Hi there, it's Nizam again, and I recently caught up with another fellow Canadian, the one and the only DJ APS. He has been working feverishly on his upcoming new album "Return of the King" which is due for a worldwide release on August 15 to 20th, 2004.
Nizam: For those people out there who don't know DJ APS, can you tell us a bit how you started out as an Internet DJ and what drove you to breakout into the mainstream bhangra industry?
DJ APS: I have been producing music for many years. The Internet at the time gave me a free outlet to get my volumes of music I had created over the years for listeners to enjoy. I started Dj'ing at clubs at 14 years old with fake id. I really don't like that term Internet DJ. The Internet is just a great start to get music out to everyone. After the exposure my music was getting out quickly and gaining momentum and got picked up by AV8 records and other compilation albums that featured me with likes of PMC, Bally Sagoo, Tigerstyle, RDB etc, and then released my own albums.
Nizam: Since you arrived on the scene as in internet DJ, what is you're opinion on Music downloading and file sharing, since you made a name for yourself through those avenues, do you feel it's a double sided knife, or supremely good or bad for the Asian music industry?
DJ APS: Internet is here to stay. I see downloading as the newest form of Radio. Be it Internet, taping off the radio, copying CD's or cassettes it will always be part of every music industry. Most people still buy CD's that are worth buying, it weeds out lots of the garbage out. Some profits are lost from downloading and bootlegging, but again its steps up the game for live shows. Live shows separate the frauds from the real thing.
Everyone is a DJ but can they actually DJ? Most just like to see their names on a CD pretending to be something, those artists I hope people download.
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Nizam: As an Internet DJ the tunes you created for download were heavily sampled. Can we expect more of the same on you debut album our have you moved away from that?
DJ APS: What's with this term Internet DJ in every question? The mixes I had created earlier where mixes made out of the love for the art of remixing, obviously due to high sample content it was just released on the net for people to enjoy. This is being my 6th album I am moving away from the heavy sampled sound to show my original production and singers I have. At the |
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| time the market was there it was new and fresh. Anyone can sample is buts how you articulate, manipulate and chop them to create a new sound. Now any clown with a computer can put two sounds together. The key is growth, you have to grow as and artist and a musician. |
Nizam: You've repped Canada to the fullest no doubt for the last few years, what's the main difference you find in the Canadian industry as opposed to the UK bhangra industry?
DJ APS: I have been doing this for over 10 years now, the biggest difference I see with the Canada and U.K scene is UK has foundation built with radio airplay and somewhat more cohesion with artists. Touring many countries it made me note that Canada loves there music traditional and a little remixing, but if you can't make it sound better than the original DON'T TOUCH IT!
Nizam: The scene is much smaller in Canada, but is quite live nonetheless, did you find it hard trying to come up in Canada, and like other North American acts such as DJ Sanj and Big Suga Kane, were you ever tempted to set up shop in the UK?
DJ APS: Quality and Originality is key. It doesn't matter where I set up. Me being in Canada I have the chance to work with many artists from around the world, plus I love Canada. The main thing is to create good original music, good quality and not relying on gimmicks to sell records.
Nizam: Speaking of the UK, you're track Tabba, has really done well on the UK charts, what were you're feelings and did you expect such a great response with the song?
DJ APS: Tabba really blew up for me; I knew it was going to do something. UK embraced that track. Thanks to Adil, PHS, Nihal and Bobby Friction & DSE for blowing it up and the exposure, it's starting to get played here in Canada now. It had such a nostalgic sound and lyrics everyone relates to with desi food and its popularity, it had all generations on the floor.
Nizam: Your new track, "Bulle Tere" which featured on the 'Bombay Boogie Night' compilation released in Germany, will that be on your album? It's been said that it's got a Zeus sound to it, what is your feeling on such comments?
DJ APS: I have got that comparison a lot now and its cool with me. It has a similar Dhol pattern and couldn't do much because of the tempo of the song. With the singer (Amarjit's) delivery, tune and tempo that was the only dhol to fit in the song. I played that song when Zeus was up here in Canada, its all love and yes the track will be in the new album.
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Nizam: Your album "Return of the King" is set for release worldwide in August, can you tell us a little bit about the album and what kind of styles and sounds we will hear on it?
DJ APS: Original beats and production, my best work to date! Stayed away from formulated sounds and experimented with new styles. The album is still hard hitting and with my original formula. I have a track with my bro Mr. Tiger called "In Disguise" with a video already shot, and a new R&B singer named Pawan, which is ready to take over. It has 14 tracks in total, 7 bhangra and 7 hip-hop. |
Nizam: You've decided to go with Joti Dhillon's label, Planet Recordz, what made you decide to go with them ahead of others?
DJ APS: Its still in the works, I think this album will on be on my own and hook up with them in the future for sure. I love what Planet Recordz are doing.
Nizam: Canada has a lot of really good DJ's such as yourself in the bhangra industry, which DJ's in Canada do you feel will make waves in the future?
DJ APS: Generally, the industry is at a standstill nothing original is happening. We have many artists coming in the game and all are doing the same thing that has been overdone in 1992, loop a 50cent beat and you have a mix, or getting a producer and pay him to make an album for you. We (desi artists) need to get original with our productions and create our own beats. We are not growing as an industry; we have mainstream attention now and should take advantage of this exposure and not blow it on garbage.
Nizam: In terms of Music, whom are you listening to in the Asian music industry, as well as the mainstream industry?
DJ APS: I listen to anything that sounds good.
Nizam: You've toured all over the world, can you tell us about the different atmospheres and the liveliest crowds you've played for?
DJ APS: Australia was amazing, Cali was crazy too, just to see the love and support like I never seen before and I love touring…. UK is always fun. My aim is to spread our music so that others don't exploit it.
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Nizam: Will we be seeing any future tours for North America and the UK to promote your upcoming album?
DJ APS: You know it; keep checking for latest updates on www.djaps.com
Nizam: I hear you also have a Music Video for the album; can you tell us a little bit about that?
DJ APS: There are a couple of videos. In Disguise is already shot, the other video for Bulle Tere is in the works. |
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Nizam: Well those are about all the questions I have, is there anything you would like to say to all the desitunes4u.com readers out there?
DJ APS: Get the new album. It will be the hottest album of the year. I am always looking for new talent; so if you're original hit me up at www.djaps.com. Until then THROW YO HANDZ UP!!
I want to thank DJ APS for taking the time to speak to us. Make sure to grab his album titled "Return of the King." out worldwide, August 15 to 20th, 2004. If you would like more information, please visit the DJ APS website and you can email him at info@djaps.com now! |
