Starting off October's interviews we have Raw Power Recording's main woman Gem Stone. Gem has been making quite a name for herself, as a DJ winning the Clubbed Up and Sundissential DJ Competition in 2006, and as a producer with tracks on Scum NRG, The Beat Ranch Digital, Madcow Records, and of course her own label Raw Power Recordings. Now without any further ado...

The Beat Ranch proudly presents, Gem Stone

Welcome Gem. You are no stranger to the Beat Ranch as your track with Frank Farrell La Cerveza has big a huge hit on the label, with some amzing remixes of it to boot. For those who do not know where about are you from?

Hi guys, thanks for having me back. I live in Wrexham in North Wales.

I hear you have moved into what looks like a "rave mansion", who are some of the people you are livin with?

Ha ha! I live with my boyfriend - Steve Hewitt and 5 other mates. It is a bit of a party house, always someone around.!

Any crazy parties lined up for the house? and we invited?

There’s always crazy parties… usually about once a month – you guys are always welcome :o)

What got you into the hard house scene? Was it a track, the people, or even an event?

I’ve always been into dance music because my Dad has always been into the scene. I used to play trance then hard trance, then one day at Turnmills at a Frantic event about 4 years ago I got handed a demo from the one and only Ben Stevens, and the rest is history. I love the fact you can go to a Hard House club and speak to anyone, everyone is so friendly!

Do you remember your first record you bought? and do you still buy vinyl?

Erm…. Christ… I think it was “Age Of Love” on Storm Traxx, was a long time ago! I mainly buy MP3’s now although if there is something I really want and it’s only coming out on vinyl I will buy it.

Seeing as there are very few female hard house djs in the scene, was there any kind of challenge for you to break into the scene? Or was it all open arms?

Open arms???? I wish mate. It’s taken me 8 years to get to where I am now and I’m still having to work really hard to get to where I want to be in my career. There are more female DJ’s these days than there used to be so it’s not such a novelty anymore, I just have to rely on impressing people. I’d rather be booked for my skills than just because I’m a girl!

Whats been your most embarassing moment while DJing?

I was too drunk at a set once in Birmingham and fell over my record bag. Ha ha!

You have had quite a few releases on your own, and with others, What is your goal for the rest of the year?

Just to work on my own production really and spend a lot of time perfecting the sound I want to get. I’ve got studio time booked with Sabre Saw in November so I’m really looking forward to that! I’m also working on some stuff for Scum NRG, they have asked me to do a Halloween special so look out for that one. I have also just had 2 tunes out on that label, Stormin and Chaotic.

What your main weapon of choice when it comes to music programs?

I used to use Reason but earlier this year made the change to Cubase SX3. It is so much better than Reason and have found it a lot easier to get the sounds I want out of it

What your fav VST or plug in that you couldn't live with out?

It has to be ABL2, makes the best acid noises ever!!! Mmmmmmm…. Acid!

What producers would you like to work with in the future?

The person I’d like to work with the most is the king of hard house – Dom Sweeten. I’d also like to work with Dave Owens, Random But Raw and Dave Curtis. I’d love to have worked with Marc Johnson before he gave it all up but unfortunately didn’t get the chance.

You recently started Raw Power recordings with Wil H. How did that come about?

Owning my own record label is something I have always wanted to do. I got talking to Wil online and we both decided just to go for it! After 4 months of getting things sorted we have finally launched the 1st 4 tunes which are now available on www.trackitdown.net. They are:

1. Gem Stone, Steve Hewitt & Matt Edwards – Cyber Spider
2. Wil H – Atomic
3. Tom Parr – My House
4. Random But Raw - Sewerage

What does Raw Power have lined up for the rest of the year?

We are looking at just getting the label up and going more and maybe getting involved in some club nights with Scum NRG. We are looking to give lesser known producers the chance to get their tunes out there as well as big name producers. We have tunes coming up from, Steve Hewitt, Riggsy, WhiteHayz, Hi Freak1c, Infraction, Weazal, Evo D, Maxwell and me. If you think you have a tune we might be interested in please email: rawpowerrecordings@hotmail.com, djgemstone@hotmail.com or wl_hall@yahoo.com.

When can people see you play out next?

My next gig is @ Nubula in Aberdeen on 31st Oct, B2B with Gazz Hunt. It’s a 3 hour set and both Gazz and I are getting flown up there which is really exciting. We will be doing a video diary of our time up there so look out for that in November. I have also been booked for Sin:ergy Meets Tidy on Boxing Day @ Jabez Clegg in Manchester, playing B2B with Nel E. For bookings please email me at djgemstone@hotmail.com

Any last words?

I just want to say thank you to The Beat Ranch for their continued support. It’s been wonderfull! If anyone would like more info on me or any of my older demo’s please feel free to add me to msn or send me an email and I will get back to you. Gem xxx

Gem's MySpace Page

Gem's Raw Power DSI Page

Gem's Interview on HarderFaster.net

Buy Gem's tracks here on TrackItDown.net

Buy Gem's CD Release on BangingTunes.com

Click here for Gem's Exclusive Mix
Click here for tracklisting.

Past Interviews