Forget the whole God is a DJ business, Londoners know that the finest DJs in the land are really simple folk at heart who just happen to know the capital inside out. Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about David H but were too busy dancing to ask.
The DJ: David H
The Club Night: Be Presents
The Place:The Bloomsbury Ballroom
The Dates: 1st December
The Music: New Wave, Electro, Disco
How did you get into DJing?
As stated on my MySpace profile, it was halfway through my apprenticeship as a Bedouin camel trader that I was first abducted by aliens, taken to the Planet Zooberon where I was raised by Kangaroos. Then having received the secret Kanga-knowledge in traditional turntable arts, I was beamed back down to London's sleazy red light district, which is where it all began.
Honestly, I got some good breaks early on as a house DJ around 1995 - when Daft Punk were about to drop and before it all went Pete Tong. I played some great nights and some big venues around London, and went on to pick up resident spots elsewhere around the UK and Europe (Paris, Ibiza and Exeter, most notably). I love dance music and I love DJing, and it sure as hell beats digging holes in the road, as I quickly discovered.
What makes your style of DJing unique?
Being resident at Be means backing up a mish mash of live bands with a load of bass heavy party music, getting people dancing to weird indie records alongside maximal minimal electro house sounds, slipping in some off kilter punk funk disco, then usually heading right back to rock ‘n’ roll over the course of an evening. Because I've been in bands and write songs I think I have a fairly old fashioned idea of musical value, but I also love the mechanical aspects of electronic music.
What do you do when you’re not DJing?
I promote club nights, of which Be is the latest incarnation. I used to be a sound engineer and part owner in a bunker-style studio where we recorded bands. Otherwise, sleep, read books, watch films and eat Sunday roasts.
What music do you listen to?
Anything new and great, or old and great. So The Clash to Lady Day to Sonic Youth to Elliot Smith. But loads of great artists have come through in the last couple of years that keep me listening over and over - Arcade Fire, Hot Chip, Metronomy, Cold War Kids, Free Blood, and er, some others.
Who’s on your DJ dream team?
I would have to say Erol Alkan, Magda of Minus Records and Herve. That would make a pretty good tag team I reckon - people would get injured.
What was the most expensive night you’ve ever enjoyed in London, and who was paying?
Tea at the Ritz, followed by posh drinks and dinner at The Atlantic Bar and Grill. Delicious. That was on my grandma's birthday so, of course, I let her pick up the bill.
And the cheapest?
Too many to mention.
What’s your favourite festival?
Easy, Bestival! Best location, best organised, best people. This year we had great weather and the atmosphere was electric from start to finish. A truly great British weekend!
What’s the most unique venue in London in your opinion?
Bloomsbury Ballroom or Koko. I love Koko, always have, since growing up there on acid house Fridays and indie Tuesdays (I was a mixed up kid).
Describe your perfect day and night in London.
Hampstead Heath, The Old Crown Public House WC1, Proud Galleries, friend's house.
David H plays at Be Presents at Bloomsbury Ballrooms on 1st December 2007.