Hey Mr & Mrs DJ

QueenJo

Wednesday, 30 July 2008

Brighton is a enjoying a golden age in djing right now - and it’s being lead by the cities finest when it comes to DJs Jonny M and Queen Josephine. Voted by readers of Gscene and Real Brighton as their favourite local DJs, February 2008 saw them crowned Golden Handbag Winners. Come Brighton Pride 2008 and they will be at the forefront again with plenty of proud tunes, winning smiles and decent DJing. We caught up with them to hear their take on the must play and must hear tunes of Pride.

Okay golden ones Brighton Pride is coming up, which we know your beats will play an important part in, but what can we expect from your decks this year?

Queen Josephine: Swishy, sparkling house to start things off progressing through to the dirtier and funkier end of things as the time progresses!

Jonny M: Tough and chunky tech-house with driving vocals, and a big grin on my face.

What tune do you rely on to settle yourself into your set and banish those Pride gig nerves?

Queen Josephine: The new Bart B More mix of Jon Cutler’s ‘It’s Yours’. It’s a good old classic with some eerily hilarious horny synths to get everyone, and my poor jangling nerves, up and jumping!

Jonny M: Suitably, Eddie Thoenick's remake of Aretha Franklin's classic 'A Deeper Love'. The one track that never fails to deliver.

What other wonders do you have nestling in your box to surprise us with this Pride?

Queen Josephine: I’m hoping ‘Hit and Run Lover’ by Didier Vanelli will make everyone as happy as it does me come Saturday.

Jonny M: Sanna & Pitron's remake of M-Gee's classic 'Bodyswerve' is doing things for me at the moment, check that breakdown!

Which tune encompasses everything that is Pride?

Queen Josephine: I have to say the house mix of ‘All Night Long’ by Lionel Ritchie had me in tears of joy a few Prides ago. Joy-filled doesn’t come close.

Jonny M: Red Carpet’s ‘Alright’ does it for me. New bootlegs notwithstanding, this classic track sums up the ethos of Pride with its inspiring, uplifting though melancholic lyrics. 'The sun's gonna keep on rising...'

Which gigs are you looking forward to the most this Pride and why?

Queen Josephine: It’s my Wild Fruit Tent debut which is a huge thrill and it’s going to be cool doing Mardi Gras vs. Religion at Charles Street. To be honest I’m just so pleased to be playing over Pride at so many different gigs. I’m really looking forward to all of them!

Jonny M: Like Her Majesty I’ll be playing the Wild Fruit tent for the first time so very excited about that. And I’m looking forward to playing the main slot at the Kinky Dangerous Party. It’s gonna go off. And of course the closing set at Rebel. Playing the last tune of Pride 2008 will be quite something.

What do you think is going to be the weekend’s big tune?

Queen Josephine: I think we may hear quite a bit of Ce Ce Peniston’s ‘Finally’, Hott 22 stylee. And that’s nothing but a good thing.

Jonny M: No doubt that Out Of Office's remake of Michael Woods 'Cafe Del Mar' will get big plays this year, though I prefer the tougher Dabruck & Klein mix

You can’t not play it, it being Pride and all but which version of ‘Pride (A Deeper Love)’ will you be caning this year?!

Queen Josephine: Santini Vs Gabrielle D’Andrea’s and their own remix. There’s something almost hypnotic about it. I love it when people hear it for the first time, not working out what it is until the vocal kicks in.

Jonny M: Despite mentioning the Eddie Thoenick mix, I agree with Jo, this year it'll be the Santini vs. Gabriele D'Andrea's remake but I’m gonna go with the Alex Guesta mix. Tough, big bassline, fat beats, and that all important vocal!

Pride a deeper love indeed.

Queen Josephine’s Pride Five

1. ATFC feat Inaya Day ‘Reach Out To Me’ (ATFC Old Skool Mix) Onephatdeeva. Thumping bassline, fabulous vocal and that chorus which sounds like she’s singin’ Queen Josephine!

2. Soul Conspiracy feat Ja’Quita – ‘Life’ – (Original Mix) Radikal Rhythm. Uplifting, lovely piano driven gorgeousness.

3. The Kolai Krew and Ron Carroll - 'Take It Back Together' White. Two wonderful tunes put together beautifully ensure handclaps and grins all afternoon!

4. Degrees Of Motion 'Do You Want It Right Now' (Mischa Daniels Remix) Cayenne. Great song, pretty and electro!!! Classic, classic, classic.

5. Donna Summer 'I Feel Love' Almost any mix you fancy! GAY! GAY! GAY! A Pride must play!

Jonny M’s Pride Five

1. Fashun Monkeez ‘Finally’ White. Julie McKnight's sweet vocals epitomise what dance vocals should be like, with meaning and sung with sincerity whilst the Fashun Monkeez give the track the funky edge it deserves.

2. Soul Central ft. Kathy Brown ‘Strings Of Life’ (Martijn Ten Velden & Mark Knight Mix) Defected. A piano-led funky number with a great build-up. The original was one of the first house records I owned back in 2004.

3. Ian Carey ft. Michelle Shellers ‘Keep On Rising’ (Michael Mind Remix). Uplifting vocals, a chunky bassline and Balearic guitar riffs combine with great impact.

4. Axwell & Sebastien Ingrosso ‘Together’ Axtone. This dirty-but-uplifting monster of a tune has one of the deepest breakdowns I've heard with trance-laced synth's to die for.

5. DJ Rhythm pres. Soul Theory ‘Drama’ (Warren Clarke Drama Mix). Because this is what we all want, a drama free Pride!

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