Perth’s Nu-Skool Academy is staffed by some of the most respected DJs and producers perfecting their crafts in this fine city, but who are these people and what drives them to do what they do?

It is time to find out a little bit more about those people who can turn dreams into reality and those who are working behind the scenes at Nu-Skool Academy to deliver Perth the next generation of turntable technicians, producer protégés and music junkies.

5 Minutes with Adrian Sardi…

How did you first get into Music Production/DJing?
When I was in High School (many years ago) I kinda caught the music bug and my dad bought me a DJ Mixer. The following year I got proper decks (which I still use to this day) and then invested in a Sampler and Atari sequencer. Suffice to say my Year 11 & 12 studies went out the window!! I then went on to study Audio Engineering at WAAPA for 3 years and this was also the time I got my first club DJ gig at the tender age of 17. I’m not even sure I was allowed to be playing in a club at that age, but I did and never looked backed.

What's more important, not necessarily for you, but in general, mixing technique or track selection?
They really do go hand in hand and are the two most important aspects to DJing, So it's hard to say which is most important. For me, I value mixing technique quite highly as I think it's important to make transitions seamless and also be able to do things with the music at hand that one couldn't achieve purely by listening to the songs on their own. I think I would actually prefer listening to music that isn't my cup of tea put together really well, then great music mixed badly as music selection is such a subjective thing. We don't all like the same music, but I think we can all pick a good (or bad) performance. Having said that, bad or inappropriate music selection can really kill the vibe of a party. It's kind of a balancing act really.

What do you do outside the dance music scene?
Not a hell of a lot really. HAHAHA!! Seeing as I produce music I'm kind of always
involved with dance music even outside of clubs & events. On top of that, I’m also one of the Production Managers at RTR FM. I’m responsible for all the on-air audio content you hear on the radio. I also do studio work for various producers and artists and of course, teach people how to mix and write music.

The last time I cried was…
Probably when I last stubbed my toe on the couch corner - bloody Haviana's!!

Other DJs you rate?
Locally, guys like Greg Packer, Charlie Bucket, Muller, Selekt.... soooo many good DJ's in our town. Abroad, way too many to mention. There are some fantastic DJ's across different genres doing loads of interesting and creative things both musically and technically. I really get into DJ's pushing the music further rather than playing the same ole' stuff.

Do you find there is a difference between what you play as a DJ and what you like produce.
For me personally, no. I know this isn't the case for a lot of DJ/Producers, but for me I've always tried to play music that I really dig and thus produce or at least attempt to produce music in a similar style. There's always the odd tune that you write that might not exactly fit into a few of your sets, but I would like to think that within my given genre of choice, that I play quite a varied selection so I guess it give me the scope to play most of the stuff I produce.

5 Minutes with DJ Junior…

What has been your best DJing experience?
Competing at the 2004 DMC Nationals and having over 2000 Melbournians chant my name. At Metropolis Perth in 1997 when it was the biggest club in the southern hemisphere. Started my set at 10 pm and ground level was 75% packed and second level was getting a few people. Finished my set at 11 pm and the entire 4 levels were jam packed with a huge line outside and the club was charging $15 entry when all other clubs were free. Oh and Metros have the best sound system and DJ monitors.

What has been your worst DJing experience?
Losing the 1998 WA DMC Championship which would have made it 3 in a row for me.

The last time I cried was…
when they canned The Simpsons and replace it with the Bold and the Beautiful – FFS!

Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’
Hip Hop Hooray (Naughty By Nature) – everyone all over the world knows this track no matter what genre you’re into. 

What advice would you give to budding turntablists?
Practice then practice again. Work with like-minded people and share your knowledge. Do it for the passion and the sheer love of it and the rest will follow.

Other DJs you rate?
The old school DJs that are still rocking it. There are common reasons as to why these guys are still around. They are great people, great teachers, they don’t talk crap and are always encouraging. And of course, they have the passion (so they are naturally good at what they do). DJs Birdie, Kenny L, Riki, Rueben, Jordan Leist, Nick Alexander, Richie G,  

5 Minutes with DJ Armee…

How did you first get into DJing?
I have been fascinated by hip hop from the age of 9 years old. Then i first discovered the closets instrument to hip hop was drums so played drums for 2 years until I discovered turntables at about 15. From then knew that’s what I wanted to do.

What was the first record you bought?
Think it was Boogie Down Productions instrumental album. Was so excited that I could buy a record with all instrumentals to cut up over & didn’t know they existed before that.

What advice would you give to budding turntablists?
Practice, Practice, Practice, watch other dj’s and study their shit then practice some more.

Other DJs you rate?
Dj Craze, Mixmaster Mike, DJ Revoltuion

Out of all the tunes you have, which one never fails?
DJ Kool - let me clear my throat

You ever get any crazy gifts from fans?
Yeah weird letters, notes, msgs from fans &stuff about changing their life etc &..hmmmm

5 Minutes with DJ Gully…

How did you first get into DJing?
Quite simply by being on the other side of the dj console dancing my arse off. I was always into music, did some radio work, sung in a band with some friends but it was when I went to clubs or some of the first raves that I got excited. There was a real feeling of unity when you were busting it out on a dance floor with a few hundred others all on the same page. But it was when I asked a DJ how to learn DJing and he replied "don’t worry about it its too hard", that I decided I really wanted to do it. I hate being told what i can or cannot do.

How did your first live gig turn out?
It went pretty good all things considered. I don’t remember it too clearly, apart from being so nervous I was sick. It was the first 2 hrs of the night at Aqua nightclub and then did the lights for the rest of the night while my partner Ollie (R.I.P.) played. But we must have done ok as we were given residencies 4 weeks later and that was the start of it all for me.

Tell us a groupie story.
I’m too scared my mum might read this. But let me say there has been some very good and some very bad ones.

How do you see the scene 5 years from now?
Hopefully in a bit better shape than it is currently. So many festivals and international DJ's are coming to town that it makes it hard to get support for weekly local based nights. If there is no big name DJ's, a lot of the time people just won’t bother. I give props to the DnB scene that still seems to get behind their local guys a lot more than most. I feel a lot of nights are scene-driven rather than music-driven. If we don’t support our local nights and start to remember why it was we used to go out (to dance to quality music) we are going to end up with a club scene driven by a who's who and commercial pop music. 

Other DJs you rate?
Any DJ who is playing from their heart and making it work. Might sound like a stupid thing to say but that is a pretty tall order these days.

The last time I cried was…
When i found out my dog had a pretty bad disease and there was not a lot that could be done for her.

Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’
I have played a pretty diverse set of clubs and parties in my time and i don’t know if there are any tunes that could survive all of these gigs. I suppose it would be the tunes that have had some popular success with cross over appeal or have been remixed to suit the more discerning dance music enthusiasts. Probably a tune that comes closest to never failing for me would be "Still Here" by Stanton Warriors.
 
You ever get any crazy gifts from fans?
I have received some gifts that might send you crazy as well as some strange ones but the majority has been really quite thoughtful. Thanks and much love to all those people.

Checkout Nu Skool DJ Academy - www.nuskooldj.com