Tom Showtime
Subscribe
X

Get the latest from Beat

All

Tom Showtime

tomshowtime.jpg

However, after a little bit of probing, he sticks to the press release as he states, “It’s a new night with sounds from the DapperJam DJs, Agent 86, Andy K Dever and myself.” With the musical acts all mentioned, he sums up the night as if he were a press guy thinking up a tagline for the flyer,. “Award winning cocktails with music to match.”
“I’ll be bringing the funk as always, entertaining the crowd with some live sax over the decks,” proving a little bit more comfortable when explaining his role in the evening’s proceedings, it soon becomes clear that Gaden intends to be both a performer and a punter at Saturday Confidential, as he states, “When I’m not playing I’ll be ‘sampling’ the drinks menu.”

With his set promising to be a fusion of live sax and disc spinning, it seems that Gaden is unable to distinguish which element really makes a night memorable for him. He explains, “I enjoy both to be honest, playing other people’s tunes as well as my own material, but adding the live element through the horn is what makes it special for me. It’s different every time, sometimes I don’t even know what is going to happen!” With an admission that his set is fairly fluid, it begs the question as to how Gaden pieces together a set. The answer is not one that is unexpected, “I don’t normally prepare sets as such, follow the vibe is my philosophy, ‘feel’ what comes next.”

While he may not spend too much time fretting over how to ensure the smooth running of his set, Gaden, like many a DJ, always has that one trick record up his sleeve. While his record collection is brimming with treats, there is that one record that is guaranteed to get those bodies moving towards the dance floor. So, what is the record that you need to listen out for as your cue to bring on the boogie? “A Little Samba by Ugly Duckling.”
Though Ugly Duckling may be his ultimate selection to get those toes a tapping, the man who loves to explore the sounds of others as well as creating his own masterpieces must be a good man to go to for musical tips. So, who is Gaden listening to at the moment? “Madlib, Bonobo or Wax Tailor for the beats. Welcome To Boomtown by The Psyde Project is quality homegrown. I’ve been going deep on the J-Live catalogue, he’s a genius.”

With the evening having been described rather succinctly in the press release as “funk, soul, afro beat and down right cool grooves,” where does Gaden see himself slotting in? Having already noted his tendency towards the funkier side of things, his response builds on his earlier point as he reveals, “I do love a good groove and I’d say I fit in with all of the above, but I really can’t go past the funk. It’s in everything I play or produce.”
With Gaden clearly determined to enjoy Saturday Confidential as much as the next guy, it seems important to find out his key ingredients to a good night out. With Gaden clearly a pretty easy going guy, his ingredients are not filled with ridiculous demands, but rather he keeps it all low key as he requires, “For me it’s gotta’ be quality music, enjoyed with good mates, nice drinks in comfortable surrounds.” Though the key ingredients form a list that is more than easy enough to tick, his final quirks may be slightly harder to satisfy, as his non-essential elements are as he continues, “Even better if it involves coffee, cricket or watermelon.”

While his closing selections may not be typical of a night out – well two may occasionally feature, the third is highly unlikely – Melbourne is packed with places of potential pleasure. Though clearly a fan of The Galley Room, are there any other venues that he and his mates frequent? “Sweat at The George Basement if we’re feeling the hip-hop party vibe or a few cheeky bars at The Prince Patrick Hotel on Victoria Street for the more mellow tip.”

“Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city. 100% Phat and Serpent54 are based here, so it’s definitely where I’m at.” While Gaden spent a long time living in the UK honing his skills, he points out that there is little doubt Melbourne is his true musical home. “I discovered the style of music that inspired me in the UK, the trip hop genre. Dudes like Alm, Rae & Christian, Mr Scruff & Quantic, their music is what led me to become a producer you know. But Australia is where I sharpened my craft, I really started DJing and playing sax when I returned home. I guess all that comes through is my music one way or another.”


Recommended