From the early days playing guitar and piano as a kid, I have always had a passion for music. But it was as a DJ that introduced me to music as a career. Music has always been a part of my family, This meant that music has always been a part of my life, in my blood. The journey started through creating sounds using a commodore 64 for games and experimental tracks, I developed my skills when i brought some DJ decks to make mix-tapes for local club DJs and pirate stations. This landed my first paid job as a DJ in the local pubs and clubs then later a DJ slot on an Essex pirate radio station (SiN FM), playing mostly House, HipHop/Electro R&B and Funk. I started making dance music using an Atari ST and a few synths with a friend, this was released as a white label 12” under the psydoname Jazzy Jay. After moving to Reading a few years later and forming an Indie Rock band where I played lead guitar and wrote all their songs. We had a few successful gigs in the local area and were gaining a good fan base with some label interest until they split through career differences after a couple of years. I had already built a project studio with a basic setup by then and started on a different journey – of music producer and remixer.
Using session vocalists instead of samples and a steep learning curve of studio production techniques I had some interest with these early tracks and received the Media Records back catalogue to remix (Clock, Neon Light). This inspired me to follow the remix path to gain some recognition. The Beck track “Mixed Bizness” was offered for remix and then other remixes came through various contacts (Fatboy Slim, Liberty X, Tweaker, Baldwin Brothers) . Then I was offered a place at the Leeds College of Music to study Music Production (one of 30 places) of which he could not refuse. It was here I met Kate through a studio recording session and together we formed MUNKIE.
