Quick chat with Annie Mac

By Kasperoo | Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:38 | 0 comments

The Radio 1 DJ talks to TSG

BBC Radio1 DJ Annie Mac welcomes the nation to the weekend every Friday night with her influential dance music show, Annie Mac’s Mashup. It takes the iconic 7pm – 9pm slot previously held by the legend Pete Tong until 2009.  

Annie Mac has played a pivotal role in the emergence of dubstep on the mainstream stage. Her prophetic powers don’t just apply to the airwaves, Annie also holds club nights around the country called Annie Mac Presents, which feature live bass driven dance acts.

Annie's shows sell out, her CD compilation albums catalogue the coolest tunes of the year and she has won many awards in the industry including Best Female DJ at the Drum and Bass awards in various years. 

As well as all this Annie also loves playing at festivals. There is sure to be a buzz wherever she goes, so make sure you catch her spinning some tunes this summer.

You have a busy schedule with your club nights, radio show and gigs – and now festival season approaches. Are you looking forward to the madness of the festival months?

I always look forward to the festivals! They are the highlight of my year...

Your Annie Mac Presents club nights are very influential in the music scene, what other club nights or individuals influence or inspire you?

I'm inspired by all sorts of people. The more unique and trailblazing they are the more inspiring they are to me. Everyone from John Peel to Mary Anne Hobbs, Erol Alkan to Chilly Gonzales, Robyn to Janelle Monae to Mike Skinner.

Is being surrounded by DJs and artists one of the highlights of playing at a festival?

It is nice to catch up with people backstage at a festival in the sunshine. I always get so giddy walking into a festival because you never know what’s going to happen and who you're going to see. Festivals are the best place for random link ups.

As a DJ what is your stand-out festival moment?

Bestival is the last festival of the summer for me. All my friends always come and it’s always such an amazing atmosphere. I am playing Sonar this year though and I think that might be quite special!

What would you say is a vital thing to pack for a festival?

Babywipes. It is a cliché but do it. Also food and water. Bring loads of snacks and food to store in your tent.

What do you enjoy the most about playing live?

Moving a crowd. There's nothing like the feeling that you are genuinely moving people.

People like yourself are setting the tone for the music industry and keeping one step ahead of the big record labels. For instance every act out there may have now dubstepped their songs but the scene was underground for years before. How do you always keep one step ahead?

I don't think too much about what you 'should' listen to and what you 'should' play. Ignore hype and go with your gut. As long as I genuinely like a tune I can play it and feel like I'm being honest and true to myself and my listeners.

There do tend to be fewer female DJs in the public eye than male DJs. Was it harder for you to get recognised and taken seriously as a young woman or did you not find it to be an issue?

It has never been an issue for me. I've been lucky as I've had radio as a platform so I had a profile through that and got gigs through that. Once I got the gigs I've had nothing but goodwill for being a lady.

One of your festival appearances this summer is at SW4, which has some of the acts you have championed on the bill such as Magnetic Man. It must be fun to be performing alongside these other artists in a festival location? Basically a bit of an Annie Mac presents gig outside!

Yes I'm really looking forward to SW4. This year I am playing a few more main stages which is terrifying and exhilarating in equal measures. I love a challenge though!

Annie Mac is playing at many festivals this summer including SW4, Evolution Festival, Electric Carnival, Summer Break, Rockness, Parklife Weekender, Sonar, Hideout, Lounge on the Farm, Creamfields.

www.anniemacpresents.com

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