Interview with Funkagenda and Chad Lewis ahead of Purrfect Electro Posted by on May 11, 2007 - 2:10:27 PM

Purrfect Electro Presents Funkagenda, King Roc and Chad Lewis

What with the Toolroom Knights shaking Purrfect Electro to it’s very foundations with a whopping four hour back to back DJ set at our last event, Purrfect Electro time rolls around again on 18th May with another top-drawer line up guaranteed to get the new-born electro fans of Leeds hopping and bouncing around Mission like a mosh pit on a bouncy castle. This month Purrfect has invited some of the hottest young producers around, Funkagenda, King Roc and Chad Lewis

A Birmingham native, Funkagenda has been producing some of the hottest electro house on the scene for a good few years now, quietly building up a fan-base from his releases on Toolroom, Big Love, and his own label Groovedigital. His sound bridges the gap between the brain food of electro filth and the feet fodder of the funkiest house. Imagine sliced vocals, clicky shuffling beats and dirty bass stabs being thrown into a blender switched to random and poured out into a frosted glass of funk. Sounds good? We think so. He will be joined by co owner of Groovedigital Chad Lewis, who has been rocking many a dance floor from London to Leeds and back.

We caught up with them to talk production, Djing and whats rocking in Birmingham

FUNKAGENDA AND CHAD LEWIS (Groovedigital)

(Interviewer)

Hey Guys, You are headlining Purfect Electro at Mission Leeds on the 18^th may, What can we expect to hear from you ?

We are really exited to be there at the same time as that doesnt happen very often and the night has a great reputation so you can expect a huge party, we are love to enjoy our selves and we hear that P.E does too so look out leeds! Think we are going to book into the local rehad clinic for the next moring lol

 How did you get into DJing?

Chad Lewis

I got in to DJing in the mid 80’s out of a love for the very early house, everything else that was around then just seemed to pale in comparison to this new style of music that I was sure was going to sweep the nation off its feet, I was right!

(Interviewer) How did Groovedigital Recordings come about?

Funkagenda

Well, Chad and myself had been friends for a while, and had worked on some other projects together. I had a studio, and he had a dream and between us we could make it work. Its always been based on two things, good solid house, and good solid friendship.

So what have you been up to recently?

Chad Lewis

I have been busy with studio commitments for remixes,   we have also just submitted our first covermount cd for a mag and also our label stuff as well as playing out as much as pos, I also run s few successful club nights in and around midlands including my   Sunday service inBirmingham @ Club DV8 so things are crazy right now.

So what sort of tunes and remixes have you got coming out?

Funkagenda

The next release on GD is by Adrian Eftimie, and is called ‘No Side Effect’. The track has already enjoyed huge chart success in Europe so we are looking to put  out a good package for the underground circuit. Next will be two great tracks by J-Groove and Isaac S, who have had previous releases on Subliminal Soul. Alongside the original there will be mixes by myself, Kim Fai and Jimmy Hill. Aside from GD there are too many to mention! San Francisco is my first solo release on Toolroom records and I’m very proud of it. Its got remixes by Micky Slim, Kim Fai, Shafunkers and Dave Spoon, so it’s a wicked package! As we speak I am contemplating my first album.

How do you see yourself evolving over the next few years?

Chad Lewis

I’m not sure at this point as I’m too busy concentrating on the here and now, last year was a great year for house music with things moving very quickly so if that continues the next few years could be very interesting indeed!

Where have you been playing recently?

Funkagenda

Well before Christmas I was touring in Thailand, Moscow, Dubai, New York and Budapest to name but a few! I also had all of my UK commitments in between, including my debut at Global Gathering. That was amazing!

Over the last year you have had a lot of success with your production work. Do you think all DJ’s should be producing?

Funkagenda

Anyone serious about their music and becoming a permanent fixture on the house scene should seriously consider trying it, as it’s a great way of expressing your own personal style

What do you think of the state of the UK dance scene right now?

Chad Lewis

There have been a lot of changes in 2006, and whilst the music scene has enjoyed a great year I feel that the clubbing scene could do with pushing forward more musically as a lot of the places we go to the people seem to be stuck in a time warp!

Moving away from your own production, what artists feature in your DJ sets at the moment?

What labels and artists are doing it for you right now?

Funkagenda

Well my favorite producer of late has to be Dave Spoon. He seems to get away with straggling between house and techno with a massive slab of groove to polish it off! Also Mark Knight, MTV, Ame and Dennis Ferrer have been on fire recently. Aside from Groove, I play pretty much all of Toolroom’s releases, and have just found a great new label called ‘Shove’. The first two tracks from them are permanent fixtures in my bag.

What Dj’s would you like to produce for and what DJ’s would you like to play with?

Chad Lewis

I enjoy producing for anyone really as it’s a chance to put my spin on things. Amongst my favorite DJs are Carl Cox + James Zabiela and switch.

What has been your greatest achievement and your favorite gig?

Funkagenda

Always two really difficult questions! I am still aiming for my greatest achievement so I will tell you when I am done! As far as fave gigs, anything in Eastern Europe tends to be a blast! They really know how to party…

What would you be doing if you weren’t a DJ?

Chad Lewis

I love all aspects of the industry so I guess I would be doing something in the same area, I already promote the GD brand full time as well as club tours and production so I guess I would be busy in one way or another.

Finally then, what does the future hold for you and Groovedigital?

Funkagenda and Chad Lewis

We will continue to push and break through new artists, as well as staying true to our roots musically. You can expect a great year from Groove and release wise there are some crackers on the way! We will also be promoting the brand and touring worldwide.

Groovedigital’s latest release is Adrian Eftimie No side effects, original mix, Chad Lewis remix, Funkagenda remix, Kim Fia remix and wordkidz, a great package, out in shops beginning of june.

For more information on the label, tour, merchandise and CD compilation or artist bookings please contact groovedigitaluk@aol.com

www.myspace.com/groovedigitalrecords

www.myspace.com/funkagenda

www.myspace.com/djchadlewis

www.clubmission.com

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