Artikal chats to Dubzy about his residency at Abode. He also talks about Sankeys Ibiza and first time to the island
For any listeners that your name is new to, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I’m Artikal, I’ve been on the London scene for many years, I’ve recently been a resident at Abode. I started off 15 years ago, I used to MC on pirate radio stations in London doing garage, jungle, drum & bass. That’s my roots but I’ve been DJing house about 5 years now”
So that’s quite a switch up isn’t it?
“Yeah, I just love rave music you know. I used to love stuff like drum & bass but I felt like garage especially took a bit of a turn and the energy of the parties just weren’t what they used to be. I started going to a few more house raves and that was what it was all about for me”
So when did you know when you wanted to do this professionally?
“I’ve been doing it as a sideline for years and it’s only come about in the last couple of years where it’s really seemed like a possibility to do it. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do so I’ve been pushing. And I just love every minute of it, it’s a dream come true.
So for any of our listeners looking to make a career in music, have you got any advice to throw out there?
“I would say, eat, sleep and music. Don’t just stick to one genre or sound. Do your research and go back to disco, house and soul music. Find out where it came from and just immerse yourself in the music 24 hours a day. Just let it become you. That’s what I feel has really made me progress. For me it’s important to know the history of dance music”
So you mentioned you are now a resident for Abode, how did that relationship come about?
“It started when I was just scrolling through social media at night. It was actually abode that started Carl. I got a message on twitter saying if anyone would like to do a guest mix on his twitter page just leave a mix so I did one of my mixes in his inbox and I woke up in the morning and I got his message asking if I left a mix on his twitter page and I said yes and it just started from there really. The mix went down really well and I did the abode radio show to begin with and it just escalated to where it is now becoming a resident there really”.
Of course, Abode this season in Ibiza is looking like it’s going to stand out right?
“Its just unbelievable, its real electric”.
For anyone who doesn’t know too much about the event could you tell us more about it?
“Its with regards to a London event, a club in the South East of London called Studio 68 which to me is one of the best clubs in London and becoming one of the UK’s as well. It’s got an amazing outdoor terrace, when I saw it; it was completely covered in glass so you do not have to worry about the weather. It has a massive great vibe as well. Its just class.
Yeah, looks amazing. So what do you think makes the event stand out from other events?
“The two most important things is that it’s all about the people and the music. We started because it’s been all about underground talent raw talent. Sometimes there are modern headliners. At a lot of the parties the headliners ain’t even there throughout the day and the residents ensure the success of the party and we’ve being lucky enough to be part of the growth of abode and as residents we’ve had the opportunity with it as well. With a series of things happening all at the same time it’s just made it a perfect connection”.
Of course, a big shout out to my mate Jimmy Switch as well in Manchester as part of the team.
“Jimmy Switch is great, he’s got some serious soul, and he’s also got some serious sessions. I always love watch to Jimmy’s sessions, really class.
Abode at summer is for instance Mike Chartman and people like this have brought them to new audiences. Who are the other people that Abode have allowed on?
“Apart from residents I mean Schlado, that guy is just blowing out something else at the moment but they take a set on the Terrence. I think it wasn’t a first but it was part of the first London gigs that really made them a big asset to the London audience. One of my favorites set on the terrace, I mean they are about to blow anyway but their type of terrace set which is class, excellent producers and Djs. I think its brought them even further to everyone as well you know”.
Yeah, they have been doing that sort of thing in Manchester as well…
“Yeah and the vibe killers as well. They make them sit on the terrace, again these boys have been around for a while, and they are paying them on a totally different level. Its good to see people that are genuinely great artists”.
So you’ve got residents of Abode at Sankeys Ibiza, how has that being going?
“It’s been amazing. Its just an absolute joy to play in Sankeys, its just electric so many top parties to compete with we are going through it and we are doing really well”.
What have been the highlights so far?
“The highlight for me would be Tears in the Lab which has been an absolutely mind blowing experience and place in the basement, it’s just… ”.
What do you make of the venue at Sankeys Ibiza?
“Very much so, it just has that raw club feel. The basement wall feels like lets get down and party. Nice low ceilings, nice and dark”.
Have you played at the Manchester Venue?
“No I haven’t yet, I will love to”.
What DJs are you looking to play alongside?
“I am really looking forward to playing alongside Lackey who I respect so much as a producer. He is always consistent. I also look forward to Max Chartman. They are just genuinely good and nice people, really refreshing”.
Who do you think has being smashing it so far?
“I will have to say the residents like Ellie Cox, Jimmy, Lindsey, Will Taylor, GW Harrison, they are all just delivering and I look forward to their performances”.
So Ellie Cox has started to produce as well?
“Yeah, she produced a banging EP with Max Chartman. She definitely going to be a super star with worldwide bookings. She is just genuinely a dance girl that just loves her tunes. Super DJ and super talented”.
Can we expect any productions coming from you anytime soon?
“I am not going to give too much but I am going to studio with a couple of artists that I really respect in the coming weeks. I used to be into productions, in and out, I am going to dabble into it producing a couple of EPs within the next couple of months. Just keeping my head down basically using any spare time I have getting into the studio as much as possible”.
Could you run us through how a typical Abode night will run from start to finish?
“Get in there at 12, there’s no warm up straight in class DJs from the time you walk in until the moment you leave. It’s an amazing electric atmosphere, really good people. You will get a really good experience when you get there”.
Your first trip to Ibiza I believe played a big role in your love for house music, can you tell us about that?
“Definitely, as I was saying to you before the cross over from garage to house, I remember going to Ibiza it was over 15 years ago and I went for Manu mission and then I went to Space Carrion and it was all outside not terraced. I left there 24 hours later and I was like that is it, it was like I was a changed man. I go there like twice a year, I have never done a season actually but I have always come backwards and forwards and I love it”.
Where are your favorite places on the island when you are not on the decks?
“I really love going to Spanadax which is right in the middle of Ibiza. It’s really a chilled beach especially on a Sunday with a really nice sunset and it’s got like hippies and stuff. It’s a contrast to a banging club, you can go lie down on the beach, have a few drinks and just unwind”.
You can catch up with Artikal on:
Instagram and twitter: @artikal_LDN
