Sunday 4 March 2012

"I think I have managed to stay unique and not follow other producers."

Merseyside DJ and producer Liam Keegan has made more than just waves in the dance music scene over the last few years. A well known 'triple threat', his name has appeared alongside the likes of Rihanna, Skepta, Katy Perry and Will.I.am, just to name a few. Like many DJs, it's the overall prize after years of hard work and dedication.

"I had a love for music from a very early age," the scouse DJ said. "It started out with me humming melodies and making my own words up for songs when I was about five or six. When I was 11, I started listening to acid and piano driven house. At 15-years-old. I was at a house party and I had a go on some Technic 1210's mixing happy hardcore music. From that day I caught the bug and never looked back."

Liam didn't take long to get noticed and by 19 had secured himself a professional residency at a local club. It wasn't then a case of 'where Liam would end up' but more 'how long it would take him to become a star'. The answer? Not long at all.

"In 2004 I thought the natural progression of DJing was production," the acclaimed remixer said. "So I started to mess around on sequencers Acid pro and Reason before moving onto Cubase in 2005. That's when things started to get more serious. I started writing tracks around 2004-05 and started remixing in 2006-07."

His unique style, love of synths and solid beats got him recognised by a number of different labels who have headhunted him to officially remix their work. His remix of Sak Noel's 'Loca People' reached top spot in the UK Chart and his infectious remix of Sway's hit 'Still Speedin' is still the best selling track on Clubland 20. But, he's far from finished.

"I've actually just finished a remix for a Grammy nominated artist in the US," the highly talented producer said. "Over the Christmas period I was also asked to remix for a big 80's band called Erasure, so yeah there's some big hitters still to come."

So what is it that makes Liam grab people's attention?

"I've tried to create a sound that fits with the current mainstream but with my own twist. By staying unique and not following other producers, I'm giving people something different."

What makes Liam's success even more impressive is that he's completely self-taught. One of his friends showed him the basics on Cubase and over the years he's found out what works and what doesn't from just trial and error. In a world of ever evolving technology though, specific software has given wannabe producers the chance to quickly learn the tricks and create their own tracks. The Merseyside-based DJ was quick to quash the thought though that improvements in technology means anyone can be a top producer and earn a living from it.

"There are a lot more courses available now than when I started out," the house lover said. "But I think the bar has been raised in regards to a quality finished track. You need to up your game now to be recognised.

"I think you have to be doing some kind of production to get your name out there and that comes hand in hand with your DJ profile. It's not like when I first started out and you could just fire out a load of demo mixes to bars and clubs and get booked from that.

"A tip I would give to aspiring producers out there would be to definitely create your own sounds. With the copyright infringements getting stricter it's getting harder and harder to fire out unofficial bootlegs. I'd say try and create your own sound and send off tracks regularly to labels, taking any feedback they give on board."

In terms of DJing though, it's about being able to deal with situations and adapting, Liam explained.

"The worst thing that happened to me was probably when we where playing in a bar in Oldham and the power failed. There was about 750 people just looking at us and we couldn't really do anything. But when the power came back we played Snap! - The Power and all was forgotten pretty quick."

In recent years, the dubstep genre has taken over and exploded into a mainstream phenomenon. As it did, House music was believed to have suffered. But Liam quickly reiterates it's Dubstep that is the one trying to keep up.

"Dubstep is just an alternative scene," he said. "There is still massive events and DJs that play house, and it isn't going anywhere - after all it's been here since the the 80s. Dub has just become a big scene alongside house so I suppose it's a question of how long will Dubstep keep up with house?"

The perceived set back hasn't stopped Liam in his quest for House music fame, as world renowned record labels, 3Beat, Blue, AATW, Neon (Australia) and Next Plateau (NYC) are just a few who have snapped up his popular remixes. His Dizzee Rascal 'Holiday' remix and Katy Perry's Firework edit have been supported by national radio stations in the UK and others across the globe.

"It's a great feeling to get headhunted to remix for big artists off the back of your previous work" the fortunate star said. "The last 18-months I couldn’t ask for better support. From the big club DJs to radio DJs in the UK and all over the world, right down to the bedroom DJs - all the support is highly appreciated."

No one can say the Birkenhead-born producer hasn’t worked hard. But after years of experience and hardship, he still can’t quite believe what’s happened and is happening.

"I think I've only had one DJ booking in Merseyside in the past 2 years," Liam said. I've been lucky enough to play in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow to name just a few cities. Also this year, I played in Australia which was amazing and there are more international gigs lined up so things are really hotting up - it's amazing!"

Like many other producers though, progression is as important as ever and the scouse creator has already got some exciting new projects in the pipeline for 2012.

"I will be concentrating on some more 'Big Room' house tracks this year," Liam said. "Plus I'm doing some commercial singles along with a few interesting collaborations as well. As for an album, with what's already in place I will probably concentrate on that next year."



Tracklist
1. John Dahlback - Life
2. Sebastian Ingrosso ft. Alesso - Calling (Lose my mind extended remix)
3. Tristan Garner - Punx

More more track
Favourite end of the night anthem - Robin S. 'Show me Love'
Must have song in your set - Avicii 'Levels' or Dirty South and Those Usual Suspects 'Walking alone'
Song that got you into house music - Far too many to think of
Favourite song of all time - Juliet Roberts 'Caught in the middle'

Free Download

Josh Kerr has never graced the House Bandits' studio but that hasn't stopped him giving you the chance to download some of his own production.

No Superstar

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Tokyo Express - Kerr's Rewire

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DJ Dave Crane graced the House Bandits' studio on Friday 25th April and as a present he's giving you the chance to download some of his own production.

ExpandaD

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Mnml Dsc

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