Malcolm Duffy

How long have you been DJing? How did you start off and get into the club scene?

I started DJing about 15 years ago. I'm originally from just outside Glasgow in Scotland, but got away and moved down to London when I was sixteen. I came down here on a two-week holiday and just stayed. I was going out to all the clubs, and just got into buying records and DJing from that. Also, I worked at Leigh Bowery's now infamous club 'Taboo' on the coatcheck with Princess Julia. When I was starting out, I worked in a lot of restaurants too. I was always the busboy, never the waiter!

How did you land your Trade residency? And what about the carrier bag story, it sounds very fortunate, and a bit unlikely?

Well, it wasn't actually a carrier bag; it was a heavy-duty canvas bag, the kind that you put your laundry in. It was crammed full of records, and I took it to the club with me. Anyway, I knew Laurence, and just asked him if I could play. He said I could play at the end, and if the crowd liked it, then I could come back next week. I've been there ever since. It was a lot different in clubs back then though - you could just do that, you'd never be able to do that at Trade or any club nowadays.

So you've been with Trade the longest?

Yes, I played at the opening night back in 1990; I've been there almost 12 years. I'm the longest standing resident, but definitely not the oldest.

How has the club changed over the years?

The venue was completely different back then. It was a lot smaller, and has been gradually extended. Rooms kept being added on and appearing out of nowhere. When it started there was only the main room, with a couple of speakers. There was no monitor and not as many lights. Trade used to have a lot more Techno played there, then the sound went more commercial, then there was the Hard House sound. There's always been that musical progression throughout the night.

Have you always played the same style of music?

Before, I used to play only Tribal music, but now what I play is a mixture of Tribal, and Beats, some Techno and House music. I've always either played at the beginning of the night or the earlier sets.

Which clubs do you have residencies?

I currently play at Fiction at The Cross on Friday nights, at DTPM at Fabric on Sunday nights, and at Trade. I don't play at many other clubs regularly, although I've got some more one-offs coming up. At the moment, I'm just into staying in London, and playing my three gigs every weekend. I used to play at more places, and up and down the country. But now it would mean, that I would have to compromise the music that I play. Adapt and change it, so that it becomes more accessible for people to listen to and abandon my underground style.

Do you play the same music everywhere that you play?

I play harder and faster at Trade than anywhere else, and definitely at the start of the weekend on Friday at fiction, I play a lot slower. The thing with playing at Trade, which I love, is that the crowd are so responsive. There are people that arrive and leave at different times, but the crowd know what kind of music they want to listen to and come for that. The DJ rota is quite consistent and people know what to expect. Trade has got such a loyal following and has been going for so long. It's an institution.

Where do you go record shopping?

I tend to only go to the one shop. It's Puregroove in Archway, London N19. They cater to all my needs.

What qualities must a record have to make it into your box?

I look for good professional production, and a Tribal element. A track that is full up, lots going on and busy with lots of sounds.

What is the most satisfying part of being a DJ, and any memorable moments?

The most satisfying thing is actually playing the records, actually DJing and playing the music to people. There are so many memorable times, but one that sticks in my mind was playing for Trade in South Africa with Tony de Vit to a crowd of thousands.

Are there any disadvantages of a DJ?

Sometimes people come up to me when I'm playing and ask me for ridiculous requests. One guy asked me to play the Sex Pistols, and got offended when I said no.
Also you have to be careful who you give your phone number to - there are some weird people out there. I once had a kind of stalker. This boy sat on my doorstep for about two weeks and even slept there. He just wouldn't go away. He would push love letters and sweets through my letterbox. When I wanted to go out, I had to jump over the back wall to avoid him. Needless to say, I didn't eat the sweets.

Apart from your records and headphones, what other essential items do you take with you when you go DJing?

A good sense of humour. Always. And I have a couple of large vodkas before I leave to go DJing.

What are your tracks/artists/labels of the moment?

I don't know - I tend to recognise only the label or the cover of the record by sight, I've got so many one offs, and things from very obscure labels. I don't really stick to the one label and play everything from it. Before, everything that I played was usually an American import, and still a lot of the tracks are, but now I have a lot of German tribal and techno too.

What are your favourite places to go out to?

I like going to the pub. I don't really go out to clubs, as I'm in them enough for work. I did go to the closing night of Space at Bar Rumba last week though.

Have you been in the studio lately? Any tracks or remixes planned?

Recently, I've been working on some tracks with Miguel P from Fiction/Dtpm, also there's a collaboration with Steve Thomas. I've been making some solo stuff for the Remote record label. I've done a remix for Simple Minds of their record 'Homosapien'. Also I'm hoping to remix my favourite Simple minds track, which is called 'I travel'.

What inspires you to produce a track?

I don't really go into the studio with any set or pre planned ideas. It's much better that way. I just take a big bag of samples, and an open mind and I see what happens.

What do you do to relax and wind down?

I try to catch up on my sleep during the week, It's quite wearing DJing every weekend, at funny hours in the morning. I like eating out and watching the TV. Coronation street reruns are my favourite.

Interview and words by Ramón.

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