Starting off July's interviews we have rising star and our own resident Darrell White. In the last 2 years Darrell has had releases on labels such as Flashpoint, Breed Digital, Outbreak, Boshed Hard, The Beat Ranch Digital, Starr, Hard Up Digital, and even his own label, Kinetic Digital with his smash hit "Fine Day". Needless to say, Darrell's tracks have been in high demand getting picked up right, left and center. While not producing you can catch Darrell behind the decks either playing on his own, or with his mate Nick, under the name WhiteHayz.

The Beat Ranch proudly presents, Darrell White

Welcome Darrell, You are no stranger to The Beat Ranch, since you were named our newest resident earlier this year.For those who do not know where abouts are you from?

Hi Brian!! I’m from sunny old Bristol U.K.

Have you always lived there?

Yeah I have been here all my life and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!!

How long ago did you get into clubbing?

I first got into going out and clubbing about 9 years ago now! Can’t believe it’s that long ago haha!! I started going out to local drum and bass nights as that’s always been a massive scene in Bristol and there were plenty of nights to choose from.. I went to my 1st hard house night back in 2001 when Slinky was at creation! It all started from there really..

What came first for you, DJing or producing?

DJing came first. I started mixing about 3 months after going to slinky on a set of numark belt driven decks! I didn’t really know many tunes or anything so I just started mixing whatever I could get my hands on. Hard Trance, Techno, Bounce, Hard House, everything! Belongs it had a hard element to it, I was all over it! I didn’t start playing out until around 2004 when I ran my own event kinetic. I made many connections and started playing at other events. I didn’t start producing until 2005 and then i went on to doing a diploma in music which has helped me loads.

Can you give us a run down of your studio? Whats your favorite piece of equipment or plug-in that you use?

I use a Mac Pro 2.9Ghz 8 core intel xeon with 4 Gb ram. Alesis Mk 2 active monitors, Edirol UA – 25 soundcard and various midi controllers. My main sequencing software is Logic Pro studio 8. I’d say logic is my favourite piece of equipment because the possibilities are endless when I can get it to work properly!! I’m a big fan of sampling so I would say EXS – 24 and Kontakt are my favourite plug-ins

Who or what have been your production influences?

My biggest influences are going out to nights and experiencing what’s rocking the dance floors. I find that when I hear a tune that really does it for me then I remember the certain aspects that made it catchy for me. I then try to recreate something similar in my own work. I also find working with other producers to be a massive influence because everyone has their own style and techniques. it’s good to take these ideas and put your own personal twist on it. Working with nick under our name WhiteHayz is a massive influence as well as nick has some of the craziest ideas so I help by putting them into reality!

Can you give us a run down of your studio? What’s your favourite piece of equipment or plug-in that you use to produce?

I use Logic Pro 8 on my extremely sexy Imac. My girlfriend is convinced I love it more than her! (She maybe right ha ha) As for plug ins, the built in Logic audio units are awesome. ES2 probably being my favourite. Got some means synths out of that one! Hardware is going to be my next step. I’ve only got my Novation Remote 25sl Midi Controller at the moment. I keep looking at the Access Virus on Ebay but have yet to take the plunge!

You have had quite a few releases on digital labels, such as Flashpoint, The Beat Ranch Digital and Starr, just to name a few, what is your take on the whole digital vs vinyl debate?

Well it’s the big thing nowadays isn’t it?!! Everyone would love to stick to playing vinyl because it has that certain stage presence as a DJ, and don’t get me wrong I’m a massive fan of vinyl still but in this day and age, digital seems to be the way everything is heading. Not only is it easier than lugging around massive bags of records but from a producers point of view you can get all the upfront tunes and be able to play them out without waiting for test pressings of vinyls. I used to play nothing but vinyl, I was scared of making mistakes on cdjs!! Now all I play is cd’s with the exception of some of my own vinyls.. Soon enough everyone will be mixing mp3’s off usb sticks instead of taking the cd wallet to gigs!!!

What can we expect for the future of Darrell White productions?

Well I feel as though I’m learning new things all the time. I just want to keep on doing what I do but get better at it! I’m already achieving some of my goals by getting signed to labels like Flashpoint and getting more vinyl signed to labels like Hazardous, Test Lab, Oneway to name a few, so really I want to get involved with some of the bigger labels involved in the scene and keep producing to a good standard. Plenty more WhiteHayz stuff on the way for the harder heads as well!!

With some artist's dipping into other genres, have you ever produced anything other then hard house?

Well I have had a track out on vinyl under the name Basspimps with a mate of mine and Alex Calver. This came out on a Slovakian electro label called eternal vibes earlier this year. We got a few more dates set for later this year! I am also working on a couple of breaks projects at the moment which I do with another friend. He plays the guitar so it’s good to have some different aspects of music going on as it is good for my own personal development.

What has been your some of your favourite DJing experiences so far?

I’d say probably one of my 1st ever gigs at a night called avin it! JP & Jukesy were headlining and the place was rammed! I warmed up for them and it was the most surreal experience ever! I spent my days the other side of the decks and all of a sudden it was my turn! Yes I was nervous lol!! I think that just makes you perform better though! Another amazing experience was at my night Kinetic. Technikal was headlining and I played after. Again the place was rammed and boy did he know how to get the place going! I’ve had many great dj’ing experiences if I’m honest! It’s all good fun :)

How about your worst?

I played at a Sunday after party at café blue in Bristol back to back with a mate of mine. The DJ booth was pretty small and my mate decided to go get us a couple of drinks. I was cuing up a track and decided that I was going to play something different so I bent over to get a new tune out my bag and my mate came rushing back in because he thought it was his mix and knocked me out with the door!!! I ended up with concussion and a headache for about 5 days lol!!

What is your top tune of all time, and what tunes are doing it for you at the moment?

I’d say my top tune of all time is Defective Audio – Intoxicating (Paul Maddox Remix) I’m a massive fan of Pauls work and that tune has been doing it for me for years! I still play it now in my sets!. I don’t really have any specific tracks that are doing it for me but there are a load of very talented producers out there now!! Competition is tough!! I’m loving a lot of stuff by Random But Raw and Hilz’E at the moment! They are both very talented producers. I’m lucky to be working along side such talented people! I have always been a massive fan of Frank Farrells work. His own stuff and the Munkjack stuff is immense. Cant go wrong with it imo!

If you could DJ anywhere in the world where would it be?

Most definitely like to do Ibiza at some point! I think every DJ would say that though lol! Australia and New Zealand has always been on my list.. Of course Canada and the U.S!!

Any last words

Practise makes perfect!! Keep safe ;O)

Related Sites

www.myspace.com/darrellwhitemusic

Buy Darrell's tracks on TrackItDown.net

Click here for Darrell's WhiteHayz Production Mix
Click here for tracklisting.

Past Interviews