An interview with Scott Langley... by Paul Newhouse

With 20 years of DJing experience under his belt, Scott Langley is a DJ who is going places. Having played in over 30 countries worldwide and a dab hand in the studio too with 100 productions signed to over 40 labels, he is a man who knows his music....

You have been a DJ/Producer for over 20 years now, tell us about how it all started?

Scott: "Well when i was at school around age 12-13, Acid House was hitting the country and I was hooked. My mum used to think I was sleeping round peoples houses, but I would be at a rave!

I looked older and hung with older lads and it was all illegal so they wouldn't care to much for id anyway. I was well in to the scene so young, It's mad looking back now.

When I was 14 me and a mate used to play around pretending to be DJ's on a shit pair of decks, then my nan died when I was 16 and left me money, so that's when I bought my 1210's The productions started around 10 years ago, although never released anything until recent times".

At one point you held 20 residencies across the UK, How did you cope with that?

Scott: I had 3-5 in London venues a week and then bars and other clubs around the UK, back then there where not as many DJ's. Life was grand I'm talking 10-15 years ago.

You have played in over 30 countries, whats the 3 best clubs you have played in?

Scott: "Not so much clubs, but festivals for me: Germany - Love parade (12 hour set), Thailand's Fullmoon party (14 hour set) and MOS London".

How did you become a Ministry Of Sound & Global Underground world tour resident?

Scott: "Well MOS come nearly 2 years ago. I knocked on the door for too many years I guess! Then it opened I proved myself well and then got to GU through MOS".

You have had an extensive list of releases with over 40 labels, what do you think has been you best 3 releases so far?

Scott: "To be honest, I'm not to interested for what's been out before it's all about what’s coming out soon".

What labels are you directly involved with and who else is involved?

Scott: "Again, to be honest, these where all my releases from over 2 years ago, it's all about what I have been doing these last 2 years (watch this space)!"

Who and what are "The tomorrow people"?

Scott: "TTP is my partner 'Alan Jinx Chamberlain' and myself, both heavy duty experienced boys in the music world, all coming soon!"

Describe your DJ style and does it change if you play for MOS or GU?

Scott: "I play from soulful house right through to deep, tech tribal, progressive House, I'm new with GU and have not played yet with them, again all coming this year!"

Do you play anything other than House music?

Scott: "No, but my ipod is full of RnB and hip hop!"

What’s your plans for the next 12 months and beyond?

Scott: "Big plans, I'm a grafter, I have worked my butt off to be where i am and that wont stop. I've been in the studio and working with some major players and artists, so to getting all these new tracks out and loads more DJ gigs, thats the future plans!"

Have you embraced the digital world or do you stick with CDJ or Turntables?

Scott: "I just use CDJ's and only 2. I'm old school only been playing CDJ's for 4 years. Too many DJ's use more than 2 and get too busy, this can be over done sometimes and its only really MAW who can really cut it right. I hear too many mistakes when people are trying to be flash. As I said old school, the music I choose is good enough without loads of effects and extra samples added. Im smooth and my sets flow well. I feel I'm an artist in my own right with just 2 tracks, the way i blend and mix is way enough for me. Digital DJ's I just don't get it? Well, each to their own!"

What’s your biggest influence in the scene today and who was it when you started out?

Scott: "Well, when I started out I was always into the US boys; Tony Humphries, Frankie Knuckles, David Morlaes. Today well, to be honest I have enough Respect for Mark Knight, he turned things round fast and good and I see his rise and well hats off to him, you can't knock that man."

What’s the worst, and best experience you have had in the DJ world?

Scott: "Well the worst I reckon was last year in OZ. I played a place called Ipswich, sports bar, got paid no probes, but I was asked for karaoke! The Birthday song! Madonna! I was stuck for the first time in my life as I just didn't know what to play! A 4 hour set, but I stuck with it and finally had the floor, but man they didn't know what hit them, nor me! I wanted to give up DJ'ing there and then!"

Any last words to inspire DJ's starting out?

Scott: "1ST AND FOREMOST DO NOT DJ FOR FREE AND DONT SELL TICKETS JUST TO PLAY. It's a hard thing to break into. Too many out there like everything, but if your really good and it's really in your soul, you will shine through as you will focus and stick with it. Its a long ride. you'll meet sharks and back stabbers all the way, but there are also some good guys who really know the score (not many may I add) and many who think they do, (but they don't) but breaks do happen. I would like to think I have done well, I mean before MOS I played 25 countries off my own back, since I have been with MOS sure I played more, but also more off my own back. My dad always taught me, "If you want something bad enough you will get it", It's not easy (well for some people) but they don't deserve it really, good luck and if your in it for real, I'll see ya in 20 years still doing it!”