LAMP Weekly Mix #139 feat. Ki Creighton

LAMP Weekly Mix #139 feat. Ki Creighton

This week we're featuring one of the busiest men in Scotland, Ki Creighton. Between running his own label, residency, traveling for gigs and producing some fantastic tunes he found the time to squeeze in this superb mixtape for us. Our first intro to Ki Creighton was his release via 8bit Records called 'Thunder' last year. He followed up with that in solid form with 'Lightning' this year and is continuing his recent success with a slew of more EPs and remixes. MR PUZL had a brief chat with this Scottish native about his mix, the current climate surrounding fabric's closure, and his love for Man United.MR PUZL: Loving this mix man! Thanks for being apart of our series. You’ve progressed through some awesome genres and styles for this mixtape. What inspired you to pick some of these tracks?Ki Creighton: I always try and make my mixes more of a journey, normally my recoding’s live from clubs are full on so its nice to set a tone on mixes like this and then let loose when the time comes. The tracks on this mix vary from brand new promos I was sent on the week of the mix to tracks that have been doing serious damage for me all summer.MP: Congrats on your forthcoming remix for the Roger Sanchez! You obviously have a great management team in Underground Artists to help connect your with labels, etc. How do you usually work with Kal and his team when it comes to production requests? Do you give them some direction as to where you might be heading creatively?KC: Yea Kal & me talk all the time about current sounds and things that I’m feeling, and he gives me it straight on things. Recently it’s been the more, deeper driving sound but its now heading back to the full on tech house mantra I’m known for. When The Roger Sanchez remix request dropped I was absolutely blown away. Roger has for a very long time been one of my DJ idols and pretty soon we are actually doing one of our last Uber 300 shows together so I’m really looking forward to the end of September. Last week I had a very big request come in that I’m going to jump all over as well as it’s for the new Rhythm Masters track so keep them peeled on this one!!!MP: Your label Under No Illusion is doing fantastic and we just saw previews for a Bontan EP forthcoming in October! Tell us how that all got started, and how the name reflects your ethos at the imprint.KC: The label was started in 2013 and was something I had in mind for a few years previous but we had just had a baby so the timing wasn’t right. We then fell pregnant again in 2013 and my wife was like “Just do it now” or your never going to. The name came about by chance, I was on the phone to Yousef having a chat about it and said to him “I’m under no illusion its going to take time and hard work to get things moving” and my wife who was beside me in the car was like BINGO, There’s your name and we rolled with it. It is hard work but I still think starting the label started the wheels in motion to getting me on the ladder and open the doors to where I am today. I’m now currently in the process of starting a new label so hoping new names comes to me in some shape or form soon.MP: In your interview with When We Dip back in May you mentioned feeling a bit under pressure to produce something of the same quality as ‘Thunder’. Obviously, you nailed it with ‘Control’ and the whole Lightening EP was great. Has the pressure eased off since then or do you feel like that’s just a part of how you push yourself to make new records?KC: Pressure and being under pressure is a good thing, it means you care and want the best sounds to come out. With “Thunder” it was such an anthem in Ibiza for Carl Cox that it was always going be “The Record” I was known for. Nick Curly didn’t hang around on it , I think I sent him the demo on the Monday and by Wednesday it was signed to his & Gorge’s incredible 8Bit label. I see as well it’s still causing mayhem on the island with it being a stand out track at Pan-Pots incredible 6 hour set recently at HYTE. Nick again showed amazing support on “Control” and it was a same night reply to sign on that one which is always nice.MP: We’re big fans of Maya Records, and Joeski is an old family friend so we know anything he’s got his hands on is going to be top! For ‘Focus’ you collaborated with Makanan to create a super 3 track EP. You’ve worked with others in the past (like Jamie Roy) how do you approach those projects when there are multiple creative minds at work?KC: The main thing about David & Jamie is we are on the exact same page in music we produce and play out so there never needed to be a starting point, just an ability to crack on. Plus, both guys are so relaxed and it’s an easy process when that’s the case. Joeski is a producer that from my early days I always was like “this guys fucking amazing” it’s funny we have never met properly but I was leaving the Hot Creations party at sonar back in June and Joe and Harry Romero were just getting in and we shared a moment and it felt nice. Harry is another producer / DJ that I have the upmost respect for. That cat has made some of the best house tunes to date.MP: I asked Giom a few weeks back about fabric’s situation and how that is impacting a massive community not only in London but DJs and patrons worldwide. What sort of precedent do you think it sets for other clubs, including your residency at Uber to be scrutinized so heavily (and unfairly) by the government?KC: I’ve got to say that where we are situated in the UK (Northern England) we have for the best part of 10 years had no problems with our local authority. In fact, they have supported the UBER movement wherever they could with outdoor parties, festivals etc. all being cleared. The fabric situation is one that needs addressed swiftly as it not only a club but, a massive institution loved by many worldwide. With things like this though, and people losing their lives it is always slightly taboo but fabric are in my opinion being set up to take a fall on a subject that happens worldwide every night in recreational drug taking and it shouldn’t be punished in a severe and derogatory fashion such as this. I would personally like to wish fabric good luck in its petition and hope you can add the link here to show support.Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/save-london-s-nightlife-stop-the-closure-of-fabricLearn more about the issues here: https://www.fabriclondon.com/save-fabricMP: How can DJs like yourself educate and promote the (often overlooked) positive aspects of the club and dance environment so that they are appropriately considered by our local and national governments as equal forms of entertainment like traditional art performances such as opera’s and symphonies?KC: Opera’s and symphonies stretch back decades and are suitably set up for the upper class or more distinguished gentleman , house music goes against the grain and has only really been a part of culture since the late mid 80’s , I think current situations won’t help the aristocracy in its opinion. As a DJ / Promoter myself my only way to educate and promote is by carrying on doing things as normal. Social media is now key in nearly everything so utilising this medium to its full is always the best advice I could give.MP: It’s always fun for us to get a sense for what goes on in the studio for each of our guests. What kind of setup do you work with? Do you work at home or are you more comfortable in a remote location?KC: Both, remotely and at home & on collabs it’s always remote unless the playboy that is Jamie Roy is home as he only lives 20 minutes away. With Makanan David is in Gran Canaria so we do things differently. Skype and Messenger are big helps in this process. I work with Ableton and this week have been working with vocalists Forrest and The Angel on new projects.MP: As you get busier with gigs and traveling do you find yourself taking your work with you or do you usually wait to sit down in front of a full setup to get your work done?KC: Work is always done at home , I’m always one for doing my gig homework in the week leading to shows as the new music I receive on a daily basis is just plain crazy. From demo’s to promos to newly mastered UNI tracks it’s a full time job in itself just keeping up. I’ve just undertaken a new residency in Cologne which is fantastic and now looks like I will have a new project to take care of in Spain also so I will be kept busy for the foreseeable future.MP: At the beginning of this year you had a really insightful interview with Matty Adams talking about people who have influenced you, supported you and inspire you. How would you translate that, which I can imagine is a pretty long list, into a day/night of music curated by Ki Creighton? Where would you have it?KC: If I could do it again I would loved to have been able to throw one last UBER courtyard party as the two we did do were just phenomenal, as for the talent on show if it was without consideration I would have the main man Carl Cox, Yousef, Joris Voorn, Groove Armada, The Martinez Brothers , Hot Since 82 , Jamie Jones & Marco Carolla outside and on the inside my boys Huxley, Denney, Nick Curly, Riva Starr, Nic Fanciulli & Harry & Joeski . That would be the party to end all parties!!!!MP: Marcus Rashford had a great start to his season (although being snubbed by big Sam for an England call up is a travesty in my opinion). What are your odds on Man U winning the Prem this year?KC: Ha, what a great way to end the interview. Talking about my other love, I think this year we stand a great chance of winning the league. I am pretty sure it’s going to be a 3-way fight between us, City and Chelsea with the spanner in the works possible being Liverpool. I now see why the Chelsea fans loved Jose so much as I’ve totally taken to the guy. Fingers crossed it’s us and none of the others mentioned above come May.

Tracklist

1. Sante Sansone - New For You (Tribute Mix) (Glasgow Underground)2. Michael Jackson - In the closet (GruuvElements Edit) (White Label)3. Illyus & Barrientos - Pick up lines (Ki Creighton & Makanan Remix) (Materialism)4. Sante Sansone - Erosion (Glasgow Underground)5. Simone Liberali - The Walker (Non Stop)6. Han Haak - Insipid Town (Ki Creighton & Makanan Remix) (Selador)7. Rob Cockerton - Hope (Abode)8. Illyus & Barrientos - Govanised (White Label)9. Ki Creighton - Off the bat (Material)10. Green velvet - Flash (Eats Everything Remix) (Relief)11. Green Velvet - Stalker (S-Man Edit) (White Label)12. Luca Donzelli & Mar-T - Modelchord (8Bit)13. Bontan - Bernaged (Under No Illusion)Check out more from Ki Creighton here:Enjoy,<3 LAMP