Rip It Up

DJ Friction Interview

Words By

• Cyclone

D&B is big again, with DJ Fresh a pop star and Rudimental blowing up. Now the Brit DJ Friction (AKA Ed Keeley) once hailed as ‘the new Andy C’, is dragging the music back into a cool subterranean with his intricate FabricLive 70.

The Fabric mix-CD packages are cult, and collectible, with striking artwork. But industry commentators have questioned their purpose in the digital era, with podcasts being so abundant – not to mention (evil) rampant file-sharing.

“The FabricLive series is one of the few relevant CD series out there,” Keeley maintains. “They tend to approach in-demand artists to collate the mix, and producers want their tracks on these CDs. I think there are people out there who still like a package of good music.”

Keeley’s goal with FabricLive 70, which encompasses a remix of Shapeshifter’s Gravity off the recent Delta, was simple.

“I just wanted to roll out a really nice blend of my favourite current D&B tracks, but still give it a real underground feel.”

The Brighton native has an old association with Fabric, the London superclub giving him an early break. Keeley was DJing, and promoting events, in his teens. He premiered as a producer in 1998 with Critical Mass under the handle Kinnetix (alongside Stakka) on Under Fire Recordings. Keeley was then named ‘Best Newcomer’ at 2002’s Drum & Bass Arena Awards (he was inaugurated into its Hall Of Fame a couple of years ago). The DJ launched his Shogun Audio imprint in 2004. Curiously, Keeley’s own productions have often been deeper – and mellower – than the music he plays out.

“Since I arrived on the scene I’ve tried to entertain people with my DJ sets and make the best releases I can, while pushing my record label as far as possible. Having my BBC Radio 1 show has brought a new element, allowing me to bring new D&B out into the world.”

Keeley, too, has had crossover records. Judge Jules dropped his remix of Jonny L’s Back To Your Roots.

“It’s crazy sometimes to hear certain people play your music – and sometimes very pleasing. I’ve heard my music come on in the most random venues around the world – always a nice surprise!”

Last year Zane Lowe selected Keeley’s Led Astray as a ‘Hottest Record In The World’. And he’s (apparently) remixed Example’s Changed The Way You Kissed Me. Ironically, the dubstep explosion has reinvigorated D&B.

“Other genres have fluctuated in popularity, but D&B has always been constant,” Keeley says. This scene diplomat has been consistently open to the different spectrums of bass music, from breakbeat (he’s worked with Aquasky) to dubstep, while Shogun is sometime home to EDM-lovin’ hip hoppers Foreign Beggars.

“I love the fact that artists from different genres can sit together on big line-ups. [But] I don’t like the fact there are loads of DJs that can’t mix” (When DJing, Keeley uses four CDJ 2000s, linked up with USBs).

In the past Keeley has stated that he sees himself first and foremost as a DJ, rather than a DJ/producer – largely due to time constraints. But that’s changing.

“I always saw myself primarily as a DJ up until a couple of years ago when I started to perceive myself as a producer, putting my head down in the studio to make my music. I would look at myself as 50/50 DJ and producer now.”

Keeley is producing fresh material – including a longtouted album.

“There’s loads of music to come out on Shogun which will feature my more underground D&B – and I’m about halfway through my debut ‘artist’ album.” Music was Keeley’s hobby. These days it’s an immersive career. As such, he’s developed new pastimes. “My one goal this year was to learn Spanish, but I’m struggling to find the time so far – I haven’t given up the hope, though!”

Keeley has a loyal Australian following and will return here soon. “I’m doing a minitour of Australia in September this year,” he divulges “– [I’m] looking forward to getting back!”

WHO: DJ Friction
WHAT: FabricLive 70 (Fabric)