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. Producer, DJ and Red Bull Music Academy graduate Nightwave is taking part in a six-hour radio broadcast on Sunday alongside Optimo, Harri and Domenic, Inkke, Rebecca Vasmant, Joe Howe and Mermaids - we asked her for her reflections on the Glasgow clubs scene.
Tell us about a track/artist that was an early inspiration for you to become a DJ
I'm gonna say 'Trax on da rocks' by Thomas Bangalter [aka one half of Daft Punk] and the tune 'What to do' in particular - I remember hearing this record a lot as a kid in the club, going crazy to it and thinking, 'Yeah I wanna make people dance like this!'
Tell us about the earliest DJing experience you can remember
After I bought some vinyl and managed to mix a couple of records for the first time I assumed that's it and I was ready, so I got myself a gig at this bunker rave and basically failed in the most spectacular way you can imagine, Dr Trainwreck. I was only 15, an idiot and learned a very valuable lesson!
What’s been the best thing that’s happened on the Glasgow club scene during your career?
Probably launching Nightrave at La Cheetah a couple of years ago. Eclair Fifi and I played back to back with Rustie as special guest and we had a queue around the block. Fifi and I played a special booty set with some pretty filthy lyrics, it was great!
… and the worst?
Some weird guy asked me to play Shakira and then threw an empty cigarette box in my face when I ignored him.
What’s the most recent track/artist you got really excited about?
I'm a huge fan of Lady Leshurr and she's been posting some amazing new material recently, like 'Queen's Speech' or her last single 'Lukatar'. I'd love to work with her, she's super talented.
What’s the best club space in Glasgow?
There's only one Sub Club!
How does Glasgow compare to other cities on the global club scene?
I've travelled quite a bit so far and it's definitely my favourite place in the world, that's why I decided to move here! There is a great sense of community and the love of music and fun noticeably comes first at all times, I've yet to see a chin-stroking technobore or annoying networking type you'd find in some London places for example. Up here everyone just goes in and they go in hard!
How does Glasgow benefit from inclusion in the RBMA Tour?
It will be great to show Glasgow what RBMA is about, what the lectures and parties look like. I think it will inspire a lot of people to work on their music and apply in the future and give the town a great excuse for a weekender party!
RDMA Radio: Live in Glasgow, Sub Hub, Sunday March 29.
Check out our other RBMA interviews with Eclair Fifi, DJ Milktray and Harri.