:: INTERVIEWS :: TIM CLEWZ

You’re back at Prestatyn in October playing for us at TWX for our Superheroes event, are you looking forward to it?

Oh yeah definitely. Had some great times in the past and hopefully this one will be even better.

You’ve played at a number of Weekenders for us, which one is your favourite?

I’d say tw4 probably. It was the first one I played at, & the set up and the sound system was perfect. I got to meet and befriend some wicked people. So all in all a really good time

How important is it for DJs to play at massive events such as the Tidy Weekenders?

I always used to see the weekenders as the who’s who of hard house so obviously it’s a massive thrill to actually play and it doesn’t look half bad on the old biography. Along with that with the amount of people that go to these events it is a good way to meet & make fans etc

Do you prefer the big events or smaller intermit clubs when DJing?

Think each have their pros and cons. Always good to play big events cos you feel like ‘yeah this is where its at’. The downside it can be less personal & you can sometimes feel like a cog in the machine with all that’s taking place around you. With small events there is more often than not that personal touch but at the loss of the magnitude.

You appear to be moving away from the hard-dance sound and breaking in to tech-house. What sort of set can we expect from you at TWX?

Its going to be a nice blend of tech house and techno. Hard house/ dance whatever you want to call it just doesn’t hold any pleasure for me anymore and I wouldn’t feel like I’ve given it 100% if I played it.

Is this change in musical direction a natural progression for you?

Yeah I think so. We all change tastes over time. You can see from my tracks I’ve always favoured the groovier end of things and with my taste for funky techno its only been a matter of time before the house side of things began to take over. I think what acted as a catalyst were a few personal life changes which greatly altered my perspective on things. Either that or I’m just too old.

You are described as a warm-up DJ maestro. If you could find another word or phrase to describe warm-up sets that adequately give justice to the importance that these sets are to an event, how would you describe them?

Its like the foundations of the night. A good warm up set should kick start the flow of progression with every set building on top of that. They’re also a very good way for a new dj to cut their teeth as it teaches them important lessons like self control and leading the crowd.

You started playing out in 2000 on Sheffield’s hard-house circuit, what were your particular favourite hard-house tracks at that time? Given the direction you are taking musically, are there any that you still play (albeit a re-working)?

Think back then I was preferring stuff like Jas van Houten – Gimme pouwa, Epik – caramel e, The project – shout it out, od404 – Let Me Tell You Something, Andy Farley - Concentrate. Unfortunately I don’t think I could play any of them out now.

As your DJ career evolved over the last six or so years, what are the major influences in bringing you to where you are today?

I think earlier on Farley was a massive influence on me. I can remember getting a tape of his called Step into the light and I was like ‘I’ve got to get all these tunes’. Also after hearing him play a few techno tracks in his sets it opened my mind to techno. I think credit is due to Glaz aswell as hes been there to help and guide. Now though its hard to pinpoint where exactly I’m getting my influences from, I’m just letting things flow and bounce around, although I’m quite a fan of Darren Emersons sound.

In addition to DJing, you started producing your own tracks in 2004 and since then you’ve built up an impressive back catalogue, which ones would you say are in your top five?

Hmm, hard to say possibly Paradise Lost, Reverberation, The Prophet remix, Never Before, and The Rat.

You recently remixed one of my favourite tracks – Bulletproof/Mistakes. Why did you choose that particular track for a Clewz re-work?

That track was an old favourite of mine. I originally heard it on a tdv cd ages ago and just loved it. Unfortunately the original sounds so dated so I decided to my own personal rerub of it so I could play it in my sets

Not including yourself, who was the first DJ that you know of to play a Tim Clewz track / which track was it?

Think it would have been Glaz playing 7th level down at Scream in Bristol. Didn’t even realise it was my track till half way through haha

Looking at some of the big DJs charts its common to find at least one of your tracks listed, but what non Clewz tracks do you have as particular favourites in your charts?

Loads at the moment. Really digging Dark hore & What Lies beneath by Spektre. Tenpm – Dubrovnik has been a firm favourite for a while. Erm, theres Jon Gurd - Mind Control, Jon Gurd & Rob mooney – High volume, Funk D’void & phil Keiran – Tick Tick Tick, & Beckster –Howyadoin. Best stop now before it becomes a massive list.

As a Vicious Circle resident you work alongside the likes of VC’s Paul Glazby and Ben Stevens. That kind of residency would be a dream come true for most DJs; how did you win your position as part of such an elite team?

Well I’ve known Paul for years, probably since shortly after I moved to Sheffield, so that’s possibly given me a slight advantage but there was a whole group of us into djing so he could of chosen anyone really. I think what really clinched it was after I played a warm up set for him at one of the first vc tour nights at Sinergy in Manchester.

You’ve played up and down the country, including Fire (London), The Fridge (London), The Music Box (Manchester) and The Emporium (Coalville), and you name Turnmills in London as your favourite; is it the brick and mortar you like or something else about the venue that makes it your favourite?

Its got a wicked sound system, it seemed like a really clean and nice venue, and I love the way the dj box is hidden. Makes it more about the music than the dj personality which I believe is important.

You played at “I Love VC” in April this year at Fire, the hastily re-arranged location following the raid by 200 or so police officers at The Fridge the same weekend, what was the atmosphere like given the previous nights events?

Yeah it was really good. I was quite surprised how packed it was aswell considering what had happened. To be honest I much preferred that venue than the fridge.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Probably the success of Surprise. That really did shock me. Wouldn’t of believed it would end up on several compilation albums when I first did it.

Is there any club or promotion anywhere in the world where you haven’t already done so that would be a dream come true if you were to be asked to play?

I’d love to play at Farleys blue night just for the sheer enjoyment I had when I went but other than that a total dream one would be something like carl cox and friends or one of the Underwater nights

The TWX event has a Superheroes theme, who is your DJ superhero?

Musically I’d say Darren Emerson, but for energy and passion behind the decks its got to be Andy Farley

And non-DJ superhero?

If you’re on about a real life hero I’d say Tony Robbins. Attending one of his seminas was one of the best experiences of my life. Would recommend it to anyone.

If you’re on about comic book hero I’d say Marshal Law, although strictly speaking he’s an anti hero who hunts down heros. Yes I was a bit of geek in my younger days

If the people at Tidy could grant you any superhero power, which one would you have and how would you use it?

Haha this where tim the sexpest takes over, probably x ray vision for obvious perving reasons

Was DJing and producing always your career game-plan? Ten years ago did you think you’d be doing what you’re doing now?

10 years ago I had just started clubbing, never imagined I would get into djing or producing let alone get any good at it. When I first started djing I didn’t think I would ever play out anywhere just did it for fun which I think is the best attitude to have. The producing started a few years along the road just as a way to further my djing really. As I got more and more into it I realised I do actually prefer it to the djing. Theres just something so fulfilling about actually making a track.

What is next for Tim Clewz? What are you currently working on?

Well for a start killing off Tim Clewz haha. Basically I’m trying to reinvent my self as a tech house dj so I’m going to operating mainly as Clewz and possibly as my real name Tim Clowes on certain projects. Currently I’m in the middle of working on a house track with Seamus aka Sean who runs Firefly Recordings. Really shaping up well so far.

When you aing, what would you typically be listening to? IE, what do you listen to while at the gym?re not work

I listen to all sorts athough it is mainly chilled out funky stuff. Particularly into Prince and David Bowie at the moment. Used to be massivly into hip hop and metal but I must admit I have cut down listening to that as of late.

If I was to come to your native Sheffield for a weekend and you were my tour guide, what three places would you make sure I visited / experienced? Why?

sorry to sound uncultured but it would just end up in a messy bar crawl. Last one to lose their eyesight can get the next round in

What is the one thing guaranteed to make you smile?

My friends or a large pair of breasts pushed in my face

What is the worst chat-up line someone has used on you? Did it work?

It was ‘do you come here often?’ and no.

If you are out clubbing yourself, where are we likely to find you and what is the one track guaranteed to get you up on the dance-floor?

Haven’t been clubbing for a fair few months recently but the last one I went to was firefly in Nottingham and it was quality. Think my favourite night I’ve ever been to was Andy farleys Blue night. I’d love to do that again if they start back up. As for tune that’s a toughie, so I’ll just say the one I’m currently listening to which is Tech No by Milton Jackson

How would you describe a Tidy Weekender to a weekender virgin?

Hedonism in peculiar surroundings

“My first time” questions…..

My first job was…

My first proper job was at Yorkshire Electricity. Fair to say it was toss.

My first set was….

Zulu @ Millionaires in Sheffield

The first record I bought was…

SJ - Fever

The first night-club I went to as a clubber was…

Passion @ the Emporium

My first kiss …..

Think her name was Michelle but don’t quote me on that. It was many many years ago

My first porno movie ….

Watching was some dodgy 70’s colour climax video my dad had, purchasing was Voices starring silvia saint.

My first love…

I’ll refrain from saying anything too personal and just say something like star wars

I first knew I was a famous DJ when….

getting asked that question haha

My first Tidy Weekender…

tw4

My first debauched incident…

Probably best not to mention that haha

Finally, please tell us a joke…

What do you call a dog with no hind legs and steel balls? Sparky…. I’ll get my coat

IMAGE COPYWRITE BEN THOMAS