play_arrow
Dirty Disco 576: A Deep Dive into Soulful House, Nu Disco & Global Rhythms Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 575: House, & Electronica – Your Guide to 2 Hours of Eclectic Grooves Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 574: Soulful Grooves, Deep House & Fresh Nu Disco – 2 Hours of Musical Exploration Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 572: Deep House, Nu Disco & Eclectic Electronica – A 2-Hour Sonic Journey Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 568: Deep House, Disco & Eclectic Electronica – A Musical Journey You Can’t Miss Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 567: Eclectic House, Disco & Electronica Bliss – A Musical Journey Like No Other. Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 566: Soulful Grooves & Future Beats – A Deep House & Electronica Adventure. Kono Vidovic
play_arrow
Dirty Disco 565: Rhythms of Nostalgia – A Journey Through House, Deep House & Nu Disco Kono Vidovic
Welcome to an exclusive interview with the legendary Grant Nelson, often hailed as the “Godfather of UK Garage.” Today, we’re diving deep into the musical journey and influential beats of a pioneer who has left an indelible mark on the UK music scene. From the gritty beats of the 90s to the innovative sounds of today, Grant has continued to inspire and excite music lovers around the globe. Join us as he shares insights from his illustrious career, discusses the evolution of music production, and gives us a peek into what’s next for him, including his upcoming performance at the Love to Be… 30th Birthday Fest!
Well it’s obviously wonderful to be recognised for the work you’ve done, whatever that may be. With regards to UKG it was without a doubt my releases on Nice ’n’ Ripe that earned me that accolade originally but then later with the Bump & Flex (2 Step) stuff too. It’s not a bad title to have really is it 😉
It was fun for sure, but that whole era was just one of many other things I had going on during that period. I’d be making a house track in the morning, a happy hardcore track track in the afternoon and maybe a jungle or drum n bass track in the evening. I was wearing a few different production hats at the same time so there was a lot happening. Making the doc was a nice experience though and it was great watching it all complied, hearing everybody tell their story.
First and foremost I have to like the song / track, or at least something about it that I can work with. After that it’s really about what I can bring to the party. I have to feel I can either improve on the original or do something completely different with it, like switching up the emotional mood for example. I like a challenge. It can’t be anything too easy. That holds no interest for me.
Aside from going ITB (in the box) studio wise and a change of DAW (I went from Cubase on the Atari, then Mac, to Logic and now Logic Pro) not much else has changed really. I kinda still make music the same way. I’m not as fast as I used to be, but that’s likely technology forcing me to slow down. Things that used to take an hour or two, like time stretching samples in the hardware samplers, now take a couple of seconds. It leaves me feeling like I haven’t put enough work in sometimes.
Matt Gillespie and Stratford Toney on the garage house scene are two names that I think deliver consistently good music.
It’s an honour to be asked back to play for the guys again on their big 30th celebration. It’s an iconic brand and I’m sure it will be one hell of a party to remember.
If there were surprises they wouldn’t be surprises anymore if I told you would they! Besides the police might try to stop me…
I’m not sure that you can prepare too much when it’s as diverse as this, you just have to do your thing. It’s not my first time playing for Love To Be though so I kinda know what to expect. An audience that know their music and will keep me on my toes and I can’t wait to entertain them again.
I guess I’ll live on in people’s music collections. That’s not a bad legacy to leave is it…
That’s tricky. It’s an entirely different game today than it was when I started out back in the early 90s. I’m not sure I can offer any relevant advice other than make sure you enjoy the ride as much as possible. It’s easy to get caught up in the bullshit. Just try to remember that it’s a blessing to be able to make or play music for a living.
I have a couple of new projects I’m currently working on with Martin Ikin and some other collabs lined up for later in the year. As for future goals, I’ve never really set myself goals, I just make and play music.
Thank you, Grant, for sharing your incredible journey and insights with us. It’s been truly inspiring to hear your story and get a glimpse into the creative process that continues to shape the music industry. For everyone tuning in, don’t miss the chance to see Grant live at the Love to Be… 30th Birthday Fest on April 27, 2024, at Forge, Sheffield. It promises to be a memorable event celebrating three decades of phenomenal house music. Grab your tickets now at Skiddle and Resident Advisor, and experience the magic of UK Garage brought to life by one of its original pioneers!
DJ | MUSIC CURATOR & SELECTOR | PODCAST MAKER | BLOGGER Professional online interpreneur. Coffee practitioner. Electronic music culture maven. Total music guru. Infuriatingly humble problem solver. Food & sports fanatic.
Hello, music enthusiasts and rhythm seekers! Welcome to another episode of Dirty Disco, the ultimate destination for your electronic music cravings, hosted by myself, Kono Vidovic. In episode 547, we […]
Join our mailing list to receive a weekly free music download & podcast updates.
Post comments (0)