Ste Essence has been a DJ for over 20 years. You may recognise his face; he has played various genres of music under different aliases; everything from Drum and Bass to House Music working alongside artists such as D. Ramirez, 2 Many DJ's, Laidback Luke, Annie Mac, Jim Shaft Ryan, Sander Kleinenberg, Pendulum, Mickey Finn, Ratpack and Paul Oakenfold and throughout the UK; notably London, Liverpool, Stoke, Coventry and Wolverhampton; but mostly in his hometown of Birmingham.
Ste has had the privilege and pleasure of playing for some of the worlds biggest club brands including We Love, Electricity, Flashback and held residencies at Stupid Underground and Gatecrasher Birmingham. His tracks have been supported by DJs including Mark Knight, Sander Kleinenberg, Slam and Jim Shaft Ryan.
We are delighted to have Ste on board #TeamFidget, with his first promo release on #FidgetWhite this week we caught up with him this week for a little natter
Hi Ste. Tell us a bit about you?
I'm 35 years old from Birmingham but now live in the countryside. I love dogs, music and nice people.
When did your love affair with Dance Music begin?
My love for the music came at an early age. My older brother was around at the right time - during the summer of love acid house era - and used to get some amazing music. He used to buy massive stereo systems and I got to hear what the music was like really loud. I loved it. Eventually he bought some decks, I had a go on them and I was hooked. I was buying records at 13 (mostly hardcore) and loved making tapes. My brother used to buy house and techno records so I got to hear a vast range of music.
You've DJ'd many places. Where are you favourite places/clubs/nights?
Hmmm, tough one. My earliest gig will always be a great memory, at the old dance factory at the back of The Institute. A rammed club aged 15 was nerve racking but very inspiring cuz the crowd was so responsive. When I was resident for Stupid Underground they threw some amazing parties at The Custard Factory and also hosted a room at Gatecrasher, which I was resident at for 4 years and it was rammed every week. I got to know some great people and of course Flashback at the Q club. I never played in the main room but the flashback family and the general event vibe is so good so they are my favourites.
Congratulations on signing with Fidget Music. Can you tell us a little about the upcoming tracks you are releasing?
Thanks a lot. The tracks I'm producing are just the types of tunes that I wanna hear when I'm out clubbing. Tunes with some energy with uplifting, melodies, piano's and vocals etc. The 90s was one of the best times for great music so I'm trying to bring that flavour into my music because the current generation never got to hear some of that kind of stuff. It's still great when you listen to it now so if I can bridge a gap between the 90s happiness, love & energy and the current sound then great.
What tune (past or present) gets your bootie on the dance floor?
There are so many to choose from. Something that makes me happy. Something with a good groove. Something that bangs. Ill dance to anything if the vibe is right. House, Drum and Bass, Techno, Breaks, Old Skool it doesn't matter to me.
What's the one piece of production gear you can't live without?
His name is Barry. Haha. He's the engineer at Fidget Studios where all my tunes get finished. Or Ableton, thats where all my projects begin.
What is normally on your rider?
Water and Coca Cola usually. I'm not a big drinker.
Finally, what is the most rock n roll thing to have happened to you to date?
Well I was DJing at Gatecrasher once and some woman kept lifting her top up at me and flashing me. That did make me feel like rockstar. Clapping, dancing and screaming is usually what I see but whatever floats ya boat.
Ste on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ste-Essence/756053084503128
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteEssence
On Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/steve-essence
Fidget Music is a multi genre label supporting rising artists from around the world. Over the last decade Fidget Studios has risen to playing a vital role for many international artists. We feel it's time to share to the love and the luck with a mission to help bring new talent to the forefront alongside our work with their established artists.