Interview with Brenda Russell - 11th Hour Technology

As a renowned international DJ, Brenda'S profile has rocketed over a short duration of time. From her first booking in 1991 at a small wine bar, which lead to a semi-residency in central London at "Knowledge". Co-promoted by Colin Faver, Colin Dale and Jane Howard "Knowledge" gained worldwide recognition for it's international line-ups.

When "Knowledge" ended in early 1993, Colin Faver and Colin Dale invited Brenda to become a weekly resident at their new club night "DEEP SPACE". She then helped to organise and promote "DEEP SPACE - MISSION II" at The End night club in 1995, followed by "DEEP SPACE QUEST III - SUBMERGE" in 1997.

In addition to her bookings in London Brenda has performed at various club nights & events around the world. UK gigs have included Universe's Voyager, Ultimate Base, Eurobeat 2000, Lost and Atomic Jam.

Her first international booking was at the Oxa Club in Switzerland, where she had the honour of being the first female DJ to play at the venue. With regular bookings at Club Douala (Ravensburg), she has also performed at the legendary Mayday event, The Omen, and Tresor (Germany), Rex Club (France), Twilo (USA), The Gazometer, Danube Rave, Biosphere (Austria) and The Fuse (Brussels).

She also performed at various events on the Frontpage Magazine "Natural Born Ravers and Total Confusion" tours and various one-off parties. Her DJ'ing has also lead her further afield to Seoul in South Korea (for a Casio party to promote the G Shock watches), Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, Czechoslovakia, USA, and Japan

Not content with only DJ'ing in clubs, Brenda has spread her wings and gained experience in radio presentation. In July 1996 she was invited by KISS 100 FM to present her own 3 hour show on the "GIVIN IT UP" slot. Prior to this she was involved in Brazen Radio's "Women in Music Festival" and Euronet Weekend Rave, (on satellite and cable networks). Interviews and her live mixes have also been aired on ORF (Vienna), B-92 (Belgrade/Serbia), KISS FM (Berlin) and GAIA LIVE on the internet.

Between 1994 and 1998 Brenda worked at Phuture Trax, where she was responsible for Club and Radio Promotions on Techno and Experimental music. Working on projects from Carl Cox's FACT 1 compilation, (which she was awarded a BP Disc for sales of over 100,000 copies), Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier, The Advent, CJ Bolland, Steve Stoll, and Slam. She has also worked on various other artists for labels such as Missile, Sublime and Soma. Brenda also worked as a freelance A&R consultant for Nova Mute.

She also contributed to the Techno pages when Generator magazine was first launched writing record reviews and interviewing DJ's and artists.

In early 1998 she was approached by the artist Access 58 to help them build their profile. Brenda helped them to start their own record label Access 58 RECORDS and she takes care of coordinating and promoting the releases. She also worked on the press promotion for SOUL DESTROYAZ - DESTROYED album on Synewave Records. From January 2000 she will be responsible for press promotion for the weekly club night, Ultimate Base, one-off Ultimate Base specials and Open to Torture parties.

Her contribution to the scene and determination to succeed led her to compile 3 compilation albums and produced one track to date.

She is currently working on her new label project on_test, which sees the first release this summer from Brisiol based Jamie Anderson.

11th-Hour What was your musical background before discovering techno? (what music did you enjoy, were you heavily into any particular scene etc..)

Brenda Russell Before discovering techno, I was (and still am) into different styles of dance music. This ranges from house, soul, jazz, hip hop, r&b and some pop music. During 91-93, I got quite involved in the rave scene and progressed from there.

11th-Hour What are your thoughts on the future of the techno scene, both in the UK and abroad?

Brenda Russell The techno scene in the uk does not get the respect and support it deserves, therefore we will always remain underground. Around the rest of the world, like Austria, Slovenia and Hungary, for instance, they have a strong positive following. As long as we keep the faith in the music and there are talented producers, it will keep evolving.

11th-Hour Have you ever encountered any difficulties progressing in this scene as one of the few women techno DJ`s?

Brenda Russell As a female DJ, I would not say that I have encountered any difficulties progressing in the scene. We are all aware that in general, the music industry is male dominated, but there are quite a few females DJ's that people may not be aware of. I feel like anything in life, if you are committed and passionate about what you do, you will succeed.

11th-Hour You are starting up a new record label - what are your plans for that, and how did it come about?

Brenda Russell Over the past ten years I have met many talented DJ"s/producers and have enjoyed playing their music. on_test will present some of these people, as well as up and coming producers. The first release is scheduled for September and is by Jamie Anderson (Artform Records/Bristol). Demo's can be sent on cd, mini disc or dat to: on_test, Po Box 13521, London W9 3ZY, England.

11th-Hour Do you have any plans to run your own club nights, either now or in the future?

Brenda Russell No I do not plan to run my own club night. I am currently involved in press promotions for Ultimate Base, Carl Cox and Jim Master's weekly Thursday night at The Velvet Rooms, Open to Torture and Open all Hours presents.. @ The End in London.

11th-Hour In the past you have made a great contribution to up and coming artists, for instance Access 58. Do you have plans for launching any new careers, and does this affect your own career?

Brenda Russell I feel flattered that you feel that "I made a great contribution to up and coming artist", however I need to set the record straight. I am not responsible for launching the career of Access 58, only for trying to make more people aware of their talent. They have been recording music for quite some time and have had various ep's out on Pacific Records. In 98 they approached me about the many unreleased tracks they had and I advised them to start their own label. Access 58 records was set up and I help them to promote their label/music. They currently have 11 releases on their own label, as well as remix projects and ep's on other labels including Eukatech. on_test second release will be from them.

In response to launching any new career's, I have not achieved that to date, however if there is talent out there that I'm into, I support it/them. If this helps them to get to the next level, then I am happy, but do not claim to be responsible for anyone's success. At the end of the day, it is their production, passion and expression of music - not mine. Hopefully one day I can help and encourage other people, the way that I was encouraged and supported (as a dj) by many people within the scene. I do not think by helping other's, it affects my career.

11th-Hour Do you have any plans to produce any new records of your own, either on your own label or elsewhere?

Brenda Russell Yes, I do have plans to produce some music for my label or other's - whether it is a solo project or collaboration. I am just starting to learn the studio equipment - so it will be some time!!

11th-Hour What was the first record you bought as a DJ and why? And where did you buy it from?

Brenda Russell I can't remember the first record as a dj. When I first started buying records regularly, I was not planning to be a dj!!

11th-Hour What one record has stayed in your box/bag the longest and continually keeps on reappearing?

Brenda Russell The record which keeps dipping in and out since around 95/96/97?? (sorry I cannot remember when it was released), is Planetary Assault Systems remix of The Advent 'Bad Boy'. A fat classic that rocks every time.

Brenda Russell If I have a weekend off and there is a good party going on, I try and support it, whoever is playing or whatever the style of music. I spend so much time in clubs, that a lot of live acts I like to see are at concerts. I recently went to see D'Angelo (with Slumm Village as support) at Brixton Academy - that was the best live act I have seen so far this year. His band were amazing. I also saw Mos Def, Common, Angie Stone, Kelis and I am waiting to see Mary J Blige - she is my girl with a voice to kill.

Brenda Russell Here are a few, but there are lots more!! Ambasada Gavioli in Slovenia - wicked sound system, dedicated clubbers who party hard. Biosphere parties in Vienna - always a pleasure to play at and the Austrian people have been very supportive of my music since 94/95. I play for them quite regularly and had the honour of being the only international dj (and headlined) booked to play at their millennium party. Ultimate Base, London - a nice cosy venue (capacity 350) which has a friendly international following. Open to Torture - the badest line-ups highlighting the cream of the underground movement (Sterac, Joel Mull, Adam Beyer, Colin Faver, Advent etc etc...), organised by Billy Nasty and Jim Masters. Ostgut in Berlin - wicked location, open minded crowd, excellent sound system.

Brenda Russell I am currently compiling a cd for Stargate who organise the Biosphere parties in Vienna. This will be released on XXX Productions in Oct 2000.