Chris Simmonds - The Interview

---

Chris Simmonds – House Proud TV – U.K.
twitch.tv/houseproudtv
facebook.com/djchrissimmonds
instagram.com/houseproudtv
souncloud.com/cross-section-music
mixcloud.com/chrissimmonds1
twitter.com/chrissimmonds
youtube.com/@houseproudtv
Cross Section Music, Consentrated Music Publishing, Houseproud TV

---

1. What’s your real name and DJ Name?
Chris Simmonds

2. How did you get into DJing?
I got into DJing while I was in High School with a few friends. In those days it was sound systems, which we built ourselves from speakers to custom made amplifiers and stored it in each others houses. We would play with other sound systems at parties or be hired to do special occasions I was the main, DJ playing Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop and Rare Grooves to adults from the age of 14, I had my first set of decks and mixer at 15 and was practicing everyday after school.

3. What inspired you to become a DJ?
While I was doing my apprenticeship in Engineering, Pirate Radio was the rage in London and was a great alternative to main stream stations. I used to listen any chance I had, as they were playing the imports and hard to find music. I was buying a lot of music at this time myself and a local pirate station were looking for presenters so I sent in a demo and I was given the graveyard shift from 2-6am playing a variety of genres.

4. What do you enjoy most about DJing?
The best thing for me is giving the audience the best possible experience by delivering music they will really dance to.

5. How would you describe your music style and what makes it unique?
I would say my style is a definite feel good underground vibe, I’m always looking for that something in the music that makes me feel good and luckily it translates without being cheesy or obvious. 100% no flim flam!

6. What has been your favorite gig or event to play at so far?
My best gigs to date were in a club in Germany called the M1 based in Stuttgart. The sound system was solid and the people really appreciated good House even if they had never heard it before, there were 1500 heads getting down, plus the added bonus of doing long sets. Any DJ that played that venue would remember it as a highlight, it was a magical place.

7. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I have so many Hi-Tension, Jeff Lorber, Level 42, Patrice Rushen, Earth,Wind & Fire, Steve Gadd, Ralph Mcdonald, Dr Dre, Qunicy Jones, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Mood II Swing, Pharrell Williams, The Mizzell Brothers, Bernard Wright, Dee Dee Bridgewater, I could go on forever.

8. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or releases you have coming up?
I’m writing new music at the moment so there’s a few things in the pipeline that I’m excited about. Bakers Dozen is back, Private Funk and a Codemaster album in works, plus new music from Steven Lopez, Magoo and The Funkbrothas a new signing from Latvia coming very soon!

9. How do you stay up to date with new music and trends in the industry?
I try my best to listen to new music as much as possible, so keeping up to date on social media of the artists I support is important for me, plus on platforms like Spotify I always do searches to find that obscure track or artist that I like. There’s so music music available now it’s impossible to keep up with it all but there’s no harm in trying. As far as trends go I don’t really follow them.

10. What advice do you have for aspiring DJs?
Be true to yourself, do your best work and be self critical. Don’t be afraid to play outside the mainstream.

11. How do you think the role of a DJ has changed over the years?
The DJ’s role hasn’t changed, the media and how you promote yourself as a DJ has changed.

12. How long have you been streaming on Twitch?
I’ve been streaming on Twitch for around 18 months

13. Who are your favorite Streamers and why?
In no particular order, Brian Royer, DJ Heather, DJ Sneak, Jazzy Jeff, MrSee, Bradleybe, Eric Anthony, LacieIQ, SimplyB, Pangean, Agent818, Ed Muschamp, DJ Mes, Rory Northall, JD Vasquez, The Thisco crew, Gunselsenol & Scratch Bastid are just a few I can mention for good music, and are very talented individuals who bring something different and enjoyable to the table.

14. Did covid and recent lock-downs influence you to start streaming on Twitch?
No not all, I first started streaming in 2009 and due to commitments and work I stopped but had all the equipment. Friends and colleagues were pushing me to do so during the lockdown but I was waiting for my second hip replacement, it was very uncomfortable to sit or stand for long periods of time.

15. Anything else you want to add? Good time to shamelessly promote yourself.
Well I stream as a form of practice and to promote music, plus my goods and services via the website www.crosssectionmusic.com I do Mixdowns and Mastering, plus I’m an agent for vinyl manufacturing, for various clients worldwide plus I have the advantage of selling downloads and merchandise from the website directly. There are still hundreds of tracks to upload too. I like being totally independent, owning the rights and infrastructure to my business in this industry, as it give me the freedom to express myself.
Catch me on Tuesdays 6pm GMT, Saturdays 9pm GMT and Brian Royer presenting The Other Room on Sundays 2pm GMT!