Behind the decks with Access

We catch up with Nick Wright, better known as Stroud’s DJ Access, to talk eclectic influences, vinyl versus digital and achieving a dream of settling down with Christina Ricci.

How long have you been DJing?
I’ve been DJing professionally for six years now. I became interested in dance music at a young age through the influence of friends and family that were die hard followers of the evolving UK rave scene. I developed a true love of many different forms, embracing the early sounds of drum & bass, techno and breakbeat hardcore – which I still listen to and DJ today.

How did you choose your DJ name?
It’s not easy for new young artists to break into the music scene, and many become frustrated trying. The name Access came about as a message to all of the up and comers – if you’re passionate and determined about what you do, then you can achieve anything.

What’s your style?
Essentially drum and bass. It’s fast, futuristic funk. I mix energetically and creatively, drawing on a varied selection featuring cuts from artists across the full spectrum of drum and bass. If I had to define the sound I play I would say groovy, soulful and funk flavoured but very much geared towards the dancefloor, with an abundance of energy running from start to finish.

And who influences you?
Versatility and adaptability are very important as an artist, so my influences come from labels such as Bingo Beats, Full Cycle, Valve and Metalheadz, and reach all the way to Hospital, V Recordings, Soul:R, Innerground and Defunked.

Vinyl, CDs or MP3s?
One hundred per cent vinyl each and every time. I can appreciate that new digital is superior to analogue in that it’s fast, easy and relatively cheap to reproduce. Sadly it is these very production advantages that mean the value of the music, as an individual piece of art, is compromised. I love my music and I will pay for it.

Where do you play?
I play the Bassix night in Stroud and Cheltenham, No Pressure and That Thing nights in Stroud and Movement nights in London.

The hottest tune that you can’t stop playing right now?
Influx UK’s ‘It’s Love’ on Formation Records.

Your all time favourite track?
Alex Reece’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ on Metalheadz.

Is being a DJ a great job to attract the opposite sex?
I would say it’s doing okay so far.

Career highlight?
Doing the Sound of Movement show on Ministry of Sound Radio and then rolling straight on to do the Movement live session at London’s Bar Rumba.

Burning ambition?
To eventually have my own business dealing in nightclub, event, artist and record label management. As soon as that is accomplished I will relax and settle down with Christina Ricci.

Which club would you play at if you had a choice of anywhere in the world?
It would have to be the Que Club in Birmingham.

Advice for aspiring DJs?
Find your true sound as an artist. Innovate don’t imitate – it’s the only way you will get where you truly want to be.

Favourite nightclub or club night in Gloucestershire?
The Bassix night at Bar Riga in Stroud.

You can hear DJ Access every second Friday of the month at Bar Riga as part of the regular Bassix drum & bass night.

SoGlos.com
25 July 2007