dj polo ➔ EXCLUSIVE MIX
Bristol based DJ and producer DJ Polo delivers his singular and exclusive mixtape for our community.
He blends UK funky, garage, amapiano, techno and percussive-led experimental sounds to refresh your ears and feelings.
How are you doin, how have you been this June month, summer beginning ?
I’ve been good thanks, just got back from Barcelona. I went out there for my birthday and went to Sonar whilst I was out there. Such a sick city and the festival was good too. Back in sunny England now, missing the Barca weather.
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You are from Bristol, right? How was it growing up there?
I’ve lived in Bristol for almost 10 years now. I originally lived in Swindon which is just outside. It’s so much better in Bristol, I moved here for the music. I would always get the train to Bristol on a Friday night before I moved here to go to events at clubs like “Motion” and “Basement45”. Growing up going to those clubs made me want to move here and immerse myself within the Bristol music scene.
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“ My main influences that have shaped my production the most are probably Crazy Cousinz, Scratcha & Roska. “
You’re considered as flagbearer for UK funky’s experimental evolutions, how did you get into that music and what are your main artist references of the genre ?
I initially got into UK funky from hearing tracks like Roska - “Squark”, which were being played in cross genre sets at the time but my knowledge of the genre didn't really develop until I started co-running an event called Sprung back in 2014 with some close friends. We ran an annual UK funky roof terrace party and hosted some legendary names in funky like - Supa D, Crazy Cousinz, Apple, Funkystepz, DJ Naughty, Ill Blu, Hardhouse Banton, etc. This is where I started to dig deeper into the genre, looking for the unreleased classics and found the love for it. My main influences that have shaped my production the most are probably Crazy Cousinz, Scratcha & Roska.
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You’re definitely part of the Rinse Uk family. How did y'all connect first and what do each other share ?
Yeah, I've just done my 3 year show on Rinse actually. It first started with a 3 month residency back in 2019 and I’ve been on the station since. It's mad because when I first got into electronic music when I was younger I used to buy the Rinse Mix CDs. It's a real honor to be on the station. For me they've always been at the forefront of underground music - the artist roster and events are always on point.
“ I would always get the train to Bristol on a Friday night before I moved here to go to events at clubs like “Motion” and “Basement45”. Growing up going to those clubs made me want to move here and immerse myself within the Bristol music scene.
If one travels to the United Kingdom to party to listen to some nice underground music, where would you advise us to go ?
I'd probably say to go and check out some events in London. The Jazz Cafe has to be one of my favorite venues in the UK and the lineups are always mad. The Club Djembe parties in Bristol are always a vibe too, we just held one at a venue called “the Love inn”. It's those small intimate parties that I tend to enjoy the most.
What do you like to do in your spare time that is not related to music ?
In all honesty, a lot of what I do in my spare time is still related to music. Either playing out, running events, day to day running of the label (Club Djembe) or attending events! When I get some downtime I tend to just eat takeout and watch series.. I just finished 4 blocks.. that's a great series.
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“I think the best way I work with making music is when i'm really in the mood to do it.. this could be every couple of days or every couple of weeks. I've just learnt to not force it now, and that's when i tend to have the best output.”
What artists have you discovered lately and listen to a lot ?
Most of the new artists I've discovered lately are from SA : Busta 929, Vigro Deep, Real Nox, etc. From the UK side of things, i'm really enjoying Yemz, Monoke & Jakobin mixes at the moment - 3 artists from Bristol that i believe we are going to see blow up this year. Other than that I’ve been listening to alot of Ragz, Mansur Brown, Mista Silva, Joy Orbison and KG.
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Now you released THE LINK UP EP with Tribal Tribals and Supermalt with Ramzee and Mista Silva, what other projects are on the way ?
So ‘Supermalt’ with Ramzee and Mista Silva is one of 3 tracks off my collaboration EP with Ramzee called “Nostalgia”. It also features Gracious K, Riskgo, Dogtaniaun, Creeper & Fifa. The EP comes out on August 5th on Club Djembe and the next single ‘Shutters’ ft. Ramzee & Gracious K on the 22nd July. Asides from that, I'm working on some new music that's outside of the usual funky realm. Hopefully that will see a release towards the end of the year!
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Did you grow yourself some creative discipline/way of working on a regular basis ?
I used to plan out days that I would sit down to work on music, but I realised after a while that I can't really work in that way. I think the best way I work with making music is when i'm really in the mood to do it.. this could be every couple of days or every couple of weeks. I've just learnt to not force it now, and that's when i tend to have the best output.
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What’s the best life lesson you taught and like to remind yourself about ?
Hmm there’s a few things but probably not to drink too much tequila on a night out. Also, Karma comes back around.
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