International DJ, radio presenter and reviews editor at Vive Le Rock and Louder Than War -
DJ Paula Frost, drops in to give us the lowdown on her explosive new single Oxygen Tank out on the 20th March......
Hey Paula - how would you introduce yourself to the PM blog readers?
I’d say I’m a DJ from London who used to play drums in bands. I’m also the reviews editor of Vive Le Rock and Louder Than War Magazines. I’ve been DJing for three years now and I have been on a world tour playing in 14 countries including New Zealand, Croatia, Russia and Japan. Right now I’m about to drop my debut single ‘Oxygen Tank’ on 20th March so pre-order here!
Did your parents records or music you grew up on have influence on you?
Yes definitely. My parents are music lovers but not musicians. My mum got me into reggae and indie like Bob Marley and The Cure. My dad got me into punk like Killing Joke, The Clash and Crass. I asked for a harmonica when I was about 4, a guitar age 6 and a drum set age 7. But I had to show I was serious by practicing every day on pots and pans and taking lessons at school until they got me the drum kit! There’s a musical bone in my family, my uncle is a great guitarist and my Irish grandma was a fantastic piano player. Both self taught.
What inspired you to start Doing and was there a lightbulb moment?
I was working as a radio show producer on Kane FM and all my friends were DJs. When my band split up and I wasn’t drumming anymore, the DJs encouraged me to get my own radio show and start learning the craft. I was interviewing at first and just playing records one after the other. Then I started to pick up the techniques and get serious. Now I’ve played all over the world and had loads of amazing shows so I decided to start writing my own music.
What was your first gig?
My first show was actually a really great ‘I was there’ gig because it was the first ever Art’s Cool in Margate held at a pub on the seafront which is now part of Dreamland. I DJed old school tunes like The Clash and The Jam and people loved it. Then a new band played called SLAVES. They are major label big shots now signed to Virgin Records. Art’s Cool has now become a club called Elsewhere. So I consider that gig as a very good starting point of inspiration because everyone there has gone on to great things.
Is there a country where you especially connected with the audience?
I have played a lot of shows in a lot of different countries over the years so I’ve picked up a lot of new music and I feel that I can connect with audiences wherever I go. Its about doing your research and putting your own stamp on it. People abroad want to hear the kooky British records they’ve never heard before so it’s a bit easier! I definitely connected with audiences in Russia and I find European audiences absolutely brilliant. But shows in England are always wild too. We like to let go at the weekend! I’ve had a guy come up to me after a show and say “Tonight was special. I haven’t connected with my wife like that in years.” Moments like that are amazing to think you’ve got these people on the dance floor who are in their late 30s and have been working really hard to raise their family and you’ve just given them a night to really let go any enjoy each other’s company completely. That’s beautiful!
You’ve gigged globally - do you have many places left on your checklist?
I do have a lot of countries left on my checklist! It’s endless really. I’d love to spend the rest of my life playing shows all over the world. An American tour, Mexico, China, more countries in Europe and all the incredible festivals that pop up each year. You can never say you’ve done it all. There’s always a way to raise the bar! Do you see crossover between the energy of punk and electro/drum n bass? The crossover is that its rebel music. It’s party music and its youthful. I love big gatherings of likeminded people, they are so powerful. Peace is the most powerful tool we have and music seamlessly brings us together.
Have you got any tips for aspiring DJs?
I get asked this fairly often and I’d say it helps to build up a collection of the very best music from each decade and genre. Like I have a disco and funk playlist up my sleeve as well as a punk ’77 playlist. You never know. Also just be a decent, humble person and be tolerant of others. I don’t like diva DJs who need this and that and demand creature comforts. As long as I have food in my tummy and bottled water on stage I can’t ask for much more so lets rave :D
Check in with Paula at www.djpaulafrost.com
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