The Red Bull Music Academy UK Tour calls in at Glasgow this weekend, celebrating the city's club culture with a series of events, live shows, radio broadcasts and assorted what-have-you. Local DJ and producer Milktray is part of an Astral Black showcase on Saturday night - we asked him for his reflections on the Glasgow clubs scene.
Are there any particular tracks or artists that inspired you to become a DJ?
I'm not sure if there is a specific person or track - going out to clubs a lot when I was younger made me want to put on club nights, and once that happened it just made sense to have a go at DJing. As for making music, Blackjack and Ironsoul were a big inspiration in me starting making music, also Slackk and a kick up the arse from Inkke helped a bunch.
What's the earliest DJing experience you can remember?
I just remember being super fucking nervous and physically shaking a lot when I first started. Me and my friend Sweeney played at Freaky Freaky in Nice'n'Sleazy's basement for our first proper DJ gig and I remember thinking this is well fun, Im'ah keep doing this.
What’s been the best thing that’s happened on the Glasgow club scene during your career?
Best thing is probably when Astral Black booked Skepta. I played after him, I put on Youngstar - 'Formula 2' and Skepta came back on stage and spat over it... that is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me tbh haha. Also when I play my own songs and get a good reaction, that's pretty rad too.
... and the worst?
Dunno about worst, the funniest thing I've seen is a someone coming up to my friend - whilst he was DJing - with a tenner and ask for two Jagerbombs over the decks. Also somebody requesting Robson and Jerome completely seriously is another good one.
What’s the most recent track/artist you got really excited about?
Bleaker is a guy I am really into just now he's from Glasgow too :). I fully get excited when he sends me stuff over. Feel-good club music is good for me every time, and he's got plenty of it.
What’s the best club space in Glasgow?
That is difficult - The Art School is one of my favourites, it has two floors both with a different feel and it always has good selection of club nights on, so its a guaranteed bounce pretty much.
How does Glasgow compare to other cities on the global club scene?
It is hard to compare, there is a huge variety of nights all within a small city, yet it doesn't seem to be overwhelming, everyone is doing different things but it all comes together to make the "scene" great. Also the crowds in Glasgow like to really go for it, which is good. Nobody cares if they look silly jumping about or even if they don't know who is playing, they go nutty.
How does Glasgow benefit from inclusion in the RBMA Tour?
It just shows that Glasgow is getting love. Hopefully it will make people keep doing what they're doing in the city.
DJ Milktray plays the Astral Black showcase alongside Mumdance & Riko Dan, Jon Phonics, Jaisu and headliner Danny Brown at SWG3 on Sat Mar 28.
Check out our other RBMA interviews with Eclair Fifi, Harri and Nightwave.