Miss Kelly Marie Interview

At the launch of the world's first Hed Kandi Beach Bar, we were lucky enough to meet up with Kandi resident and rising DJ star Miss Kelly Marie.

DJ Miss Kelly Marie image We talk nightlife in Egypt, early beginnings, producing, all-girl bands, Miami 2007, Thailand, Brazil, Italy, the art of fighting, without fighting and much more...

You’ve recently returned from DJing in Egypt for Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi, how were the parties and the scene out there?
"I was pleasantly surprised; I really enjoyed both the Hed Kandi Beach Bar launch party and White Sensation @ MoS Hurghada. I thought the turn out was good and the people there were really up for it so what more can you want... The scene is of course small still in Egypt but I can see it growing in the next couple of years for sure.. With only a 5 hour flight and sunshine all year round it makes it a really attractive offering. I think the Kandi Bar is gorgeous place and great to hang out during the day as well as the night so this is helps put Hurghada on the map.."

How did you first get involved in the scene?
"How long have you got?? Well I have always been passionate about music and luckily have grown up with my father in the business and my mums love for good music.

But it actually all happened naturally as I never actually set out to become a DJ.. it all started as I went around with a close group of friends that we all went out to raves and underground parties, they all used to have decks and play jungle and hardcore back then but it was one of my close friends in the group that started buying Us House or garage as it was known and I that was it I was totally hooked.. That completely started my vinyl addiction as you could only get hold of the music on vinyl then and the rest is all a progression of this..

I have actually had many other jobs completely away from music but have always kept up the collecting and playing in bars and small venues at weekends.

I was playing at the jet lounge which is a bar in Soho and a guy that worked for trade at the time asked me if I wanted to try at the test lounge @ Turnmills this was a chance to wind a residency at Trade, I tried out and got my first well known residency which took me fully into the club world and like the say the rest is history..

I understand your father was involved in the ‘biz’, what role did he play in nurturing your career and what exactly did he did for work?
"Actually nothing on the DJ front as musically we are on very different pages and actually he has only got to grips with what I actually do!! But he does understand the music business and runs a main stream label that has been the ones responsible for the Fast Food Rockers and other successful pop songs like this. He also has passed some great artists my way as he I knows what I like now :)

However I have to say they have been doing some much cooler collaborations recently that has got my attention so we are slowing turning pages and should meet in the middle somewhere..

He has been a big help in the studio as well for me and is a real inspiration and even more importantly I have never hassled me to get a proper job so am truly grateful…

You’ve played in some of the best clubs in the world – which three cities / venues are among your favourites and why?
"Mmm Best three cities got to be Toscana ( Tuscany) Italy.
I love everything about this place its where I could see myself ending up.. the place is beautiful, I used to play at a best club there called seven apples and have met some really close friends there..

Thailand – Ko pang Yang- haven’t been they’re for years but this memory has stood out and it’s a crazy place again stunning views and most of the locals have got so much soul.. But playing out there was something I will never forget and would love to do it again some day..

Brazil I did a tour in December for hedkandi and one of the venues was called vive la vie in Gugruja (sau Paulo) this club was on an edge of a cliff in the middle of no where and the crowd there were amazing when of the best I have played to.. I played right up until sunset and to see the view and feel the atmosphere cant explain it again another memory I wont forget.."

You’re involved in Scala – an all-female quartet – can you tell us more about that and your role within the band?
"Yes this I a really cool act these girls are amazing first off I put the music together for a show as they recorded an album to perform life..

I play the show for them and DJ for them mostly its at corporate events but this is really special.. I love collaborating with talented musicians and be part of it..

Some people may be surprised to learn you’re also trained in martial arts, which style and to what degree? Also have you ever used these skills to ‘kick-ass’ on the streets?
"I started training at the age of about 10 – 11 another thing I am grateful my dad introduced me to .. I am a third dan black belt and have competed for the UK team and got to compete in Malaysia a couple of times..
No you wouldn’t find me using this in the street, its all about the art and not to misuse it.. it really would be a last resort and luckily I haven’t needed any last resorts in my life..

I am not training at the moment due to my schedule and some injuries I have but I am egger to get back to it as I miss training a lot.."

You also produce tracks? What have you released lately, which labels etc and what else are you working on?

"I was part of Soul 8 which was myself Danny Keith and vocalist called Martay we have done a number of tracks, Cloud 9, Over and Over has just been put on a compilation I have put together for Sureplayaz, but we also performed all the tracks live as the It Girls. We have performed to people like Richard Branson and high profile events all over the world.

I now have lots of projects on the go and have new collaborations I am involved with so it will be busy from now on first finished project is called Hanging on this is a collaboration with Kosemtiq and is really destroying the dance floors we have just finished it so we will probably put it out ourselves initially..

You recently returned from Miami, how was it this year and what tracks are going to be huge this summer?
"Miami was of course amazing; I got to play at Barbara tuckers party and had Artist I have always loved and followed actually perform with me.. I was trying play it down but was totally in my element.

I heard some great music got to plug Miguel Miggs' new album those things every track on it is that good it’s a must for the collection. And Those Things (by) Lisa Shaw is off the hook … pls check it out..

There are a few tracks that I heard over there 'Good Vibrations' which is Barbara Tucker's new track I don’t know much about this as its coming out on her label and I know Supernova from Italy have done some remixes.. Am loving this and yet to get my hands on it..

I met Maurice Joshua, such a cool guy and he gave me some little exclusives one that I feel will be really big is work 'Yo Move Your Body' think its out on Traxsource now check it out ..

But big tracks that were not necessarily out of Miami but I heard them being played and am hearing them a lot is Claude Von Stroke 'Whistler' this I feel will be huge track really catchy, I am also loving his remix of 'Warrior'..

Oh and make sure you get the new Stereo Sushi album from Hed Kandi this is again quality and the vibe of Miami or the parties I went to anyway.."

Any other projects in the pipeline?
"As I said its all about the studio for me, I am putting together another live element but its in early stages so don’t wont to say to much but you can see the progression on my site as I will be doing a lot of things through this stream..

I am also continuing to spread the Kandi vibe and have many dates with them throughout the summer and hope to be back to see you guys (in Egypt) and some point ;) "

Where can people catch your sets in the coming months?
"We have finally started to do some cool Stereo Sushi parties in London that I am really looking forward to as I love playing this style.. its may favourite ;)

I am nice and busy you can check out www.MissKellyMarie.com or MySpace me www.MySpace.com/DJKellyMarie come show some love and be my friend!"