DJ Vadim has been on the worldwide music scene for a long time already. A friend of mine over in Japan recently saw a photograph of him and myself together and sent me a message saying “DJ Vadim, he’s very famous here in Japan. He’s a surrealist and an abstract hip-hop producer”.
So it got me thinking about all the different ways that people might view his music, how I view his music and how he first got into making music. I realised that I had a load of questions I wanted to ask him. So I gave him a shout and here’s what followed…
DJ Vadim – In His Own Words
JAGO: When did you first start producing music and what equipment were you using when you started out?
VADIM: That is oldschool days!!! 1992. I started with an Atari ST1040 and Akai S950 sampler. Old school MIDI days… Got an ADAT, yep one of those VHS looking like machines!!!
JAGO: Was there a sudden point for you between being someone who wanted to bust on the scene and realising that you already had?
VADIM: Good question. Often I feel like I’m just here and haven’t really busted on the scene, cos I still get excited to meet people, go to concerts and get nervous going up to people I look up to, say like Nas or Damian Marley. Never quite know what to say to them.
JAGO: Has your approach to production and composing changed a lot or fundamentally has it remained the same?
VADIM: It’s changed and has to keep changing. Change is the only constant we have as humans. Just like when you look outside at nature. No other moment in time will it look the same. The trees, grass will grow, branches may fall, things get cut down, replanted and things be built… So it will never be exactly the same. As a producer I am the same. Things are growing and other things have reached their limit and I change them. Also, of course technology changes the way you work. Laptops now are so powerful. One could never do hardcore editing and stuff like that ten years ago.
JAGO: You’re someone who gets to travel all over the world doing shows. Which countries that you visit inspire you musically?
VADIM: Well lots of places. I love traveling and each place has great aspects. It’s amazing to go to Asia cos they are hungry for music they never had access to before and are lapping it up. However, they have no history of it at all so what we would call classics in the UK do not exist. They have no concept of classic or big tune. So after I travel the world and find great food, passion and enthusiasm for the music. I always end up back in the UK and go wow. So much talent on this pissy island. Just a shame people do not appreciate what we have and do take it for granted.
JAGO: Are there plans for a third in the ‘Dubcatcher’ series?
VADIM: hahah yes mate. Half done already!
JAGO: What has your personal journey with music taught you about the world and about yourself?
VADIM: Traveling opens up ones mind and heart to people and different opinions, etc. It’s one of the best things humans can do and partly why America is so messed up, because most people over there have never left their own state, let alone country. You have to experience things to realise we are actually as people more similar than different. Doesn’t matter about religion or head scarves, or colour.
JAGO: What are you passionate about apart from making music?
VADIM: Food – love it, eat it, cook it, dream about it. Love sport too. Keeping fit, running, swimming, bike riding, yoga…
JAGO: What words of wisdom do you have for young producers who look up to you and would like to achieve a similar level of success?
VADIM: The most important thing to do is love what you do, be original and create. If you love what you do, you can release something and even if it only sells four copies, you don’t stress cos you know its good. If you love what you do and throw a party and only four people come, its ok, you tried. You got to believe in your own product cos no one else will till u do. You got to be your own boss, be yourself. Don’t copy cos copying will only get u so far and then you will be found out.