Introduce yourself and tell us about the part of the UK you’re from?
I’m Kissy. I’m a speed garage DJ and record producer from Shoreditch, East London, where I manage my record label Stepper Man. I’ve been in the game for 11 years, I have 5 albums out and am still out there touring the world loving what I do.
Tell us about some of your British DJ heroes?
I first heard a mix album by DJ Hype when I was about 12 years old and wanted to be a DJ like him ever since! I’m also a big fan of DJ Slipmatt, Aphrodite and Mickey Finn who have all inspired many of my works as a producer. These days I still love the energy of many drum’n’bass and bassline garage DJs, with Hatcha and DJ EZ being personal favourites.
What have you been working on recently?
This year I started up my new label Stepper Man, having run my previous label San City High since I was still at university. The label has been a great fresh start and has provided a new injection of energy and excitement to my career as a producer and DJ. The label has put out 13 releases so far including tracks by Sirmo, PVC, Hoxton Whores, Official Nancie, and many more. Additionally I have started making more darkly edged bassline music under the alias KSO, with a recent single release being Nasty and another track called Super Tough coming out on Illegal Bass in November.
Tell us about the mix, how did you put it together, what did you want to represent?
This mix is a fast-paced run through everything I am playing right now in my live DJ sets and also includes many exclusive edits and previews of forthcoming tracks on Stepper Man such as my new Kissy Sell Out single Sweet Toy V.I.P.
Talk us through the British music featured in this mix? Which British artists are you most excited about?
There have been some terrific tracks from Chris Lorenzo, Zinc, Special Request, Champion, Ussy, Tom Bull and TRC this year, all of whom bring a big smile to my face and a spring to my step whenever I hear them. The British electronic music scene has had a bit of a kick up the arse recently and I’m loving the new ideas coming through.
What is on the cards in the immediate future?
Following on from my recent Stepper Man releases as both Kissy Sell Out and KSO, I will be performing across the UK under both names depending on the vibe on each club. I am also in the early stages of putting together my 6th album too – so watch this space!
Where is the best place in the world you have DJ’d and why?
It’s so hard to pick a single place and memory! I have DJed on every continent apart from Antarctica during my career and it always amazes me how the gigs get better and better. I have toured Australia 9 times and so I guess that is definitely my favourite place to travel to. Amazing people, amazing crowds and somewhere I have made many friends over the years too.