Slicker Cities, an up and coming Sydney dj and producer, who has created his first mix tape “slicker cities”. after listening to this you will have faith that he will have plenty more. We had the chance to poke a stick at him and get some good Q&A.
Q: (For those who don’t know) what is your dj name and where did it come from?
The name originated about 2 years ago from 2 boxes up in the attick that i considered to be junk at the time. As the curious kid i am i rampaged through one box to find a whole collection of old video tapes and one in particular to be one of my old time favourites.. city slickers.. Directed by Ron Underwood. With Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby. The story is about them being in their forties and going through a little mid life crises, they pack their bags and set out into the Harsh american country side to later finding a stash of gold. To me, my gold was what was in the other box in my attick, a box of old records that belong to my parents that ranged from pink flloyd to the brothers johnson to fleetwood mac. Thats where all the fun began.
Q: when did you find out that djing and making music was something you love?
Ive always been really into my music but when i was around the age of 14 i was a big bodyboarding fan, i used to watch a lot of surfing/ bodyboarding movies and documentaries, not only being amazed at some of the talent i saw but also how they actually mixed the songs into each other from scene to scene. My older brother at the time was big into the night club scene and brought home a dvd one day called Fat Boy Slims “big beach Boutique”… this was something else. Thats when the art of djing + entertainment all started for me.
I then got a part time job in a pizza place and ended up buying a dingy mixer, one turn table and cd player and gave djing a go.
I loved it so after i finished school i saved up some real coin and went out and bought some proper turntables etc haha.
Q: when was your first big break in djing?
My first gig was at a party at YU called make or break put on by Alex Dimitriou and Mitch Bennet (ember), i couldnt really mix at the time but i played some good tracks that people liked, one dude actually high fived me which was pretty cool.
My favourite gig was probably a recent one at a local hotel called the LAN party put on by a bunch of good genuine lads, it was a fun night and all my friends were there having fun too.
Q: do you ever plan to do this as a full time job or just for a passion ?
Apart from a full time job that im already working at, I spend just as much time in my bedroom trying to make some quality tracks, one day i hope to just travel full time, playing at venues in the sun and making people dance and feel good, also whilst taking photographs from beaches/ country sides and city scapes..
Q: whats your favourite song that you have created? and which was the funnest to create?
I have a have a few songs up my sleeve that im just making some extra adjustments to, i had fun making that paradise track and actually made it in a very small amount of time, my other tracks im working on are a bit more deep and dancier if that makes sence.
Q: where do you get your inspiration and creativity from?
I guess i get my inspiration from the general city life, this day and age its very fast paced and wild if i can say, the cities around us are marvels, i guess i want people to stop and listen, take it slow and chill out.
Q: where do you wanna be in 10 years?
10 years is quite a long time, haha its actually quite scary just thinking about it, really im just trying to take each day as it comes, trying new things, meeting new people, making new sounds, just living the moments. I still have a lot to learn though so despite my answer im still looking forward to what the future holds.
Thanks for your time Al.
and everybody, here it is:
miguel campbell – can’t get enough
fred falke – crystal city
e-the-hot – the chicks
city life – san francisco feat. dd (fred falke remix)
kris menace – live & direct
geyster – under the fuse of love (lifelike remix)
dvas – forever (just faust remix)
college – teenage color (anoraak remix)
xinobi – day off
loose shus – total fix
futurecop! – as seen on tv
amy holland – she’s on fire