DJ Switch ( DMC UK Finalist 2005 )

DJ Switch AKA Anthony Culverwall is one of the finest young talents we have seen come through the DJ Academy. Even though he was only 15 years old when he completed the course he is already an exceptional DJ. His efforts since he left the DJ Academy have culminated in him winning the IDJ Turntablist of the Month (April 2005 issue).

  • Performed at We Love Homelands festival in the Hip Hop Arena as the warm up for Skinnyman.
  • Played at Medicine Bar, Birmingham as part of the DJ Crew SP One .
  • Performed at the 'Start Local' project with young & gifted musicians from Birmingham
  • Reached the final of DMC Birmingham '05 (picture at www.dmcworld.com)  

"Attending the DJ Academy was the turning point for me as far as DJ-ing was concerned. I realised the standard that I was at before, and how far I could improve. The tutors and students were really friendly and the course was very in-depth.”

 

Trevor Mills

Trevor is an inspiration to any aspiring DJ, particularly anyone with a disability. Trevor was forced to retire from his career as a postman and only took up DJ-ing after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After his condition worsened, he could no longer drum with live bands, so he decided to take up DJ-ing. After investing in some decks and a mixer he came to do a three day Super Skills course with the DJ Academy, in Worcester, and from there has gone on to huge things. Playing a mixture of Ska, Motown, Northern Soul and Disco, he now plays out 4 times a week and even played at Ibiza last summer.

The list of gigs he has under his belt since completing the course include:

  • The Loft, Norwich
  • Spencers , Norwich
  • The Pottergate Tavern, Norwich

Trevor ’s advice to any aspiring young DJ’s who want to make a career in the industry:

“To do well at in any industry you need to educate yourself. Don’t waste your time trying to teach yourself the wrong way to do it, and go and learn from the professionals. Doing the 3 day DJ Academy course was the best money I ever spent as it really gave me all the skills and confidence to go out and play in front of a crowd. If a 43 year old with Parkinson ’s can get paid to play the records he loves then you can. If you get off your arse and get on with it you can achieve whatever you want to.”

Lucy Squire

DJ profile includes programming the music policy, including DJ’s for a number of Cardiff Bars.

Musical style incorporates deep house and down tempo grooves, capable of rocking the dancefloor whilst sitting comfortably in backrooms and bars. Currently promoting two nights - Bulgaria and Gloss, both housed at Journeys Bar in Cardiff . Bulgaria is a housey affair, the last Saturday of the month, whilst the quarterly Gloss focuses on female DJ’s where anything goes form Electro Disco to Cuban Ska!

Lucy has also played at the following clubs/events:

  • Time Flies
  • The Secret Garden
  • Compass Point
  • Submerge

“I found the course very constructive, getting to the crux of the matter with no messing about! The tutors are very approachable and I missed the atmosphere of the classes once the course was over. Going on the DJ course is a positive thing to do and will definitely build your confidence and skills.”

Lloyd Rivers

One of Wales best up and coming DJ’s.

“Well since leaving the academy, I have played various dates throughout the UK for Slinky, I have also worked with Lisa Lashes, Charlotte Birch , A. J. Gibson , Big Al and Dave Lea , at the Almighty Evolution in Cardiff . I also have had the chance to grace the decks at the Legandary hard dance night Hotdog, in Nottingham , that night I spun with scene legend Pete Wardman , and Tidy Traxs Johnny Dangerous, not to mention the resident Daley , who is now producing with Nukleuz records.”

Other gigs:
I was given the opportunity to DJ with Charlotte birch, at The Pier in Mumbles, and
shortly afterwards was offered a residency with International DJ/Producer Jimpy.

Talia

“Whilst trying to find a “Vinyl Junkie” merchant, I found a shop, ‘DJ Kingdom’, a record outlet in Worcester . I got chatting and I learnt of a competition in the local newspaper - The Evening News- which ran in conjunction with the ’DJ Academy’, through which a free spot on the ’DJ Academy’ 10 week course could be won.

I WON!”

Gig List to Date:

“Unauthorised” @ Don Pedro’s Bar, Malvern
“Unauthorised” @ the Hub, Cheltenham
“Selekt” @ Red Bar, Worcester
“Fresh and Funky” @ Charleston’s, Worcester
“Foundation” @ the Con Club, Malvern
“Bubble” @ Bar Med, Birmingham (2nd Saturday of each month, Ongoing)
“Foundation” @ the Con Club, Malvern
“Scream for More” @ Red Bar, Worcester
“Bank Holiday Special” @ Images, Worcester
“Birds on Decks” @ Images, Worcester
“Lost” @ The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury (2nd Friday of each month, Ongoing)
Papas HRG in Hurghada , Egypt (1 Week Tour)
“Ultimate” @ Club B3, Birmingham (2nd Thursday of each month, Ongoing)

Ian Tasker

“Since leaving the Academy I've secured a residency with Shotgunn Records in Cardiff every Friday and Saturday at The End and various other venues including Incognito and what was
The Emporium. I've had the honour of playing in the back room for one of the legendary L'America nights, and have just been offered a residency at the SunSea Bar in San Antonio for when I’m there for my holidays (3 weeks in August!!!) I run my own night called Tangerine (www.tangerinepromotions.co.uk) which was originally Baths only dedicated house night.  I've recently started producing and am currently trying to get to grips with Reason but being a musical retard doesn’t help matters so you'll probably see me on your Beginners Production course in the not so distant future!

All in all, I think things are looking really bright for me in the future.  I'd just like to thank you guys for giving me the knowledge and especially the confidence for giving it a proper go”

Simon Lloyd

“My music style is electronic house and breaks with rock and 80's influences.
I attended the Academy at Bristol in 2004.  I have a twice monthly residence at the Brunswick in Gloucester where my night '4 - play' is growing month on month and has featured guests who have both studied and taught at the Academy.  I will be DJ-ing live on mix-24.com this summer and playing at various locations in the Bristol area as well as a guest slot at Volks in Brighton . I attended the Academy to progress from playing at home - to clubs and pubs.  The tuition was held in very small groups and on a one to one basis so learning and therefore improvement was dramatic over the 10 weeks! I made some good friends at the Academy, and regularly invite fellow ex-students to play at my night.”

 

Matt Johnson

“Just to say "thank you" again for the course.  One of the most enjoyable and worthwhile things I think I have ever done.  I made some friends for life and improved my mixing. “

Natasha Green

“Things are really happening for me now, It took me a while after the course to grasp things.  I became very frustrated and didn’t practise as much as I should have. I so desperately wanted to be a good DJ but it just wasn’t fitting into place and nearly gave up. I do think its easier for chaps, they tend to be naturally talented with technical things / sport etc. Anyway, started practising properly about a year ago.  Absolutely loving it and you were so right when you used to drum into us to practise, practise, practise!!!!   My musical tastes have changed from Melodic Prog to Dirty Breakz and Dirty Prog. 

This is what has happened to me in 2 years, starting from scratch:

  • I have just got a residency at The Cross Bar in Moseley (monthly, starting on 1 st July)
  • I have been asked to play at All Bar One
  • I’ve played at The Rainbow – Digbeth
  • I’ve played at Tarnished Halo
  • Sunflower Lounge
  • The Bull – Moseley
  • I have the chance to hold a night at the Medbar towards the end of the year and also AIR.
  • I am assisting with the re-launch at Sobar (8 wks time) and have been given a Thursday night to do what I want with (they want live music as opposed to DJ’s mixing)  This is great as I have a singer from London, who does the West End shows, we have formed a little collective where I do my mixing and she sings over the top!  Well known, popular tunes eg. Layo & Bushwakka, we also do a breakz version of Massive Attack - Protection and other top stuff.  We have 2 bongo players that accompany us.  Its really good and something different.  Not going be able to do it every week as Sarah lives in London & people will get bored.  I am also arranging live bands etc & themed nights.  They are building a stage outside, which is going to be different.  With this night its more for the promotion side of things and because the owners’ own a lot of venues in Birmingham , I’m sure it will open some doors for me with other clubs.  The papers are doing a big spread on the occasion, so this will look good on my portfolio!
  • The Manager of The Stereo MC’s is interested in representing  Me, Singer and Bongo Collective thingy (we have a few ideas for names, but nothing definite yet). 
  • Russell Pearce (one half of Wrecked Angle with Steve Gerrard ) is writing some tunes for us to perform live – breakz

Anyway, just wanted to touch base and give you a little feedback.  It’s all your fault!!  Ha ha!.  I’m loving it so much and having lots of fun. Tell your students to bear with it and to be confident & believe in themselves!!!”

Miss XS

One of the UK’ s brightest up and up and coming DJs she has played in USA Holland Dubai Greece and also China . She has her own unique style of hard house .Check out

www.missxs.co.uk . There is no stopping this girl. She now guests all over the world and has her own radio show on www.selectaradio.com . Thursday evenings 9 till 11pm .

It goes to show that with determination and skills you can go all the way.

Nicole White

Nicole did the DJ Academy in Worcester in 2004 .and is now resident DJ at Liberty s Nightclub in Birmingham every Wednesday night with Radio One s Dream Team .She is a great DJ and is really going places .