November 2001 - Exclusive Interview with ukmusicworldwide.com...

London's Good Vibing Crew are set to create a storm in 2002. Evo and RST, the two crew members, both DJ and MC/host, and if that wasn't enough... they're brothers! I caught up with them to see what was going on in their Good Vibing World.

UKMW: How did you acquire your names? Did you have different names or aliases before these?
RST: My nick name has always been RST as it serves a purpose, being my initials.
Evo: Evo is short for 'evolution', as I feel I am a natural progressor.

UKMW: How about the name 'Good Vibing Crew'? Which other names were options?
RST: Other options were 'Garage Twins'
Evo: and 'Brothers Connection'.
RST & Evo: Our style of music is based around the whole essence of good vibes, hence the name 'Good Vibing Crew'.

UKMW: How old were you when you started? How old are you now?
Evo: I started when I was 15, and I'm 20 now.
RST: I was also 15 and I'm 22 now.

UKMW: How long have you been into garage music? Which other genres of music do you listen to in your spare time?
Evo: I've been into it for roughly six years. I listen to RnB/hip hop and jungle/drum and bass.
RST: I've been into garage for about 6.5 years. I listen to rare groove, soul, acid jazz, and funky/disco house.

UKMW: Have you only ever been garage DJs? Do you mix anything other than garage now?
Evo: Originally I was a jungle DJ through the early stages of my mixing days. I was into the UK jungle scene before I was introduced into what is now the garage scene. Now I mix a variety of UK garage, which consists of 4 to the floor - old and new, breakbeat, and 2 step.
RST: I've only ever been a garage DJ. As well as playing all aspects of the garage spectrum, I also mix a bit of funky house.
RST & Evo: As the 'Good Vibing Crew' we try to cater as much as we can for everyone.

UKMW: Do you find it hard being partners and brothers?
RST: Course we do!
Evo: Our relationship is very different from your average DJ and MC.
RST: Being brothers, we tend to argue a lot, but when we get down to business (playing live sets), all that is forgotten.

UKMW: Do you learn mixing, producing and voice tecniques from each other?
*They start arguing! I decide it's best if I move on to the next question!!*

UKMW: Do you find that you have the same musical tastes and influences?
RST: Yeah, we do and we don't.
Evo: To a certain extent.

UKMW: Both of you DJ and MC/host. It seems you have musical blood! Do you produce as well?
Evo: Being a qualified sound engineer, I have co-produced in the past, and have assisted on a few garage tracks.
RST: For the last year, I've been closely working with a few producers and co-assisting on their tracks. For the last six months I've slowly been putting together my own studio and working individually on some solo tracks - so watch our space for big tings!

UKMW: Describe your own style in three words.
Evo: Elegant, Versatile and Origianal.
RST: Rhythmic, Sexy and Tantalising.

UKMW: How did you first get a set on pirate radio?
Evo: During a set at Camden Palace in '1996, I was approached by management from a leading radio station, who complimented me and offered me a prime time set on the station there and then.

UKMW: How long have you been on Y2K FM? Were you on the station when it was 'Mission FM'?
RST: Yeah.
Evo: We joined the station 2 years ago.

UKMW: Have you done any guest shows on other stations?
RST & Evo: Yep! - Freek FM, Time FM, Extreme FM, London Underground, Lush FM, Shock Fm, Prime Fm, Energy Fm and Unknown FM.

UKMW: What advise would you give to an MC or DJ trying to get a set on pirate radio?
Evo: Be original, try and appeal to the listener, keep it professional!
RST: Persivere, be creative, be different. From personal experience, the best way to get a set on a radio station is firstly to sell yourself to the management. Sadly, these days, because of the large amount of demo tapes being handed in, radio station managers and promoters just haven't got the time to sit there and listen to 20 tapes.

UKMW: What are the perks of being on pirate radio and playing out? Are there any down sides?
Evo: The down side is when DTI are on the prowl!
RST: Yeah, and when promoters are unorganised. But there's that feel-good-factor of making people happy.
Evo: Good vibes and and good atmosphere.

UKMW: Being on radio, do you feel under pressure to go out and buy all the latest tunes each week?
Evo: First of all, big up all the distributers!
RST & Evo: Fortunately, we are lucky enough to recieve various bits and bobs from distribution houses on a weekly basis, but we still have to find the time to pop down to our local record shops and purchase some wicked cuts.

UKMW: Which mailing lists are you on?
RST & Evo: 4 Liberty, PDC Audio, Millennium Audio Distribution, Push It Promotions, Passion 4 Music, and Soul II Streets.

UKMW: How did you get on the mailing lists?
RST: They approached us.
Evo: Through various artists within the scene.

UKMW: So approximately how much would you say you spend on tunes each week? Would you say most of the tunes you play on radio are ones you've bought, or been sent via mailing lists?
RST & Evo: Half and half - half are bought, half are sent. We spend roughly £60.00 a week between us.

UKMW: What do you look for when you're buying new tunes?
Evo: A good beat pattern, a bumpy bassline, nice melodies and sweet vocals.
RST: As I mix a variety of garage, I'm always on the look out for different things. The main essentials to buying a good track is to make sure it's well produced; that it follows a standard structure and would appeal to my captive audience as well as myself.

UKMW: What are your favourite tunes at the moment?
Evo: Cloud 6, 'That's How We Like It' (Good Vibes Dub) Kevin Real Deal, 'Breaking Rocks'.
RST: Brasstooth, 'Pleasure' (Good Karma Mix), Cloud 6, 'Weekend' (Acetate), LGVC, 'Feel Good' - White Label.

UKMW: What is your favourite tune of all time?
RST & Evo: We both have our special few.

UKMW: Is there a certain tune you make sure you play in every set?
RST: Our sets variate from time to time depending on where we're playing and crowd reaction. We always obviously take our favourites but that doesn't neccessarily mean they will get played.

UKMW: Is there a certain producer or production team that you will buy every track that they bring out without even having to listen to it because you know it will be wicked?
Evo: No...
RST: But... I must say MJ Cole.
Evo: Yeah, if it had to be someone, it would be Mr. Cole!

UKMW: What do you think makes a good MC? Who is your favourite?
Evo: Someone that compliments the music, works with the DJ, and makes the people feel good.
RST: An MC that knows how to talk, but knows when to shut up! An MC that can compliment a mix, not ruin it. An MC that has a positive outcome.
Evo:... Viper
RST: There's many out there, but it has to be CKP.

UKMW: And DJ?
RST: A DJ that can mix, that knows how to select, and analyses the audience properly.
Evo: A DJ that creates a unique style and has a serious passion for music. Personally, I haven't got a favourite - any DJ with a powerful mixing ability deserves credit.
RST: There are lots of DJs out there, but not all of them are good! I aspire to the likes of EZ.

UKMW: When your not working, do you still go clubbing? What has been your favourite event?
Evo: Sweet Harmony at Eros.
RST: I don't go clubbing often. I prefer a more up-market bar, but if I had to go, I'd say 'Emotions' pull in a good crowd.

UKMW: What's your favourite venue you've played at?
RST & Evo: Emotions at Time & Envy

UKMW: Have you played abroad?
RST & Evo: Yeah - Aiya Napa, Benidorm and St Maarten.

UKMW: Are there any differences in vibes/mood/attitude in the places you've played abroad?
RST & Evo: Non-stop wicked vibes. Ravers in other countries really do appriciate the music that we play, which in turn provides us with an amazing feeling.

UKMW: How do you feel about the current state of the garage world?
Evo: As everybody knows, the violence and bad attitudes have increased far too much in the last 6 months. Personally, I believe this is due to the way garage is going. Production-wise there's too much dark bassline and not enough vocals. The vibe is simply going downhill, and we're in this business to make a change.
RST: As well as the hatrid and bad attitude within the scene, certain DJs and promoters are loosing focus and taking ten steps back. They are playing and producing jungle orientated garage which is bringing too much darkness into this initially good vibing scene.

UKMW: Do you ever wonder about the amount of money you've spent on equipment and tunes and what else you could have bought with the money!?
RST: No
Evo: In a way, yes, but at the same time, I look at it as an investment.

UKMW: And lastly, if a genie could grant you each three wishes, what would you wish for?
Evo: Love, peace and lots of money for everyone!
RST: World peace, good health and for everyone to live happliy ever after.