Previously one of the leading lights in the Perth drum and bass scene as a DJ and a promoter, Shuey sits alongside Greg Packer, Echoic and Diamond D as one of those bringing the sound to the fore in that city. Beginning in Perth in June 1998, Shuey's Deep Drum and Moving Through Air parties in Perth helped break the sound of drum and bass in that city...

Moving his Break and Enter Productions to Sydney in 2001, it is no exaggeration to say Shuey's Moving Through Air nights ignited the drum and bass scene in Sydney and have become a bastion for those who want to party hard to the highest calibre music with no pretension, elitism or attitude. Shuey's efforts in this area was recognised when Break and Enter were picked by 3D World as runner up promoters of 2002, after Fuzzy and runner up DJ of the year in 2003. To this day he remains busy with his monthly dnb night Protein, touring various quality international acts and presenting the Friday night dnb radio show Velocity on FBi 94.5FM.

Shuey has played alongside the cream of international dnb talent including Marky + Stamina MC, Pendulum, Marcus Intalex, Shy Fx, Bryan Gee, Doc Scott, Storm, Coldcut, Suv, Klute, and London Elektricity's Tony Colman and even post-rockers Tortoise.

Shuey's impressive capacity for smashing dancefloors with layered, driving, musical drum and bass has earned the respect of his peers and punters across Australia. Now concentrating on his long-held aim of drum and bass production, Shuey has been cloistered away in his studio working on the first piece of tunage to hit the airwaves and the dancefloor with his name on it...

Ahead of Shuey's coming return to Perth for Break & Enter at Rise, Shep was able to get a few minutes of his time to ask the burning questions..

What are you up to these days?
As Break and Enter Productions, Ben Marshall and I are into our third year presenting Velocity, Sydney's biggest drum and bass radio show on FBi - it's always a blast introducing new people to the music we love. We're running a monthly night called Protein in a cosy pub which is all about good vibes and lots of beer. We also do the occasional international gig - the last of which was Pendulum + Shapeshifter which was a sellout. Our focus is still top notch production, quality lineups, smiling faces and stylish design.

Whats in the production pipeline?
I'm working on my production skills at the pace of a very fast turtle! I'm not yet ready to give anything out but I'm having a shitload of fun.

How's the Sydney dnb scene currently? (up and coming, changes etc)
In terms of drum'n'bass nights there are pockets of goodness amongst a vast pool of mediocrity. Most of the nights with the best vibe take place in pubs where people are free to have a drink and chat or a boogie if they feel like it. There are some producers that are really starting to gain some notoriety. Nathan is having his tracks played by Flight and Bailey, Vice Versa are still doing well and Ritual has just had a track signed to DJ Suv's label. Greg Packer always goes down a treat and has a real following over here.

Opinion on international dnb scene?
Don't know a hell of a lot about it to tell you the truth. I hear Perth's going off, but musically there are producers from all over the world now who are doing fantastic things e.g. Marky from Brazil, SKC from Hungary and Young Ax from Germany.

What's getting the most play in Shuey's crate?
Most of what I play is musical but still slamming. I don?t like to be called a liquid DJ but I'll mix up stuff from Hospital Records alongside Sub Focus through to Jonny L and Matrix. I like to make party. Young Ax is killing it for me at the moment! lots of edity beats with a slightly left of center take on Jazz but still for the dancefloor.

What are your main musical influences - how does this translate into your sets?
I generally like anything that has soul and is a little bit left of center e.g. hip hop, reggae, jazz, latin music. Drum n bass is the best music in the world because it incorporates all of these styles and more, and effortlessly and infuses them with energy.

As a DJ what do you think are the most important elements of a good drum and bass set?
A quality varied selection, quick exciting mixing rather than a boring attempt to seamlessly blend one track with another, and building a rapport with the crowd.

Where are you playing and what can we expect from you at your Perth gig?
I'm playing at Break and Enter at Rise on the Saturday of the coming long weekend. I?ll be playing quality drum n bass from across the spectrum, but basically you can expect an upbeat vibe without being cheesy. Can't wait to play in Perth again especially alongside my heroes Greg Packer and Adrian Sardi! Perth is still Home!

Any advice for up and coming DJ's?
Practice, practice, practice. And when you finish practising, practice a little more. Play drum n bass across the board, be unique in your selection and have some personality.

Catch Shuey for Break & Enter @ Rise - June 3rd 2006