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The more I am involved with the UF site, the more my knowledge
about artists and DJs progresses. This is a funny thing and in
most cases leads to big surprises. The latest example has to be
Jason Moore, who hit me with his latest
release called Dep Lounge 2 on Rhetoric Records
out of the UK. I started digging around a little 'bit, only to
see that he is very well known in the UK house scene and has tight
connections to Mike Elliot (from Salt City Orchestra), Si Brad
and Pete at Paper Recordings. With so many first class references
behind, I wasn't surprised that Dep Lounge hit me the way it did.
So I contacted him and did a small interview with Jason, which
will hopefully answer some of the questions you had for sure after
listening to his latest release. But before I'll go into the interview,
let me give you some information about the man behind Departure
Lounge:
Jason Moore has been organizing parties, promoting clubs and
DJing since 1987. In 1994, the prestigious Journeys By DJ spotted
Jason and signed him to their management company. He went on to
tour with JDJ throughout the world and established himself as
their main resident. He produced and presented JDJ Radio on pirate,
Face FM and brought DJs on to the show like Rocky (X-Press 2),
Ashley Beedle (Black Science Orchestra), Dave Hill (Nuphonic)
and Charles Webster (Remote).
After one too many close calls with the DTI, a new direction
was needed and he was instrumental in pioneering the show across
to the Internet, becoming the UK's first Internet radio station,
InterFACE. You can check out InterFACE at:
http://interface.pirate-radio.co.uk/live.html
I remember the time when I was listening a lot to InterFACE while
being stranded in Oregon. Without a doubt, one of the best underground
music stations on this planet, and I heard plenty of incredible
DJ talents spinning all kinds of music styles on this station.
Jason was also the main resident/promoter for JDJ's flagship
London night, Triptonite at The End. His affiliation with JDJ
kept him amongst all the main players in the world of underground
house music and this led up to Jason compiling and mixing Triptonite,
the album. This received critical acclaim from press and DJs alike,
with exclusive or unreleased tracks coming from Ian Pooley, Charles
Webster, Ashley Beedle, Shades Of Rhythm, Paper Recordings, Chris
Simmons, KillerLoop and Hot Lizzard, and established him as a
DJ throughout the UK.
In 1997, Jason moved his JDJ show to Mr. C's Internet radio station,
GaiaLive at:
http://www.gaialive.co.uk
which became the second most popular show on the roster of thirty
DJs, behind Gilles Peterson. He also started a new radio show
in Edinburgh on Fresh Air FM, coinciding with JDJ night, Triptonite
North.
In November 1997, Jason created departurelounge with legendary
Manc' house producer, Si Brad, releasing "Nu Odyssey" on Paper
Recordings again to much critical acclaim. It was pushed heavily
on Radio One by Carl Cox (who also bid for the track), Deep Dish,
Carl Craig and the Detroit DJs at Planet Rock.
1998 saw Jason Co-promoting and the taking up the main residency
at Wildlife at Heaven on Fridays. Despite only starting in September,
the night attracted a huge amount of publicity and established
itself as one of London's most important nights. Jason's vision
and creative input didn't go unnoticed and as such, Jason will
be taking over full control of Friday nights at Heaven as from
March 1999. Jason also DJs regularly at Phil Perry's new club
S.O.S., and features on his own deplounge sound system tour.
Jason has recently taken over Shades of Rhythm's management and
is Co-producing their new album. He is also looking after vocalist/songwriter,
Azeem also known as "Name" (vocalist on House of 909's "Beautiful
Day" on Pagan Records, and Attaboy's "New World" on Toko), is
launching his own record label, Rhetoric and continues to produce
and record with departurelounge and other artists.
For more information you can also check out the following Web
site:
http://www.state51.co.uk/paper/moore.htm
Watch out for Jason Moore! If you dig good music, you will see
his name again...
DJ MG
May 1999
The following interview was conducted by DJ MG in April 1999:
Where are you born, and where are you living right
now?
I was born in Kinsbury, London and I'm living in Northwood, Middex
right now.
When and how did you start in the music biz?
About 86-87 I was playing and organizing my own parties locally,
and then took it bigger.
You started spinning at "92's" in London. How
was it there?
Was pretty cool, considering it was owned by Andrew Ridley from
Wham!
How did you hook up with the prestigious JDJ team?
They saw me play at home in Manchester, and kept seeing me cropping-up
at clubs.
You did the "Triptonite" compilation for JDJ.
Was there a concept behind 'Triptonite' (I guess 'Triptonite'
is also a club in London). Do you still recall the feedback, and
did it somehow change your life?
Well, it was the CD behind the club, and I did one of the three.
It was a really deep laid back jazzy vibe that progressed the
further you listened... it gave me a big break and recognition.
You put a lot of emphasis on radio, if it is pirate
radio or Internet's InterFACE. How important is broadcasting for
you?
I love it and some say it's really what I should do more of.
However, it's difficult to break into at top level in the UK,
it's basically Radio One or KissFM - I am still waiting for the
call-up. But it will come...
When you spin, do you have a certain style or
favorite things you do on the Technics?
Difficult to answer that. I just concentrate 100% on the crowd
- that's what we're there for, to entertain.
In 1997 you released the first Dep Lounge on Paper,
together with Si Brad. Si Brad has almost hero status here in
the States among underground house lovers. How did you meet Si,
and are more cooperations planned with him in the future?
I met Si through my friends, Mike Elliot and Pete at Paper Recordings.
I manage him exclusively and yep, there's already plans for doing
more.
Who is doing the vocals on Dep Lounge 2?
Can't tell you that at the mo' - it's a bit of a closely guarded
secret. Would have to kill you if I'd tell you...
Departure Lounge is also a club night as far as
I have read. Do you try to capture the favor of this event with
your Dep Lounge releases, and what exactly is this favor?
Dep Lounge now is more of a concept, where I DJ. There are certain
DJs which fit into that like Phil Perry (Full Circle) and Leigh
Morgan (Muzik Mag), but they're for a few in between. Apart from
meeting criteria musically, it's also a state of mind and attitude
if you like - oh, and you have got to like drinking loads of beer
and not taking yourself too seriously!
Please tell me something about Rhetoric Records.
Why did you start it, and what can we expect from Rhetoric in
the future?
Absolutely loads! I just wanted a home for musically liked minded
people irrespective of genre and styles - just good music!
Is there a philosophy behind Rhetoric?
It's a 'bit cheeky - A David and Goliath thing.
Please tell me something about the UK house scene.
How different are the various scenes in the UK (Manchester, Glasgow,
London etc.)? Where do you think it's moving, any criticism, and
do you see any important differences to the US scene?
Now you're stirring up a hornet's nest! This is a vast subject
and too much too cover as one question. Sorry!
Have you ever considered doing (more) gigs here
in the States?
Well, err... no! I hate flying and pretty much avoid it at all
costs. Maybe sometimes in the future at the right venue. Who knows...
What are current projects you are working on?
Launching Urban Torque at Heaven - Rhetoric - Dep Lounge - and
loads more.
Who are the people who inspired you and your music?
What are your favorite music styles?
Well, emm... people like Rocky (X-Press 2), Phil Perry, and Jon
Jules who was the reason I started it all - and too many others
to mention.
Do you have an all-time favorite list, and what
records are spinning on your stereo at the moment?
I never answer this question - just good music. Period!
Thank you very much for this interview!
My pleasure.
Discography:
Zee "I Imagine" (More Protein) - Producer & Remix
Lee-O "How Can I?" (Hip Pop/BMG) - Producer & Remix
Skylab 2000 "Auburn" (JDJ) - Remix
JDJ "Triptonite CD" (JDJ) - Compiled & Mixed
Departurelounge "Nu Odyssey" (Paper) - Producer
Departurelounge ft. SOR "Deplounge 2" (Rhetoric) - Producer
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