Craig Charles says of X-ray Ted: “One of my favorite DJ / Producers… Just, so cool”. Bristol based, UK, X-Ray Ted like to bring us in a funky music experience focused on dancefloor. After two decades of beatmaking, X-ray Ted and Bombstrikes Records presents his debut album “Moving On” features hip-hop legends Afrika Baby Bam (JungleBrothers) and Fullee Love (Jurassic5) among others. For the occasion we interviewed him.

A glass of? 
Strong coffee, always!

What was your first experience with beatmaking?

I started making remixes on Cubase in 2005, but I had no idea what I was doing; I was only 17. I think the first track I made was a remix of “Everything in its right place” by Radiohead.

Your first experience to Djing (precise the year too)?

I was in a punk band which broke up in 2003 - I needed something to do musically as an individual, so early 2004 I bought some turntables and set them up on my bedroom floor. I sucked!! Despite now being a DMC UK Finalist, this never came easy to me. My first gig was probably at a pub in Brighton, UK in 2006 for my friend’s birthday. My first club set was Thekla in Bristol in 2007.

Mountain or sea?

Sea because I gotta catch those waves!

Your top 2 favorite songs from «Moving On » Lp and why?

“Dance With Me” ft. Carys Abigail - because her vocals are just incredible. This is the track I play live every time. Then, “Doin’ My Thing” because it’s a love letter to sample based music, I’m really in my element on that one.

The beatmaker that puts you crazy systematically?

Pete Rock, every time.

To dress, a pair of?

Nike Air Trainer 2’s

What is your favorite hardware?

I know this probably doesn’t count, but my Pioneer DJM S9 - it totally revolutionised the way I DJ; I even use it to sample.

EQ or compression first ?

EQ first, and EQ last (laughs).

What comes to your mind if I say zen?

Sitting on a board, in warm water, waiting for a wave to come in.

What job would you like to do if you weren’t a beatmaker-musician? 

I’m also an animator! It’s always been a passion, I was a full time 2D animator before X-Ray Ted kicked off.

What is your favorite microphone?

SM57, baby! I record all of my guitars and bass through amps mic’d with the ‘57.

If I tell you turntablism?

I think of the classics - the stuff that got me really excited about DJing; Roc Raida, Steve D, Mix Master Mike. To me, turntablism isn’t about skill, it’s about recontextualising music. It’s about bending and shaping familiar material to surpass the regular expectation and create something new. I’ll never forget the scene in Scratch where Mix Master Mike flips a Robert Johnson record over Dead Prez’ “Hip Hop” - that moment that changed everything for me.

When you're digging for vinyl, what genre are you obsessed with?

For DJing, I’m absolutely obsessed with recontextualised versions of popular tracks, so anything from Mongo Santamaria, Breakdown Brass, Boogaloo Assassins. For production, it’s late-60s soul; the horns are so warm and the vocals are always amazing.

What do you dream of tomorrow?

Honestly, just peace, happiness, fulfillment, health, & staying in love with what I do. That’s all we can really ask for.

Top 5 new releases?
-London Afrobeat Collective « Freedom »

-The Allergies «  One Time »

-Jamu « Jericho Skank »

-Flevans « Stand Tall »
-NxWorries Feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Rae Khalil « WalkOnBy »

Top 5 oldies?

-Fatboy Slim « Talkin’ Bout My Baby »

-A Tribe Called Quest « Scenario »

-Margie Joseph « Let’s Stay Together »

-Double Dee & Steinski « Jazz »

-ALL « Original Me »

Interview by el tablist cosh... / Photo by KoLAB Studios - Alastair Brookes