Hello Aaron Ross!
Thanks for sitting down with us here at Saturday Sessions ahead of you playing here at the club this Saturday at Defected.
For those of our crew not familiar with you can you please let us know a bit about yourself.
I’ve been Djing and working in the music game for over 10 years.. Started out doing work experience for Virgin Records when I was 16 / 17.. Then progressed in through club promotions and into A&R over there, also worked in promotions for one of Ministry of Sound's joint venture labels – Todd Terry’s Sound Design... For the last 3 years I’ve been over at Defected doing A&R ...
I spent 5 years doing the house session radio show for BBC 1xtra...! And this year have started hosting Defected’s “In The House” radio show – every Saturday night at midnight for the galaxy fm network,
www.defected.com and our syndication partners...
I also produce music under various guises – Fanatix with Neil Pierce – our album just came out on BBE... And I’ve got a single – Aaron Ross FT: Gia Mellish – Love Potion on Hed Kandi sister label – Stereo Sushi... I’ve remixed: Jamiroquai, Estelle, Terri walker, Ben westbeech, Byron stingly, Ultra Nate, Kenny Bobien, Stephanie Cooke & MD Xpress amongst others...
This Saturday you're representing the UK as part of Defected’s international party. Big up! :) It's a really innovative concept, bringing in some really good
names that we're really excited to welcome. Some of the DJs who are coming over may be new to our crowd, for those not in the know about some of them, who do you recommend them catching?
Number 1 ... Kenny Dope from Brooklyn, NY .. But y’all should know about him...
Studio Appartment – from Tokyo Japan – amazing producers.. And from what I’ve heard amazing DJ’s too... Should be great.. They have a very unique sound.
Frenchman Claude Monnett – big fan of his productions – he’s just done a killer remix of a Defected classic make em shake it – his sound is tough but still with a groove...
You work at Defected as their A&R manager, a dream job for some. What does your typical day of work consist of?
Well.. Lets take today for instance.. First thing I had to install some software updates on my computer.. So I took the opportunity to take the leaning tower of demo cd’s from my desk down the the listening room to spend half an hour going through them... I do listen to them all... But have to be quite ruthless... 15 / 20 seconds.. And if it aint got me.. It’s gone... Very rarely something good will come in the post.. That’s just the way it is.... but it’s always a nice surprise when there’s a diamond in the rough..
Then I took a look at the charts and playlists online – sales and DJ charts and radio show playlists... A to see how our stuff is performing and B to look out for hot tunes !
been .. Had a meeting with an old school house producer about a new song he’s done which is rather nice ! Looking at the strategy for the rest of 2008 for the records we have signed and when we will release them, and who should remix what.... And looking out for tracks to include in this weekends radio show ! Etc etc...
What have been the highlights of doing your job? What records would you say are your personal favourites that you've signed?
I love the feeling of signing a record that give you goosebumps and really is something special, with substance.. And playing it or hearing it for the first time on a club system
favourites that I’ve signed and that I’m most proud of are: the Gilles Peterson In The House compilation that was my project... A wicked album.. Something for everyone on there... And really cool to work with Gilles... I was really envolved with the whole process start to finish... Got a lot of respect for him and what he’s achieved. We’re talking about maybe doing another comp next year which will be fun.... Yass is a huge talent... That’s a long term development deal for us... His single My Only came out about a month ago... And We’re just working on the follow up single which is a cover version of a classic that everyone knows.. It’s come out really well.. !!!
Working with Mood II Swing on the recent Strictly Rhythm releases is special for me as they have always been such a big inspiration to me over the years.. I’m proud to be their A&R manager... And one of my more recent signings that I have big hope for is the catchy anthem “Music Talking” by the Montanas vs DJ Roland Clarke..
What forthcoming releases should we look out for coming out on Defected?
We got some biggies for the summer – Shapeshifters – chime, and Dirty South - Let it Go, on a soulful tip Marc Evans album - The Way You Love Me, DJ Gomi ft: Yasmeen – Glad I found You, and Studio Appartment also ft. Yasmeen – Sun Will Shine... Shovell has a new record called fire with Kenny Dope mixes which are smokin hot ! (‘scuse the pun)
Defected are also in Ibiza for the summer.
Do you have any dates in the diary over there for us to catch you at?
I did my date for Defected at Pacha last week with Kenny Dope and Sandy Rivera.. What a top night we had.... I am actually doing 2 more dates out there for Galaxy Fm – I’ll be hosting the global room at pacha on Wednesday 30th July and then back in the global room again at Pacha on Wednesday September 17th...
What are the big tunes of the summer for you so far?
Bingo Players vs Chocolate Puma – Touch Me, a track I’ve done for Kerri Chandlers label – it’s called El Toro, Deetron – lets get over it, MD Express – God Made Me Phunky 08’
Susu Bobien - Wondrous , Nicola Fasano – 75 brazil, Mood II Swing – Reach for You, Music Talking, Barbara Tucker – My One Desire, Rufus & Jephte – Jousa etc etc.. Lots of good music around at the moment :)
And finally as the summer is in full flight, what are your top 3 ice lollies or ice creams?
Wow.. I’m trying not to go there this year.. I was always skinny and now I’m nearing 30 ! (eeek) and I’ve suddenly got a belly.. So no ice cream for me.. But... My choices would be:
Snickers ice cream
Toffee Crumble
Pzazz – do you remember them.. I don’t think you can get them anymore.. Toffee / bananna badness !! - if anyone finds one put it in the freezer for me.. (ahh no I’m not don’t actually I’m supposed to be eating them ! )
Thanks, see you at Defected this Saturday!
Saturday Sessions
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xx