Ossie Newton Interview School of Electronic Music Student Success

Courses studied:

Complete Music Production Course

and the Complete DJ Course

We caught up with SEM student Ossie Newton, who has his next club event on Saturday November 2nd, with the iconic Greg Wilson headlining.

It led us to talking about his recent tour with the Sugar Hill Gang, and his journey as a promoter and DJ since studying at SEM. Enjoy!

Ossie-Newton-Complete Music Production. Course.jpg

Cheers for joining us Ossie, I’d like to start this off by saying a big congratulations on your recent shows supporting the Sugar Hill Gang! How did this dream team come about?

It’s great to return after graduating from the Complete DJ Course donkeys years ago when SEM was then known as the Manchester Midi School. I’m really enjoying the Complete Music Production Course I’ve recently enrolled on, it’s great being amongst other like-minded music heads!

And thanks, it still seems surreal people saying that to me. It came about after being asked to support the Sugar Hill Gang’s gig at a venue I regularly play in my hometown Blackpool called ‘Bootleg Social’. Sugar Hill liked what they heard and much to my surprise asked if I wanted me to perform with them for some dates in Scotland.

Obviously I jumped at the chance and it proved to be a truly unforgettable experience, especially when I had Melle Mel refer to me as Grandmaster Oz! Who knows? More dates might be happening in 2020…

We noticed you play a lot of shows, what can people expect from a DJ Ossie Newton set?

Well, I always try to reference 4 keys musical influences in my life. Firstly, my parents were avid collectors of 60s/70s soul from cities such as Detroit, Philly, New York and Chicago. Secondly, my personal discovery of hip-hop in the mid-late 80s.

This was followed by my introduction to rave from my sister via cassette tapes (yes, I’m that old!) from the big clubs of the time, and finally, my grounding in electronica such as Kraftwerk, guided by the tutelage from my one of a kind nutter Uncle!

In terms of genre, my sets tend to cover loads such as soul/funk/disco edits, hip-hop, house, Balearic, electro, italo, beats/breaks, new wave and techno moving from 90-125 BPM. If I at least attempt to reference those core influences I know I’m generally on the right track. Also, I never shy away from playing music by popular artists as long as the quality is there and it fits the moment.

Follow Ossie on Soundcloud here

Alongside your career as a DJ, you also host an energetic club night ‘Where it’s at” in Blackpool. Your next event is a big one with the mighty Greg Wilson headlining! Tell us a bit about your events and how this line up came to be?

“Where it’s at” as a concept was borne out of necessity. I realised the only way to play the music I wanted without having to compromise was to put something on myself. I hate being pigeon-holed so music wise it’s a hybrid sound but fundamentally the concept is based around electronic music made with soul.

In terms of Greg Wilson headlining, he’s one of my all-time favourite DJ’s and producers so was a logical choice and really encapsulates the spirit and vibe of what I want to achieve.

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My opening night had the residents from the iconic Sub Club Harri & Domenic, since then I’ve supported the Sugarhill Gang, Craig Charles and very soon Greg Wilson so it’s been a mad 12 or so months and I’m really proud to have played amongst such influential people in the music scene.

Moving forwards my biggest ambition as a DJ is to be able to take my own night to different cities and towns and have autonomy, similar to what Scruff and Weatherall do with some of their events. Guess I’m a bit of a control freak, but only when it comes to music!

Amazing to hear that you are pushing a scene in Blackpool. What is the current club scene in Blackpool like, and where do you see it going?

In all honesty it’s not great for discerning music. Although historically it’s had some amazing scenes over the years from Northern Soul, jazz-funk, punk, rave and house music. However, there’s a movement of people doing things for the right reasons.

Rick Napier (who’s also DJ’ing the Greg Wilson gig) has brought some of the best house music talent to the town for 20 odd years, techno don Man On Wax has held the mega “Achtung, Morse Code” events and Heidi is playing at the end of November for “Mantra” so good things do take place.

It can be a frustrating place as a DJ and promoter, but there is much to look forward to if locals get out there and support.

The town is a cheaper alternative to the bigger cities so who knows, it could become a hidden gem in UK clubbing circles?!

What 3 tracks would you take with you on a one way trip to Mars?

Impossible question to answer so I’m going to cheat by referring to my 4 big musical influences and pick a track from each.

My first, based on my parents soul influence is Blair – Nightlife. The track pays tribute to the excitement of the night time experience and I never tire of it. I tend to play the Secret Squirrels edit out which they’ve subtly added an acid bassline to for extra ommph in the clubs.

The second is A Tribe Called Quest – Footprints and is my hip-hop influence. It has the same intro as Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke which I loop for a while so when the track drops into a bass heavy hip-hop number it proves to be a real curveball. Sounds massive on a little iPod so in a club it’s game over!

The next is my love for electronica and Orbital – Belfast. Orbital are my reason for beginning DJing, I saw them play millennium eve and promptly went and bought their vinyl EP a few days later without even owning decks at that point! Not their most obvious but an absolute masterpiece.

Had to include a ravey banger so my choice is D-Shake – Techno Trance. An absolute monster and sounds like a jet plane taking off. The track’s only downside is it’s impossible to follow as it’s so freaking massive!

It’s been great to have a catch-up, we want to congratulate you on everything you have achieved so far in your music career. We can’t wait to see how you keep on growing through your time here at SEM. And all the best with your Greg Wilson event!

Many thanks, I really appreciate you taking an interest in my career and I look forward to developing in my learning with SEM.

One final point I’d like to make to anyone reading this is any positives that have come my way recently is down to persistence.

I’ve had plenty of flops and knockbacks over the years, and coming from a difficult town I question my sanity every time I put something on in the build up. All I make sure of is whoever I book will always be someone I’d absolutely love to hear, so even if only 10 people walk through the door, I’m still going to hear something that inspires and makes it all worthwhile! Hopefully, it’s next stop Manchester for Where It’s At, so watch this space!

Sorry, one more as I feel it’s unfair not to include a pop music selection. For this it’s Kate Bush – Cloudbusting. End of nighter. So good man. As I said, picking 3 is impossible, my apologies!

If you’d like to catch the don Greg Wilson at Ossie’s event, you can book tickets here. Scenes don’t support themselves; support your local scene! You know what to do!