Resident Interview – Chael

We sat down with UDGK management member and Record Label Boss Chael to discuss his approach to DJing, ironic origin story, the benefits of fresh socks and how not to loose people in foreign countries.

How did you first get into DJing and music production? Was there a specific moment or influence that drew you into the industry?

“Ironically I was into music from an early age. Feel free to roll your eyes but it’s the honest truth, some of my earliest memories were sitting next to my mum and dad’s home stereo system (remember those?) with a set of headphones on and I would just sit pulling records out and putting them on. I think there is something to be said for the magic of music being a physical product, something that you can hold in your hands, read the sleeve notes and gawk at the artwork. 

I can’t quite remember the exact moment I got into Electronic music but I can remember listening to house music during high school whilst everyone else was into hip hop and drum and bass – don’t get me wrong I do love that stuff but for me i was definitely leaning towards house and techno at the time.

I got my first set of decks over 25 years ago now and I’m not bored of it yet so I guess I never will be.

Music production came as a natural evolution of DJing, I made some daft edits of tracks and it just progressed from there”

Can you describe your unique style and sound? Your sets don’t seem to be constructed in the typical way

“Yeah I guess I’m most well known for the amount of kit I use. If I’m being honest I get bored easily and mixing one track into another back and forth gets old quick for me. At the core of it I’m still playing other peoples music and mixing in a traditional sense but I have an SP16 sampler and a TR8S to play around with. This keeps me busy despite seeming a little overwhelming at times, but it gives me full creative freedom to create sets that I wouldn’t be able to replicate again. I kind of like the idea of having each set as a one off experience. I also find it highly addictive as I can loop parts and keep them going whilst creating something new over the top. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m remixing on the fly or performing a live set but it certainly blurs the lines when compared to typical DJing”

What does your typical creative process look like when producing a new track? Do you start with a specific idea or experiment until you find something that resonates?

“My production style has evolved over the years, I have always found darker music more interesting, it seems to resonate with me a little more. When I start to produce a track it usually starts with an idea I have or something I have heard elsewhere acts as inspiration. There is always a point where I go completely off piste and experiment but I think that makes the whole process way more fun for me and generates some interesting ideas or inspiration to use in other tracks”

How do you prepare for a live DJ set? Do you have any rituals or specific techniques to ensure your performance goes smoothly?

“Typically I throw twice as many tracks onto a USB as I think I’m going to need. I’m pretty meticulous when it comes comes to my music library so anything I do play has been organized with hot cues and loops ahead of time. I tend to have a rough idea of the vibe I want to get across before hand, or I might have a couple of tracks I definitely want to play but from the moment I hit play I honestly don’t know where it’s going to go until it’s over.

As for rituals I have a few and I think it’s different for everyone but I will keep them under wraps for fear of being ridiculed! One I picked up from Tom Harrison that has stuck is putting on fresh socks before a gig – don’t knock it until you have tried it”

What has been the most memorable performance of your career so far? Can you share any standout moments or experiences from that event?

The whole UDGK ride has been a whirlwind, it’s been hard work at times but so much fun to do and I love the fact we have built a platform for other people too. Stand out moments for me are probably closing for Bushwacka – a hero of mine, being on the same line up as Coyu, putting on a gig at ADE and more recently heading over to Ibiza and playing some back to back sets with Shumbo jebang whilst the planes were flying overhead”

How do you stay inspired and keep your sound fresh and innovative? Are there any particular sources of inspiration you turn to when creating new music?

“I listen to all sorts of different styles and if I’m honest I rarely listen to electronic music outside of playing and producing it. But inspiration tends to strike me when I least expect it, that is typically my cue to get to work in the studio and can come at the most random of times. It might be something I’m listening to, hearing a drum pattern or something created when I’m DJing. There really doesn’t seem to be any hard and fast rules with it so I just go with the flow and let inspiration find me”

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? Are there any specific obstacles that stand out as particularly difficult or rewarding to overcome?

“Writers block in the studio is a big one, I think creative processes are hard to force. If I’m finding things difficult I will leave it alone for a while and eventually the creative itch comes back. As for rewarding moments everything we do behind the scenes for UDGK is enough for me. Release days are also great as it’s good feeling when you get new music out there”

What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers trying to break into the industry? Are there any key lessons you’ve learned that you think are important to share?

“Be true to yourself, have fun and don’t follow trends, avoid throwing cakes at people and don’t accidentally abandon people in Amsterdam then have them pick up the bill when they catch up to you… totally not a true story”

You can catch Chael live with his Isolation show every Friday 7pm on Underground Kollektiv Radio