Adam Shelton talks Zutekh, One Records and why he loves Manchester

This Friday sees hot Manchester promoters Zutekh bring a One Records showcase to their Sound Control home, with Hector, Adam Shelton and Seelie.

We caught up with new Zutekh resident and One Records founder Adam Shelton to talk labels, residencies, and why he loves the Manchester crowd. 

So let’s go back to the beginning. How and when were you first infected with the music bug?

I first was infected by the music which I follow now when I was 11, influenced by older friends who used to go to the early raves and give me their tapes to listen to. The tapes I used to enjoy were from the back rooms or second rooms of the raves. To me it was music titled ‘mellow’, which was a much more chilled deeper sound to the rave sound, which I was also into.

You spent some time in Ibiza, how has that influenced you in your career so far?

Ibiza was a big head turner for me in terms of the gathering of people from all over the world. Up until then I was used to going out in the U.K and not really meeting many people from abroad. This obviously opens your eyes music wise and culture wise. Many of the people I met over there are still great friends now, they are people that have moved through the music industry and are doing some really cool stuff now. Funny, I look at some people now and am like boom! These guys are really kicking it. Ibiza is great for this I think…

Your Below parties are stuff of legend and that is where you built your reputation as one of the best residents in the UK. Can you describe what a typical Below event is like? What are the plans for Below this summer?

Below has been a great stepping-stone for me and still is. The main thing is that it consists of is great groups of people that have been coming for ages and new faces that get excited to see this ‘together’ atmosphere. I have been very lucky to play alongside some of the world’s best DJs on the deep house scene and as we have been doing it now for six years we’ve watched people’s music really grow. A typical Below is a minimum of a 12 hour party moving through house of all sorts, placing guest DJs where we feel right for them, not just a bang-it-out main set with no thought. And a whole lot of other stuff I am not allowed to say… all harmless fun though!

Your label One Records that you co-own with Subb-an, started back in November 2009. What was your intention with the label and how important is it for you to have that as an outlet for your musical tastes?

The label is a base for us to showcase what we do, what we like and to build a collection of people that we feel are happy to get on board with just those things. We want people to make music for the label, not just give us music, that is very important to us and hopefully will give the label a longer shelf life rather than just firing out what is hot at the moment.

You are hosting a One Records showcase at Zutekh on Friday – what do you have in store for the Manchester crowd?

Knowing the Zutekh crowd we will be looking to have it right off! I love the venue and the crowd there, well up for it. So yeah I will keep it simple with that. Liam (Seelie) is great for all times, Hector is on form at the moment and I have some nice new bits for the crowd. Oh I am looking forward to it, I must say!

Last time you spoke to Skiddle you spoke about how important the job of being a resident DJ is. You have recently been made a Zutekh resident, playing at various stages of the year – how important is it to be a resident DJ and how is the new residency in Manchester going?

It is nice to have a second residency, especially up North - I find the crowd are well up for it there. My residency with Zutekh is at an early stage I guess, I have played once as a guest and once as a resident so I think this gig on Friday will really be the one where I will get the feel of being part of the crew and especially the fact it’s a One Records party. I think what the guys are doing in Manchester is great and I like the fact they are not sticking to a certain pool of DJs, which a lot of nights do. They are very open-minded and for me that will be cool as I can get to play alongside a whole host of different people. I felt welcome at Zutekh the first time I met the guys and feel more so every time we talk so there is the basis there for a good relationship - if you are going to be resident for a night that has to be there. I can get away with playing a few shit tracks and won’t get shouted at then!

Your side project along with Subb-an under the guise S.A.S has more of a disco / re-edit vibe. What are your plans with this alter ego and when can we see it played out live?

We have big plans with S.A.S for 2012. We are going to keep on with our re edits, we are doing a few remixes, we have a remix coming up on Under the Shade, a new edit on Hot Waves, and a new four tracker on Foot and Mouth in the summer… the bigger picture is not ready yet. I love doing the edits though, digging through your favourites and thinking 'hmmmm, lets beef this already bad boy track up a bit'... fun!

Finally, what do you have in store for the rest of 2011?

I am moving from the U.K for a while in the next month to Berlin, I am really looking forward to this, such a creative city. I will be moving over there with Subb-an where we will be looking at spreading the label, doing a few parties and meeting up with friends over there and making some music with some exciting artists. Really looking forward to the rest of the year, the label and all the above stuff mentioned. Happy days. 

Catch Adam with Hector and Seelie at Zutekh, Sound Control this Friday. Tickets are available below. 

Find out more about Adam Shelton, including upcoming events, at his artist page. 

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