NO ALTERNATIVE
The Ultimate Spin-Doc-tor
FROM a relatively small start DJ Doc, aka Craig Docherty, from Egremont, wants to help create a more sophisticated dance music scene in West Cumbria and build on it. Doc launched his latest project, "No Alternative," on April 22 in Shakers, in Whitehaven, so by now some people will know what's what, but for those who don't, such as our ageing editor, Chris Breen, we asked him about the dance music scene in the west of the county.
CB: So how vibrant is the dance music scene?
Doc: "Around here we suffer from a lack of venues, but we've got a lot of talented DJ/producers who have to work out of the area, guys like Andrew Dale (Soulmelt); Ryan Stanger, who has played the Warehouse Project, in Manchester, Andrew Dent who has warmed up for Paul Oakenfold; and there's Chris Lockie, Adam Glover and Danny Howells who are all doing well".
CB: How are you going to get around that?
Doc: I have DJ friends in Liverpool who started out small, in a pub, and recently they did a gig in Liverpool's Anglican cathedral, the biggest church in Europe... so I'm going to start small and see where it goes.
CB: How would you describe your music?
Doc: Since the 1990s rave scene dance music has moved on into a more sophisticated sound... a recognisable world sound which has left behind all the baggage that came with the 1990s scene,
CB: Does the baggage still weigh heavy?
Doc: It can do; and with some people the scene has an outdated image but we hope to change that and won't be looking too far back...only forward.
CB: What's on the menu then?
Doc: We started at Shakers on April 22 and we will be doing At The Playground on June 4; we're back in Shakers on the Friday of the Whitehaven Festival, June 17 and at Beckfest, (Beckermet) on the Friday and Saturday (details yet to be announced).
CB: How important is the Festival scene?
Doc: Very. I didn't get started around here until 2007 at Eskdale Beer Festival and I took the crowd from 400 to 2,500 in 2008. I did Cockrock 2009 and last year headlined it on the Saturday in the Mighty Boof dance tent. It was thanks to Mighty Boof promotions and Danny Maudling that I got started and they do a lot to help local talent. Now I manage the DJs for them and we're always on the lookout for new talent.
CB: Who should they contact?
Doc: Me at: facebook.com/NoAlternative2011 or on Twitter at: twitter.com/No4lternative
