Punk rock shows at community halls, the early 90’s rave scene and old style hip hop block parties……what do they have in common? They were major influences in the creation of the Calgary-based duo of Pete Emes and Mike Grimes aka Smalltown DJs. I had a chance to ask Pete a handful of questions as they get ready for their anticipated debut at the U Street Music Hall on Saturday January 29th.
They have been kind enough to put together a U Hall Mini-Mix. Also, go check out their sets and remixes on Soundcloud and their videos on YouTube.
ML: How and where did you and Mike meet?
SDJs: We met in Calgary after Mike got back from teaching english & djing in Korea. We were playing all the same records so it made total sense. We probably met at one of the record stores in town, where we both spent all our time. We both wanted to be the Canadian Armand Van Helden. But there couldn’t be two, so we joined up.
ML: Were you guys DJ’ing on your own before joining forces? Tell us about how “Smalltown DJ’s” came to be.
SDJs: It started as a tongue in cheek joke about the fact that we were coming up in Calgary, Canada djing and producing – and the Cowboy/Smalltown roots of the city. People started supporting us right away and we were able to bring Afrika Bambaataa, Jeru the Damaja, Kenny Ken and a bunch of our idols in the first year we started running the night.
ML: You guys bring a unique element to the table with your setlists/mixes containing multiple genres yet maintaining a constant flow. Soul, Hip Hop, Funk, Disco, Rock and Punk just to name a few! Where does this eclectic taste in music come from? Any specific musical influences/role models?
SDJs: Ah – well when we started most djs were playing one sound, rap or house or whatever, but sticking to one specific genre. So we decided this was not the way to do it. And we were playing lots of funk, disco, electronic stuff, rock, classic raps and house from day one.
ML: Hai Karate….the name of your weekly residency since 1999. Love the name. Is there a story behind it ?
SDJs: Not really – but the night is still GOING STRONG. Lined up every week for 10 years. I cant believe it. Everybody has played the night – A-Trak, Diplo, Dave Nada & Tittsworth, The Rub, Sinden, Boy 8-Bit, Fake Blood, Scottie B, Drop the Lime, so many I can’t remember right now – we always try to bring djs we admire who are going to make a fun dance party with the best club music. In 2005 we opened the Hifi Club and moved the night there, where it’s been ever since.
We used the name for our bootleg 12″ label as well. We released a bunch of funk bootleg and mashup stuff in the 2000s. Turntable Lab called us the Canadian funky Hollertronix or something.
ML: I really like what you did with “The Swiss'” Bubble Bath Remix by incorporating hip hop lyrics. You also have a Chilly Gonzales remix that is fairly new. Is it fair to say that the International Nu-Disco scene has had a major impact on the Smalltown DJ’s ?
SDJs: The raps by Shad are from our original tune called Boom Ha which came out last year on Plant Music. I liked that Swiss beat a lot and they worked well together so it’s one that I made for djs. I mean we’ve been into disco for a while. I’m just happy that club kids are loving it now. Some trends are good, and some bad, this one is good.
ML: What’s on the horizon for the Smalltown DJ’s ? Any new material ? Music Festivals?
SDJs: Yeah we have a Smalltown Romeo (with our partner Wax Romeo) tune called Party Motion on Plant Music coming out on Itunes this week, with a great video by Matt Luckhurst as well. The remixes on the record come from Malente, James Pants, In Flagranti and more so it’s definitely worth checking out.
We are doing some shows at SXSW and Ultra Week in Miami, then after that we are headed on a Canadian tour, then Europe and Australia. Summer is fun for us because we usually play a bunch of outdoor festivals in Canada. Shambhala being the biggest: – most djs who get to go say it’s their favorite festival on the continent.
ML: What are you listening to on your ipod right now?
SDJs: I was listening to our Best of 2010 mix for a bit (seriously ha!). But usually on the ipod I listen to music or mixes I’m working on, because I can focus on the music without distraction. Also in winter I listen to lots of mellow music, Nick Drake, Kurt Vile, Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks last week. Also – the new Cut Copy record, and the new Ghostface Killah.
ML: Have you guys heard about the soundsystem at Uhall ? Well, I won’t spoil it for you. I’ll let you guys be the judge
SDJs: No we haven’t – we feel like it’s our destiny though. We love Jesse and Will and are so stoked that UHall exists. It’s people and clubs like UHall that make me love what I do. It’s inspiring.
Chilly Gonzales – Never Stop (Smalltown DJs & Nick Thayer Remix)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/8102464″]
Rye Rye featuring M.I.A. (Smalltown DJs Remix)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/7056765″]
Smalltown Romeo – Party Motion
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/425966″]