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Polysexual preview: interview with Hinsley

Reported by Simon Rutherford / Submitted 13-04-05 10:34

From early beginnings as an uplifting house and speed garage DJ playing to a weekly radio audience of up to 10,000 people across the midlands to becoming a highly sought after name in the current hard dance scene, Polysexual promoter and resident DJ Hinsley has become a household name to the thousands of regulars that frequent clubs right across the UK’s midlands over the past few years.

No stranger to being billed alongside the cream of the UK hard dance DJs such as Lashes, Farley, Savage, Tissera, Scot Project and the like, his recent production efforts are now seeing his name spread far and wide as they’re being included on mixed compilation cds such as Hard Dance Republic, Tidy Addict and Frantic Euphoria vol2.

This Saturday night sees him bring some of his Northern madness to London as Polysexual South take on Extreme Euphoria at the mighty Fridge in Brixton. Before he makes his trek down the M1 I managed to catch up with him to find out a bit more about the man and what he has in store for us this weekend.



Hi mate. First of all… name, age, where ya from, what do you play?

Hinsley – 25 – Birmingham – I play all types of harddance and hard edged music. Whether it be techno, hardhouse or trance – whatever shakes the floor!

You’ve been DJing and promoting for a few years now. What made you get into DJing and who were your early influences?

Well, attending clubs such as Godskitchen, Bakers, Gatecrasher and Sundissential in their “halcyon days” in the late 90s was a huge influence on me. When I saw the dj controlling the entire dancefloor I was instantly hooked. Early influences? There were so many, but the likes of Tony de Vit, Farley, Fergie in particular inspired me a lot.

Your list of residencies over the years is as long as my arm and more recently includes two of the biggest names in UK Hard Dance - Polysexual and Godskitchen. How’d you come about them and how does your personality/style vary depending on which promotion you’re playing at

I used to promote and resident a smaller hardhouse night on a Sunday called Recycle. Gk/Polysexual approached me about heading a new Polysexual promotion and residency starting on the Jubilee Sunday in 2002. I was looking to move onto bigger and better things so I did not hesitate in taking the position. Since then I’ve taken part and played at some amazing events, especially at the Dome in Birmingham, Aug 2003, which is something that will stay with me forever.

With the styles between the 2 promotions, it’s all about being versatile and ready to play in any slot time.

You’ve played alongside a who’s-who of hard dance DJs. Who, if any, do you still look up to and take influence from, and who do you still make an effort to see as a ‘clubber’, or has being a DJ made it all work and no play for you now?

Work IS play for me! No, being at Polysexual week in week out I get to see and hear all of the djs sets, most I still look up to and respect highly. It’s a tough industry to break into, and some of these acts that have been around for years are now doing the biz. Not to mention the fresh talent coming through who are just as enjoyable to watch/rub shoulders with/stalk.



A recurring hot topic in London is the progression of DJ sets throughout a night. Imagine this… You’re booked to play the 10-11pm 2nd set at a hard house/dance event. Do you:
(a) bang it out at 150bpm straight off the bat because, hell, that’s what you play and the promoters know that and it’s what the crowd expects of you; or do you
(b) keep it slow and groovy, leaving the crowd wanting more and giving the DJs playing after you the opportunity to build the night slowly?


It’s got to be the second option.

How important do you think musical progression is? I’ve heard rumours of certain hard dance DJs up North refusing to let DJs play before them again if they play too hard or try to show them up when they’re only a supporting DJ. Do you agree with this, or do you think it’s being a bit big-headed? Have you experienced this yourself?

Well to elaborate on the above question, I think its very important not to play too hard too early. As a resident at Poly I play the majority of sets in warm up, so I tend to build it with funky techno or grooving hardhouse at a slower bpm rather than what you’d find being played if you walked in at midnight. It’s more out of respect for the dj playing next than anything.

Personally I haven’t heard of djs refusing to follow others but it is something that happens or has happened no doubt.

Another hot topic world-wide is the influx of digital downloads and life of vinyl. Are you an ‘old-school’ vinyl junkie that’ll play the odd cdr but never give it up, or could you care less and be more than prepared to ditch those heavy chunks of vinyl for a laptop or a pouch full of cds and a couple flash cards?

I’d say I’m a bit of both. My sets consist of half the tracks on cd and half on vinyl at the moment. It’s definitely going digital though. Nowadays, there are djs sets that consist only of cdrs.

A lot of highly regarded hard dance DJs are moving across genres into thing such as house, breaks and techno these days. Do you think this spells the beginning of the end of hard dance as we know it, or do you think it’s a good thing as it’ll give a fresh round of DJs making their way up the ranks a chance to step up into their place and/or bring new sounds and ideas into what has been labelled by some as a scene that’s become a bit rinsed creativity-wise?

I think it will always change, bring other styles in and hopefully create new ones. It will always be hard though and for that reason “harddance” as we call it now won’t be going anywhere for a while. There’s so much new talent coming through in producers, djs, etc. so I can see it having a good innings. Also the nutters that vote with their feet in thousands week in week out around the country prove that there’s still great demand for the genre.



Do you think you’ll be playing ‘hard dance’ for years to come, or can you see yourself moving in a different direction somewhere down the line?

I’m loving the music more than ever and I’ve no current plans to change my style but you never know what the future holds. Ill probably end up doing mobile discos for over 50s across the black country, with the odd bit of balaclava modelling as a hobby.

Where do you see yourself heading in the next 12 months? What are your aspirations as a DJ/producer/promoter?

To keep riding the wave I guess! I’ve got some massive gigs lined up with The Global Gathering 2005 and some stuff abroad, not to mention the Polysexual tours in north and south of the UK as well as our HQ in Birmingham. I can’t wait for it!

This up-coming Polysexual South event sees you hitting the main room at the infamous Fridge club in Brixton - inarguably one of the best venues in the UK (and certainly my favourite by far!). Have you played or been here before, or has it remained something of legend for you until now? Do you have anything special lined up for the occasion?

I played there b2b with Maddox in Feb at Poly’s south launch. It’s a class venue, with an awesome crowd. It’s a legendary venue and any djs dream to play in. I guess there’s just something about the place! For this weekend’s event – nothing lined up as of yet… I’ll definitely be doing my usual thing behind the decks. We will see!!!!

Polysexual parties are notorious for being full-on, non-stop mayhem and debauchery. What is it about Polysexual that brings out the devil in people, and do you think this will follow you down the M1 to London and show us Southerners how it’s done?

I think there’s something for every nutter at Polysexual. We’ve got pretty much everything going on for your usual hard house hedonist. It’s a friendly atmosphere and I think that’s why people like coming to our events. I’d say to anyone who hasn’t made the journey to Polysexual yet to check it out a club near you soon! I.e.: London this Saturday where the Poly vibe will definitely be following us down the m1…. You won’t be disappointed trust me!



And finally, I have to throw in this old chestnut… How do you rate London crowds compared to the crowds up north? I hear northern chicks have serious aversions to wearing jackets when they go out. What’s with that?! Surely they can afford £1 for coat-check?! A boob-tube and mini-skirt don’t constitute suitable attire when it’s -4c outside in my book!

Well the crowd in London last time round were awesome and I’ve no doubt it well be just as up for it this weekend too. There’s an energy and vibe that’s second to none. I have to say the crowds up north are also very up for it…. but your right about the coat thing. Its -10 degrees colder up there as well !!! Madness!

Thanks very much for your time mate, and I look forward to catching up with you on Saturday.

Photos courtesy of Hinsley and Polysexual.
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Other Features By Simon Rutherford:
Innovate 1st birthday preview: interview with promoters Nick Sentience and Craig Paxton
Tidy Euphoria Album Launch Preview, Sat 28 May @ Turnmills
Edison Factor interview: a preview to Saturday's live set @ Twisted
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
Comments:

From: Kamora on 14th Apr 2005 22:07.47
Bring it on Hinsley!

From: Lx on 15th Apr 2005 13:01.08
tee hee Big grin

From: Kamora on 15th Apr 2005 16:32.39
Speed Garage to Hard dance?! Respect!

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