline for you in 2024? Do you have any gigs lined up you can tell us about or will you be on any upcoming radio shows, livestreams etc?
2024 will be packed with many different surprises with a brand-new radio show to come with Pie Radio and of course the usual Monday show 9pm-10pm with Sublime. Of course, there will be plenty of shows announced in this year however unfortunately, not much has been confirmed as of yet, however there is some new brands, events and DJ’s that I am looking forward to working with and having new experiences with throughout the year.
