In our first ever interview is a certain Gary Proud, who is an up and coming DJ & producer based in our local area of Newcastle Upon Tyne and has just had a recent track signed to the massive Vandit Records along with a set live on Paul Van Dyk’s very own Vonyc Sessions.
We thought it would be nice to hear from a person’s own experience during the progression of ‘making it’ in the world of the club DJ and producer and Gary is certainly making this progression his own. With a history involving Goodgreef, Godskitchen and DJ sets alongside the likes of Gatecrashers trance all stars Matt Hardwick and Scott Bond, Eddie Halliwell, Yoji, Alex Kidd,  John Askew, Greg Downey, Sean Tyas, Menno De Jong, Cosmic Gate, John O’Callaghan, Jon O’Bir, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Super8 & Tab,  Riley & Durant, Adam Sheridan to name but a few, plus a future  warm up set alongside the massive Deadmau5 at the O2 Academy, Gary Proud seems to be moving in the right direction.

If you would like to know more about the background of Gary and the What, When, How and Where then read on, you might relate to his journey and if not you certainly will learn a few things…

As a DJ & producer, what did you do to gain exposure and recognition?

Gp. I can’t really specify 1 particular thing I did to gain exposure or recognition? I certainly didn’t set out in the sense of ‘I want to be a DJ’ etc… It just kind of happened!

DJ’ing has & always will be a hobby to me, I guess it’s been a number of things I’ve done that’s ultimately snowballed into bigger opportunities over a period of time. I will say, however, having a residency in my hometown had a major part to play in the recognition I’ve received from clubbers & the bigger brands in the UK. Being able to build a base of like-minded friends/fans that come to see me month after month slowly grew to the point where I spilled into playing Cities in & around Newcastle, it progressed from there really. Being involved in the grass roots of a night really prepares you for the way the Industry works too.

I think if a DJ has some kind of hook that gets clubbers talking weather it be new tricks, a particular style or the equipment they use, always helps I find. I’ve been very lucky in that sense, as I’ve been surrounded by such a wide variety of acts over the years in Newcastle that I’ve automatically picked up little bits & pieces from different DJ’s that’s ended up influencing the way I play today.

The Industry has also changed so dramatically over the past few years, it’s now becoming increasingly difficult for any up & coming artist to break through this way, seemingly productions seem to be the major factor for any up & coming Artist that plays clubs these days. I too have had to adapt & start to produce music to simply maintain the interest I’ve built over the past few years.

Having said, that the 2 don’t come hand in hand as most automatically assume, great producers don’t necessarily make great DJ’s, so id still advise starting out with decks, learning what sounds good to what doesn’t & developing your own style from there (im completely biased of course HaHa).

What made you want to start producing your own music?

Gp. It was a natural progression more than anything, I’ve always been interested in manipulating the music I play weather it be particular sounds or layering tracks over other tracks, which developed into me wanting to learn how particular sounds were actually made & how different elements contributed to the overall sound of a track.

Where do you find inspiration?

Gp. As I previously mentioned I’ve been very lucky growing up in Newcastle as I’ve been surrounded by some of the best nights in the UK such as Shindig & Promise that played host weekly to some of the best DJ’s the world had to offer, being able to catch the caliber of DJ’s such as Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Dave Clarke, Sasha, Digweed, so frequently were a huge inspiration when I was just getting into the music. Since then, id have to say the likes of Paul van Dyk, Nu Nrg, John Askew, John O’Callaghan & DJ Murphy. I admire any DJ or Producer that demands your attention weather it be through a brilliant track or jaw dropping performance.

What equipment both DJ & Production did you start out with and what do you use now?

Gp. I started out with a set of plastic belt drive Stanton decks with an old 2-channel mixer that ran through my parents Hi-Fi. Once I grasped the basics I bought my 1st set of 1210’s & a Pioneer DJM600.
My basic club set up im now using consists of:
- 3 Pioneers CDJ MK2’s.
- Pioneers DJM800
- Macbook pro running Native Instruments Traktor Scratch pro
- Pioneer EFX 1000
- 2 Korg Nano pads.
Im relatively new to Production & currently building up my studio but using Logic 8 with a range of VST’s & plug ins.

What is your next piece of equipment or software you will buy?

Gp. The next piece of kit DJ wise im going to buy is the NI Maschine, the thing looks an absolute beast! (and keeps luring me into your shop ha ha).
Production wise, im looking at a fully integrated synth like the Access Virus TI Polar.

Where/how do you get your tracks mastered ready to be signed?

Gp. I use a sound engineer for that, it’s pointless putting all the effort into a track for it to fall at the last hurdle when sending it to a label due to it not sounding 100% polished & mastered.

How does it make you feel when you see a crowd really enjoying your own work?

Gp. It’s an unbelievable feeling. Most of my mates are still heavily into the DJ’s that support my music, so when were all in a club & hear 1 of my tracks being played it’s quite a surreal feeling. Paul Van Dyk signed my most recent track to his Vandit label & has supported it the majority of the summer season at all the big festivals, watching the videos on YouTube of 1000’s of clubbers going nuts to my track sends Goosebumps through me every time!

After releasing your first track, did you gain higher reputability?

Gp. Definitely, releasing music is a huge outlet for a much broader audience that some (including myself) would never be able to reach through DJ’ing normally, the whole world gets to see your name & what your trying to say within a track when it’s released.

As you are signed to Vandit Records, how did you manage to get Mr Van Dyk’s attention?

Gp. Paul has always been a huge inspiration in what I’ve followed musically & his Vandit label has been one of the most exciting around, boasting a whole back catalogue of huge releases, so it’s an easy decision when I look to send my music out, he’s always is my 1st port of call with anything I do (Just an added bonus if he likes it!).

Where do you see yourself this time next year & where can we catch you next?

Gp. Erm… hard one Ha!
Well, id like to think I’ll still be playing the gigs I am now but who knows, the industry changes so fast with so many brilliant Artists forever breaking through & pushing boundaries it could be back to playing in bedrooms & for friends house parties!

Im playing a few local gigs on home turf over the next couple of weeks with some wkd local DJ’s, im then off down Leeds to make my 2nd appearance within 12 months for the ever growing Digital Society, im also warming up for Deadmau5 at the O2 Academy & making my 2nd appearance for Gatecrasher this year at Digital Nightclub.

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Play the youtube video below to hear Paul Van Dyk supporting Gary’s new track ‘The Republic‘ at Global Gathering 2009, and look out on the usual digital download stores for it’s release very soon:

You can find out more about Gary and offer your support at the following:

http://www.myspace.com/garyproud
http://twitter.com/garyproud
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=541140105
http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj-page.aspx?id=2085