Hailing from Bristol, DJ Conducta is one of the leading names fronting the new wave of UK garage and is credited for producing AJ Tracey’s landmark hit ‘Ladbroke Grove’. Here he tells us about the small club-slash-bar in his hometown where he took to the decks IRL for the first time.
‘I snuck out of my bedroom window to play my first ever gig at Cosies when I was 17, without my parents ever knowing (until now, I guess). The venue had an amazing sound system and prestige around it at the time, so it was a big opportunity. Two days prior, I practised my exact transitions for the set on VirtualDJ, and was so nervous. I pulled up ready to go on the night, but everything looked distinctly different to my mixing software.
‘My transitions were all over the place, but it was a lovely grounding experience. ‘We plan and God laughs’ came to mind. This became my approach to DJing in the rest of my career: to not be so rigid, to have plans for the plan not working and to be malleable as a performer. Cosies is one of my favourite venues in Bristol because of how warm and soulful it feels. I haven’t been back recently but next time I’m in the city, it will be my mission to stop over.’
Conducta is playing El Dorado festival, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire, July 6-9.
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