Ahead of his highly anticipated performance at Dublin’s Forbidden Fruit Festival at the end of this month, Northern Ireland’s Ejeca joins us for what is a very special twenty sixth edition of our central mix and interview series. A leading light in Belfast’s buzzing House & Techno scene, Ejeca has graced the mightiest of labels out there, throwing down an eclectic array of cuts on heavyweight imprints like Will Saul’s Aus Music and Sasha’s Last Night On Earth outfit.
Now firmly established as artist, he’s ready to dictate his own future through the medium of Exploris, a platform which enables Ejeca to showcase both his own work and that of budding talents like Chris Hanna and Mountainking.
We got you the lowdown on the label and a big summer for Belfast + a flawless 45 from maestro himself below. Enjoy!
WWD : Your label, Exploris has just had its third release from Chris Hanna. He’s a guy you’re giving a lot of support to at the moment. What can you tell us about him as an artist?
He’s a friend from Belfast, and probably one of the most varied and quickest producers I know. I think for his EP we could have gone through around fifteen ideas before settling on the two tracks. He’s got some other releases planned on good labels and developing a live show, I’m also getting him on Exploris again later in the year.
WWD : From a distance the scene in the city seems to be in fine health, how would you describe it yourself?
There’s a lot going on at the moment, the first good dance record store (Belfast Underground Records) in about ten years . A few new festivals have appeared as well as things like Boiler Room and features from Hype. I moved because I had friends in London and was sick of getting on a propeller Flybe flight in the middle of winter and getting thrown about like Little Mo in Eastenders.
WWD : The last two years have been very successful, you’re firmly established as an artist. What do you hope the next two years holds?
The label is building up more momentum, I’ve a release planned for every month of the next four, I only managed three last year so trying to devote more time to it. I have a live show with Citizenn at SW4 in august as well as developing my own live show as I get good reactions from any ‘on the fly’ videos I upload so people seem interested. I might also change my dj setup and go to a multi deck controller format to give me more options.
WWD : What is it that made you want to start your own label?
Control and speed. I can now curate my own releases better as well as promote artists that i like.It will also be a bit of a legacy and i like the idea of looking back at what has gone out and feeling proud, www.explorismusic.com has a review of all the releases to date.
WWD : What is it exactly that you look out for when deciding who/what you should release on the label next?
Something different, I would say each release is its own style. There are some labels which have a blueprint sound that every release follows, the next two Exploris releases are tech house and jungle!
WWD : You have a busy touring schedule over the next month. In your eyes how do festivals like Forbidden Fruit differ from your usual club gigs?
I get my best crowds in Ireland, not sure if it’s to do with it being my home country or the fact that they’re just up for it. I think you’ve to play differently at a festival, as the sets are usually shorter and people vote with their feet you’ve to make every track count, that’s what i plan to do!
WWD : While we’re on the topic, what are you most looking forward to with your trip to Dublin for Forbidden Fruit?
Legal Ecstasy tablets……wait that’s been outlawed again.
WWD : Before we leave you, can you give us one track you can see having a major impact this Summer?
Bicep – Just
Follow Ejeca :
Soundcloud : http://soundcloud.com/ejeca
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Ejeca
Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/_ejeca