Features

DJ Amber D is a 26-year-old Hard Dance DJ from Staffordshire. Not only has she been behind the decks in venues all around the world, from Staffordshire to Dubai, Australia and New Zealand to, of course, Ibiza, she also runs her own record label, D’Amour Recordings.

As one of the city's greatest female exports, I was keen to catch up with the newlywed DJ (as of August 2008), just as soon as she got the all clear for Swine Flu.....

Hi Amber, how are you?

Great thank you! Had a bit of a scare, as my husband and I have just come back from a week’s holiday in Mexico, and they’ve just had that swine flu over there, but I can happily say that we are okay!

What have you been up to so far this year?

Lots of work in the studio, and loads of travelling all over the globe! I had one of my tracks in the top 4 Hard Dance tracks of 2008 at this years Hard Dance Awards, so that was great.

Summer is on its way, and we all know, that means party and festival season! What are your plans for the next few months?

I shall be back in Ibiza this year, which I can’t wait for. I love it there! I shall be playing Hard Dance under my guise, Amber D, and also playing Electro, Fidget, and House under my other guise, Amber D’Amour. I shall also be getting to play to Cream, Zoo, Play 2 (with my own record label night), Kanya, and many other places. Also I will be out in Mallorca to play for Kiss Da Funk, which will be great fun…. As well as playing in the UK at some of the festivals.

Would you say that you have a 'party lifestyle'? How would you describe your average week?

No, I wouldn’t say so! When I am in the clubs, I am working. Then in the week, I am in the studio or running my record label, and promoting myself as a DJ.

When you get time off from DJing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I love cooking, and I love spending time with my family and my husband especially, as sometimes we can both be working in separate corners of the globe and not see each other for days and days on end.

Congratulations on the wedding! Do you think that married life means you'll be settling down to a quieter life?

Definitely! It’s all part of growing up.

Many people say that women can't sustain a rock n' roll lifestyle like men can, what do you think?

I bet whoever said that is a bloke! I think everyone is different. My husband doesn’t really drink at all…

Is DJing something that you always wanted to do?

I fell into it to be honest…. I am a classically trained pianist, but then I swapped my piano for decks somewhere down the line! Then I did a BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology, and started producing my own tracks. And that’s how it all started!

Is DJing something you can see yourself doing forever?

Ask me in a few years time! I would like to take time off soon to start a family. But I would definitely miss DJing, but it may have to take more of a back seat later on in life.

How would you describe the music scene that you are part of, and the people that enjoy it? Do you think that you have to be a pretty hardcore partier to enjoy it?

Not at all. There are people of all ages who enjoy Hard Dance music. It is also becoming much more mainstream. For instance, we now have Kutski on BBC Radio 1 with his radio show, brands like Clubland, and Euphoria which as also pretty mainstream which fly the Hard Dance flag.

Thanks Amber! Have an amazing summer!

Kirsty Bosley

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Brief biog of DJ Amber D

Amber started learning her trade in the Autumn of 2001 when her ex-boyfriend bought a set of decks.

It wasn't long before she went from DJ-in-training to DJ-in-residency.

First gig

She picked it up so quickly that within a couple of months, she was performing at a local club night Asylum - in Newcastle-under-Lyme - and she hasn't looked back since.

Amber was quickly offered a residency spot at Asylum and quickly followed up that success by securing a slot on the prestigious BPM Radio.

This meant she got the chance to play live over the Internet. Furthermore, it gave her a video and sound archive on the website, which helped her secure future gigs.

Further success followed in 2002 after she walked away with first prize in the Fluffy DJ Competition. Winning this gave her a residency there too!

Style

Amber D's main styles are Hard House, Hard Trance and Funky House.

She's also a fan of some of the other female DJs on the dance circuit. In particular she's a big admirer of Lisa Pin-Up but also rates Lisa Lashes and Charlotte Birch highly.

What her fans think

A fan of Amber D, Marie Williams, from her early days as resident at Asylum, says:

"I can't wait until she comes back to Stoke, she's a great talent and I'm hoping to see her first gig when she arrives back, I think her hard house style is great.

"Her mixes are so fresh and I cannot wait to hear some of her new stuff, I was hooked ever since I heard her remix of the Sound of Music tune doe-a-deer, an accapella version mixed with a hard house tune. It was fantastic and totally original."