Feature
David Zowie: We can be House Heroes
There really is very little I can tell you about DJ-producer David Zowie. Even his Facebook page lacks ‘face’, an illustrated head shot the only real reference for fans. However, I do know that Zowie is from Kent, and that that county’s loud association with pedigree house music fits well with his recent rise up the clubland ranks.
Certainly, Zowie – as DZ - has been turning heads with forthcoming debut single House Every Weekend. The track, cutting soulful male vocals with dirty, low-end house production, has earned particular plaudits from Pete Tong and Annie Mac. It follows a blistering remix of DJ Fresh & Adam F’s Believer for Ministry with all the same bass and hook-happy gorgeousness, as well as the gradual but highly effective build of DJ gigs across the UK. Zowie’s profile, riding current interest in the resurgence of bass-ier house flavours across clubland, is about to explode. Yet still he remains a mystery. I spent a couple of hours with him last month attempting to throw more (lime) light on matters…
How are you David? What have you been up to over the past week?
I’m fine thank you. The past week I've been in the studio cooking up a storm and also trying to keep up with what’s new and fresh out there.
Talk to us about House Every Weekend - how did the track come about? Are you pleased with the reaction too?
Well originally I made it in two hours and gave it to a few underground DJs who play at EGG Club in London and it started to slowly build a small buzz there; not to mention in Birmingham where these same DJs also play. My manager Elroy then spontaneously decided to run a full mail-out in the States where it featured on The Magician’s [AKA Stephen Fasano, former member of Aeroplane] Magic Tape 46 which gave it that kick into international club credibility. By that point Annie Mac and Pete Tong had grabbed a hold of it back over in the UK, which sparked a massive major label bidding war. Shout out to Jason Ellis at Positiva / Virgin who was sharp enough to catch what was going on at the time. In the beginning, a lot of A&Rs snubbed the track; they weren't really interested although it had people spinning on their heads and going crazy - they just didn't seem to be interested for some strange reason!
What kind of a producer are you? What's your approach in the studio?
I'm an all round music lover and I don’t like to box myself into categories or lanes, but I am a massive fan of making club-orientated tracks. You can’t go wrong with a dancefloor opener I think. House music has been my platform for a few years now in terms of experimenting with its usual tempos and sounds.  I just like what the scene stands for and represents; it’s fantastic to be a part of.
And how would you describe the music you make and play out?
I will ALWAYS play an upbeat energetic DJ set with the aim of taking you on a euphoric, bass-filled journey.
Remarkable to think in this day and age but there’s hardly any info on you in public domain. Can you give us a brief recap of your history to date?
There’s little info because I chose to keep it that way in the very beginning; not because I’m a diva, but simply because I genuinely felt that I had nothing interesting to talk about that would blow anyone away at first. Believe it or not but my musical background stems from making tons of hip-hop and reggae music as a teen! The mid-Nineties to mid-Noughties was my favourite era, hence why my music is so bass-orientated and influenced [the period saw the particular rise of low-end genres speed garage, bassline house and grime within the wider electronic music spectrum]. The house scene is so beautiful and non judgemental when it comes to embracing new music. The scene is all about the music first. All the politics of who you are and where you’re from just doesn’t matter compared to other genres. It was a long time before anyone even cared who DZ was - they all just wanted to hear House Every Weekend spun in the club! It was BBC Radio 1 that initially supported me, put my name out there and got people raising eyebrows; then all the labels started to show interest which was cool.
Fancy a Tweet?
If your Tweet is 'Favourited' by B&S, you could see your comments added to our print issue @DavidZowie @BluesandSoul
Read more from our exclusive interview with David Zowie, including his thoughts on Kent's EDM scene, the support he received from dance music heavy hitters Pete Tong and Annie Mac and Roger Sanchez and what he plans to do next…Pick up a copy of the latest Blues & Soul magazine at your local magazine retailer, inc; WH Smith, Menzies + selected Euro Foods, Cost Cutters and a plethora of independents everywhere… if they don't stock it, ask for a "B&S shop save" and they will get it for you.
Words BEN LOVETT
