As far as djs go, hard dance and beautiful females seem to go together like d’n’b and po-faced head-nodders. The scene is simply full of them. From original tidy Girls Lisa lashes, Anne Savage and the lovely Lisa Pin Up to today’s starlets Little Gem and Cally Gage, ever since there has been ‘oink’, ‘bounce’ and ‘bang’, there’s been a queue of attractive and well groomed ladies just waiting to bounce and grin behind the decks. And too right too... a party ain’t a party without em so the trend ain’t stopping now!
The latest in this long line is trailblazing London star Shimmer aka Estelle Atkins who is already commanding headline sets at events like Frantic’s More whilst adding to her impressive collection of London DJ credits. Well known for her infectious mix of tough beats, party energy and massive euphoric riffs, she’s now ready to step up to the next level and truly be counted.
As she gets ready for her set at Tasty’s Love Muzik at Hidden on Friday 21 April we hit her up with a few questions…
You’ve been bubbling on the hard dance scene for the last months and have played some of London’s most reputed venues — from the SeOne club to the former Camden Palace of Koko and even Brixton Academy. But how did you first have your ears pricked to the attention of the dance world? Was it a specific track or artist that first captured your imagination?
It all goes back to my teenage years at a tender age of 12 when I used to tune into pirate radio stations to listen to jungle and hardcore. I have always listened to dance from trance–drum & bass. One of my favourite tracks of all time has to be William Orbit’s ‘Adagio for Strings’. To this day it still makes my hair on my arms stand up
Can you recall the first clubbing experience you ever had? Was it a night you’ll never forget… or a night you’ll always love but will never remember (for whatever reason!)?
It has to be the legendary Dreamscape 21 at The Sanctuary Milton Keynes. Wow it was a night I was never to forget, I was blown away.
You’ve been DJing for a good few years now and penetrating the scene in the last 18 months with impressive vigour. Who were your first DJing idols and what inspiration did you take from these early influences?
It has to be the likes of DJ Sy and most definitely the don himself, DJ Hype. Both were massive legends to me as I was growing up. In recent years of course Elvis he was the one who introduced me to wheels of steel and since then haven’t looked back.
You’re well known for you pounding but euphoric sound and your love of solid uplifting riff is there for all to hear. Have you always been a fan of big melodies? What other styles of dance music have you been into… whispers on the grapevine say you’re a bit of drum and bass head..?
I love a deep bassline and hands in the air riffs. I’m a sucker for bootlegs, I have a wicked Audio Bullys one which goes down a stormer and not to forget a blinding Faithless favourite. I love all styles of music but yes I love a bit of DnB and jungle, you’ll always see me shaking it on the dance floor if there is a sniff of it in the air
What was your first set in front of a decent audience? Were you brickin’ it before you went or did you keep it all under control?
It was at Paradoxx at Deep Blue and I was playing the warm up. I remember looking up and thinking where the hell have all these people come from. I was shitting it I had a good flow of double vodka’s and lemonade to get me through the set.
How are you with your pre-set nerves these days? Do you still get those excitable stomach jitters before you go on?
God yeah all the time but I always have a few drinks to help. I think its good to be nervous keeps you on your toes.
What would consider you biggest break along your current road to success? Who do you feel you owe the most for your rapid progress?
I will never forget the night Elvis said to me that Will (Frantic) asked if I wanted to play More at SE1 warming up in the HardKiss Room… I didn’t believe him and went “yeah yeah”… and then I realized he wasn’t joking and then panic set in. I do owe it to Elvis and Will for giving me the opportunity to show people what I’m made of.
Do you still find time to do a bit of clubbing as a punter and what was the last big night that you went out on? Any comical stories to relay…?
Yeah I do try and I do like to go to different events if poss. I’m really looking forward to Alexandra Palace for the Transmission event, can’t wait. Bring on the DnB…
As for comical stories… I go out with Elvis all the time, trust me if was to tell my life would not be worth living!!!
A lot of people lament the quality of current hard dance, others think it’s stronger than ever with the likes of Technikal and Greg Brookman breathing fresh life into the scene, whilst established producers like the legendary Nick Sentience continue to push back boundaries, reinventing their own sound in the process. What is your take on it all and which producers do you feel are stirring the scene’s creative juices the most?
I think the problem we are having is there isn’t much decent hard house being released and to educate the crowd. As for new sounds, we are turning to up coming producers like Digital Kid and AMS.
At Tasty’s Love Muzik, you’re going head to head with hard dance party animal Seany Sean. How long have you known Sean for and what were your first impressions of the Frantic supported hotshot?
Well I first met Seany at Prehab when him and Elvis where doing a b2b… what can I say I have been shaking in my stilettos ever since. He’s a blinding DJ, I have my work cut out…
Have you any ideas as to how your back to back showdown is likely to turn out?
I have had the pleasure of listening to the likes of Seany many times and I think it going to work really well. I’ve noticed though he is a bit of a flash git with his tricks so I will leave them to him I think…
From the likes of Cally, Little Gem and Janie Mac, there seems to be a decent throng of good looking ladies making waves of the London hard dance scene. Is there any friendly competition between you and are you all good mates?
I HATE THEM ALL….. Nah not really they are all fab and such lovely ladies…. Come on who else could I talk to about nails, shoes, handbags etc…
Have you been down to any of the previous Love Muzik parties and will you be sticking around to let your hair down and get down on the dancefloor once your set is done? Is there anyone that you particularly want to check out?
Unfortunately I have never been able to but I can’t wait. I love Hidden and heard fab things about the promotion… so you will definitely see me stomping away to Kutski and a bit of Darren Styles (but I won’t have my whistle I’m afraid).
Finally, what are your main targets for the rest of the year? Is there any goal that you have set yourself in terms of your DJing?
Of course the main stage at HHA! But back down to earth, I really want to get a decent residency under my belt and play out of London a lot more. I’m also hoping to get a few sets on the South Coast very soon. And I really want to go in the studio with AMS but the SELFISH GIT is in bloody OZ and I think it might be a bit expensive to go there just to write a tune.
Photos courtesy of the HarderFaster archive by Daf, Pink Kitty and Shimmer. Not to be reproduced without permission.
VERY LIMITED EARLY BIRD TICKETS ONLY £10 + BF FROM WWW.LOVEMUZIK.COM UP TO FRIDAY APRIL 7TH
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After only 2 events, Love Muzik has with out a doubt become the most talked about party in club land. We have broke down musical barriers and re wrote the rules on Friday night partying. For our 3rd instalment we join up with London’s hottest hardcore sensation – Hardcore Expression to bring you 3 rooms of seriously intense intimate vibes – Don’t hear about how good this event was from your friends, come and experience the unique Love Muzik atmosphere for your self ………… Love Life, Love to Party, Love Muzik!!!!!!
Mc Storm
Mc Whizz Kid
Darren Styles
Kevin Energy
Kutski
Billy Daniel Bunter
Flyin
Skampy & Mayhem
Illicit
Little Fella
Umpa & Binx
Mc Mayers
Mc Doc E
Mc Mel Sd
Mc 8 Ball
Love Classics
A Retrospective Of House 1988 To 2006
Rob Blake
Piqué Dj Twista
Niki Dimensions
Petty Thievez
From: JC-TAKTIKALon 20th Apr 2006 11:17.20 Legend! wicked DJ great attitude lovely lady x!
From: Beckaon 20th Apr 2006 11:35.46 Wicked lady, nice interview! Good luck with Seany lol! xxx
From: Jennie Bon 20th Apr 2006 12:48.59 Great interview babes!
Wicked chick
From: Zemon 20th Apr 2006 12:59.21 Can't believe I've still not seen you play!
Well if you play half as well as you wiggle it's no suprise you're doing so well
From: Steve Gillenon 21st Apr 2006 12:36.04 Nice interview Shimmer Glad it's going well for you
From: luke warneron 22nd Apr 2006 19:07.55 nice work Estelle
From: davedraveron 23rd Apr 2006 22:12.20 1st class shimmer me and my mates were well impressed with your quality tunes and mixing skills ..nuffink but pure pleasure ****starwardz me thinks****
From: stewon 24th Apr 2006 09:44.46 Nice one babe, catch up soon!
From: Shimmeron 24th Apr 2006 10:54.40 Ahh you guys... thanks so much for all the nice comments... big hugs to you all
From: slackyon 24th Apr 2006 14:28.14 Nice one Estelle!
From: K.A.R.L.on 25th Apr 2006 21:43.51 Good work Estelle. Are all your mates going to be there ?
From: Jolene Redtripon 26th Apr 2006 10:42.24 Well done hun, I love the picture of you with one antler on your birthday!!!
From: Claire99on 26th Apr 2006 13:34.07 very good read , nice photo's too
From: Yojo - Cyberkittenon 28th Apr 2006 12:24.03 Top bird! You GO girl! Luved having you at CK's HardKiss Arena @ MORE, the start of great things! Equally wiikid b2b with HyperVixen at CK's Room @ Heat! You beauties smashed it! Next stop .. CyberKitten in Northampton!! RAAAAAA & mwah babe xx
From: B.S.Eon 28th Apr 2006 18:18.54 Nice one me darlin'
See you soon
From: Janie Macon 2nd May 2006 12:25.07 Nice one Estelle you superstar! See you soon... xx
From: little gemon 2nd May 2006 21:13.14 Big mwah to you babe!!
Keep up the good work and see you soon honey!
Gem xx
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