Keiran prepares to hit the decks with ‘legends of soul’

Keiran is on a bill packed with top names in house, soul, jazz and funk, including Graeme Park of Hacienda fame, New York disco legend Danny Krivit and Northern Soul icon Ann Sexton.

Despite 20 years experience DJing across the North Keiran, 38, admits he is “nervous and excited” for what he hopes could be his big break.

“I don’t remember Preston hosting such a prestigous music event, so I am hugely looking forward to it,” he said.

“The thought of performing with these legends of soul and house, makes me nervous and excited at the same time.

“The SSW Weekender is my first big break and I hope it leads to a new career in music. Currently I’m a full time technical consultant for the AA.

“I’ve been into music since I found an 4-track stereo in a skip behind my house, complete with working speakers. I was into all sorts and got into house and techno in my early teens. I remember blagging my way into the Hacienda in Manchester, what seems like a million years ago.

“I learned how to mix on my friend’s Technics 1200s at an after-party in Leeds. I spent fouryears at Leeds University from 1993, and Leeds was a huge part of the house scene.

“Although I enjoyed being on the dancefloor I enjoyed after-partys just as much as it meant I could get on the decks – I couldn’t afford my own!

“As soon as I left uni and got a job I bought my first set of Technics 1210s and started my vinyl collection. My first record was ‘Strings of Life’ by Rhythm is Rhythm and I still play this today.”

Three years ago Keiran set about creating his own night in Preston – ‘WUnderground’ – which he took to several clubs in the city centre. Although still looking for a permanent base for the night – subtitled ‘It’s All About The Music’ – WUnderground did prompt the organisers of SSW (Scottish Soulful Weekend) 4 to approach Keiran.

“I was asked by event owner and DJ Yogi Haughton, to play house music in one of the five arenas,” said Keiran.

“It must have been a huge decision for Yogi and co-owner Carolyn Jessop, to move the event from its birthplace in Scotland to Preston, particularly with us located so close to musical hotbeds like Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

“There are HUGE names performing but I’m most looking forward to hearing Yogi himself. He is the heart of the event and has the largest collection of vinyl I’ve ever seen!.

“I’m excited to see and perform with Graeme Park, a Hacienda and house music legend. Of the headline acts, I’m looking forward to being musically educated by acts such as Danny Krivit (NYC) and the legendary Ann Sexton.”

So what tracks will Keiran be putting his faith in?

He said: “I’ve spent months pulling together music for this, and it’s hard when you’ve been collecting for 20 years!”

The SSW 4 weekender is at Park Hall Hotel, Charnock Richard on September 26/7/8 and promises to be an eclectic musical extravanganza.

Tickets still available from www.scottishsoulfulweekender.com/booking2014.php

Anyone interested in hosting a WUnderground House music events or records, or being involved either as promoter or DJ, can contact Keiran via facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeiranJay or twitter @DJKeiranJay