The 'Aurum E' Podcast

For episode #28 of the podcast I sat down with DJ, producer and Techno/Jazz artist Rebecca Vasmant. 

With a career spanning over 15 years, Rebecca has vast experience in the music industry. Initially starting out as a Techno DJ, she has gradually transitioned into her biggest passion and love - Jazz. She is now at the forefront of a growing and vibrant Glasgow jazz scene, recently presenting the documentary ‘DIY Jazz in Glasgow’ on BBC Scotland. 

Rebecca hosts her own residency ‘Era Suite’ at Sub Club and has DJ’d and performed internationally, both on her own and alongside her collective, ‘The Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble’. 

Expect to hear the lessons she learned from 2022, how her early life and experiences influenced her as an artist, how she spent the majority of her early twenties on the Sub Club dance floor, the process of filming a BBC documentary, transitioning from Techno to Jazz, the process of producing a debut album, how she balances life and career and much more. 

For episode #27 of the podcast, I will be chatting to Mitch & Max from Craigie Knowes. 

Since 2015, Craigie Knowes has been consistently releasing some of the finest electronic music from artists around the world. From breakbeat electro to acid house and everything in between, the eclectic sounds of their label has built them a well deserved international reputation in the music scene. Their catalogue includes releases from names such as Derek Carr, Eluize, Rudolf C, Cromby and Jensen Interceptor. 

As well as the label, they have DJ’d various international venues and festivals and also run their own residency in one of Glasgow’s beloved clubs, La Cheetah. 

I’m a huge fan of the label so it’s an absolute pleasure to get the chance to speak to them both. 

Expect to hear about early life in Perth, how a school rivalry sparked a friendship between Mitch and Max, starting to DJ and put on parties in Perth, discovering Sub Club, running a label, DJ’ing worldwide, who knows Craigie Knowes the best, what music means to them and much more. 

Joining me for episode #26 of the podcast is artist Petrichor, aka, production tutor and music obsessive Simon Stokes. 

Simon has performed, DJ’d and released music under the alias ‘Petrichor’. He is the only Ableton certified instructor in Scotland and runs an electronic music academy in Glasgow, Subsine Academy, educating people on music production through a variety of courses.

Expect to hear about Simon’s early life in Edinburgh and his initial musical interests, how moving to Glasgow and discovering Sub Club gave him an education in electronic music and DJ’ing, the meaning behind his ‘Petrichor’ alias, signing with Soma and releasing music, his creative process in production and how he enjoys working conceptually as an artist, if music in the modern world has lost it’s meaning, beginning to teach music production and opening Subsine Academy, what the courses at Subsine academy include, and advice he has for producers to improve and become comfortable with their own style and sound. 

Joining me for episode #25 of the podcast is the absolutely sound and incredibly talented duo, Macka & Lowree aka Cammy Mcleod and Joe Loughrey. 

Both originally from Edinburgh but now residing in Glasgow, the pair of DJ/Producers have been gigging and collaborating for several years. Bonding over their love for music, they have released several projects together, including their recent album release on Fresh Take Records, ‘Without The Music (I Dont’t Know Where I’d be Dancing)’. 

Expect to hear how they first met in their younger indie days as members of different bands in Edinburgh, how Lowree’s Dad’s role as A&R at Creation Records influenced his musical interest, their early days putting on parties andf DJ’ing in Edinburgh, their creative process in the studio and how the album came about, their advice for artists starting out in music production, how a made up word from Lowree’s mate resulted in a tattoo, receiving support from Pete Tong on Radio 1, and what’s coming up in the future for Macka & Lowree. 

On Day 3 I was joined by Peach Glasgow residents K4Cie and Iso Yso. 

Starting in 2017, Peach has been throwing parties across the city of Glasgow for several years. Due to a scene dominated by male influence, K4CIE and Rachel felt there weren’t enough safe, inclusive and comfortable club spaces where females could enjoy the sounds of hip-hop, rap and trap genres. Building a solid reputation in the city, residents Iso Yso and K4CIE brought a unique and original sound to the Satellite Stage of Riverside Festival. 

Expect to hear how it feels to feature on this year’s lineup, how and why Peach started, how both residents got interested in music and why they started to DJ, memorable Peach parties over the years, their personal experiences of lockdown and what’s coming up in the Summer for Peach.

On Day 3 I was joined by Optimistic Soul, aka Sibusiso Mpofu. 

A resident of both Sub Club with Jaiva and Berkeley Suite with Africa Is Now, Optimistic Soul is putting the sounds of his cultural roots into the city of Glasgow. A modern pioneer of the afro-house genre, with inspiration coming from artists like Black Coffee and Kerri Chandler, he has been dj’ing for a number of years now and is gradually building a solid reputation for himself in the club scene.

Expect to hear his thoughts on being on the Riverside lineup, how his club residencies in the city are going, how Glasgow has reacted to the sounds of afro house, how he takes his music career each day as it comes, his musical influences, why Black Coffee means so much to him and what’s coming up in the near future. 

On Day 3 I spoke with Edinburgh Disco Lovers. 

Comprised of Jack, Steven and Fraser, Edinburgh Disco Lovers is a collective providing safe and inclusive spaces for all members of society to party and enjoy the soulful and funky sounds of disco. They focus on inclusivity in the club scene whilst also raising money for important causes and charities. They opened up the Satellite Stage on the final day of Riverside and featured at the SWG3 afterparty. 

Expect to hear how they met and started the collective, how they developed an interest in music, why disco is so important to them, their greatest disco track of all time, their recent experiences running nights in Edinburgh including hosting Artwork, and what’s coming up in the future. 

On Day 3 I spoke to artist and photographer Junglehussi, aka Matthew Arthur Wiliams. 

Hearing 90’s dance music through his older siblings as well as genres like reggae and dancehall, Junglehussi was exposed to music at a young age. Originally from London, he moved to Glasgow to study photography at the Art School. He has played in various venues around the city like La Cheetah and Berkeley Suite. 

Expect to hear how he was exposed to music at an early age, why he moved away from London, the meaning behind his DJ moniker, his experience opening the main stage at Riverside, how his creativity is intertwined in both photography and music, and what’s coming up in the near future. 

On Day 3 I sat down with Patti from All Night Passion. 

A collective based in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, All Night Passion have been providing parties filled with the finest house and disco for a number of years. From their time spent seeing legendary DJ’s such as Optimo Espacio and attending afterparties in Aberdeen, Patti and Sean have acquired a solid music taste and collection of records that are sure to get dancefloors moving and grooving. 

Expect to hear how All Night Passion began, their experiences of seeing DJ’s like Optimo, memorable moments from running parties over the years, adjusting to the club scene again post-pandemic, preparing for a festival set at Riverside and their plans for the future. 

On Day 3 I sat down with rapper Bemz. 

With his recent show at King Tuts being the first ever sold out show for a rapper, and now being the first rapper to ever play at Riverside, Bemz is a trailblazing artist on the right track to greatness. BBC Introducing’s Scottish Artist of the Year for 2022, he brings his charistmatic, high energy performing style to the Satellite Stage at Glasgow’s favourite festival.

Expect to hear how life’s been going since we last spoke on the podcast, his thoughts on his sold out headline show at King Tuts, how his recent success is inspiring his writing and music, how he’s being the change he wants to see, when we can expect new music and how he wants to branch out into DJ’ing as well as rapping.