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  • SW4 interviews: Yasmin

  • Yasmin

  • 2011-08-19

  • Two-day dance festival South West Four is just a week away. Clapham Common hosts the event over the August Bank Holiday weekend once more featuring headline sets from Pendulum and Underworld while Magnetic Man, Adam Beyer, Laurent Garnier and John Digweed will also perform. We caught up with Yasmin who will take to the main stage on the Sunday for her views on the festival, her latest material and how she came to get into hip hop.

    What did you listen to growing up?
    I listened to a lot of hip hop growing up. I loved it, it was quite uncut, uncensored and raw. I just loved it. I was really drawn to it growing up.

    How did you get into DJing?
    I’ve always been a big music fan and collected a lot of music. When I was seventeen, a friend of mine was DJing and I hung out in the DJ booth and I just kinda just got the jist of it. I really just picked it up so quickly what he was doing and the technique and when he’d go to the toilet he’d let me play a couple of tracks and it went from there.

    How did the link up with N.E.R.D come about?
    N.E.R.D – they were doing a show at The Roundhouse. I saw an ad for it in the paper and in the paper it had underneath the name of the company putting on the show. I just pursued them, called them up said I’d seen the ad and wanted to support and yeah they said why not?!

    I listened to a lot of hip hop growing up. I loved it.

    Your track with Devlin was a big stepping-stone for you. Have you got any plans to collaborate with anyone else?
    Haven’t got any plans. I mean me and Wretch 32 were kinda talking about getting back in the studio, for another track, I’m not sure if it’ll make his album though. I’ve been doing a lot of writing for myself, because this is still very new to me, I’ve only been doing it for just over a year, so get as much experience for myself but I’m always gonna want to collaborate with people.

    If you could choose anyone to collaborate with – who would it be?
    Kanye West.

    What would you say has been your biggest moment so far?
    Finish line making the Top 10, after being number 13 in the midweek chart. It all happened really quickly, it was mental.

    Tell us about your album. What can we expect?
    The production’s very gritty, very British and full of UK breakbeat culture etc. Lyrically it’s a lot about independence, me being a control-freak and doing everything. I’m very driven, I’m very ambitious and it’s about working hard to get what you want. It’s partly about relationships but the common theme is independence, taking risks and having courage.

    I’m very driven, I’m very ambitious and it’s about working hard to get what you want.

    How’s 2011 been so far for you?
    Fantastic. Even to be in the Top 40. The results that we’ve got are natural with very little PR and money thrown at it. I’ve not been gigging constantly so I’m really happy with it. Having the chance to play at all these worldwide festivals and shows.

    Have you been to South West Four before and who will you be watching?
    Digital Soundboy Soundsystem, I’ve been to their nights at fabric and Wretch 32!

    What’s the best thing about playing in London?
    I dunno – the best thing is getting on the tube home? I’m joking! It is nice to be local, it’s easy to get to and all my friends can come.

    What can your fans expect from your set on the main stage on Sunday?
    It’s gonna be energetic! I love performing with my band, it’s my favourite thing to do so we can rock out and bring the songs to life. We like to throw in a cover or a switch up and give it a lot of energy, fun – everyone can sing along. I want everyone to feel a part of it.

    For tickets to South West Four go to www.southwestfour.com.

by Mike Barnard

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