Sam Middleton
I recently caught up with mate and Lancashire based DJ Sam T Harper for a Q and A session
digging into his origins as a DJ, the current state of nightlife, and his advice for up and coming DJ’s and producers.
Sam is a 31 year old DJ and producer hailing from Morecambe, Lancashire.
His lush productions of Progressive house have earnt him releases on labels such as prognosis records, plays on BBC introducing Lancashire and landed him gigs across Manchester and beyond.
How did you first get into DJing?
I first got the taste for DJing when I was 15, 16 and I used to record mixes using Virtual DJ on my dads computer, using a mouse and keyboard to mix tracks, badly. I think they’re still on the internet somewhere on Mixcloud maybe haha
What was your first pair of decks/controllers?
I think the first pair were some god awful toy shop specials – absolutely useless, may as well have gone back to my dads Virtual DJ account and a mouse and keyboard. I then later dived into the XDJ RX.
First club gig?
My first club gig was with my mate Rhett, when I turned 21 I saw him DJing and asked if he would teach me properly. We became best mates and I learnt how to DJ. He used to be a Saturday night resident at Sugarhouse in Lancaster in front of 1000 students every weekend. I got thrown in at the deep end for sure.
Favourite dance tunes of all time?
I could give you 50 and this question has taken the longest to answer but:
Faithless – Insomnia
Spooky – Belong Sasha Involver Remix [Prankster Edit]
Sasha – Xpander
The tune that gets the best reaction in a club?
Tune that gets the best reaction will depend on where you’re playing. If I’m playing somewhere like a bar it’ll be something cheesy. If it’s a proper gig where I can play my sound then most recently Marsh’s Remix of Bedrocks Heaven Scent (John Digweed, Nick Muir)
How do you think nightlife in Lancashire has changed from when you started out DJing?
Oh the nightlife has changed dramatically here in Lancaster. Before Covid you had great events every month in Lancaster – proper dance music events like LUEDMS and Tabuki were pivotal for my music and DJing. I had the likes of Michael Bibi, OC & Verde, Richy Ahmed. I could list about 50 other DJs I’ve seen in Lancaster before Covid changed the nightlife.
Releases planned?
I’ve had a remix already and an EP. I’ve got another single coming out on 27th Feb called ‘Second Choice’. As for the rest of the year I’m hoping for another consistent flurry of music like I have done for the last 6 years!
Upcoming gigs?
I’ve got a couple gigs rumoured in Manchester, and have a massive one in Manchester soon. But that’s being announced next week so I am keeping that quiet. But it’s a dream booking for sure!
Your dream collaboration?
Dream collab? wow so many I could choose from. Sasha, Marsh, Dosem, Maze 28, Cristoph, Prydz, Mike Rish, Maty Owl I could go on and on.
Advice for upcoming DJs ?
Don’t be a helmet. Don’t think you’re God’s gift because you can spin a few tracks back to back. Be respectful and turn up to events you want to play. Network network network!
Advice for upcoming producers?
Upcoming producers, keep at it. Don’t throw the towel in if a label knocks you back it’s a redirection not a rejection. If you’re capable of learning from watching videos, YouTube will be your best friend!