Will Streetwise

Will Streetwise was once at the helm of one of the biggest breaks retailers in the world. Now he’s concentrating on his events, and developing a new DJ style founded on his eye for a killer edit. Check out this interview we got with him and scroll down for possibly one of the best DJ edits we’ve heard in a while.

Describe your mission in life in a few words, to give a readers a taste for what you’re about.

As a DJ my mission is to make everyone dance as a producer its to create bombs that destroy dances and as a brand ambassador to take Streetwise to the world.

Streetwise was one of the biggest and baddest breaks retailers out there, what’s been the secret to the success?

The secret to Streetwise success didn’t have as much to do with me as people think. Our reputation in breakbeat was built up by the very successful label Streetwise Recordings which was the responsibility of the previous shop managers Vigi, Simon and Mr B. The shop was a massive influence in the scene because of the staff who worked there, the likes of Vigi with his impeccable taste, production skills and knowledge of breaks and Mr B for his extensive contacts through out the breaks scene. I came to light a lot later in the Streetwise time line. Now we have moved away from Retail (Closed the physical Shop in 2007 and finished our online shops last year) my goal is to build the Streetwise brand through our events, our new in house labels and now artists management. As well as concentrating on my own DJ Career and Productions.

In terms of your DJ style where are you heading with that?

Ive played around with different genres for a while from dnb to the more recent breaks activity. Ive now decided to go down a wider eclectic route, I see my style now as more of a party dj and my new production play a very important roll in this. Ive spent the last year building an arsenal of battle weapons and VIPs just to feature in my sets. I was finding tunes I liked that I wanted to play in my sets but couldn’t work them in so decided to start editing tunes so I could feature them when i play out “Wills Edits” is now what they are known as. Im building a whole host of bullets I can play while im out so you truly get a new experience hearing me play…

Id also like to add that Ash (Richie Balboa) has played a real important part in me choosing this new direction in styles. Ash is an amazing DJ and we have been playing out together for over a year now. He has spent a large amount of time educating me in the more funky style of breaks, an area I always looked over. We have been working on a more double act style with me sticking to more DJ duties and Ash cutting and scratching over the top. We got asked to go back and play NASS Festival again this summer and have been given a 6 hours set to show this new style off. We are both very excited about it as its a real opportunity to show our diversity on a large scale.

What’s your opinion on blogs as someone who used to sell music?

This is the future of music, its all about Blogs these days. The only down side is the lack of quality control that you would get with the normal Press and Distribution of music. My recent new blog has seen a massive response and I try my best to do at least one Edit a month to give away as I think this is important in music these days.

Wisest words you ever heard?

Start with something completely different to the previous DJ, make them sit up and take note that you’re on the decks now… Jaguar Skills

Its nice to be important but its more important to be nice…. Nicky Blackmarket

Buy land, cause gods not making any more of it…. My Dad

Stupidest thing you’ve ever done?

Missed flights to Miami, Portugal, Amsterdam, home from Brazil hahaha… that’s pretty stupid. I also cc’d the wrong person into a private email chat the other day, that was stupid and I think that will hang over my head for a while.

3 favourite Producers of 2009 so far…

Nick Thayer, Jaguar Skills, High Rankin…. its hard to pick 3 as there is a lot more id like to mention…. Chase & Status, Zinc, A,Skillz, Rusko, Perfection, Scotty B, Stero:Type….

Thanks Will…

BONUS

Josh Wink – Higher State Of Consciousness (Wills Edit).mp3

These words came from NoisePorn.com, posted on June 18, 2009 at 10:45 am, filed under Interviews, MP3. Read and leave comments here. Follow any comments here with an RSS feed.